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20 Ways to Perk Up Your Home -- On a Budget!

Like the clothes we wear, our homes are direct reflections of who we are and what we value. And, just like a new bag or pair of shoes, little fixes around the house can bring instant satisfaction without overriding that ever-tightening budget.

In my house, the mantra is, “It takes so little to do so much.” In fact, a few years ago, I replaced an ugly, utilitarian kitchen faucet the plumber picked out with a beautiful, chrome goose-neck model. Afterward, every time I walked into the kitchen, my eyes fell onto that shining piece of kitchen jewelry, and I couldn’t help but smile. The faucet was a little something that brought big change.

The economic downturn has forced all of us to re-examine how and where we spend our money. Rather than “replace,” the current trend has become “rethink.”

We talked with experts to round up some money-saving tips for rethinking our living space:

Purge, then splurge. Have a garage sale, suggests Patty Potter, interior-design consultant with J&D Fabrics in Forth Worth, Texas. Then, she says, buy a statement piece with your proceeds. Ken Jorns of Kenneth Jorns & Associates Interior Design in Fort Worth concurs that target spending is a great idea. “Invest in a foundation piece, like a great sofa, and then build on that. The sofa will last many years, while the accents can easily be updated.”

Paint the front door. Perry notes that the first thing people notice about your home is the front entry. Change the color of the front door, she suggests, and don’t be afraid to go bold. A rich glossy red or glossy black makes a big statement for very little money. Just make sure the color compliments the rest of the house trim.

Replace the hardware at the front entry. Change the door knob on that front door, Sue Perry, deputy editor of ShopSmart magazine, says. Pay attention to the feel of the fixture you choose. It is the first tactile impression that guests will have of your home. And be sure the metals at the entry — the doorbell, knob and kick plate, if you have one — match in color and finish.

Accessorize the front entry. If a whole do-over for the front door is too much, make it simple. The design team at Robb & Stucky in Southlake, Texas, suggests freshening the front door by replacing that wreath that has been hanging since last year. Make it reflect the current season. Perry at ShopSmart recommends adding potted plants. Find larger pots or urns to flank the front door. Urns have their own sculptural quality and can add dramatically to the entry’s look. Be sure to change the plantings seasonally. Perry also suggests putting up some house numbers on your home’s exterior. Consider using ceramic number tiles to compliment Spanish or French country-style architecture — just make sure the numbers match the style of the house.

Repaint the interior. Jorns suggests using a neutral palette to paint all of the rooms in smaller houses in one color. Painting rooms in different colors creates “islands” and makes the spaces visually smaller. Using a single neutral shade will open up the space and provide a foundation on which to build with color.

Add some pillows. This is Design 101— everyone knows how new pillows and throws can update a look. Potter likes to take it a step further by customizing store-bought pillow covers with trims and buttons. Have a set of pillow covers in bright linens for warmer months and another set in rich-toned, cozy fabrics for the cooler months.

Create artwork with your collections. You may not realize it, but you probably have enough of something to make a collection, Potter says. How about some pretty china plates and platters that you could group and hang on the wall? Try grouping photos in similar frames together instead of scattered about the house to create a cohesive, but interesting look. ShopSmart’s Perry adds that grouping things in odd numbers is a winning formula in home decor. Odd numbers, such as three or five, are much more interesting than even- numbered sets. Pull together oddball items like crystal candlesticks, mirrors or desk clocks, and you have an instant collection.

Rearrange. At the age of 7, Jorns, who has a degree in interior design, was going to his neighbors’ houses and rearranging their rooms. Use what you have, but with a new vision. Move a chair to the opposite wall, pull together vignettes.

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