Most of us enjoy decorating our homes. Home decor symbolizes who we are and allows us to have our interests, personalities, and styles on display. Whether it’s nature-inspired paintings or family photographs, how we decorate our homes says a lot about us. While many of us would love to hire a professional designer and give them an endless budget, that’s impossible for most.
Then there are those folks who prefer designing a space their way. Whether your budget requires it, you love having a hand in decorating, or there are endless possibilities to decorate your home on your own. This blog will explore several home decor projects that are sure to improve the look and feel of your house. From simple accent pieces and a new coat of paint to furniture and lighting, we’ve got you covered with great DIY home decor ideas.
1. Nursery Elegance
When expecting a new baby, parents want everything to be perfect. The nursery is no exception, but sometimes it’s hard to combine our ideas and have them match our other resources like time, money, and space. Luckily, there are several things you can do to extend all three and achieve your vision of nursery elegance.
First, decide what you want the room to look like. Start with choosing colors. Recent nursery color trends include shades of turquoise, green, rose, and lavender. Consider an accent wall or mural that will grow with your baby, like forest scenery or sky images like sun and clouds.
When looking for furniture, don’t be afraid to hit the antique shops, flea markets, or online marketplaces. You’ll likely find pieces like cabinets, armoires, or even small pantries that can be turned into a nice little closet. You can remove the doors, add some fresh paint, or sand it down. Then, insert a tension rod and baskets for clothes, and you’ve got an elegant yet functional piece.
Next, consider the wall decor. You’ll want to keep it simple and have the ability to change as the baby grows quickly, so consider several open shelves of various sizes. You can display stuffed animals, books, photos, trinkets, and keepsakes related to the baby’s birth. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to decorate, and the items can be updated as the baby grows.
When it comes to accent items like curtains are practical but stylish. You want to ensure the room is dark, so consider purchasing an inexpensive set of blackout curtains and ask a friend who sews to make you some custom curtains. One thing you shouldn’t scrimp on is baby crib bedding. Make sure that it’s safe and hypoallergenic. Feel free to add some decorative throws or pillows, but only when the baby is not there.
2. Porch Revamp
The porch is the first thing people see when visiting your home. It acts as the welcome center for guests and the hub for adult relaxation and play time for kids. Unfortunately, it’s often one of the most ignored regarding upkeep and decor.
Luckily, you don’t need to be a modern porch designer to add some panache to your porch. Start by cleaning it well; power wash it if you can. Then, add a fresh coat of paint where needed. If you have a covered porch, adding a crisp white color to the ceiling can help give the appearance of a larger space.
You may even want to consider painting the front door a deep, bold color that will provide depth to the porch. Hit the flea markets and look for inexpensive outdoor furniture, like a loveseat or bench you can paint. Add a cushion and a few pillows for a nice place to sit and watch the world go by. Finally, tie everything together with some flora. Hanging baskets, flower boxes, and planters can go a long way to making a front porch beautiful.
3. Kitchen Related Wall Decor
The kitchen is the heart of most homes. It’s the place where everyone gathers for meals, to talk, where guests are welcomed for coffee and a good chat, so it should be attractive and warm. The good news is you don’t need a complete kitchen remodel to do that. Some simple wall decor touches can help bring your kitchen to life.
If your kitchen needs a fresh coat of paint, this is a great start. Don’t be afraid to add a splash of color or an accent wall. Shelving in the kitchen can give you endless decor possibilities. Use the shelves to display cookbooks, decorative glasses, trinkets, and photos.
Adding hooks to the shelves will let you hang dried herbs and spices. They look attractive while being practical. Add a kitchen-themed wall clock surrounded by a few antique plates or cookware for a fun look. Scour the antique shops for an oversize spice rack.
If you’ve got a bit of wiggle room in your budget, consider adding a relaxing water feature. This could include a fish tank or a fun wall fountain (you may need help from some local plumbers for that one). Finally, set aside a wall for all those fancy woven baskets and charger plates you’ve accumulated. They look great and are at your fingertips when needed.
4. Custom Outdoor Tables and Chairs
Patio furniture can be costly. More and more people are opting to buy plans and use reclaimed wood to give themselves a much less expensive and personalized option. It allows families to personalize the design and have what they need rather than having extra pieces that go to waste. Plan buyers can choose from benches for the garden area, Adirondack chairs for the lawn to sectionals, and deep-set chairs for the deck.
There’s even porch swing plans and lounges for the pool area. If your family likes to eat outside, you can assemble a picnic table of just about any size or shape. You can add storage for custom outdoor kitchen supplies like a snack cabinet or mini fridge.
