18 easy DIY decor options

Using a length of jute rope and some glue, it's easy to transform a boring lamp into a decorative piece with a nautical vibe. Wind the rustic-looking rope around the base of your lamp, then secure with glue, as seen in this tutorial. 

Chalkboard paint is inexpensive, making it an excellent choice for a DIY message board in the kitchen or an ideal art canvas in the playroom. Chalkboard paints from brands like Rust-O-Leum can be painted onto wood, glass, drywall, and more, and dry to a finish that can be decorated with chalk. 

It was huge in the '70s, but macrame has officially made a comeback. Create your own version of the look with only a few supplies — some cotton rope or yarn, and a piece of driftwood for suspending this piece of boho-chic art. Macrame can be used to hang plants creatively, or transformed into a seriously impressive wall hanging. 

Need extra space to store books or knick-knacks? Cut 2x4 boards down to the perfect length, then sand and stain to match your preferred color palette. Then score some inexpensive metal shelf brackets for a modern, minimalist look. 

Once the wine is gone, don't toss the bottle in the trash! There are tons of ways to turn wine bottles into functional decor, from giving them a natural stoneware look to a fun ombre paint job. When they're finished, use these bottles to store kitchen essentials like olive oil, or use them as chic vases. 

If you've got a tiny space that's looking a little lackluster, consider adding a succulent. Whether real or fake, succulents add the perfect touch of green to a space, and the right planter can help bring your decorative aesthetic together. 

Reupholstering an old dining chair is much easier than it looks — you don't even have to know how to sew! Once you've found the right fabric, use a staple gun to secure it to the bottom of each seat, as seen in this tutorial. 

Even though it's cheap, gold spray paint can give pretty much anything in your home a new lease on life. Use the paint to give everything from old vases to flower pots a fun gilded look. 

Propagating plants is an easy way to give your home more greenery, and it's also a fun decorative piece on its own. Use small, clear glass jars or test tubes to make your own propagation station, as seen in this tutorial. 

If you can't afford new cabinets or furniture, adding new knobs and handles can provide a serious facelift on the cheap. Find knobs at stores like Anthropologie or World Market, or consider decorating your own knobs for a look that's totally unique. 

Curtains are pricey, but they're pretty easy to make on your own, even if you don't have sewing skills. Using sewing tape or glue, DIYers can create a small pocket at the top of the fabric that's perfectly sized for a curtain rod, then hem up the bottom for a professional look that costs pennies. 

Hit up thrift stores in your area for quirky pieces that will make for an excellent start for any gallery wall. Think beyond the frame, too — objects like plates, greeting cards, and antique pieces are stunning additions to a gallery wall. 

Using some high-quality paper and a little Mod Podge, it's easy to give even the oldest piece of furniture a new look. In addition to things like cabinet doors, decoupage can also be used to liven up bookshelves or give chair legs a unique new look. 

Even if you're no Picasso, making art at home is fun and easy. Score inexpensive framed canvases at an art store, then try your hand at pour painting or a modern, on-trend pastel ombre look. 

A coat of paint can work a world of wonders, especially when you're talking about boring wood furniture. Go bright ¸— think vivid teal, yellow, or orange — to create a compelling new focal point out of an old chair or table. 

If your bathroom mirror is totally frameless or encased in a giant gold monstrosity, give it a modern upgrade that will cost less than $20 with just a few pieces of wood, some stain, and glue, as seen in this tutorial. 

In addition to making your space look more put-together, a DIY headboard can also make your bed feel cozier. There are a ton of DIY options to choose from based on your aesthetic, ranging from a luxe tufted headboard to wood options with clean, simple lines. 

Peel-and-stick wallpaper has been all the rage in home decor in recent years, and for good reason — it's inexpensive, easy to apply, and can be quickly removed when it's time to switch up the decor. Choose a wall in your space that could use a zhuzh, then spend the day hanging wallpaper in a fun pattern for a major room transformation that won't break the bank.