Small changes give new year a fresh look

"Nothing is impossible to a willing heart." John Heywood (1497-1580), English writer, "Proverbs" (1546)

As with the beginning of any new year, or any time frame for that matter, we usually have lists of things we want to accomplish in that new time — in our lives, our work or in our homes. Given the less-than-favorable economic situation we are currently experiencing, those new ideas and starts may be smaller or not occur at all.

Unfortunately, most so-called improvements or changes will have some price tag attached, so picking and choosing how we proceed may take some head scratching and pencil pushing.

If all we want to do is lose a few pounds, watch less TV, quit smoking, be neater or get along better with co-workers, well, that doesn’t have to cost us any dollars. It may stretch our willpower or patience, but not our wallets.

However, if we’re yearning for new furniture, carpet or a remodeled kitchen, yikes, that’s a different story.

But the old adage, "Where there’s a will, there’s a way," still applies. There are some changes you can make at home that won’t kill your budget and can probably keep your home-improvement madness at bay until the economy improves. And I know my readers — there is definitely a will.

OK, let’s start at the beginning. If your heart’s desire is new furniture, carpet or granite countertops, shop, shop, shop. Unfortunately, for home-improvement vendors, this has not been a banner year, and chances are you can find someone willing to "discuss" price or give viable options for your purchases. With all respect to shop owners and dealers, sometimes some money is better than no money. It won’t hurt to ask for a deal and, who knows, you may luck out.

If bargaining is not really your cup of tea, try consignment shops for furniture and accessories. There are bargains galore in these shops and, also due to the economy, the stores are brimming with merchandise being discarded by folks leaving town or those who are downsizing. If you haven’t visited one of the many consignment stores in town recently, the selection and price points will pleasantly surprise you.

Go online. Careers are being made every day by those willing to do the legwork. It’s not as easy as it sounds to sell on eBay, but shopping is not as arduous, as long as you have the patience to go through the thousands of items listed. Craigslist is another place to browse for services and stuff, and Overstock.com is a great site to find brand names that have been "overstocked." Manufacturers also sell online; go to google.com and just put in the item you’re looking for.

Remember bartering? It’s making a comeback in a big way. Many years ago folks bartered because that was the only way they could provide for their families. Dentists and doctors were paid with chickens and eggs and farmers would trade services to help their neighbors. I’m not sure those two circumstances exist today, but bartering for services does. There are several places offering "bartering for services," for instance, plumbing for electrical work, tile installed for landscaping, etc. Check them out and see if something might work for you.

If none of this appeals to you and you would rather wait until you have the cash infusion to satisfy your desires, there are a few things you can do to "tide you over" while you wait for that money tree to sprout.

* Spend the money to get your carpets and upholstery cleaned. It’s amazing what a difference that will make.

* Buy some new houseplants. They’re pretty, give off oxygen and brighten every room.

* Install new light bulbs in your lamps and overheads, hopefully green ones.

* Concentrate on cleaning every nook and cranny of your house.

* Go through your home and sort out those things you’re not using or don’t absolutely love and donate them. This will declutter your home and help somebody else at the same time.

* Go to your local discount store and pick up a few cozy throws for your sofas or beds and some bright throw pillows. This small step will enliven even the dullest pieces.

* New bath towels and shower curtains also make bathrooms look new, even if you can’t have the new tile or floor right now.

While you will have to spend a few bucks to accomplish some of these things, your psychological return on investment will be great. Your home will get a fresh look and your budget won’t be busted.

The economy may be making headlines right now, but I’m a glass-more-than-half-full kind of gal, and I’m sure that by this time next year, we’ll look back on these leaner times and appreciate our gains. So, keep the will and keep exploring ways.

Carolyn Muse Grant is a founder and past president of the Architectural & Decorative Arts Society, as well as an interior design consultant/stylist specializing in home staging. Her Inside Spaces column appears weekly in the Home section of the Review-Journal. Send questions to creativemuse@cox.net.