A master plan is key to designing on a budget

COURTESY PHOTO Updating lighting is a quick way to change the mood of your décor. Today, when home is a respite from busy lives and budgets are tight, it is even more important to surround yourself with quality items that reflect you, your lifestyle and spark desired emotions. So how do you go about transforming your home to the center of your universe when there is no longer a "sky-is-thelimit" budget or the home makeover TV crew at your disposal?

"Easy," said Kris Kolar, ASID and vice president of interior design for Robb & Stucky Interiors. "Simple and inexpensive changes such as new paint colors, dramatic lighting, streamlining accessories and repurposing furnishings can have a significant design impact and thoroughly revitalize your home. The first step to your miracle makeover can be achieved with a complimentary design consultation with design professional to guide you through what may be unchartered waters."

Whether you are looking for a single piece or a complete room, a design expert can help you devise a design plan to reflect your personal style. Creating a master plan before making purchase decisions can save you time and money and ensure that your home suits your lifestyle and reflects your personal tastes. The master plan is an important foundation to base your interior décor and build upon in the future.

"When purchasing furnishings, it is important to recognize up front that quality and style matter even more when you are on a limited budget," said Ms. Kolar. "If the materials and finish are top quality, you'll enjoy living with the piece forever. When you buy a poorly made piece, you will think of it as disposable and know that you will ultimately replace it."

The master plan will also keep you on track by setting a wish list of items you want to purchase for you home, what sizes you need to fit you space, what accessories will complement your design theme and prevent you from purchasing unnecessary pieces, therefore conserving the design funds and maintaining a cohesive design.

design tips

>> The Robb & Stucky design team recommends the following tips for a stunning décor when redecorating on a budget:

>>Design a master plan - to determine how to spend your allocated funds. When you make purchases based on the master design plan, advises Kolar, you won't be tempted to buy something not in the plan.

>>Paint - Color alone has the power to completely alter the mood or tone of a room.

>>Repurposing - Refresh your décor and make an existing treasure new again by placing it in another room.

>>Accessories - Streamline your accessories for a more updated look.

>>Quality - When purchasing new furniture pieces look for the finest quality furniture that you can afford. Quality pieces not only improve the look of a room, but will be worth the investment down the road due to durability.