“We shape our homes and then our homes shape us.”
– Winston Churchill
Are you eager to refresh your home’s appearance without straining your budget? Your search ends here! In this article, we introduce 17 thrilling and cost-effective DIY interior design projects that will infuse fresh vitality into your living spaces. Regardless of whether you’re a seasoned DIY enthusiast or a novice, these projects provide a myriad of options to revamp your home and create a personalized sanctuary. Prepare to dive into the world of interior design creativity, embark on room makeovers, and witness the transformation of your living spaces!
1. Create a Gallery Wall
Gallery walls are an excellent way to display your favourite works of art, photographs and prints. Arrange frames in various sizes and shapes to add a personalized touch to your space. The choice of your frame material can go a long way to making your gallery wall look beautiful. Depending on your style, there are many options for your gallery wall. In your space, you could go for natural-looking wooden frames with a boho or farmhouse theme. You could go for simple black metal finishes if you’re feeling minimalist, and if you’re feeling adventurous, you could purchase some basic frames and spray paint with your choice of colour and texture!
2. Revamp Old Furniture
Don’t discard old furniture – give it a makeover! Sand, paint and reupholster chairs, tables or dressers to match your desired aesthetic. Stephen King once said, “Sooner or later, everything old is new again.” So, that piece of old furniture you’re staring at and thinking of throwing away has a lot of potential to make your space beautiful if you consider revamping it. You could change the hardware to match your taste, and in the case of old dressers, you could pull out some drawers, make it an open shelf, and accessorize with lovely decor pieces. The possibilities are endless!
3. Experiment with Removable Wallpaper
Removable wallpaper provides a versatile solution for introducing patterns and colours to your walls, making it an excellent choice for a swift and temporary room makeover. With a wide array of wallpapers available today, including options like waterproof wallpaper, it caters to various design preferences.
This makes it an ideal choice not only for renters but also for individuals who regularly update their decor. This solution can transform modern small-room interior design compact spaces into stylish and functional retreats.
4. Install Floating Shelves
Floating shelves are both functional and stylish. Install them in your living room, kitchen, or bedroom to display books, plants, and decorative items. If your shelves need more, add wall brackets to give them more character! Make sure to consider the scale of your shelves when choosing items to display. In order to create a unified look, group similar elements in one place. You could also use different heights and depths to create a visually exciting display.
5. Design Your Own Headboard
Headboards can make excellent focal points in a bedroom. You could design a custom headboard for your bed using reclaimed wood, fabric, or even a bookshelf. You could paint specific shapes and even murals to create the illusion of a headboard. It can be a focal point that ties your bedroom together.
6. Update Cabinet Hardware
A simple swap of cabinet knobs and pulls can subsist new life into your kitchen or bathroom. This tip efficiently also works for old furniture. You can choose from eclectic styles and finishes to match your taste.
7. Create Custom Curtains
Curtains are an excellent means of introducing privacy and style to your space. From the choice of fabric to the design of your curtains, there’s a plethora of options to suit your space seamlessly. Crafting your curtains using fabric that harmonizes with your decor is a personalized touch that can make a significant difference.
Additionally, details such as curtain tieback hooks and buckles provide opportunities to infuse a touch of style into your space. Consider these aspects when curating your home theatre interior design to create an immersive and aesthetically pleasing cinematic experience.
8. Build a Book Nook
Book nooks have significant functional and aesthetic features. Not only does it provide a cosy getaway in your space, but it could also double as a lovely design feature. You could go with a more relaxed option of shelves with a built-in sofa or dedicate a reading corner with a cosy chair, side table, lamp and other beautiful accessories. Infuse your personality by showcasing your favourite souvenirs and collectables, making your home uniquely yours.
9. Craft a Unique Coffee Table
Crafting a unique coffee table can breathe fresh life into your living space. Consider using reclaimed wood or vintage crates to construct a one-of-a-kind piece. If you’re feeling particularly creative, you could design a custom mould to create a table in any shape you desire, experiment with resin art, and play with exciting shapes, colours, and materials.
