DIY Wall Art Projects You Should Actually Try

Here a few things I know about wall art: it is cool, it has the power to be the center piece of any room, and it is expensive.

With that being said, I have compiled a list of unique yet simple DIY wall art projects anyone with a couple hours and the determination should try in order to save a few bucks!

DIY Wall Art Projects You Should Actually Try 

Natural-looking wood and maps are both very much in.  Check out this simple piece that is both simple yet timeless!

http://brightlybeautifulblog.blogspot.com/2014/02/diy-world-map-wall-art.html

There is something extremely therapeutic about a simple paint brush and canvas.  Try this easy design to both unwind after a long week while adding a statement piece for your home!

http://www.homedit.com/canvas-wall-art/

I have been completely obsessed with metallic gold lately.  Regardless of the color scheme in the room, it seems to always find a place.  All this next project needs is a canvas, an exacto-knife, and some gold spray paint!

http://www.andieibanez.com/2015/10/gold-canvas-diy.html

Stencils and spray paint seem to be two of the best combinations when it comes to quick and easy.  Consider using fake leaves and other greenery to make your own stencil to spray paint!

http://kandiphillips.blogspot.com/2012/08/knock-off-canvas-art.html

Large canvases can be pricey.  That is why I loved the use of this old picture, simply painted over.  Check out your local thrift store or even your very own basement for a canvas you can make new again!

http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2015/02/diy-herringbone-canvas-art.html

If you are going to the effort of making your own wall art project, you might as well personalize it some.  I LOVE this quote canvas project.  Take your favorite Bible verse and write it out in your own handwriting.

http://www.chrislovesjulia.com/2011/08/pinterest-challenge-robert-frost-is-in.html

Happy designing!

5 Ways to Add a Pop of Color to Your Home (Without Too Much Commitment)

Sometimes I feel a pull between two very enticing, yet different things.  There are days when all I want is a home that is neutral.  Everywhere I look, give me light greys and tans, lots of white and a touch of natural wood.  Then other days, I think to myself “life is too short, add color!”  I want my home to be bright and lively.  One that exhibits a great deal of personality.

So where is the happy medium?  Well, if you’re anything like me, you are scared of committing to too much color.  And by committing, I mean vibrant wall colors, couches, furniture, etc.  Because knowing myself, the moment I bite the bullet and spend the big bucks on a colorful piece, I would wake up the next morning, ready to white-wash my home.

So this post is for those of you that are afraid to take a giant leap into a world of color, but still want your home to be a little bit lively.  Keep reading for 5 simple ways to add color to your home (without too much commitment).

1. Flowers

I do not care what you feel you should label your ‘style’ as, flowers fit.  Adding a vase of flowers to the middle of your kitchen table is an easy way to bring both a piece of the outdoors in, as well as add a pop of color to your home.  I love doing this because a girl such as I who is afraid of interior design commitment, can count on the flowers being dead in about a week or so.  However, for those of you more committed type, a few dollars on a fake bundle will do, as well.

2. Picture Frames

I am a picture frame freak.  It does not matter how many I already have, I will still stroll that aisle at the store.  Picture frames are a great way to add personality for two reasons: they are a way to display some of your favorite memories, and the possibilities are endless for color options.  My favorite place to look for frames is from Marshall’s or TJMaxx, being that I can easily find a colorful frame for around $7.00.

3. Wall art

I like the option of adding colorful art to my walls because it means I can brighten them up without actually having to paint them a bold color.  I am a major fan of neutral walls, so a bright canvas easily pops in contrast.  This is also a practical way to personalize your space.  Challenge yourself to create your own piece of art, even if you wouldn’t describe yourself as “artsy.” With a little help from Pinterest, you might just be surprised at what you can do!

4. Throw Pillows

 Let’s be real here, there is just something about throw pillows that is a lot of fun.  The variety in colors and patterns is enough to make anybody want them all.  Luckily, these are the type of thing that can easily be swapped out if some better options come along, so go ahead and purchase the colorful one!  It will liven up your home with little effort from you.

5. Small Furniture

 I know I stated earlier that purchasing colored furniture is often far too scary for me, but I have learned that if it is small, it can be vibrant.  Consider a small end table.  In the grand scheme of your living room, it does not take up much room.  However, by choosing one that is colorful, how much more lively your room could be!  This also presents another great DIY opportunity.  Go ahead, purchase that side table from Goodwill, and paint it something fun.  If you don’t like it, just paint it again!

All of these ideas are low in commitment level, but high in impact.  Adding color to your home should not be something that is stressful.  There is something special about making a colorful decision.  We want our homes to be a place that make us feel alive, and if color does that for you, incorporate it wherever you can!  The good news is, all of these suggestions can be easily swapped out for a different color.  Be careful, you might just become obsessed with changing your accent colors.

Don’t be afraid to be bright, and happy designing!

 

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cariberry

The Top 4 Characteristics of a Good Thrift Store Find

Thrifting is something that always seems to be a good idea in theory.  But once we end up at our local Goodwill, it can become a lot more difficult to find a diamond in the rough.  Sometimes it can seem like everyone around us is having the greatest luck when it comes to used furniture finds or décor pieces.

