Decorating doesn’t have to be expensive. A few cost-effective tips from an expert can save time, money and frustration while giving your home a whole new feel.This weekend Russell Hemmis, experienced house flipper and well-known carpenter, will reveal some of those priceless hints at the Inland Empire Home Show in the Ontario Mills parking lot.

In a phone interview, Hemmis, seen on HGTV’s “24 Hour Design” and “Design on a Dime,” shared some of the money-saving topics he’ll be presenting.

“The biggest change you can make for the least amount of money is paint,” Hemmis said. “It can completely change a room and make your furniture pop.”

Hemmis likes to use good quality paint with a flat finish, usually from a national brand.

“Don’t go with cheap paint,” he said. “It doesn’t go on as well, and walls end up needing more coats of paint.”

Painting is a room change where the homeowner doesn’t have to play it safe.

“Avoid white,” he said. “Go looking for a nice color.”

Hemmis admits that choosing a color isn’t easy, but what might make it a little less stressful is perusing the designer samples. After choosing a designer color, be thrifty by matching it to a national brand paint.

A great way to revamp a bedroom is to replace the linens, Hemmis said.

“Change the duvet cover, get new pillow shams, add a bed skirt,” he continued. “You can get them at a discount store or on clearance, and it will make a big difference; completely change the mood of the room.”

Economical bathroom overhauls can include changing old knobs, towel bars, toilet paper holder, rugs, towels, shower curtain and counter accessories.

Flooring might be moving into a pricier area, but with modern laminates, it’s getting more affordable.

“They’re not only economical, they’re easy to put down and look great,” he said.

Forget the myth of years ago that the house needs to have the same wall-to-wall floor covering.

“You wouldn’t want green carpet down the hall leading into bright pink carpet in the bedroom, but the same flooring doesn’t have to run throughout the house,” Hemmis said. “You can mix carpeting with flooring.”

Before starting a project, Hemmis strongly suggests being prepared.

“A lot of people underestimate a project,” he said. “Know what you’re getting into. Things take longer than you think and usually cost more than you think.”

Measure things twice, make sure you have the right tools and materials. If there’s new furniture involved, think about the route it needs to take. Is the stairway wide enough? Can it fit through the door? Will the existing television fit on the new shelf?

A well-considered design plan is worth the time and effort.

No matter how great the end result, nothing kills the look of a room like clutter, Hemmis said.

“Simplify,” he said. “I walk into a new house every week, and too many times one of the biggest problems is too much stuff,” he said. “Take out what you don’t need and organize what you do. Rooms will feel larger and you’ll feel less stress.”

These ideas and so much more can be found at home shows. They are good places to learn about the latest tips, techniques and products for home improvement, Hemmis said.

“By attending shows you can pick up decorating concepts, designer ideas and how to incorporate your existing furniture into a new design,” he said. “There will be new innovations in home products, new tools that allow you to do a lot of simple projects yourself and save money.”

Source: http://www.sbsun.com/living/ci_10584435

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