The Enterprising Family: Frugal Decorating

Decorating is an area where you can be really creative and resourceful or you can break the bank.  A woman must begin with the understanding that part of her job is to be as resourceful as possible with the family’s income.  (Don’t forget:  “A penny saved is MORE than a penny earned.”)

Many women–especially if she works, have rather lost this concept, feeling entitled, instead, to whatever luxury she desires.   This is one area where “the heart of her husband should safely trust her”.  The better I can manage our spending, the less my husband has to work.

I personally think a house where a woman has spent her creative energies is so welcoming.  Stretch yourself!  You are building a home AND instilling a sense of frugality in your children.

The good news about saving money with decorating is that recycling is in!  To me, there’s nothing more satisfying and easy on the budget than finding new uses for old things.  And because we live in such a disposable society, you can find just about anything at a real bargain if you’re looking.

Ideas are what you need!  Many women are born with the natural creativity and eye to behold the beauty before it’s there; others need to see it before they can do it.

So, browse magazines (please buy them at thrift stores!) and the Internet for things that catch your attention, rip out/print off the picture, and tuck them in a notebook.  Make a mental note of things to look for at yard sales, thrift shops, etc.

Keep it simple.  Anyone’s taste can still be suited in a simple fashion.  Less is usually best when decorating a home.

Use natural resources.  Nothing is lovelier to me than when my daughters bring in a wild bouquet of flowers from the nearby field.  We put them in small vases for bathrooms, large vases for the table, beside the beds–everywhere.

Here are some picture of other ideas to get your started:

The Window Table

I’ve posted this before–it is a table I made from an old window pane ($5) and some table legs we happen to have around.  It now sits on my porch.  I used some left over paint and because it was so rought,  instead of sanding it down, I utilized it’s appearance and just brushed paint on and then wiped it off with a paper towel.  The result is a “distressed” look.

Wheelbarrow Planter

“Here is a nice old Wheelbarrow with great colors and rust that’s been turned into a Planter. I picked it up at a garage sale for a dollar because according to the seller “the tubs full of little holes”. I’m thinking, great, it saves me from drilling a bunch of drain holes”   From Junk Market

Baby Crib Spring Display

Look at this!  It’s burlap interwoven into a baby bed spring found on the side of the road.  Maybe a little eccentric, but pretty clever, nonetheless.

Junk Market

Fence Panel Re-Do

I love old fence panels.  I’ve posted a picture of the one that hangs on our dining room wall, and I loved this look as well.    Junk Market

Consider:

• Decorating with old quilts and baskets (to help keep things orderly).
• Painting an old picture frame instead of buying a new one.
• Covering an old pillow with some fabric–even an unused sheet or article of clothing no longer being used.
• Rearrange your furniture.  It may not feel like the natural thing to do, but a sitting room is really best suited when the furniture is pulled in close together.
• Decorate with books.
• A coat of paint can work wonders with tired furniture.

There are so many ideas, but hopefully we’ll be inspired to just start looking at everything expecting it to have a little more potential before we go out to buy that perfect piece.