More people now than ever are saving their money which in turn hurts the economy as our economy thrives on spending. Here's some suggestion to save you money and help the economy by updating your interior on a budget.
Many people have heard the term going green and do a couple of things. Shy away from it or embrace it. Some people go to the extreme of being "green", while others do what they can. Going "green" doesn't have to be hard and will save you money down the road, so that can't be bad, can it?
- 1. Change your light bulb. We have all heard this one over and over again. They practically have given the curly-q compact fluorescent light bulbs away. Did you know these little "green" bulbs that save you money contain Mercury and must be disposed of properly? You simply can't throw these guys in the trash and must exercise caution if one breaks in your home. You may have also found out that there is only one way to turn on your CFL... ON. There is no dimming with these little babies. Well, you can get dimmers but you usually only dim about 20% and then they start to flicker. Thankfully, CFLs aren't the only horse in the race. There is the low-voltage halogen bulb. They give off a warmer light, and they can be dimmed. If you dim a halogen bulb to 50%, you can save up to 40% energy and the bulb can last about 10 years! Just remember, CFLs aren't the only option when you want to go green.
- 2. Use Thermal Drapes which can also block out light. These aren't just for people who work the night shift and need to sleep during the day. Windows are the number one source of energy loss. These drapes are perfect for keeping the house cool during the very hot summer months and warm during the winter and make you a/c or heater more efficient. Don't worry, they aren't ugly, actually you can find many fashionable drapes in different styles for your home at a reasonable price.
Also, remember there are ways to update your interior and not spend a fortune! Here are some budget friendly ideas to update your home and not blow your budget.
- 1. Repurpose décor! Make a trip to the thrift store or a garage sale. You can find many items to update your décor on a budget. You never know what you can find. Some thrift shops even carry items from Target that just couldn't sell. You can find throw pillows, table cloths, pottery, artwork, furniture and much more. Use your imagination!
- 2. Add an area rug to your wood or tile floor. It will feel warm under your feet and help to define spaces with your home.
- 3. Can't afford a new couch or loveseat, use slipcovers. They come in all sorts of patterns and colors.
- 4. Buy furniture at Ikea. Now, most of us have had the experience at Ikea where we bought some furniture and it wasn't exactly what we wanted, but it fit our budget. Check out this website to find new ways to use Ikea products.
- 5. Paint your walls or decorate with graphics. The quickest and least expensive way to update your décor is with paint. You can just paint one wall a different color and make it your accent wall. Perhaps paint the wall behind your TV or the wall behind your bed. If you don't want to paint the wall or you aren't able to paint because you live in a rental property add wall decals that can be removed. Check out this website for cool wall decals to add the extra something special to your space.
There are many things you can do to improve inside your home. While we wait for the economy to improve we don't have to wait on style!
Alycia Wicker is an Eastvale Resident and Certified Interior Designer/Owner of AJW Design Co.
