Decorating a Small Home on a Budget

August 4, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on decorating a small home.  Whether you’ve moved to a smaller home because of financial constraints, kids have moved out, or because the house was too big, you still have to make sure the new place looks good. You’ll want to create a homey feel, give it a personal touch and make it is a special place you’ll love coming back to at the end of the day.

Decorating a small house on a budget needs careful deliberations. You don’t want to make the house look cluttered, and at the same time, you want to stay within your budget.  

 

 

decorating a small home

 

Decorating a Small Home

 

Consider the Cost of Installation and Maintenance of Projects

Some home spruce-up ideas are easy to install but require more maintenance which means you’ll use more money in the long run. Other ideas might not use up a lot of your money, but they need a lot of time to install.. 

Curb appeal is important regardless of the size of your house.  One way to spruce-up your home is  artificial grass installation. The grass will look good throughout the year and doesn’t need any watering, fertilizer, or mowing. It’s the perfect lawn alternative if you don’t want to take care of a garden or lawn or don’t have the time.

Another consideration for your curb appeal is paint.  A good paint will serve an aesthetic purpose, but it should be durable.  Especially, if you have a pet or small kids. Select oil-based paints instead of water-based ones because oil-based is more durable. For the outdoors, choose exterior paints.  They’ll withstand harsh weather elements such as the sun, rain, and snow.

 

Prioritize Storage Space When Decorating a Small Home

When downsizing, storage space will be at a premium.  To avoid cluttering the house, utilize all of your storage space, but keep it organized.

Consider installing cubby holes around your bedrooms or even under the bed.  Furthermore, an excellent idea when maximizing storage space is using furniture with hidden storage. For instance, use a chest of drawers for storage or old an TV armoire.  

Install a linen cabinet under your bathroom sink and add wall-mounted shelves. It will give you additional storage space and keep everything clutter-free and organized. 

 

Control Your Buying Habits

Space is the primary consideration when buying new items for your smaller home. Too much will make the place look cluttered and will affect the mood. So, think about your space when you’re purchasing new furniture or if you really need the item.  Being more selective with what you buy will also save you money. 

 

 

 

decorating a small home

 

Prioritize Lighting

A small dark space tends to feel even smaller and dull. Good lighting can significantly affect the mood, especially when you’re living in a smaller home.

Ensure all rooms have adequate lighting by having light fixtures or opening up dark corners. You can open rooms or add more windows to let in more light. Also, use accent pieces such as LED lights, candles, and lamps strategically placed at corners or above storage units.

When decorating a small house, make a small space look larger by adding mirrors. Mirrors aren’t just for decoration and vanity anymore, but they can create an illusion of a larger area. If you have a small hallway or staircase, place a mirror in the wall opposite to see if it gives off an optical illusion that makes the place look bigger and brighter. 

 

Decorating a Small House Requires Quality

Although budget is a significant factor, always go for quality products and services even when they cost more. For instance, dealing with contractors and other service providers that are less expensive doesn’t mean they don’t deliver quality. 

Today, I’m sharing tips on decorating a small house.  You’ll eventually spend more when you have to get them to come over for repairs or look for someone else to repeat the job. For example, if a contractor specializes in renovations or carpentry work instead of painting, don’t let them handle paintwork to save on expenses. 

You can also apply the same strategy when hiring a professional cleaner. Instead of hiring cheaper ones, go for cleaning services with high ratings and positive reviews to ensure you’re getting your money’s worth. It will save you a lot of stress in the long run and protect your valuables. The same goes when choosing paint. It’s always worth spending a little extra money on paint that will last longer.

 

 

decorating a small house

 

Give The Home a Personal Touch

Do you have a particular theme or color scheme that you can’t seem to shake off? The idea is to decorate the home with furniture and other items in colors and patterns that you love. It will make your home reflect your personality, making you feel happier with the results. 

However, don’t overdo it. Ensure you have a balance between what you can afford and what makes you happy. You can also throw in some extra colors with accents such as paintings, decorative pillows, lamps, flowers, and plants. 

Don’t be afraid to mix patterns or color.  They can create a bold look and make your decor stand out.  

Also, decorate by room instead of doing it for the entire home. It will make styling less expensive and less stressful. It will also give each room the intended personality. You’ll be happier with the result, and it will also be easier to change the design. 

