Looking for wall decor ideas to refresh your space? Those empty walls are filled with possibilities—and a few additions can make a house feel like a home. If you're ready to turn those stark, bare walls into stylish centerpieces, keep reading. No matter your style, we've got the tricks that can amp up your walls and bring out your personality and taste. Whether you’re an art collector, a nature enthusiast, or a book lover, your walls can be customized so that you can be surrounded by the things you adore. Discover 20 wall decor ideas that are sure to add style to your home.
Go for Large-Scale Art.
An oversized painting or photograph will command attention and set the tone in a small space. Try a black-and-white photo in a minimalist space or add color with a vibrant abstract piece.
Create a Gallery Wall.
Nothing adds personality and color quite like a gallery wall. Display a collection of art or photographs, or add wall hangings and other ephemera. Opt for simple, cohesive frames or bring in an array of ornate variations to mix things up! Pro tip: Extend the gallery wall to the ceiling to create the illusion of a larger space.
Incorporate an Accent Wall.
In addition to adding to the walls, think about decorating the walls themselves. Try using a bright and bold paint color to create an accent wall, or bring in pattern with wallpaper, stenciling, or other decorative paint techniques. (Think about transforming your ceiling while you’re at it!) These decorative accents can have an even bigger impact in a small space.
Showcase Fabric.
A tapestry or wall hanging can add color and pattern, as well as a sense of softness to a space. Consider framing vintage scarves or other pretty textiles. Bonus: These are a lot easier to move than framed paintings when it comes time to head to your next home.
Hang Mirrors.
Mirrors reflect light, helping a small space to feel bigger and brighter. Try hanging an oversized mirror, or display several smaller pieces salon-style.
Paint a Mural.
Let your walls transport you to another place by adding a mural. Whether you hand-paint it or choose a wall covering, the motif will make a big impact.
Install Shelves.
If you’ve run out of floor space for bookshelves, take your collection to the wall. Install floating shelves and display hardcovers, small sculptures, and other odds and ends.
Hang Plates.
Why hide your fine china in the cabinet when you can show it off? Use wire plate hangers to display your favorite dishes and serving platters.
Add Sculptural Sconces.
Sconces add an extra source of light without taking up space on the floor or a side table. Choose an eye-catching design that doubles as a wall sculpture to bring in light and style.
Bring In Plants.
Plants don’t just have to sit on the windowsill. Try hanging or wall-mounted planters to add a bit of nature to your space and life to your walls.
If you’re on a budget, it might seem impossible to redecorate your home. After all, home furnishings and decor can be very expensive if you buy everything all at once. Luckily, though, there are plenty of ways to save money as you freshen up your home’s appearance. Try buying items a little at a time, and buy second-hand or find great sales whenever you can. Also, look for creative ways to repurpose items you already have, or even upcycle things you find while you’re shopping!
Method 1 Adding Personality with Small Details.
1. Display your favorite items out in the open. Showing off something you already have is a great way to decorate without spending any money at all. If you have a piece that always makes you smile, like a special heirloom or a painting you love, put it somewhere you spend a lot of time, like your bedroom, kitchen, or living room. As you’re choosing other items for that room, try to think of what will go with the pieces you love the most.
For instance, if you hang up a painting in your living room, look for throw pillows or a rug that have some of the same colors as the painting.
Get rid of items you don’t love and just display the decor that you really like. Your favorite items will become statement pieces, and you’ll appreciate what you do have more.
2. Choose brightly-colored items to draw attention to an area. If there’s a feature in your home that you really like, such as a mantle with interesting molding or a bookshelf where you keep your books, draw attention to it with bright colors. Your eye will automatically be drawn to the brighter shades, making that area really stand out.
For instance, you might put a bright glass vase on a shelf to add a pop of color, or you could hang a colorful painting on the wall above your fireplace to show it off.
Look through the things you already have to find bright colors, or buy accent pieces on sale or at secondhand stores.
3. Arrange items in odd-numbered groups. For some reason, people find odd numbers of items more pleasing to look at than even-numbered groups. As you’re deciding where to place decor around your home, you can elevate the styling by sticking to odd-numbered arrangements.
For instance, you might try stacking 5 books together on a shelf, flanked by 2 heavy bookends, or you could use an odd number of picture frames if you create a gallery wall.
You could also make a tableau out of different objects, such as a vase, a painting leaned against the wall, and a small bowl filled with pretty rocks.
This is a simple trick that you can use to freshen up your decor without buying anything new!
4. Buy sheets and bedding on sale to update your bedroom. Look for seasonal home sales throughout the year, and when you find a good one, buy new sheets, pillowcases, and a comforter for your bedroom. This small change can make your bedroom feel more luxurious and can pull the room together, and if you find a good deal, it doesn’t have to cost very much money.
If you have a sewing machine, you can even make your own sheets!
Just buy throw pillows or a throw blanket in a fun new pattern or color if you can’t afford to buy a whole set of bedding at once.
5. Buy or make new throw pillows for your couch to personalize your living area. Throw pillows make your couch seem more inviting and comfy, and they can also help pull the design of your room together. Choose pillows in a color that’s used somewhere else in the room, or find them in a design that goes with the theme of the room.
For instance, if your room has a nature theme, you might choose pillows with a design featuring leaves, trees, or birds.
You can even recover your old throw pillows to give them a new look. Buying pillow covers is cheaper and can change the look of items simply and inexpensively.
6. Make your own curtains to add a pretty touch to any window. Curtains add a touch of elegance to a room, but buying drapes can be very expensive. If you can’t find a good sale on curtains you love, try making your own. Just sew a pocket into the top of a long strip of fabric, hem the other end, and run a curtain rod through the pocket.
You can also make your own shower curtain to freshen up your bathroom! Just make sure you use a waterproof shower curtain liner so the fabric doesn’t get water-stained.
Shower curtains and sheets can be fashioned into curtains as well. If you find a pattern or color you love, don't hesitate to use these for drapery.
7. Update your cabinet pulls, faucets, and other small hardware. The knobs on your cabinets and drawers, the handles on our sink and bathtub, and the knobs on your appliances can all get grimy and dull over time. Replace them to freshen up the look of your bathroom and kitchen without spending a lot of money.
Tip: If you like the hardware you already have, but it’s seen better days, try giving it a good clean with melamine foam or oxygen bleach.
8. Add a touch of nature with houseplants, flowers, and fruit. Houseplants are calming, beautiful, and good for the environment, making them a perfect addition for indoor decor. However, if you’re afraid you don’t have a green thumb, you can fill a vase or a bowl with fresh flowers or fruit, and change it whenever they start to turn brown.
You can even use artificial plants or flowers, but remember to dust them regularly!
9. Make your own art with inexpensive picture frames. Framed art doesn’t have to be expensive to look amazing. Buy several inexpensive frames that are the same color, shape, or size. Then, frame photos of your loved ones, pressed flowers, old calendar pages, or even pictures you print out from online!
Group several frames together to create your very own gallery wall.
If you have small keepsakes you’d like to display, place them in a shadow box and hang them on your wall.
Method 2 Finding Cheap or Free Items.
1. Rearrange the furniture you already have in your house. The easiest way to refresh your home is to rearrange your furniture and move your decor around. Think about how you’d like your space to look when you’re finished decorating. Then, go from room to room, looking at each piece of furniture or decorative object. Try to imagine how you could re-use each piece, and you might be surprised what you can come up with!
Sometimes just moving a big piece of furniture, like your couch or your bed, can give you a whole new perspective on a room!
With a little imagination, you might find that the nightstand in your spare room would make an awesome TV stand, or an old trunk could become the perfect coffee table!
