Painting walls does not mean that you have to end up with a bland background. Painting techniques can add texture and depth to any wall and many techniques are simpler than most people imagine.

Color Washing

This technique simply uses two different colors of paint. Firstly paint the wall with the lighter shade of paint using a roller then use a damp cloth and dip it into the darker paint and rub it onto the wall in a swirling motion making sure to overlap the swirls.

Sponging

Sponging is very similar to color washing; the only difference is the materials you use to add the second color of paint. Many people use a natural sea sponge but newspaper, crumpled up rags or even a plastic bag will create an interesting finish.

Combing

There are various combing tools that you can buy to create varied looks that resemble wallpaper. As with color washing and sponging simply apply a darker colored paint over a lighter one and use your comb to create vertical, horizontal, wavy or swirl effect lines.

These are very simple techniques that can create a very distinctive look for any room in your home; you are only limited by your imagination. If you don’t like any of the designs, simply wait for the paint to dry and give it a fresh coat.

Just because you have a tight budget does not mean that you cannot splash out a bit and redecorate a room that you are bored with. A few simple tricks will ensure you will be wowing again when you enter.

Make simple changes to the walls by swapping pictures from other rooms, this will create a totally new look as well as a new color scheme. Adding a fresh coat of paint to only one wall will be very cheap and your pictures will look great on your new focal point.

Lamp shades are another easy way to give any room a new look and feel. You will probably have everything you need stashed away in a forgotten drawer somewhere. A few simple beads, ribbons or even bias tape can quickly transform a dingy and boring lampshade.

Throw down a new rug to add a bit of color and style to any room and for under $100 you will have a totally new look. These are just a few budget room make over ideas to get you on your way to a cheap new look. Don’t be afraid to try out any ideas you have and if you get stuck a quick search online will give you tons of inspirational ideas to create a fantastic look on a small budget.

Trying to find a unique and different finish for any home decorating project can be expensive and most people opt for wallpaper as that seems the easiest way. However learning how to create a faux marble finish is fairly simple and does not require expensive equipment and materials.

Most painting techniques can create an individual and unique feel to any room that you want to decorate. It may be easier just to call in the professionals to do the job for you, but if you create a stunning looking room all by yourself, the rewards are not only aesthetically pleasing, but you will be much more likely to enjoy the finished design knowing that all your hard work went into it.

Another great thing about learning new painting techniques is that once you have mastered the skill, you can use it almost anywhere you like, not only on walls but also any furniture, counter tops or even boring perimeter fences.

You can get the whole family involved and the kids especially will love to learn how to create a faux marble finish. All children love painting and when decorating with painting techniques there is usually a lot more “tools” involved than the boring old paintbrush.

Sponges, crumpled up newspaper and rubber stamps are just a few items that the kids are sure love. If your décor project is not in an area that you need to be perfect, like a kid’s bedroom, let them have a wall all to their own. The finish may not be perfect, but the joy on their faces will be priceless as they stand back and admire their “Mona Lisa”

Spring cleaning is something that most people look forward to as it gives them the opportunity of a fresh start and is a great time to do any redecorating. Here are ten tips for spring decorating that will ensure you get your desired look at a price to suite your budget.

1. Paint one wall in your living room a bright cheerful color and therefore turn it into a focal point that is sure to put a smile on everyone’s face.
2. Wherever possible incorporate white into your décor scheme as it is a clean color, you can use off white or ivory to give the same feel and look.
3. A great look for spring is the use of floral prints, you don’t need to carry this through the entire year, but they are great for that spring look.
4. Get rid of the blinds and curtains; let the bright spring sunshine in, use a valance instead.
5. Spring flowers are a must have, but you don’t need to buy expensive vases. Keep a look out for some cheap glass wear, it serves the same function and still looks great.
6. Don’t overdo it on the walls, choose one piece of artwork that you really like and make it your focal point. The rest of your pictures can be displayed on your coffee table or shelves.
7. Buy some spring stencils and paint some pictures on a white handkerchief and display them on side tables or use them to rest your vases and table lamps on.
8. Spring would not feel the same if you didn’t have some pansies displayed in your room. They are easy to care for and do not need a lot of space.
9. To welcome your guests with that spring feeling, hang some flower baskets on your porch along with a bird feeder to encourage the birds.
10. A wreath full of spring flowers is not only great for your new spring décor, but can easily be changed to suite the seasons or holidays.

Spring is a season of rejuvenation and excitement and using the ten tips for spring decorating above will ensure that not only your family, but also your friends will feel warm and happy whenever they enter your home.

A large number of people are turning to do-it-yourself home improvement projects in an attempt to save money or as a means of expressing their creativity. If you are also thinking of trying out a DIY job, then remember that while you will definitely save money, chances of going wrong are also pretty high and most DIY projects sound simpler than they actually are. However, you can easily succeed at DIY by indulging in careful planning before you start your project and by handling and carrying out your project in accordance with the plan throughout the whole process. Some tips that will help you in planning out and executing your do it yourself projects are:

Do Your Research Well: You might think that ripping up your old carpet and putting in a new one or painting the exterior of your house is a very simple job that needs no prior knowledge or expertise, but you will be shocked to know that there are nuances involved in every do it yourself job that will spoil your whole project if you do not know about them. Try to gain information and go through step-by-step guides for whatever project you are planning to undertake before you start work. You can find step by step instructions for almost all kinds of DIY projects on the internet. Asking a professional or a friend who has done the same thing before can also save you from the pitfalls that accompany any DIY job.

Assemble Your Stuff Together: Once you know how to carry out a DIY job step by step, you will also get to know about all the tools and equipment that you might require for your project. Make sure that you have all the tools on hand before you start on your project. If you are planning to hire equipment, then wait till you actually need it in order to save on rental costs but ensure that your work will not be stalled because of the lack of equipment. If you do not know how to handle a particular tool or equipment, then it is a good idea to ask the rental company people to explain how it works.

Compare Costs: Before you start working on your do it yourself project, it is important that you know whether or not your project fits into your pre-decided budget for the job or not. If you are undertaking a big project or one where you can hire professionals, then it is a good idea to first ask a couple of contractors for quotes and calculate the amount that you will save by doing the job yourself. Once again, if the job is particularly tricky and the difference between your costs (calculate material, equipment and energy costs) and the contractor’s costs, then you can consider hiring the contractor instead of risking doing an amateur job yourself.

Set a Time Table: Setting out a schedule for starting, working on and completing your do it yourself project is important if you want to treat it and finish it off as a professional would. Base your time table on the skill level required for the job, your own expertise and the amount of time that you would be able to spend per day. It is advised that you also factor in major landmarks into your schedule so that you can check where you stand at any particular point in time.