Project Ideas

I love lamp, but now I can love my lampshades too!

Sure, there’s something exciting about purchasing a brand new piece of furniture – it’s dust-free, scratch-free, (sticker-free if you’re parent to a toddler) and demands the spotlight of attention when you walk in the room. But what if I told you that you could have the same feelings about a previously purchased piece picked up from the local consignment store?

It’s about time to try a new DIY project using a glorious old Italian technique: terrazzo-ing. Is that an official word yet? I think what makes terrazzo so appealing – aside from making great use of remnant materials – is its convertibility and variety. You can customize it numerous ways, from color choices to the scale of the pieces, to the materials you use, which is a dream for creative types.

Don't let them harsh your design mellow.

Got some outdoor space — a teeny balcony, deluxe patio, humble patch of grass, or minimalist concrete pad? Congratulations! Now that you’re part of the landed gentry, you’ll want some privacy. Block prying eyes, wind, and sun with these DIYs, ranging from projects requiring power tools I’ve never heard of to tutorials that amount to basically, “zip a zip tie” and “dig a hole.

Flexible and fun inspiration for your upcoming DIY projects.

Numerous studies support the fact that being surrounded by nature is good for your health, but who knew that getting out into the wild and foraging about could also up your home decor game? In a Chicago home brought to life by two artists, we saw homeowner Caroline Robe design this genius foraged-turned-functional floor lamp out of an untouched tree branch, causing us to wonder, “why didn’t I think of that?”.

There was a lot to take in with this Spanish home tour. Like an amazing kitchen, stunning stairs, dreamy furniture and more. If you didn’t notice each incredible design detail of the home’s 7000 square feet, I wouldn’t blame you. So much to soak up! But while inspiration can be gathered from every room, there was one particular design idea I spotted in the nursery and loved…and it’s something I’ve never seen before.

There's even one trick that gives you a whole new look for free.

Oversized knit blankets crafted from chunky yarn and PVC-pipe needles have been floating around Pinterest for a few years now. And while the finished projects looked amazing, I couldn’t bring myself to buy supplies that would take up any more space in my apartment. But now that needle-free arm knitting has hit the DIY scene, I’m 100% on board with giant knit everything.

Everything about Aysu Sener‘s Dutch home is lovely. The color palette is warm and welcoming. A mix of textures adds an atmosphere of coziness. And of course, there’s Aysu’s beautiful macramé work. Upon closer reflection, though, the genius of Aysu’s interior design skills reveals itself. Her organic modern living room holds a secret: The statement wall behind the couch is show-stopping, unique and deceptively simple to recreate.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Finding affordable art that you actually like is one of the hardest parts of furnishing a home. And once you finally find the pieces, you realize that frames cost even more than the art itself (yikes!). As per usual, IKEA (combined with brilliant bloggers around the web) saves the day with wall decor DIYs and art-hanging hacks that are totally within budget. You can kiss those blank walls buh-bye.

There are plenty of changes you can make to your bathroom that will have a big impact — even if you're a renter not an owner.

In truly tiny apartments, it’s not uncommon for renters to forego the traditional coffee table simply to squeeze in a little more seating. An extra chair or two means more room for friends, but once everyone’s there, where do you set down your drinks or serve the popcorn in a coffee-table-less room? To solve your insufficient surface area woes, DIY one of these ledges, c-tables or shelves that tuck into areas you didn’t even know your living room had.

The $35 unfinished pine dresser from IKEA is a blank slate for your creativity. To show how it can be customized to match any decor style—no matter if your signature look is understated or over-the-top—we hacked this dresser two ways. Keep it simple with some paint and a bit of patterned gift wrap, or embrace elaborate bohemian details with bone-inlay stenciling. Either way, you’re going to get extra storage with serious style.

The cube-shaped EKET cabinet has us thinking outside the box, to all the stackable, modular options this simple design presents. By adding wheels to the bottom and stacking one on top of another using Velcro, you can easily switch out the cabinets or roll them from room-to-room—proving that this little storage unit has big potential.

Activated charcoal—an ingredient perhaps best-known as those black specks in our Brita water filters—has recently been showing up in everything from trendy ice cream to skincare products. Beloved for its detoxing abilities, this it-ingredient is credited with cleansing skin, whitening teeth and treating acne. To get in on the skin-clearing natural wonder, we picked up some food-grade activated coconut charcoal and put it to work in marbled soap bars and bath bombs that mean business.

