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Decorate on a budget

By
Real Estate Agent with Long & Foster Real Estate Inc.

Start with a plan, especially if you're starting

from scratch. Do you entertain often? Do you

have young children? What's your style - formal,

casual or contemporary?

Define your budget and get a general idea of

what you need before you go shopping. Save

time and gas by using online resources to do

your research.

Paint works wonders. Dollar for dollar, paint

gives you the greatest bang for your buck. You

can totally change the look of a room by painting

the walls, trim or ceiling a different color.

Lowe's has a wide selection of interior paints and

can even match your favorite shade. And when

shopping for furniture and accessories, don't

forget to bring along your paint chips.

Wallpaper is back! And it's better and more

fashionable than ever. Today's styles are more

varied, with textured vinyls that can simulate

stucco and grasscloth. You can get BIG looks

without spending a bundle, especially if you do

it yourself.

Not sure how to select and install wallpaper? Visit

A Wallpaper Center. You'll find time-saving

tips and a calculator to help you determine how

many rolls of wallpaper you will need.

Toss it up. Bring life to that old sofa with some

fresh new toss pillows in different shapes and

complementary colors. Along the same lines,

throw rugs can add interest and instantly warm

up a room.

Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize!

Little things mean a lot. Give your home

personality with touches like floral arrangements,

plants, candles and artwork. Visit flea markets

and yard sales for unique items that can be

re-purposed. For example, transform an antique

milk can into a functional umbrella stand.

Turn on the light. Lighting can set the tone

for a room, so it's important to choose the right

lamps and installed lighting. Rooms should have

a lighting source about every 10 feet, so consider

using both floor lamps and table lamps.

From lamps and chandeliers to installed lighting,

Lowe's has a solution for every budget. To give

your dining room a fresh look, try an affordable

new ceiling medallion.

Treat them right. Custom window treatments

can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, so

you'll want to work with off-the-shelf shades,

swags and curtains. Drapery panels that are positioned high above

the window and flow to the floor are "hot" right

now, as are Roman shades and eco-friendly

bamboo shades