Cheap Chic

If you are looking to give a room in your home a makeover, and it is simply not in your budget to do so, here are a few easy ways to save a few bucks while making your Toronto condominium or your Des Moines home look like a million!

Paint, Paint, Glorious Paint: We have all heard that a little paint goes a long way, and this could not be more true when it comes to giving your home, or a room in your home, a new and fresh look. Changing the paint color of a room, or accenting one of the walls can make your home or room look drastically different for less than a fraction of the price of a professional major renovation. Here is where you can have fun with color and let your personality shine through.

Bring home various colors and shades of paint chips and take a close look at them in various types of light (sunlight, lamplight and candlelight) to ensure that you get the full effect of the color. Try to stay away from boring whites and beiges, a popular trend for wall color seen in the new King East condos. This is especially true if you are looking for something very different or if your furnishings are currently a neutral color. By choosing something that will compliment the furniture, fabrics and curtains you already have you will not be tempted to go out and buy all new furnishings to match the new color.

Slip Covers to the Rescue: Perhaps you are not as in love with that lime green sofa as you were when you bought it; or the arm chair with the lacey pattern that you inherited from your grandmother is just not your style. Why not throw a slip cover on it to change the look all together? They can usually be purchased for a low price and this is certainly less expensive than buying new pieces of furniture, allowing you to save for that beautiful piece of Brampton real estate.

If you do decide to purchase new furniture, however, keep an eye out for the sale flyers and promotions at local shops. Or, check out the yard sales while you are out looking at Mississauga real estate. You never know what gems you will find and you can usually haggle over the price. Remember that neutral colored furniture is never going to get on your nerves or go out of style, and you can save the color for the walls and decorative items.

Frugal Accessories: Many budget shops, such as Target, or Kmart have large home decor departments that are full of great items, such as candles, throw pillows and wall art. The great thing about finding these accessories at the lower end retail stores is that they are a fraction of the price when compared to designer stores. All of the money you will be saving on accessories to spruce up your home to sell can be spent on the amazing Clarkson real estate you have had your eye on.