Budget Decorating: Simple Home Office Ideas

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Utilize Multi-Purpose Furniture

If your home office is part of another room, multifunctional furniture comes in handy. For example, you can use a large armoire for storage and store your papers, files, and household items in it. You can also buy a wood coffee table with storage and place cushions on top to create a cozy sitting area where guests can relax when they come to your office. Remember that the room doesn’t have to look like a traditional office.

Dress Up your Cords & Cables

Your chargers, computers, and lighting fixtures have different cables which can make your office look cluttered. Cables can also be hazardous, particularly in a home with small children. While cables are a part of your life, they don’t have to take up all the floor space. You can cover them with fabric or tape or keep them hidden. Tackle this project in advance because you will never get around to it if you postpone.

Create a Sunny Space by Making Use of Natural Light

There are many ways you can create a sunny office. You can position your desk near a window to enjoy daylight, paint the walls white to highlight the natural light, or incorporate light window treatments. If the room gets a little amount of light, add artificial lighting fixtures to illuminate it during the day and at night. Keep in mind that you need sufficient light in order to work comfortably.

Decorating a home office is not the easiest of tasks. You have to think of the environment you want to create, the furniture to add, and the changes to make. You have to create an office that increases your productivity but isn’t too distracting. For instance, if you make the space too cozy, you may want to rest every now and then and consequently neglect your work. The good news is that you can blend comfort and professionalism to create a home office that offers enduring style.

Have you tried any of these budget decorating ideas?

Image via: Good Housekeeping

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Remember the 80/20 Rule

Bold colors look beautiful when added sparingly. When used generously, they overpower a room and even make it look small. When brightening up a room with a bold color should only be 20% of the room, mix it with 80% neutrals. You don’t have to use the color in the whole room to get the outcome you want. When it comes to bold colors, a little goes a long way!

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Know the Difference Between Warm And Cool Colors

Warm colors (oranges, yellows, and reds) and cool colors (greys, blues, and greens) have different qualities. They occupy opposite ends of the color spectrum and can help you to plan your décor project. Cool colors are more preferable for bedrooms because they are calming and soothing. They enhance concentration and relaxation. If you want to use a warm color in your bedroom, mix it with a cool color to create a middle tone. Or you can buy some colorful bedding, paint an accent wall, or add a colorful headboard.

Choose the Proper Color Quality

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The color quality of your interiors depends on the materials you buy and how they interact with light. This means you should choose the proper color quality for paint, ceramics, wool, cotton, and any other home material. Objects with rich colors are not only appealing, they last longer. People are attracted to hues which have a complex mix of pigments. The best way to check the color quality is by looking at the objects under the sun.

Image via: House Beautiful

Adding bold colors is not as difficult as many people think, it is actually easy. Use the above bedroom decor tips and you’ll be able to add color properly. The tips will also change the way you see color in general. Don’t paint your entire bedroom, simply add pops of intense colors and you’ll create a harmonious atmosphere.

How do you add bold shades to your bedroom?

Budget Tips: Hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner for Less

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Plan Early

Begin planning for your menu early as this will give you a chance to think of ways to save. The turkey should account for about 40% of the total dinner cost. Buy it early and choose one that’s frozen as it’s easier to store. Set aside one afternoon for prep work: mix the dough for pie crusts, tear up bread for stuffing, and simmer chicken to make stock. Go through your pantry to see what you have so you don’t buy needless items.

Choose Simple, Classic Dishes

Don’t experiment with unusual dishes if you are looking to save. People usually expect traditional dishes on thanksgiving so don’t try to impress your guests with recipes that exceed your skill level. In case they fall flat, you’ll have to shell out money for Chinese takeout. Make something you’re familiar with like roast turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. To save money and time, pick thanksgiving recipes with few ingredients and steps.

Add More Décor

An enchanting dinner table creates a lovely atmosphere. Instead of spending a fortune on flowers, go out and gather natural elements. You can fill a vase with acorns for the centerpiece then arrange red and gold leaves and willow branches over the top. To brighten up the room and create a holiday mood, light a few taper candles.

Hosting thanksgiving dinner on a budget is not a dream, it is a possibility. If it’s your turn this year, use these budget tips. You don’t need to buy extravagant items to entertain guests or make them feel at home.

Actually, spending too much can divert attention from the main reason for the dinner – giving thanks. Use simple décor and dishes to make the day memorable. Doing so will ensure you have a fabulous time. What’s more, the money you save will come in handy during the holiday season.

How do you save money on your Thanksgiving dinner?

5 Excellent Tips for Decorating Your Living Room on a Budget

1. Add Flowers

One way to perk up your living room inexpensively is by adding flowers. Flowers brighten up a room and add fresh, natural fragrances. They offer a quick and easy way to add character and color to a room.

Image by: Homes

2. Get Rid of Clutter

Nothing is as unappealing as a disorganized room. Clutter takes away from the elegance and perceived space of a room. To make your living room look its best, remove some of the unused items from the room.

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3. Define Conversation Areas with Rugs

To make space appear larger, use rugs to define conservation areas. Choose light-colored rugs as dark-colored ones will make the room look smaller. If your space can accommodate multiple conversation areas, choose rugs that harmonize but don’t necessarily match. While textiles can be pricey, small printed rugs are affordable and can add a nice decorative touch to the room.

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4)   Replace Blinds or Curtains

Most living rooms get a lot of sunlight and this can affect the curtains or blinds. You can replace your old curtains with new ones by shopping at thrift stores or discount stores. When choosing new curtains, take color inspiration from the largest piece of furniture. This will provide a backdrop for the design and help bring the room together.

Image by: Houzz

5)   Use Old Furnishings

If you have old furnishings, think of places you can use them in the living room. A table can be shortened to become a coffee table, chairs can be painted, sofas can be covered, and a desk can become a sofa table.

When decorating your living room on a budget, remember that the difference is in the details. A little paint or a few rugs can go a long way in making your living room look stunning. Use the above tips and make your living room the stuff of designers’ dreams.

For more decorating your living room tips on Stagetecture, click here.

How to Make the Most of your Small Guest Bathroom

Focus In on Bathroom Decor

With such limited space, having a laser-focused theme is key.  A few minutes of writing down your ideas is worth the time, money, and final result.  Consider what will stay or change: will you swap fixtures or leave them?  Can you easily update hardware like switch plates and drawer pulls?  Will you paint the walls or cabinets?  All of these options are small, affordable adjustments that will keep your bathroom from looking like a forgotten footnote in your home.

Don’t let your small bathroom create a challenge for you

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Clean and Fresh Bathroom Decorations

When planning your theme, a clean, fresh look will make or break your guest bathroom.  In a small room, choose a light, non-saturated color for the walls so they aren’t overwhelming or cramped.  If bright color or pattern is part of your design, use them in hand towels, framed art, or a shower curtain for color that is used in proportion to the size of the bathroom.  Know what items you’ll keep handy (sets of extra towels, toiletries, etc) so you can plan a place for everything.  Fresh white paint, clear shelves mounted on the walls to maximize vertical space, and just a little bit of color will bring life and light to even the tiniest of guest bathrooms.

Plan your design for the guest bathroom

Having a plan will come in handy when you look for all the items you need.  Stick to your design or you may find yourself trying to add too much to a small space.  Focus on adding items only if they are useful, like a soap dish, towel bar, or jewelry box and make each one stylish.  The only non-functional piece in a small bathroom should be wall art: a single picture or small grouping that really captures your style.  Stick to your plan, keep it light and simple, and you’ll have a guest bathroom that you’re proud to show off!

For more kitchen & bath ideas on Stagetecture, click here.