If you’re fortunate to live in a climate with noticeable season changes, you can look at autumn and the change in temperatures as an optimist or a pessimist. Sure, the white stuff will be flying in no time at all and you’ll have to deal with that. Or, you can embrace the crisp air, the beautiful fall foliage, a bountiful harvest and see the change in season as an opportunity to switch up your outdoor decor.
If you choose to see the cup as half full, consider these fun fall outdoor decorating ideas:
Gourds
Liberally place seasonal pumpkins and gourds in various shades of orange, yellow, brown and green on the walkway and steps leading up to the front door. Use old bushel baskets, planters, crates and other containers of various heights and materials to keep it even more visually appealing.
Dried Corn
Dried corn and husks are also great for seasonal touches both indoors and out. Tie to light fixtures or stair railings for a rustic look. Here are a bunch of great ideas to check out.
Flower Power
Chrysanthemums are another fall staple that add color to any space. You can easily grow your own, but you can also find them at your local farmer’s markets, grocery stores and nurseries. Here are some tips for keeping them looking good longer.
Welcome Home
A new rug or welcome mat with seasonal colors is a quick and easy way to welcome visitors to your home. And because of their low price points, you can choose a different one for each season.
Lighting
Finally, don’t forget about lighting, but that doesn’t mean get kitschy with orange light bulbs. I’ve always liked the look of clear miniature rope lighting, which doesn’t have to be relegated to December holidays. String it around shrubbery and in trees to add a warm, inviting glow. Check out these boards for inspiration.
Do you have any fall outdoor decorating ideas? Share them in the comments! Happy fall, y’all!
Looking for kitchen design ideas for less?
If your kitchen design ideas are plentiful, but your budget isn’t, don’t despair. You can get the look you want without spending a fortune. All it takes is a little elbow grease and creativity.
Consider these 5 ideas:
Do it yourself. When tackling a remodeling project, do as much of the work yourself to save money on contractors. If you’ve never done any kind of demolition work yourself, get some advice from a handy friend or family member. Instead of hiring a general contractor to oversee the job, bring in a consultant for a one-time fee to advise on issues of structural integrity. Tackle smaller, cosmetic jobs like installing a backsplash or switching out hardware.
Save on cabinets. One of the biggest expenses in remodeling a kitchen is cabinetry, which is about 40 percent of your project budget or more. To save money, choose to only replace or refurbish your lowers and switch the uppers to open shelving. Two other options are professional refacing or trying a do-it-yourself coating system.
Reduce, reuse and recycle. You can save a ton of money by using recycled materials. Check out thrift sales, building supply center clearance sales or outlets, and salvaged materials from places like Habitat ReStore. If you’re not doing the work yourself, check with your contractor to make sure he is OK with using recycled materials. Other great places to check for cheaper materials are Craigslist and Freecycle.
Keep your existing footprint. Knocking out walls, moving plumbing or electrical, or putting on an addition all increase the cost of your remodel. If you stay within your same basic footprint, however, you can avoid some of those costs. If you don’t like how your kitchen is laid out, be creative with the space you have.
Use stock materials. Anytime you deviate from standard measurements, costs increase. If you like the look of custom, buy stock cabinetry and then embellish with details if desired. Trim and crown molding go a long way in taking a plain cupboard to something really unique and interesting looking.
Have any unique kitchen design ideas for less of your own? Be sure to share them in the comments section!
Looking for some easy and affordable bathroom ideas? Consider these 5 updates:
- Painting is one of the most inexpensive ways you can update a room, relatively speaking, and especially if you do it yourself. A gallon of paint averages just around $31 depending on where you live. Don’t forget to factor in primer if necessary and any other tools you might need to get the job done right.
- Install a backsplash. Beyond protecting the wall behind the sink from water, a backsplash adds the finishing touch to a bathroom. Two inexpensive options include Fasade faux tin and Aspect Peel & Stick metal, stone or glass backsplash. Both are easy DIY projects that don’t require a contractor or the hassle of mortar and grout.
- Accent a wall. Put the focus on one wall in the room. Paint it a different color than the other walls, add wainscoting halfway or install Fasade wall panels. The panels come in 4’x8’ sheets to cover more room than a Fasade backsplash, but they’re made of the same material so they’re easy to handle. And, because they come in a multitude of styles and finishes, they’re a quick way to dramatically update any space.
- Reconsider the shower curtain. When was the last time you updated the shower curtain? A pretty new pattern can enliven a room. Find coordinating art and accessories to really make it stand out.
- Update hardware. New pulls and handles make a huge difference. Nothing says dated like builder-grade hardware, especially if it’s a shiny brass or other dated finish. Change out towel bars, door knobs and the toilet tissue holder to coordinate.
To learn more about easy and affordable bathroom ideas using Fasade decorative vinyl backsplash panels, visit Fasade Ideas. More information on Aspect peel and stick tiles can be found at Aspect Ideas. To purchase these products, visit DIY Decor Store.
