Guest Post: Budget Decorating

If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you know that I love decorating. So, I thought it only fitting to share this post on my blog about budget friendly decorating for spring and summer 2012. Christina Johnson was nice enough to share some tips to keep your home looking fabulous and fresh for the upcoming season.

Budget Friendly Home Rejuvenation Tips for Spring/Summer

Article submitted by Christina Johnson

Spring and summer are the seasons of freshness and renewal. For many, it is also a time to banish heavy winter décor and brighten the home in a crisp, contemporary fashion. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of things that can be done to inject personality into a home without breaking the budget.

Hot Design Trends for 2012

Reduce/Reuse/Recycle—Recycling is a budget friendly and fun design choice, with the added benefit of being responsible to the environment. Have fun finding new ways to reuse existing materials or browse flea markets and yard sales for items that suit your needs.

Taupe is Tops—Taupe is the color of choice for many designers this year. Layer different shades of taupe for a fresh, clean look or use it as a backdrop for brightly colored accessories.

Budget Friendly Design Tips

Remove Clutter—It’s amazing the difference a good cleaning can make. Consider rearranging the furniture as well. The idea is to create a bright and airy space.

Accessorize—Use inexpensive accessories, such as pillows, vases, and picture frames to provide bright punches of color to a room. Brightly colored rugs can also be scattered about to give the room a fresh look.

Natural Elements—Flowers are an obvious choice, but don’t stop there. Branches are another way to bring nature into a home, as well as small bowls or vases filled with shells or beach stones.

Window Treatments—Swap out heavy blinds or drapes for linen curtains or sheers that let the spring and summer breezes waft through the home.

Paint—Paint is an easy way to renew almost any room or object. If painting an entire room is too daunting, consider painting an accent wall or a single piece of furniture.

Swap it Out—Give your home a facelift by swapping out traditional cupboard and drawer handles with fun and quirky alternatives. Slipcovers can also be used to give furniture a new look.

Redecorating a home does not also have to break the bank. With a little bit of planning and creativity any home can be infused with vitality for the spring and summer seasons. Take advantage of these tips and use them as inspiration for your own home makeover.

Christina Johnson who works remotely for Elliman Prudential in the NYC Apartments and Rentals market. She is using her journalism major to combine what she loves most, writing and her career. Her specialties include home decor design and DIY home improvement projects.