This is a topic that really isn't very fun or exciting. But it's important for a lot of people. I live on a budget. I'm a single woman who is a freelance writer and faux finisher. Both professions don't offer a lot of financial rewards but the benefits for me far outweigh the downfalls. And one of those downfalls is my budget.
If you're a regular reader you know that I believe in getting a good deal and finding a bargain. I also believe in do-it-yourself projects and even "rescuing" pieces from the trash. (See the blog about my beloved fouton http://interiordecorating.suite101.com/blogs.cfm#fouton_grab) And then there are the shopping interventions when I just feel the need to spend money or I WANT something. So a budget is important to me and should be a key aspect to interior decorating for many of you as well. But creating the right budget is not an easy task.
Before you even get to the budget you need to know what you want to accomplish. Let's use my office as an example. I initially started with a budget of $5000 as my target. But since I'm a competitive gal the goal is to come in under budget, WAY under.
When I bought my condo the office was sold as the master bedroom. It's slightly larger than the other bedroom, has a small closet, carpeted floors and one window with a great view of the courtyard. It's this courtyard view that made me decide it should be the office and not the master bedroom. I spend most of my day working at home and the view is a welcome respite from the computer screen. So I put my desk near the window. This gave me my vision of the office.
I also want to make the room into a guest room as well. So, I've decided to use an open, floor to ceiling bookcase to divide the room. This is neither the most expensive, nor the cheapest option but it's extremely functional for a writer so it has a dual purpose. I can spend a little extra money here because it will be a key focal point and is so useful.
I'm also going to get rid of the carpet. I have some pretty serious allergies and asthma and this old carpet is killing me. I love hardwood floors and they're a healthier option for me, unfortunately they're financially not an option. But there are so many alternatives that are reasonably priced and that fit into my do-it-yourself mentality. This is where a budget gets a great boost. I have bartered my painting services to a friend who will now (when he gets the time) help me put in my new floors. I'm saving hundreds in the office and thousands throughout the house by bartering.
These are two key points to consider when determining your budget. What can you do yourself and what can you get someone else to do for you.
So now the vision of the office has expanded. I've got hardwood floors, a plan for the bookcase and two separate areas. I already had the desk so I don't need to worry about that but I needed a bed/couch for the spare room. This is where the rescued fouton comes into play. It has a pretty solid frame that needs one small repair, sanding, priming and painting and then it will look brand new. I will, of course, be purchasing a new mattress for it but I can spend a little more on a quality one and getting some nice bedding and fabric for pillows because I've saved at least a hundred to two hundred by taking the free frame and fixing it myself. Giving me a little more breathing room in my budget.
I also want a coffee center in my office. I want to keep my coffee maker in the office, giving me a little more counter space in the kitchen and keeping things I need at hand, where I need them. Ideally I'd like the center to hold a CD player. My sister offered her daughter's old changing table and I realized, with a little creativity and imagination, this was the perfect accessory.
Another couple of key points for budgeting. Keep an open mind when it comes to free. Who would have thought a changing table could be a coffee center, but it works perfectly. Someone else's trash may turn into your treasure with a little TLC.
With these tips you can trim the corners of your budget and add padding where you need it. But the most important thing to keep in mind when planning a budget is your lifestyle. You need to be practical about cost, time and energy. Set deadlines and goals that you can achieve. If you don't you'll only become disappointed and depressed and suddenly the entire project will lose its appeal.
