In this economy, every dollar counts, but geez, we still have to shop, update our apartments and pay the bills on time and not break the budget. So here are my favorite ways to update an apartment and make it feel like it is my special space while not spending a lot of money.

        1.       Move your furniture around, or switch the rooms, bedrooms, dining with living, just do it. Free

        2.       Set your dining room table, like the model apartments or magazines, who eats at the table anyway? Bring out all those pretty dishes you never use and the glassware you received as gifts. Everything you have saved away for a special dinner, bring it out and have it displayed. Free

          3.       Reduce your clutter and clean, everything looks better with a fresh dusting and empty shelves and floor space. Make sure you can see the walls between furniture placing. Have some empty space against the walls, it opens up the space. Free

         4.       Small plants grouped together or spread out, create a green space anyone would love. Growing herbs in a window or plants on a coffee table definitely improves the Feng shui of any space. $1.49 each at most Home Depot or garden centers.

         5.       Decorate with candles, don’t burn them, the fragrance will uplift you every day and when you do burn them, while in the room, the firelight is so warm and inviting. Look for sales, but even grocery stores sell inexpensive candles.

         6.       New kitchen towels, they get so dreary after awhile, go to the dollar general and you can get towels to match every holiday and season, and it freshens the kitchen in a hurry.  $1 a towel.

         7.       Cover artwork with fabric, yes, and any fun fabric will do, check out the remnant bins at Jo Ann’s Fabrics or any store that sells fabric, you just need enough to cover the frame of the print you are covering.  Create an abstract area with blocks of color or blocks of contrasting prints, you would be surprised what kind of statement this can make, have fun and be creative. About $2.49 a yard. 4 yards would be more than enough and if you are handy, you could have enough to make matching pillow covers, need a needle and thread.

         8.       Go to a garage sale and find interesting decorating items. An old plate or platter, a vintage looking mirror, a vase or bowl to place fruit or flowers, buy it for under $5 add some spray paint if needed and whala! A new item decorating and updating your coffee table or end table.

         9.       Make your furniture match, most first apartments are adorned with miss-matched items from parents and friends and the best way to make the furniture match is to paint it all with the same paint. Black, white, green or off-white are good colors to use, all you need is the paint. For a little more you can use a crackle finish or paint a faux marble or malachite pattern on the top. It does not matter what finish you choose as long as most of the pieces match. Put matching knobs on each piece as well.

         10.   Don’t forget a welcome mat at the door.  Cheap and easy, it welcomes guests into your home, your space, your private paradise, and most importantly, it welcomes you home every day.

Bottom line is, this is your home, your place of tranquility and peace, make it the best place you want to be.  Welcoming aromas from candles and herbs clean and refresh the air while cleanliness and order make you feel relaxed and comforted in your special space. There is no place like home and there is no place like your home. Make it the best ever.