Decorating on a budget need not feel like an exercise in poverty. There are great changes you can make to your space that will brighten the area, provide a feeling of more space, and make your bedroom a more welcoming nest for great rest.
Do the Free Stuff First
Clean: Wipe down all shelves, move books and decorative collectibles and make sure everything is clean before you put it back on the shelf. Wipe down the things you want to keep with a dusting cloth or damp towel and consider selling the items you don’t want.
If you drape your bed in a flannel sheet, you can reduce your dusting time as the sheet will capture some dust on contact. This is also a great way to capture dust when cleaning ceiling fan blades.
Declutter: If you’ve got piles of books or magazines that you’ve already read, donate, discard or sell them. Put clothes away or in the hamper. Place errant jewelry in a glass bowl; collect pens and pencils and consolidate them in a favorite mug or cup.
If charging cables are getting out of hand, wrap a paper towel tube in pretty wrapping paper and run the cords through the tube. A shoebox wrapped in your favorite wrapping or contact paper is an attractive catch-all as well.
Consolidate: If your bedroom is also where you study, work on the computer or watch television, try to put your electronics in one space and make that space a spot you need to get up and walk to. Your bedroom should be a place of comfort and rest, and electronics exposure can make it hard to fall into a restful sleep.
Bargains With Pizzazz!
You can add a pop of color to your tired old bedding for very little cash. If your comforter is in great shape, keep an eye out for throw pillows or new pillow cases that will coordinate. Don’t forget to look at second-hand shops.
For example, thrift stores are a great place to shop for and buy new pillow cases. These items will all have been washed at least once, so you can see how they hold up.
While there, keep an eye out for dust ruffles, duvet covers, and flat sheets. There’s a lot of fabric on these items, and you can use this fabric for window valances or add a drape to the front of a basic desk or table, giving you some privacy and more storage.
Budget Projects With Big Rewards
Consider updating your space with a coat of paint. If you aren’t in a position to paint your walls, you can paint your bed, bookcases or a chest of drawers. To do this right, be prepared to put in some serious elbow grease. You’ll probably need to take things apart, and you may have to set your mattress on the floor for a couple of days.
When painting wooden furniture, preparation of the surface to be painted is key. You don’t want your new paint job scratching off right away, so be sure to sand the surface, clean away the sanding dust, and prime correctly.
Foam rollers are an excellent tool for painting previously finished wood. They seldom drip and produce a clean, smooth finish with no brush marks. You can get them in 4″ or 6″ format and they generally come with their own small pan for the perfect amount of paint.
If your space is very limited, be sure to work on this project when you can open your windows and air out the room. Whenever possible, do this work in an open space such as a garage or carport, so your bedding, pillows, and mattress don’t absorb odors from the paint or cleaning solvents.
Customize and Coordinate
Once you master the art of painting over old wooden finishes, you can truly create a custom space. On your outings to thrift stores and second-hand shops, keep an eye out for quality wooden frames. You can either remove the artwork and replace it with a mirror, or put it back in the frame after you’ve painted it to match your bed or other furniture.
Conclusion
You can brighten your bedroom for a small investment in materials and a few tools. Once you learn to handle the tools successfully, you can put them to use in any space in your home. Enjoy your new space!