Living Room Design Ideas – Decorating on a Budget

December 8, 2014 Jennifer Davenport 3 Comments

I spent weeks putting my living room design ideas together for our living room makeover. This room was in desperate need of an update.

To save money, I reused many things I had, like the table in the photo above. This is an antique record cabinet that was my mother’s first furniture purchase back in … well never mind. I stripped and re-stained the cabinet. Now, not only is it beautiful, but is special and dear to me.

My husband gave our fireplace a fantastic makeover, thanks to inspiration from The Lettered Cottage. I cannot wait to decorate it for Christmas!

My garage sale chairs.

Before:

I fell in love with the shape and sturdiness of this chair!

I found two of these chairs at a garage sale for $45. I had them reupholstered in a gray hounds-tooth. I love them!

Living Room Window Treatments

My teenage daughter helped me choose this fabric. I think she did a great job! I decided to pair my living room window treatments with dark wood bamboo blinds on my back door.

Even my bookshelf received a makeover. I found some unique things from the flea market and local junk stores. Remember to add a little greenery to give some freshness and color to your bookshelves.

One Cool Coffee Table

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE the flea market? I found this awesome, cool, unique, magnificent, and stunning coffee table early one Friday morning. It pays to get to the flea market early!

I purchased three large jars, and filled them with all kinds of beans. I placed them in a tray that has a mirrored bottom. When the evening lights hit the mirror, it shines and illuminates the jars.

This chair is a T.J. Maxx find. I’m not a “fashionista”, but I fell in love with the design of this chair.

A quick look at the before:

After

Ever say to yourself, why didn’t I know about this years ago?

I am a huge lamp person! I love them! I love the ambiance they create in a room. But, my husband always complains that he could come to bed 20 minutes earlier, if he didn’t have to turn off all my lamps!

So, this little gadget is a wireless remote control! I click a button and turn off all my lamps in my living room one at a time!

You can control 5 lamps! You simply plug your lamp into the switch socket, and you can control your lighting up to 60 feet away! My husband has never been happier!

This DB-Tech Wireless Remote Control is fabulous! Why didn’t I have this years ago?

Living room design ideas can be done on a budget. It takes a little more work and time hunting down bargains and affordable ideas, but it is worth it every minute. When it is all completed, it will make your buttons pop with pride.

Kitchen Decorating Ideas That Won’t Break Your Budget!

December 8, 2014 Jennifer Davenport 3 Comments

Do you need help with Kitchen decorating ideas? When you walk in your kitchen does it just feel cluttered and uninviting? With a few decorating tips, I will help you turn your kitchen in to a room you love to walk into. The kitchen should be the happiest room in the house. It is where families and friends seem to gather the most. So why not make it something you are proud of, and want to show off?

Kitchen decorating ideas from Jennifer Decorates.com

I am going to be brutally honest about what makes a kitchen UNAPPEALING; clutter and just plain messiness. I read an article years ago from a professional organizer and housekeeper which she titled “A Clean Sink”.

She believed if nothing else got done before you went to bed, go to bed with a clean kitchen. I adopted that rule and have never looked back. There is nothing like getting up in the morning and coming into a spotless kitchen.

So having said that, if your kitchen is really cluttered, your first assignment is to get rid of the clutter. We can’t begin to talk about kitchen decor ideas, until we get your clutter out of the way.

Eliminate any extra kitchen appliances that you don’t use. Try not to keep many appliances out on your countertops.

So, why talk about cleanliness and order when you want to talk about kitchen decorating ideas? Because elimination is always the first step before you begin to decorate.

Look at your counter-tops– are they cluttered with too many appliances, jars, papers, and knick-knacks?

So, STEP 1 is to de-clutter and eliminate what does not have to be on the kitchen counter top!

Kitchen Cabinets

If replacing your kitchen cabinets is not in your budget, consider painting your kitchen cabinets. I have actually painted mine twice! I know, I got the same reaction from my husband.