While essential oils have been used for aromatherapy for hundreds of years, these all-natural scents are seeing a spike in popularity as more people are learning about their de-stressing and energizing abilities. Derived from plants or flowers, most often through steam distillation, essential oils can be used to make scented candles, oil diffusers, even pest repellants.

Sug-what? Pronounced seew-grew, this sticky substance is like moldable glue that’s clay-like out of the package, then hardens to rubber after 24 hours. People have found all sorts of ways to fix and create things with this flexible, interesting stuff. But perhaps most intriguing is its potential for renters.

After you shell out cash for furniture, rugs, sconces and duvet covers, the thought of paying even more for artwork is overwhelming. We hear you! But if you aren’t artistic enough to draw or paint your own art, adorn those empty walls with free photos, illustrations and patterns that are up for grab online. Here are seven of our favorite, less-than-well-known sources to score free images. The only cost is the frame.

If you assume you can’t afford to deck the walls in your apartment, you may just need to think outside the art gallery. Craft supply stores, thrift shops and your own closet seem like unlikely places to find wall decor, but all it takes to transform common objects into art is a fresh frame of mind—and some inexpensive frames. A handmade textile is a work of art whether you hang it on the wall or not, so go ahead and put a favorite fabric in a frame.

This month, Apartment Therapy teamed up with a bunch of talented knitters — like Anne Weil from Flax & Twine — to give you a rich mix of informative posts about this useful and meditative craft, including resources and original patterns. If you’ve never picked up knitting needles before, this is a great time to start. See the entire knitting series right here, and here’s Anne: I love all the amazing chunky fiber that is out on the market these days.

IKEA says: The FLEKKE daybed is four functions in one: seating, single bed, bed for two, and two big drawers for storage. The backrest mounts on the right or the left side of the daybed. Real wood veneer will make this bed age gracefully. What We Predict: Buyers will find countless ways to make this daybed more custom, not to mention comfortable. DIYers will capitalize on the built-in storage and make it even more functional for small spaces.

When we moved to our Canadian home in the middle of the winter, furniture-less and looking for indoor weekend activities, we turned to Home Depot and online tutorials and decided to make some stuff. Here are three surprisingly easy and effective projects we think you should try at home in 2017 — you can see them in our recent house tour. This is by far the easiest DIY we tackled. It takes all of two steps: screwing a bracket to the wall and wrapping a pendant light around it.

Here’s a brilliant idea: invite your pals over for a wine and crafts night (we recommend starting with these simple eucalyptus wreaths), and then use the empty bottles to craft these simply stunning candle holders. Fill each bottle with pine sprigs and berries collected during winter walks, and then top them off with taper candles. These Scandinavian-inspired beauties will make any space feel merry and bright.

The thought of making paper snowflakes may remind you of childhood memories of cutting out wonky, misshapen snowflakes only a mother could love. While the concept remains the same, this time around, the look is much more sophisticated— and your improved motor skills will come in handy. Armed with a quick tutorial, some project inspiration and a pair of scissors, you’re ready to snip your way to a winter wonderland.

Try this over the weekend.

The holidays are here, and if the more traditional combos of red and green or blue and silver aren’t your ideal color schemes, you can still add some festivity to your decor by taking it in a more neutral, simple-chic direction. One way to do that is with strands of simple white lights. If you still want a bit of color, natural elements like greenery and branches are the perfect complement to twinkling lights.

Karyn and Jessica’s beach bungalow is an ever-evolving small space. This is what Karyn had to say in 2013: I had just moved to the island of Coronado and had the perfect bungalow apartment in mind. I envisioned something small but homey with a comfortable outdoor area. The universe must have been on my side because not two minutes after making my wish list I found the perfect studio apartment. Being a designer has its perks, especially after walking into this place.

It’s that time of year where we prepare to hibernate. That means cozy socks, piles of blankets, and lots and lots of candles. Thankfully making all those candles on your own is easier than you think. The best part about it is that you can make candles that are completely custom for you — which means your favorite scents in containers that match your style or space. Here are nine great DIY candle and container combos to help keep you busy (and cozy) this season.

IKEA’s winter photoshoots are treasure troves of seasonal inspiration. Even if you don’t buy a single ornament from them this year, take these styling tips and decorating ideas back to your own home. Some are tweaks on familiar tradition, but all of them embrace the warm atmosphere and special feeling of the holidays. Go Dark: Instead of bright colors and garish decorations, go for a moodier, cozier space (lead image above).