Try to keep as many of your current possessions as you can. You’ll spend a lot more money redecorating if you try to replace everything at once.
Use things that you wouldn’t normally use for different purposes - like an old trunk as a coffee table or a scarf as a wall hanging.
2. Ask your family and friends if they have furniture or decor they don’t want. Reach out to your network and let them know you’re trying to change things up around your house. Keep in mind, however, that you shouldn’t take anything unless you really like or need it. Otherwise, you’ll just be adding clutter to your home.
If you know anyone who is moving, they might be happy to get rid of some items and you could take them off their hands. Even they aren't perfect, you can paint items or change them up to fit your style.
You can even post on social media asking if anyone has a specific item that you’re looking for.
3. Shop secondhand to find pieces you love at a deep discount. If you’re shopping on a budget, thrift stores, secondhand stores, yard sales, flea markets, and estate sales can be a great way to find items you wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford. Sometimes you can even find new or like-new items at a huge discount.
Secondhand shops tend to have a lot of turnover in their inventory, so you may want to visit the same shops a few different times through the redecorating process, especially if you like the kind of items they carry. If you need to, travel to shops in nearby neighborhoods to find a wider selection.
Shopping after the holidays and during the spring is a good idea, because people tend to clean out their homes then.
Don’t be discouraged from buying something that has chipped paint, a dent or is slightly worn - this can all be easily fixed and adds character.
If you notice that an item has been at a certain shop for a while without selling, ask the manager if they’d be willing to sell it to you at a discount. This can be especially helpful if you’re buying large furniture, since the store will sometimes be eager to reclaim their floor space.
Tip: Pay attention to the prices of items, even in a secondhand shop. Some shops, especially those specializing in antiques, can still be quite pricey.
4. Look for sales if you’re buying new items. Don’t feel that everything you buy needs to be secondhand. Many retailers offer big sales throughout the year, especially around holidays. Look in your local newspaper, watch for TV commercials advertising sales, or check the stores’ websites so you’ll know when a sale is coming up.
You can also sign up for emails from some of the stores you like so you can be notified when a sale is coming up. There are even websites that are dedicated to finding deals, and you can sign up for email alerts from them as well.
Check your favorite stores online - there is usually a discount for online shopping and it will save you time as well.
Also, don’t forget to check the clearance section once you’re in the store. Often, shops will put a steep discount on merchandise that’s left over from a seasonal promotion or an older collection. These sales are typically not advertised.
5. Refinish or reupholster furniture to give it a new look. When you’re shopping, especially if you’re looking at secondhand items, pay more attention to the shape of the furniture than the color of it. You can sand away the existing stain on wood furniture and restain it or paint it to give it a whole new look. You can also reupholster fabric-covered furniture, like couches, recliners, and dining chairs!
Sometimes, you can save a lot of money by buying unfinished wood furniture. That means the wood is still in its natural state, and it hasn’t been sealed or stained. Try looking online to find a store near you that specializes in unfinished furniture.
Try changing out the drawer pulls on a dresser to give it a fresh, updated look. Even better, you can buy inexpensive drawer pulls from a home improvement store for just a few dollars!
You can even replace the foam in worn-out cushions to make the piece seem as good as new.
6. Don’t try to redecorate everything at once. If you’re on a budget, it’s not practical to try to buy everything all at the same time. Instead, try to embrace the idea that redecorating your home is a long-term project. Make a little time on the weekends to hunt for a great deal or a unique treasure that you’ll love.
It might help to focus on one room at a time, but don’t let that keep you from buying something for another room if you see a great deal. If you're redecorating your living room first but you see the perfect comforter on clearance, for instance, you might want to buy it if you can.
If shopping isn’t your favorite thing to do, find a friend who’ll be happy to go with you. That will help make the experience more fun for you.
Don’t feel like you have to finish one space at a time. Especially if you're on a budget, it can be hard to wait for the perfect piece to go on sale or to find it second hand. Pick up things when you find a good deal and it will all come together eventually.
Method 3 Making Cheap Updates.
1. Paint the walls with a new coat of paint to freshen up a room. If you own your home or have permission from your landlord, painting is an inexpensive way to brighten everything up and make it look newer. Take everything out of the room that you can and cover the floor with a drop cloth. Then, cover the wall in 1-2 coats of primer, let those dry, and go back over the walls with your chosen paint color.
Light colors will make a room look larger, so avoid very dark colors in a small room.
Cool colors like blue and green are relaxing, so they’re a great choice for bedrooms. Warm colors are very inviting, so they’re great for living areas and kitchens.
You can even get creative by painting one wall a different color or by adding stripes,chevrons, or chalkboard paint to your walls.
If you love the look of wallpaper but don’t have room in your budget, use a stencil to paint a pattern on your walls instead!
If you have dark trim or wooden doors, you can paint those too for a fresh, updated look.
2. Change the light fixtures in a room for a quick upgrade. Dated or ugly light fixtures can bring down the look of a room, even if you don’t consciously pay attention to them. If you can find a good deal on a new light fixture, changing it yourself is usually pretty easy. Just turn off the power to the room at your circuit breaker, remove the old light fixture, and rewire the new one. Take care to match up the negative and positive wires, then attach the new fixture to the ceiling with the provided brackets and screws.
Don’t feel that you necessarily have to buy new light fixtures. Sometimes, all it takes it a good cleaning or a coat of spray paint to bring new life to the light fixtures you already have.
Adding a new shade or cover is inexpensive and can quickly update the look of older fixtures.
If you don’t feel comfortable working with wiring yourself, it might be worth it to save up and have an electrician do the job.
Tip: If you have a lot of lamps, try updating your lamp shades!
3. Cover the back of a bookcase with contact paper to give it a new look. Bookcases provide a lot of practical storage, so even if you’re not in love with yours, it might be best to keep it. Luckily, you can give it new life by covering the back walls with colorful contact paper, wallpaper scraps, or even fabric. This will brighten up the bookcase and will provide a nice contrast to show off whatever you’re displaying on the shelves.
You can also paint your bookcase, if you’d like. Paint it a different color from the walls to make it stand out, or paint it the same color if you want it to look like it’s a part of the wall.
4. Add architectural trim to your walls. Architectural trim, also called molding or decorative trim, can make a room look expensive, but it doesn’t necessarily cost a lot. Try installing it around your ceiling or floors, on your cabinets, or around your windows to create an upscale look on a budget.
You can even find stick-on molding, making this project easy and cheap!
To mimic the look of moldings, add trim 6 inches above your floor trim and paint the gap to match the trim. This will give you the look of architectural trim for less than half of the usual price.
5. Add rugs to bring warmth to a room. Carpeting and rugs create a cozy, warm feeling, but replacing your carpet can be very expensive. Instead, look for sales on area rugs that match your theme or color palette for each room.
If buying a new rug is too expensive, visit a flooring store and ask if they have vinyl remnants. These are pieces of vinyl left over from previous projects that are too small to re-use, but are often large enough to use as an area rug. To personalize the look even more, paint a design on the remnant with acrylic paints and seal with concrete sealer.
6. Hang mirrors to make a room feel larger. Look for large mirrors at secondhand shops and home improvement stores, then install them wherever you need more space. Mirrors help create an optical illusion that a space is larger than it really is, so wall mirrors are a great touch in smaller rooms or narrow hallways. In addition, the mirrors will reflect any light that’s in the room, making it look brighter.
If you like the shape of a mirror but not the frame, try painting it!
If you have an unframed mirror in your bathroom and can’t afford a new one, you can frame your mirror in by attaching moldings around all four sides.
Tips.
Look for DIY design ideas for fun projects to decorate your home that you can do yourself!
Warnings.
