Project Ideas

The kids love it.

This idea may just spark some inspiration. 

That old world charm is just a few DIY days away.

Make a space that can do it all!

These off-the-shelf products can really make a difference in your home.

There's extra space right under your nose.

According to real estate agents.

"There’s always something going on within the four walls of my apartment — whether it’s testing a new recipe for my blog, tinkering with the interior design of the apartment, an art or DIY project, hosting friends for a mandoo (Korean dumplings) party, or simply cranking away at my computer," writes Christine Han, a Korean-American recipe developer and food blogger who founded the blog, Dear Saturdays.

Kelby Mayberry and her husband, an active duty member of the military, share their home, this 1,300-square-foot rental duplex, with their two young kids and their pets. They've thrifted and DIYed a lot of elements in the home for a budget-friendly and stylish space.

According to HGTV experts.

An easy way to give your home a little bit of old-world charm.

The renter-friendly solution to dark closets.

I'm obsessed.

Longtime renters, take note.

There's also a DIY TV stand and a hanging pendant light made from a hat!

Alyse Eisenberg hacked IKEA storage pieces to look more expensive than they are, found items at scrap yards, vintage stores, and second-hand stores, and DIYed art to design this large rental apartment she shares with her husband.

A smart way to address the problem of small space, with both beds and storage in the same footprint.

From "I feel comfortable using thumbtacks" to "Let me get my power tools," we've got a little something for everyone.

Finally give your kitties the privacy they desire.

Because we know you want plants EVERYWHERE. (We do, too.)

It'll even save you money on cans of paint!

These spaces might be tight, but they can also be stylish and efficient.

The breakfast bar may have started out as just a place to scarf your morning cereal, but as anyone who’s ever been in a home with one can attest, if there’s a kitchen island with seating, that’s where everyone will be hanging out, guaranteed. They’re great for people who love to cook too.

It's time to rethink this narrow, but mighty, spot.

This lighting fix is a dream for renters (and homeowners!).

Ready to give one a go? Start here.

This 1906 Craftsman house in Los Angeles got a kitchen remodel, but instead of stripping away ALL the vintage charm, they refreshed the space and honored previous eras.

The idea was inspired by a mother-daughter trip to Scotland.

Here's how you can apply.

From the quick and easy to weekend warrior style.

White kitchens have their place, but these might just be better.

Tired of your stuff? Here's how to refresh what you've already got so it feels brand new again.

Proof that any project is possible.

There's life in them yet.

The bluebird—a symbol of joy and happiness in various cultures—was Pat’s favorite.

Even if your jeans don’t look all that faded, a black dye bath helps fill in worn areas around the seams and pockets, making them look new again in just 30 minutes.

One of the most dramatic renovations to the condo is the new modern kitchen; most everything was updated save for the original lighting in the narrow room.

In this day and age, we often post photos to Facebook or Instagram and then forget all about them. But with so many clever ways to display printed pictures around the house, why not round up your favorite photos and start decorating?

Your entryway is the first area that guests see when they walk into your home, so it's only natural that you want it to look welcoming, at the very least. But shouldn't it go a step beyond that?

A dark and dated back room is now an airy and bright master bedroom with gorgeous exposed ceiling joists.

As long as the tap turns on, you don’t really think about your water. But you may have a problem that shows up in other ways, and hard water is one you should definitely pay attention to.

Cali Gabrielle must be a magician, because she made an ugly old house turn into an absolutely stunning home.

There’s a certain childish delight in the idea of literally climbing into bed every night and settling into your own private sleep cubby.

Here are seven errors that really stick out for three Los Angeles-area landscape designers and architects.

From freshening up your fabrics to doing a deep clean, there are plenty of projects to help you transform your living room from a cozy winter hideaway to an uplifting spring oasis. “We love to swap out heavier blankets and throw pillows for lighter, fresher textiles. Linen and cotton blankets draped on the sofa add a new textural layer,” advises owner and interior designer Jessica Salomone of Philadelphia-based Lotus and Lilac Design Studio.

