Interior Home Decor - 12 budget tips

ven if you're short on time and tight on money, and you aren't able to do a complete home makeover, you'll find these 12 inexpensive tips are just the thing to bring that much-needed new style and excitement to your interior home decor:

1. Eliminate clutter. Find some inexpensive storage and get things organized and all the clutter under cover. You'll be surprised at how much it will improve the appearance and livability of your home.

2. Get some color into the place. You can use designer throw pillows or a tapestry throw blanket to punch up tired fabric on furniture. Use table skirts, folding screens, new slip covers or towels and bed sheets.

4. Try a nice throw rug. It doesn't matter what floor covering you already have, hardwood, vinyl, or carpeting, you can still find a nice throw rug in a contrasting style or color that can make tremendous difference in the style of a room.

6. Add valances to the window or redo them if they are already there. A valance is just a short decorative piece of drapery that runs across the top of the window and adds style to a plain window.

7. Try decorative cushions on wooden chairs. It will give them a new look and more comfort at the same time. It may even hide some of the minor flaws and scratches.

8. Try some lighting changes. You can put new shades on old lamps or replace them entirely. Swap out your ceiling lights with a small chandelier or fan with a light. It will make a room look new as well as brighter.

9. Consider a decorative light switch or contrasting switch and outlet face plates. Everything doesn't have to be beige or white. Try darker colors or metallics.

10.  Change the door handles in some of your rooms. Switching from a brass door knob to a jeweled crystal or a nickel lever can make a dramatic difference.

11. Add some decoration to coffee and end tables, mantles and night stands. Candles, vases, short stacks of decorative books and other items can be used to add beauty and interest. Think in terms of small groupings -- two candles and a vase, a framed photograph and a cactus, a plate with stand and a short stack of books. If you have a fireplace, give the mantle the same treatment.

12. Change your cabinets. Not ready to do new ones? Try painting them, or just replacing the doors. Maybe you could change out the hardware on the cabinets to give a fresh appearance.

It doesn't take thousands of dollars and a general contractor to make a big difference in your interior home decor. You can have a dramatic impact in a weekend with whatever your budget can manage. Now is an ideal time follow these 12 tips and get started.

-Jane Alexander

Next article: 9 Ways to a More Colorful Kitchen