One of the best improvements and CHEAPEST investments I made in my kitchen, was adding molding to the cabinets. I bought a small miter box, and figured out myself how to cut the molding. And, yes, it took me quite a few cuts to get it right, but I did it! Then I used some quick-drying extra strong wood glue. Huge impact-little cost! I know this falls under “DIY Projects”, but I had to share this simple idea!

Keep it Simple

Remember simplicity is key when decorating a kitchen. Keep out only a few appliances, and preferably ones that are new and attractive to the eye.

Purchase attractive jars to put dry ingredients in! One of my jars holds coffee beans! Use one large plate on a pretty plate stand to place in the corner. Just keep your accessories simple, clean, and neat.

A clutter-free kitchen is a happy kitchen.

Kitchen Window Curtains

Even the kitchen window curtains don’t have to be fussy to make this room look fabulous. Especially when it comes to the window over the sink. You don’t need a whole lot of curtain because you don’t want to lose your natural light. Want to learn how to make these exact kitchen window treatments? Come watch my Youtube video “DIY Kitchen Window Curtain“.

Here is my short and fun video all about accessorizing kitchen counter-tops. Come watch!

Kitchen decorating ideas really are pretty basic. Just have fun!

Guest Bedroom Decorating Ideas

December 8, 2014 Jennifer Davenport

Make your guest room inviting and peaceful!

Hello friends! I would like to share some guest bedroom decorating ideas with you that I think are easy and fun to do! My middle son is getting an apartment, and the boy’s room is now MINE! So, turning it into a peaceful retreat for my guests (or me) was a fun journey!

Okay, before we go on I will show you the before photo. I must say my daughter, (our last chick left) was very upset over the change. I honestly felt kind of bad. For a minute or two.

Before and After

Please note, the popcorn ceiling. Yes, I learned how to remove popcorn from the ceiling, and it is not a fun project. I also removed the 17 year-old wallpaper. Again, not an easy project!

Guest Bedroom Decorating Ideas That are Essential

Making your guests feel welcomed is not just about having the best guest bedroom decorating ideas. It is about learning to create a room that is calm, peaceful, and relaxing. I researched a lot of different small bedroom decorating ideas because this room is pretty tiny!

My number one essential priority is having a guest room that is uncluttered! If your guest room serves a dual purpose, such as a home office, make sure everything is in order when your guests arrive.

Make a comfortable bed! Who can resist a bed made with soft linens and fluffy pillows?

If room allows, have a chair in your guest room.

Provide necessary items such as a make-up mirror, toiletries, and an alarm clock for your company. Add a small vase of flowers to make them feel extra special.

Easy Guest Bedroom Decorating Ideas

that are budget friendly!

I like to mix and match my bedding. I find that you can save a lot of money this way. My quilt came from T.J. Maxx, and the charcoal colored pillows came from Target.

This simple bed skirt is from the Rachel Ashwell line at Target.

The details make all the difference in bedroom makeover ideas. Adding a smaller pillow in the front of your larger pillows is like adding jewelry to your outfit. It just completes the look.

My guest room is small. So when I happened upon this little vintage dresser I was thrilled!

The shop owner had already painted this piece, and added special hardware.

A large mirror is a must for your guest room. I found this one at our local T.J. Maxx store. I’m not sure what I would do without that store!

I got really really lucky, and was given this antique headboard from a client. I love it. This headboard was full size. I purchased a queen size bed for our room. Instead of figuring out how to make the headboard fit the queen bed, my husband just attached the headboard to the wall!

If room allows, add a chair for your guests. This little chair was a flea market find for $15. I painted it white and added a pillow that probably applies more to me, more than to my guests.

Gray and orange, how pretty! This is a room I decorated for a special client.

This is a beautiful guest room of an acquaintance of mine. I absolutely love the light fixture!

Keeping Guest Bedroom Decorating Ideas Simple and Charming

When choosing your guest bedroom decor, keep it simple. I found this vintage style clock at Target.