For some, the image of fresh, clean clothes whipping in the breeze conjures up the happy feels, but to me it just means lugging around a heavy basket of wet clothes, fiddling with clothespins, and dealing with unwieldy drying racks. No thanks. I love having a dryer and when it breaks, laundry is an unwelcome and tedious chore. Here are a few simple things I do to keep my dryer working properly, and how to troubleshoot when yours isn’t.

When my husband and I bought our first fixer upper home, it was a rude awakening. My parents rented during my whole childhood, so I had no experience with homeownership. My dad also worked in new home construction, so neither did I soak up valuable old house wisdom at his knee. Still, I am drawn to houses in need of serious TLC, and have learned a lot over the years about what it takes to own one—stuff that I didn’t learn on TV.

Some single-use gadgets and home tools just take up space versus regularly make our lives easier. It’s hard to purchase an entire device that just de-pills sweaters, for example, when you know it will wind up languishing in your cabinet or drawer. Which is why it’s great to discover multiple handy uses for ordinary objects and materials you already have lying around the house. Today’s unsung household hero: sandpaper.

This was a fairly ordinary room, with a pretty pitched ceiling and what looks like a lot of nice light coming in from the ceilings and skylight. After an epic months-long DIY, it’s now a stunning home office with one very special accent wall. Notice anything different?

If you are decorating on a budget, or just want to try something a little unique, you don't have to shell out a lot of money on a new one, or even buy one at all.

Anne-Claire recently completely a guest bathroom makeover and was so pleased with the results of that project that her own master bathroom suddenly looked, in comparison, a little sad and cluttered. She decided to change up that one too, but wanted to keep the project small and cheap (and doable), so major moves—like changing the tiles—were not an option. The whole project took a week and cost around $130.

At this point, most of us can spot a BILLY bookcase, KALLAX cubby, or LACK table a mile away. Basic and affordable, they’ve been some of the most popular items at IKEA for years, and our first apartments would’ve been bare without them.

Try these tips on for size.

Vancouver-based Kristina Steinmetz knows her way around a good DIY. Her site, Ich Designer, is filled with clever and sophisticated home projects and IKEA hacks that have surprisingly humble origins and price tags. We recently featured her re-done mudroom, and her latest living room makeover might be even better. Here’s a wider shot, so you can get more of a sense of the whole room. It was in good shape but definitely needed an update.

Rest easy in your new home.

Weighted blankets have been around for awhile, but more and more people are catching onto their benefits these days. If you haven’t tried one, the extra weight provides comfort and mimics the feeling of being hugged. Snuggle under one to help reduce anxiety levels, or even get a better night’s sleep. (If you’re trying one out for medical reasons, you might want to speak to your doctor first.) The blankets are even sometimes used in Occupational Therapy for autism.

Before Ashley put her guest house up on Airbnb, she wanted to give the bathroom a fun update. It was simple and sparse in comparison to the rest of the home, so, even though she was working on a tight budget, she was determined to use her DIY tricks and unique style to make it an exciting space for guests. Ashley carved as much time out of her schedule as she could—during nap times, evenings, and weekends—to work on the bathroom.

We all know about the transformative power of paint for your wall, ceilings, and even floors, but have you thought about updating your furniture? With all the great colors and techniques out there, it’s easy to freshen up an over-loved piece or thrift flip something plain and make it extraordinary. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite paint transformations to get you started. Faux textured furniture can quickly look dated once the original finish gets dinged.

IKEA estimates they sell one of their BILLY bookcase every five seconds, which means there are a lot of BILLY bookcases out there in the world. It’s probably the most recognizable product in the canon of IKEA merchandise, and it’s endlessly versatile and adaptable to different rooms and situations. What better way to celebrate its 40 years on the planet than with some hacks?

Although her two classic cherry wood dressers looked great for their age, Lindsey of Repurpose and Recycle wanted to style them to fit in with the rest of her modern farmhouse bedroom. They’ve been in the family since the ’80s, so it’s no wonder they needed a bit of an update. The Restoration Hardware Printmaker’s collection gave her the inspiration, but the result was two totally original, unique pieces of furniture.