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Whether you live in your first apartment or dwell in the same house for years, decorating interiors is quite a task. While some see it as a fun and fulfilling challenge, most people instantly feel overwhelmed by myriads of complex and, more importantly, expensive choices when trying to make their humble abode feel more put together.

Of course, there’s no arguing about taste being a matter of preference, and it’s great to make your home feel like you. But interior design is a tricky game to play, and certain solutions may not turn out as expected. So recently, TikToker Krishnan Rajaratnam, who goes by the handle @interiorbykrish, revealed several decor mistakes that might make your home look cheap, and people online are divided.

From crushed diamond mirror furniture to the "Live Laugh Love" type of decorations, we’ve gathered some common faux pas homeowners might want to steer clear of. So take out your notebooks, grab your pens, and decide for yourself whether you agree with them. Also, read on for our in-depth interview filled with handy tips from an award-winning interior designer Linda Merrill. Then if you’re interested in even more questionable home decor trends, then check out Bored Panda's previous piece about it right here.

The task of furnishing and decorating your home can be a daunting experience, especially when you realize how expensive it is. We reached out to an expert in the field, an award-winning New England-based interior designer Linda Merrill. She is a renowned author of the Surroundings blog filled with clever and creative solutions to help anyone lost in the design world to come up with stunning decors.

According to Merrill, there are plenty of simple tweaks for low and even no-cost decorating that are both beautiful and functional. For example, when searching for affordable furniture and accessories, the interior designer suggested looking at second-hand, consignment stores, or Facebook Marketplace — places filled with great pieces waiting for a new home.

"This is especially true if you live in an area with a mix of high-end homes and towns where more affluent people are redecorating more frequently and are more likely to be getting rid of better-quality furnishings," Merrill told Bored Panda. "Don’t be afraid of vintage pieces — they are better quality than low-cost items made today and with a little cleaning, painting or reupholstering, you could have a like new item for a fraction of the cost."

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Another inexpensive solution that can make your pad look and feel more put together is paint. "[It] is relatively cheap for the impact it offers and while it requires labor, touching up tired paint on trim and walls, or repainting entirely will freshen up a space significantly." If you’re in a rental, Merrill has recently written a blog post with some ideas on decorating that will work as well, so be sure to take a peek right here.

Merrill pointed out that fabric is a reasonably-priced decorating option that can instantly make a difference. "I’m a big fan of the magic of fabric. It helps to be able to sew, of course. But when I was young and on a no-money budget, I would use sheets to make curtains, bedding, shower curtains and pillows. They come in such pretty patterns and are available at all price points," the interior designer said.

Of course, there are also several no-cost solutions that can make your residence look more put together. "For no money, spend time re-organizing, decluttering and simply re-imagining how you’re using your rooms and can you move things around. We hang a picture and then stop looking at it. Moving things around will make them feel like new (or at least seen!)."

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The interior designer shared a few common decorating mistakes to have in mind when updating your space. First, she explained that old furniture that looks worn out should be repaired to give it a fresh look. "Rachel Ashwell marketed the Shabby Chic aesthetic, which is a feminine take on aged and used-looking items. It’s a gift to be able to turn chippy furniture and frayed fabric edges into a chic (and also expensive) brand. But in reality, nothing looks cheaper than chipped, tired-looking pieces," Merrill explained, adding that a bit of repairing and touching up will always up the whole look.

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Another mistake some homeowners make is bad lighting. "Regardless of how expensive, or inexpensive, an interior is, if the lighting is terrible, it will look terrible," she told us. "Overhead bright lights are reminiscent of being under investigation. Hard on the eyes and makes you look terrible. Don’t rely on just a single ceiling light wherever possible." Merrill suggested avoiding this by simply adding a few table and floor lamps is key. "Also, dimmers are your best friend when it comes to lighting. Switching out standard switches for dimmers is a relatively easy DIY project that will give all your rooms flexibility in the lighting."

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dorothea avatar
Thea
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one sounds entitled, this is a space saver for people in small spaces, shouldnt be considered anything else but practical.

