Before and After: A $0 (Yeah, That’s Right) DIY Entry Redo Done in an Afternoon

Entryways are important: They’re the first impression guests get when they come inside your home, but—more crucially—they’re a key landing point for when you’re coming and going. An organized, joy-sparking entry can make all the difference in how you live at home. That’s what Kari Hillman found at her place, where a tiny little entry space had succumbed to a blah, boring beige. “It’s a simple space that sees a lot of traffic but had not yet been given any attention,” Kari says of the space before. “I wanted to create a fun contrast in an area that a lot of people see as they come and go, myself included.”

Since the space was tight, Kari needed to work in a small space to create max impact—without creating an area that felt overwhelming. So one afternoon, Kari set to work transforming the wall using only materials she had on hand.

Kari’s a seasoned DIYer, so she had an arsenal of materials at her disposal. For the painted accent wall, she reached for leftover paint from another accent wall project in the house. The wood was also a remnant of another project she’d done; so was the stain that she used to give it a warm walnut-toned finish. And the hooks? “They were something I picked up at Target nearly two years ago and finally found a spot for!” Kari says.

After painting the wall, and staining the wood, Kari attached the hooks and then mounted the wood to the wall. And… that’s it! The whole project was done in less than a day, with zero dollars invested. And the impact is big, Kari says, since the black wall helps highlight the vintage tile floors and the hooks add a little hit of fun. “I love the way the dark paint contrasts with the light that flows in this room every day,” Kari says. As far as advice for others, Kari has some wise words: “Just jump in and have fun!” she says. “It is an easy project to change later if desired, so don’t overthink it!”

Inspired? Submit your own project here.