Decorating on a Shoestring
What does “on a shoestring” even mean? According to the Cambridge English dictionary, it is an idiom that refers to doing something on a very tight budget. It has been in use for so long that no one remembers where the phrase originated. Regardless, it is very fitting in this day and age when money is tight and the economy is in flux.
Decorating your home is a very individual endeavor and no two homes will be exactly alike. Glossy magazines showcase fabulously decorated homes with color-coordinated décor from top designers. But most people do not have the funds available to hire someone. And the décor is not cheap. That doesn’t mean a well-put-together home is out of reach. It does mean using some ingenuity and creativity to create the look you want.
Just Starting Out
First thing, decide on the look you want to go for. This is where those glossy magazines can be useful. Even if you are not able to start with the look you want, you can keep it in mind and work towards it over the years as funds allow. Your taste will also evolve as you do so home décor can best be considered a work in progress. A style you absolutely love will still occasionally need a bit of updating to keep it fresh.
Many people newly out on their own are, simply stated, broke. Your initial decorating style could closely resemble your family’s previous decorating style as you take on their cast-offs. That ugly orange floral couch is probably better than no couch at all. Until you can afford furniture of your own, this is an easier way to start. Don’t be dismayed by this, nearly everyone starts here who wasn’t born with a silver spoon in their mouth. Instead, take it and run with it. Make it your own with subtle changes that you can do on the cheap like painting an old wooden dresser or putting a slipcover over that ugly old couch.
While having something brand spanking new may be appealing, it usually also has a lot of costs attached. If you are trying to decorate with very little money, new items may be out of reach. If you simply must have a specific new item, be patient and wait for it to come on sale. Set aside money from each paycheck towards it until you have enough.
Think Second Hand
Your first decorating style may be considered “Early American Garage Sale”. If you are flexible, you can develop a great décor by going second-hand. Yard sales, estate sales, and community sale pages are great places to start. You can find some items that will fit right in with the look you are going for. Other items may need a little creativity applied to fit into the theme you are working on.
Yard sales can be a lot of fun. My best advice is to start early because the good stuff goes fast. What you will find is as varied as the people selling it. And sometimes, an item will come with some very fascinating provenance or stories that will add value to your purchase. You may find yourself telling your friends, “can you believe they wanted to get rid of this?”
Old Things Made New
A home decorating show once showcased a team that turned an old flea market armoire into an elegant bar. The possibilities are endless as long as you are willing to see what can be rather than what is. Sometimes all you need is paint. Other things may just need a good cleaning. And sometimes, your imagination can take you in new directions. For instance, an old ladder and some boards can make a great shelving unit. If you are at all handy, you can go even farther by recycling or upcycling items into something new.
What if you aren’t creative? No problem! There are millions of ideas shared on YouTube, Pinterest, and other social media sites to get your creative juices flowing. There are television shows dedicated to decorating and home improvement shows to give you loads of ideas. You may find that Early American Yard Sale decorating is not only a place to start developing your style but also a lot of fun.
If you are looking for your first place or ready to change to something new, consider The Property Manager in Durango Colorado to help get you settled into a new rental property.
Resources
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/on-a-shoestring
https://www.mydomaine.com/cheap-decorating-ideas
https://budgeting.thenest.com/decorate-shoestring-budget-23551.html
https://www.hgtv.com/shows/flea-market-flip