We recently finished redoing Tara’s rental kitchen, transforming it from a 1970s nightmare into a more livable and lovable space. After doing the more substantial stuff — like painting cabinets and redo-ing the floors — we added a bunch of space-saving storage to make it a small kitchen superstar. It doesn’t take much, just a few 5-minute projects here and there.

Krys has a totally understandable addiction to thrifted chairs. This lovely lady got a stunning makeover with the help of some chalk paint and a very glamorous upholstery. From Krys: Confession: I’m a little bit of a chair hoarder. If I see a vintage chair at a flea market and it’s under $20 I usually end up coming home with it.

Liz’s bedroom was already a cozy and serene space with a sloped ceiling and white plan walls, but she wanted to add a little something special. From Liz: To get this project started, I adapted a few ideas from one of my favorite bloggers, Jenna Sue. This girl has added amazing faux wood beams in her home and recently did a bathroom makeover with lace curtains around a clawfoot tub that seriously left my jaw on the floor. It was to die for, you guys!

Sarah and Nick purchased their 1924 traditional island cottage in 2013, and spent the next five months renovating much of their new home. They were working with a very tight budget and a very real deadline; baby number two was on the way and the couple had made a pact that the kitchen be completed before his birth. Naturally, this made tackling the project a particular challenge.

Super chunky knits are all the rage right now (we even had Kaitlin arm knit us a blanket on Facebook Live). After watching a cozy throw get knit in just 15 minutes, I wondered what other cool things you could make with this gorgeous bulky yarn. Here are five more projects for your home that you can arm knit in an afternoon: Who can say no to a chunky knit pillow? This is the sort of cushion cover that would cost nearly $100 at a store, but you can make for about $30 in yarn.

Find out how to hack or recreate these covet-worthy architectural details.

I had a dollhouse as a kid and have been a “miniac” every since. Thankfully it’s my job to share this stuff, because I could look at these all day and not get a damn thing done. Prepare to enjoy tiny versions of all the home stuff you love in real life. If you like high-end furniture and shopping accessories, check out Phillip Nuveen’s collection of Herman Miller (as shown above), Chanel & Louis Vuitton creations. Above, a miniature fish tank from Kristi on Etsy.

Now, this is what we call a couple’s costume. You get a cute-yet-creepy Venus Flytrap Fascinator, your pooch gets a sweet set of monarch wings to go along with it. Crafted from lightweight felt that’s looped right onto your pet’s harness, this is a costume your dog won’t mind prancing around in.

Because every Burt needs an Ernie, Thelma goes with Louise, and who wants to see Siegfried without Roy? It’s more fun to dress up with someone else for Halloween, and it’s doesn’t need to be your honey. Team up with a friend for the party or parade, and use these two-person costumes ideas for inspiration. 1. Mike and Eleven from Stranger Things, from Shrimp Salad Circus 2. Unicorns from Brit & Co. 3. Zoolander and Hansel from Brit & Co. 4.

Stacy’s rental bathroom started out just fine. She had white and grey tile floors, a grey-blue wall color, and a white pedestal sink. The bathroom was tiny, but there was a separate counter and mirror from the sink, with plenty of space to store her products. The only trouble was the green countertops, which made the bathroom feel dark and dingy despite it being light everywhere else.

A lot pretty, a little creepy—this Venus Flytrap Fascinator is exactly the look we’re going for this Halloween. Constructing this headpiece is less work than assembling a head-to-toe costume, but the look is still every bit as eye-catching. Watch the how-to video to see how it all comes together.

Start with your pup’s own harness, hoodie or raincoat, and easily transform them into a ridiculously adorable outfit for Halloween — all without a stitch. And hey, want to match your pet? These dog costumes are great on their own, but we’ve even come up with human costumes to match. Together you two will be the hit of the pet parade. A Poncho Becomes . . . A Stick of Butter Above, Zuzu’s yellow raincoat does double duty as packaging for a stick of butter.

House plants are a great addition to any home and stylish planters make them even more part of your decor. We asked artist and surface designer Dana Finnigan to share her favorite method for making a handmade tile planter — which you can customize with your own pattern. Take it away Dana…. 10 x 10 cm Tiles (or, for U.S.

