by Raven Lebeau

Created on: March 15, 2009   Last Updated: January 30, 2010

"Luxurious" doesn't have to be synonymous with "expensive". When decorating your bedroom, it is possible to have a comfortable, attractive room even if your budget is small. With a little creativity and some planning, you can have the bedroom you've been dreaming of at a price that won't have you losing any sleep. Here are some budget friendly bedroom decorating strategies:

1. Repurpose.

An unused piece of furniture in another part of the house may fill a needed niche in the bedroom. If grandma's antique desk isn't where you pay your bills in the office, then move it into the bedroom, hang a mirror above it, and use it as a vanity table. If your new TV doesn't fit in the living room armoir, move that piece of furniture to the bedroom and use it for clothing storage.

2. Prioritize.

Before you spend a penny, decide how much your decorating budget is and also decide on the main focus of your redecorating project. If you plan to buy a new mattress, this should be priority number one, since the primary purpose of a bedroom is sleeping. You'll need to decide on a mattress you will honestly be able to live with and budget that in first. Whatever is left you can use on other items.

Maybe the goal is to have a reading or TV area in the bedroom. If this is the case, then the bulk of your budget may go to a television or a reading chair. Whatever constitutes your main reason for the project needs to be taken into account before you start tallying up the cost of knick-knacks and small pieces of furniture.

3. Use area rugs to cover undesirable flooring.

Changing out flooring such as carpet, linoleum, or tile can eat into your budget quickly! Instead of going for a radical change, purchase a low-cost area rug or two instead.

4. Try window scarves instead of expensive draperies.

If you have blinds for privacy, then it is not necessary to have curtains as well. You can buy an inexpensive window scarf at a discount store or make one easily out of fabric. A window scarf can give your windows a "finished" look, coordinate with your bedspread and flooring, and make the room more appealing.5. Consider making your own headboard instead of paying up for one.

An attractive headboard can be as simple as a piece of particle board covered in thin foam padding and a piece of fabric that coordinates with your color scheme. If you can't find a headboard you like at a price you are able to pay, then making your own may be the way to go.

6. Make your own cheap, functional end tables.

A cardboard

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