Designing to Sell

Image via Great Interior Design

Budget Tip of the Day: Let in the Light

Lighting is something you’ve got to think about when designing to sell your home.  People love lots of natural light and potential buyers will be looking for it.  To bring in as much natural light as possible, you’ve got to uncover your windows.  If you have lots of drapery or valances that cover up part of your windows, take them down and replace with something a little simpler.  You definitely want to have a window treatment, but the more you can uncover the windows, the better.  The same goes for blinds.  Either take them down or make sure they are fully drawn when people come to look at your home.  Choosing a light paint color can also help to brighten up a dark room that doesn’t have a lot of windows.  And don’t forget to turn all your lights on.  When designing to sell, the brighter and lighter your home feels, the better chance you have of selling quickly.

Designing to Sell

Designing to Sell

Image via Country Living

Budget Tip of the Day: De-Personalize

Although your family photos are special and should be displayed with pride, when you’re designing to sell your home, you should take them down and replace them with something else. When potential buyers walk through your home, you want them to be able to imagine themselves living there. If things are too personalized, then most people aren’t able to see past what is right in front of their face. Family photos are a perfect example of this. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on new and fancy artwork, but you should replace them with something that will appeal to most people. Here are some easy, inexpensive, diy artwork ideas that will help to get you started. Family photos are just one example. Take a walk through your home and try to pick out things that are very personalized to your taste, and then search for an inexpensive replacement that will appeal to the masses.  Don’t be afraid to call on friends and family for help. They might be able to loan you some items just while you’re trying to sell. The less you have to buy, the better!  Remember that de-personalizing doesn’t mean bland and boring.  Buyers like to see some style, so try to find a good balance.  This living room is a great example of this balance.  It’s fun and interesting, but simple and neutral enough to appeal to most people.

Come back tomorrow for a new designing to sell tip.

Designing to Sell

Designing to SellBudget Tip of the Day: Paint Paint Paint!

Paint is the best way to get the most impact for the least amount of money. The color of a room is so important when you’re designing to sell your home. Color can instantly set the mood in a room and brings warmth and life to every space. White walls are very uninviting, and bright colors will send potential buyers running. There’s nothing wrong with wanting bold colors in your home.  You just need to realize that not everyone has your same taste.  Stick to neutral and muted colors when choosing your paint. Anything in the brown family is a safe bet. Blues and greens can also work well as long as you pick a soft, muted tone. If you do nothing else to get your home ready to sell, at least paint the walls. It will make a huge difference in how someone feels the second they step foot in your home. Don’t underestimate the power of paint! It’s a beautiful thing.

Come back tomorrow for a new designing to sell tip.

Designing to Sell

Designing to Sell

Image via Country Living

Budget Tip of the Day: Give Rooms a Purpose

When you are designing to sell your home, it’s important to give each room a clear purpose so that potential buyers know exactly what they can use the space for. Maybe your living room currently does double duty as a toy room, or you’re dining space is being used for something else. Maybe a spare bedroom is being used as an office or play space. Decide on one clear function for each room and decorate accordingly. This might mean you have to pack up a few things to put in storage, like toys or other items that are cluttering the space. If you have a spot for a dining table, then put one there. The same goes for bedrooms. Clear out whatever is in a spare room and put a bed in there. Don’t assume that buyers will see the space like you do. You can rent furniture or pick up some inexpensive pieces at a thrift store to clearly define a function for the space. You don’t need anything fancy.  Just give the space a purpose.  It might not be how you would use the space, but it’s well worth giving it up for a short time to increase your chances of selling quickly.

Come back tomorrow for a new designing to sell tip.

Designing to Sell

Image via Simple Effects

Budget Tip of the Day: De-Clutter

Here is an easy designing to sell tip that won’t cost you a dime and will make your home look more spacious. Everyone wants lots of space, right?! It might sound simple, but believe it or not, getting rid of your stuff is the best way to show off your space. You don’t need to throw out anything, just put it in storage until your home sells. Here are some key spaces to think about. Your closets are a a big selling feature because people love to see how much storage space there is in a home. Take at least half of your stuff out and pack it away. Your closets will look much larger and potential buyers will really be able to see the amount of space you have. When things are packed in tightly, it gives them the impression that there’s just not enough space. Next take a look at your kitchen and bathroom counters. They should both be cleared of almost everything. If your stuff is covering the space, once again, the potential buyers won’t be able to see it and will get the impression that there is not enough room. When things are cleared off the counter, it opens up the space and everything looks neat and clean. This goes for all those kitchen appliances as well. Leave no more than two regularly used items on the counter, like a toaster, for example. Buyers want to see your space, not your stuff.  Go one step further and set out a single bowl filled with fruit, or a bouquet of flowers to create a welcoming feel.  Always remember that you are designing your home to sell, not to live in. Making small, inexpensive changes will make a huge difference in getting your home sold quickly.

