Not to fear! Cheap Decorating Ideas can be found everywhere. You just have to jump start your imagination a bit. Anyone can create a dream space with an unlimited budget, but it’s the person who uses innovation that wins the prize. So, which are you? Really the question is who do you want to be? You can learn to use your imagination even if you claim not to have used it since the third grade. I promise you, it’s still there somewhere in the back of your brain.

First, start looking at every day objects in a new way. When you’re walking down the kitchen isle in a discount store or at a home improvement store, pick up items and think. And then think some more. Garage sales and yard sales are other places you can find unique items to be reused in a new and better way. One word of caution though, don’t buy unless you know what you can use it for. Otherwise you’ll end up with a garage full of junk! Below are a few ideas I’ve brainstormed and researched. This can be a start to your own brainstorming session. This particular newsletter concentrates on what to use for decorating your walls.

Almost anything can be wall art. Here’s a few examples.

1. Purchase a series of plates with holes around the edges. If you’ve never seen a plate like this, it looks like lace around the edges but it’s made of glass or ceramics. Use what you have or search at second hand stores. It may take a Saturday afternoon or more to develop a collection. Arrange in a grouping on a wall and hang with ribbons.

2. Collect between 3-6 pair of flip flops. Make sure they’re all different. Some with flowers, some plain, maybe even a pair with spiderman. You get the idea. Arrange them in pairs on the wall in one large grouping. You can do the same thing in the winter with gloves and mittens. It makes an interesting display, not your ordinary wall art.

3. Can’t figure out what to put in a picture frame? Frame several pieces of patterned fabric or wall paper. Hang in a series of 3 above a bed or sofa. If you want to wallpaper a whole room, it can be pricey. So, this is a good alternative.

4. A collage of photographs on the wall is always a conversation starter. Don’t be afraid to put up those childhood photographs of yourself, even the slightly embarrassing ones.

5. Auctions are great places to go to find an old screen door or decorative slatted storm window from a turn of the century home. These are especially charming when crackle painted. Hang on the wall as inexpensive home accessories.

6. Sometimes a touch of surprise is a welcome relief to the every day accessory. For example, decorate a bare mantle with a stenciled bouquet of flowers in a vase. This tricks the eye into thinking there is actually a bouquet of flowers on the mantle. The best thing is paint costs a fraction of the price of real. Joann’s Fabric is a good place to find these types of stencils. Add a couple of candle sticks and a mantle clock to give it more dimension and you’re set!

7. Turn an old house or barn door into an easy head board by using it as it is and attaching it to the wall directly above the bed. This is an especially good look for the country chic or shabby chic style .

8. Collect around 10 candy boxes such as Dots, Junior Mints, Sweethearts, Skittles, Mike & Ikes, etc. Stuff the boxes with shredded paper to make them look full. Use a hot glue gun to glue them together in a random pattern,slightly overlapping some edges. Then use the medium called Hodge Podge to paint the outside surface. Coat 2-3 times. You can find Hodge Podge at a local craft store. Attach a couple of picture hangers to the back with hot glue after it has dried. Now hang as a wonderfully unique piece of wall decor! This is especially good for a game or movie room.

Hopefully these ideas have helped to jolt your imagination. Visit us often at www.homedecoratingcoach.com ! We're always coming up with zany ideas to help you decorate your home.

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