Personal touches give any room personality and designer flair and nothing can change up the look of a room or give it a fresh seasonal touch like fabric. Fabric can be used to create throw pillows, slipcovers, and table runners that can be swapped out when seasons change or whenever you’re hankering for something new. Choose fabrics with colors, designs and patterns that give your living room a decorative punch. You don’t have to be a sewing whiz to create these updates for your living room; you just need to be able to sew a straight line. A sewing machine will make the job quick and easy.

Photo credit to cauzinha.

Start with new throw pillows:

Changing the throw pillows on your living room couch and chairs is a great way to give your living room a fresh new look. Decide on the size of the pillows you’d like and choose your fabric; you can choose two complementary fabrics for the front and back of your pillows and mix fabrics from one pillow to another, choosing colors and patterns that accent and unify the room. For each pillow, cut two equal size squares or rectangles of fabric and place them on top of each other with the finish sides of the fabric facing. Sew up three sides of each pillow, leaving a seam allowance of about one half-inch.

On the fourth side of the pillow, sew along the edges, but leave the middle third of the seam open. Turn the pillow right side out and stuff it with chopped foam filling or polyester fiber, then simply hand stitch the opening and enjoy your new pillow!

Make a slip cover for an ottoman:

Start by measuring the width and length of your ottoman by stretching a measuring tape from the bottom of the ottoman, up the side, across the top and down the other side; do the same in the other direction. Add one inch to each measurement; this will give you the size of the piece of fabric you will need. A sturdy fabric is a good choice for an ottoman.

Arrange the fabric with the right side facing down on top of the ottoman and pin the four corners of the fabric together. Slit the flaps so that there is a seam allowance of one inch. Take the fabric off the ottoman and, using the sewing machine, sew four straight lines to create seams where the fabric is pinned. Turn the fabric right side out and place it over the ottoman to check the fit; remove the slip cover once again and sew a one inch hem along the bottom edge.

Sew a table runner and coasters:

Make a table runner by cutting two pieces of fabric at the length and width that you need. Lay the two pieces on top of each other, right sides facing each other, and sew three sides together, leaving one short end open. Turn the fabric right side out, iron flat and sew the fourth edge. Add tassels or fringe to each end.

Make coasters from two 5×5 inch squares and a piece of batting cut to the same size. Layer the pieces as follows:  Lay the back piece right side up, the front piece right side down and then the batting. Pin the pieces together and sew all the way around with a one-quarter inch allowance, leaving a two inch opening. Snip the corners, turn the coaster right side out and sew the opening closed.

Fabric is an inexpensive way to update your decor. You can even frame fabric and turn it into unique wall art decorations that coordinates perfectly with other accents in the room and invites your creativity. For example, mount two framed fabric panels balanced by a large unique wall candle holders.

abric is one of the greatest decorating tools available; use it to unify colors in a room, create contrast with color and design and add texture and interest. In a bedroom, where your goal is to create a tranquil atmosphere, fabric can be used for all these decorative purposes and also create a sense of comfort and ease. If you can sew a straight line on a sewing machine, gather up bolts of your chosen fabrics and get busy making piles of throw pillows for the bed, new window treatments, bedding and accessories and give your bedroom a fresh dose of personality.

Photo credit to cedwardmoran.

Easy-to-Sew Window Treatments

New curtain panels can give your bedroom a totally new look; side curtain panels in your chosen style make a fabulous second layer over textured flat folding shades, traditional wooden blinds and roll-up or honeycomb shades. To determine how much fabric you’ll need measure the distance from the curtain rod to the floor and add the length you desire for the top pocket and bottom hem. If you want your curtains to puddle on the floor, allow for an additional 18 inches. Determine width by measuring the width of the window plus four inches; this equals the width of one curtain panel to cover half the window.

