Style on a Budget Decorating : House Tour from BHG

Take a cue from this home and see how easy it can be to rework remnants, castoffs, and closeouts into stylish, personality-filled home decor.

From the outside, this Colonial style home looks about like any other. But one step inside reveals a carefully accumulated collection of furniture and accessories purchased from yard sales, closeout sales, and antiques shops that have all been updated and brought to life with paint, upholstery, and other decorative touches.

Inspired by the bold pattern blue and white area rug, a navy blue accent wall adds dramatic appeal to the home?s living space. Hits of high contrast white, including the coffee table and fireplace surround, brighten the room. Simple white curtain panels make a window that lacks molding look finished. The homeowner hung the window draperies high and wide to make the window seem larger.

Look online to score deals. This pair of bookcases, an online score, was given new life with a coat of soft blue paint. Paired together, the units create a focal point along one wall of the living room and offer plenty of storage and display space. The backs of the bookcases were painted navy to help tie the units in with the area rug and accent wall.

Give a mismatched group of furniture a cohesive look with paint. Here, a thrift store cabinet, painted white to match other living room furniture, serves as a media console. The doors of the cabinet feature a motif similar to that of the area rug, which helps tie the piece in with the rest of the living room. Different size black and white images hung above the TV add height and make use of old frames the homeowner had on hand.

A variety of gold accessories scattered throughout the home?s living space lends glamorous appeal. Here, a dramatic gold mirror frame makes use of empty wall space. Use gold paint or gold leaf to give ordinary objects sparkle. A small half moon shape console table below the piece provides a bit of additional display space and visually grounds the mirror.

Mix and match furniture by relocating pieces from different spaces. In the casual breakfast nook, a hand-me-down table is paired with chairs that originally came with the dining room table. An outdated yard sale chest was painted black to match the chairs. Designer fabric snagged from a remnant bin was used to create the zippy curtains that add character to the neutral space.

With the dining room chairs relocated to the breakfast nook, a bench was introduced for seating in the formal dining room. Thrift-store chairs painted white and reupohlstered with fabric to match the drapes serve as additional seating. The final look is an eclectic, unpexpected alternative to the basic matching dining room set. A former TV console now serves as a handy buffet, topped with lamps that were updated with spray paint and new shades.

No guilt, no fuss is the feeling in the master bedroom, where simple white bedding and cool gray walls allow for easy redecorating for pocket change. The clean lined four poster draws the eye upward and toward the unique ceiling treatment. White painted dressers flanking the sides of the bed work overtime as both nightstands and clothing storage space.

Small Home Storage & Organization 2013 Decorating Ideas : House Tour from BHG

Do your small spaces feel cramped and uncomfortable? Find simple solutions that you can use to maximize space and make your home feel inviting.

Everything in its Place
Creative storage solutions keep this home organized and provide a place for everything. Collections, such as the homeowner's scores of colorful books, can be used as decorative elements while still staying organized with built in shelves. A blue gray and warm orange palette keeps the space visually cohesive and feeling fresh.

Office Space
Open, organized space is a necessity for the homeowner, who runs a business from her home. The largest room in the house had been underused but was remade into a work space and family art room. The open area and windows provide a spacious and bright work area, and three large industrial tables allow enough room to spread out projects.

Closet Shelves
The work space gained an extra dimension when the closet's bifold doors were removed to create an office nook. Outfitted with a desk, file cabinet, and shelves, the space has been maximized to its full storage potential. Colorful containers provide decoration on the shelves and also help reduce clutter from building up on the desk.

Stow Away
In a home that's short on storage space, these white metal file drawers are staple organizational tools. The multiple drawer cabinets are perfect places to stow away toys and media gadgets, and they work well for keeping art supplies organized in the office.

Hang It Up
Once used as storage for office supplies in the work space, these shelves were repurposed in a toddler's room and now feature a rotating display of wooden toys, pinecones gathered on nature walks, and paintings made with artist parents. The hooks and open shelves make a growing collection of objects simple to display and keep organized.

Out of the Box
On another wall in the bedroom, wooden cubbies are hung for displaying knickknack items. Colorful fabric swatches used as backing make bright accents against the wall. The boxes can be easily rearranged and added to over time.

Low Profile
In the dining room, a low shelf was converted into extra storage space by removing the sliding doors and mounting it on the wall. Perfect for children's books, this shelf also provides a ledge to display and organize objects without taking up floor space.

Racking It Up
Rein in reading material with a stylish magazine rack. This little item is a big help in keeping areas that are short on space neatly organized. Compact enough for small spaces, this magazine rack conveniently fits on the ledge created by the wall shelf and helps keep floor space clear.

Setting an Example
The house includes plenty of storage at a toddler's level so the homeowners' daughter can help tidy her own things. That includes the kitchen, where a low drawer designated for dishes has dividers to keep it organized. Her parents hope to teach her by example  how easy it can be to keep things nice and neat.

On the Shelf
Shelves in the kitchen provide easy access to dishes. And without having to arrange them inside a cupboard, organization is simple. An orange accent piece carries over the color scheme from the rest of the home and ties all the areas together.

