How to Decorate with Discount Decor & a Little Fresh Paint

It’s time to decorate!  Sometimes all a room needs is fresh new paint and affordable decor to transform it back into its current century.  We haven’t painted our kitchen and family room for about fourteen years. Just imagine if you will, all the little handprints, wall dents, and holes that accumulate over fourteen years.  It was definitely time to dig out our paint brushes and get to updating.

How to Decorate

I had a garage sale this summer which allowed me to earn enough money to purchase sparkly new couches for our family room.   Like our paint, the couches were about 14 years old too.  They were well loved.  We opted for the same type of style seeing as that with three kids, now teens, the first set of couches held up longer than I expected.  Thank you, Broyhill for making quality furniture with kids in mind!

Our new couches were a dark gray which meant we needed to repaint.  It’s a task that my husband takes very seriously.  He is a drywall finisher/painter by trade which means he is meticulous when it comes to his craft.  First, we must find the right paint.  I found Dutch Boy Dura Clean in an Eggshell finish. According to hubby, Eggshell {or satin} is the best type of finish to get because it doesn’t show all the wall imperfections like a gloss paint does.  

Shop for Sale Paint

I had to get 5 gallons of flat white ceiling paint since our living room and kitchen are connected along with two gallons of paint for the walls.   I believe we spent $120 (after a $70 rebate) on the paint alone.

These next images were taken right before my husband started painting.  He covers everything and moves everything out of the room that doesn’t need to be there.  He has fixed every ding, dent, mark, and hole with taping mud as you’ll see below.  Take note of the outdated color scheme!

Painting the family room and kitchen took two days to complete.  My husband wanted to “get it done” as soon as possible because he hates painting.  I guess if you do it for other people all the time, doing your own seems more like a chore.   And, if there is anything I have learned with being married for 20 years it’s, stay out of his way when he’s working.  So, I went…shopping!

Decorate With Discount Decor

Here’s a bunch of goodies I came home with!

Home Goods – The Best Is Yet To Come candle lantern, watercolor vase, lime green utensil holder, Enjoy Life it is Delicious cutting board, candle holder lanterns in brown & turquoise, gold serving platter, rooster, and chalk board cookie jar.  (about $75 for all)

(Affiliate link) Target – Floral Lamp Shade  (about $40 for two)

(Affiliate link) Kohl’s – Floral Scroll Wall Hanging, Family Wall Hanging, Floral Painting (above fireplace) and blue & yellow ceramic plates.  (about $130 before my 30% discount & kohl’s cash)

Good Will – Lime green mason jar & gold canisters (about $12)

TJ Maxx – 3 small succulent plants, mason jar candle holders, white floral vase, dark brown crate, turquoise pitcher, chalk board message center, gold pitcher and floral salt and pepper shakers.  (about $80)

Meijer – Little saying box on my windowsill, You make me happy when skies are gray wall art and do more of what makes you happy wall hanging.  (about $25)

I spent approximately $315 on decorations for two rooms.  I also gathered various items from around the house to create a new look.  All in all, I am more than pleased with my newly updated weekend project.

Choose a color palette that makes you happy!

Decorate with Decor you love

Now I love walking into my family room and kitchen.  The colors are warm and inviting and the style is my own.   Now, how do I tell my husband I want to remodel the living room and dining room?