Whenever you're painting, priming, or sanding something, make sure the room is well-ventilated, and take regular breaks to get fresh air.
Your 5 year-old wants a life-size portrait of The Wiggles on her bedroom wall, or maybe your 11 year-old has decided she wants to live in an all-black room with silver glitter plastered across the ceiling. How can you avoid such disasters and still indulge your child's thirst for self-expression? Here are some creative (yet temporary) decoration ideas that you and your child can use to personalize his or her space.
Steps.
1. For young children, use crepe paper on a roll (available at teacher's supply or craft shops) for finger, sponge, or other tactile painting. You can lay the paper flat, let your child paint to her/his heart's content, and then hang the finished painting from your child's wall. Another method is to hang blank sheets from ceiling to floor like wallpaper and let your child 'body paint' right onto the wall. This can be messy and have unpredictable results, though.
2. Pre-teens will enjoy the time-honored tradition of the magazine collage. Use a removable, non-damaging adhesive (such as Sticky Tack) to arrange clipped pictures of movie stars, favorite musicians, and coveted shoes all over the walls. The best part of fun activity for the whole family, as long as you don't mind getting a little messy yourself. Make hand prints, footprints, and splatters. It's like coloring the walls, but without the parental wrath and permanent damage.
3. Older children may already have a collection of artwork from school art classes. Turn your child's room into a mini-museum by framing your child's drawings and paintings with paper, pegboard, or wooden frames, and hanging them throughout the room. this decorating technique is that your child can add to it every day.
4. If your child's heart is set on changing the color of the walls entirely, try using wallpaper - without actually pasting it up. Take a trip to the home goods store and pick out paper samples or remnants. Don't worry if the remnants aren't large enough to cover the whole wall - creating a collage of different patterns and colors is part of the fun.
5. To add texture, choose some fabric remnants from a crafts store to hang as tapestries. If your child sleeps in a bunk bed, fabrics can be hung from the sideboards to create a "tent". This can make the room feel bigger, and creates a great place for pretend!
6. Hanging mobiles aren't just for babies. Fill some space in the room by fashioning a "chandelier" out of old toys, stuffed animals, or any lightweight objects. Older children might enjoy making mobiles that reflect their hobbies. Baseball cards, old ballet slippers, and sports ribbons are all good materials.
7. Hanging fabric from the walls - attached only at the top with some neat finishing nails - adds a splash of color to a room, and you can always take it down. Also try hanging picture frames (with nails through the fabric) on top of the fabric sheet to have a nice picture collage.
8. Add decorative knobs to the furniture. Thousands are available now, you'll find one that will relate to something important in your child's life - their favorite sport, an animal they love... You can even get them really involved by letting them paint their own knobs!
9. Self-stick, removable, wallpaper borders, murals, and designs. They do not damage the walls, yet add a lot of color and character. Has your son out-grown ABC's and cartoon cars? Peel them off, wash the walls, stick on the Batman borders and stickers. They are available at many places that sell wallpaper as well as on-line. They will last for a year at least. Actually, these self-stick borders are nice for adding an easy splash of color to any room. Some of these products are 'cheap-looking' (like shelf paper), but many are indistinguishable from quality wallpaper.
10. Remember to hang art and other decorations low enough for the child to appreciate... and yes, touch. Too many nicely-decorated children's rooms have the pictures, shelves, etc. all at adult height. Who cares if it looks like it came out of a magazine? Whose room is it anyway? Put that ABC poster down at toddler level so she can appreciate it.
Tips.
Keep an eye out for favorite characters - magazines, shoe boxes, clothing tags, toothpaste boxes, whatever. Images cut from a shoebox, a favorite shopping bag etc. can be taped to the wall, for example, a Spiderman who is 'swinging' from a 'web' made out of a piece of yarn.
Make a day out of decorating. Invite your child's friends over to sponge-paint the papered walls. This will make the process more exciting and let your child know that creativity is important and fun.
Don't spend a lot of money on decorations. Remember, creativity is the goal here. Your child will be more proud of a room full of her own artwork and ingenuity than she will of expensive store-bought decorations. Besides, you know that children change their tastes quickly, and may want to replace a decoration almost as soon as they put it up.
Make it really fun and not boring.
Fill balloons up with paint and throw them at your wall to make an epic pattern if you like to have a bit of fun.
Warnings.
When hanging mobiles, be sure they are out of reach of young children who might try to hang on them or pull them down. Also make sure there are no sharp edges or heavy pieces that might cause harm if the mobile falls. Tapestries should also be hung securely, especially if they are attached to a bunk bed or used to make a tent. Be sure children are old enough to understand that the fabric is not meant to hang or play on.
Keep hangings away from lights and ceiling fans. This includes papers above desk lamps - you never know when tape will lose its stickiness and let a poster sag down onto a light bulb. (Been there, seen that, lost a favorite poster - but fortunately not my house).
If they insist on heavy things, nail them securely, otherwise, they may fall upon the child and cause serious injury.
Make sure that any paint you use is a non-toxic formula. Most paints designed for children's use will have this designation on the packaging.
If you’re on a budget, it might seem impossible to redecorate your home. After all, home furnishings and decor can be very expensive if you buy everything all at once. Luckily, though, there are plenty of ways to save money as you freshen up your home’s appearance. Try buying items a little at a time, and buy second-hand or find great sales whenever you can. Also, look for creative ways to repurpose items you already have, or even upcycle things you find while you’re shopping!
Method 1 Adding Personality with Small Details.
1. Display your favorite items out in the open. Showing off something you already have is a great way to decorate without spending any money at all. If you have a piece that always makes you smile, like a special heirloom or a painting you love, put it somewhere you spend a lot of time, like your bedroom, kitchen, or living room. As you’re choosing other items for that room, try to think of what will go with the pieces you love the most.
For instance, if you hang up a painting in your living room, look for throw pillows or a rug that have some of the same colors as the painting.
Get rid of items you don’t love and just display the decor that you really like. Your favorite items will become statement pieces, and you’ll appreciate what you do have more.
2. Choose brightly-colored items to draw attention to an area. If there’s a feature in your home that you really like, such as a mantle with interesting molding or a bookshelf where you keep your books, draw attention to it with bright colors. Your eye will automatically be drawn to the brighter shades, making that area really stand out.
For instance, you might put a bright glass vase on a shelf to add a pop of color, or you could hang a colorful painting on the wall above your fireplace to show it off.
Look through the things you already have to find bright colors, or buy accent pieces on sale or at secondhand stores.
3. Arrange items in odd-numbered groups. For some reason, people find odd numbers of items more pleasing to look at than even-numbered groups. As you’re deciding where to place decor around your home, you can elevate the styling by sticking to odd-numbered arrangements.
For instance, you might try stacking 5 books together on a shelf, flanked by 2 heavy bookends, or you could use an odd number of picture frames if you create a gallery wall.
You could also make a tableau out of different objects, such as a vase, a painting leaned against the wall, and a small bowl filled with pretty rocks.
This is a simple trick that you can use to freshen up your decor without buying anything new!
4. Buy sheets and bedding on sale to update your bedroom. Look for seasonal home sales throughout the year, and when you find a good one, buy new sheets, pillowcases, and a comforter for your bedroom. This small change can make your bedroom feel more luxurious and can pull the room together, and if you find a good deal, it doesn’t have to cost very much money.
If you have a sewing machine, you can even make your own sheets!
Just buy throw pillows or a throw blanket in a fun new pattern or color if you can’t afford to buy a whole set of bedding at once.
5. Buy or make new throw pillows for your couch to personalize your living area. Throw pillows make your couch seem more inviting and comfy, and they can also help pull the design of your room together. Choose pillows in a color that’s used somewhere else in the room, or find them in a design that goes with the theme of the room.
