How many times do you secretly love sending your guests’ jaws to the floor as they admire your creative brilliance – and your professional home fashion sense? Playing it off like it was just “something you came up with on the spot.” A lot, right? Shhh, I do too. Makes me feel good to be the envy of friends and family who stop by for a visit. And, it makes me proud of myself – and I, ultimately, was glad I took the leap and just got down to it.
You know hacks, we know hacks. They make life easier. Sometimes, something so simple can end up changing the way you do things, which has an ever-lasting effect.
Especially when you’re decorating a property for rent, and want to make it as inviting and homely for your tenants as possible. But want to do it on the cheap, without letting them know. Home decor DIY hacks are awesome for “covering up the warts” (or flaunting them, if that’s what you’re going for) of old stuff that would’ve been thrown out into new items that make your home exciting (and actually fun) to be in.
Whatever you’re designing, it’s crucial to pick out exciting decor that spruces up any room you desire. No matter the room. A lot of the creative ideas you’re about to sift through put action into your home or rental unit. Doing away with the boring “matching sets” of some items… And are ideas I’m personally going to try out myself!
1. Paint, Paint, Paint
Some sweet-looking kitchen furniture, for a matching set, can be way outside your budget. Which is a shame… Because there are some really cool ones out there.
Nevermore! Now, to save tens (or hundreds) of dollars – simply head to your favourite thrift or second-hand store, pick out cheap chairs (that satisfy you)… and a bucket of paint of your favourite colour. And get to work! Voila. A beautiful set of mix-matched chairs that spruces up your home. Who doesn’t love colour?
2. Hide Wires
Tired of having wires and cables run along your home? One thing you can do is buy small plastic “boards” shaped like fences. Then line them against your wall, and fit your cables behind them. Cute design and perfect function. Win win.
3. Tape Your Walls
Do you have kids who are at the age of “I’m a masterpiece artist!” Give your walls their artistic touch without the messy scribbling by letting them design their hearts out using neon masking tape. It pulls off easy and leaves no messy residue. All kinds of shapes can be made!
4. Candle Holders
Have a few Votive candles but no candle-holder for them? Flip over a wine glass on its rim and put the candle smack-dab in the middle.
5. “Tacky Art”
Grab a blank canvas and stick thumbtacks in it for literally endless designs. Use your imagination!
6. Pack Up Your Towels
This sweet idea comes courtesy of WooHome. Grab an old suitcase nobody’s using anymore and hammer the inside of it to your bathroom wall. Now you have a “cupboard” for all your towels.
7. Hanging End Table
Grab a thick piece of wood, any kind of wood you enjoy. Then, simply use it as the base for a swing. Hang it up in a corner as a nifty little end table!
8. Swing, Swing, Swing
Have a wooden chair with broken legs, or which just doesn’t serve a purpose anymore? Give it a purpose by turning it into an outdoor swing with nothing more than lots of rope.
9. DIY Braided Rug
Tired of buying ten different rugs in a year? A Beautiful Mess lists a budget-friendly way to make your own braided rug that lasts for ages.
10. Plants and Ladders!
Some shelves are massive things that take up a lot of space. And can be expensive. Even if you find one that’s budget-friendly, chances are it doesn’t match the look you’re going for. That’s why old, rusty ladders that no longer serve their purpose are an absolute haven!
Here’s why: Grab a wooden ladder you’re not using anymore, hammer in some two-by-fours (or whatever board is wide enough to hold your potted plants). And rest your favourite potted friends on the shelves. Presto!
11. Paint Your Cutting Board
Sick of looking at a thick, plain cutting board? Head to the stores and pick out non-toxic craft paint in your favourite colours and get to work! For best results, use 3 coats around each edge to make it pop even more. Just be sure not to use light-coloured paint. Overtime they’ll turn yellow. Unless that’s what you’re going for.
12. Put Your Pennies To Use
This tip comes courtesy of Lushome. In this article they show you 25 different creative ways to put your pennies to use. I mean, really. Who doesn’t have a thousand pounds of pennies that stores don’t take anymore?
One idea that punched me in the face was the “Penny Vase”. Simply grab a blank vase (bought for cheap at your favourite thrift shop)or a vase that’s too ugly to put on show in your home. And superglue each and every individual penny you have to the vase. Easy!
Check out Lushome for some really jaw-dropping ideas of what you can do with those pennies.
13. Ribbon Chandelier
Chandeliers are classy. Here’s how you make your own using good ol’ fashioned ribbon! Wrap ribbon around a 12-inch wreath form. Using three colours of ribbon – cut lengths of 16 inches. Create a pattern by knotting the cut pieces of ribbon around the wreath at midpoints. You can attach it (using string) to another chandelier or hang it anywhere in the house!
14. Turn a Dinner Plate Charger Into A Mirror
- Put adhesive on the back of your mirror.
- Gently press the mirror to the center of the charger.
- Let the adhesive dry.
- Flip the charger/mirror over and hot-glue a sawtooth hanger on the back.
- Hang up your new mirror!
15. Hold More Salt & Pepper!
Find any fifth of vodka, bourbon, or whatever you happen to find. Jack Daniels’ bottles work. Just make sure it’s a bottle of fifth. Bleach them, rinse them out, run them through the dishwasher. Voila! New containers for your salt and pepper.
16. Tape Your Hangers
Rather than going out and buying new, whacky, and fun hangers that cost about 2 or 3 bucks a pop (around here, anyway), why not grab some cheap, colourful masking tape and go to town? Seriously! Be done with the plain stainless steel hangers that look so sad, old, and tired in your closet. Grab some masking tape and just let loose.
Final Thoughts
There is no reason, no reason at all you should settle with what you have. What good is being alive at this point in life if you aren’t out there. Trying new things. Spicying things up a bit. Starting with your home! Far for me to suggest you try and shake things up, but nobody ever died from letting their freak flag fly. Just a wee bit.
I hope these hacks have helped you.
Featured photo credit: Kmart – Online Shopping Australia via kmart.com.au
