Posted in General Decorating, Apartments |
Is it possible to create a warm and inviting space with very little to work with?
February 6th, 2007
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Full question:
I live in a rented apartment. All of my walls are off white. I am trying to update my living room without too much cost but I am having a very hard time. I have a 1990’s sectional sofa that we can’t afford to replace, it has colors of teal green blue rose and tan in it in geometric shapes everywhere. I have wedgewood blue drapes on my windows. I want to update the walls with pictures or something but I really don’t know whats in style and would also go with my sofa. I don’t have many accessories either. Is it possible to create a warm and inviting space with what I have to work with? If you think so, please let me know any suggestions.
My answer:
The short answer is “yes”.
The longer answer is - try repurposing stuff you ALREADY have. Examples:
* Got any hats? Use them as wall decor or over lamp shades.
* Got ant scarves? Drape them over lamp shades (on lamps with low wattage bulbs)
* Got any hardware - doorknobs, drawer pulls, stuff like that? Display these in bowls (I use silver ones) on top of stacked books.
* Oh yeah…Got any books? They make great table legs, and accessory displays.
* Got family photos? Put them in a bowl on a table near a chair.
* Got any extra linens - table clothes, sheets, whatever? They can be draped over tables, over hanging curtains, over beds (I put a lace tablecloth on the bed in my guest room - right over the quilt).
* Got feathers, stones, branches, nests - anything from nature? GREAT decorating tools!
* Got extra dinnerware? They make candle holders/candle plates. They can alos be hung on the wall using plate holders.
* Got flower pots? A little garden theme can be done using them for all kinds of things.
* Got minilights you only use at Christmas? Get ‘em back out and use them around windows, in potted plants, wrapped inside some of that spare linen.
Think about using what you have!
Your Frugal Decorating Diva,
Nancy
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