When I hear the words "decorating on a budget" I think of the first house I rented after my divorce, by myself with my three kids. Money was tight, but I wanted to change my same old style and at the same time make the house feel warm and finished.

If I could have painted, I would have. Paint is the cheapest, fastest, and most dramatic way to change your decor. Search the Internet for lots of ideas about color and different techniques. Painting stripes or fauxing on even one wall will make a striking impression. If you are not that daring then good old fashioned rolling and brushing will get some color up on the walls and give your home a whole new look.

But alas, I was renting and could not paint. I could however, cover the throw pillows on my couch for a punch of color. Look for the bargain bins in your local fabric store, or even Wal-Mart for fabric that complements the color of your couch, or that contrasts with it, depending on the look you are after. Sewing pillow covers is very simple, but if a sewing machine intimidates you, just glue gun them together. Add a little beaded trim or tassles and you have a designer look for a fraction of the cost. If you are not the fru-fru, throw pillow kind of person, then a slip-cover for your couch will also give you a different look for much less money then a new (or even used) couch would cost.

If you don't have money for new artwork, there are a couple things you can do. I had a couple old calendars saved just because I liked the pictures in them. I bought inexpensive frames and voila-artwork! If you have a picture that you like, but you are tired of the frame, paint the frame. Get creative and give it a faux look by painting on color, then wiping the paint gently off. Try it with two colors. It's just a frame-be bold! Sometimes the coolest looks are had by accident. I had a set of three little rectangular mirrors that I thought I was sick of, but I painted the frames black and green and when some of the paint spattered on the glass, I left it. It gave them sort of a shabby-chic look that I ended up loving.

When it comes to furniture, try using the things you have in a different way. I had two small bookcases that were identical that would have fit just fine in the living room, but instead of using them separately, I stacked them for one tall bookcase. The look was much more dramatic. I filled the shelves with familiar books and knick-knacks.

Do you like the look of those high,

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