Your Virginia Home

You bought a small chair for only $50, and then realized that you want to make it blend with your existing couch so you thought of having it re-upholstered. You inquired in a number of upholstery shops and got quotes ranging from $300 - $500! Would you go for that? Of course not! That is just outrageous!

It’s a good thing there are some alternatives - much cheaper options.

1. Take upholstery classes. Most communities offer this type of class so check them out and enroll in one of the classes. Many of these classes include materials to use. Not only will you get to re-upholster your chair yourself, you will also be able to gain new skills that can be useful in the future.

2. Read Do-It-Yourself Upholstery books. These books give you step by step instructions on how to re-upholster a worn-out piece of furniture. The book will also give you information on where to get the tools and materials needed for upholstering.

3. Look for a newcomer in the industry; you might find someone who is just starting in this industry. They probably will not charge as much as established upholstery shops. Offer to buy the material and just pay the labor fee. Being new does not mean that the work would be of poor quality; it might be exceptionally good because a newcomer is trying to establish a clientele. You can even be his source for new customers.

4. Use slipcovers. Instead of having your furniture re-upholstered, a slipcover may work for you. There are slipcovers being sold in retail stores, on websites, and even in online auctions. Alternatively, you could purchase a durable canvas drop-cloth. It goes with any color and easy to use. Just buy a size that is a little larger than the actual size of your furniture to allow for tucking and pinning on the sides and cushion area.

Slipcovers or drop-cloths are also easy to clean. Just toss them in the washer, then into the dryer.

There are other possibilities available for re-upholstering your furniture at a low cost. The best option, of course, is to do it yourself and save the labor fees. There is no harm in trying to do it yourself, and chances are that you’ll even learn and benefit from the experience. However, if you still get intimidated by this type of work, then try the other options mentioned.

A paint job can be expensive if the house is large. A person should redecorate the house a section at a time so that one portion can be completed before moving on to the next. The best place is to start with the exterior as it is the most visible to the neighbors.

There are things to consider when choosing the color for the exterior. The paint should match or contrast with the other things such as doors, the railings, the roof, and the windows. By using paint that is compatible with these areas, a person can save time and money.

There are three types of paint available on the market: gloss, semi-gloss or flat. Each of these has its own characteristic as well as pros and cons. For example: a glossy paint requires more maintenance since the blemishes can be seen more easily.

If it is an older house there are three ways to redecorate the home without using a great deal of planning and without great expense.

1. The first would be restoring the old color. This would entail simply matching the existing color and patching the damaged areas. Using this method the amount of paint needed as well as the cost would be minimized. If a person is not able to do the work, a painter could be hired to identify the damaged areas and do the work.

2. The second doesn’t necessarily involve painting the house a different color. If this is not the first time the house was repainted, the person can refer to a historical chart and use that color.

3. The third would be to follow the architectural trends of modern homes by using one of the popular colors. This doesn’t mean using a color that is totally different from the neighbors, but simply choosing one that is compatible.

Dark colored paint usually fades after a few years. This will cause others to perceive that the house is deteriorating. A person can prevent this by using light colored paint that does not absorb so much heat from the sun and encounter moisture problems.

A person doesn’t have to hire an architect or another professional to help choose the color for the home. An individual can use magazines and other publications which can be purchased at a reasonable price or consult with friends and neighbors who could provide insight for redecorating the home.