Posted on: March 11, 2009
The Perfect Trifecta
Think cheap, quick and easy when it comes to home décor solutions
By Mirielle Cailles
CTW Features
Image courtesy Krylon
Finding a new look for your home can sometimes be tricky, but following these décor tips from the experts can make all the difference. According to Philadelphia designer Amanda Maier, paint is the easiest and least expensive way to makeover a room.
"People shouldn't be afraid of color," she says. "Even doing one wall can really change the look and backdrop of a room."
If you're looking to get inspired with color Maier recommends flipping through a few magazines or even retail catalogues. Tear sheets out to find a color that you love, then bring it to your local hardware or paint store to match.
Jennifer Mirich, principal designer at Halcyon House in Denver, offers this advice: "Paint at least three large 2-feet by 2-feet color blocks on your walls, preferably the same colors on different walls, to observe how the color might change, and live with these colors for a week." Tiny paint chips won't give you an accurate representation of a color, she says.
If you're looking for a smaller paint project, redo your trim. "[It] takes a lot of abuse; a fresh coat of paint can really brighten up your room," Mirich says.
Accessorizing a room can also be a quick way to alter a room's look. Rummage through a few yard sales or even consignment shops to find unique items that compliment your style. Maier loves to group different items together.
"Try to create a dynamic look with energy to it. [Set out] a larger item with a smaller vase or even candles. It all depends on how you arrange things," she says. But to avoid an overflow of clutter, Mirich recommends donating your old pieces to charity.
Another easy trick to rediscover a room's full potential is to move around furniture. Take a chair and place it in an unused corner to create a cozy vignette to give a room new life, Maier says. She also advocates shopping within your own home - move items from one room to another to give them a new purpose.
To redress your walls, buy a book on photography, art or design to find images you like. Use a straightedge and an x-acto knife, cut out pages you love, matte and frame them similarly, Mirich says. Hang them en masse to create a unified look.