For instance, if your room has a nature theme, you might choose pillows with a design featuring leaves, trees, or birds.
You can even recover your old throw pillows to give them a new look. Buying pillow covers is cheaper and can change the look of items simply and inexpensively.
6. Make your own curtains to add a pretty touch to any window. Curtains add a touch of elegance to a room, but buying drapes can be very expensive. If you can’t find a good sale on curtains you love, try making your own. Just sew a pocket into the top of a long strip of fabric, hem the other end, and run a curtain rod through the pocket.
You can also make your own shower curtain to freshen up your bathroom! Just make sure you use a waterproof shower curtain liner so the fabric doesn’t get water-stained.
Shower curtains and sheets can be fashioned into curtains as well. If you find a pattern or color you love, don't hesitate to use these for drapery.
7. Update your cabinet pulls, faucets, and other small hardware. The knobs on your cabinets and drawers, the handles on our sink and bathtub, and the knobs on your appliances can all get grimy and dull over time. Replace them to freshen up the look of your bathroom and kitchen without spending a lot of money.
Tip: If you like the hardware you already have, but it’s seen better days, try giving it a good clean with melamine foam or oxygen bleach.
8. Add a touch of nature with houseplants, flowers, and fruit. Houseplants are calming, beautiful, and good for the environment, making them a perfect addition for indoor decor. However, if you’re afraid you don’t have a green thumb, you can fill a vase or a bowl with fresh flowers or fruit, and change it whenever they start to turn brown.
You can even use artificial plants or flowers, but remember to dust them regularly!
9. Make your own art with inexpensive picture frames. Framed art doesn’t have to be expensive to look amazing. Buy several inexpensive frames that are the same color, shape, or size. Then, frame photos of your loved ones, pressed flowers, old calendar pages, or even pictures you print out from online!
Group several frames together to create your very own gallery wall.
If you have small keepsakes you’d like to display, place them in a shadow box and hang them on your wall.
Method 2 Finding Cheap or Free Items.
1. Rearrange the furniture you already have in your house. The easiest way to refresh your home is to rearrange your furniture and move your decor around. Think about how you’d like your space to look when you’re finished decorating. Then, go from room to room, looking at each piece of furniture or decorative object. Try to imagine how you could re-use each piece, and you might be surprised what you can come up with!
Sometimes just moving a big piece of furniture, like your couch or your bed, can give you a whole new perspective on a room!
With a little imagination, you might find that the nightstand in your spare room would make an awesome TV stand, or an old trunk could become the perfect coffee table!
Try to keep as many of your current possessions as you can. You’ll spend a lot more money redecorating if you try to replace everything at once.
Use things that you wouldn’t normally use for different purposes - like an old trunk as a coffee table or a scarf as a wall hanging.
2. Ask your family and friends if they have furniture or decor they don’t want. Reach out to your network and let them know you’re trying to change things up around your house. Keep in mind, however, that you shouldn’t take anything unless you really like or need it. Otherwise, you’ll just be adding clutter to your home.
If you know anyone who is moving, they might be happy to get rid of some items and you could take them off their hands. Even they aren't perfect, you can paint items or change them up to fit your style.
You can even post on social media asking if anyone has a specific item that you’re looking for.
3. Shop secondhand to find pieces you love at a deep discount. If you’re shopping on a budget, thrift stores, secondhand stores, yard sales, flea markets, and estate sales can be a great way to find items you wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford. Sometimes you can even find new or like-new items at a huge discount.
Secondhand shops tend to have a lot of turnover in their inventory, so you may want to visit the same shops a few different times through the redecorating process, especially if you like the kind of items they carry. If you need to, travel to shops in nearby neighborhoods to find a wider selection.
Shopping after the holidays and during the spring is a good idea, because people tend to clean out their homes then.
Don’t be discouraged from buying something that has chipped paint, a dent or is slightly worn - this can all be easily fixed and adds character.
If you notice that an item has been at a certain shop for a while without selling, ask the manager if they’d be willing to sell it to you at a discount. This can be especially helpful if you’re buying large furniture, since the store will sometimes be eager to reclaim their floor space.
Tip: Pay attention to the prices of items, even in a secondhand shop. Some shops, especially those specializing in antiques, can still be quite pricey.
4. Look for sales if you’re buying new items. Don’t feel that everything you buy needs to be secondhand. Many retailers offer big sales throughout the year, especially around holidays. Look in your local newspaper, watch for TV commercials advertising sales, or check the stores’ websites so you’ll know when a sale is coming up.
You can also sign up for emails from some of the stores you like so you can be notified when a sale is coming up. There are even websites that are dedicated to finding deals, and you can sign up for email alerts from them as well.
Check your favorite stores online - there is usually a discount for online shopping and it will save you time as well.
Also, don’t forget to check the clearance section once you’re in the store. Often, shops will put a steep discount on merchandise that’s left over from a seasonal promotion or an older collection. These sales are typically not advertised.
5. Refinish or reupholster furniture to give it a new look. When you’re shopping, especially if you’re looking at secondhand items, pay more attention to the shape of the furniture than the color of it. You can sand away the existing stain on wood furniture and restain it or paint it to give it a whole new look. You can also reupholster fabric-covered furniture, like couches, recliners, and dining chairs!
Sometimes, you can save a lot of money by buying unfinished wood furniture. That means the wood is still in its natural state, and it hasn’t been sealed or stained. Try looking online to find a store near you that specializes in unfinished furniture.
Try changing out the drawer pulls on a dresser to give it a fresh, updated look. Even better, you can buy inexpensive drawer pulls from a home improvement store for just a few dollars!
You can even replace the foam in worn-out cushions to make the piece seem as good as new.
6. Don’t try to redecorate everything at once. If you’re on a budget, it’s not practical to try to buy everything all at the same time. Instead, try to embrace the idea that redecorating your home is a long-term project. Make a little time on the weekends to hunt for a great deal or a unique treasure that you’ll love.
It might help to focus on one room at a time, but don’t let that keep you from buying something for another room if you see a great deal. If you're redecorating your living room first but you see the perfect comforter on clearance, for instance, you might want to buy it if you can.
If shopping isn’t your favorite thing to do, find a friend who’ll be happy to go with you. That will help make the experience more fun for you.
Don’t feel like you have to finish one space at a time. Especially if you're on a budget, it can be hard to wait for the perfect piece to go on sale or to find it second hand. Pick up things when you find a good deal and it will all come together eventually.
Method 3 Making Cheap Updates.
1. Paint the walls with a new coat of paint to freshen up a room. If you own your home or have permission from your landlord, painting is an inexpensive way to brighten everything up and make it look newer. Take everything out of the room that you can and cover the floor with a drop cloth. Then, cover the wall in 1-2 coats of primer, let those dry, and go back over the walls with your chosen paint color.
Light colors will make a room look larger, so avoid very dark colors in a small room.
Cool colors like blue and green are relaxing, so they’re a great choice for bedrooms. Warm colors are very inviting, so they’re great for living areas and kitchens.
You can even get creative by painting one wall a different color or by adding stripes, chevrons, or chalkboard paint to your walls.
If you love the look of wallpaper but don’t have room in your budget, use a stencil to paint a pattern on your walls instead!
If you have dark trim or wooden doors, you can paint those too for a fresh, updated look.
2. Change the light fixtures in a room for a quick upgrade. Dated or ugly light fixtures can bring down the look of a room, even if you don’t consciously pay attention to them. If you can find a good deal on a new light fixture, changing it yourself is usually pretty easy. Just turn off the power to the room at your circuit breaker, remove the old light fixture, and rewire the new one. Take care to match up the negative and positive wires, then attach the new fixture to the ceiling with the provided brackets and screws.
