REALLY CHEAP decorating tips please!!

[LittleSarah]

Hello

I am moving to a new flat this week, having been in today I have realised that the bedrooms really need sprucing up!

The problem is I have next to no money and as my current flat is very nicely decorated I have very few pictures/vases/cushions, etc, in fact anything that would quickly brighten up these rooms!

I'd like to go out to Ikea and by lots of bits but as I said, I really can't afford it....

Anyone have any advice/ideas for a mum's and a toddler's (girl) bedroom?

Join you local freecyle (www.freecycle.org) -either see what people are getting rid of or post a wanted ad.

If you're creative try making a wooden frame and stapling fabric around it - use a fabric with a bold colourful print (or plain fabric and then paint it yourself) and put it on the wall as an alternative to pictures.

Def go on Freecycle and ask for picture frames, then just make collages (with/without your DD ), frame them and stick them up.
Ask around if friends/family have any spare halftins of paint. If you find something you like that doesn't cover a whole wall, get a spirit level and some masking tape and do the top or bottom half.
We have a Scrapstore near us that collects spare materials/paints etc from local businesses, aimed at playgroups etc but anyone can join. For a small fee you take what you like. I've got a couple of rolls of lovely wallpaper from ours that I'm working on DH to let me put up in the chimney alcoves of our bedroom.

Old wooden furniture and be made to look totaly different with a snad down and a coat of off-white paint. Can make lots of mismatching pieces look more co-ordinated.

Ikea is great for big cheap rugs if carpets are a bit crappy.

whereabouts are you sarah?

what sort of "bits" are you looking for?

presume you are okay for bedding etc - is it just accessories your after

you could do some stenciling in your dd room - quite easy to cut some shapes out and buy tester pots maybe?

DIY shops sometimes have sale tins of paint that are dented & testers for about £1 (they say that they shouldn't be used for painting more than small areas but they would work ok on reasonably sized areas).

Other than that if you have a Primark they do pretty cheap throws. When I was a student I got a couple of sarongs from there in funky colours & just chucked them around on chairs to brighten it up. They were only about £2 each & covered a large area.

Is it a council/housing association property you are moving into? if yes ask about a decorating allowence, you should be entitled to one if the decor is poor.

charity shops are grrreeat!!

Thanks for your help guys!

Will definitely keep an eye on freecycle and charity shops.

cleaninglady - I am in Edinburgh, am fine for bedding, just all the bits and pieces I am low on!

My mum is going to give me some arty posters and lamps so it is a good start!