Budget Decorating Comparison: Real Life vs. TV

Have you ever watched those tv decorating shows, you know, the ones that promise to help you redecorate your home on a tight budget? Were you ever amazed to then find, by tight budget they mean $500, or even $1000? I have, and I don’t know about you, but their budget is WAY out of my budget! Now don’t get me wrong, these shows have great ideas, I watch them all the time for ideas myself. But I thought it might be fun to do a breakdown of a simulation of a typical show, and then show you The Budget Decorator’s way!

Typical Living room re-do on tv:

Paint$25
Fabric for Curtains$80
Accessories$100
Extra Furnishings$150
Rug$150

Grand Total$505

Typical Re-do for a Budget Decorator (Not unlike yourself!)

Paint$15 (Decent brand on sale)
Fabric$12 (Sheets on sale, stamped or stenciled yourself, even extra for pillows!)
Accessories$10 (A few dollar picture frames filled with garden catalog photos, ceramic pitcher from the kitchen filled with flowers, books stacked, dollar store candles on homemade candleholders, plants from cuttings, you get the idea!)
Extra Furnishings$15 (Tables made from glass rounds and clay pots, garage sale dresser painted by you for a side table, thrift store entertainment center with a great faux finish, done by you, of course!)
Rug$16 (Floorcloth painted by you on a clearance piece of vinyl flooring, I even included the price for a quart of sealant!)

Grand Total The Budget Decorator’s way? $68.

Now that is a difference of $437. I don’t know about you, but I have a whole lot of better
places to spend my $437. A little creativity and a little work, and you can spread your
expenses over time if you need to. And visit me at TheBudgetDecorator.com for more
great ideas!
Copyright 2002 K. Wilson