Nesting Table Nook
Cozy nooks are all around the house. Storage space is maximized by using furniture with lots of drawers such as the white metal filing cabinet. A wicker basket doubles as decoration and storage. The nesting tables barely take up any space but can be perfect footrests or work space when pulled apart.

Divide & Conquer
While big open spaces are important in the office, little nooks to cozy up in define the rest of the house. Bookcases serve as open dividers between rooms while still providing those comfy nooks with lots of shelf space for storage. Organizing books by color adds an interesting decorative touch.

Modern Home Style 2013 Decorating Ideas : House Tours from BHG

California Cool

This Southern California homeowner created a design that's a liberation of color with plenty of space to breathe. The feel of the corner is removed by painting a section of wall vibrant orange, giving the illusion of greater space while also defining a nook without expensive architecture.

Magic Tricks

Paint floating shelves the same hue as your wall, then accessorize with accents in contrasting colors. For example, white shelves on a white wall nearly disappear and allow these colorful accessories to shine.

Bright Spots

Inspired by the '50s, this living area sets a white couch against the white living room wall as the canvas perfect for pops of color in pillows. Pillows are affordable and easy to re cover, so don't be afraid to mix it up and sport bright colors on throw pillows.

Twice as Nice

A combination living/dining room allows for an open feel. A mirror placed on the bold stripe on the wall further opens the room.

Strategic Stripe

Ending a stripe on the wall where the dining room ends instills a sense of definition between the two rooms.

Thoughtful Accessorizing

The timelessness of this late '60s buffet builds a foundation for eclectic accents. Layering white accessories against a white background reflects a design without clutter mantra.

Screen Saver

Here, a circle motif decorative screen separates the living area from the entryway. See through elements add architectural division without heavy construction or blocked views.

New Heights

The headboard is created from two closet doors mounted to the wall behind the bed, giving the room the illusion of greater height. A latte color stripe compliments the headboard and the wooden shelf.

Subdued Hues

The master bedroom has a mature, masculine look that departs from hot hues found elsewhere in the home. Using rich chocolate tones and muted blues creates sophistication. This mid century reading chair was just over $100 and gives a plain wall artistic flair thanks to its strong shape.

Block It Out

Throughout the condo, painted blocks of color in strategic places highlight groupings and collections. Here, an espresso brown is a rich backdrop for white accessories.

creative Home With Handmade Touches 2013 Decorating Ideas :House Tours from BHG

This homeowner gets creative with fabric leftovers, paper scraps, and bits of everyday ephemera to craft a designer look for less.

Casual & Colorful

The homeowner hired a couple of carpenter friends to fashion built in bookshelves (an expenditure she could afford thanks to her thrifty accessories and DIY ottoman). The inexpensive lamp base is topped with an old drum shade recovered in scrap fabric.

DIY Tip: Crown molding stained a rich dark brown frames a door size mirror that leans against the wall.

Make a Ruffle Pillow

A cinch to stitch in an hour, this pretty pillow requires less than a yard of fabric.

Gather materials: 1/2 yard of solid-color cotton quilting fabric (44 inches wide), 1/4 yard quilting cotton in four different fabrics (for ruffles), sewing machine, thread to match fabrics, pins, 16-inch pillow form.

1. Cut the solid-color fabric into three pieces: a 17x17-inch front and two 10x17-inch back pieces. Cut the four ruffle fabrics into 2½x35-inch strips. You need nine of these.

2. Turn the 10x17-inch pieces wrong side up. Fold one of the 17-inch edges over 1/4 inch, then again 1/2 inch. Iron folds. Do this with one side of each piece. (This will be your finished edge and the opening to slip your pillow form into the sham.)

3. On each fabric strip, sew a gather stitch 1/4 inch from one long edge. Gather to be 17 inches long. Pin a gather strip onto the right side of the front piece, positioning it 5/8 inch up from the bottom. Sew, following the line of the gather stitch. Continue pinning and sewing on strips to within 3/8 inch of the top of the front piece.

4. Finish sewing the pillow sham. Lay the front piece ruffle side up and the back pieces right side down so they overlap slightly. Pin the outer edges and sew the pillow together with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Turn right side out, iron, and stuff the pillow form into the sham. Finish by hand-stitching the opening closed.

Wall Art That Wows
In the living room, inexpensive frames around scraps of wallpaper embellish the mantel.
DIY Tip: Try fabric, wrapping paper, or even linens for another twist on this budget friendly artwork.

TV Time
To combat the cold, electronic look of her TV, the homeowner found an ornate frame that fit the room's feel. After applying molding to the back of the frame to add depth, she nestled her TV inside the frame, bringing together the entire aesthetic of the room.

Bowled Over
This papier-mache bowl cost pennies to create and provides the perfect catchall for living room stuff. Under the bowl, a piece of scrap wallpaper lines a simple retail tray.

Make It: Papier Mache Bowl

1. Cut or tear strips of magazine, newspaper, wallpaper, etc. Old blueprints were used here.

2. Make papier mache mixture: Stir together 1 part white glue with 1 part water.

3. Coat paper strips in the glue mixture and form over a bowl covered in plastic wrap. Apply two to four layers of paper. Let dry.

