by Shannon Emmanuel
"Company's coming and my place doesn't look right…"
You know how it goes, you have visitors coming tonight. You've
cleaned every room in the house (well, maybe not the bedroom). You've planned
the menu, and…it's just not quite right. Perhaps you've been hankering for a
change or maybe it strikes you out of the air, the room needs Something, but
what?
Here's five fast tips for when that re-decorating demon strikes
and you haven't the budget or time to do much.
You can likely do all of these ideas for significantly less than
$50, but because they are simple, I'll explain along the way what makes the
difference.
1) Fresh Flowers
You don't need a $50 bouquet to make a room, but a stale look
will get an instant boost with a bit of living, breathing, greenery. Consider a
$20 tropical, large enough to fill in an empty corner, and spend another $20 on
a colorful bunch of fresh cut flowers (if you shop well, you can even get the
vase). This will give your room instant punch!
2) Bowl of Fruit & Table Cloth
If you're at the market anyway, don't overlook the zest and
color that a large bowl of fresh fruit lends to the kitchen, dining room, or
even the coffee table. Great look that works well in all decors; fill a pottery
dish with a variety, or a tall glass vase with a single fruit (ie: lemons or
limes) or even line up a row of green apples along the coffee or dining table
for a contemporary feel. And since fruit is inexpensive, give yourself a shot of
change by selecting a new table linen in the trendiest color of the season to
give your room a real lift or invest in a crisp white or cream cloth for a
classic look.
3) Baskets
You don't have to be a country girl (or guy) to appreciate the
cozy look of baskets. Even the most modern room can benefit from a bit of wood
or rattan. But the main purpose here is to hide clutter. You'll feel so
refreshed if you add a few baskets to fill with magazines, toys or hobby
material. It's the easiest way to contain the everyday clutter that you can't
stow away. And clearing space is always a good look!
4) Throw Cushions
I'd bet you could find two throw cushions for less than $50, so
if you do, add a throw blanket as well. Cheap and shamefully easy, this is the
way to go if you're ready to make more of a statement. Great opportunity to
bring some contrast into a dull room, consider light pillows for a dark room,
dark pillows for a light one, and absolutely try adding a trendy color to a
neutral room. And at this price, you can change it next season!
5) Paint
Admittedly for the more ambitious, this is a fantastic way to
create a stunning look in little time. However, this is an article on FAST
ideas, so let's not tackle the whole room right now. If company's coming this
weekend, try a new look by painting a feature wall a stunning but complementary
color (ie: the fireplace wall, that blank wall behind the couch…you get the
idea.) Or even tape off a smaller section (this is called color blocking) to
focus attention on a collection of pictures, or behind a mirror, or around the
fireplace.
To all those with the decorating fever, I wish you speedy
recovery and an enjoyable project!
Shannon Emmanuel takes her love of interior decorating to the internet with
resources and accessories available at her online décor store http://www.SimpleDetailsDecor.com