56 Genius DIY Home Decor Ideas You’ll Want to Try Immediately
Wouldn’t it be nice if, when guests compliment your home, you would be able to say “Thank you, I created it!”? Making your own home decor items is a fun way to add personality to your space while saving some money. Whether your bedroom needs a facelift or your living room could use some creative color, there is a project for you.
This list includes ideas suitable for every skill level, no matter your aesthetic preference — modern, rustic, minimalist, eclectic. From painting and woodworking to upcycling and crafts, you’ll see something to spark your inspiration. Other projects here give new life to everyday items — transforming egg cartons into flowers, for example, and wooden crates into chic planters. So gather your supplies and let’s bring some fresh energy into your home!
Live Edge Shelf
Even an empty corner can become a cozy breakfast nook with a simple floating shelf. This DIY project incorporates a live-edge wooden slab and a floating shelf kit. It adds additional dining capacity in the kitchen without crowding it. Jenni Yolo from I Spy DIY created her own gorgeous version that lends warmth and a welcomed rustic touch to any small space.
Painted Headboard
If you’re renting and can’t replace your furniture, a quick coat of paint applied to a headboard would give fast, joyous results. Designer Julie Rose achieved a wall-to-wall headboard look with two paint colors — a bright green and a soft creamy white. They are separated by a thin black line that adds a sleek and stylish look. It also gives the room a bigger feeling, so it’s a clever trick for small bedrooms.
Cubby Cabinet
Need extra storage? This DIY cubby cabinet is stylish and functional Inspired by vintage apothecary cabinets, this smooth storage solution can store books, office supplies, or seasonal decor. And even better, it’ll only cost you about $15 worth of materials to make your own.
Floral Candlesticks
Transform normal candles into standout décor with an easy DIY hack. Draw floral designs on taper candles with paint markers or acrylic paint. For optimal results, make sure you clean your candles with rubbing alcohol before painting them! These are beautiful decorations for dinner parties or quiet nights at home.
Banquette Backrest
Add some styling to a neutral seating area with these DIY backrests. Designer Ali Henrie suspended cushions from brass curtain rods for a cozy but elegant look. Since most curtain rods can be adjusted, this project is simple and can be easily tailored to fit any space.
Teak Wall Tiles
Make it a spa-like retreat in your bathroom without a major renovation. Interior designer Amy Leferink combined teak panels and tile adhesive for a shower wall. A bench and fresh eucalyptus hangers (the eucalyptus is said to be soothing) add to that high-end, relaxing feel.
Egg Carton Flowers
Transform old egg cartons into cute paper flowers. That work is beginner-friendly Phases and adds a little slice of handmade beauty to your house. All you’ll need is egg cartons, floral wire, paint, and brushes. And it’s a good way to repurpose materials while making a one-of-a-kind decoration.
DIY Wood Plant Stand
Show off your favorite houseplants on a handmade wooden stand. Ideal for plants like snake plants and ZZ plants, this raised stand brings height and style to your greenery. The best part? You can build it in just 45 minutes, so it’s a great weekend project.
Colorful Glassware
Before you hit the stores for new glassware, you can transform old clear jars into vintage-inspired planters. With a special painting technique, you can make store-bought-looking tinted glasses. This low-effort project adds a splash of color to a drinking glass (and also works on vases and decorative pieces).
Hanging Photo Collage
Have a DIY photo display to show off your fond memories. You next attach loops of string to a wooden board with nails or clothespins, so that the clothespins can hold paper in a sort of rotating collage. For an added touch, stain or paint the wood to match your decor. To keep the display looking fresh and meaningful, regularly change up the photos, as suggested by photographer Lumalia Armstrong of Celebrate Again.
Hand-Painted Floors
Your plain hardwood floors can be transformed by a custom-painted design. A checkerboard pattern lends a classic feel, while geometric or floral patterns can impart a more artistic vibe. Outline your design with painter’s tape and seal with a clear top coat for longevity.
Striped Bathroom Wall
Paint stripes on bathroom walls for a touch of charm. Use painter’s tape to ensure clean lines, and opt for contrasting colors for an eye-catching display, or muted tones for a more understated vibe. This simple project instantly makes a tiny bathroom look stylish and updated.
Hanging Bows and Accessories
Hang up accessories, such as hair bows, scarves, or jewelry with a simple hanging system. Mount a tension rod or wooden dowel on a wall, and hang items carefully with hooks or clips. It keeps things accessible while providing a decorative touch.
Decorative Hat Display
If you have a stash of hats, make them wall art. Hang them in a chic grouping with removable hooks. Not only does this save on storage (who needs to store all those shoes if you never wear them) but it also lends a unique travel vibe to your entry or bedroom.
Gilded Candle Holders
Give plain glass jars a makeover by applying gold leaf to the bottom half. Add a thin layer of adhesive, press the gold leaf onto the jar, and smooth it out gently. When dry, fill with candles for rustic elegance.
