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Create a Fabulous Family Room with Things You Already Own
Who has the budget to buy new furniture? I know I don't. But I want to have a comfortable place for our family to enjoy each other. So I've been looking at ways I can create a fabulous family room without having to replace my furniture.
Here are some of the budget friendly ideas I've collected:
Spiff up drab and worn furniture by using slipcovers.
Slipcovers cost far less than having your furniture reupholstered and way less than buying new furniture. If you are handy with a sewing machine, like I am, you could take a great buy at the fabric store and save even more.
Look around the house or garage for furniture that could be repurposed.
That table I thought I'd sell at my next garage sale would make a great place to play Risk on Saturday night. Or maybe I could take the two halves of the top and turn them into shelves. The beveled shape would be interesting and add a designer look that usually costs hundreds. I'll have to think about it.
That old cargo trunk looks a bit beat up, but I wonder what it would look like if I really dinged up the metal. I remember a friend who dropped her hot water kettle and turned it into a creative work of art by adding more dings. I don't think it would hurt to see what would happen. I can always paint it and then antique it to capture the full effect.
I'm thinking I could hang those extra dining room chairs up on the wall right near the ceiling and take them down when we have guests. Wouldn't it be fun to put a child-sized doll on each chair? My granddaughter would love it! Her little friends would be peeking down at her. I could even bring one down for her to play with as a special treat.
Add color.
This is one of my favorites. I can redo the walls for under $20.00 if I use one color, $40.00 if I use two. My parents always painted the walls white when we moved into a new house. While the lavender paint they covered in one of our homes deserved to be replaced, I really enjoy playing with color. While paint isn't reusing something I already own, it is one of the best ways to take something I already have and give it a fresh setting. The faded upholstery on my sofa won't look as washed out with a matching shade on the wall.
I have a CD-tower and I think I'll paint, too. That will liven up the room a bit. I think painting the chairs might be a bit too much, though.
Add a few colorful accents.
OK, this is another item that I don't already own. I'm going to make a trip to the local Goodwill to see if I can find some throw pillows to put behind my back. If I don't find what I need today, I'll keep on checking back. Or I may take advantage of that sale at the fabric store and make some cushions.
Jessica Ackerman a publishing consultant for WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, is industry leader in defining new ways to buy wall plaques with little or no candle scones online.
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