Debt-Free Decorating

Bankrate.com has yet another spot-on article posted called "10 Ways to Decorate without Debt".  Being a newly married and having just moved into a new loft a few months ago, Josh and I still haven't done much by way of decor.  One of the reasons is - obviously - we don't want to spend much money to do so (another reason is we're lazy, distracted, and otherwise engaged...).  However, this article makes some good points about how to spruce up your home without any major credit card damage.  Here are some of the highlights:

1) Don't leave all your old furniture!  Yikes - I didn't know people did this, but according to the article a lot of people leave their old furniture and intend to buy entirely new sets in their new home. Why??!!!  Furniture should be long-term investments.  If your furniture is old and tattered, still bring it along.  That way you can replace it in stages - rather than blowing a huge amount of cash right off the bat.
2) Paint!  Now this is something I'm looking forward to doing in our loft.  We have some big blank walls that are just crying for paint, and it seems like it would be a fun project... Also, it's relatively cheap to do yourself. 
3) Redesign with what you have.  As a child, I used to love just rearranging my bedroom furniture.  My mom would get so mad at me because I think she was afraid I would get trapped under a bookcase or something, but I loved it.  It wasn't about having anything new - it was about changing what I had.  Rearrange your furniture and see if that helps quell the urge to totally overhall your stuff.
5) Do a lot of research online.  You may find deep discounts at retailers in out-of-town areas that are selling what you're looking for.  Check out Craigslist.org and eBay.com for local pick-up deals.
8) Network with friends and neighbors.  When I moved into my first apartment, I needed a dining room table but wasn't really ready to make a huge investment.  I told a few friends, and ended up scoring a Crate and Barrel four-seater for free from a family friend!  She'd had it in storage for a year and didn't plan to use it again, so she was happy to hand it off to me!
9) Break free from brands.  You can give your home a really unique feel by scouring markets, resale shops, and discount boutiques.  You'll likely score something that's one of a kind, and cheap too, rather than plunking down $300 at Field's for a lamp.  Don't forget Ikea too, baby! 

Apparently, homeowners spend about $9,000 during the first year of ownership to furnish/decorate their new digs.  Obviously, after you've thrown down a downpayment, closing costs, etc. an extra couple grand isn't going to be easy to find, and credit cards may be tempting.  However, if you're focused and prioritized about your decorating goals, you shouldn't have to spend too much.  Hey, you're much better off putting any extra money towards your mortgage (or other debts) than you are buying a plasma screen...

Comments

[panasianbiz]

I stumbled across your blog while I was doing some online research. I had to smile when I read these bits of wisdom. Doesn't simple common sense tell people most of this? No? Yikes!