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Sally Horrocks
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are there really people who, when visiting a house, stick their head in the shower and then pass judgement on it?

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Falcon dimi
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh no. People can see that I wash my clothes. The horror of having to put the machine where you have space for it.

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When it comes to timeless design choices that can instantly spruce up your home and require little effort, Merrill said that curb appeal is definitely something to consider. "Adding pretty pots of flowers, a fun doormat and a freshly painted front door will up the look overall. The author Edith Wharton said in her book The Decoration of Houses (pub. 1897) that the transition from outside to inside should be as smooth and easy as possible." According to the interior designer, the outside should set up what’s happening on the inside. "If the outside looks tired and lackluster, the inside will feel the same."

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beverlyhasegawa_1 avatar
Beverly Hasegawa
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not true. Take a look at some of the most traditional British houses.

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Casey McAlister
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh. f**k off. I like bright colors. Not everything should be soul-sucking beige.

emmascomet avatar
Lady Goldberry
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm beginning to get an idea of what this so-called Interior Designer thinks would be an acceptable home. Cold, sterile, plain.

nitka711 avatar
Nitka Tsar
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My most beautiful flat had every room in a different bright color. My landlord loved it too!

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KitKat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kids love bright coloured walls. And kids at heart do too!!!

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Elizabeth Truss
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exactly! For the love of God, if it makes you happy in your home, who cares what other people think about my house. I'm out.

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Béatrice Gallet
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not the bright color Wich make this room look cheap but the cheap furniture !

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Evil Little Thing
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pretty sure the sloped mattress and folding chair say a lot more about this room than the yellow walls do.

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Nona Wolf
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The ratty folding chair and sloppy bed are much worse than the wall color.

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Leila Copes
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm pretty sure it's the busted poorly-made-up dorm bed with random mismatched sheets and the leftover school office desk and folding chair, but okay we can blame yellow

bonnieparker_1 avatar
Bonnie Parker
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Depends on the room....im guessing the person who wrote this lives in a solid white, plain, blech house... hows that?!

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Sue From Michigan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I will take bright color over clinical, boring white any day. Rich people seem to like white and gray, they can have it.

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Hypoxia Smurf
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When we first moved into a rental house together, the landlord paid for whatever paint we wished, as long as we did the repainting work. We colored the bathroom bright yellow, the office bright orange, the kitchen bright red, and the bedroom mint green. Mental stimulation FTW!!!

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Shyla Clay
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My living room is currently being painted sage green, the kitchen will be '80's blue and white, bedroom purple. I think I want the bath to be pale pink with black accents, and the studio will look like a Jackson Pollock painting.

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wrenreiprich_1 avatar
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

being bright is to be bold, shows you live a little.

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Eliza MacLean
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every room in my house is a different bright color. I love it and don’t care what others think

csminnis avatar
Cindy Minnis
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's just bull! Kidsrooms can have bright colors without being tacky. Certain houses NEED a bright color on their walls to make it sparkle. What we do with our houses isn't what others should do with their houses. I can like or dislike something in someones house, but hate or love the same item in my house. No judgement on what others do. It's not my house!

carag avatar
Cara G
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh this list maker really needs to get f****d already. And I hope the condom is brightly colored.

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Miss Kat O
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pah! I love bright walls!! I have the brightest walls you ever did see in my house!

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Ellen Richmon Posey
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you go into some of the antebellum homes in the south the walls are colored bright and are beautiful

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Sandra Givens
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Today's home section of the Washington Post has an article on using bright and bold colors in various rooms, on walls and furniture. It is fashionable, and has been for decades. Even Mount Vernon's original wall colors are bright, not some subdued modern idea of what looks upscale.

anamac1210 avatar
Anne McKinney
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutely not true. Color is beautiful and saves us from the boredom of the dreaded off white walls (shudder).

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Gypsy Lee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm calling BS. Who came up with this? I've personally known VERY wealthy people who love color. I've also seen them with colorful duvets, so maybe they didn't get the Rich Man's Rulebook?