Don’t over-complicate your guest bedroom decorating ideas. Stick to the important essentials, and you can’t go wrong!

Cheap Decorating Ideas that look fabulous!

December 8, 2014 Jennifer Davenport

Finding cheap decorating ideas isn’t too difficult. Finding ideas that don’t look cheap is hard! We have been remodeling our home for 15 years. Through the years, I have really learned many things about how to find budget decorating ideas.

I’d like to share some of my favorite inexpensive decorating ideas to help make your home beautiful on a budget! This page is all about cheap decorating ideas that anyone can do!

My first piece of advice on learning about home decorating on a budget is you have to become a DIY’er (do-it-yourself)! Learning to do things yourself isn’t about making things that are perfect! It is about overcoming your fear of doing something new. There isn’t one room in my home that doesn’t have at least one second-hand piece of furniture.

Paint, Paint, Paint!

I am always asked what is one of my top cheap decorating ideas? It has to be painting! Paint is probably my absolute favorite way to give something a complete makeover! Whether you are painting kitchen cabinets, painting a room, trim, or trying your hand at furniture makeovers, paint makes an unbelievable transformation! Learning to paint, and doing it yourself will save you so much money!

Do you have a bathroom cabinet that is in great condition, but is old and outdated? Even if your cabinet is stained wood, you can paint it! All you need is a good primer.

One of the biggest decisions is whether you want to use latex paint or oil-based paint. I prefer working with latex paint because of the clean-up. However, I would choose oil-based paint for areas that are going to get a lot of wear and tear. For example, I would use it for kitchen cabinets, bathroom cabinets, and painting stair rails.

Oil paints take a lot longer to dry, but they tend to hold up to wear and dirt much better. Just always allow plenty of time for drying between coats.

Furniture Makeovers

Nothing saves more money then learning how to do your own furniture makeovers. To me, nothing is more rewarding than transforming an old, ugly piece of furniture into your own furniture design idea!

So where do you find old pieces of furniture at great prices? My top three places to look are flea markets, garage sales, and Craigs List.

I paid $15 for my bedroom dresser. I painted it and added new drawer pulls. What a deal is that? When you are looking at a piece that you would like to give a makeover, take a step back and look at the bones of furniture. Does it appeal to you? Next, check all the drawers and make sure they work well.

You can save so much money learning how to hunt for furniture and then take the plunge and learn to paint it.

Cheap Decorating Ideas for Light Fixtures

Light fixtures can be expensive! Learn to paint them, and you will save a ton! I know I’m talking about painting again, but you can paint light fixtures too!

Here is a photo of a chandelier I purchased at a garage sale for two dollars. I’m sorry I don’t have the before photo, but it was a hideous brass color. Craft stores sell faux rust products that are so easy to use! I applied this faux painting technique, and then purchased new shades. The shades were boring, so I added beading and trim with hot glue! Gorgeous!

I’m not sure if every city has one, but many Habitat for Humanity has retail outlets where they sell surplus building materials at a fraction of the cost of a retail store. Our store carries a lot of light fixtures that were taken out of homes because they replaced them with new updated lights. So, you will find many brass fixtures that you could paint.

If you don’t want to try the faux painting technique, spray painting is an easy way to go. Purchase a matte finish color, and then once dry coat with matte polyurethane. (Polyurethane comes in a spray can also.)

Another idea is applying a metallic paint color to your fixture. This idea won’t work for brass, but if your light is a dull black or brown, it is a perfect idea.

My dining room chandelier was dull black. I sponged on a little antique gold paint and it changed the whole look! Once it was dry, I took a small brush and applied polyurethane to protect the finish.

Doing a simple application like this, and changing out your shades, will give you an updated cheap look, that isn’t cheap looking!

Cheap Table Centerpiece Ideas

Find a beautiful white bowl from T.J. Maxx or Target and fill it with green apples! The simplicity of this idea is a great cheap centerpiece idea.

