Monday, July 16, 2012

Tips for Buying Inexpensive Furniture

Inexpensive furniture is not hard to find. You just have to know where to look for the best deals. You do not have to sacrifice style for price. Furniture can be purchased in many different ways and from many different places such as garage sales, Craigslist, estate sales, furniture auctions, flea markets to finding the best inexpensive furniture online.

Online shopping is much bigger than it used to be; now you do not even have to leave your home to make inexpensive furniture purchases. You no longer have to trek from store to store searching for cheap furniture. Comparison shopping through the internet has many more benefits than retail shopping, going from establishment to establishment, which can actually be extremely inefficient. Not to mention a waste of gas and energy! Actually, items usually sell at lower prices online than in retail stores because fewer expenses are a factor. What's best about online shopping is most of the time you will find not only quality furniture at but it will be inexpensive furniture as well. Many online furniture websites even release coupon codes for their shoppers to use when making a purchase.

Knowing the way the shopping season works is one of the tricks to getting great deals for inexpensive furniture. For example, in the winter, the fireplace industry is booming, but when summer hits the purchases of fireplaces slow down. One way companies help keep their businesses going is by releasing coupon codes for inexpensive furniture during a slow season, like fireplaces in the summer. Knowing when to look is half the battle. There are many online websites and blogs available that detail the best time of the year for purchasing specific items. Having the patience to wait while looking for inexpensive furniture can hard but will pay off when you find the best deals.

Pay attention to the construction of the furniture piece you are considering, and compare prices for materials such as hardwood and laminate, or wicker versus rattan. Hardwood furniture surely has a higher price tag but will last longer, whereas laminate furniture can be a cheap furniture choice but also an excellent choice if you need a temporary solution. Cheap furniture can be great but also remember just because it is a great deal does not mean you have to buy it. Deals on inexpensive furniture will always be there, make sure you are not only buying cheap furniture but smart furniture pieces. Ask yourself, "What am I going to use this for"? Think ahead before you buy.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Easy Decorating Tips for Fall

Autumn is a wonderful time of year with warm colors and warm scents that make the season unique. Rather than spending a lot of money redecorating for fall, you can simply switch out the accessories in your home to achieve the seasonal look and feel. Use these seven interior design tips for budget-friendly decorating this fall.

1. Switch out throw pillows and add cozy blankets to your couches and chairs instead of buying new furniture for the living room in fall hues. Covering furniture in slip covers is also an inexpensive way to decorate for the season. Decorate with colors such as red, olive, mustard yellow and different hues of orange.

2. Choose duvet covers and decorative pillows in your favorite fall colors to change up the look in bedrooms.

3. Paint one wall in a fall accent color, which will dramatically change the look of a room for a minimal time commitment and cost.

4. Choose candles in glorious autumn scents. Try the following scents: apple cider, cinnamon, pine, nutmeg and pumpkin spice. Not only will the candles add a warm glow to match the warm fall colors, but they will also fill your home with distinctive aromas of the season.

5. Collect natural items from the great outdoors to use as accent pieces. Pine cones, corn stalks, acorns and moss can be combined to create a magnificent centerpiece for your dining room or kitchen table. You can arrange these same items in a vase for a beautiful fall accessory for the living room. Other items from nature to consider include: ornamental grasses, pomegranates, squash, acorns and pumpkins. Coasters made from trees, accessories decorated with twine and other woodsy accent pieces are also perfect for the season.

6. Purchase art prints for the walls in any room with an autumn theme. Changing out the art in your home is an easy and budget-friendly way to decorate for the different seasons. Choose art prints with an autumn landscape, pumpkins, a seasonal countryside or many other fall-inspired themes.

7. Create a beautiful autumn display at your front door to welcome friends, family and guests to your home. Hang a fall-themed wreath on your front door. Use corn stalks, straw, pumpkins and other hearty fall vegetables as decorating accessories. Birch branches, long twigs and corn stalks can fill a large vase for a spectacular autumn arrangement. Tie a wide orange, yellow or red ribbon around the vase to finish off the look.