Deep Discount Designing

If you think redecorating requires a professional home designer, you're mistaken. If you think it means spending more than you can afford, you're wrong. If you think it takes time you don't have, you've officially struck out on the home design quiz.

According to Libby Langdon, it's all nonsense. As the HGTV host of "Small Space Big Style" and author of "Libby Langdon's Small Space Solutions," she has debunked every design misconception out there.

"It's important to know that budget doesn't determine whether your space is beautiful or not," she says. "I've been in $2 million homes that aren't comfortable and aren't designed well."

On top of that, she's turned spaces around on little to nothing and insists any room makeover can be accomplished in one day. Take a look at Langdon's tips on how you can change little things to make a huge difference. Be forewarned: While you might not have to open your wallet for many of them, you will have to open your mind.

PAINTED ON

By now, you've surely heard the advice of painting one accent wall to freshen up an old space. But did you know paint can also lend an architectural benefit? "Painters tape is a great tool for creating paneling," says Langdon. She's also used it above beds to look like a headboard.

Two-toning your work or using white lines as a visual enhancement will trick the eye into seeing depth anywhere it's missing.

Don't think of paint strictly in terms of use on your walls. Old furniture can make a 180 degree aesthetic turn with paint, too. For a shabby chic look, Langdon recommends a high gloss white. For a cooler mood, a high gloss brown or black. Paint a bright, unexpected color to the back wall of a shelving unit and you've added a major pop. Wall paper works just as well.

GET OUT MORE

Is your space strong in the furniture department, but lacking any after thoughts? Knickknacks, so long as they're kept to a minimum and selected to enhance what's already there, can go a long way in terms of design. Rather than head to Target and pick up the same accessories as your neighbor, take a walk around the block. Elements of nature make a great impression and bring a serene tone.

Langdon recommends gathering long twigs, palm leaves or sea grass. Arrange them in a clear vase and you've just saved yourself $50 at Pier 1 Imports. If that hasn't satisfied your creative craving, take a can of spray paint to them for punctuation.

HANG AROUND

Most people find drapes useless. That's because they think of them strictly as functional. A window dressed solely with blinds is like a shift dress with no accessories: boring.

"Drapes really ramp up the coziness of a room," Langdon says.

When using them for windows, she advises hanging them where the ceiling meets the wall to add length. Drapes should also extend 10 inches wider than the window. This way the drapes can stay open and expose the entire frame.

Drapes shouldn't be exclusively used as window treatments, either. Throw them behind a bed and watch the room soften up.

NEW PURPOSE

This one requires a little digging. The good news is that you'll be searching through your own storage closet or garage. Langdon makes a habit of sorting through these two places before buying anything for a design project. "You'd be surprised how much stuff people keep and they're always shocked how they can repurpose it," she says.

She often comes across planters, which can quickly transform into side tables. Simply flip them over and place a piece of glass on top.

For one recent project, Langdon repainted a baby changing table and added nickel knobs. In less than an hour it had become a TV console.

LIGHTEN UP

"If you have square footage that isn't lit," Langdon says, "it's as if that square footage isn't even there." If that means four lamps in one room, so be it. But first you have to put a new spin on your old lamps.

It's all about the lamp shade. Either visit a fabric store for ribbon and charming fabric to glue gun your own design, or go lamp shade shopping. Whichever you choose, make sure you've got bright bulbs to warm up all the new space you've just created.

Libby Langdon will be at Barnes & Noble at 567 N. Stephanie St. in Henderson for a design seminar and book signing at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.