Quick and Easy Decorating Ideas

We all wish we could give our homes an overhaul and completely redecorate every now and then, but most of us either can't afford it or don't want to deal with the hassles. Fortunately there are a lot of small changes we can all do that make a big difference. Best of all, these decorating ideas can be done for very little money.

Hardware – Hardware is like jewelry. Whether it's on cabinets, furniture or large doors, hardware can have a big impact. Changing a simple glass or metal knob to something more colorful or decorative can instantly change the look of the room. If you don't want to change knobs and pulls, install some new light switch plates for a similar effect.

Lampshades – People tend to give a lot of thought to the lamps they put in their rooms, but not to the shades. Just because a particular shade comes with a lamp it doesn't mean that it's necessarily the best one. To give your room a quick update try either changing the shape or color of your lampshades or try embellishing them with simple crafty ideas.

Paint – Nothing says 'easy update' like paint. Paint an entire room, an accent wall, kitchen and bathroom cabinets or a piece of furniture. Paint has the power to instantly transform items. Best of all, it's inexpensive and easy to change if you decide you don't like it.

Reupholster – Reupholstering a sofa or large chair can be costly, but recovering ottomans and chair seats can be done on a budget. Try recovering your dining room chair seats, a small side chair in a living room or bedroom, or give an ottoman new life with new fabric. A bold pattern or color can make a great focal point. You can also make simple slipcovers for any accent or throw pillows you might have.

Customize Window Treatments with Ribbon – For a subtle but pretty update try adding a ribbon border to curtain, drapes and blinds. Find a color of ribbon that compliments the fabric then attach it (either sew it, iron it on or use double-sided fabric tape). While it might not sound like much it creates a decorative but tailored look that can breathe new life into tired window treatments. (This is also a great way to update lamp shades.)

Rearrange Furniture – The easiest and cheapest way to update a room – any room – is to rearrange the furniture. Sometimes it's all you need to give your space a completely new look. When it comes to easy decorating ideas it can't be beat. It's easy, fun and completely free.