Finding Inexpensive Materials for Decorating Walls

So, you found that perfect apartment and now you have to make it your own. One of the simplest ways to personalize a space is by decorating the walls. There are many inexpensive materials available for decorating walls. Most of the time, newly rented apartments come with freshly painted walls. If that is not the case for you, then painting would be the first step.

Decorating Walls with Paint

When working with a small space, painting can be quite affordable. When selecting a paint color, it’s always best to go with a neutral shade, ranging from off-white to beige, since these colors coordinate easily with any decorating scheme. Also, you need to keep in mind that if you choose a “funky” shade, your landlord will probably require that you paint it a neutral shade before you are ready to move out, which would be an additional expense. When selecting paint, stay away from high-gloss as these tend to highlight the imperfections on the wall. Eggshell or satin varieties work best and are washable as well. There are many affordable paint brands on the market today. Dutch Boy paint can be found at Walmart and is a good value for the money. Remember, you are most likely not going to live in this apartment forever, so there is no need to spend lots of money on expensive paint.

Add Interest with Wallpaper

Wallpaper is another great option. Wallpaper can range in price from cheap to downright outrageous! The key to saving money on wallpaper is to limit your choices to the clearance rack. Next, instead of wallpapering an entire room, just select one or two walls to highlight your chosen wallpaper. This will save you lots of money and will add interest to your space.

Inexpensive Framing Options

Photographs and artwork are another great choice for decorating your walls. Of course, original artwork can be expensive. Frames can be pricey as well, if you don’t know where to look. Your neighborhood Walmart and Target are great sources for inexpensive frames. Again, you want to stick to clearance items. Another idea is to select stock frames that are sold for framing diplomas or documents. Many times, these frames are solid wood and while not fancy by any means, they are simple, have clean lines and work well for any type of photograph. These frames are also a good option for framing artwork. Local consignment shops are a fun place to find interesting frames for a fraction of the price of new frames. You may also want to check your local newspaper for estate and garage sales. Estate sales are a great place to find exquisite frames and sometimes even original artwork for a fantastic price.

Finally, your local thrift shops and dollar stores are also good places to find inexpensive materials to decorate your walls. Often times, thrift shops will carry “cheesy” prints in outdated gold frames. With a can of black spray paint, you can transform those gaudy frames and give them a more contemporary look. You can then use several frames to hold family photographs from a favorite trip. Painting the frames all the same color will give them a nice, uniform look.

By using a combination of inexpensive paint, wallpaper, artwork and your own photos, your new apartment will have your personal touch, without costing you a fortune.