DIY Decor & Accessory Home Projects

Leave the spices behind!

For less than $500, thanks to IKEA hacks and contact paper!

Pick a couple or do them all—either way, you'll be rewarded with a little more joy at home this month.

"It feels like we added an entire room," says the homeowner.

These escapes are downright dreamy.

You'll get a better result for less time, money, and hassle by following these pro painting tips.

Now there's tons more room to relax.

With a little bit of paint, family photos, and frames from Michael's!

"The only thing I would do differently is I should've done this project years ago," the homeowner says.

And without outdoor space or a washer/dryer!

The before? "Tremendously ugly," says the homeowner—but she saw the potential.

These bird feeders are charming and easy to make,.

I have always loved the look of an origami lampshade — the simplicity and graphic nature makes it a statement piece in any home. When my friend Erin showed me her new book Paper Parties, I couldn’t believe how easy it was to replicate one of these at home, for a fraction of the price you will pay in the shop, and you get to choose any pattern you would like!

Do you have a love/hate thing with your window A/C unit? Love overfloweth when it’s hell hot in the summer, and then the hate kicks in during winter when it’s nothing but an ugly appliance that lets in cold air. Let yourself get excited when it’s finally time to either: a) remove it from the window entirely; or b) cover that baby and forget about it for awhile. Store or Insulate Your Window Unit: The gaps around air conditioner units cause major energy loss.

My love affair with mudcloth is well documented. If you are unfamiliar with the stuff, mudcloth is a somewhat heavy fabric, sewn in strips, and dyed naturally with mud. It usually has a graphic pattern of geometric lines and dots, in high contrast black and white. Given the process of making it, it’s no surprise that the real deal is also somewhat expensive.

Ask any cat owner with an ounce of decor-savvy what is amongst their top “pet peeves” and litter boxes will likely be high up there (right next to surprise phantom hairballs). Most litter boxes aren’t much too easy on the eyes, and some are just crazy contraptions that forgo any apparent forethought about decor-friendliness (we did roundup our favourite cat litter boxes not that long ago, so all hope is not lost).

I was warming up to make a bunch of wagon wheel coffee table jokes — most referencing When Harry Met Sally — when I realized this is actually a mill wheel. We’ll just have to appreciate this project for what it is: an approachable, unique upcycle of a neglected old piece of equipment. Here’s how this project came to be, according to Roxanne of The Honeycomb Home: While at a flea market, an old wooden wheel caught my eye. The seller said it may have been from a grist mill.

Small changes can make a big difference in your space.

Cooler weather means wearing jeans frequently, and wearing jeans frequently means wearing jeans out more quickly than you ever thought possible. If your favorite pairs are ripping, fraying, or just showing more wear-and-tear than you’d like, these 10 DIYs will keep them functioning and looking fabulous all fall. If you want a basic fix without adding too many distracting elements (these are jeans after all), try this tutorial on how to add a denim patch inside your favorite pair.

Good design is in the details—no matter how small. Today we’re here to shine the light (pun intended) on those white plastic light switch plates that are so commonplace, they’re often overlooked as permanent fixtures. No matter what your style, we promise there’s a wall plate that complements your home design better than the existing smudge-prone standard. All you need is a screwdriver and a few bucks, so start swapping.

No soil needed.

Ready for the most elegant party trick we’ve seen in a long time? Take just one cloth napkin and a pretty napkin ring and turn them into a beautiful bow to top off your table. If you’re hosting a holiday party or a casual get-together, use this bow-shaped accent to dress up each place setting. We’re willing to bet your guests will be begging to know how you made them.

Over the years, we’ve shared a lot of money-saving projects, large and small. If you can make something at home easily and cheaply, why wouldn’t you? Save some cash and flex those DIY muscles with these ten ideas for things to make rather than buy, from the Apartment Therapy and Kitchn archives. Your wallet and your home will thank you. Household cleaners. Ban chemicals from your home once and for all, and save pennies too with these recipes for eco-friendly cleaning products.

