Photos By: Design Manifest

Ah yes, money! Wouldn’t be it be nice if you could decorate your home just the way you want, all without spending a dime? While there are creative ways to decorate on a budget, spending a few dollars here and there is almost always necessary. It doesn’t matter if you’re shopping for wall art, table accessories, or something in between, you need to set a budget and stick with it. And that brings us to the topic of this article: four ways to pay for your next interior design project. Here are some ideas to consider:

Cash Savings

This is the best option, as you can take the cash you need to make the purchases you want. As long as you’re comfortable parting with the cash, it’s a good place to start. Just make sure you don’t spend all your free money on your project, as you don’t want to find that you can’t pay your bills!

Credit Card

There’s never a good time to take on credit card debt, but you may be in position to make purchases and then payoff your balance at the end of the statement period. In this case, a credit card makes good sense, as you aren’t held back by the amount of cash you have on hand at the present time.

Personal Loan

Okay, so you’re not going to take out a loan to pay for an area rug or some candles. However, if your design project is going well beyond the basics – maybe because you’re tackling every room in your home – a loan could be your answer. With a personal loan, you can borrow the exact amount of money you need. Best yet, if you qualify, you can secure funds within one business day.

Set a Goal and Save

In a perfect world, you’d always have the money you need for your next interior design project. For instance, with the fall season closing in, you’d love nothing more than to experiment with a few decorating hacks that will set your home apart from others in your neighborhood. Unfortunately, there are times when you don’t have the money you need – and there’s nothing wrong with that. Here’s what you do:

• Set a goal to save a particular amount of money, such as $500
• Set smaller goals, such as saving $100 per month, so you can slowly work toward the desired result
• Stick with your plan until you have the cash you need

Even though you may be frustrated at a lack of funds upfront, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment if you save and then make a purchase.

Are You in Financial Trouble?

If you’re facing financial difficulties, it may not be the best time to take on an interior design project. No matter how badly you want to push forward, your financial future must come first. Like many, you may realize you’re buried in credit card debt. Rather than add to this right now, set the goal of paying down your debt before you begin to save and spend again (see above). There are many ways to make immediate progress, such as by applying for a balance transfer credit card. This will bring all your credit card debt under one roof, while also saving you money on interest.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it. If you’re super excited about your next interior design project but concerned about the financial impact, this advice should help point you in the right direction. Happy decorating!

Get Your Lighting Right Like the Pros

Lighting is the secret weapon to instantly transforming a space with almost no effort at all! Everything in your home depends on light and every other bit of décor can be transformed simply by changing the way it is lit. To achieve a transformation using lighting, install the right type of lighting for your space. Recessed, spot lights, hanging chandeliers, and even skylights will make or break your room.

Remember that if you CAN get natural light, then promote it as much as possible! Natural light is completely free and healthier than artificial alternatives. As houselogic.com explains, the right lighting makes you appreciate every color in the room, especially your new paint job!

Update Inexpensive Blinds

Walk into a home decorating store and you will find that the world of window treatments has come a long way since you first purchased your home. Window blinds are especially getting closer to the status of artwork, but at a stiff price. Bring down the cost by investing in plain old white Venetian blinds, wooden slat blinds, or bamboo blinds. If you like, you can buy some paint and customize them to better match your newly decorated space.

Choose Concrete Countertops

EVERYONE aspires to gave those gorgeous marble countertops, but keep in mind that any top of the line countertop material is going to take a bit bite out of your décor budget. You can customize concrete countertops and actually make them look like real marble or even granite without ever being able to tell the difference! What’s even better with concrete, is it is MUCH more durable than any type of exotic rock used for countertops.

Consider a Reverse Mortgage

If you are tight on cash to finish off your home remodel, remember that you always have a home finance option to reverse your mortgage. You must be at least 62 years old and already have paid off your existing mortgage. What’s great is that the mortgage company pays you instead of you paying them, sending you a monthly check, lump sum, or a line of credit. If you are interested in considering this, you can read NASDAQ’s “Reverse Mortgage Advice: 4 Things to Carefully Consider” for some great advice. You can then use the payout to finally add the finishing touches to your dream home!

Quick Tip: Cutting costs is easy, just make sure to use your imagination and do your research. There are tons of other options, ideas, and DIY projects that can get you a high-end look for a lot less!

Photos: Homedit, Style at Home, Bloglovin, Domaine Home, Decoholic, Amber Interiors