LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – People decorate their homes to please themselves and if no one else likes it, that doesn’t matter.
That was one piece of advice from home decorator Laurel Meeks. She shared tips on how to stretch a small decorating budget by repainting, reusing and rebuilding.
Meeks runs a home-based craft business with her five sisters and offered ideas at the annual Lethbridge housewives conference. She also teaches home decorating classes at Lethbridge Community College.
She suggested keeping a clipping file of decorating ideas from furniture store flyers, old wallpaper sample books or decorating magazines. Most people will notice they are attracted to particular styles. Using ideas from professionals as guides, many people can achieve good results with color and accessories.
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Meeks said the first step is to have a plan and keep decorating simple. Small details like interesting collections, framed prints and knick-knacks can add flair to a room. But the amateur decorator also needs to know when there’s enough, before the details turn into clutter.
“Details are just as important as your large pieces,” she said. “Know when to stop. Sometimes we try to bring too much color into a room and it takes away from the beautiful things we have. A few great things rather than a lot of mediocre space fillers will help achieve a successful decorating plan.”
When many people move into their first home, budgets are tight. Young couples may find the task of turning the house into a home overwhelming and expensive.
“Before spending, assess what you have and ask, ‘can it be revamped and rescued?’ A little TLC, some paint and a creative imagination will work wonders,” she said.
To save money, Meeks said almost anything can be painted if the proper steps are followed. Paint stores stock primers, floor paints and other tools needed to spruce up a room and the staff usually can explain how to use them.
Old linoleum can be painted with latex paint and polyurethaned for a lasting finish. Wax must be completely stripped away before starting, she said. Wooden floors can be spruced up by painting, refinishing or stencilling patterns along the borders of the floor to create a “fake rug” look.
Old-fashioned counter tops can also be repainted rather than replacing the arborite or tiles. Ceramic tiles can be painted with acrylic paints and baked to harden the new finish.
When looking for furniture, buy the best you can afford because it will last longer. And buy furniture that will grow with the family. For example, a white sofa in a house full of small children is not a good idea. As the family grows, decorating can be changed with new covers, accessories like pillows, fancy valances on windows and new pictures. Recycle furniture by recovering, painting or staining woodwork.
