Kristan Cunningham, host of HGTV's "Design on a Dime," offers these tips to help you turn a boring room into something fabulous!
1. USE EXPENSIVE FABRIC SPARINGLY: Use a luxurious fabric, but in small quantities. This will give you a great stylish look, but still save money. Buy LESS yardage, and use it to cover only the fronts of pillows, or to band the sides or bottom of less expensive curtain panels. It's heavy on impact but light on the dough.
2. PULL YOUR FURNITURE AWAY FROM THE WALLS: To make even the tiniest of spaces feel grander, simply reposition furniture in the center of the room. This will make existing furniture seemingly go farther, limiting the number of pieces you need to fill a space. Sometimes a new layout changes a room more than any piece of art or accessories could, and the bonus...it's FREE style!
3. DON'T BUY A "SET" OF FURNITURE: Buying a matching set isn't necessarily a deal and it also doesn't reflect personal style. Take the time to seek out individual pieces that allow your style to evolve. If you do buy a set, think about moving the pieces into different rooms (example: keep the coffee table, but move the end table into the bedroom as a nightstand.) Take pride in presenting YOUR look instead of a catalog's.
4. VISIT WEBSITES AND THRIFT SHOPS: Online classifieds are a great way to find major deals! Scour sites like www.craigslist.org for large furniture pieces, without the big price tag. Visit your local Goodwill or thrift shops to find second hand items that showcase your personality, but don't blow your budget.
5. EVERY PENNY COUNTS: I have a secret $1.99 tip for windows. Visit your local craft store to purchase frosted contact paper. It goes up in strips and allows the sunlight to shine in, but maintains your privacy.
For more ideas and information about Kristan Cunningham, visit www.hgtv.com