Don’t feel that you necessarily have to buy new light fixtures. Sometimes, all it takes it a good cleaning or a coat of spray paint to bring new life to the light fixtures you already have.
Adding a new shade or cover is inexpensive and can quickly update the look of older fixtures.
If you don’t feel comfortable working with wiring yourself, it might be worth it to save up and have an electrician do the job.
Tip: If you have a lot of lamps, try updating your lamp shades!
3. Cover the back of a bookcase with contact paper to give it a new look. Bookcases provide a lot of practical storage, so even if you’re not in love with yours, it might be best to keep it. Luckily, you can give it new life by covering the back walls with colorful contact paper, wallpaper scraps, or even fabric. This will brighten up the bookcase and will provide a nice contrast to show off whatever you’re displaying on the shelves.
You can also paint your bookcase, if you’d like. Paint it a different color from the walls to make it stand out, or paint it the same color if you want it to look like it’s a part of the wall.
4. Add architectural trim to your walls. Architectural trim, also called molding or decorative trim, can make a room look expensive, but it doesn’t necessarily cost a lot. Try installing it around your ceiling or floors, on your cabinets, or around your windows to create an upscale look on a budget.
You can even find stick-on molding, making this project easy and cheap!
To mimic the look of moldings, add trim 6 inches above your floor trim and paint the gap to match the trim. This will give you the look of architectural trim for less than half of the usual price.
5. Add rugs to bring warmth to a room. Carpeting and rugs create a cozy, warm feeling, but replacing your carpet can be very expensive. Instead, look for sales on area rugs that match your theme or color palette for each room.
If buying a new rug is too expensive, visit a flooring store and ask if they have vinyl remnants. These are pieces of vinyl left over from previous projects that are too small to re-use, but are often large enough to use as an area rug. To personalize the look even more, paint a design on the remnant with acrylic paints and seal with concrete sealer.
6. Hang mirrors to make a room feel larger. Look for large mirrors at secondhand shops and home improvement stores, then install them wherever you need more space. Mirrors help create an optical illusion that a space is larger than it really is, so wall mirrors are a great touch in smaller rooms or narrow hallways. In addition, the mirrors will reflect any light that’s in the room, making it look brighter.
If you like the shape of a mirror but not the frame, try painting it!
If you have an unframed mirror in your bathroom and can’t afford a new one, you can frame your mirror in by attaching moldings around all four sides.
Question : Can I use a blanket as a rug?
Answer : If it is a tightly woven blanket it might work, but make sure it can be walked on without sliding around a lot. Also make sure it can be cleaned well and won't be torn or unraveled if used as a rug. There are certain bath mats that can be used for house rugs, too. It's great if it can be machine washable.
Tips.
Look for DIY design ideas for fun projects to decorate your home that you can do yourself!
Warnings.
Whenever you're painting, priming, or sanding something, make sure the room is well-ventilated, and take regular breaks to get fresh air.
A bedroom should be an expression of your interests and style. Personalize the space by creating zones based on activities done in the bedroom, such as practicing an instrument or playing video games. Painting the walls or furniture can quickly transform the space, and adding a few accessories, such as a lamp, rug, or poster, can give the room a fresh, new feel. Don’t forget to add storage bins and other necessities to help keep your room tidy and organized!
Part 1 Personalizing the Space.
1. Create zones for your interests or hobbies. Of course, you will be sleeping in your bedroom, but you probably use it for other activities as well. You may want to plan for a space to do homework or crafts, choose a spot for playing video games or watching television, designate an area for practicing a musical instrument, or set aside a space for doing your hair or makeup.
If you have a ton of activities and interests, try to make spaces for just a few of your favorites. This will help prevent the activity or hobby spaces from becoming overwhelming.
2. Pick your colors or theme. Think about what items you already have that you want to reuse. If you love your bedspread, choose colors that match or accent it for painting or accessories. If your favorite color is red, choose 1 or 2 light accent colors to go with it. Be sure to thoroughly consider what colors or theme you want, and think about if you will still like it in a few months or even a few years.
A few ideas for themes include: music, sports, technology, nautical, retro, modern, metropolitan, and boho.
If you’re not sure how to begin, start by picking a color you like and go from there.
3. Paint or paper your walls. Changing the wall color can give your room a whole new feel. You can paint your walls or put up temporary wallpaper. Feel free to paint only 1 wall, all of them, or even the ceiling. If you choose a dark color, it’s best to use it on an accent wall rather than for your entire room. Be sure to get your parents’ permission, follow all directions, and ventilate the area.
If you’re not allowed to paint or paper your walls, try adding a mural or decorating with peel-and-stick decals. You could also make the space look fresh with wall hangings, framed pictures, or other wall décor.
Part 2 Choosing Furniture.
1. Pick a desk. A desk is an essential part of your room. You can use it to do your homework, surf the web, write in your journal, etc. Choose one that fits your needs as well as your personal style; maybe you want a simple, streamlined desk or perhaps you need one with lots of drawers or built-in shelves. Don’t forget to pick a chair to go with your desk, and ensure it is the right height for writing or typing comfortably.
If possible, try to sit at the desk before you buy it. That way, you’ll know whether it’s comfortable and a good size for you.
A desk can also double as a vanity where you can do your hair and makeup.
2. Dress up your bed. An interesting bed frame is a great way to personalize your room; consider a funky headboard or even a sleigh bed, depending on your style. A bedspread or comforter can also be a statement piece for your room. Choose a bold pattern or a fun texture to add personality to your room. If your walls are patterned or filled with poster and photos, you may want to stick with a solid bedspread to keep the room from becoming too busy.
Add fun throw pillows for extra comfort and style.
You can change the whole look of your room by adding new bedding, so pick bedclothes that fit your style!
If getting a new bed isn’t an option, you can change the look of your old bed by painting the head and footboard or adding upholstery.
3. Set out seating. You’ll likely want a space other than your bed for you or your guests to sit on. Beanbag chairs are relatively cheap and are super comfy. Gaming chairs are great for those who love to play, or you could add ottomans that open for extra seating as well as storage. Pillows also make great seating, so set out some colorful or printed pillows if you can’t get new chairs.
If you don’t have a lot of space to work with, ottoman storage cubes are a perfect option. These can serve triple duty as seats, storage containers, and little tables!
4. Decide where things will go. It’s usually best to start with your bed and move on from there. Keep in mind those activities you thought of when planning your new space. Create zones for different purposes, such as sleeping, working, relaxing, and playing. You can use a curtain, or even furniture, to separate the spaces, like putting a desk in the middle of your room to separate your sleeping area from the space where you watch television or play video games.
Think about your daily routines when you’re arranging your space. For example, you’ll need to have plenty of room in front of your dresser so that you can easily open the drawers when you’re getting dressed in the morning.
Part 3 Adding Decorations.
1. Cover your windows. Blinds or drapes can help block out the light at night as well as give you some privacy. Choose blinds or curtains that fit your style and the theme or colors you chose for your room.
Even if you can’t change your window coverings completely, you can still add your own style. For example, consider adding a sheer curtain over your blinds for a pop of color. You could even hang beads over your windows or in your doorway.
If you want a darker space for daytime naps, try putting in blackout shades or curtains.
2. Light up your room. Lamps or lanterns are essential for your room. Not only will they give you extra lighting, but they are a great way to tie in accent colors or personalize your space. You could even go with a neon sign for an extra cool touch.
Make sure to get lights for essential areas. For example, get a reading light for your nightstand and a lamp for your desk or work area.
