Looking to save money on your next decorating project? You don’t have to buy a store full of furniture to change the look of your room. With a little creative thinking, you can re-use and re-purpose furniture and other things you already have to make that room shine. Follow these steps for some ideas that will inspire you, save money and get those creative juices flowing.

1. Assess
   Take a good look at the furniture you already have, in EVERY room: Tables, chairs, couch… every piece in your entire house. Don’t forget the pieces you’ve hidden away in the garage. Is it working where you have it? Is it the right size for the space it is in now? Would it be better in the room you are re-decorating? Is it worn and needs repairs you can do (ie. Fabric fraying, wood a little dinged, paint chipping). Quick fabric and paint changes can re-fresh tired furniture, so, don’t throw it away!
2. Review
   Look around at the room you want to re-do. What pieces should be taken out? Can you take a piece of furniture and turn in on its side (like a bookshelf)? How about painting? Paint is not just for walls, though that will also help your budget makeover, furniture can also benefit from a paint job too (just remember to sand off the old paint or stain first). And, draping fabric, scarves or table cloths over end tables, chairs or even book shelves can also re-fresh tattered furniture. You can also DIY and recover fabric chairs with a little effort.
3. Swap With Friends
   Can’t quite get the look you want with the furniture you already have? Visit your friends and neighbors and suggest a furniture swap. (Don’t forget to check their garage too). They’ll get a great piece to update their space and you’ll have something “new” to complete your look.
4. Repaint and Rearrange
   Definitely repaint your walls as that is the easiest way to change the look of a room. And, don’t be afraid of color. The room will seem much more professionally decorated if you choose a color that is not plain old white. Then, rearrange by taking everything out of the room and starting over with the new furnishings you’ve discovered around the house or from friends. Place larger items first and fill in with the smaller pieces.
5. Accessorize
   Check you closets for items you haven’t used in years, such as pillows, throws, remnant fabric, even an old skirt can become a new pillow with a little sewing, or, cut the seam and drape it over the furnishings. Rearrange items from another room to the one you’re working on if it’s better suited for the color and style you’ve chosen. Decorating items are everywhere in your house already, even in your clothes closet. You know how much you loved your favorite scarf or skirt when you bought it, maybe you haven’t worn it in awhile and it’s time to re-purpose it and enjoy it in your home decorating!

If you limit yourself to what you can work with, you’ll find you end up with great results. Putting parameters around your decorating project helps you come up with something unique and different, all because you didn’t go with your first choice and just run out and buy it. You don’t have to spend money to end up with a beautiful look. It just takes planning and time to think about the best way to use what you already have. So, be creative, re-use, re-purposing and change it up. Get those creative juices flowing and have fun decorating.