The holiday season is quickly approaching, which makes this the perfect time to start thinking about ways to breathe new life into your home. The idea of starting a home project can feel daunting because there is the possibility that it could turn into something time consuming and expensive. However, there are many DIY home décor ideas that can be done for under $50 and can be completed in a single weekend. Check out our list of 19 budget friendly, DIY home décor projects that will elevate your living space.
19 DIY home décor projects for beginners
1. Paint your front door
Whether you live in a ranch-style house in San Diego, CA or you just bought a craftsman-style home in Atlanta, GA, you can instantly boost your curb appeal by adding a fresh, vivid coat of paint to your front door. For this project you’ll only need a quart of paint and some paintbrushes, making it the perfect DIY home décor project to do in a single day.
When choosing a type of paint, make sure you pick one that can withstand the elements. Two of the most popular types of exterior paint are acrylic resin or latex-based paint both with a semi-gloss finish. Either one will give a beautiful finish that is strong enough to withstand the elements.
2. Build a unique bookshelf
Display your books with pride by creating a one-of-a-kind pegboard bookshelf. You can pick up a pegboard and pegboard pins at most hardware stores and you can use items lying around your garage, such as hooks, spare pieces of wood, or wire baskets, to make the shelves.
3. Create customized house numbers
Replacing your traditional house numbers with something thrifted or homemade is a great way to show off your personality. Antique stores are a great place to find old number tiles to create your new house number display. If you are looking for something truly one of a kind, try making it yourself.
4. Revamp your kitchen cabinets
Make your kitchen feel brand new by painting your kitchen cabinets. You can pick an eye-catching color to elevate the space or choose a neutral color for a sleek and more traditional feel. To avoid common mistakes, check out our DIY Guide to Painting Kitchen Cabinets.
Pro Tip: Picking up a paintbrush is one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to revamp your home. Colors are powerful, so find a color story that speaks to how you want your home to feel. Whether you’re painting a moody accent wall, changing up the color of your front door, painting a fun mural in a playroom, or refinishing a piece of old furniture to turn it into a statement piece, a paintbrush and the perfect shade of paint is a quick and easy way to transform a space with little to no DIY experience necessary. – A Hosting Home
5. Try peel-and-stick wallpaper
Looking to make a statement with a bold wallpaper? You can install a peel-and-stick option to change up your décor without the commitment of traditional wallpaper. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is also easier to install making it one of the easiest DIY home décor projects for beginners.
6. Create a wreath
Wreaths are a great way to decorate your home for any holiday or occasion. Wreaths are very easy to make and fit any home décor style. To start, all you need is a wire wreath form and florist wire, then you can get inspired and make your masterpiece. Popular materials used for wreath decorating include ribbon, florals, greenery, and pinecones.
7. Arrange a succulent centerpiece
Create a living centerpiece by arranging various succulents in a glass container. Small succulents can be found at most nurseries and they are low maintenance making them the perfect choice for a living centerpiece that will last a long time.
8. Repurpose small crates
Do you have any small crates laying around? Repurpose them by creating a “crate” work of art in your home. Hanging small crates is a unique way to create a conversation piece and are extremely versatile. You can fill them with small plants, pictures, knick-knacks, and books, or you can go for a more rustic look by painting them and leaving them empty.
9. Customize your welcome mat
If you are looking for a 30-minute-or-less DIY home décor project, creating a customized welcome mat is the project idea for you. The best part about this project is that you only need 3 things, a plain doormat, a can of spray paint, and stencils. You can pick up these items from most home décor stores and you will have a new one-of-a-kind welcome mat in no time.
Pro Tip: A welcome mat is likely the first thing someone will see when they come to your house. Give your entryway personality by creating a DIY custom doormat to welcome guests in a fun, unique way. – Visioneering Homes
10. Add a chalkboard to your kitchen
Things can get pretty hectic throughout the week, so having a place to jot down reminders, dinner plans, or grocery items can be a lifesaver. You can create your own reminder board in your kitchen by either hanging a chalkboard or using chalkboard paint on an existing wall and framing it.
11. Paint an accent door
Pro Tip: Instead of painting an accent wall, try an accent door. It’s a quick way to bring an unexpected pop of color into your home, without a lot of cost. I suggest using a high-quality door and trim enamel in a satin or semi-gloss finish. – Haute House Love
12. Install shiplap
Another great way to create an accent wall is by adding texture. Shiplap gives your home more of a rustic feel and you can make it on your own. If you have extra plywood laying around you can trim it down into planks and attach them to your wall using nails or a construction adhesive. Then paint the planks with your desired color and enjoy your new accent wall.
13. Create a DIY picture wall
Make your house a home by choosing your favorite pictures and creating a DIY picture wall. You can go the more traditional route and pick pictures of loved ones or you can turn your wall into a vision board. A vision board wall can include pictures of places you’d like to visit or things you want to accomplish in the future.
Pro Tip: The opportunities are endless with a DIY picture wall. You could even make a collage from the photos that come with photo frames. For example, I had a photo with the quote, ‘Chocolate doesn’t ask silly questions. Chocolate understands’ written on it and I had another poster with a grey and pink printed elephant. I made a dialogue-box shaped cutout from the quote and made a cutout of the elephant and glued them together. Now, it looks like one quirky sticker with the elephant saying the quote. – A Rustic Mind
Pro Tip: You can personalize your walls with easy DIY artwork that can be totally customized to fit your style and color palette. It is a lot of fun and it is something that can be done with the whole family. – Katie Jobling
14. Modernize your shower with new fixtures
Create a more luxurious shower experience by simply swapping out your shower head fixture. There are several different options you can choose from including a dual shower head which provides a fixed and detachable head or a waterfall shower head which can make any day feel like a spa day. If you’re looking to take things to the next level, check out our guide: Simple Shower Remodel Ideas.
15. Incorporate house plants
Starting a DIY home décor project doesn’t mean you have to pick up your hammer – you can elevate your home décor by adding house plants. House plants add a great pop of color and they can also improve the air quality in your home.
Pro Tip: You can also add greenery to the top of toilets, sinks, mantles, nightstands, shelving, or countertops. If you have a green thumb, you can add plants next to your front door or front step to create a welcoming feeling. – The Charleston Home
16. Create hexagon floating shelves
Pro Tip: Do you have an empty wall that needs a little creativity? Hexagon floating shelves are a quick and easy way to change things up. You can build them in all different sizes and paint them to whatever color fits your style. – House to Home DIY
17. Consider creating a modern accent wall
Pro Tip: Create a modern accent wall by mixing up your own Roman Clay. All it takes is a little paint and a pre-mixed joint compound to create a cool stone finish in any color that works on both smooth and textured walls. – Home Sweet Fixer
18. Repurpose window panes
Pro Tip: When looking for a way to revitalize your wall space, consider the appeal of recycled windows. A simple scenery design painted in the glass panes of a repurposed window can even give you the ability to change the look with the seasons. To complete the aesthetic, consider hanging upcycled wooden shutters on either side. – Hobby Masters
19. Update built-in shelving
Pro Tip: Give existing shelving in older homes a facelift. Built-in shelving like a hutch can seem outdated, but it can actually give the home character and charm. Choose a paint color that blends in, update hardware, and add wallpaper to the back to give it extra style. – Laura Lily
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