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Tips On Decorating a Home Gallery

June 4, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Large expanses of plain wall are ideal to display works of art.  And, if you are thinking of creating a wall gallery in your home, there are a few important things to consider.  Colors, for example, can be either complimentary or contrasting.  And, the size of your artwork needs to be in proportion with the room.  Here are a few additional tips on decorating a home gallery.

 

 

 

Image Source:  Pixabay

 

Light Color Wall

The gallery wall might be stark white, or a light beige, as a light background highlights the art more effectively.  Furthermore, it helps to showcase the art features.  And, with the right spotlights and some LED units, you can further highlight main features. You could have a textured finish to the wall, which really does create the perfect background for wall art.  For example, textured plaster or concrete with a matte finish would work, especially with some colored LED spots.

 

 

home galleries

 

Image Source: Pixabay

 

Other Art Forms

You can combine wall prints and antique items.   Perhaps a military chest, or a vintage writing desk that sits against the wall.  A pair of antique Victorian wall mirrors might be the ideal way to boost the natural lighting.  And, with a couple of Victorian wall lamps, you have the perfect illumination.

 

Rich Color Contrasts

You can add splashes of rich, deep color, but keep it minimal.  For example, a lampshade or even a picture frame can be a bright color.  It gives the wall some variation outside of the two main colors.  Also, don’t be afraid to experiment.  That’s how many interior designers find the right color combinations, and by using a piece of card that has the exact color, you can place this in the room and see for yourself.  Start with your base color, and add items one at a time.  After while, you will have your furniture in place and can look at wall art and other forms of art, such as statues and sculptures.

 

 

 

home galleries

 

Image Source: Pixabay

 

Online Solutions

Once you are ready to acquire some wall art, look no further than the Internet.  There are many websites that sell all forms of wall art. Prints, abstracts and portraits, to name but a few, and prices are very reasonable too.

If you are on the look-out for a few antique items to enhance the room, the online antique dealer has an extensive catalogue of genuine antique and vintage pieces.  If you are looking for something specific, the online dealer can certainly source the item on your behalf. If you forge an alliance with a reputable online antique dealer, he can always help you when you are looking for a specific item.  And, if he doesn’t have what you’re looking for, he can soon find it.  Mixing old and new furniture is very trendy at the moment, and most people prefer to add a few small antique or vintage pieces to a modern setting, which brings a nice balance.

 

Displaying art on a single wall brings in a new dimension to the ambience.  With some trial and error, you will eventually decide on the right combination to create a wall gallery that will be the main feature in your home.  So, we hope you find our tips on decorating a home gallery beneficial.  You may also like Tips for Designing a Child’s Bedroom.

 

 

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Unique Interior Design Features For Your Home

April 25, 2018 by Leave a Comment

 

unique interior design features

 

Any parent knows keeping the interior of your home spic and span is difficult.  It’s almost impossible when you have little ones running around.  However, that hasn’t stopped the population from adding uniquedoing home improvements.  The nation spent $152 billion last year remodeling their living areas.  More and more families are installing fun and unique features to provide entertainment.  Furthermore, they’re looking for a calming ambience and much needed storage space.  So, whether you’re looking to update your property on a budget or go all out, there’s a family friendly feature that’s perfect for you.

 

Indoor water features

Indoor water features for the home are a great way of creating a tranquil and peaceful environment.  It’s a perfect way for tired kids and tantrum throwing toddlers to relax and calm down.  Another option is to install a indoor water table for your offspring to play in. Water games and activities are particularly beneficial for a child’s development and can improve their gross motor skills.  Additionally, it helps with hand and eye coordination. It’s also an effective way for youngsters to get creative and have fun.

 Interior Design tips

Unique bookcase and storage 

Lack of storage is a problem in many households.  Children usually have toys, games, books and knick knacks which all need a home.  Installing clever storage options are the perfect solution.  Chairs and seating areas can be cleverly designed to incorporate storage within them.  Storage can installed in the arms and underneath the cushion.  Alternatively, the area beneath your staircase could be converted into a bookshelf.  Everyone can quickly and easily access a book when they wish.  Unique interior design features can be created for individual homes.