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Keisha
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe if you are trying to sell your house but most people I know have bright colored rooms. I even see multi-million dollar homes advertised with rooms for children that are brightly colored,even bright red in kitchens.

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Linda Tisue
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Neutral colours are so boring. I want to feel at home not in an institution.

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SkekVi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who the $*%&^ is making these judgement calls? COLOUR is 'cheap'??? Please leave.

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Lori Fuqua
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The U.S. trend for "fancy" interiors is bland boring very neutral tones, which is okay sometimes, but again wall color depends on the decor, furniture and color scheme of the room and rest of house, sometimes could just do an accent wall maybe with bolder color choice

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Joseph rick
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Its everything in the room not the colour - just have a double bed with headboard and lift for space underneath make the wardrobe look built in and the wall colour will have no effect. Essentially the room is sooo bad your eye sees only the walls..look at that charity shop chair, desk and bed - no way

ducklin58 avatar
Rosemary Moreland
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A brightly painted wall can brighten a dull room. People paint their interior walls to suit themselves. When you buy that house, you just paint over in the colour you prefer.

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MONROE
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can tell you, that wall is the LEAST cheap looking thing in that room lol

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Syringa Wessels
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i’d rather my house look”cheap” then have all my walls be boring beige

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Bunty Twinkle
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

IT's not the colour looking cheap here - it is the furniture etc. Bright colour rock! ( Currently in a new house with magnolia everywhere - just hate it!)

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Shyla Clay
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Paint comes in more colors than beige and grey for a reason!

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Bryan With A Why
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah let's paint all the walls dark and cry daily like this BP author...

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Nemeia
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So basically if you made this down here, your walls better be flat white, as well as your bed sheets... and non idea furniture and God forbid any art or pictures on the walls!

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Rachel Gerstner
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's fine if the rest of the room goes with the paint. You can use bright colors and it can look really classy and nice.

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Cynthia Wilkins
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m going through this list and realizing that looking wealthy according to this author means drab, dull, and pompous. No cheer aloud and certainly nothing practical.

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Darcy Marie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is the person who made this list from the shadow realm? No patterns. No colors. No shiny things. No personality. Their house must be drab and devoid of all life.

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Irene McIver
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not that it matters, since there's no reason anyone else's opinion of what looks "cheap" or otherwise should influence our personal style, but I would actually think the opposite. Pale neutral walls are used by landlords and house sellers because they're fairly inoffensive: most will neither love them nor hate them, and if the next occupants want to repaint in their own colour scheme, they won't need extra coats to cover. Bright colours suggest to me that the householder has probably spent time and money making the decor their own, instead of the cheaper/ easier option of living with the landlord's choice of magnolia. Of course if you do prefer magnolia walls that's also fine - you do you.

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Mike Barrette
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This really is a pointless list. No bright colored walls? perhaps I should everything blood red.

amyforce avatar
Amy Force
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yeah, OK, it's determined - this author is definitely a dumba$$. I *HAVE* to have my Jewel tones! Not ALL of us like living in a bland-a$$, WHITE-WASHED world, Samantha! (Leva -whoever) LOL what a BORING view!!

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Michelle Newell
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I disagree with most of this besides the crushed diamond desk and the velvet anything. But that's my taste and velvet I cannot touch it gives me Goosebumps. The room is nice but purposely made to look like poo with that folding chair from the designers last NA meeting, no artwork to pull the messy made bed together. This is BS

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Rosemary Warren
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Disagree. My front entrance is pretty close to this yellow (Surfboard Yellow) and it really brightens up the way in. My kitchen is inspired by a 1950s diner, in red and white (No More Drama) in honor of my mom who thought a red kitchen would look sharp. When the painter saw the color he exclaimed, "Oh thank god you picked a color, and not beige or gray!" Last year's bathroom reno has wallpaper of a waterfall in the forest, with accents in dark green and a blue sky with clouds paited on the ceiling. The basement main room is pink and tan with a dark pink epoxy floor. You got all these colors to pick from on the color chart, why not make your surroundings interesting?!

