How to Decorate a Bedroom With High/Low Buys

Making a beautiful bed doesn't have to be intimidating. Layering a duvet or comforter over a neutral coverlet is an easy way to get the plush, inviting look you see in designer rooms. Another designer trick: Put two down inserts inside your duvet cover for that super fluffy look you see in catalogs.

Pillows should be soft and comfortable, so put your money into a quality down insert, not the pillow cover itself. You can always doll up an inexpensive cover with no-sew embellishments. A quality fabric adhesive is all you need to attach a colorful trim or fabric panel, giving the pillow a high-end look.

When it comes to smart spending, it's all about the bed. We spend approximately 1/3 of our lives in bed, so invest in a mattress that's well-built, well-reviewed and comfortable. You'll also want to spend a little extra on high-quality sheets, but be sure to look beyond thread count (TC). A 400 TC cotton sheet made with high-quality fibers will be stronger and softer over the long run than a 1,200 TC sheet made with sub-par fibers. Look for terms like Egyptian long-staple or anything with "pima" in it for cool, soft sheets that won't pill after the first few washings. If you're a stickler about wrinkles, a polyester/cotton blend may be your best bet.

When you don't spend a fortune decorating a space, you're more relaxed about making changes or improvements over time. Feel free to play around with accessories, move things around and mix up styles. Give yourself some time to see what works.