Interior Decorating's Midwinter Doldrums

The Holidays are Over; Does Your Home Need a Lift?

Dec 11, 2008

Does the suddenly-bare house seem to have lost its sparkle? Take out those magazines and catalogs you hid away when the in-laws arrived for the holiday, and tear them up!

Although all those holiday catalogs no longer clog the mailbox, magazines are ushering in the New Year with creative ideas by the dozens to help start 2009 off with zest. This year it's very much a different atmosphere, however, from years past with the abundance of renovation dollars giving way to real budget crunching for homeowners. Still, these magazines will be filled with suggestions for brightening up the home without spending much money.

It's time, then, to settle down with a cup of coffee or tea and a pile of periodicals, and to begin leafing through the best of the crop. Be ready with scissors or just the ability to tear neatly, and rip away...

Storage Solutions

Is there a need for more storage in the house? Check out the photos of clever storage solutions, using wire shelving, wicker baskets, easy-to-assemble wood cubes, hooks and shelves that go over the back of a door and are out of sight when the door is open. You may be able to find good examples of the elements of storage systems at thrift shops, Salvation Army Stores, on Craigslist, and eBay. A fresh coat of paint or a sprinkling of Wallies (stick-on decals) to match the theme of a child's room, will make them good as new.

Magazines Offer Inspiration

Look through the magazines and catalogs for interesting textures, colors and "themes" for a quick change to your rooms. January's "White Sales" (now carried on throughout the year, to be truthful) are an excellent opportunity to change up the bedding in a guest room, or the tired look of a master bedroom. Flat sheets are a good source of fabric for matching window treatments, duvet covers or pillow shams that you make yourself - even a simple furniture cover to coordinate and tie together the room. Stores like Bed, Bath and Beyond, Ollie's, Marshall's, TJMaxx, and Kmart will have wonderful sales right now.

Make a Reference Library

Get a manila envelope, a file folder, or a 3-ring notebook, and store all the clippings inside. Label the outside "Decorating Solutions" or "Renovation Ideas". This portfolio will become a handy reference for future planning. Advertisements, coupons, and notes may also be kept together, to assist with saving money. Individual file pockets or sleeves might be set up for "Bedding", "Window Treatments", "Table Settings", "Refinishing Furniture", "Color Schemes", "Floor Coverings", etc.

Once the supply of magazines and catalogs has been examined and torn apart, toss them out! They've served their purpose, and have provided a handy reference file of ideas to inspire projects for months to come.

Good Sources for Ideas:

The copyright of the article Interior Decorating's Midwinter Doldrums in Home Furnishing is owned by Barbara Bell. Permission to republish Interior Decorating's Midwinter Doldrums in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.