I love to use candles as centerpieces also. Look at discount stores and half-off sales at local craft stores for candle glass urns. Put a large candle in the urn, and then add glass beads around the bottom. Simple and easy! For the holidays you can replace the glass beads with unique items like candy corn for Halloween, and cranberry’s for Christmas.

Cheap Wall Decor

Wall decor can be expensive. But, with a little creativity you can come up with some really unique cheap wall decor ideas! Write your favorite saying on canvas! Stencil the words, or trace around pre-cut letters. Then color your letters using acrylic craft paint.

Don’t be afraid to shop garage sales or thrift stores for cheap home decorating ideas!

This is a wonderful idea is from Youraretalkingtoomuch.blogspot.com This was a mirror that used to be attached to a dresser. She painted over the mirror with chalkboard paint, and then painted the wood trim! I LOVE this idea!

Slipcovers

Slipcovers are a great way to give an instant makeover to any couch or chair! If you are looking for easy sewing projects, this is it! Learn how to sew them yourself with this great tutorial!

If you don’t want to sew your own slip-cover many shops and on-line stores carry slipcovers at great prices. If you purchase a light colored slipcover, then you can add decorative pillows for that “pop” of color. You can even change your pillows out during the summer and winter seasons. Pillows are an inexpensive way to add a little change to your home decor.

Cheap Decorating Ideas for Accessories

Change out some of your accessories. Remember, sometimes, less is more. Keep it simple and remember the “decorating in three’s” rule.

I found this little tray at an antique store. It sits in the corner of the bathtub. I rolled three washcloths and set them beside a small glass jar full of bath salts. Then I bought one cream-colored, silk hydrangea, cut the stem short and placed it into a small vase. Not only is this extremely elegant, but cheap!

Change out your pillows! This makes a big impact at a small price. You can make two 16″ pillows out of a yard of fabric!

Or my favorite place to look for pillows is T.J. Maxx and Marshall’s. Many times I find down pillows! I love them because they are easy to “re-fluff”!

Probably one of the most unattractive interior decorating mistakes is keep what I call “sad” pillows. Pillows that are flat and worn are not appealing!

I purchase a lot of my home decor accessories from discount stores. The smartest way to decorate with accessories, is not to over decorate with your accessories. Don’t have too many little items scattered everywhere. Stick with the “rule of three’s”.

Cheap Decorating Ideas for Bathrooms

Want a quick budget bathroom makeover? Give your bathroom a quick makeover with a new shower curtain! Purchase new shower curtain rings, and a new shower curtain rod that matches the rings.

Are your towels sad and worn? Are you tripping over the strings? Time to get new towels! New towels make a huge difference! For added elegance have them monogrammed.

Don’t buy more than two different colored towels for your bathroom. For a neat decorating idea for your guest bathroom, place a hand towel over your bath towel, and then tie a ribbon around both.

Cheap Decorating Ideas for Window Treatments

Learning to sew will save you so much money when trying to find cheap decorating ideas. I hate sewing clothes, but sewing curtains really is easy!

If sewing isn’t your thing, then purchase ready-made panels from Target and add trim with hot glue to give it a custom look!

Think outside the box when it comes to drapery hardware. Here I hung some drapery panels from decorative hooks I found at a craft store for half price!

Cheap decorating ideas will help you save money when you need to decorate your home on a budget! I think they are fun and rewarding!

Accessorizing A Bookshelf – Cluttered to Gorgeous with SIX Easy Tips!

November 18, 2014 Jennifer Davenport

Accessorizing a bookshelf can seem a little difficult and frustrating. Usually when I am helping a client decorate a bookshelf, the main problem is there are too many books and not enough accessories. So you are thinking “Great, what accessories do I place on a bookshelf? Below are six easy tips to accessorizing a bookshelf. Believe me, it will make a world of difference!

Let’s take a look at a few beautifully decorated bookshelves first, and then go over the six easy tips to decorating a bookshelf.

Inspiring Accessorized Bookshelves

This bookshelf sits in my living room. It used to be black, but I really wanted something a little brighter, so I broke out the latex paint.

