By: Shelly Towns
Kids’ tastes change, and frequently. We’ve all heard of children (if not had one of our own) who change their clothes several times a day depending on their mood at the time. Some kids would change their rooms just as often if they were permitted.
Unfortunately, redecorating a kid’s room from the ground up can be expensive. Here are a few tips for keeping the costs within reason, but still giving your child the change of scenery he or she craves:
Use existing furniture as much as possible.
Replacing the bed, dresser, play furniture and so on is the most expensive part of redecorating. Instead, try to reuse stuff as much as possible. If the current furnishings don’t fit the new theme, they can be repainted. If you are buying one or two new pieces of furniture, such as a new bed or a student desk, you can always refinish or repaint the rest of the furniture to match.
Discover the many possibilities of paint!
Nothing transforms a room quite like painting the walls. Match the paint to the new theme and enlist your child’s help – you can give him a paint roller or a paintbrush and let him be responsible for the lower sections. Stencils and sponges are also great ways to add a personal touch; or, if you have any artistic talent or know someone who does, you can spice up the view with a mural.
Save money with hand-me-downs.
If your oldest child wants less babyish furniture or a new theme for her room, you can save money by using the old stuff to redecorate a younger child’s room. If no one in the family wants the hand-me-downs, sell it to help fund the room makeover – furniture sells especially well on Craigslist.
Buy furniture that will last.
If you do buy new furniture, try to buy things that can easily go with any theme – for the next time your child wants to redo his room. Also, choose high-quality furniture that will take years of rough use. If you’re buying online, you can generally find reviews that will tell you how well made the furniture is.
Shop around for the best prices.
If you have to buy new furniture and other items, be sure to shop around to find what you need within your budget. Discount stores and online retailers should offer fairly competitive prices.
Save money on used items.
Don’t forget the value of buying used items! While most people won’t relish the idea of used sheets, for example, you can often get good deals on used furniture with plenty of life still left in it. In addition to thrift stores, you can often find good deals on used items on websites such as eBay and Etsy.
Redecorating your child’s room doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank. There are plenty of ways to save money and still come up with a completely awesome room makeover! Find ways to cut corners where you can, such as by repainting and shopping around to get the best prices, but try not to skimp on quality. Long-lasting furniture also means furniture that retains its value, enabling you to reuse it for many years, or even to resell it when your kids grow out of it.
For more tips to help you manage your home, money and credit – including home loan options that suit your goals and a Debt Management tool that helps you get out of debt faster – check out Quizzle.com.
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Shelly Towns manages online marketing strategy for Angie’s List, which collects ratings and reviews on local contractors and doctors. Whether you’re looking for local doctor ratings or vendors that provide handyman Austin services, Angie’s List provides you with the resources to find the best.
