Paint Swatches
Visit your local hardware store and grab several paint swatches. Choose several swatches in the same colors or several swatches in a variety of colors and hues. Different stores will have different options, and check to see if there are some swatch booklets you can take home too. Often wall paper will come in these types of books.
You can use the swatches in a variety of home decorating projects. A simple border can be made from these free swatches using wallpaper paste. Cut the swatches into shapes or squares and create a pattern using the colored swatches along the wall.
Natural Dyes
Another free decorating idea that adds color to a home is the use of natural dye. You can add color dye to curtains, sheets, couch and pillow colors, and lampshades. Different nature ideas make dye. Dandelion flowers and white onion skins make a yellow dye when boiled. Beets and blueberries add a purple color to items. Leaves and grass make green, and red is easily accomplished using sumac tree buds.
Remember to soak the fabric overnight in water and vinegar to help the dye set for fabrics that will be washed. For lampshades simply boil up the items and use a paint brush to apply color to the fabric of the lamp shade. Experiment with the free dyes to add color to your home in a variety of means.
Decoupage
Magazines and newspapers often get thrown away, but this is a free home decorating material you can use in your decor. Decoupage can be done easily with old paper, glue, and a paintbrush. Many items look good with this style of finish. Picture frames, tables, lamps, vases, and shelves can add color to your home with this technique.
Simply cut up papers that match the color scheme you are going with. You may want to lightly sand surfaces that are very smooth. Then add some water to the glue to make it thin. Apply glue to the area to be decoupage using the paintbrush and place the paper on top. You can even use the paper to make a tiled mosaic on items.
These free home decorating ideas will add that special touch to your home using color. Decorating your home is always better when it's free; so try these ideas today!