No-Sew Window Seat Cushion
Make a No Sew Window Seat with Ottoman Wrap a piece of fabric around a cushion as if you’re wrapping a gift and secure it with fabric Velcro or safety pins. This is a simple way to refresh your decor without having to commit to permanent upholstery.
DIY Painted Wallpaper
Instead of using real wallpaper, paint a pattern on your wall using a sponge. Dip the straight edge of a sponge into the paint and stamp that edge against the wall for a chic design. It’s cost-effective and offers unlimited creative potential.
Book-Themed Decor
Use some old book pages to dress up a small space. Cover a wall, individual pages in a frame, or a quote display by cutting out words and placing them together in a meaningful way. This concept translates beautifully into reading nooks, offices, or creative workspaces.
Frame-Filled Accent Wall
Spray-paint old Art Deco picture frames the same color as your wall and arrange them in an unusual pattern. The result is a textured, eye-catching feature wall. To minimize cost, use frames from thrift stores or second-hand.
DIY Ladder Clothing Rack
Transform a pair of wooden ladders into a chic open closet. Put a wooden rod between both ends, hang clothes; put wooden boards across the steps for shoe storage. This is an excellent choice for smaller apartments or minimalist interiors.
Hidden Television
Rather than have your TV be the focal point of the room, conceal it with a roll-out tapestry. You can also opt for a floral, abstract, or neutral design to pair with your decor. This trick makes the pace feel chic while providing easy access to the screen whenever necessary.
Faux Wood Dresser
Update an old dresser with faux wood contact paper. A simple budget hack that takes an hour and changes the whole look of plain furniture. Change out the hardware for a more elevated vibe, and you have a chic, custom piece.
Decorative Pinboard
Set up your own exhibition space with a DIY pinboard Make sure to use a wooden frame and with hot glue attach the small clips. Then paste on your favorite postcards, photographs , or even your child’s art. That makes it quick and easy to swap the decor with the seasons or whenever the spirit moves you.
Hanging Succulent Planter
Display your succulents in a chic hanging planter. Then paint a small wooden crate in a color you like, and keep the pots in place using leather straps. Display it in a sunny space to bring an element of freshly foraged nature into your home.
Cabinet Made From Shutters
Make a one-of-a-kind cabinet for storage from old shutters. Paint them a daring or neutral color that works for your space, then use the completed furniture for stowing away blankets, books, or board games. This particular DIY furniture adds a beautiful rustic, vintage look to any room.
Colorful Bench
Makeover a plain bench with paint and fabric Paint the frame a bright color, and cover the cushion with a cheerful floral fabric. Top off with a couple of cool throw pillows and you’re done. It is a perfect way to give a fresh feel to a piece of furniture that has been with you for some time.
Boat Oar Headboard
For an oceanfront experience, use old boat oars to create a beachy, rustic headboard or just long driftwood planks. The patterned shapes can then be nailed to the wall behind your bed. This headboard adds a coastal charm to any bedroom.
Painted Arch
Create drama in a room with an arch painted in a bold color on one of the walls. Select a color that contrasts to make it pop, or a more gentle hue for a subtle effect. This design hack is particularly effective when used as a backdrop to shelves or a reading nook.
Painted Console Table
Give an old console table new life with a coat of paint. Pick an unexpected bright color to make a statement piece out of it. This is a simple way to revitalize an underused piece of furniture and add a burst of character to your entryway or living room.
Wallpapered Cabinet Doors
Give old cabinets a refresh by covering the doors with wallpaper. Select a modern print or a barely-there texture that suits your decor. To fully transform the kitchen, don’t forget to change out the hardware as well. This no-fuss project brings immediate personality to any kitchen, bathroom, or storage unit.
Coffee Nook
You could even create a trendy coffee nook that will make your morning routine feel extra special. Establish a designated area with shelves for mugs, stirrers, and sugar jars. Add a touch of glamour with wallpaper or a decorative backsplash. You can use a curtain to hide coffee machines and cords for a neat and tidy look.
Autumn-Themed Gallery Wall
Create a seasonal gallery wall to usher in the fall. Gather colorful leaves and display them in simple, identical frames for a uniform aesthetic. This is a great method of bringing warmth and nature into the home while creating an alternative wall to decorate.
Tiled Fireplace
Give your fireplace an eye-catching update with patterned tiles. Opt for geometric design or classic motifs in neutral or vibrant hues to make it the centerpiece of your living space. Top this piece with framed artwork and soft pillows for a sleek and welcoming area.
Console Nightstand
Replace your standard nightstand with a chic console table. The extra length offers an additional surface area for lamps, books, and decorative items. Create a gallery display by hanging a mix of artwork and mirrors above it.