5. Hanging Plant Boxes
If you love plants and flowers but don’t have a lot of space for a garden or to plant greenery, you can spruce up indoor and outdoor areas with some adorable hanging plant boxes. These boxes can be made of anything from repurposed wood or plastic to ceramic and stone. They typically have hooks on the back, so they can easily be hung off railings or a base fastened to a wall.
There are also plant boxes that can be placed in the window or suspended from the ceiling. They’re easily purchased at any home improvement store, and with some imagination, containers for a project like this can be found just about anywhere. It’s a great way to grow herbs and spices indoors and add color to any space around the house.
Just be careful what plants you choose for specific areas. More delicate plants will not take to extreme weather conditions like sweltering heat. If you’ve got some delicate dill in your house, have the number for air conditioning repairs.
6. Vases From Bottles
Not only is making vases from bottles a fabulous way to add to your home decor, but you’re also recycling. This can also be turned into a hobby and become a family activity. These upcycled vases can be made into personalized gifts as well. You may even be able to turn it into a side hustle.
It’s easy to do and costs very little money. Begin the process by starting your collection. They can be wine bottles (or any alcohol), soda bottles, milk jugs, olive oil bottles, or anything pretty or unique. Ask family and friends to save bottles they think are cute as well.
Next, visit an art supply store and get painter’s tape, craft brushes, paints, ribbon, twine, and anything else that catches your eye. Then, prep your bottles by soaking them in warm, soapy water for at least 30 minutes. This will loosen any labels and get rid of leftover buildup. Rinse the bottles well and allow them to dry completely.
The rest is up to you and your imagination; paint the entire bottle or use the tape to create sharp lines. Taller bottles are best used for a few long-stemmed flowers that look great in the center of a dining room table. Shorter bottles are perfect for larger bouquets that can be placed around the kitchen, bedroom, or bathroom.
7. Nature Inspired Decor
Do you love the outdoors and wish to spend more time in nature? A few easy DIY touches can help you bring the natural beauty of the outdoors to your indoor living space. The best part is that research has shown that natural, earthy home decor can help improve our mental health and clarity. This helps bring a sense of calm to our home and improves our ability to think.
The easiest and most obvious way is to fill the house with lush green plants. You can often find people giving away plants on local forums or offering pieces of various plants that grow quickly. Just a few pots and some soil, and you’re ready for your indoor garden. Landscaping and tree companies will often have supplies that can help you get started. If you’re looking for more indoor nature, consider incorporating wood, stone, or water features in several areas of your home.
Some examples include installing wooden beams, purchasing an electric fireplace that you encase in locally sourced stone, and a water wall or small pond with a waterfall. If you want to keep it simple, add some fresh earth-toned paint, a little wicker, and rattan around the house. Consider some nature-inspired artwork like mountain ranges, beach scenes, and lakes. Don’t be afraid to collect trinkets on your travels, either. Things like seashells, driftwood, and unique rocks can add to your home decor in a very personal way.
8. Pet Pampering Station
If you’re a pet owner, you know they have a way of taking over. We love them like children, so we let it happen, but what if there was a way to keep them happy and pampered while keeping our home decor intact simultaneously? There are several options that you can easily do to turn part of your home into an attractive and decorative area for your pet.
Suppose you’ve got an enclosed porch. It’s easy to install a perch for your pet to look out the window. Adding a scratching post for cats and some dog chew toys will help keep the rest of your house from being chewed up and scratched.
You can also upcycle a cabinet to keep out there for supplies like food, cat litter, grooming, and the occasional dog haircut. This way, there’s no pet clutter anywhere. If you don’t have a porch, consider using a spare room or putting up some floor screens to make a separate area for pet beds, litter, food dishes, and a toy box.
9. Door Decors
Having a stunning front door that’s unique is easy to do and doesn’t require a new door installation. There are several options when decorating your door; it depends on your style and what you want to convey to your neighbors. If you’re all about fun, consider an interchangeable hanger. This base unit could be made of wood or plastic and has pieces that can be changed with the seasons. You can purchase a kit or create your own.
If you’re a bit more conservative with decor, adding a simple wreath will surely add style to your door. Some people hang their family initials on the door or install a unique doorknocker. These items can run from fun and light to Gothic and classic. Right now, the trend is all about year-round lights, which can be applied as a border for your door. You may also want to install faux Tiffany adhesive on the glass to present a classic design.
We hope these DIY home decor ideas inspire you to try them around your home. Remember that these are springboard ideas to help you get started. Ultimately, your home decor should be centered around your lifestyle and interests to make the decor meaningful and comfortable for you and your family.