Ask A Philadelphia Expert: Shopping For Home Decor On A Budget
A home filled with beautiful decor doesn't always mean buying expensive items. You can easily create a lovely and warm atmosphere on a tight budget if you follow a few of these tips by interior decorator Mona Ross Berman of Mona Ross Berman Interiors.
Mona Ross Berman Interiors
3580 Indian Queen Lane, Suite 401
Philadelphia, PA 19129
(215) 680-5953
www.monarossberman.com
Mona Ross Berman's company has worked on projects up and down the East Coast from Nantucket to DC, but it is headquartered in the Philadelphia area. Her work has been featured in such publications as Coastal Living, House Beautiful, Traditional Home and The Wall Street Journal. Check out Mona's top five tips on working with a budget.
Include Some Vintage Items
"Always try to mix in vintage or antique pieces into your home; they tend to be better made than things coming off assembly lines. It doesn't hurt to hunt your local yard sale for this. Vintage items give an automatic flash of unique design to your home - your neighbor isn't going to have that same item. The Floyd Leg is something I recently discovered. It's four legs that come in different heights and colors that easily attach onto any surface to create one-of-a-kind tables. Use an old door, wooden game boards or any surface you can get your hands on."
Related: Top Spots For Home Décor
Photography: Inexpensive Decoration
"Photography is a great option for inexpensive artwork. Websites like 20 by 200 and Etsy are great to look for original pieces made by artists. Favorite family photographs are also an affordable way to add charm to your space, and a nice finishing touch."
Consider Temporary Wallpaper And Decals
"Temporary wallpaper and peel-and-stick wall decals, like WallPops Wall Art, are the perfect way to make any space look finished. Designs can be especially whimsical since they are so easy to take down, there's no commitment needed. The impact of "stick on wall" art is instant, too. Inexpensive yet stylish window treatments, like Applause Honeycomb Shades from Hunter Douglas, are versatile and have a nice look to them. You get more out of your investment since they're functional and come with Microshield, an antimicrobial fabric protection."
Reupholstering Breathes New Life Into Old Classics
"Reupholstering old furniture instead of buying new pieces is another way to save on décor. If you find an antique you love and the bones are great but it needs work, sites like Spoonflower have millions of chic fabrics with a nod to high-end lines. Shopping online also means you get immediate access, and you won't have to go through a designer. If you're into DIY, you can use sites like Ikea Hackers to put a fun twist on your inexpensive furniture. Crafting and adding touches to enhance your pieces is also fun! Invite family or friends over and share your ideas and tips."
Rug Remnants Save Cash
"Here's a tip for getting designer rugs at a low price point: many high-end stores and manufactures have remnants from when clients want to cut to size. You have to be willing to take what you can get and keep an open mind, but it's a great way to get a nice quality rug. Look for broadloom rugs that leave larger leftovers."
Christina Thompson is a freelance writer living in Philadelphia. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