Come back tomorrow for a new designing to sell tip.

DIY Mirror Projects

Yardstick Miror

Image via DIY Magazine

Budget Tip of the Day: Yardstick Mirror

Simple, old wooden rulers are the jumping off point for this easy DIY mirror project that will add loads of fun and personality to your space.  You only need four things to make this: a store-bought mirror, rulers or yardsticks, a saw, and wood glue.  Some great places to collect old yardsticks and rulers from are thrift stores, flea markets, or garage sales.  Use a saw or miter box to cut each one to various lengths, and place around the mirror until you come up with a design that you like.  Attach to your mirror using wood glue, layering the rulers on top of each other as you go.

Are you guys ready to tackle any of these (or your own) diy mirror projects from this week.  I have a thrift store mirror transformation that is coming your way very soon.  I can’t wait to show it off and you won’t believe the price!

Have a wonderful weekend!

DIY Mirror Projects

Mirrored Vase

Image via Budget Wise Home

Budget Tip of the Day: Mirrored Vase

I am so excited about how this DIY mirror project turned out. It really could not be simpler. Just take simple craft store mirrors and attach to a flat surfaced vase to add some instant glamour to your space. You can buy packs of these mirrors in both square and circle shapes and they come in an array of sizes. Play around with a few and come up with your own unique design. Attach with a hot glue gun and that’s it. Easy peasy!

Here is what I started with:

I found this vase at a thrift store last year and have used it for countless projects.  I bought one 25-pack of smaller square mirrors and two 5-packs of the larger squares.  Each pack cost me $1.99 at Michael’s.

I wasn’t sure I wanted this to be permanent, so instead of hot glue, I just used some strong double stick tape.  It works good for the time being, but definitely not something that will hold up for a long time.  But I like how it turned out so much that I might have to break out the glue gun.

Mirrored Vase

Mirrored Vase

I gave it a nice home on my nightstand.  I LOVE having fresh flowers to wake up to in the morning.  It only happens maybe twice a year when I actually splurge on buying myself flowers, but I fully enjoy it while they last.  One of life’s little luxuries, I think.

Come back tomorrow for one last DIY mirror project for the week.

DIY Mirror Projects

DIY Mirror Projects

Image via Country Living

Budget Tip of the Day: Painted Mirror

Dress up a plain mirror with a personalized design using contact paper and paint. Trace or draw any picture or design onto some contact paper and cut out. Peel away the backing of the paper and place sticky side down on the mirror. Spray paint the mirror in the color of your choice and let dry. Peel away the contact paper and enjoy your beautiful, unique creation. You can find a mirror just like this here.

Come back tomorrow for a new DIY Mirror Project.

Calling all budget decorators!

If you’ve taken on any of the budget projects I’ve featured here, I want to see your pictures and feature them here at Budget Wise Home. I wish I could undertake every single tip that I share with you, but that would be a little impossible. So don’t be shy–share what you’ve done and I’ll show you off.  It will be so much fun to see everyone’s projects!

Send your pics to budgetwisehome@gmail.com

DIY Mirror Projects

Mirrored Plates

Image via The Crafty Nest

Budget Tip of the Day: Mirrored Plates

Turn any decorative plate into a show piece with this DIY mirror project.  Search out thrift stores for decorative plates or just buy a few that you like at any store.  You’ll need some 4 inch round craft mirrors, hot glue, and plate hangers.  Just hot glue the mirrors to each plate, attach the plate hangers, and hang on the wall using picture hanger hooks.  Talk about an easy way to dress up a wall.

Come back tomorrow for another DIY mirror project.

Welcome-We’re Up & Running

Hi everyone!  Thanks so much for taking time out of your day to stop by.  I am so very happy to say that I am finally up and running after a long process of transferring this blog to a new system.  You may have noticed a few changes, but things will keep running pretty much the same here.  Don’t worry, the Budget Tip of the Day is right below this post.  I will continue to post a new tip each day as usual, plus all of my own decorating projects and updates mixed right in.

The best part is that you can now leave comments on every post! Woohoo!!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE COMMENTS and I read every one, so don’t be shy.  Let me know what you think, if you’ve done a similar project, if you have a cool idea, or just want to say hi.

Over the next few weekends I’m going to give you a recap of some of the projects I’ve tackled this year and bring you up to speed with all my decorating madness that I’ve got going on right now.  Baby #3 is due in about 7 weeks so I’m working like crazy to squeeze as many projects in as I can before that time.

I’m excited to share the budget tips with all of you this week: DIY Mirror Projects.  We’re going to have lots of fun.

Thanks again for stopping by and have a great week!

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