It truly is a homesteading mindset to look at things a little 'off' the set normal center. That's what I love about the pioneering spirit of homesteading. The truth is that mindset can be used everywhere!!
Let's look at home decor and some ideas we use around the house here (on our homestead) and have used when in urban apartments as well:
Dumpster or curb salvage: We got a great old wooden high-chair 20 years ago that was out by a dumpster in West Palm Beach (hardly a homestead area) - refinished it, fixed hardware and made a (washable) cushion and it made it through two more kids! (o: Cost...FREE
Sheets, they're not just for beds: We found some cheap 200 thread (too itchy to sleep on for me) sheets that we have turned into drapes, table clothes and more! The fabric to make these was triple the price Plus there is no hemming in many instances! Saving time is saving money too!
Flower arrangements from weeds and wildflowers: Hey, don't knock it! Some of the 'weeds' around our house are really pretty, so I go cut them every few days and arrange a new set in the vases around the house. As I cut the flowering or delicate foliage, I also uproot the little sucker to keep our other things more weed-free. Why buy flowers for $8 that will be dead as fast as these weeds?
Paint is our friend: A new color or fresh coat can do wonders for faded shutters, a kitchen that seems too tiny (no money for remodeling) or a creepy out-dated bathroom. The cost of a gallon and supplies (which are there for the next project, so not wasted) is minimal to the perk-up it can have for your whole home.
Basement finds: One home we moved into 21 years ago had a lot of misc. furniture left in the basement. We refinished a beautiful oak table (we still have it), a mirror and some bookshelves. The owner didn't want to move them so they became ours. We still to this day have a table from our first home that all the kids grew up eating around and it had been left by the previous owner.
Duve' Covers: If you read that and said - huh? Let me explain. You can make a pillow case like cover for your comforter to change colors or cover a ratty one for the time being. Just look into those sheets that I mentioned above and ‘tah-dah’, a new bedroom decor for much less than a new comforter set. An oversized sheet can also make a great dust-ruffle. Just put it on your box spring and tuck or pin some corners.
Bring the outside in: Plants help cozy up almost every room, but why stop there? We had lawn furniture for den furniture at one time. Why? Because it was cheaper, light and we needed something to sit on! We also had a picnic table IN the house as our kitchen/dining table for several years until we were left the one that the kids grew up with (mentioned above). It worked great and was easy to fit into our simple country decor at the time!
Think outside the Better Homes and Gardens magazines and have fun decorating your home with a homesteader's mindset!
Best Blessings!
Donna
