How-To Hide Your Components

If you use a console table or something like it as a TV stand, here's an idea for hiding the DVD player, surround sound, and / or gaming consoles.

Simply sew hems on the side and a hem on the top of the fabric.  Leave some room in the top hem to fit a tension rod through.  Voila.  Total cost = around $5 for the yard of fabric.

How-to Dress Up A Throw Pillow

I had two pillows that I was just no longer in love with.  They were just kind of blah.  I bought a  yard of fabric and sewed covers similar to those you might find covering a european pillow.  The ends sort of fold over each other leaving a slit in the back to stuff the pillow into.  

Total cost = $7 versus $20-$50 for new pillows.

How-to Make Inexpensive Wall Art

Check out your local Dollar Tree store.  I did this project for $9.  The mirrors are candle plates, and the butterflies are peel 'n stick decals.  I used mounting squares to adhere the mirrors to the wall.

How-to - Color!

I was inspired by an article in the Better Homes and Gardens February 2010 magazine called 30 Tips & Tricks for Choosing, Using, and Loving Color.  I am finding that color isn't the easiest thing for a lot of people to implement into their homes.  Fear is a big factor, know-how is another.  I don't intend to plagerize this article, but wanted to pull a few of the tips and tricks that I found the most helpful and perhaps add my two cents.  (Hopefully the credit I gave will cover any plagerism issues).

#1 - Pick colors using an object as your guide -- souvenirs, dishes, blankets -- any object really that you just can't get enough of can give a great start for some color inspiration.
#3 - Use different shades of a single color.  Vary the texture too.
#8 - Don't be distracted by variations in color between fabrics and walls.  These actually are nice to have.
#11 - Break up matchy furniture with a painted piece
#17 - Play up color in the accessories - lamp shades, throws, artwork ...
#21 - To give the illusion of a larger space in a small one, use neutral colors on the walls and upholstered furniture.  To further this illusion, match the walls to the furniture (or something close)
#22 - Use off white instead of white
#25 - In the bedroom, pick out your bedding first, then pick the paint color.
#29 - Wallpaper or paint the inside of a bookcase (or some other piece)

How-to Paint For Cheap

Look at the returns rack or mis-tint rack in the paint department for a color similar to what you are wanting.  I just bought a gallon of pink paint for $5 that would have normally cost $30.  The sample can alone is $2.98.  Talk about a steal!

How-to Get An Inexpensive, Long Curtain Rod

Need a long curtain rod but do not want to pay the 20+ dollars for one?  Head to Lowe's, Home Depot, or the equivalent and buy a copper rod.  The 8' one starts at around $8.  They'll even cut it to size for free!