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Rick Krivoniak
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh for Pete's sake. Get over yourself. Now what the hell is up with that... "bed"?

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Wick E. Scratch
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol, my office is painted orange - "obstinate orange" from sherwin williams, to be precise

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Natalia Allen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't like coloured walls personally but my home is not plain bland or sterile looking even though it is whitewashed. I brighten my rooms with coloured curtains rugs cushion covers and accessories. I did this because a) It's a very small house and the white opened it up. b) When I want a change I can easily switch up the soft furnishings and accessories. Works for me. Each to their own I say :)

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Anna Nilsson
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Then I rather be "cheap" with colorful walls than the boring typical scandinavian clean white walls.

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Janet Graham
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Personally, I think that the currently preferred blah color palette is boring and lifeless. I would not paint a room this color, but I sure would not paint it 'clay'.

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Sammie 19
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yellow, maybe not acid yellow, is a lovely warming colour. If you want your home to be warm and welcoming a beautiful sunny primrose yellow is gorgeous. Feels like spring and summer rolled into one

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Andrew Keane
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s not about picking bright colours. It’s about understanding the right colour to go with everything else.

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Cati
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So coloured walls makes a cheap house ? Oh God .....

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Of course, one of the most important aspects of making your house look stunning is rather simple — declutter. A messy home takes away from the charming space that might be lurking below, Merrill said. "Decluttering and having storage systems in place (such as baskets) to contain toys, clothes, etc., will turn a space around immediately. In the same vein, collections of small items (collectible teapots or action figures) are not elegant unless housed and displayed with intention," she mentioned.

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Snorky The Pig
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again, depends on the pattern, I know people with scrolly brocade carpet and it looks luxe in a carved-wood living room.

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If you’re in the middle of redecorating or feel overwhelmed by the daunting process of designing your own home, Merrill advised you to have patience and be flexible. "Everything is more expensive and is taking longer these days. Long-lead times are annoying but unavoidable much of the time. If you love something, it’s worth the wait. If it’s not worth the wait, you might not love it as much as you think."

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Downunderdude
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Huh? Aren't shelves for putting things on? Otherwise, what's the point of having them? Is this shelf 'cluttered'?

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AbenteurPirat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dunno where you live mate, but i've frankly never been to a country where it seemed they hid them. These days interesting designs for your radiators are actually all the rage?!

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Moreover, when it comes to what you need vs. what you want, she explained that our needs must come first. "For example, if you need a decent sofa and want it to be leather (which can be very, very expensive), this is the time to consider the second-hand furniture route. Genuine aniline leather will last for years. Bonded leather, which comes on cheaper pieces, will not last very long because all it is are micro-thin slices of the leather scraps applied to a paper foundation."

"Try to buy the best quality you can on seating and items that will be well-used. Tables get less physical use (usually no one is sitting on them, moving them a lot, etc.) so cheaper stylish versions can be found that will work quite well," she added.

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Thea
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry that my room is so small that I cant fit it in in any other way, does this make me poor? Maybe. Does it make me cheap? Absolutely not.

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No matter your decorating budget, you want to create an aesthetically pleasing space that speaks directly to you. "It’s fun to follow trends, but be sure you really actually like it in the first place. Just because everyone is doing gray doesn't mean you will like it. Don’t spend money on things you don’t love." And, most importantly, enjoy the process but take it seriously. "Whether you’re rich or poor, you don’t want to waste money or time," Merrill concluded.

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Pizzagirl 91
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's a place for thick rugs, there's a place for thin rugs. I won't put a thick rug in our nursery, because it's harder to clean and our twins have had diaper accidents sometimes. Similar with the hallways, why would you put a thick rug where people walk in with their shoes on? In our living room, go ahead, I'll take a rug I could lose my keys in.

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Jo Jones
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’d have to disagree on that to the extent . Fake well made silk flowers are beautiful , low maintenance and in a long run cheaper than fresh bought every week . Plastic tat is terrible though , I agree wholeheartedly

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