Do it Yourself Home Decorating Ideas on a Budget

Decorating your home on a budget doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style or creativity. Here are some DIY home decorating ideas that will transform your space while keeping costs low:

1. Paint Accent Walls

• Materials: Paint, painter’s tape, roller
• Instructions:
  • Choose a bold or soft color and paint just one wall in the room to create a focal point.
  • Use painter’s tape to create geometric designs, stripes, or a two-tone effect for a unique look.
• Style Tip: Opt for a dramatic color like deep blue or forest green for a modern look, or go for a soft pastel to brighten up a small space.

2. DIY Framed Fabric Art

• Materials: Old picture frames, fabric remnants, or scarves
• Instructions:
  • Take pieces of fabric with interesting patterns or colors and frame them.
  • Use matching or mismatched frames to add texture and color to a gallery wall or as standalone pieces.
• Style Tip: Choose fabrics that complement your existing décor, like floral prints for a vintage vibe or geometric patterns for a modern touch.

3. Upcycled Furniture Makeover

• Materials: Paint, sandpaper, stencils, or decals
• Instructions:
  • Repurpose old furniture by giving it a fresh coat of paint or refinishing it.
  • You can add stenciled designs or decals to give the piece extra character.
• Style Tip: Brighten up a room with a bold-colored side table or dresser, or opt for neutral tones like white or gray for a more minimalist look.

4. Repurpose Mason Jars

• Materials: Mason jars, twine, paint, candles or flowers
• Instructions:
  • Paint or spray paint the mason jars and wrap the necks with twine.
  • Use them as vases, candle holders, or for storing small items like cotton balls or utensils.
• Style Tip: Group several mason jars together for a rustic centerpiece or line them along a windowsill with small plants or fairy lights inside.

5. Create a DIY Photo Display

• Materials: Twine, small clothespins, photos, hooks
• Instructions:
  • Attach twine horizontally across a wall using hooks.
  • Clip photos, postcards, or artwork to the twine using small clothespins for an easy, customizable photo display.
• Style Tip: Swap out the photos seasonally or add personal mementos like ticket stubs or notes for a constantly evolving display.

6. DIY Throw Pillow Covers

• Materials: Plain pillow covers, fabric paint or markers, stencils
• Instructions:
  • Customize plain pillow covers with stencils or freehand designs using fabric paint or markers.
  • Create patterns, quotes, or even simple brushstrokes for a modern artistic touch.
• Style Tip: Mix and match different patterns and textures on your couch or bed to create an eclectic, stylish look.

7. Transform Old Crates into Shelves

• Materials: Wooden crates, sandpaper, paint, screws
• Instructions:
  • Sand and paint old wooden crates, then mount them on the wall as open shelving units.
  • Use them to display books, plants, or decorative items.
• Style Tip: Stack crates vertically or horizontally for a modular shelving system, or hang them individually for a rustic touch.

8. Update Lampshades

• Materials: Fabric, glue, trim, or paint
• Instructions:
  • Revamp old lampshades by covering them with new fabric, adding decorative trim, or painting designs onto the surface.
• Style Tip: Use patterned fabric to add visual interest or metallic paint for a glam look. You can also add fringe or lace for a vintage vibe.

9. DIY No-Sew Curtains

• Materials: Fabric, fabric glue, iron-on hem tape
• Instructions:
  • Cut fabric to the size of your windows, then use iron-on hem tape to create a neat edge without sewing.
  • Hang the curtains using curtain clips or rods.
• Style Tip: Use lightweight, breezy fabrics for a relaxed, airy feel, or heavier materials for a cozy, dramatic effect.

10. DIY Floating Bookshelves

• Materials: Wooden planks, brackets, screws, drill
• Instructions:
  • Cut wooden planks to size and attach brackets to the wall to create floating bookshelves.
  • Display books, plants, or small decorative objects for a clutter-free, stylish storage solution.
• Style Tip: Stain or paint the shelves to match your room’s theme or leave them unfinished for a natural, rustic look.

11. Use Washi Tape for Temporary Designs

• Materials: Washi tape in various colors and patterns
• Instructions:
  • Use washi tape to create temporary designs on walls, furniture, or frames.
  • You can make geometric patterns, outline frames, or even create faux wallpaper designs.
• Style Tip: Create a washi tape accent wall in a kid’s room, office, or hallway that can be easily changed when you want a fresh look.

12. DIY Rope Baskets

• Materials: Rope, hot glue, fabric
• Instructions:
  • Coil rope tightly into a circular shape, securing it with hot glue as you go.
  • Continue coiling upward to create a basket. Optionally, line the inside with fabric for a polished look.
• Style Tip: Use these baskets for stylish storage in the living room or bathroom, or to hold plants for a rustic, natural touch.

13. Painted Terra Cotta Planters

• Materials: Terra cotta pots, acrylic paint, paintbrushes, sealer
• Instructions:
  • Paint simple designs or abstract patterns onto terra cotta pots.
  • Apply a sealer once the paint is dry to protect the design.
• Style Tip: Arrange a few painted pots on a windowsill or shelf for a colorful, artistic display that doubles as plant storage.

14. Use Old Shutters as Wall Art

• Materials: Old shutters, paint or stain, screws
• Instructions:
  • Repaint or stain old wooden shutters and hang them on the wall as art or functional décor.
  • Use the slats to hold photos, mail, or small decorative items.
• Style Tip: Create a focal point by arranging shutters in a symmetrical design or stagger them for a more whimsical look.

15. DIY Framed Mirror with Natural Elements

• Materials: Plain mirror, wood or cardboard, twine, shells, or stones
• Instructions:
  • Attach shells, stones, or pieces of wood around a plain mirror’s edge using hot glue.
  • Use twine or jute rope to wrap around the mirror for a rustic, coastal feel.
• Style Tip: Hang the mirror in a hallway or living room to create the illusion of more space and reflect natural light.

16. Repurpose Old Doors as Headboards

• Materials: Old wooden doors, sandpaper, paint or stain, mounting hardware
• Instructions:
  • Sand and paint or stain an old door to match your bedroom décor.
  • Mount it behind your bed as a unique headboard.
• Style Tip: Choose a distressed, vintage look for a shabby-chic vibe or go for a polished, modern finish with high-gloss paint.

17. DIY Pebble Bath Mat

• Materials: Bath mat, river pebbles, waterproof adhesive
• Instructions:
  • Glue river pebbles onto the surface of an old bath mat to create a spa-like foot massager for your bathroom.
• Style Tip: Choose pebbles in natural earth tones to create a zen, organic feel in your bathroom.

18. DIY Ladder Shelf

• Materials: Old wooden ladder, sandpaper, paint, planks of wood
• Instructions:
  • Sand down and paint or stain an old ladder.
  • Place planks of wood across the steps to create shelves for books, plants, or decorative items.
• Style Tip: Use this ladder shelf as a statement piece in your living room, bedroom, or bathroom for extra storage and a rustic charm.

19. DIY Table Runner

• Materials: Fabric, fabric glue, scissors, trim or lace
• Instructions:
  • Cut fabric to the size of your dining table, then use fabric glue to hem the edges.
  • Add decorative trim, lace, or tassels to the edges for a custom, handmade touch.
• Style Tip: Choose fabrics with bold prints or textures to create a stunning centerpiece for your dining room.

20. DIY Hanging Clothes Rack

• Materials: Wooden dowel or branch, rope, hooks
• Instructions:
  • Hang a wooden dowel or large branch from the ceiling using rope and hooks.
  • Use it as an open clothes rack in a bedroom or entryway.
• Style Tip: Hang plants or baskets along with your clothes for a bohemian look that’s both functional