Inspired by tropical trends and natural woven decor that screams summertime, we’ve created some simple DIY projects that work room-altering magic. Start with a $10 IKEA lamp, a $4 pillow cover, an $8 mirror, and those wire baskets you have lying around—add some basic crafting supplies—and presto, each of these items looks more chic. Whether you do one project or dive in on all four, your home is going to get a serious dose of style. This room features four super-easy upgrades.

No matter if you have a non-existent entryway or a spacious foyer, this is one of those spots where clutter seems to pile up before anyone notices. Lucky for us, we can always count on IKEA as an endless source of inspiration for team clutter control. Add one of these hacks or upgrades to your entryway and you’ll gain some extra storage space that also makes a great first impression. When in doubt, wall mount.

If you’re short on space, lofting your bed is one of the best ways to magically gain square footage. However, sleeping in the sky is not without its challenges—I’m looking at you, late-night ladder navigation. Here are 14 ways to make your loft bed dreamy. The built-in cubby smartly stores extra pillows and blankets—and books, if you’re me. The addition of a bedside outlet is so helpful, allowing for a phone charger, radio, fan, and more.

I’m a huge fan of the concrete and cement planter trend that’s been popping up on DIY blogs for a while now—but while painting the dull gray surface of standard concrete works, I knew there had to be a cooler way of coloring these little plant homes. After some research and hands-on testing, it turns out that the trick is starting with white concrete and stirring in powdered pigments. From there, the sky’s the limit. Marble them, create an ombre stack, go two-tone.

While winter brings to mind ornate wool rugs and sturdy but plain salt- and snow-soaked doormats, summer rugs can be lighter and more playful. Buy and dye some dollar store clotheslines or recycle your old climbing ropes and get to knitting, crocheting, coiling, or just good old-fashioned gluing. This tutorial requires $16 worth of clothesline rope and some hardcore crochet skills, and the result is totally spa-worthy.

Curb appeal is about your home’s first impression—the face it presents to the world (and to you, when you come home every day). And while you may think of your home’s exterior as something that’s difficult to change without investing a lot of money and time, there are actually quite a few (really simple, DIY) things you can do to enhance your home’s curb appeal—many of them without even picking up a hammer.

One of my favorite small space hacks is swapping your bookcases for wall-mounted shelving. We’ve created roundups of wall mounted shelving systems before, but for those of you who are especially crafty there are also plenty of DIY options. Here are eight different DIY ways to turn a blank wall into a storage mecca. Above: Dabito from Old Brand New used components available at the hardware store to create this wall-mounted shelving system, which includes a desk.

Living the budget life is not easy and college grads know this more than anyone! During this exciting (read: stressful) phase of your life, having a cozy home that feels like your own space is so essential! After all, you need somewhere to kick up your feet after a busy day of chasing your dreams. If you’re on a budget, how can you create a beautiful home that’s not a mishmash of hand-me-down furniture? Here are some DIY ideas to help you stay on budget AND create a home you love.

Raise your hand if you’ve ever had shampoo explode in your luggage. Or if you’ve ever had a really unnecessary spat with your spouse about loading dirty dishes into a clean dishwasher. See? These things are totally universal problems that we all face. And that means, yes, somebody’s already thought of the perfect solution. Solution: This case from Lovely Indeed, made from a Tic Tac container.

Windows over sinks tend to draw the eye, which means that this small area in your kitchen has a lot of visual responsibility. Taking some time to dress it up — even a little bit — can change the entire look and feel of the room, and reward you tenfold. Erin of Francoise et Moi painted the window frame a pretty blue to make it stand out, and topped it off with brass hardware.

There are so many ways to customize your IKEA furniture, but here’s one that’s really, really easy: contact paper. And lest you were convinced that contact paper is weird and tacky and always looks terrible, these ten projects are here to prove you wrong. Above: Blogger Jonathan Lo, of Happy Mundane, bought his IKEA desk in a birch finish, but wanted something a little darker that would match his vintage midcentury furniture.

Just because you're only in your place for a year or two doesn't mean you can't make it a home.

We often turn to IKEA for cheap storage options, which makes their basic wardrobes a popular item in a lot of homes. Clever DIY projects and hacks pop up as people discover ways to upgrade the units to look more expensive and custom-built in their spaces. Here are 8 great projects to think about yourself: Designer Tommy Smythe updated his PAX doors with molding and vintage knobs. Combined with the sleek black paint, this new storage looks high-end and beautiful.