We certainly don't look at these things as negatives since we take great pride in owning and caring for our homes, but we also know there are other financial responsibilities to consider.
That is why we are firm believers in refurbishing and upcyling whenever possible! Not only can it be a fun, creative outlet to paint, reupholster or reuse furniture and accessories in new ways, it is also an incredible strategy to save money.
So where do you start? Our best advice is to shop your own home first. What pieces have great "bones" but could use a little update? The best painting projects are pieces like solid wood hutches, buffets, coffee tables, and dressers. Depending on your home's style, paint these a nice light neutral and they will instantly change the look of the room they inhabit for very little cost. (We love the idea of a $30-$40 investment versus $500+ for a new piece of furniture!)
Wondering what paint to use? You can always use a latex paint from somewhere like Lowe's, but be prepared to wash and sand the piece you're working on.
For a very user-friendly paint, try Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, sold locally at The Barefoot Cottage in Newburgh. You don't have to sand the furniture before painting, it's very easy to use and there are literally endless looks to achieve with it. Check out all the colors available, and for a stylish look, do a little distressing with some sandpaper. One thing to remember with this type of paint, you must apply their clear or dark wax on top of the paint to seal and protect it. Your resident blogger has painted at least 10 different pieces of furniture with chalk paint, so if you have questions, just comment on our Facebook post and we'll get them answered!
Some of our other fabulous local home decor stores carry other lines of furniture paint too. It would be worth your while to chat with the experts at The Red Poppy and The Refinery too!
Another great way to save on updating your favorite pieces is to reupholster them. This option is best for chairs of all kinds because couches can get quite expensive if you use a nice quality fabric. Update your dining room chairs with new cushions or all over upholstery, and finally update that arm chair in the guest room that no one really likes anymore. If you have some pieces that have been handed down by family or friends, make them your own by customizing and cleaning them up with new fabric.
Our top picks for finding beautiful, affordable fabric are Jo-Ann Fabric and Grateful Threads, located downtown Evansville. The ladies at Grateful Threads are incredibly knowledgeable and can even recommend professional upholsterers.
What else do you do at home to update on a budget? Share your projects with us! We love passing on great ideas to our clients who are looking for affordable ways to make their new house a "home".
Thanks for stopping by again this week! Enjoy the beautiful weather!
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