 

Fun & games 

Your home is where you and your family spend time together.  So, why not make it as fun and family friendly.   A useful feature to also add is a chalkboard wall.  Grown ups will find it useful to keep shopping lists and memos.  The little ones will love creating their own designs with chalk.  If you have room, an indoor slide and or swings are another option.  The swing and slide will keep the kids busy during bad weather.

It’s important to get the interior design of your home right.  Unique interior design features like water fountains, clever bookcases, and storage units are great for families.  Additionally, fun indoor items like slides are an excellent way to bring the whole family together as well.

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Tips For Designing a Child’s Bedroom

March 30, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Designing a child’s bedroom is perhaps the most challenging decorating endeavor of them all.  It has to be fun and engaging during the day, yet quiet and lulling during the night.  In addition, it must be safe and healthy at all times. To achieve that, you will have to consider numerous factors including the layout and furniture.  If the room is of limited size or occupied by two or more children, your task will be even more complicated.  Still, complicated doesn’t mean impossible.  And if you are creative and plan everything, you will be able to design a perfect kid’s room.  We’re sharing parenting tips on designing a child’s bedroom:

designing a child's bedroom

 

Start with a Color Palette

The color palette will set the tone for your remaining décor efforts.  So, don’t take the color palette lightly.  Color can affect a kids’ behavior in many ways.  For example, nurturing sensitivity, causing restlessness and encouraging confidence. Here are some useful hints for using color:

  • Red, as a prevailing color, causes anxiety, but it is great when used as accents.
  • Orange promotes confidence.
  • Yellow boosts concentration, but it shouldn’t be used in large amounts.
  • Green is calming and it improves comprehension.  According to some people, it improves reading skills.
  • Blue is a stress reliever.
  • Purple inspires compassion and sensitivity.
  • Pink is soothing.

It is also important to note that warm tones, in general, evoke happiness.  Cool colors (if used properly) have a soothing effect.

Introduce Furniture

The basic furniture pieces every kid’s room needs are a bed, a dresser, and a practical storage solution. Everything else will depend on your kids’ specific needs and preferences, as well as on the size of the room. To be sure you’re on the right track, just follow these guidelines:

  • The furniture needs to be the right size for the children.
  • Kids need lots of storage for their toys and stuff. Make sure the storage is simple for them to organize the things.
  • Leave enough floor space for playing.
  • Add some fun to it (e.g. a roof on the bed, a slide that makes getting out of bed in the morning much more fun, etc.).
  • Be prepared for sleepovers (extra bed or mattress).

Encourage Various Activities

Kids’ room should be a space where children learn about the world and enjoy. Depending on their age, the room should include various areas aimed at different activities. A reading nook (just throw on some pillows in the corner, add a floor lamp and a bookshelf) is useful for all ages, while a homework station is great addition for schoolers. Include something creative, such as a zone for creating art (small wooden table, with papers, pencils, scissors, etc.), a playing area (one part of the room that is not too crowded) or a nook for socializing (several lazy bags arranged in a circle).

Make It Fun, Creative and Engaging

 

kid's bedroom decorating ideasPhoto Credits: hative.com

 

Kids’ room should emit positive energy, but also inspire imaginative thinking. This can happen if you enrich the room with various accessories and additions, such as dry-erase wallpaper, chalkboard walls, alphabet and maps posters, creative area rugs, building blocks and other decorative toys.

Solutions for a Shared Kid’s Room

If you think that you can’t pull all this off in a small shared kids’ room, you are wrong. Of course, it will be challenging, but you can do it, especially with these tips:

  • Use bunk beds.
  • Or wall-mounted sliding tracks so that the beds can be separated for sleeping, and stacked on one side of the room during the day.
  • Go vertical with storage.
  • Divide the closet with extra shelves and storage boxes.
  • Store stuff under the bed in bins and boxes.

Unless you are designing a nursery, don’t forget to ask your children for their opinion. After all, they are the ones that will have to spend their days and nights in that room.  We hope that you have found our tips on designing a child’s bedroom helpful.

About the author:  Molly is a blogger at Smooth Decorator based in Australia. She is a student of Art and design. Drawing, photography and especially urban design are her passions. When she’s not writing, she enjoys watching documentary movies about the history of art and interior design.

Filed Under: Decor, Parenting Tips Tagged With: , ,