When the budget is tight, designing your apartment or home can be challenge; but there are enough do-it-yourselfers who have proven their ability in not only managing their money but designing their home showcased for Better Homes and Gardens. This guide is a resource for how you can select sofas, sectionals, and other living room furniture as a do-it-yourself designer.

Looking at books, magazines, and doing research online can be an effective way to find decorating ideas. You can find ideas on color palettes in paint, furniture, fabrics, window treatments, paneling, wall paper, and carpeting. Don't get discouraged if a book or magazine neglects to put a price tag on the items that make up a room; books and magazines should be used as a reference for ideas.

Paint

The first thing to do to transform a room is to paint. One of the most inexpensive items to buy, paint can have a dramatic effect on a room. Choosing a color or deciding on a more saturated, dramatic hue will instantly change the feel. Using a sunny yellow as opposed to a bluish gray will make a room look bigger and give the illusion of more space.

Look for a color combination that is sophisticated and will make the room look as though it was done by a professional designer. It's not necessary to choose only one color. Simply choose a focal wall and add your favorite color for impact.

• • Paint will give an existing space new character.
• • Flat paint works best in rooms or areas with low traffic. Flat paint as well as eggshell-color paint can be washed but it absorbs moisture and should not be used in bathrooms.
• • Satin paint can be used in areas with low moisture.
• • Semi-gloss repels moisture very well.
• • High-gloss paint is the best to repel moisture; but it might not look as good on large scale surfaces so use this paint for trim, molding, and cabinets.

Discount and Used Furniture

Finding great, inexpensive furniture like sofas, sectionals, chairs, and other living room furniture can be difficult; that's why it takes a creative mind to think outside of the box to find real deals. Furniture liquidators and discount stores can cost the same as a regular furniture stores. Estate sales and garage sales are a great way of finding used and slightly-used furniture. People donate furniture to local thrift stores, Goodwill, and The Salvation Army and are worth checking out.

When you see something you like, imagine what that item will do to transform the room. Ask yourself if the item will add spice and flair to the rest of the contents or will it disappear into the woodwork? Visit craft stores in search of decorative items like bows, ribbons, artificial flowers that will transform everyday objects into treasures, which you will be proud to display on an end table.

• • According to the Environmental Protection Agency, about 8,550,000 tons of furnishings and furniture get thrown away each year.
• • Goodwill has an auction site online as well as more than 2,650 retail stores across the United States.
• • It is estimated that the industry of resale has annual revenues of about $13 billion.

New Furniture

There are times when it makes more sense to buy new as opposed to buying a used couch on CraigsList.org. If you decide to splurge, be certain the sofa is a quality product. Sofas, sectionals, and other living room furniture should be sturdy, comfortable, and supportive on the lower-back. You can decorate the rest of the room with items that are within the means of your budget like area rugs, curtains, and pillows. You might find a scratch-n-dent coffee table on sale that would still keep within your budget.

• • When purchasing a sofa, sit on each end for at least two minutes to test the comfort. Consider how it feels as far as size goes and how well it supports your back.
• • When sitting on the sofa, you should not sink or tip in one direction.
• • Check the cushions. Couches of better quality should be filled with foam that is surrounded by batting.

Things to Consider

The problem with always going on the cheap is that oftentimes inexpensive items make the room look like a bargain basement. There are several tips to keep in mind when creating a tastefully decorated room. Take your time in matching the right colors to your furniture's upholstery. Pay attention to the details; a used lava lamp might clash against the sleek modern-style sofa you've used to furnish the room. If you have to go to every furniture store in the surrounding neighborhood, spend more time researching for larger pieces of furniture like loveseats, sectionals, and overstuffed chairs. They are a bigger investment. The average lifespan of a sofa is anywhere from 10 to 15 years.

Practice makes perfect. When people start decorating projects that they do themselves, mistakes can happen; but use those mistakes as a learning curve to help improve your decorating skills.

Links

• Ai InSite: Home Decor on a Budget
• Decorating on a Budget 101
• Top 10 Budget Decorating Tips
• Update Your Decorating
• Natural Materials Make Great Holiday Decorations, Even on a Budget
• Refinishing Furniture
• 15 Budget Decorating Secrets
• Home Decorating/Redecorating on a Budget
• Home Smarts: Decorating on a Budget
• Selecting Carpet For Your Home