3. Add rugs. Rugs are a nice way to change the look and feel of your bedroom. A fun and funky print can liven up your space as well as add some extra padding if you have hardwood floors. Choose 1 large rug or a few smaller ones, depending on your space.
Even if you already have a carpet, a rug on top can help keep the carpet clean. It can also add a little extra warmth and softness to the floor, which is great when you step out of bed on cold mornings.
4. Hang posters or photos. These will help you personalize the space. Choose a dreamy landscape to help you relax, or an informational poster, like the periodic table, to keep your mind sharp. You can also put up maps, calendars, or cork boards. Add pictures of yourself, your pets, your friends, and your family to make the room your own.
Add items that help the room feel like you. For example, you might choose posters of your favorite movies or bands, print out some photos you took, or put up some of your own drawings.
A great thing about picture frames and cork boards is that you can change out the pictures for new ones whenever you want to update your space!
Part 4 Keeping Your Room Clean and Organized.
1. Put a laundry hamper in your room. A pile of dirty clothes on the floor can really mess up the look of your room. Buy a hamper that matches the style of your room and put it in a convenient corner. This way, you’ll have a nice-looking place to toss your laundry and keep it out of sight.
Choose a hamper with a lid to make your dirty clothes even more invisible and keep any smelly socks contained!
2. Get a wastebasket. This is an essential item for keeping your space tidy. Place the wastebasket in a part of your room where you’re most likely to use it. For example, if you like to snack at your desk while you’re doing your homework, put the wastebasket there so you can easily throw away wrappers, napkins, and crumbs.
If you do throw away a lot of food garbage, remember to take out the trash regularly so it doesn’t start to smell or attract bugs.
Look for a garbage bin or wastebasket that fits your space and matches the style of your room.
3. Keep bins under your bed for extra storage space. If you don’t have a lot of room to keep your stuff, the space under your bed can make a great storage area. Measure the space so that you know what size the bins need to be to fit there.
Look for clear plastic bins with lids so you can see the stuff inside while also protecting it from dust.
You can also buy rolling shelves designed to fit under beds. These are great because they’re super easy to slide in and out!
4. Mount some shelves on the walls. Putting up shelves is a good storage solution if you don’t have a lot of floor space. You can put them above your bed or over your desk, or even get shelves that are angled to fit in corners. Use them to store books and other items or to display decorations and collectibles.
Work with your parents to make sure you are mounting the shelves safely and correctly.
5. Buy a closet organizer. Closet organizers are a great way to maximize your storage and keep your stuff tidy. Look for an organizer that has space for shoes, accessories, and any other items you want to keep in your closet.
Keep items that you use a lot front and center, where you can reach them easily. If you have items in the closet that you rarely need (like that sleeping bag you use once a year on family camping trips), put them up high or in the back.
6. Start a daily tidying routine. The best way to keep your room clean and tidy is to work on it a little bit every day. Set aside a few minutes to make your bed, pick up any clothes that didn’t make it to the hamper, and throw any loose trash in your wastebasket. Take a look around and tidy up any other objects that are out of place.
Make time to sweep or vacuum occasionally, and don’t forget to take out the trash!
If you ever eat in your room, make sure to bring any used dishes, cups, and utensils back to the kitchen.
The bathroom is often one of the most overlooked and neglected rooms when it comes to decorating. Fortunately, there are some quick and easy ways to give your bathroom a fresh look. It can be as simple as change out the towels and adding a plant, to as fancy as adding wallpaper or painting the wall behind a set of shelves.
Method 1 Changing the Patterns and Colors.
1. Choose a theme and color scheme for your bathroom. Most people prefer refreshing themes and colors, such as cool blues, Zen, pale green, or nautical. You can choose something more unique, however, such as vintage, romantic, or ornate.
Pastel colors are great for a vintage look, while deep reds and golds are perfect for an ornate look.
You can also use neutral colors, such as white and black, or white and silver.
Your theme can be specific, such as rustic farmhouse, or general, such as traditional or classic.
2. Repaint your bathroom or bathroom furniture. You can repaint the entire bathroom, or you can paint just 1 wall an accent color. For example, if your bathroom’s walls are all white, consider painting 1 wall a different color, like light blue or pale gray.
Make sure that you use a paint suitable for humid, bathroom environments.
The best paint finish for a bathroom will be satin or semi-gloss.
3. Add some wallpaper as an alternative. You can apply the wallpaper over all of the bathroom’s walls, or you can choose just 1 accent wall. You can also use a narrow strip of wallpaper trim along the top or middle of the wall instead.
Make sure that the wallpaper matches the color and theme of your bathroom.
4. Apply a wall treatment for an upscale design. Great options for your bathroom include tile, faux shiplap, stone, or glass. Although they're a more expensive decorative option, wall treatments last a long time and elevate your design.
Make sure the wall treatment you pick is appropriate for a bathroom, since it will get humid. When in doubt, talk to a product representative.
5. Use wall decals or framed artwork as a temporary option. If you live in a rental unit, you may not be able to repaint the walls or use wall paper. You can still use removable wall decals. You can also hang some framed artwork above the toilet or towel rack instead.
Simple silhouettes work the best when it comes to wall decals. Try scrolls or filigree for a fancy look, or trees and greenery for a serene look.
If your bathroom doesn't have good ventilation, the frames must contain glass.
If you're wanting a temporary upscale look, you can install peel-and-stick tiles behind your sink to create a backsplash. You can find these at home improvement stores or online.
6. Paint the back walls inside open shelving units. If you have shelves in your bathroom, consider painting the walls behind them a different color. This works best on shelves without cabinet doors, but you can do this on cabinets too.
For example, if your bathroom has white walls, paint the walls behind the shelves a light gray for a subtle pop of color.
If you want to add a designer touch to your shelves, you can install wallpaper or contact paper along the back wall instead of paint. As another option, you could apply the contact paper just on the shelves.
Method 2 Adding Textiles and Furniture.
1. Add a small, decorative stand or side table. Choose a small stand or a side table that is 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 cm) across and tuck it into a niche or corner. Not only will this look cute, but it can double-up as extra storage.
For example, you could keep candles or bowls filled with pretty soaps on top of the table.
If your table has shelves, roll up your towels and place them inside the shelves. Not only is this a great decorative touch, it's also practical!
Consider placing a nice tray atop the table for your toiletries or perfumes.
2. Consider an upholstered bench for comfort and luxury. Choose a bench that matches the style and colors of your bathroom, then set it against the wall. If you have a small bathroom but still want a hint of luxury, consider an upholstered stool instead.
Don't be afraid to take a bench apart and re-paint or re-upholster it. If you decide to re-upholster the bench, make sure you choose a water-resistant fabric. This is especially important if you plan to sit on the bench while wet or place wet items on the bench. Otherwise, it may develop mold or mildew.
3. Get a shelving unit if you have space for it. Not only can this add a decorative element to your bathroom, but it will also allow you to store other items, such as towels, toilet paper, and so forth.
Make the shelf more decorative by adding a plant or a vessel filled with pretty soaps or bath bombs.
If you have a small bathroom, consider adding a single, narrow shelf just above the bathroom vanity. Store your perfumes, cosmetics, and toothbrushes on it.
If you have a small bathroom, consider getting a mini metal shelving unit that you can place on your bathroom counter or hang above the toilet.
Another option for shelving is floating shelves, which are great if you don't have the space for a unit. You can hang your floating shelves over your toilet or, if there's no shower, above the bathtub. Use your shelves for extra towels, rolls of toilet paper, personal care items, or decorations.
4. Brighten up a dull bathroom with colorful towels or a bathmat. One of the quickest ways to change the look of your bathroom is by swapping out the towels and bathmat for something new.
