Interior Design On A Budget

Imagination is the key to creating a new living space and not spending much money to do so. It helps to have a professional designer, decorator, or architect give you advice. Draw on their ideas and experience. Depending upon your style, they can suggest ways to reflect a contemporary, traditional, or mountain theme, often with simple and affordable ideas.

The primary thing (pun intended) is to paint the walls. Painting creates a dramatic change for little money and effort. The best part is, if you don’t like the color, you can always repaint. The biggest mistake people make in painting is choosing a color they don’t like or that doesn’t look good. Some paint companies offer small, paint-sample packets. Do a test patch. There are several kinds of paints now made to be more “green,” not in color but to make things better for our environment.

• To change the look of your home drastically, replace your lampshades.
• Change the look of your furniture. Cover the dining room chairs, try slipcovers for fading couches, make or buy new pillows, be creative with blankets, quilts, and bed linens.
• A new frame and mat will often brighten a photo or painting.
• Hide the clutter. Create storage with baskets, compartment benches, or cabinets. Removing clutter improves the look of a room instantly.
• Fix up your fireplace with paint, mirrors, or a new mantle. The hearth is an instant centerpiece of any room.
• Place your best furnishings and decorations in areas that are most commonly used.

Energy Note

Constantly changing weather conditions make the decision to select energy-efficient window treatments practical as well as decorative. Honeycomb shades keep winter heat in and summer heat out. Blinds protect furniture, artwork, and floors from the intense mountain sun throughout the year.

Important Note

When you replace windows in your home, make sure the windows have double- or triple-pane, energy-saving glass. A specialized coating such as Low-E4™ from Andersen Windows or Zo-e-shield from Weather Shield Windows are examples of glass which reduce sound penetration, save on energy costs and protects your interior from damaging UV rays. Additionally, windows need to be ordered correctly for higher altitudes to prevent pillowing of the glass. By purchasing your windows locally at a store in Grand County, not only will their experts ensure you have the correct glass, but they will assist you with up to a $1,500 government tax credit on energy performing windows as well.

For ideas on decorating, design needs or window treatments, contact Homeworks (970) 531-3555, www.homeworkscolorado.com and JB Decorating (970) 726-1159. For custom cabinetry, interesting cabinet hardware, and door and window solutions, contact Legacy Building Specialties, (970) 887-3600, www.legacycwd.com.

Spend money on the things you touch daily. Your front doorknob, your switch-plate covers, drawer or cabinet pulls. Updating the items that you see and use every day will add new life and a smile.