Once you have your fabric cut, sew the side hems on your panels. Place the fabric on a clean work surface, right side down; fold the fabric in from the long edge one-half inch then iron flat. Fold it another one-half inch, iron again and sew the hem in place. Now make the top pocket for the curtain rod by folding and pressing a one-half inch hem along the top edge of the fabric. Fold over the width needed for a pocket to accommodate the curtain rod, then iron and sew the seam. Finally, create the bottom hem using a half-inch fold that is pressed with an iron, then fold, press and sew the final seam. Bottom curtain hems are usually three to five inches. Repeat the process for the other curtain panel.

Make a Table Skirt for a Side Table.

If you have a side table in your bedroom that really doesn’t coordinate with your decor, a table skirt is a great way to disguise it and help it blend in. If you don’t have a side table and would like one, you can make an inexpensive round or square top table out of plywood then drape it in a gorgeous fabric skirt for an ultimately chic look at a bargain basement price. To make the skirt, just cut the fabric to size and sew a hem around the bottom edge.

Create a Bed Skirt

Create a finished look for your bed, or hide an unsightly box spring with a fresh bedskirt. Start by measuring the width and length of the box spring and add one inch to each of those measurements. Next, cut an old sheet in inexpensive fabric to match your measurements. Measure the height from the top of the box spring to the floor and add one inch; this is the ‘drop’ of the skirt. You’ll need three pieces of bed skirt fabric, with two pieces as long as the length of the box spring and the third piece as long as the width of the box spring.  Cut the width for each piece to equal the ‘drop’ measurement.  Now simply sew the three pieces together and sew them to the flat sheet. You may leave the side corners of the bed skirt open or sew them together.

Now, the money that you saved through your sewing projects leaves a little left over for a trip to the unique wall art store to choose beautiful new accessories for your room. From soothing metal fish sculptures, to Tuscan style vineyard paintings, tropical wall art or French country framed art, there are thousands of items that will give your bedroom a personalized look.

If you find a bargain piece of furniture that is just the right style, shape and size for a room in your home but the finish looks like it’s seen its better days, fret not. Used furniture is often of better quality than today’s new furniture.  It’s easy to fix a piece of wooden furniture with scratches or peeling paint; as long as the piece is sturdy or easily made so, go ahead and take it home then read on for tips on how to turn it into a perfect accent for any room in your home.

Preparing the Piece for a Fresh Coat of Paint

Unfinished wood is the easiest type of surface to paint, but if the piece has been previously painted or stained it can be prepared for painting.  Your first step is to be sure that the surface is smooth and clean. Working outdoors is ideal, but if that’s not possible you can prep and paint in a workshop or garage that has adequate ventilation.

Sand the piece down so that primer and paint will adhere properly and wipe the dust away with a clean tack cloth. Apply a coat of primer with a foam brush; on larger surfaces, you can use a roller.

If your piece of furniture is laminate or plastic, it can be painted too. Your local hardware or home improvement store carries spray paint that is specifically formulated for these nonporous surfaces. Clean the piece to remove any residue of grime and grease, then apply the spray paint with a slow sweeping motion. If you’re new to spray painting, perfect your technique first on a scrap item and be sure to protect surfaces from overspray.

Tips for Painting your Furniture

Take a look at the room where you plan to display your new bargain treasure and decide if you want your new piece to be an accent or to subtlely blend in with other furnishings. If you want it to blend it, paint it the same color as your walls or pick a common neutral tone in the room. Or let it stand out as an accent by contrasting it with wall color or painting it in the same shade as other accent pieces in the room.

When applying the paint, always work in the same direction as the wood grain and use a foam brush or roller to avoid stroke marks and achieve a smooth finish.

Choosing dark shades, such as chocolate or espresso, will bring out and carved details in the wood and give it an elegant look. Faux finishing techniques let you give your bargain furniture or wrought iron decor special treatment. Metallic paints let you add a little sheen to nooks and crannies on wall candle sconces with ornate scrolling or recessed fluting. Sponge painting, distressing and crackling techniques can be used to give your furniture a well-loved antique appeal, or try decoupage to add a Victorian or themed element to the piece. Another advantage of using faux finishes or decoupage is that they will disguise any flaws in the furniture.