Breathe Life into Your Home with Creative DIY Projects

Sprucing up your living space? Why not start with a creative DIY project and watch it transform into a home where friends and family can gather and relax in comfort.​ With a few tools, some extra effort and a bit of imagination, you can breathe life into your home with projects that suit your style, inspire creativity and add function.​

One of the most enjoyable and economical ways to add character to a room is to master a few simple painting techniques.​ From sponging to ragging to faux finishes, you can create the perfect backdrop for any room.​ Personalize your walls with decorative stencils, glossy finishes, stripes and other creative accents to wow your guests.​

Another idea is to build your own bookshelf or entertainment center.​ Use salvaged wood, recycled steel piping or other reclaimed materials for an upcycled look that’s cost-effective and one-of-a-kind.​ You don’t have to be a master carpenter to build something useful; if you’re willing to put in the time and effort, you can find plenty of free tutorials and plans that will teach you the skills needed.​

Does your home have a green thumb? Add a vibrant splash of color to your space with a mini-garden or indoor plants.​ You can build a vertical garden, create an herb wall or arrange a vine-covered trellis for supporting climbing plants to add a bit of nature and greenery to your decor.​ You can also employ some of that salvaged wood to build a windowsill herb garden and unique display boxes for indoor plants.​

Turn a boring against-the-wall nook into a bright and cozy nook for reading.​ Surround it with fabric-covered walls or hang a colorful drape behind it to create a soothing atmosphere.​ Paint the area in warm and inviting colors , add throw pillows and a fuzzy rug for extra comfort, and use a rolled up futon or daybed as a bench for lounging.​

Make a statement with lighting.​ A handcrafted lamp can add warmth to any room; make one from unusual materials such as driftwood, seashells, coiled rope, and more.​ You can also invest in energy-saving LED lights and fix them in the hallway, around the top of the mirror, or at the kitchen counter.​ For a snazzy but cost-effective solution, repurpose old bottles or jars as lamp bases and fill them with sand, seashells, glitter, etc.​

Bring the outdoors into your living room with one-of-a-kind birdhouses.​ Create cubbies for extra storage, mount a wildflower shelf, hang a bird feeder, and add a mailbox for that postman at the front of the house.​ You can also make a seed-catch tray to keep little critters away and a wall-mounted plant hanger for adding a vertical element.​

Install a window treatment that fits the style of your room and also adds a practical solution for privacy and light control.​ With hundreds of colors, designs, and textures to choose from, you can make sure the windows become a seamless extension of the room’s decor.​ There are lots of no-sew window treatments you can make, such as a Swiss popover top or a faux Roman shade.​

Rethink your fireplace.​ Re-stucco or add a textured plaster finish to create a unique focal point of your choice.​ Develop an interesting mantel from reclaimed wood and surrounding it with an array of antique finds.​ For a non-traditional look, cover the wall with river stones, bricks, wooden planks, or recycled material.​

Bedrooms are always welcomed to a makeover.​ Create a dreamy headboard from old doors or window frames; upholster it with printed fabric and choose a different headboard design that fits with your color scheme.​ Hang a garland of fabric strips above the headboard and add a throw rug to make the area comfy and inviting.​ A wall decal or painting that speaks to you can also be placed for an artsy twist.​

Why not jazz up your outdoor space? Install a multi-tiered vertical planter or build a succulent wall to introduce texture and color to your patio, balcony, or yard.​ Use fence posts and pallet wood to construct a trellis and add an array of annual and perennial plants to create a living wall piece.​ Creating a terrarium or mini-garden is a fun and rewarding project that can easily fit in any outdoor area.​

Be creative with your kitchen backsplash.​ Transform your kitchen with an eye-catching mosaic backsplash made with colorful tiles or change it up with a bright paint job applied in a vertical stripe design.​ If you’re feeling adventurous, incorporate a chalkboard for writing down grocery notes and recipes.​