4. Remove plastic wrap and bowl. Use fine grit sandpaper to smooth the edges for a finished look.

The homeowner replaced dated, '80s era green marble around the fireplace with an affordable glass mosaic tile from modwalls.com. The green marble found a new home as a walkway in her garden.

DIY Tip: A downed sycamore in the homeowner's neighborhood became fireplace art. Corral cut logs with colorful fabric strips and you have an instant art piece.

Too Cute Kitchen
The homeowner stapled fabric scraps to canvas stretchers from the crafts store to fashion wall art. To protect her plaster walls, she used 3M Command mounting strips to hang each piece. Below the art display is the dining room table she and her mom repainted. A close look reveals lingering bits of blue paint. Fabric scraps make colorful coasters or an abstract table runner (see next slide for how to make your own).

Make a Rag Rug Doily
A basic coiling technique is all it takes to turn skinny strips of fabric into a striking take on a doily.

1. Cut or tear scrap fabric into thin strips. Roll them up bandana-style and coil into tight circles. Pin, then loosely stitch the coils together.
2. Customize! One circle works as a coaster. A few stitched together make a sweet centerpiece.

You'd never guess this handsome buffet was once a baby's changing table. The homeowner whipped out her old standby  a can of matte black spray paint and updated its icky yellow color to something much more mod. Replacing the hardware completed the look. The purple-tone art above is a wallpaper sample wrapped around scrap board. A blooming bouquet of paper flowers creates dinner party ambiance and never wilts .

Be Our Guest

The homeowner uses leftover and remnant wallpaper to add fresh personality and seasonality to her guest bedroom. She cuts three equal size lengths of wallpaper, then simply hands them from bulldog clips. The bedside chair has been recycled countless times with spray paint and fabric scraps.

Charming Home 2013 Decorating Ideas : House Tours from BHG

Together, these young homeowners remodeled or updated every room in their first home, trying new things and learning a lot along the way.

Clear Reflection

The mirror in the dining room a mirrored closet door placed in a doorframe scored at a yard sale  isn't the only thing that reflects the homeowners' DIY style. The curtains are fashioned from drop cloths hot glued together.

A Motto to Live By

The homeowners' home redesign became a do it yourself course that launched them into their dream of doing what they love.

Out of the Box Storage

Thin gauge wire strung between upholstery tacks across the fireplace creates a place for the homeowners' blueprints and furniture designs, as well as rolls of wallpaper and gift wrap.

Do What You Love

The DIY artwork on the mantel describes the couple's philosophy. To create a similar piece of your own, decoupage tissue paper and fabric onto foam-core board, then cut out and affix letters cut from magazine pages.

Cooking Up Style

In the kitchen, mismatched cabinet knobs and pulls (purchased secondhand for less than $10) add a fresh element to store bought cabinets. Poured in place concrete countertops and an island made from a refurbished farmhouse table add to the DIY appeal. When the homeowner didn't love the fresh paint on the table legs, she added a coat of stain to dull the color and dial up the charm.

Pops of Color

To create an interesting media center, the homeowners painted geometric patterns onto two pieces of foam core board and mounted them on the wall behind the TV. They created the media console using drawers gathered from flea markets. Once they had an arrangement they liked, they built a plywood box to house them and had a metal base fabricated at a local shop. The mirror on the console flips up to reveal the DVD player.

Not Your Average Shelf

Douglas fir boards and steel cable combine for a modern appeal in this shelving unit designed and built by the homeowners.

Cozy Color Palette

In the master bedroom, the homeowners keep projects  headboard, wall art, dresser embellishments  within a tight color palette to keep things cohesive.

Sweet Dreams

The couple revamped their sleigh bed by adding lush upholstery.

Let the Light Shine In

An upholstered cornice board above the door hides curtain hardware. The nature inspired wall art compliments the unfinished tabletop.

Make It Your Own

The homeowners added a sparkly gold border on the wall around the mirror. They used painter's tape to mask off a frame, then painted the first coat of the frame the same color as the wall to prevent the gold layers from bleeding under the tape. When the first coat was dry, they applied gold paint, then removed the tape. The dog silhouette artwork (homage to the homeowners' pooches) and the oversize flowers painted on the dresser are also DIY stencil projects.

Found Work Space

The homeowners reworked an old kitchen cabinet then placed it between two lockers to fashion a quiet place to work in a spare room.

Tidy Bathroom

Some of the homeowners' favorite projects in the house are in the guest bathroom, where they used sleek and modern materials. They poured a concrete countertop for the vintage vanity and backed the shelving units with roof flashing.

Rustic Bedroom

In the guest room, the couple paneled one wall with old fence pickets gifted from a friend. They painted some pickets white to add contrast. The headboard is made from corrugated tin roofing. The homeowners cut out the shape with a jigsaw and then used a grinder to smooth rough edges before screwing it to the wall.

Outdoor Living

The homeowners created a vertical garden by stacking and screwing together old pallets and free fence pickets. The flowering garden adds color and privacy to their patio.