This was a fun styled bookshelf in a Parade of Homes. I loved the wood shoe mold sitting on an old book, and all the other vintage items. To me, that is what makes a bookshelf stand out; having unique and interesting items!

This is a really cool bookshelf from World Market! I love it!

This a bookshelf in my office. I painted it with Rust-oluem spray paint. I thought it made it look like a special Restoration Hardware piece. For instructions on painting furniture, visit my page on Painted Furniture Ideas.

This bookshelf is all monochromatic! While I would like more variety on my shelves, this is a neat look!

Here is another photo I took from the Parade of Homes. These bookshelves are located in a gentleman’s study.

Okay, so ready to learn how to decorate your bookshelf like a pro? Below are six easy tips to decorating a bookshelf.

Six Tips To Decorating A Bookshelf

Tips #1 – Choosing Your Books

Even though it is a bookshelf, don’t overcrowd it with too many books. You want to accessorize, and by that you will want to add a few display items. Do not decorate with paperback books! They usually look tacky and cheap. (sorry to be blunt.)

If you don’t have many hardback books, try finding some at an antique store, local flea market, or garage sales. You really won’t have to spend much to find some really unique books.

Take the paper covers off of some of your hardback books. Coordinate some of your books by their colors.

Tips #2 – Adding Some Faux Greenery

Add some faux greenery to your shelves. Again, sparingly is the key. If the bookshelf you are decorating isn’t particularly large, then just use one or two small faux plants. Choose a unique container to put your greenery in to add character and detail to your bookshelf.

You can also use greenery without a container like pictured above. Purchase a bush of ivy, lay it on it’s side. Be sure to pull a piece of the ivy behind anything beside it. You want to make your home decor items look “nestled” in.

Tip 3# – Add a Few Photo Frames

Bookshelves are a great place to put photo frames. Again, choose quality frames to make your photos stand out. Don’t overdo, putting too many photo frames on your bookshelf.

TIP: Try to choose close up shots for your photos, they stand out better from a distance.

Tip #4 – Add Reflective Decor

Add some accessories that are mirrored or made of mercury glass. They add an element of sparkle to your bookshelves. The light bounces off these items and highlights the shelf. You can use two items like in the photo above, placing one item on a pair of books, and one item on the shelf. Now, that is easy!

Tip #5 – Choosing Unique And Interesting Bookends

Bookends are a MUST for accessorizing a bookshelf. Shop for bookends that have character and a splash of fun! Make your bookshelf come alive with interesting decor.

Tip #6 – Use Baskets

If you are trying to decorate a rather large bookshelf or entertainment cabinet, baskets are a wonderful idea! Not only can you store things in them that will not be seen, but baskets are very attractive!

Make sure you buy baskets that are the same size and color. This gives balance to accessorizing a bookshelf.

Decorating a Child’s Bookshelf

So, apply some of the six tips when decorating a child’s bookshelf.

In this little boy’s room, I used a lot more decor items than books. But, because it was a child’s room, I wanted the bookshelves to be fun and interesting.

Find fun decor that can spell out your child’s name, and place it on one of the shelves.

I like little items that hang over the edge. I use poster tack to keep things from slipping off if the bookshelf is bumped.

Stand a book up to show off the front illustrated cover! I found the antique blocks, and antique sheep on Ebay. The little stuffed animal on the shelf keeps an eye on any “monkey business” going on.

Fun Shelves

These shelves are located in a bonus room. The jars are filled with all kinds of treats! This is such a fun look!

I had to show you this shelf! This craft room was in a Parade of Homes I visited. The designer had such a great idea with the metal shelves filled with all kinds of craft supplies. I love the little metal buckets!

What adorable open shelving in a laundry room. I love how they filled a large jar with laundry detergent! The white towels are yummy!

Good luck decorating your bookshelf! Remember, keep it simple, always add some of your personality in your home decor choices, and surround yourself with things you love!