August 1, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES II & IV • Page 23 (ARA) Feeling uninspired in your space? Updating the decor in your home is an easy way to add more color, style, and personality to rejuvenate your residence. Whether you’re making a few updates, like new artwork or wall colors, or renovating an entire room with a completely new look, decorating should be fun, not stressful. With a few simple tips, you can up the design ante in your home without breaking the bank. Decorating tips take homes from ho-hum to high style ing way to update the current color scheme. A sequence of wide and narrow stripes in complementing colors is a stylish option. To achieve crisp, clean lines between each stripe, painter’s tape, such as FrogTape brand, will get the job done. The patented PaintBlock Technology applied to the edges of FrogTape helps prevent paint bleed, leaving precise lines and keeping the transition between colors looking sharp. Artwork is a great way to change things up and give any room a boost. Expensive traditional framed pieces of art are not the only option anymore. Instead, create an eclectic art piece with plates you own or find some at garage sales and antique stores. Opt for various sizes and shapes and attach each one to the wall with plate hooks. Cover an entire wall, or focus on a smaller area -- but before you get started, be sure to lay out the design on the floor first. Preparing in advance will help produce the desired look without extra nail holes from hanging as you go. While re-energizing your home, the hallways may seem a little drab. Add a pickme-up to the hall by hanging portraits with funky frames along the walls. Add a runner along the length of the floor for a touch of pizzazz. Runners come in a multitude of lengths, patterns, colors, and price ranges. Updating the flooring will keep your feet cozy and help to diminish the sound of footsteps during the night. If a full room makeover isn’t in the budget, consider an area rug to spruce things up. If the color in a room is dull, the rug can add visual interest and a pop of color, serving as an aesthetically pleasing addition. Area rugs also help to break up the space of a larger room and can add grandeur to a small space. A new rug will also protect your preexisting carpet, vinyl and hardwood floors, keeping them looking newer longer. No home redecorating project is complete without a few perfectly placed accents. These interesting items stand out from the primary colors and furniture pieces, offering a fresh look to any space. Accent pieces, Painting can consist of much more than simple strokes of one color. Take things to the next level with decorative painting. Create different patterns on the walls with textured rollers to achieve an artistic design. Sponge and fabric paint rollers provide unique patterns to give walls a one-of-a-kind look. Low in price and high in design, using textured rollers is a great option for redecorating on a budget. Painting stripes in a room is a refresh- such as chairs, frames, and vases, will spice up a monotonous color scheme, while harmonizing with everything else in the room. Consider a bright beanbag chair for a child’s bedroom, a bold lawn chair on the patio, or a lamp base in a complementary color on the console. Keep in mind that accents are meant to speak for themselves. There is no need to have another elaborate piece in the room to pair with an accent piece. Just one affordable piece is all it takes. When the redecorating bug bites, embrace the opportunity to freshen up your home inexpensively. With a pinch of creativity and a dash of design inspiration, you can easily make over any space into one that’s perfect for you.