Accessorizing your coffee table is another more straightforward yet effective way to infuse personality into your living space. All these elements contribute to the overall living room design, where every detail can enhance the ambience and aesthetics of your home.
10. Install a New Backsplash
Your kitchen backsplash is an easy way to give your kitchen some character. You can revamp your kitchen with numerous options by installing a colourful or textured backsplash using peel-and-stick tiles and regular tiles that mimic stone or marble. Alternatively, you could get creative and use paint or murals for your backsplash.
11. Design an Accent Wall
Transforming your living space can be as straightforward as a fresh coat of paint on a wall or an accent wall. There are so many options you could have with your accent wall. You could decide on using wallpaper, paint a mural, throw in some floating shelves, and accessorize. It all depends on you. Choose a colour, mural or texture that resonates with your style and breathe new life into your room.
12. Make Your Own Planters
Incorporate nature into your space by introducing plants, flowers and other natural elements into your decor. Your planters don’t have to be boring, either. You could purchase some basic planters and spray paint with vibrant colours if your vibe is a maximalist design. If you’re more of a minimalist person, you could spray paint neutral colours or some stone texture to make your aesthetic look rich! Incorporating plants into your space is a great way to fill a space with nature and create a relaxing ambience.
13. Accessories With Style
If you’ve got a big personality, this tip would be your favourite. Accessorizing is where your personality comes into play. Do you love to collect rocks, seashells, books or pretty things? Go on and put them on display. Personalize your space with accessories like throw pillows, decor pieces, blankets, rugs, artwork and greenery. Dare to mix and match styles and colours for a unique, personal touch, and most importantly, enjoy the process.
14. Clean and Declutter
No one likes clutter! It kills the atmosphere in your space and downplays the amount of work you’ve put into decorating. Maintain a tidy and organized living environment. A neat and clutter-free home exudes an inviting and fashionable atmosphere. If you’re feeling sentimental about specific pieces, go ahead and accessorize with them on floating shelves, credenzas and other surfaces. You can pack up whatever doesn’t need to be in sight neatly into storage rooms as well. Consistently engage in cleaning and decluttering routines to ensure your home maintains its optimal appearance.
15. Add a Rug
The famous saying that a rug ties a room together is true! A small area rug is a great way to infuse style and cosiness into any space. It’s also a great way to incorporate your style as well. From boho rug designs to unconventional styles like afro-fusion, a rug is a much less daunting way to express your design style. Whether positioned in front of the fireplace, nestled within a reading nook, or gracing the foot of your bed, a throw rug is a versatile addition to enhance the room’s ambience.
16. Adding a Mirror
Mirrors do a fantastic job of amplifying natural light and giving the illusion of a more spacious and well-lit room. If you have a blank wall, you could try the gallery wall idea, but instead of framed pictures, you’ll use framed mirrors instead. You can choose a variety of mirror shapes and sizes to create a visually exciting presentation. For a more sophisticated look, you can combine and contrast the various frame styles with mirrors set to varying heights for an innovative composition.
17. Lighting Strategy
Lighting holds substantial influence over a room’s ambience and aesthetic. Lighting is also a great way to create a personalized ambience for yourself. If you like your bright space, you could use higher light intensities that suit your taste. You can employ various lighting fixtures to craft diverse moods and atmospheres that work with your desired ambience.
With these DIY tips, you can transform your home into a personalized haven, tailored to your unique tastes and preferences. Whether you’re an experienced DIY enthusiast or a beginner looking to explore your creative side, these projects offer endless opportunities to enhance your living space, making it a reflection of your personality and style. So let’s get down to business, grab the tools, and begin making your dream house one project at a time.
From repainting walls and crafting custom furniture to installing energy-efficient lighting and creating beautiful outdoor spaces, there’s no shortage of ideas to bring your vision to life. As you embark on this journey, you’ll not only save money but also experience. So, don’t wait – let your creativity flow, and turn your house into the sanctuary you’ve always dreamed of.
Author: Yogita Sawarthia and Oluwatomi Olaosebikan (Interior Designer)