Give your furniture a personal touch.​ Re-covering furniture with colorful fabrics and patterned wallpaper can instantly liven up a room.​ Choose a slipcover for your couch instead of buying an expensive new sofa and bring out your personality with custom fabric prints.​

Making the same old dishes for dinner night after night? Packing an old antique suitcase with memorabilia and books can give your dining area a comfortable and stylish upgrade.​ Add a mix of chairs, a few houseplants, and colorful tableware for a unique dinner setting.​

Let your hallway speak for itself.​ Hang a series of framed canvases to feature your favorite photographs or artwork.​ Place a trellis with a fragrant climbing vine above it, and install a floating shelf where you can display some interesting objects.​ If you’re looking to add warmth and depth to your hallway, you can cover the walls with a warm wool fabric.​

If you’re a neat freak, use the door to your advantage by installing an over-the-door rack.​ Hang up a variety of items, such as towels, scarves, coats, and accessories.​ You can make one yourself by using coat hooks, leather straps, and wooden dowels.​

Take on the challenge of living room takeovers.​ Tackle a fireplace makeover, add a built-in storage wall, or update your seating area.​ Swap out light fixtures with wall sconces, add floating shelves for additional storage, and switch out the area rug with one that complements the color palette of the furniture.​

Painting your home doesn’t have to be a chore.​ Create an accent wall and just go crazy with big, bold colors.​ Use custom stencils to make the wall truly unique and consider painting the ceiling, too.​ Opt out for a glossy enamel for wood furniture, or use spray paint to restore old metal furniture to its original color.​

Take a chance by transforming a small room into a fun and inviting spot.​ Add a mini-bar in the corner, paint a mural on the wall, and experiment with lighting.​ Make accent pieces from vintage pieces you find in thrift stores, and upcycle old furniture pieces into conversation pieces.​

Walls are just the beginning.​ Reimagine your living and dining area with an eye-catching wall covering.​ Whether it’s a mural with a stunning view of beach or a subtle geometric pattern, wall coverings are an easy way to add a bold and unique touch to any room.​

Don’t limit yourself to one room; infuse pieces of art, sculptures, and antiques throughout every room.​ Take inventory of the pieces you already have and select pieces that will tie them all together.​ Embrace the rustic look with flea market finds and turn it into a custom display.​

Keep your space fresh and exciting with the right accents.​ Accent pieces like wall art, decorative bowls and trays, and throw pillows can bring a room from drab to wow.​ Try bringing in new colors to the room based on the latest trends and create a color theme for a space that reflects your style.​

Don’t forget about basics.​ Give your everyday items a lasting impression with DIY upgrades.​ Repaint cabinets and shelves with fresh accent colors for a new look and personality, and add embellishments like glass knobs and painted door fronts for an unexpected twist.​

Decorative items don’t have to be expensive.​ A few simple touches such as a newspaper basket and some file folders can make a room more stylish, or you can add artwork that you’ve picked up from a thrift store and give it a fresh look.​

Rearrange your furniture.​ Take a day to rearrange the layout of your room to break up a dreary space.​ Start by placing a couple of armchairs in a corner, add an area rug to warm up the space and move furniture away from the walls.​ Invest in a good quality area rug that fits your space and gives it personality.​

Make a statement with accessories.​ Hang a framed mirror in the hallway for an extra touch of sophistication, switch out outdated curtains for some with a bold pattern, and add a lamp or two with unique bases.​ Sometimes one or two knockout touches is all it takes to make a room look fresh again.​

Time to get organized.​ Keep your space neat with a few quick and easy organizational tips.​ Put up shelves and baskets for extra storage, repurpose containers to store items in the bathroom, and keep your desk area tidy with desktop organizers.​

Change the lighting in your home.​ Many DIY lighting projects can be done on a small budget.​ Easy and affordable solutions include adding dimmers to existing fixtures or creating an interesting statement with pendant lights and hanging lamps.​

By tackling a few creative projects, you can bring a whole new life to your home.​ With salvaged materials, easy designs, and simple DIY techniques, you’ll turn your living space into something that you can be proud of.​ The possibilities are truly endless!