I received a plaintive email from Lisa the other day, begging for my help in decorating their apartment. They've been really good about saving money and putting it down on debt all summer and fall. Now her mother-in-law and sister-in-law are coming for a visit before Christmas. She's starting to panic. "How to I make it not look like an impoverished student's home Mom?" Poor Lisa.

Lisa specifically mentioned the Victorian style, "but I don't want it to look like a bordello Mom!" Hmm...amazing what your kids think you might do to them! ;) Actually, I know her mother-in-law, and I don't think it will be near as bad as she thinks it will be, but...in an effort to help the Lisa's of this world, here are a few ideas...

• Check the library and Internet for pictures/books/magazines. You want to thumb through them and use a sticky note to tag every page that has something on it you like, or that appeals to you.
• Recognize there is the expensive way and the cheap way to get any look. Trust me. My sister once gave me an apartment decorating book that was great. It had the expensive photo and prices on one page, and the inexpensive version photo and prices on the other page. It was great for expanding my decorating possibilities!
• Decide on a colour scheme. Sometimes this can come from a single piece that you absolutely love. Like picking a colour out of a very precious piece you own. Other times you just go with what makes you feel good!
• When we redid our main floor we decided to go with earth tones because we wanted a relaxing place. Think about the function of the room before picking colour. Probably bright orange isn't a great idea for the bedroom...
• If you can't paint walls, as most apartment dwellers can't, then plan to put your favourite colour in draperies and furniture somehow...even if it's just the throw cushions or quilts or afghans (I know...so 70s) on the sofa. Or maybe an area rug on the floor.
• Make everything from scratch that you can. Sew the curtains. It is very handy to learn how to sew. This is one skill it pays to learn. It can be used many ways in your life. Sew the cushion tops.
• But also check the library for books on no-sew decorating. They're out there! You can even come up with nice window treatments without sewing a stitch. So don't think you have to learn how to sew!
• Cheap fabric can be found in the bedding/curtain section of the thrift store. Don't forget, 100% cotton can be overdyed in the washing machine and your landlord will be none the wiser.  that means that ugly orange can be toned down by adding green to make a nice rust or brown colour...or blue and yellow to make green...or whatever you want to do!  Use RIT dyes available at Walmart, Zeller's or a hardware store near you. 
• If you can braid, hook, weave, etc. a rug...go for it... But if those are too time consuming and expensive for your taste, try painting a design on canvas and coating it with a few coats of polyurethane before putting it on the floor.  It'll liven the place up. 
• Be aware that some rugs attract dirt and dust and are hard to clean.
• Be aware that cats sometimes like to pull on the pile in rugs with their claws.
• Be aware that rugs do occasionally need cleaning. In an apartment this might be problematic. They usually need to be beat (or vacuumed) and sometimes washed...depending on type. 
• If you're not crafty, head to the local Home Depot or Rona for rugs. 
• Also check out antique stores or vintage stores.  I found Belgian rugs selling for $30CAD each the other day on a half price sale at the local antique store.  And of course, check the thrift store first!
• At any rate. The ceiling and walls should be dealt with first. So if you're going to change any lighting do that first...with your landlord's approval. Then the walls include colour and drapery.
• Furniture can be had free or cheap on-line through Kijiji, Freecycle, Full Circles, and other such sites. Don't forget, you can always sew or cover it with a slipcover if you like the style but not the colour!
• The cheapest places for fabric are the above on-line sites, or visit the bargain wall and bins at your local Fabricland/ville, Atlantic Fabrics, or discount fabric stores. I consider cheap to be under $4CAD/m. I often try to buy cotton at under $2.50/m...for everything...
• You can also buy pillow forms at the fabric stores, though they tend to be a bit expensive there. You might want to check the upholstery stores in the area. Some DIY places have foam dirt cheap. They'll even cut it to size for you. Don't go with the cheap foam at Zeller's or Walmart. It simply isn't firm enough to give good support. You want higher density foam...but that's up to you. There are many things to fill a cushion with and books have been written about them! You'll have to check the options in your area to see what is cheapest in your locale.
• Anyway, once the ceiling, walls and furniture are done...look at the floor and decided how to handle it. I put the floor here because in apartments you usually are not allowed to do anything other than put rugs on it. Normally I'd deal with the floor before the furniture in a house. But in an apartment you're limited. Be aware that there are non-slip mats you can buy at the Dollar Store to put under area rugs so they don't slip when people land on them. This is a safety issue folks! Use them! I've also seen them selling in IKEA and SEARS. 
• I especially like to check out the SEARS bargain/clearance center for furniture.  Some really good deals there.  Sears itself can be expensive.  So check for furniture clearance/outlet places in your community.
• Wall decorations come next...that's paintings, mirrors, stitchwork, etc. Black frames look classy. In fact, a bit of black in a room is good. It anchors the room...even if it's just a black accent item...like a black candle plate.
• Then add accents...lamps, plants, knick knacks, etc. I like to add green in every room. Haven't managed it in this house. But a green plant in a room just makes people relax. It also freshens the air in the room...depending on the plant.  Think flea markets, garage sales, etc. for finding accents.

Hope that list gives you a few ideas of where to find things cheaply.

If you want new furniture easy to knock together, try thinking of alternative uses for things already in existence. The old concrete/brick and board bookcases we used to make as university students comes to mind. But if you have basic carpentry skills, you can knock together a couple of modular boxes in a weekend to house books too...if the landlord will let you do it in the parking lot! Or you have someplace you can do it.

If not, check out the modular units available at Home Depot and other hardware stores. Canadian Tire usually has storage units on sale in the fall. Not sure if the sale has gone past now or not. I buy my plastic storage units for craft supplies from them.

Keep your mind open and think outside the box. I have the drawers from one half of an old vanity, thrown out by the garbage bin one day by a neighbor precisely because it was broken, painted and holding office supplies in my sewing room.


You don't have to be a great artist to do these things...as you can see! You just need to be able to judiciously apply some paint in a pleasing pattern to you. If you don't like it...you can always paint over it. I hear spray paint is quick! (I love the stuff!)

If you don't like the look of something, but you like it's function, buy a can of spray paint! It's amazing what you can do! I spray painted some magazine archival boxes to match the decor of my sewing room. I really didn't want office black/gray in my sewing room. I also picked up a metal basket from a garage sale that wasn't the right colour. I spray painted that to match my sewing room.  And I spray painted a bulletin board as well. Don't be shy! Think outside the box!

But for Lisa doing Victorian theme.  Love...use lots of glass, crystal, beads, china, chintz, velvet, layered window treatments, crazy quilts (easy to make from old hankies actually), and knick knacks.  And good luck keeping it from taking on that bordello air!  Just remember honey, Victorians loved stuff!  Theirs was an age of abundance...in fabric, in things.  Head the to the thrift store for some cheap fabric!

Have fun decorating everyone!