If you have even a passing interest in interior design, you’ve probably seen at least a couple of those “reality” T.V. programs where they redesign an entire house on a shoestring. The shows go to great pains to explain how you can repaint, remodel, and redecorate without spending a fortune, but they often gloss over where the furniture came from – as if saying “Yes, we use budget beds, and got a great deal from this mattress discounters!” would ruin the mystique of the show.
Second Hand, Budget, or Restored?
Careful shopping can save you a lot of money when you’re redecorating. There are some things that you will need to buy from major stores, but there are other things that can be begged, borrowed, or bought second-hand, and other things that you may already have at home and could restore with a little TLC.
Coffee tables, bookshelves, and other odds and ends are ideal second-hand purchases. You can often find charming, old-fashioned designs at thrift stores, and smaller furniture items are often found at car boot sales (garage or yard sales). Keep your eyes peeled and you’ll be amazed what you can find.
Antique chairs, sofas, and other upholstered items are often worth restoring, especially if they have sentimental value. If an item is just “old” but is not antique, then it may not be worth the expense. Get a few quotes before you make a decision.
When it comes to beds, however, buying new is usually a good idea. There are hygiene issues to think about (secondhand mattresses are a risky purchase), and older beds could have sagging supports that may make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. Buying new beds will help you to avoid this problem.
Most budget beds are comfortable these days, lacking only in cosmetics. If you invest in a simple box bed, then you can dress it up with sheets, cushions, and throws in order to make it match the decor of the room. The bed may be the biggest thing in the bedroom, but with creative design you can add a lot of personality with secondary items and accessories.
Following Trends
Before you start decorating, think about what it is you want to achieve. Are you redecorating because you are tired of your existing design? Are you doing it because things are looking a little shabby? Or, do you like to follow the latest trends?
If you’re the sort of person that redecorates only when you need to, then you may want to invest in something hardwearing, and that you really love. If you are the kind of person that follows trends, then lower-cost items such as budget beds might be ideal for you, as you’ll probably find yourself returning to the mattress discounters in a year or two to replace your frame when a new design becomes en vogue.
Don’t be afraid to shop around when you’re redecorating, and keep your eyes open – you’ll be amazed at the places where you can find great design ideas.
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