Fast and Fabulous Decorating Projects
Sometimes you walk into a room and it just feels tired. Maybe it needs a few final touches to give it that finished look, or maybe you’re simply bored with the same old thing and are ready for a something new. Every room needs a decorating update now and again, but unfortunately, you don’t always have the time or money for a major overhaul. You don’t need to toss everything and start from scratch to breathe a little life to your space, however, and you don’t need to spend a lot of time on it either. The truth is a few quick projects can leave any room looking brand new, and many only take a few bucks and a couple of hours to complete. Try some of these fast and fabulous decorating projects to add some oomph to your interiors.
Furniture
Buying new furniture is certainly a quick way to change the look of a room, but it’s also one of the most expensive. You can make your old furniture look brand new with some basic updates that don’t involve a lot of time or money. Swapping out boring hardware on a dresser or on cabinets for something more interesting and unique makes for a fast and easy facelift. Check out reproductions of antiques at websites like VanDykes and RestorationHardware, or try some fun and funky ones like those available at Anthropologie. A new coat of paint can give a fresh look to an old piece of furniture and can add a pop of color to a room. You can also try decoupaging decorative paper or fabric to the fronts of drawers to add a bit of pattern and interest. A bold, graphic pattern would look great in a room with modern décor, and a large, botanical print can help give an antique, hand-painted effect.
Fabric
There are lots of ways you can use fabric for a fast and fabulous decorating update beyond decoupage. Regardless of how rusty your sewing skills are, simple square decorative throw pillows are easy to make (just a few straight seams!) and instantly enliven a living room, bedroom, or pretty much anywhere you’ve got some seating! Bedroom pillowcases are also extremely easy to make. While mixing patterns can be a challenge, doing it well gives a truly finished, professionally decorated look. Try mixing a solid, a stripe or check, and a floral. Adding trim or ribbon to pillowcases, curtains, lampshades, napkins, tablecloths, placemats, or even hand towels can take the boring and basic to fun and fabulous in no time. Just sew on or use fabric glue to affix. Interesting fabric also makes a quick and inexpensive stand-in for artwork. Use a staple gun to attach a cool print over an artist’s canvas, or use embroidery hoops to create a fun polka dot pattern on the wall.
Framed Mirrors and Photos
Truly lighten up a room by adding mirrors, which amplify both natural and artificial light to create a brighter, more lively space. Purchasing large mirrors can be expensive, but picking up a few interesting frames at yard sales or flea markets doesn’t cost a lot. Just bring these frames to your local glass supplier and have them cut a mirror to fit. Hang a grouping on a wall for big impact. Paint the frames a single color, or mix and match for an eclectic feel. Interesting frames are also an opportunity to showcase photos of family and friends. Use decorative paper or fabric for an interesting alternative to a basic white mat.