Floating Shelves
Use floating shelves to save wall space. Hang them in your kitchen, living room , or bedroom to showcase decor, books, or plants. It makes for an interesting arrangement to group objects of varying heights, textures, and materials.
Vertical Garden Wall
Plants in the world of outdoor, a vertical garden. Who two, also, took small potted plants and attached them to a wood slat or trellis to create a beautiful living wall. This is great for small patios or balconies where floor space is tight.
Rope Shelf
Make a hanging rope shelf for rustic and functional decor. Use thick jute rope and wooden planks to create a shelf that’s suspended from the wall rail or ceiling hooks. It brings a lovely, home-made feel to any environment.
Upgraded Blinds
Add fabric tape to plain blinds for a custom finish. And if you don’t want to replace an entire set, stick decorative strips along the edges for color and texture. This simple DIY adds instant sparkle to your windows.
Faux Concrete Wall
Give your walls an eight times more low-key industrial-chic update with a faux concrete painting technique. Adding gray paint with a dry brush adds a textured, weathered effect. This is a great method for giving depth and additional life to your space minus the actual concrete.
Half-Painted Art
Transform secondhand artwork into contemporary wall decor. Use a bright color to color-block over half the canvas. Makeover Your Old Art This budget-friendly idea revamps tired art in a modern way.
Rope Banister
For a nautical or rustic look, swap out a traditional wooden banister for thick jute or Pro-Manila rope. Anchor it to the wall with brackets and unfurl the ends for an easy, laid-back vibe.
Secret Shoe Storage
Hide shoe clutter by covering open cubbies with a fabric skirt. Lay a tablecloth or custom fabric down to drape in style, then top it with decorative items, flowers, or books to finish it off.
Star Rope Mirror
Wrap a plain mirror with rope and transform it into a statement piece in the shape of a star. Arrange the rope in a geometric pattern and glue it in place, then hang the mirror for a stunning coastal or boho-inspired decor piece.
Nautical Vase
For an instant stylish coastal upgrade, wrap jute rope around a plain glass or ceramic vase. Use hot glue to secure the rope as you wrap, and stick a bow or seashell in there for extra charm.
Wall-Mounted Easel
Harness the creative potential of any wall with an easel mounted to it. Mount a wooden rod or frame to hold a roll of paper so the kids (or adults) can draw, make grocery lists, or display artwork.
Book Side Table
Stack old encyclopedias or hardbound books to concoct a unique side table. it: Drill a hole through the center of each book, stack over a wooden dowel, and mount to a tabletop for a piece of literary-inspired furniture.
Pom-Pom Trim
Add some pom-pom trim to curtains, lampshades, or pillows for a playful update. Pick a bright contrast color for a fun, eye-catching look, or go for a more subtle version with a matching tone.
Stylish Tissue Box Cover
Dress up a plain generic tissue box by wrapping it with strips of veneer or patterned paper to make it look high-end. Tape the pieces in place and, for a durable finish, add a protective coat.
Spill-Proof Placemats
Make reusable placemats by sealing fabric between sheets of vinyl. It’s easy to sew, and all you need to do is iron the fabric flat, cover both the front and back with clear vinyl, and trim the edges with pinking shears for decoration.
Pillow Pocket
Voila: an old pair of jeans becomes a handy remote control holder. Crop a back pocket down, fuse it onto a pillowcase with some fusible fleece, then press it together. Now you will never lose the remote again!
Shutter Side Table
Transform old farmhouse shutters into a rustic side table. Put together four shutters in a square form, fasten them, and once more top them with glass or wood for a rustic chic piece of furniture.
Print-Out Art
Enlarge a beloved photo, mount it on a piece of paper, and glue wooden slats to the top and bottom for a modern yet simple framed piece of artwork. Korean Traditional Guitar Art: Hangul and Memories in Style This is a great way to display personal memories in a stylish way.
DIY Bench
Use a wooden slab and hairpin legs to create a sleek and modern bench. Bolt the legs to the wood, then sand and stain the surface, and you have a chic handmade seat suitable for an entryway or bedroom.
Dip-Dyed Napkins
Make your own ombre napkins by dipping fabric in dye. Use a mellow gradient that gives your dining table some character with shades that add-in.
Candle Lampshade
Transform stemmed glasses into classy tabletop lamps. Then, insert an LED tea light into each glass and top it with a decorative paper shade for a warm, inviting glow.
DIY Laundry Bag
Organize laundry in a stylish fabric bag. Use a pillowcase secured with an embroidery hoop, attaching a ribbon loop for hanging. This straightforward solution keeps delicate and small laundry pieces together.
Decorating your home can be expensive, so you should consider DIY home decor instead. And with a bit of imagination and elbow grease, any space can be stylish and one of a kind. From upcycling old furniture and refurbishing with fresh paint to finger painting your own decor, these projects demonstrate how making small changes can create big impact. So, gather your supplies, get inspired, and start creating a home that truly reflects your style!
