Room for Improvement: Bargain Decorating

WSVN -- From bedrooms to living rooms to dining rooms, our makeover maestro always knows how to design on a budget.

Martin's secret is shopping around for the best deals, and he has some favorite stores. His first stop, Ross.

Martin Amado: "You know, I'm a big fan of window treatments, and the best place to buy curtain rods is at Ross. For instance, the original price for this one was $39.99."

A quick way to update the look of a bedroom is with new bedding.

Martin Amado: "We all want to have a luxurious night's sleep, and typically the higher the thread count, the more money it costs, but here at Ross, you can sleep like a king at 50 percent off the original price."

And Martin says to keep an eye out for versatile pieces.

Martin Amado: "When you want to save money, it's good to think outside the box. For instance, for $35, you can buy a fireplace screen, but, in my eyes, I can turn this into wall art or even a twin size headboard."

Next stop, Target.

Martin Amado: "My first ritual when I walk into Target is I go to the end of the aisles, here is where you find the clearance sections."

When decorating for less, remember it's OK to mix and match furniture.

Martin Amado: "They have some accent pieces that require minor assembly at a great price."

Now, don't forget to shop at your local Home Depot.

Martin Amado: "If you want to fill up an empty corner in your home, consider a plant. For $12.99 it will look great, and it also adds an eco-friendly touch."

Another way to save, buy new light fixtures. They can be inexpensive and make a big change, and, Martin says, don't underestimate the decorating value of paint.

Martin Amado: "At Home Depot, you want to first look for the 'Oops' section. You could normally buy a gallon for only $5, a quart for $1, and this is especially good if you want to simply paint an accent wall."

Last stop for Martin, Bed Bath and Beyond.

Martin Amado: "Normally, if you need window treatments that are 84 inches or taller, you would have to have them custom made. What I love about Bed Bath and Beyond is that they offer you the 95-inch length and also the 108 inches, straight off the shelf, at a great price too."

Martin Amado: "Here you can find a set of four 8x10 picture frames for only $20, and a set of three 11x14 for $30. It's a great way to create a gallery wall on a budget."

Also, keep in mind most of these stores have coupons, which can help you save even more.

Martin Amado: "To sum it up, if you want to decorate smart, you want to shop in home department stores, always look for clearance sections, and, of course, comparison shop before you make an impulse buy. Keeping these tips in mind, and I promise you it will help you achieve the decorator look for less."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Ross
http://www.rossstores.com/

Target
http://www.target.com/

Home Depot
http://www.homedepot.com/

Bed Bath and Beyond
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/