This fix is cheap, easy, and super luxe-looking.

Between beige walls, brown floor tiles, and oak wood cabinets, most rental apartments have cornered the market on neutral. If your walls are the color of a bandaid, and your landlord has no pity for your palette woes, it’s up to you to take the bull by the horns and deal with it. One of the easiest ways to combat the lack of vibrant color is with really bold bedding and artwork. You’d never walk away from Jen & Kirstie’s happy, welcoming rental and think it’s boring.

It’s March, which means tulips are popping up in stores everywhere. Take advantage of the tulip season, and learn the dos and don’ts for making them last longer and look their best. Plentiful clean water is pretty important to these pretty little flowers. When you’re first arranging them in their vase, re-cut each one so water has the best chance to travel up the stems.

With the warm season starting, I’ve become obsessed with all things white. So I’ve returned to my rental white walls in the bathroom, which feels so fresh and clean for summer. Check out the results below. I used the same color on the baseboard and moldings so I didn’t need to worry about that clean line of paint as the color changes (the most frustrating part of a painting job to a self-proclaimed lazy perfectionist).

It’s happened: my five-month-old has started rocking on her hands and knees and I’m well aware of the next logical step — crawling. It’s just about time to start baby-proofing the house. I’ve done it before so it shouldn’t be too difficult, but the one place that we were never able to stylishly address was the fireplace.

These pro picks are versatile and affordable.

We’ve all heard the phrase “they don’t make ’em like they used to,” which in my experience, cannot be more true when it comes to quality-made furniture. Dovetailed drawers or burled wood veneer seems to have been replaced by the convenience of assemble-yourself, particle-board furniture. Although these pieces are affordable, the poor construction quality makes them practically disposable.

“Decorative art isn’t necessarily created just by bona fide artists. Everyday folks can get in on the action too, and make custom work for their walls. We asked our house tour residents to tell us about their DIY art projects, and the results are endlessly impressive. 1. Above, a Southwestern rug-inspired painted canvas from Kathryn & Perry’s “Have Less Do More” Apartment: My proudest DIY has got to be our little dining nook/statement art wall!

And it only takes about an hour.

Tired of your looking at your same old artwork? Try one of these ideas to switch up the look for free.

This DIY is easy and budget-friendly, so you can fill your whole home with gallery walls without breaking the bank.

Go beyond the BILLY bookcase.

This sofa used to be black, but I painted it brown. You can see how it looks, but I know what you’re thinking. Did it rub off on your pants? How does it feel? Is it stiff? Is it gummy? Can you scratch it with your fingernail? Does it peel? Does it stink? Does it poke you in the butt? Is it a tragic mess that will end up in a dumpster? Let me break it down for you. First, the paint I used was Angelus Brand Leather Paint in tan.

The key to making a table lamp is finding the correct socket set-up and mount. Some readymade kits already exist but, otherwise, you have to figure out what works best for your chosen vessel-turned-lamp base. I myself had a random wooden vase/candleholder that perfectly accommodated a basic globe shade from the hardware store. It was screaming to become a lamp, and I was more than happy to oblige.

It saved her TONS on upholstery costs.

If you’re a seasoned plant parent, you already know that finding planters to house your new fronds that also match your decor can be the most expensive aspect of the journey.

The after is more functional and more beautiful, too.

You can DIY a lot at home, but think twice before taking on these projects.

PSA: You do not have to paint all four walls of a space to make a big impact.

One of the fastest ways to update an existing table (either changing the look or the function) is to put new legs on it. And, one of the easiest ways to make a table is to find a flat surface and add legs. But where do you get good-looking legs that work? We’ve rounded up eight of our favorite places to buy online. (Pictured above) This modern invention can help you transform nearly any found or bought flat surface into a coffee table, dining table, bench or more!

Not everyone has a whole room to turn into a home office, but this project shows you can do a lot with a little.

Call it the fountain of furniture youth.

This summery material has found its way to the kitchen.

The results look seriously high-end.

All you need for most is painter's tape, a measuring tape, and a paint brush.

