In the final part of our series this year, Designing On A Budget, we will look at the last steps that you complete when decorating your home, adding lighting and accessories.

Going back to our model for the final time, what did we spend on lighting and accessories and what was included?   In our model we spent 5% on accessories and 1% on lighting or a total of $1,152.00.  Keeping in mind that this was a model home, I can honestly say that the budgeted amount would be considered low for your own personal home.  In our model we placed only one light per room and had minimal accessories.  In our accessory budget was included; frames, books, towels, kitchen items for the counters and above the cabinets and a few theme items in the children's rooms.  As lighting and accessories are a very important part in making a personal statement in your home, let's look at what you can do when designing on a budget.


Lighting can really make or break a design in a room.  The proper placement of your lighting should make your home inviting and welcoming.  Along with being a decorative item, its main purpose is function.  You should always have the three types of lighting in each room; general, task and accent.  General lighting brings overall light into a room and allows for safe and easy access in and out.  This would be light from a ceiling mounted light, a light kit on a ceiling fan, wall sconces in a stairway or even up light from a floor lamp.  The second type of lighting is task.  Task lighting is specific lighting for a specific task.  Such as; a table lamp for reading or working, or a pendant light over your kitchen table for eating.  The third type of lighting is accent light. Accent lighting will be directed at a certain item accenting it.  Such as an up light behind a tree, spot lights on artwork or a small light placed in a bookcase.

Lighting does not have to be expensive, but it should coordinate with your color scheme, theme, mood and style of your decor. Be creative with a simple and inexpensive Ginger Jar or Candle Stick base by dressing up the shade, hang a tassel on the lamp or use a decorative finial.  Wrap an old base with fabric, spray or faux paint it.  Make your own with a light kit from the craft store.  You can use anything as a base, how about a watering can, old water pump, stack of books or cigar boxes. 

Accessories now are what really makes a house your home.  They are your personal touches, they reflect your personality and bring life to your rooms.  Whenever I talk about accessories one thing you will always hear me say, is that you should have at least one thing you love in each room.  It could be that favorite childhood memory, a special item brought back from a trip, a gift from a friend or just a great find on a shopping trip.  Some of my special personal things are; a very special gift given to me by my Father when I was married.  It is all that was left of my baby blanket that he had mounted in plexi-glass.  I've had it on my desk for 22 years.  Every time that I look at it, I can remember the day when I was very young when he told me that he would save what was left of my blanket and give it to me on my wedding day.  It is my favorite picture from my wedding.  I also have some of my Barbie Doll Collection displayed in my family room curio cabinet and a clay lady bug on my dresser that I made in Junior High School.  These are the things that make my home unique and different. 

Along when your special personal items, when designing on a budget, keep some of these things in mind for your accessories:

  • One larger piece is better than a bunch of smaller ones.
  • They should reflect your colors, theme, mood and style.
  • Frames are a great and inexpensive way to bring color and your theme into a room.
  • Don't be afraid to re-paint an item.
  • Group in odd numbers, keep in mind that a table lamp counts as one.
  • Group your collections together versus scattering them around.
  • Hat boxes make wonderful decorative and functional accessories for any room.
  • Each grouping should have height, texture and color.
  • Vary the height of the accessories on a table.  If they are all the same size, use books or glass blocks.
  • Tired of your accessories; re-arrange them, swap with a friend, consign them or re-finish them.
  • My three favorite places to shop for something different; Thrift Stores, Consignment Stores and Antique Malls.

And finally, if you find something that you love, buy it!

Even though I have made lighting and accessories the last part of this series, they are a very important part of your decorating plan.  When putting together your plan, make sure that you place at least 6% to 15% aside in your budget.  First, place the proper lighting in your rooms and then start with some basic accessory pieces and build from there.  Think of accessories like jewelry for your home, one nice piece on a basic black dress is more stunning than a bunch of your smaller items worn together.

I hope that you have enjoyed this series and have completed your decorating budget for your next project.  As with every thing you do in your home, remember to have fun, be creative and Happy Decorating! 

 

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