Recently, I personally have fallen in love with the art of thrifting.  I have compiled a list of the top four characteristics of a good thrift store find, to help you have confidence in the treasures you may encounter.

1. Look beyond the color.

 

There are some pretty heinous colors out there.  It certainly can be a struggle to look past the ugly wood stain a dresser may have, but this can be one of the best ways to save you a few bucks.  It is important to think beyond what others may see.  For the average person strolling the aisles, they see an ugly piece of furniture that should never see the light of day again (okay, slightly dramatic but you know the pieces I mean).  However, what you may see is simply a fresh coat of paint to save your new friend.

2. Quality will always be key.

 

Okay, so now you notice that if you look beyond the color, there might just be hope!  However, just because you can make something look pretty does not mean that it will last.  Check thoroughly for any unrepairable scratches or cracks that could mean trouble.  I personally always apply a little pressure to the top of a table or dresser to make sure it will not tip over with the simple weight of a lamp.

3. Money money money money… money!!!

Obviously, one of the greatest perks to the thrift store are the affordable prices.  However, that does not necessarily mean that everything is worth the money.  If you go into the store intending to makeover a piece of furniture, the simple cost of the piece is not all you will pay.  Be sure to calculate the cost of supplies, and more importantly the time that will need to go into your project to make it pretty again.  Sometimes, you might just find that the price is not low enough to go to the trouble.  Also, don’t be afraid to bargain.  In some cases, they might just be hoping to get rid of it as soon as possible, which will give you a chance to save a few pennies.

4. You don’t always need a game plan.

If you are anything like me, DIY projects don’t just come to me the moment I find a treasure that may have potential.  Most of the time, it takes Pinterest and brainstorming to truly see a vision for some items.  However, if the price is right and you have confidence that you will find a home for your item, purchase it anyway.  Sometimes it can be fun to take on a mini-project on a rainy afternoon.

Thrifting isn’t hard, but it does take patience.  I cannot tell you how many times I have wandered the aisles of Goodwill, wanting desperately for something to catch my eye, yet walking out empty-handed.  But do not lose heart!  Your newest treasure might just be around the corner.

Happy designing!

Photo credit: http://www.blog.wickerparadise.com

To Hack or Not to Hack?

IKEA can be both a blessing and a curse.

IKEA blesses us because it is affordable (duh).  The fact that we are able to walk into the store and immediately pick up any piece of furniture is convenient for anyone looking to furnish his or her home.

IKEA curses us because while we are tempted to go for the affordable option, we may find ourselves settling for something that is obnoxiously recognizable as “IKEA.”  And who wants to buy furniture that anybody can recognize as that cheap furniture warehouse from up the street?

So my question is this: Are IKEA hacks worth it?

Let’s look at this RAST makeover, for example.

http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-turn-an-ikea-dresser-into-a-high-end-nightstand-2016-8?amp

The RAST is a small chest of drawers, that would be most appropriate as a bedside table.  It is currently being sold online for around $35.  Because of it’s very stripped-down, original wood nature, it is often the center of many DIY-ers’ attention.

This DIY though… it’s really cute, right?  And the dresser looks nothing like IKEA, which a girl like me loves.

So was this effort worth it?

I say… YES YES YES!

IKEA provides the option for lazy DIY-ers like myself to cut a few corners.  For example, the RAST comes with already stripped-down wood (which means no sanding).  I do not yet own a sander, and I would love to go the rest of my DIY-ing life without one (but let’s be real here, I will fall in love with a certain laminate dresser from Craigslist and have no but to purchase one).  Anyway, back to the dresser.  This type of wood makes painting or staining this dresser a gazillion times easier.

Another pro to IKEA hacking is the fact that you can buy multiples of one thing.  For me, I would buy two RAST dressers, and hack them to match for either side of the bed.  When it comes to scouring all the thrift shops in town looking for nightstands, I have often found only one.  No matter how much I love that one table, his mate is still somewhere out there in the world, instead of with me.  So instead with a little hacking, I can buy two of the same, to create a miniature bedroom set for myself.

I cannot tell you guys how many times I have looked at a “start-from-scratch” Pinterest DIY and thought “Yeah, sure I’ll pin it but yeah, right I’ll do it.”  IKEA furniture gives you a skeleton for all of your projects.  Instead of attempting to build a shelving unit yourself, just buy the most basic one from IKEA and revamp it to your liking.  This way, you won’t be stuck wondering if that leaning bookshelf you attempted will collapse at any given moment, but you can instead rest easy knowing the pros at IKEA designed the blueprint/assembly.

So as I’m sure you can tell, I love to find the easiest route to doing anything, and I am a firm believer that IKEA hacks help you do just that.

Whether it be a can of spray paint, a new set of knobs, or a fresh coat of stain, IKEA presents all of us lazy-yet-still-a-little-motivated-humans the chance to still feel accomplished because we made something our own, without completely wanting to rip our hair out.

Hack away, and happy designing!

 

Photo credit: http://www.wayaiulandia.com