When you can't get a pro to come over, here's what to do.

These projects pack a lot of bang for not a lot of bucks.

Get ready to embrace one of the best trends of the '90s.

These clever DIYs include budget-friendly ideas, time savers, IKEA hacks, and more.

People on Facebook are asking him to make them for sale.

Time to check things off your to-do list.

Last week, the CDC updated its recommendations to suggest that all Americans wear cloth face masks when they must leave home. Here's how to make your own.

The after is a serious "wow."

All thanks to the magic of TikTok.

Here are six DIY YouTube channels that’ll keep your hands (and your mind) occupied.

Even more reasons to use these rental-friendly finds.

The after is serious gallery wall goals.

There's always room for more storage.

Now's the time to try something new.

Update the look of any chair in your home to make it look different and make the room the chair lives in look fresh and upgraded, too! Peruse this comprehensive list of nine ways you can make a chair look totally different. If your chair has any cushioning at all, chances are it has some sort of fabric material on it. Give it a new look by upholstering it!

Stencils are a fun and economic way to create a pattern or duplicate an image over and over again. They can be used on a vast array of items from rugs, and garden containers, to walls and ceilings. You can purchase them pre-made, but if you’re looking for something one-of-a-kind your best bet is to make it yourself. There are quite a few options when it comes to picking out the material for your plate.

What do you do with those treat vehicles, post-Easter? Transform the ubiquitous plastic eggs into geodes, jockeys, minions, monsters and so many other adorable creations and awesome critters. Here’s hoping the bunny brings me plenty! FIRST ROW: 1. Mini Bullet Planters by Apartment Therapy 2. Crystal Egg Geodes by Martha Stewart 3. Easter Egg Birdseed Ornaments by Redeem Your Ground 4. Easter Egg Maracas by Kiwi Crate 5. Skull Treat Boxes by Martha Stewart SECOND ROW: 6.

Sometimes I come across an adorable kid’s room on Pinterest and get the urge to spruce up my girls’ rooms a bit. Unfortunately money is tight these days and spending money on a new lamp or cute print is just not in the budget. That’s when I usually start getting creative and try to come up with projects that I can complete on the cheap.

One of the best ways to maximize storage in a small space is to go vertical with your storage. And what better way to accomplish that than with some stylish, handmade shelving? From gold and glam to rustic and industrial, here are ten stylish options to add some storage space to your home. TOP ROW: 1. Minty Gold Shelf Inspiration 2. Under $50: DIY Threaded Rope Shelves 3. How to Make a Modern Pegboard Shelving System 4. DIY Honeycomb Shelves from Reclaimed Wood 5.

The reclaimed wood wall has been popular for a while now, and I’ve been wanting to get the look in my garage. I love the earthy hues and honest feel of reclaimed wood, but after realizing the time it would take to scour Craigslist and salvage yards for enough material, I decided to forego that nightmare and instead pursue a DIY approach using a wood-charring method called Shou Sugi Ban.

Marble countertops have become part of the renovation/decor vernacular thanks to TV makeover shows (though a distant second to the ever-popular granite countertop). But despite marble’s beauty, it’s rarely mentioned as a material for DIY projects because of its weight and cost, which makes this custom made midcentury inspired home office project unique… Redditor yourpalthomps combined four materials into his very own handsome midcentury-inspired desk.

I’m not quite ready to go off the grid but I try to be eco in small ways, like turning off the faucet when washing dishes, keeping lights off in rooms I’m not using, and not using paper towels. Using cloth napkins is just one of those things that I’m hooked on. A few stats from Earth911 help put things into perspective: 13 billion pounds of paper towels are used in the U.S. every year.

I’ve had this old quirky elephant lamp from Target for several years, and although I loved its silly charm, I felt like it was in need of an update. Using some fabric, and new shade, and some spray paint, I managed to change the look of my old friend.As for the shade, I used an old Urban Outfitters lampshade that I had from another lamp and covered it with sheets of brocade fabric. Read more about that process in this earlier post.