The IKEA Curtains That Every Designer Swears By

by Erica Young
RITVA curtains
Photo: @whitelanedecor

No matter how many trends come and go, there are a few classic home decor elements that never go out of style. Think of a simple round mirror, the Eames lounge chair, a quality Persian rug - designers come back to these pieces again and again.

Another essential decor item that every interior designer seems to have in their back pocket? White curtains. Versatile and classic, well-tailored white curtains can dress up literally any room; no matter the style. And here's the secret - we've noticed a lot of designers are getting their curtains at IKEA!           

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100 Affordable Home Decor Pieces for Under $100

by M.E. Gray
100 affordable furniture and home decor pieces - each for under $100
Source: Target

When it comes to making design changes in your home, you don't want to spend more money than you need to - especially on the accent pieces. The cost of details add up fast if you aren't being mindful of the price tag. However, affordable furniture and home decor is out there - if you know where to look. We've rounded up 100 of our favorite affordable furniture and home decor items, each coming in under $100 each. From rugs to accent chairs, you'd be surprised how far a Benjamin will take you.              

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How to Go to the Movies for Less This Summer

by M.E. Gray

How to get cheap movies tickets and save money this summer

It's summertime, which means bonus free time, if you're lucky. Going to the movies is a classic way to stay out of the sun while still having fun - the only issue is that outlandish price tag! I had quit going to the movies a few years back, because the cost of admission was higher than I was comfortable with. However, after learning different ways to obtain cheap movie tickets, and figuring out how to keep my costs low, I'm back to seeing flicks on the big screen. It's still a treat when I get to go, but it's not nearly as painful to my wallet. Keep reading for 12 ways to go to the movies for less.          

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Make This: Affordable Glass Wall Art for Under $20!

by M.E. Gray

Affordable glass wall art project

Ideas pop up in the most random of situations, don't they? The inspiration for this project came to me the other day when I was at the airport. I was standing in line at a Wendy's, preparing to pay $15 for a small frosty and fries (why is airport food so expensive?!), and I was absent-mindedly staring at this wall that divided the checkout lane from the seating area. The wall was made of two layered panels of glass, frosted. Each panel was painted with lots of abstract green brushstrokes, making the wall look like an ethereal field of grass. Maybe it was the jet-lag that made me zone in on this wall for so long. For some reason or another, the grassy glass stuck with me. And I decided I wanted to make some glass wall art of my own in the same style.           

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How to Furnish Your Walls at the Thrift Store

by M.E. Gray

Gallery wall made from thrifted items!

I have a hard time spending a lot of money on wall art. I feel horrible saying that. I got my Bachelor's degree in art, so I - of all people - totally understand the effort and talent that's required to create good art. Honestly, I'm just cheap. While I might occasionally splurge for a print or photo I really love, my home is hardly a museum. I can't afford to fill my walls top to bottom with one-of-a-kind art pieces. So yeah, I might be cheap, but I'm pretty dang thrifty, too! Whether it's sprucing up some existing wall art, or creating my own with found items, I can fill a wall for under $40. The best place to find forgotten and dirt-cheap wall decor is your local second-hand store (think Goodwill, Savers, Salvation Army, etc.). I set out to create a cheap gallery wall using only things I found at the thrift store, and here's how it worked out.          

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5 Ways to Trick Yourself into Managing Your Money Better

by Holly Wade

5 Ways to Trick Yourself into Managing Your Money Better

If your New Year's resolution was to manage your money better, we've got you covered! Money management is going to be different for every person, especially when we all have different spending habits and attitudes about money. As a 26-year-old with thousands of dollars in student loans hanging over my head, I certainly don't pretend to have all the answers, but I CAN give you a few tried-and-true tips that will trick you into managing your money better so you can enjoy financial stability. 

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Print These! Minimal Bathroom Wall Art

by M.E. Gray

Printable bathroom wall art: Scrub-a-dub

Decorating a bathroom can be tricky business. Not only is wall mostly space occupied by unmovable objects (like towel racks, shelving, or the tub) making the space tricky to decorate, but the washroom is also the most humid room in the house! When it comes to hanging wall art, you have to find pieces that are either moisture-resistant (like metal or acrylic), or pieces that don't need to stand up to the test of time. This is where printable bathroom wall art comes in. Talk about non-committal decor! Here are two, free designs to choose from, or to hang as a pair.         

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How to Make a Faux Fur Pouf for Under $40!

by M.E. Gray

Faux fur pouf DIY

I have a secret infatuation with faux fur. I'm the gal who raids the remnant bin at the fabric store for any and all furry fabrics. What I'm saving them for, I don't know. They're just so fun! The faux fur pouf is trending, but some of the nicer onces available to purchase are over $100. With back-to-school season upon us again, I wanted to find a way to make one of these fun and furry ottomans on the cheap. Keep reading to see how I made this one for under $40!     

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A Stylish Rental Kitchen Makeover on a Tight Budget

by Jennifer Farley

A Stylish Rental Kitchen Makeover on a Tight Budget

This little kitchen was the remaining evidence of an attempted house flip gone bad. The old home had great bones, but a few serious structural issues, discovered once the previous owner/flipper opened up all the old walls. The kitchen became too much for them to handle, and that's when we stepped in. 

When we found the house, we knew most of the renovation budget would go behind the walls (plumbing, electrical, structural repairs), so the kitchen finishes would have to happen on a serious budget. As you can see, this space would need everything, from the floors up. We planned on renting this home, but I always believe in making things as homey and cute as possible. We stuck to our budget by going with stock cabinets, stock countertops, vinyl floors while keeping things bright and functional. And, if I may say so myself, I think it turned out great! Read on to see how we did it.   

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Home Decor Hack: How to Transform Any Vase into a Savings Bank

by M.E. Gray

 

Transform any vase or jar into a coin bank.

 

On my New Year's Resolutions list, there are always some standards: Drink more water, eat out less, exercise more, and save money. I have gotten pretty good at most of these things (with the exception of eating out less - does ordering more takeout count?), but I could always stand to save more money. Holding onto loose change is my go-to method for putting a little bit of dough away every day, but there's always the question of what to keep all those loose pennies in. If you don't feel like buying a porcelain piggy, you can turn any vase, jar, or container into a DIY savings bank in a few quick steps.    

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