Home Beautiful Home
There’s no time better than the New Year to freshen up your
home. But who has the budget to do a decorating overhaul after
the holidays? Not us! Here are some cheap, smart ideas you can
use to beautify your home, anytime of year:
Chuck the clutter – the flotsam and jetsam
of everyday living accumulates and before you know it, every surface
is covered. Take an afternoon to tackle the clutter and put what
you don’t need in the closet.
Paint for effect – one can of paint can
go a long way to renewing the entire room. If your living room
walls have always been beige, try on a new taupe with warm tones
or go for something completely different (just make sure it still
matches your furniture!)
Fresh fabrics – visit your local fabric
shop to see what touchable delights they have in stock. A few
meters of fabric can change the look of any window just by adding
easy-to-use curtain clips. Fabrics traditionally used for beautiful
Indian sari’s make sensational curtain hangings and bedspreads
for next to nothing a yard.
Lights, action! – low-cost table lamps
can be turned into trendy light sources when you customize the
shade with two layers of contrasting-coloured tulle. You can also
“antique” paper shades with tea to give a warm, golden
glow.
Hang it – add some interest to your blank
walls. If you’re the creative type, buy squares of canvas
and paint them complimentary or contrasting colours to the paint
you’ve chosen for the wall. Hang these coloured squares
in a row or other eye-catching pattern. Or, select your favourite
photographs and have them enlarged and framed for a more personal
touch.
Accent – throw pillows or cosy blankets
are a low-cost way to add a dash of colour to any room.
Beauty in bloom – For just a few dollars a week you can
keep fresh flowers in the hall or bathroom. Nothing beautifies
a home for less than nature’s own accent.
Do you have some easy home decorating ideas that we forgot to
mention? *Share them with us at editor@beingbeautiful.ca
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