10 steps to decorating for $250 ebook (rashon carraway) by Rashon Carraway

10 STEPS

to decorating a room forÂ

$250 B Y

R A S H O N

C A R R A W A Y

WELCOME! I realized a few months ago, that I never really broke down a step by step method for creating those budget busting rooms I did on the Nate Berkus Show. After a few emails from readers, I stat down and wrote out a small guide that should put everyone at ease when thrifting for their home.

I know prices arent as good as they used to be, but they means we just have to be even more creative then we were before.

So take out your pen and paper and jot down a few notes from my Ebook

"10 Steps to Decorating a Room for $250"

STEP ONE: create a plan

CREATE A PLAN

The first step before decorating is to have a plan in place. This plan will determine how much you want to spend altogether, where you want to shop and how quick you want to a room finished. Since $250 is a very tight DIY budget you will need to be flexible with your plans. Make room in your plans to increase the budget if additional funds become available. Make note of any upcoming special occasions. Will you be hosting any of these events in your home? Do you have any of the major pieces If so, what pieces are necessary? You should plan to extend your timeline and your shopping area. Often if you have specific taste you may not find what you want the first few trips. It is always good to keep in mind that even the best laid plans can have a few problems so be willing to adjust what you are looking for and how long it will take you to look for it. Be realistic in what you are trying to achieve. You are working a TIGHT budget!

STEP TWO: find inspiration

FIND INSPIRATION

Would you believe me if I told you that there is more to decorating than shiplap, teal and chippy furniture? No Way. Yes Way! There are so many amazing websites you can use to collect ideas. My preference is Houzz because they feature actual designers that you can get a lot of credible inspiration from. Although old school design magazines areÂ my favorite clipping and binding your ideas together. Before spending a dime (don't worry no need to rush to the thrift store just yet, you cant miss what you've never had), you need to narrow down what you'd like to find at the thrift store. If you have a favorite store such as Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware, request a catalog in the mail or drop by a store and pick up two copies. One copy is used for you tear out and the other is to keep. Create a small binder for each room so when you are out tthrifting and something catches your eye, you ca easily reference your inspiration.Â

STEP THREE: measure carefully

STEP FOUR: scouting

Measure Carefully

Measure all of the places you may want furniture, pictures mirrors, etc. Take three measurements. He first measurement is an exact measurement. This is where an ideal piece will fit perfectly. Your second measurement isnt an exact fit, but its workable. The last measurement is really used for those pieces that dont quite fit, but you are in love with it that you will make it work. Its better to have a piece too small rather than too big. Write your measurements down in your room notebook and carry it with you each time you go out.

Scouting 4 If you are new to thrifting, you will need to take time and scout to determine which stores will have the best selection of donations. It my area I know which thrift store chain will carry a larger selection of furniture and I know which stores will have better pricing on furniture. Although you can not predict which stores will have EXACTLY what you need , you can at least know which ones are consistent in selection.

MEASUREMENTS Furniture Piece:____________________________________ Where will it go in the room:_________________________ Measurement 1:___________________________________ Measurement 2:___________________________________ Measurement 3:___________________________________

Furniture Piece:____________________________________ Where will it go in the room:_________________________ Measurement 1:___________________________________ Measurement 2:___________________________________ Measurement 3:___________________________________

SCOUT'S GUIDE Name of Store:____________________________________ Location:_________________________________________ Details for this store:________________________________ _________________________________________________

Name of Store:____________________________________ Location:_________________________________________ Details for this store:________________________________ _________________________________________________

STEPÂ FIVE: shop smart

SHOPÂ SMART

5 Shopping smart, doesn't mean filling your cart with everything that is pretty. It means asking "Is this pretty object in my budget and able to fit into my current space. Often thrift shoppers cram "do dads" into their cart and by the time they reach the register they have accumulated so much that their budget is blown. The best way to avoid this is to make sure you have your measurements and inspirational photos handy so that you can easily reference to see if it fits into your plan. Always remember. It is okay to deviate from your budget if you see something your really want.Â

STEP SIX: furnitureÂ

FURNITURE

Buying the right furniture is important. I suggest looking for solid wood furniture. Solid Wood furniture allows you to use almost any method to transform the piece into your style. Â Sometimes solid wood pieces of furniture can be more expensive then furniture you may find at IKEA or Walmart however, in the long run these pieces will last a long time ). In regards to sofa buying, make sure you pick a sofa that either fits into your style or one that you can paint over. Painting over fabric isnt anything new, but it is certainly a new trend. Not every sofa is a candidate to be painted. If you are really good and you can reupholster, then maybe you can buy any old sofa and breath new life into it.Â

STEPÂ SEVEN: cruise the curbside

CRUSIEÂ CURBSIDE

Whats better than FREE? Nothing. lol. I can't really tell you exactly what neighborhoods have the best stuff, However, I can tell you that more than likely the day or the morning before trash pick up day is going to be your best chance at finding a few things. Curbside finds are the best because it gives your more money to work with on your room. Often, these items will need just a little bit of TLC (maybe a lot), but since you arent spending a lot of money anyway, you can always find some time to save more.Â

STEP EIGHT: find fabrics STEP NINE : accessorize lastÂ

FABRIC Fabric can be bought from places like Ikea for really cheap and can be used to make pillows, cover seats and even cover lamp shades. When searching for fabrics don't forget about dresses curtains and coats. All of these can be ripped apart and given new life, with just a little bit of creativity.

ACCESSORIZE Accessories for the home give personality to your space. Sometimes accessories may not come in the right finish, but with a can of spray paint you can always change the color or even the texture. I always suggest buying accessories last, because they are always cheap and readily available.Â

STEP TEN : enjoy! When you finish this guide, you will have everything you need to enjoy a beautiful space for around $250. I want to be clear that this is just a guide and the results will vary for each of you. Some of you live in cities where thrift store prices are out of this world and others of you live in cities where items are dirt cheap. Regardless of where you live, these 10 steps will get you going to achieving a budget friendly room you and your family can enjoy.

The next few pages will show the photos of two projects I did with the Nate Show some years ago.

MORE TIPS Learn how to paint furniture Learn how to make your own pillows Drive a truck with you when shopping Always bring a measuring tape with you Learn how to make quick decisions when shopping Have a list of items you are looking for Dont be afraid to deviate from your list Be realistic. You only have $250 to spend

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