Wouldn’t it be so cool if, the next time someone complimented your home decor, you could say, “Thanks, I made it!”.
Nothing beats a good DIY when it comes to designing your home. You can personalize the look of the decor so it exactly matches your taste—something you’d be lucky to find when scanning through mass-produced goods. Plus, it can help you save money. And there’s a good chance you’ll be repurposing items you already own. So, less contribution to filling those landfills!
To inspire your creativity, I’ve put together super easy DIY home decor hacks that can help you make your home chic and stylish without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a skilled DIYer or a rookie, you sure can master these! So, let’s get started with my top DIY decor tips for a creative home makeover.
Upcycle Your Existing Furniture
Credit: Irish Independent
Start by looking around and finding existing furniture pieces lying around. And if you’re wondering ‘what can I make out of existing furniture?’. The answer is—anything you want to make! There are no limits to creativity when upcycling furniture pieces. For example…
- Transform your chest of drawers into a sink vanity. The only thing to take care of is that the top surface is big enough for your chosen sink. The rest of the story is all about cutting holes in the top and at the back (for water pipes).
- Repaint side tables into accent pieces. If your space is lacking some character, it needs an accent piece. Start by sanding off the old paint of a vintage drawer with medium grit sandpaper, clean off the debris, and let it dry. Then, finally apply two coats of bright, glossy paint. And there you have a conversation starter!
- Refinish your wood pieces. Feeling that piece of wooden furniture is going out of style? No need to throw that perfectly solid piece of furniture—simply refinish or restain it. The process goes as simple as: Strip or sand the old paint. Sand smooth. Stain and seal!
If you’ve inherited an heirloom piece, such as a drawer, and wouldn’t want too much change, consider swapping out the hardware. This is one of the easiest DIY projects (it takes less than 5 minutes) and can give your piece a whole new look!
Paint a New Headboard
Credit: Plum Living
You can do a DIY room makeover with a painted headboard as a part of your budget home improvement project. And I don’t mean painting the actual headboard of your bed. I mean giving the wall behind the bed a new color. This can be wall-to-wall (upto a particular height) or in the shape of an actual headboard, as featured above. Make sure to keep the rest of the wall a neutral hue, preferably white, to make your new DIY headboard stand out.
Create DIY Wall Art
Credit: Hello Hughes
Time to unleash that artist that’s been hiding within you all these years (and even if it hasn’t—well, you can still make your own art). Art pieces, especially high-end ones, have crazy price tags. So why not create a piece yourself for a negligible cost with some stylish DIY projects?
If you’d like to test your hand, go for abstract art. Grab a canvas, some acrylic paints, and fling with abandon. You might be surprised at the beautiful art you create 😉 For folks who love nature, try picking the flowers and leaves you love the next time you go for a stroll. Put them between books to press them—and then frame them for a beautiful, nature-inspired gallery wall.
If you’re a beginner with art, try creating block wall art. This is a great idea for beginners; all you’ll need is a canvas, paintbrushes, craft paint, and painter’s tape. Secure the painter’s tape to your canvas and paint the uncovered portions. This way, the painter’s tape will provide guidelines for your project.
Head to the Thrift Store
You’d be surprised to know, thrift stores are treasure troves when you’re looking for home decor on a budget. Here, you can find vases, picture frames—or even outdated furniture with potential. Clean them up, repaint, and you’ve got a stylish addition for inexpensive home upgrades.
Create Warmth with Lighting
Credit: Interior Company
Don’t throw away those empty jars; they can actually help you make some super cozy lighting. Soak them in water overnight to remove the labels, wash the jars thoroughly, and let them dry. You can then place battery-operated string lights inside them—and place them wherever you want to add whimsical lighting. These will also make for great portable lighting. Think carrying them along to your porch when hosting an outdoor get-together.
If you’ve got some old lampshades lying around, you can liven them up with fabric scraps (or even paint). Stencil patterns, add some fringe, or even use decoupage with a vintage look.
Accessorize Your Home with Intention
Decorating with intention can give your interior meaning—and allow the decor itself to speak volumes. Some examples include…
- Look for items that serve a dual purpose. You can use that ottoman not only for extra seating but also as a coffee table. Decorative baskets can provide storage for throws or magazines. Such ideas save space while also cutting down the expense of buying new items.
- You can bring the outdoors in with free or affordable elements; it’s all about keeping an eye out when you head outdoors. For example, fill those empty vases with colorful branches/pampas grass for texture. Or decorate around the home with foraged pinecones or seashells if you’re hoping to incorporate a rustic vibe.
- Throw pillows are one of the easiest ways to upgrade the decor of your home. Plus, switching out covers is an inexpensive idea. Consider swapping them out at the beginning of a new season. This will give your home a fresh look—and show your dedication to decorating.
But, when accessorizing, remember not to overdecorate. Get rid of extra items and group clusters of similar pieces in three. This creates a balanced look.
Make the Bathroom a Zen-Like Escape
Nope, you don’t need a major renovation for this! Simply add a rustic bench and eucalyptus inside your bathroom. Proceed to add teak panels (there are so many peel-and-stick options you can do yourself) to the wall using tile adhesive. And, voila, you have your own Zen retreat for a relaxing bath.
Spray Paint Curtain Rods
You probably know the luxurious look brass (or gold) hardware can give to your home—especially curtain rods. But the price tags? Crazy—and definitely not suitable for an affordable home makeover. So, why not remove your rods and give them a fresh gold color with spray paint? If your existing ones are worn out, you can also check with the scratch and dent section of your nearby store and source new, inexpensive ones. You can then refresh them with paint.
Final Words
So, decorating your home isn’t really as expensive as you may think it to be! Once you let your creativity flow, you’ll notice that there are endless possibilities for DIY interior design… and so many of these qualify as budget-friendly decor. All you’ve got to do is roll up those sleeves and have a bucket full of motivation. And, in no time, you’ll have an upgraded space at a fraction of your estimated cost 😉
If you’ve tried any of these easy home decor hacks—or have fresh DIY decorating ideas—I’d love to hear from you! Be sure to let me know in the comments section below 😊
