Are you tired of constantly redecorating for every season? Year-round style is the answer! Creating a home that feels cozy and inviting throughout the year doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With a little creativity and some DIY know-how, you can transform your space into a timeless haven.
Today, I’m sharing a collection of easy and stylish DIY decor projects that will add personality to your home without the seasonal stress
Upcycled Decor
Unleash your inner upcycler! Tired of cookie-cutter decor? Give new life to old treasures with our upcycled decor ideas. Discover the joy of transforming discarded items into stunning pieces for your home. Not only is upcycling a fun and creative outlet, but it’s also a budget-friendly way to add personality to your space. Get ready to explore your local thrift stores and unleash your imagination
Thrift Store Lamp Flips
Let’s face it, table lamps have jumped in price over the past few years! So next time you are cruising your local thrift store check out their lamp selection to see if you can find any hidden gems.
So when I found a ceramic lamp that had a great shape but not so-great color for my home’s color scheme I knew it would make a great DIY project.
For this table lamp upcycle I used a 3 step painting process using leftover paint from other projects. First I sprayed it with a coat of black spray paint to cover the red. The second step was to spray on a coat of stone-textured paint. The final step was a coat of matte green spray paint.
From out-of-style to trendy.
A few years ago, I gave a dated $5 brass lamp a makeover by transforming it into faux mercury glass. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a blog back then, so I can’t share any photos of the process. To achieve the look, I first painted the entire lamp black. Once the black paint was dry, I applied a coat of looking glass spray paint to create the mercury glass effect. Finally, I lightly sponged on some black craft paint in random spots to add depth and dimension
Vase-tastic Makeovers
I adore the stunning vases featured in home decor catalogs, but let’s face it, they often come with a hefty price tag. Who wants to spend over a hundred dollars on a single vase,? Not this girl! Learn how to transform a thrifty find into a magazine-worthy centerpiece without breaking the bank!
flea market flip
Ugly flea market find to high-end dupe.
I’ve done makeovers of many vases over the past 5 years but this one is my favorite upcycle project of them all. I found this large vase at a flea market on the ground next to the sellers table for $5!
It was covered in layers of paint and had a weird texture, but the shape reminded me of expensive pottery I’d seen. I knew I could transform it with a little DIY magic!
Because the vase was so rough, I decided to use my favorite DIY trick: joint compound (joint compound is different than spackling, don’t use spackling.) . I spread a layer of it all over the vase with a plastic knife. To create a textured look, I used a plastic v-notched notched tool I had. I ran the different-sized teeth of the tool across the compound, creating random patterns all over the vase.
After that, I let it dry overnight before finishing it off with terracotta-colored paint & specialty paints to create the aged look. For all the details see the full tutorial below.
year-round style
Simple style for any room!
One way to add style to any room in your home is to add a black accent to the space. This vase upcyle is an easy project to try if you are a beginner!
First, hit your local secondhand shop and look for a bulb-shaped vase, it doesn’t have to have handles. Ceramic is preferable to glass but both will work.
To start, I applied a light, even coat of matte black spray paint to the entire vase while it was standing upright. Don’t forget to spray a bit inside the opening, as this part is often visible.
Once the paint was dry, I turned the vase upside down and repeated the process to ensure complete coverage, including the hard-to-reach areas around the handles and under the rim.
Using matte black spray paint is key to achieving an authentic aged look. After the black paint dried completely,
You’ll only need a tiny bit of paint for this step. Apply a small amount of putty-colored chalk paint to a paper towel (or a paper plate). Dip the tips of a chip brush into the paint, covering all the bristles. Tap off the excess paint onto the paper towel.
To create the design, gently make a simple hashtag pattern on the vase. Use a light touch with the brush.
Textile Magic
Here are two fun ways to use textiles in a DIY project to decorate your home. Both simple ideas to create your own home decor.
Butterfly Wall Plaques
Nature’s favorite combo: flowers & butterflies
Want to infuse your home with vintage charm and natural beauty? This easy, budget-friendly DIY project is for you! Let’s transform simple oval wood plaques into stunning, one-of-a-kind butterfly botanical wall art. Add a personal touch to your space without breaking the bank!
Here is another DIY secret of mine to try! Have you heard of burlap printer sheets? They are perfect for small projects like this one. The sheets work in your home printer and they help you create a vintage look in an instant.
Scrap Fabric Idea
Scrap fabric art idea.
Here is a simple DIY textile project to make! For this one, I grabbed an old word sign and a fabric sample (I found stacks of upholstery samples at the thrift store). A patterned fabric napkin would work too. All you have to do is brush Mod Podge onto the frame and press the fabric down, smoothing out the air bubbles for a smooth finish.
Looking for larger artwork? This would be an easy idea to do on a bigger scale. First find a bold fabric and then grab a large picture frame. Pull the fabric tightly around the cardboard backing and secure in place.
Nature’s Inspiration
No matter what time of the year it is these DIY projects will add a touch of nature to your home. Natural elements help to create a peaceful feeling in your home. Here are a few of the most popular ones from this website and a couple that have been featured in a magazine.
Homemade Moss Wreath
Craving that high-end Anthropologie look without the high-end price tag?