Consider the season. Warm colors work well for fall, while cool colors work better for winter. Pastels are great for spring, and bright colors are ideal for summer.
Play around with different shades and layering. For example, try a light green hand towel over a dark green bath towel.
Bathmats don’t always have to be made from towel material. You can get wooden or bamboo ones too!
5. Change out the shower curtain for something more exciting. If you have a plain white or frosted shower curtain, consider switching it out for a different one. Pick out a bright color that matches your towels. If solid colors aren't your thing, try a pattern instead.
If you are going with a pattern, make sure that it matches the other colors in your bathroom.
If you have a window in your bathroom, consider getting some mini curtains or blinds for it. Keep them open so that you have lots of daylight.
If you have any curtains you aren't using, you can hang these over your plastic shower curtain to create a fancy look.
Method 3 Updating Fixtures and Lighting.
1. Take advantage of natural lighting if your bathroom has it. Some bathrooms have windows in them. These are great of bringing in natural daylight and giving your bathroom a fresher look. Clear the area in front of the window, wipe the window clean, and repaint the sill, if needed.
Decorate your window with opened curtains or plants, but keep it minimal so that the light can pass through.
On the other hand, if your bathroom has a grand, luxurious theme, hanging heavy curtains in front of the window may work better.
2. Trade out the light bulbs for something new. If you have lights above your bathroom mirror, consider switching them out for different ones. This can be as simple as changing the old, bright bulbs for frosted ones. It can be as fancy as getting actual lights with fancy covers or fixtures around them.
If your lights have fixtures or covers, make sure that they match the other metallic elements in your bathroom.
If you like to do makeup in your bathroom, choose lights with a bright, white glow. Avoid lights that give you a hazy, golden glow; it’s not good lighting for makeup.
If your bathroom is too dark, high-efficiency LED lights can give your bathroom a bright, white glow.
3. Switch out the towel racks for something new. Make sure that the new towel racks match the other metal fixtures in your bathroom, however. For example, if you have gold faucets, you should get gold towel racks--not silver ones.
Towel racks don’t always have to look like horizontal rods or bars. You can get ones shaped like hooks or loops instead.
If you can't afford to replace your towel racks, you can paint them instead! Simply take them off the wall and bring them outside. Use a metal spray paint to coat them in a new color. You could choose something metallic or mix it up with a fun shade that matches your bathroom, like a blue.
4. Change your mirror, or put a frame around it. If your mirror looks plain, see if you can find a fancier mirror. Oval mirrors or mirrors with beveled edges are a great option. If you can't change your mirror, consider framing it instead. You can use an actual frame, or you can use glass mosaic tiles instead.
If you are framing the mirror, use colors that match the other colors in your bathroom.
5/ Change the fixtures in your bathroom for a more adventurous project. This can be difficult for someone who has not done it before, so if the task is too intimidating for you, hire a handyman. Make sure that the colors go well with the overall theme of your bathroom.
For example, if your bathroom is ornate with lots of burgundy and gold, consider gold fixtures.
If your bathroom has a modern or Zen theme, try matte silver fixtures instead.
Method 4 Adding Accessories and Storage.
1. Bring some character with candles or decorative items. Things like pillar candles, figurines, and vases all make great bathroom accents. Find some items that match the color and theme of your bathroom, then display them in an out-of-the-way area, such as a side table, a shelf, or the corner of the counter.
If you are getting pillar candles, consider getting 3 candles that are the same color, but different heights and thicknesses. This will create some interesting variation.
Make sure that the items you choose can withstand humid conditions.
Avoid using breakable items, such as glass, if you have curious children or pets.
2. Bring in some greenery with a plant or 2. Choose a plant that requires low levels of sunlight. Even if your bathroom has a window in it, it likely won't provide enough sunlight for your plant.
Match the pots to your bathroom's tiles, towels, mat, or shower curtain.
Every so often, move your plant into a bright window for a day or 2 so that it can absorb sunlight.
Air plants are a great option for your bathroom! They'll thrive in the humid bathroom environment and require little care.
Hang some fake, green floral garlands along the ceiling. Ivy is a classic choice, but you can also try ferns or wisteria.
3. Store extra towels and toilet paper in baskets. Instead of keeping towels and toilet paper stacks on a shelf, put them into decorative storage baskets instead. Measure the depth of your shelf or cabinet first, then purchase some square or rectangular baskets that match those dimensions.
You can also use wire or canvas baskets. Container stores, fabric stores, and craft stores generally have a vast selection.
If you have space next to your sink or toilet, you can keep the baskets there as well.
You are not just limited to towels and toilet paper; you can store other items that you want to keep out of sight too, such as hair styling tools.
4. Keep cotton balls, Q-tips, and other toiletries in glass jars or vessels. Instead of leaving these items in the cabinet, transfer them into glass or clear acrylic containers, then keep the containers on your bathroom counter. Use 1 container for each type of item.
For example, keep your cotton balls in a tall jar and your Q-tips in a squat container.
Consider a vase or apothecary-style jar for extra bath bombs, mini lotion bottles, or hand soaps.
Tiered cupcake stands and cake stands make cute displays for perfumes, nail polish, and other cosmetics.
Old Mason jars are a great, low cost option for storing your items! If you don't like the look of them plain, add a ribbon or piece of fabric to make them match your decor. As another option, you could paint the jars, though you wouldn't be able to see into them anymore.
5. Make use of soap dispensers and toothbrush holders. Instead of keeping your liquid hand soap in the plastic bottle it came in, pour it into a glass or ceramic soap dispenser. If you prefer to use solid soap, keep it in a little dish or tray instead.
Keep your toothbrushes in a toothbrush holder. Make sure that it matches your soap dish or soap dispenser.
If you like to use mouthwash, consider pouring it into a glass vessel or bottle instead. Have some paper cups nearby, so that you have something to pour the mouthwash into.
Question : How can I decorate a small bathroom for cheap?
Answer : You can get a new shower curtain, add artwork (original or print free art from online), add a few plants, and your bathroom will look refreshed. Painting can also nicely update it if that is in your budget.
Question : How can I make my bathroom look brighter?
Answer : If you have a window, open the blinds (when it's okay to do so), add brighter LED bulbs to your light fixture, and paint your walls a bright or lighter color that will reflect light.
Question : What pictures should I put in my bathroom?
Answer : You can put up some rules to be followed inside the bathroom, and you can decorate the paper containing the rules.
Tips.
Don't be afraid to change your decorations with the seasons. Warm colors are great for cold weather, while cool colors are better for warm weather.
If you don't know how to do something, or aren't comfortable doing it yourself, consider hiring a professional, such as a painter or plumber.
Find inspiration online if you are stuck. There are lots of websites, such as Pinterest and Polyvore, that allow people to share ideas for projects.
Don't feel like you have to change out everything at once. You can update your style a little at a time.
Things You'll Need : Towels, Bathmat, Shower curtain, Storage baskets, Jars and vases.
For most people, the bedroom is more than simply a place to sleep at night. Redecorating your bedroom can help create an environment that is relaxing, reflects your personality, and even provide a better night's rest. Adding recycled pieces or simple DIY flourishes can help transform your room to fit your needs. You can also incorporate elements of Feng Sui to convert your room into a sanctuary.
Part 1 Planning and Reorganizing.
1. Make a 2-dimensional floor plan of your room and furniture. Use a tape measure to measure the dimensions of your room (length and width). On a piece of graphing paper, draw a scale image of room where 3 grid squares = 4 inches or 1/3rd of a foot.
Include in your floor plan the location and size of doors, windows, closets, fireplaces, etc.
Make scale drawings of furniture on a separate piece of paper. Measure the length and width of any large pieces of furniture (e.g. bed, dresser, couch).
