Don’t just stare at your blank walls and sigh, wishing for a little more life and pizzazz. DIY home projects can help liven up your living space – and boost your creativity and confidence, too. With just a few simple materials, you can get creative in no time. Here’s how:
1. Get Organized. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, start with something simple like getting your home organized. Take an afternoon to get rid of clutter and reorganize shelves, pantries, closets, drawers, and other storage spaces. Not only does it help reduce stress, but it also makes it easier for you to find everything you need.
2. Add Artwork. Give your walls a lift with an art project. Paint a landscape or cityscape on a large canvas, or create amazing graphic designs with stencils. If you don’t want to get too creative, even something as simple as hanging up your favorite photography can make a room feel more alive.
3. Repurpose Everyday Items. Think outside the box when it comes to everyday items around the home. You can repurpose old clothes into curtains or dust rags, turn an old vase into a lamp, or use scrap materials to build a brand new coffee table. You don’t need a lot to get creative—sometimes some ingenuity and a few basic materials is all you need.
4. Plant Something. Spruce up your indoor or outdoor space with a touch of greenery. Plant a vegetable or herb garden, or create a living wall of succulents. Caring for a living thing is sure to evoke an emotional response, and the added green will give your space an instant face-lift.
5. Upcycle Furniture. If you want a fresh look for an old piece of furniture, try upcycling it. You can sand, paint, varnish, cover, or otherwise do up the pieces into something new and more modern. For a truly unique look, you can even glue foil, kitenge fabric, even tile onto furniture.
6. Dress Up Your Windows. Whether you’re going for vintage or modern, you can use fabric or lace to dress up your windows. If there’s a window without blinds, you can use a sheer fabric to give you the perfect amount of privacy while allowing in natural light. Tired of your kitchen windows? Hang up a garland of faux-dried flowers to add life and beauty.
7. Mix and Match Patterns and Colors. Do you want to add some life and color to a room? Mix and match different patterns and colors of fabrics, throw pillows, and other decorations. When in doubt, look to classic color combinations like black and white or blue and green. Or, you can play with contrasting colors to create a bold statement.
1. Get Crafty. Get creative and tap into your artistic side with kid-friendly crafts. Whether you make your own jewelry, create decorations out of scrap materials, do a tie-dying project, or something else entirely, it’ll be a great way to relax and express yourself.
2. Remodel an Old Furniture. Don’t throw out your old furniture pieces. Instead, revamp them into something more modern and fresh to fit into your updated home. You can strip old lacquer to reveal the natural woodgrain, replace worn out fabric, or experiment with a new color or finish.
3. Make a Custom DIY Rug. Want a custom rug without the hefty price tag? Make your own. With the right materials, you can create one of a kind rugs with tassels, contrasts, and even shapes. Whether you use regular fabric, faux fur, or something else, you’ll have something you’re proud of when you’re done.
4. Design a Feature Wall. If you’re tired of plain, boring walls, make your own statement wall. Paint it a contrasting color, add a mural, or even use wallpaper to get a completely different look. You can get really creative with this project and make something that’s totally unique and your own.
5. Create Artsy Shelves. Spice up your walls with repurposed shelves. Whether you use dowels and strings to create an interesting shelf, use old books and boxes to make a vintage shelf, or turn old furniture into book shelves, the possibilities are virtually endless.
6. Create a Gallery Wall. Let your creative juices flow by making a gallery wall. You don’t have to just stick to just pictures here, either—put up some of your favorite postcards and notes, mix in some interesting frames, and use colors that reflect your personal style.
7. Install Wallpaper. Updating the look of a room doesn’t have to be complicated. If you’re feeling ambitious, try something bold and unique, like installing wallpaper. There are so many amazing wallpaper designs to choose from, so you should be able to find the perfect one for you.
1. Jazz up Your Kitchen. The kitchen is arguably the heart of the home. If you’re looking to kick things up a notch here, try doing up a feature wall with an interesting colour or pattern, get creative with cabinet knobs, or add a pop of color with a houseplant.
