Here are some ideas to freshen your home post spring-cleaning.
Make your own curtains using a light-colored material from a fabric store.
Join the Freecycle network and get free stuff! Each network is a Yahoo! group based on geography. So everything listed is free – and nearby!
Better Budgeting recommends lining up 5 or 7 clear glass jars and bottles on a windowsill, counter top, or shelving. Place one flower in each bottle. This works in the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and front porch!
Apply a fresh coat of paint to one room. You can accomplish a lot in one weekend without spending too much moolah. Borrow re-useable supplies from a friend if you can.
Browse the Craigslist free pages. Click on your city, say Minneapolis, then under “for sale,” click on free. Co crazy!
Quick and Simple recommends inserting cute note cards into a picture frame with multiple slots, above. Use cards you received for sentimental value.
Head to a garage sale with a targeted list and limited cash. I like to leave my wallet at home and instead bring $10, which can go a long way at a garage sale. And then while haggling you can honestly say, but I only have $10!
Quick and Simple recommends covering a canvas (blank or one you are bored of) with fabric that you like. Group multiple canvases for an artsy look.
Paint a few old pots in a bright color of high-gloss varnish (shellac), which you can buy at art stores and home improvement stores. Plant something in them or use them as an accent on bookshelves. If your budget allows, use different colors of varnish.
The craft store JoAnn’s has tons of project ideas. Join their email list for regular coupons via email. Michael’s also has cheap home decor ideas.
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price. 
thanks for all of your great tips Julia! I read your blog often and enjoy the info and topics
sorry to go on a rant but I just want to remind people that the point of freecycle is to give and receive to keep stuff out of landfills and build a community-not just get all the free stuff you can, not just receive
As a active member of freecycle, lately people are using this as their personal wish list site or try to get as much free stuff as they can and that’s not the point of the groups. I think they see/hear “get free stuff” on websites and the news stations that are covering it and are completely missing what it was set up for and ignore the org’s mission statement
“It’s a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It’s all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills.”
sorry for such a long comment, just don’t want to see a good thing go bad
thanks!
Audra, thanks for your friendly reminder. I hope readers will find plenty of things to list on Freecycle as they start their spring cleaning.