The exterior change of the seasons often makes us long to change our interiors, too. As the greens of summer fade into the autumnal shades of red, yellow, and brown, you might yourself wanting to spruce up the walls and living spaces. Let’s face it, the majority of us can’t afford to shop out of every Pottery Barn catalog and hire someone to paint the walls. But do not despair, a beautiful home can still be had without cashing out your retirement. Use these ideas to create a space you love in live in.
Spruce with Spray Paint
Tired of that old table in the corner? Want to bring it into this season? You might be surprised how much of a difference a pop of color can make. The fall is the perfect time of the year to pull items outside in the cool breeze to apply a fresh coat of wow. Spend some time sanding and priming the surface before apply the spray paint of your choice. Let the piece fully dry and ventilate before returning it to its former space.
Search Surplus Stores
Ever wonder what happens to old dorm furniture or the exercise equipment at college campuses or government owned spaces? Many pieces end up surplus stores priced at incredibly affordable amounts. I love browsing GovDeals.com for unusual prospects for our home. Be sure you that you set the filter according to location so you don’t have to drive three states over to pick up your deals. Most college campuses have an onsite store where you might be able to shop in person on select days. For friends in Indiana, check out the Indiana University Surplus Stores! They do a great job of posting all sorts of fun pieces. You can also see if you have a Habitat for Humanity ReStore in your area.
Know When to Spend
It’s not every day that I’d encourage you to spend more money, so listen up. While it’s never a good idea to pay retail (there’s always a coupon or sale to be had), you might be better off purchasing a mid-grade or higher end home improvement product. We’ll call this the “I learned it the hard way” rule. Especially when it comes to paint, a low grade product will require a higher volume purchase because you’ll need more than one coat. Hear me well, I am not giving you a free pass to hit the aisles with reckless abandon. Instead, carefully deliberate your purchase knowing whether or you’ll need to make a return trip to buy more product and end up spending more money in the long run.
Move The Furniture
You’d be surprised at the amount of energy a space can gain simply by rearranging. Whether it’s the pictures on the wall or your furniture pieces, you might just fall in love with what you already have. If you don’t have vision for a new layout, ask a friend or family member whose style you admire to brainstorm a new configuration. Move pieces from one room to another or free up some of your space by eliminating unnecessary objects.
Declutter
Long have I loved the words of Wendell Berry: “Don’t own so much clutter that you will be relieved to see your house catch fire.” Put very simply, you’ll enjoy your home and space more when you have less to manage. It’s time to clean out that closet, donate items you no longer use, and lighten your load. We all have clutter in our homes that distracts and really has no merit to our existence. Clearing through it will bring both peace of mind and less work in the long run. It doesn’t cost a cent to minimize and you might even be able to claim a tax deduction.
Fall in love with your home this autumn. When the winter winds blow in late in the year, you’ll enjoy your labors of love all the more.
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out The Debt Free Devotional
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