You want to decorate or redecorate a room, but the budget is slim and you really don't care for shopping all that much? That's okay...if we started a club using this criteria I'll bet we'd have a lot of members! Some of us don't have the time or desire to shop all day for the absolutely perfect accessory (or whatever it may be) for our home. Plus, the budget in many households is stretched pretty thin, and we already know the answer to the question, "Should I buy this pretty nic-nac or spend the money on food?"

However, these scenarios don't change the fact that we still want to create a home that is unique to our lifestyle, expresses who we are and is a place we love to come home to. The challenge is to accomplish these goals while maintaining our budgets and daily schedules.

There are some simple steps you can take to design and decorate a room or area of your home, and they don't take a lot of time or money. Let's be realistic, though, and acknowledge that you have to put some amount of time into any project in order to reap the benefits and achieve the goal. And while some of these steps are cost-free, there is a small amount of money involved in several. The good news is that you always have control of your budget, so as long as you follow these steps and plan accordingly, you'll be fine.

First, spend some time in your 'design project room' and decide what you want to achieve with your project. There is nothing more frustrating than making decisions before you know what you are trying to accomplish. Second, decide how much you are able to spend on this project, even if the number is small. Be realistic and stick to the budget, whatever it is, and you will minimize stress.

Now that you have your plan and budget, the next step is to do a quick room evaluation, looking at the walls, ceiling and floor. Even if your budget is very slim, a fresh coat of paint in any color, even a shade of off white, can work wonders in the transformation of a room's overall feel and appearance, and is highly recommended. If painting is a new experience for you, talk with a representative from any reputable paint store and they will provide some helpful tips.

The next step is to determine where and how you will acquire the items on your design project list. A great source of decorating items can be found in other rooms, closets, cabinets, drawers and such. Many people place certain pieces together, such as an end table and lamp, and assume that they should always stay together. Look at each piece of furniture and accessory item in your home as individual and unique, to determine if there is something you can move to your design project room. The same goes for the treasures that may be hiding in closets, cabinets and drawers. Inventory these items and most likely you will find something that would be an interesting addition to the room.

A great source for purchasing used furniture, household items, accessories and anything else you might desire for your project is by using craigslist.com. You can shop online and never leave home, spend as much or as little time as you want searching for the items you need, and control the budget by what you choose to pursue. If you are careful about your selections and who you deal with, there is some well made and well priced furniture to be gained.

You might also consider the option of slipcovers if your furniture is worn but has good 'bones'. There are numerous sources for affordable, attractive slipcover options that will save hundreds of dollars over purchasing new furniture.

Other sources for furniture and accessories are consignment shops and stores such as Salvation Army and Goodwill. Don't discard these options until you give them a try. You might have to spend a little bit of time looking, but you can find some treasures if you are persistent.

Finally, if your budget will allow and you have the desire, purchase just one new piece for this room. Online discount shopping sites are time and fuel savers as well. Minimize frustration by bookmarking the sites with items you are interested in so you don't forget where you found them. If you're not sure what sites to select, do an online search using keywords such as 'discount home decor' or similar, until you find the sources that appeal to you. If you take a little extra time and do some specific online searches, like 'inexpensive area rugs with nautical themes', you can find exactly what you are looking for. If time allow, visit discount furniture stores and head straight for the 'clearance' section, or go to your nearest Target (or target.com), or similar type establishment and check out the furniture options. You might be pleasantly surprised at the quality of the casegoods.

Your purchase may be a new lamp or other type of accent piece, possibly a side chair or area rug. It doesn't matter what you buy, for by making this one purchase you can lift your spirits, find greater satisfaction with the result of your efforts and enjoy your newly decorated room to the fullest. Happy decorating!

About the Author

Candi Randolph is a Design Consultant, owner of Simply Designed...Decorating to Fit Your Budget, located in Fort Myers, FL, and the author of 'Ten Simple Steps to Design Success!' a home decorating ideas guide for anyone who wants to learn to decorate their home.

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