Decorating on a budget 101
By Emily Turner
Skiff Staff
Artwork by Nathan Sharp

We all want a comfortable, yet sophisticated, place to call home. However, for college students and first-time apartment or house dwellers, the job of decorating a living space larger than a dorm room can be an overwhelming task.

Whether the dwelling is an apartment or a small house, students need an environment where they can relax and study, while at the same time feel comfortable entertaining guests. Most freshman come to college with items suitable for decorating a bedroom. But once the time comes to move off campus, students are faced with the challenge of furnishing and decorating a bigger space that includes a living area.

Designer Joan Van Sant from Pandamonium, a Home Décor store in Grapevine, recommends students not rush into the decorating process. It is important to find one neutral piece and then look for a variety of accessories, she said.

“I would recommend that students purchase a beige couch or slipcover,” Van Sant said. “Then they can work with colored pillows and other things. It is important for students to buy at least one piece that they will like for a long time.”

Before rushing to purchase the trendiest and most expensive items of the season, Van Sant said, it is first a good idea to look at all decorating options. Visiting an array of stores such as Pier 1, Target and Garden Ridge gives students an idea of what styles are available and an opportunity to compare prices at different stores. Van Sant suggests that students take a pencil and paper with them during their store visits so they can record prices and jot down furniture pieces and accessories that appeal to them.

Young decorators should never be timid when asking questions regarding the art of decorating. After all, most people realize that college students are not accustomed to creating a chic, livable and affordable environment and may need assistance when tackling this task.

“We are always more than happy to help people when they come in the store,” said Heather Christensen, a Pottery Barn sales associate. “It especially helps if customers bring in a picture of the room they want help decorating. We can really put something together if we have a picture to work from.”

Christensen said after working at the store for three years she has seen many students shop at Pottery Barn for their first house or apartment. However, she said, some shoppers are clearly not working within a budget and allow their parents to pay for anything they want.

“Lots of college students come in with their parents and see a floor set that they like and just buy everything in sight,” Christensen said. “They don’t really appear to be trying to save money and slap it on the credit card.”

Although there are some extravagant shoppers, Christensen said, the majority of students conduct their decorating in a wiser manner. While leaving the rest of the decorating items for less expensive stores, the more common student shoppers come to Pottery Barn to purchase one select item that they just cannot live without. Although students eventually opt for cheaper options, Christensen said, it’s never a bad idea to gather ideas from more expensive stores and try to find similar items at less expensive stores.

To create a cozy and comfortable look without breaking the bank, Pier 1 offers rookie decorators a similar style to Pottery Barn at lesser prices. Sales associates at Pier 1 indicated that they too would be willing to assist any shopper with in-store decorating and design help. Pier 1 employees said they frequently help students create a hip and trendy look while staying within a reasonable price range. Pier 1 is the ideal place to find sales on lamps, rugs, pillows, wicker furniture and other accessory items.

Although it may be surprising, Target’s prices are not always as cheap as Pier 1’s. However, they do offer a line of decorating items that is simple for anyone to use.

“Our Waverly Garden line is especially easy for non-decorators to figure out,” said Donna Herminghuysen, a Target sales associate. “Everything in the line matches. You can find everything from towels for your bathroom to a slipcover for your couch by using this.”

On-line shopping is another option for students when purchasing items for their home and decorating on a budget. Most sites provide the entire line of merchandise and detailed information about the products they sell. In fact, Pier 1, Pottery Barn and Target employees all said more merchandise and sometimes better prices are available on their store’s Web sites.

While soliciting help from different stores, it is important to remember that this is your home and you should find items that reflect your personal taste. Van Sant suggests students ask parents, visit flea markets, garage sales and antique stores to find furniture.

Van Sant said to remember that a room will evolve over time and to focus at first on getting a few basic items and accessories that work together and can be complemented with additional pieces of future. Additionally, she reminds students that a can of $15 paint can change the look of any room and not to be afraid to try something bold.

Emily Turner