6 Inexpensive Cottage Wall Decor Ideas

Jessica Ackerman - If you have high-dollar tastes on a shoestring budget, don’t fret. There are many ways that you can dress up your walls without tapping into your child’s college fund or spending a small fortune. The tips that follow will help you to dress up your walls for less, while sticking with your love of cottage style decor. Yes, decorating your walls frugally yet beautifully is possible, and here’s how.

1. Think reflectively. 

Although there are definitely many expensive mirrors out there, there are an equally large number of inexpensive ones. You can also make your own mirror by having the mirror cut at a hardware store, and then frame it with whatever suits your fancy, whether that's old beads from a broken necklace, wallpaper remnants, or decorative trim.

2. Think artsy. 

You can invariably decorate your walls “on the cheap” by using a stencil. Stenciling is fun and easy and you can stencil nearly any design as a border on the wall. From vines to grapes to other designs, you'll love the look of stenciling in your cottage style space. Add some grapes wall hangings near the stenciling to add a French cottage feel to the room. 

3. Think functional. 

It's simple to make a DIY bulletin board that encompasses most of the wall. All you need is fabric, rickrack, buttons, ribbons, and embellishments. You can then use pins to tuck in various memorabilia, photos, or other items to bring your bulletin board to life. Or use magnetic paint to create a surface in the home office or elsewhere that is perfect for displaying your child’s artwork, report cards, and more. Another way to decorate your walls while keeping functionality in mind is to store a collection right on the wall, such as a quirky hat assortment.

4. Think simple. 

Use old postcards to create a collage on your wall, or frame your postcard collection for a fun look. An out-of-date calendar often provides just the needed artwork for framing and hanging on your wall.

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For First-Timers: Decorating Do's and Don'ts

If you're planning on trying your hand at some interior design at home, maybe for the first time, then here are a few handy tips to help you out.

Consider your budget: always make sure you have a good idea of how much you want to spend and that you account for all the items you'll need before you start purchasing. You don’t want to run out of money and be left with a half-finished project on your hands. If you need to reduce the costs, then where can you cut new purchases out? Stick with your old mattresses for example, or repaint some of your existing furniture.

Know your capabilities: don’t decide to knock down walls and install custom furniture unless you have the skills to do the job. Getting professionals in to rectify a botched job could cost more than paying them to do the work in the first place.

Think about style: if this is your first go at home decorating, then pick out something easy in terms of colors and patterns. This probably isn't the time for making a great statement which could go horribly wrong! If you need some help, ask in a local décor, furniture, or home goods store about what goes together or enlist the help of a friend whose home décor you admire.

Practical versus Pretty: don’t forget about the

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