Items: Fabric and canvas frame
Cost: Varies

Purchasing art for your home can be very expensive, but empty walls are simply too dull to live with. Today’s great design idea is so simple anyone can do it, and it isn’t very expenisve at all!

The idea is to find a piece of fabric that you like, something you might want to display. It can be colorful, artsy, simple…anything that will coordinate with your decor. Purchase a piece of it and a simple canvas frame from your local art store. Stretch the fabric over the frame and staple it to the back, just like the canvas. And voila, you have a beautiful piece of wall art to hang in that empty spot over your sofa!

Item: Bamboo curtain rod
Cost: $25, $9, or FREE!

When I first saw this picture, I loved it. Of course, I’m in the process of searching for affordable window treatments right now and I’m finding that it isn’t easy! Also, I love things that are natural, like bamboo, and my husband likes anything tropical or “islandy” as he calls it. As an added bonus, bamboo is one of earth’s most renewable resources (it can grow more than a foot a day in parts of China!).

So here’s what I discovered. An average bamboo curtain rod can cost $60, but if you look online at places like The Natural Abode you can find a much more affordable price of $24.50 for 6 feet. Or, if you look a little harder, you can find places like Anything Bamboo and pay $9 for 10 feet. Of course, if you’re really lucky, you can head out back and cut one down for free! (Just add a little varnish and you’re good to go.)

Items: Jelly jars
Cost: Somewhere between free and very inexpensive

Okay, today’s brilliant idea is to use old jelly jars for candle holders. Jelly jars are pretty easy to come by–you can save them after using the yummy goodness inside, ask your friends to save them for you, or visit thrift stores to find them cheap.

Just peel any labels off and put them through the dishwasher. If there is a sticky residue left, use nail polish remover to take it off. It’s an easy way to reuse and recycle old jars. The best part about this idea is that jelly jars can come in all shapes and sizes, so have fun!

Item: Fresh flowers!
Cost: Free if you pick them yourself =)

I know that the end of February is still very wintry in some parts of this country, but here in Virginia Beach, it’s springtime! I can’t be happier about where I live than right now. It’s nearly 80° and the sun is playing peek-a-boo through the clouds. In honor of such a beautiful day, here is my lovely suggestion. Go find some of the first spring flowers that are starting to bloom and pick a small handful. It’ll dress up any little spot: that bathroom counter, your nightstand, or a windowsill.