Iím running a series of guest posts while I work on a textbook chapter I was asked to co-write.

Today, Vic shares some great do-it-yourself home decorating projects that will freshen up your home without busting your budget. Vic also writes Bend to Squares, the prettiest new blog I’ve discovered in a while.

If youíd like to be a guest Bargain Queen too, send me an email.

They say change is as good as a holiday and what better way to get out of a rut than to decorate the space around you. Okay, so home improvement and interior design don’t normally fall under the budget category, but here are a few cheap do-it-yourself projects that are sure to brighten up your day.

Sticky situation: vinyl wall stickers

Image: Taschide

Vinyl wall stickers are one of the hottest trends in interior decorating at the moment. With an incredible range of designs and colours, vinyl stickers are removable, fully versatile and the perfect way to give any room a bit of character. Easy to apply, some companies even offer re-usable stickers so you can change your mind as many times as you like. These are perfect for renters too.

Where to buy:

• Blik are the leaders of the pack. Buy a set of between 6 and 20 decals for around US$40.
• Divider are probably the cheapest, with sets ranging from about $20 to $60.
• Ugly Home will make your house anything but. They’re a French company with a huge range of decals in all shapes and sizes. Be prepared to pay a little bit extra for that French flare though.
• And for something a little bit different thatíll reflect your style, what about Taschide’s mirror decals? They’ve got a gorgeous range of flora and fauna mirrors to stick to your walls.

Colour splash: brighten up with paint

Image: Flickr

This may seem like the simplest of tips but you’d be surprised what a difference a lick of paint can make. Pick a prominent wall and add a splash of colour. You can then accentuate the colour with your accessories. Check out these pictures for tips on the latest colour trends in turquoise, yellow, blue and even black.

Websites like Dulux have amazing selectors and inspiration pages to help you pick the perfect colour for your room.

And if you’ve got an artistic streak, what about a mural? It’s not an easy undertaking, but check out Denmark’s incredible design hotel, Hotel Fox for some inspiration.

Picture perfect: your own picture wall

Image: Flickr

Picture walls are my favourite thing right now. Achieve designer looks with some nails (or adhesive hooks if you’re renting) and your favourite photos, prints or even kitsch op-shop paintings. Create a feature wall with a series of mis-matched frames hung at different levels. See some examples here, here and here.

If you’re worried about putting hooks up or don’t want to use frames, you can create your own distinctive photo walls. Using anything from string to blutack, check out some photo wall ideas here, here and here.

Go green: indoor plant ideas

Image: Flickr

Terrariums are so hot right now. Adding a touch of green to any room will give it a fresher, lighter feel, as well as add a point of interest. All you need is Inhabitat’s fantastic how to guide, and a trip to your local garden centre. For some of the coolest and most interesting terrariums online, visit the links here, here and here.

You can read more from Vic at Bend to Squares, which is well worth a look if you like pretty things!

If youíd like to write a guest post for The Bargain Queen too, find out how here.