Look no further! This awesome DIY tutorial shows you how to whip up your own moss wreath in under 30 minutes. Yep, you read that right – half an hour to create a stunning, Anthropologie-inspired piece for your home. All you need is assorted moss, a wreath form, and your trusty hot glue gun. Trust me, even a total craft newbie can pull this off. So, get ready to elevate your decor game and save some serious cash!
Eucalyptus Planter
No green thumb? No worries!
Do you want to add a touch of greenery to my space without the hassle of real plants? Try this super easy DIY for a faux eucalyptus plant! It’s all about creating a realistic-looking potted eucalyptus using a couple of easy-to-find supplies. I’m talking about no green thumb needed, people!
The best part? You can customize it to fit your style, once you know the basics of the design you can expand to other types of greenery stems.
Botanical Shadowbox
Dried flower display.
Here is a pretty piece of wall art that you can make in no time at all. Using an unfinished shadowbox frame, stain/paint, a roll of macrame cord, natural-colored fabric, & dried botanicals.
This project was inspired by a piece that I saw on the Pottery Barn website, I thought it was the perfect way to add a neutral and natural touch to my living room
Feather Wreath
Boho chic in 5 minutes!
For a quick natural boho touch in your home try this DIY wreath. All you need is a small vine wreath and a package of assorted feathers. This one will take you about 5 minutes to put together.
Start by sticking a few feathers in the middle of the left side of the wreath. Then, just keep adding more feathers, going both up and down from there. It’s a really quick way to make a unique and eye-catching decoration.
Easy Moss Branches
Bring a touch of nature indoors with these easy-to-make moss branches!
These DIY beauties are a simple yet stunning addition to any space. Just grab some artificial willow branches and your favorite moss, and get crafting.
- Artificial Willow branches (around $17 on Amazon)
- Moss Variety Pack (Around $8 on Amazon)
- Hot Glue Gun
Whether you display them in a vase or incorporate them into a centerpiece, these moss branches are sure to add a cozy and organic vibe to your home. Plus, they’re low-maintenance and can be enjoyed year-round!
Air Dry Clay Idea
Calling all fungi fans!
This blog post is for you. Learn how to make adorable little mushroom cap bowls from air-dry clay – perfect for adding a whimsical touch to any room. They’re easy to customize with paint, so you can create a whole forest of cuties in all your favorite colors. These DIY bowls are a budget-friendly and creative way to bring the beauty of nature indoors!
Paper Flower Craft
Vase filler on a budget.
Get ready to transform your home into a whimsical wonderland with these easy-to-make flowers. All you’ll need is some tissue or rice paper, a glue gun, and some branches (real or faux will do!).
The fun part of this craft is that you can choose whatever color of tissue paper to match your decor or time of the year. So ditch the expensive store-bought florals and craft your pretty stems – your wallet and your home will thank you for it!
Elevate Your Walls
Looking for DIY ideas to fill up your walls?? Here are a few of the most popular tutorials to try!
Faux Vintage Frames
Tired of boring black picture frames?
Who says vintage style has to break the bank? This fantastic DIY project from shows you how to transform plain black frames into stunning vintage pieces! The secret weapon? Spray paint and a little bit of antiquing magic!
Starting with a set of black plastic frames from Hobby Lobby the first step is to spray paint the frames with a gold metallic paint. Once the paint dries completely it’s time to use antiquing wax to give them an instant aged look. So simple!
This tutorial also includes a free download for a set of adorable vintage mushroom printables to add the perfect finishing touch to your revamped frames!
Succulent Wall Art
Succulent Wall Art
Calling all plant lovers! If you’re craving a touch of greenery in your home but don’t have the time or budget for a real succulent garden, this DIY project is for you!
Using a variety of faux succulents and a few creative techniques, you can craft a beautiful and realistic piece of wall art that will add a touch of life to any space. The blog post includes a step-by-step guide with all the info you need, from materials to assembly tips.
Go Big or Go Home!: Gallery Wall
Bring your living room to life with a stunning gallery wall!
This budget-friendly DIY project will add a personal touch to your space without breaking the bank. From repurposing old frames to curating a collection of free art prints, there are countless ways to create a unique gallery wall that reflects your style.
With a little planning and creativity, you can transform your living room into a beautiful and inviting space. So, grab your favorite frames, gather your artwork, and get ready to create a masterpiece! See the entire tutorial & grab the set of free art print downloads that I used to try it in your home!!
By incorporating these DIY decor projects into your home, you’re not just adding visual appeal; you’re also infusing your space with your unique personality. The joy of DIY lies in the process of creation, the satisfaction of transforming ordinary items into extraordinary pieces. So, gather your supplies, let your creativity flow, and let your home reflect your individuality. Happy crafting!
See your projects featured! If you are inspired by this or any of my other DIY projects I would love to see them and add you to the Reader’s Spotlight gallery. Send a photo to me at jennifer@cottageonbunkerhill.com
xo, Jennifer
Hi Jenn
This is a fun blog!!!! I recall some of your projects and this time I WILL try a few. I particularly love the lamp ideas and the paper flowers. Your house must be a continuing revolving gallery!!!! Thank you for sharing such lovely and thrifty ideas.
Jennifer, you have the best finds and flips.
I love all of your projects! You are so good at this!