Creating beautiful rooms: designer decor on a budget

Are the rooms in your home in need of a makeover but you think you can't afford it? The hit television show, "Trading Spaces", has shown us that beautiful rooms can be created on a low budget (the show's budget is $1000 per room). But what if your personal budget is only a few hundred dollars-- or less? Well, you may be surprised at all you can do if you know the secrets to designer decor on a budget!

Ready to spruce up your digs?

Impulse buying is one of the biggest design mistakes you can make. Purchasing off the wall items that you will have to match later may also cause you some grief. It's better to have a design plan before you go shopping.

First, gather up some ideas. Start a portfolio by cutting out pictures of rooms you like from design magazines. Check out those glossy "new home" guides found in most supermarkets-- that's where you'll find lots of ideas and pictures of the latest design trends. Sign up to be on the mailing list for design and furniture catalogs. Check out design books from the library and bookmark pages with rooms that you like.

Once you have a collection of ideas, look at everything to get an idea of what your design style is. If you find that you have collected a mix of many different styles, pull your favorite ideas from various pictures to put together the room off your dreams!

Here are some inexpensive design tips to help you get started in creating a room to be proud of:

-- Color is one of the best ways to inexpensively add a powerful punch to your decor. Have you ever noticed that designer rooms are never painted apartment white? Dramatic color will make your room look rich. Go to your local paint store and choose paint chips in several shades of the color scheme that you like. Make sure to bring paint chips home to check the color in your room before you purchase any paint.

-- Look for paint bargains. Most home improvement stores have bargain paint bins-- unused cans of paint that customers have returned. You can get a great deal on paint if you are lucky enough to find a color that you can use. You can sometimes get a 5 gallon can of paint for just a couple of dollars.

-- Dim lighting will make any room look dull. Make sure you have plenty of lighting throughout the room, including task lighting. An inexpensive way to add light to any room is to install recessed lighting. If you are somewhat handy, installing recessed lighting is not difficult. You can purchase recessed lighting cans at any home improvement store. Just follow the manufacturer's directions carefully and make sure to turn off all electrical power in the area that you are working in.

-- Mimic ideas you see in magazines and high end store displays. Make it your goal to try to recreate that designer room you like-- but do it on a budget. With your portfolio pictures in hand, shop to find comparable knock-off accessories that are similar to those expensive items in your magazines.

-- Looking for something to hang on those bare walls? You probably already own some of the most priceless artwork around-- photographs! Photos of your family and friends are a great way to decorate your walls. Black and white photographs are especially stunning. You can go to any photo developing store to get your favorite photographs enlarged. Frame them in inexpensive frames and matting that you buy at discount stores.

-- Scour for accessories. Shop at stores like Target, TJ Maxx, Ross, and Marshalls for unique and trendy decorative accessories. Still can't find what you're looking for? Check back at these stores often, as new stock arrives on a weekly basis.

-- Don't spend a fortune on window treatments. Buy neutral window treatments that can be used as you change decor. Or better yet, if you like to sew, you can make your own window treatments. Check your local library for sewing and decor books to get some unique ideas. When designing your bedroom, an easy way to match your bedding is to make window treatments out of coordinating bed sheets.

-- Can't afford a new couch? Slipcover it! Slipcovers are quite stylish and have never looked better. Visit websites, such as surefit.com, for some great looking slipcovers.

-- Check furniture stores to see when they restock their lines for the new season. The old stuff has to be sold to make room for the new furnishings, so if you know when to look you can get a great bargain.

-- Always go to yard sales and check the website Ebay.com for great deals on decorative accessories, window treatments and furniture. You never know what you might find!