2. Create a Wall Portrait. A wall portrait can give you a sense of pride and accomplishment. Design your own from scratch —you don’t need to be an experienced artist for this one. Start with a canvas, pick up some paint markers, and let the ideas flow.
3. Make a Wall Hanging. Display your personality and add texture to your walls with a wall hanging. You can iron old fabrics and lace together to create something breathtaking, use a faux rag rug for a vintage look, or construct more intricate pieces with wooden hoops or macrame.
4. Set Up a DIY Home Bar. A home bar doesn’t have to be expensive. With some imagination, you can set up an amazing bar with just a few basic pieces of furniture and items. Get creative with signs, chalkboards, accessories, and more.
5. Decorate with Mirrors. Mirrors make a room feel more spacious and help you to maximize natural lighting. You don’t have to spend a fortune on a large mirror —add a few smaller ones in different shapes and sizes for a unique look.
6. Make a Headboard. If you’re tired of your current bed setup, it’s time to switch it up. Make a headboard out of scrap materials and salvaged wood, or experiment with fabrics and cushions. Try working with different textures to create something really special.
7. Start an Herb Garden. Nothing spices up your kitchen like fresh herbs. Plant an indoor herb garden to get in on the fun and reap some tasty rewards. You can use an old dresser, dress up a window sill, or make something more unique with thrifted finds.
1. Palace a Focal Point. A piece of furniture, a focal wall, or a central mirror can create balance in a space and make it feel more inviting. Pick something that fits with your style and elevates the look of the room.
2. Paint Accessories. Even the most basic everyday items can be livened up with a coat of paint. Plant pots, picture frames, and other kitchen accessories can get a fun, unexpected look if you’re looking for something a little different.
3. Get Creative with Face Masks. We all know facemasks are a must these days—but did you know you can get creative with them? Tie-dye your own masks, glue on sequins and decorations, or just make your own with fabric and elastic.
4. Try Out an Upholstery Project. Think of all the older chairs and couches that could be brought to life with fresh upholstery. With some patience and the right supplies, you’ll be able to make something you can be proud of and love for years to come.
5. Assemble Some Wall Cubbies. Short on storage but long on style? Wall cubbies are an easy and unique way to bring life to your walls and help control the chaos. Hang them up with some vintage looking knobs for a truly unique look.
6. Make Mosaic Art. If you want to really show off your creative side, try making your own mosaic art. All you need is a little bit of glue and the pieces that you want to be incorporated. Once it’s ready, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind masterpiece in no time.
7. Install Backsplash. Updating the look of your kitchen can be as simple as installing a new backsplash. Whether you go with classic tiles, a colorful mural, or just a few coat of paint, you can transform your kitchen in a couple of hours.
1. Create a Chalkboard. Chalkboards are a fun and practical way to get creative while staying organized. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, you can make an entire wall out of chalkboard so you have plenty of space to decorate and list out your ideas.
2. Make Pillow Covers. Pillow covers are a great way to add some personality to your couch or beds. You can use leftover fabric scraps or try to hunt down something more plush and luxurious. No matter what you choose, you’re sure to love the end result.
3. Customize Your Light Fixture. You don’t have to live with an outdated light fixture. Get some mason jars and vintage-style bulbs, and you can put together your own light fixture to fit your style without a lot of fuss.
4. Design a Gallery Shelf. Short on wall space? Create your own gallery shelf! Find a frame, cut a piece of cardboard to fit in it, and hang up your favorite books, trinkets, and photographs. You can even paint it any color to make sure it stands out.
5. Make Wall Shelves. Got some old wood lying around? Put it to good use by making some rustic-style wall shelves. You can paint them a vibrant color to add some life to a room, or get creative and distress them for an aged look.
6. Paint Furniture. Create some drama in your space with a coat of paint. Whether it’s a piece of furniture or a display shelf, paint is an inexpensive way to spice up the look of your space. You can use any color in the rainbow —the sky’s the limit!
7. Hang Mirrors. Mirrors can do so much for a room. They can reflect the natural light and add some life to an old wall. Find some old vintage mirrors and hang them up for an instantly updated look.