How To Create A High-Style Makeover On A Low Budget

Uncertain economic times have combined with the worldwide "green" revolution to create a fantastic trend for home decorators: the thrifty makeover.

In other words, decorators are counseling homeowners everywhere to consider making over tired, drab rooms using what they already have and their own creativity. Here are some of the best tips to accomplish a high-style home makeover on a tight budget.

The least expensive way to redecorate is to refurbish what you already have. If the furniture is in good repair, it's worth updating. If it's not, then a few trips to some local secondhand and thrift stores can yield some marvelous surprises. With some sandpaper, primer and paint you can transform nearly any piece of furniture, so don't throw out something that needs a new color, or solid used furniture because the finish doesn't suit you. What's more, those traditional floral rugs that seem tired in the living room might be come alive with a good cleaning and a new location, such as the dining room or bedroom. Remember the environmentalist's motto: Reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Don't just look at the shiny new furniture ads. Shop the online classifieds and closeout web sites. Look through those free ad magazines at grocery stores. Join local swap groups. Make it a point to visit quality used-furniture shops periodically, such as once a month or so when you're actively looking for things. You never know when you'll score a treasure, such as runners that turn out to be authentic oriental rugs. In other words, hunt wisely before you get in the car to spend your time, money and gasoline.

Even if you think you're all thumbs around a sewing machine, you'd be surprised at how easy it can be to whip up new pillow covers, or hem inexpensive lengths of fabric to make swag curtains. Take some inexpensive sewing classes, then look for a used sewing machine in good repair. By developing your own sewing skills, you'll find you have a much wider array of fabrics, colors and patterns to use in your decorating. Plus, there's the personal satisfaction of being able to say proudly, "I made that!"

Even if you aren't that short on space, why have more furniture than you really use? One of the best multipurpose units available these days is the ottoman/storage unit. Some of them are large enough to serve as a table with a tray placed on top.

By sticking to neutral colors on the walls, you give yourself the perfect canvas on which to change accessories when it's time to update a room's décor. Think how easy it will be to swap out a boring art poster for vibrant Southwestern rugs as wall hangings. With neutral furniture, you can trade out pillows regularly for color accents to match the season, or shift the room's mood entirely by exchanging traditional rugs for geometric contemporary rugs.

Using these basic rules will enable you to update any room quickly with creative use of available resources.