Guest Author - Donna Coogan

One of the reasons I love writing about budget decor is because it suits my life so well. I have a family of seven and we live on only one income. Well, actually, my husband works two jobs so that I can be home with our kids. Our budget makes finding ways to decorate our house a real challenge sometimes. Although I have been passionate about interior decorating since I was a child, my home doesn’t look pristine and stylish 24/7. Far from it. In fact, sometimes, and lately, more often than not, it can take on the appearance of a pretty messy house with the kids running through it and leaving their toys or projects strewn about.

Oh, sure, there are days when I wish I had a home that looked like the pages right out of a magazine. I sigh and tell myself…”someday…when the kids are all grown.” But, the truth is, I don’t have to wait until they’re grown to make my house pretty and inviting. It just means I have to work harder at finding ways to afford it and finding ways to keep my fast-paced kiddos from tearing it up right after I get everything put in place.

So, how do I afford it? And, how do I keep my home looking nice with 3 small kids and 2 teenagers at home with me all day long? Well by never letting go of my passion! My passion is decorating and for me that means having a pretty home that fits within our monetary means and motivating myself to make it happen!

Luckily, I am not a diva shopper who will only buy from certain stores or from specific designers. For me, the fun of creating a pretty home is having the whole world at my feet to pick and choose from. I can go into an upscale store and buy something on sale or go into an average everyday department store and (also) buy things on sale. I can drive by someone’s house and grab a dresser from off the curb that they are throwing out and bring it home and fancy it up. I can find treasures in flea markets or accept family hand me downs. It’s all good to me.

The real trick to decorating on a budget is having an open mind and being willing to consider anything to make your home look nice. I don’t mean you have to take anything…but just consider your various options. Allow your mind to stretch and see things in new ways or forms. If you can invest some of your own labor by painting or reupholstering something, too, then you can stretch your decorating budget even farther.

Twenty years ago my husband and I started out with a mish mash of furniture pieces. I had my country tweed furniture and he had his vinyl covered couches from a doctor’s waiting room. Over time we sold those pieces and invested in furniture that had a very comfortable country appearance. Today our home is an eclectic, yet inviting mix of summer cottage and french country. But, it’s being built over time. I don’t have curtains picked out for every room in my home. I don’t have lamps for every table. But that’s okay. I see my home as a work in progress and I’ve never let go of my decorating vision and bit by bit, my home is slowly coming together.

If you are trying to decorate your home on a budget, then my advice is take your time. Hang onto your decorating dream, but be willing to negotiate with yourself and challenge yourself to find ways to stick to a budget that you can afford. If you are willing to be flexible, you can find ways to make your home perfect for you. There’s always something you can do to beautify your home if you open your mind up to new possibilities. And, if you are a very busy mom like me…take time to hug your kids and remember that they grow up fast. Our houses are also our homes - make allowances for the messies, too. In the end…it’s all good.