Decorating on a Budget

If you love looking at pictures of interiors like we do, you’ll probably see a few of the same pieces crop up over and over, design classics like the Eames lounge or Harry Bertoia’s wire chairs. But one of the most ubiquitous pieces has a humbler pedigree (and a much lower price point). It’s the IKEA Expedit, and it’s taking the world of storage by storm.

If you’re like me, your Christmas gear — the tinsel wreath, fake tree and way too many lights — is still floating around the apartment and still hasn’t quite made its way into 2013 storage hibernation. To put off the chore indefinitely, re-use your holiday lights in the bedroom with this home-y optical headboard idea.Dutch magazine 101 Woonideeen‘s website features this photo of a unique bedroom idea.

After buying presents, food for the holiday meal, and a tree, there isn’t always much left over for extras. This year we’re trying to save money in my household – and have some fun – by making a lot of our own ornaments and decorations, but still want a modern look. Here are fifteen DIY ornaments that fit the bill:1. Winter Wonderland Ornament: Craftberry Bush2. Felt Ball Garland: My Sparkle3. DIY ‘Confetti System’ Ornaments: A Lovely Lark4.

When we drew up plans for renovating the basement, I told our contractors I wanted to install a compact under-counter fridge in the basement’s mini kitchen. I figured I could just shove in a standard compact dorm fridge, which can be found for as little as $150 new. I just wanted a fridge big enough to store basics for houseguests as well as water and fruit and milk for the kids while they hung out in the playroom.

I love my Aspen Dinnerware from Crate & Barrel — it’s slim, crisp white, easy to add on or replace and it’s CHEAP. While inexpensive basics are Crate & Barrel’s specialty, there are lots of options out there for budget white dinnerware. I’ve compiled 10 classics from a range of retailers: all sets and prices are service for 4 but range from 3-5 pieces per place setting:1.

Get your wire snips and gloves ready, and dive into one of these fun, unique projects utilizing a favorite of the DIY crowd: hardware cloth!Hardware cloth, although a bit unwieldy (and more than a little bit stabby if you’re not careful), is a versatile, useful material that can be used for so much more than landscaping projects.

As the largest retailer in the world, IKEA has stores in 38 countries around the globe. In an interesting new study, Idealo UK performed a cost comparison to determine the cheapest and most expensive places to buy from the big blue box. Check out some of their findings after the jump…To create their price comparison, Idealo UK looked at 40 IKEA products which can be found in 33 different countries.

I have lived with multiple roommates, in multiple cities, and have moved in and out of my mom’s house several times. I acquired some things along the way, but found that sharing living spaces with others meant I could keep a low profile and move without the hassle of moving much stuff. Then this past year I finally moved into an apartment I could call my own, which meant setting up my first kitchen.

The InspirationWhat You NeedMaterials3 IKEA Rugs Zipper (optional)FillerSewing MachineScissorsTape Measure or Yard StickTailors Chalk (or something to mark your measurements)Straight Pins Find the full tutorial at Retropolitan.MORE POUFS ON APARTMENT THERAPY:• How To: Make Your Own Knitted Pouf• Rooms with a Pouf from Our House Tours• How To: Make Your Own Moroccan Pouf (Images: 1. West Elm, 2+3.

Summer is a time for vacations, and also for projects. Maybe you’re thinking about painting, but want to do something a little out of the ordinary. We’ve got a few ideas. TOP ROW: 1. You may have heard of painting the ceiling, but here, painting the ceiling and a single wall elevates the walls and ceiling into floating panes of color. Hus & Hem via Plenty of Colour. 2.

Here are some examples of real people who have had work done–and what they actually paid. And we have also included some words of wisdom (and pricing ranges) from a handful of designers and upholsterers.Case Studies of Real Life Upholstery JobsHere are some real examples from friends who have upholstered various pieces of furniture. It should be noted, of course, that most of these folks live in Washington DC, which is hardly the country’s best locale for bargain goods and services!

Name: Monica, Graduate Student at the University of Michigan, Mildred the dogLocation: Ann Arbor, MichiganSize: 350 square feet studioYears lived in: 6 months, rented Graduate students often don’t have the time to make their temporary rental a home. With limited budgets, no free time and the scramble to settle into a new city, there’s usually little room for nesting in their schedules. I was quite drawn to Monica’s teeny-tiny studio, measuring in at just around 350 square feet.

Q: My apartment (rental) was built in the 1880’s and the floor has never been renovated – the uneven wood floors are painted white and have cracks and large gaps between them…I have always loved my floor but now I am pregnant and while I may cover the floor in the bedroom I am trying to find a way to fix the cracks & holes (some as big as 1 to 2 inches wide) without having to spend a ton of money – or putting down a whole new floor.

What better way to customize your bedroom than to create your own bedding? Whether your motivation is to personalize your space with your own style, make bedding out of killer fabrics, or to save money, these tips and tutorials will help you get started. Make a pillow cover from a button up shirtAdd style to your bedding with a pillow or two made from button up shirts. This tutorial from Apartment Therapy takes you through the entire process.

Recently, at SXSW 2012, we had the pleasure of hearing Jay Shafer of Tumbleweed Tiny House Company extol the virtues of living in a small space. While he admits that living in 100 square feet might not be for everyone, his talk contained plenty of tips that apply to anyone looking to live efficiently.While we live in 600 sq feet (two adults, no pets or kids) and are no McMansion owners, we admit to being kind of taken aback by the idea of living in 100 sq ft.

A room with ugly flooring, whether it’s stained carpet or worn wood, can seem like a daunting challenge – especially for a renter. Take a tip from Riki & Allen’s Texas-Modern Remodel and layer mismatched area rugs to cover a large room.

Nothing screams “rental” like ecru, landlord-issue mini blinds. They’re hideous, but you’re stuck with them, right? Wrong! Here are 7 stylish upgrades that won’t cost you your security deposit.First, get rid of the offending blinds. Most all of them pop out of their mounts quite easily and can be stored in the basement/crawl space/style jail until it’s time to move out. All of the options below are under $30.

I’m a big fan of the look my brother refers to as “world traveling supermodel” — clean line modern classics mixed with cowhide rugs, kilim pillows, Moroccan tables, Chinese chests, Japanese influenced pottery — so it probably comes as no surprise that Indian block prints figure right up there in my lists of loves. Both geometric and exotic, they have a casual, slightly hippie vibe that’s at home anywhere on the globe.