Cut these out and rearrange them in your drawing to see how much space you have to work with.
Carry this plan and furniture cut-outs with you if go shopping or "dumpster diving", so you know if you have enough space for something before bringing it home.
2. Make a list of design ideas. In a search engine such as Google or Bing, type in "easy bedroom decorating ideas" or "cheap bedroom diy".
Before starting a project you find online, write-out the instructions and compile a list of materials, including tools.
Gather together any tools or materials you need before beginning your project.
3. Clean your room. Create more space and reorganize by getting rid of anything that is unnecessary or outdated.
Clean out and organize your closet, under your bed, and other places in your room where stuff has accumulated.
Donate any furniture, clothing, or electronics that are in good condition. A good rule of thumb is to donate or throw out anything you haven't worn or used in the past year.
4. Rearrange or add furniture. Create more space in your bedroom by moving your bed against the wall or place a comfortable chair next to the window to make a comfy reading nook.
You want everything currently in your bedroom to fit comfortably before adding anything new, especially if you have a small bedroom.
Add a bed skirt so you can store things under your bed without them being seen.
Switch-out a bedside table with one that has drawers for storage or several shelves to hold books.
5. Maximize the storage potential of your bedroom. Create additional space by installing extra shelving in your closet or purchasing a combination of plastic and decorative storage bins.
Attach hooks or shoe bags to the back of doors.
Use the vertical space in your closet to install high shelves as a space to store out-of-season clothes and accessories.
Decide what you want to place in each storage bin and label it. Use these labels to avoid throwing anything in a bin that does not belong. This will help you stay organized.
Arrange storage bins on a shelf or the bottom shelf of a bookcase for easy access. If the bin is in a visible location, use a decorative canvas bin or wicker basket.
6. Rearrange your bedroom according to the principles of Feng Sui. Your bed should be raised off the floor and if possible, avoid placing it in an area that receives direct sunlight during the day.
Do not place mirrors opposite your bed.
Stimulate your other senses by adding lightly scented candles or spraying diluted essential oils. Lavender has been shown to decrease heart rate and blood pressure.
7. Create a more relaxing space. Replace any light bulbs that emit a bluish light with soft white LED bulbs. Blue light stimulates brain activity and may make it more difficult to fall asleep.
Look through your house for lamps that have LED soft white bulbs and swap them with bulbs from your bedroom. Most interior lamps use 40- or 60-watt bulbs, but check first before exchanging a light bulb from another lamp.
Incorporate warm, bright colors as accessories (lamps, vases, pillows, etc.), but do not make them the dominate color in your bedroom.
Part 2 Decorating with Re-purposed or Recycled Items.
1. Find free things. Find a freecycle network within your area or ask friends and relatives for old unwanted items.
Look for furniture made from real wood that can be refinished.[9]
Unless it is in good condition, avoid second-hand plywood, particle board, or laminate furniture. While these surfaces can be cleaned and repainted, refinishing techniques such as sanding or sawing can release airborne pollutants such as formaldehyde.
2. Go to garage sales. Check your local newspaper or Craigslist for garage sales in or near your neighborhood.
You are more likely to find things for free if you go later in the day, preferably after 12:00 p.m.
3. Ask for old swatch books at the wallpaper store. Use recycled wallpaper to decoupage old lamps, vases, or furniture for free.
You can also use wallpaper to line shelves or the bottoms of drawers.
4. Move furniture and art from other places in the house for a fun change. For example, move a bookshelf from the living room to your bedroom.
Look for design inspiration in your own house. Use a painting, decorative pillow, piece of clothing, or floor rug as the basis for a new design theme or color palette in your room.
Ask permission from housemates before moving anything.
Part 3 Making Your Own Bedroom Accessories.
1. Make your own throw pillows. Throw pillows make a great accent piece and can add color. However, store bought pillows are often expensive. While having sewing skills or access to a sewing machine are helpful, they are not necessary.
Make a 'no sew pillow' by using two pieces of felt that are the same.[14] Place the felt pieces together and use scissors to cut 2 inch wide by 5 inch long strips along the edges. Leave a square at each corner. Tie the strips together around an insert pillow or cotton batting.
Use two t-shirts that hold sentimental value, but don't fit anymore to make a pillow. Cut-out a square or rectangular piece (depending on what shape and size you want your pillow) from each shirt. Place the two pieces together and sew together three of the four sides. Stuff with cotton batting or even other t-shirts before sewing the final edge.
You can also stuff a pillow with fabric scraps or use an old pillow as an insert pillow.
2. Make your own curtains. Drape fabric over the top and down the side of a curtain rod and then slide a valance or swag over the rod.
If you live in an area with a lot of light-pollution from streetlights, signs, car headlights, etc., you might want to use darker fabric to block outside light. Too much light exposure at dusk or at night can disrupt your body's natural sleep-wake cycle, known as its circadian rhythm.
Make your own curtain rings. Attach your curtains to the rod by tying hooks with fabric, rope, or ribbon. You can also dress-up cheap curtain wrings by wrapping them in different colored fabric.
Use a bed sheet to make a curtain ruffle that can be sewed onto the top or bottom of your curtains.
Use inexpensive small hooks, pegs or doorknobs to "hang" or tie curtains off to the side.
3. Make your own flower arrangement. Search garage sales, flea markets, and second-hand shops for silk flowers, or cut and dry real flowers.
Make an arrangement of dried grasses and wildflowers found along the roadside.Cut the flower and at least 8 inches of stem when they are in peak-bloom. Remove any leaves along the stem. Tie the flowers together with a piece of twine and hang them upside down in a dark, cool, dry place until completely dry, about 2-3 weeks.
4. Make a jewelry tree for your dresser. Arrange several dry branches in a vase. Fill the vase with pebbles for stability. Decorate the tree by draping earrings, necklaces and bracelets over the branches.
5. Hang some of your drawings, paintings or old calendar pictures on the walls. They don't necessarily need a frame. Attach them to the wall with a couple of common pins or mount them with poster board or foam board.
6. Experiment with DIY design ideas. Make a decorative mat or bureau scarf.
Stylize a plain lampshade by wrapping it in metallic ribbon, wrap it in gauzy fabric, or cover it in old maps or pages from your favorite book.
Make a mobile of odds and ends to hang from the ceiling. Attach old keys or origami birds with string to a metal coat hanger. This adds a fun, whimsical atmosphere to the room.
Question : I share a room with my sister and my mom wouldn't allow some of these ideas, but a few might do! Anything else?
Answer : I love some of these, but you need to agree with your sister. If you two agree, and your mom says no, ask her why she doesn't want that idea. She must have a good reason. A cute idea that she won't say no to is to put some books on your shelf landscape-way with up to five on each other, and put a few trinkets, such as glass animals, on top.
Question : My room is awesome, but my brothers always enter it without permission and break stuff and open my drawers. I have tried reasoning with them, and my parents won't stop them either. What do I do?
Answer : Try to save up money to get locks, either to get installed on your bedroom door or on your drawers. Also, find a hiding place to put your most valuable stuff. Remember, the harder you look, the harder they'll look, so go simple.
Question : How can I make space in my room?
Answer : Make sure everything is picked up off the floors, and get rid of all the old things you do not want.
Question : What are some ideas for DIY projects for small rooms?
Answer : You can make the room calmer or brighter to make it appear bigger by using washi tape to cover light switches or plugs. You could also make decorations with washi tape or cardboard for your door.
Question : I don't have a lot of money. What can I do for free?
Answer : You can use some of your own drawings or paintings or even some from another room to accessorize. You could also ask family members who have a garden for some nice flowers or plants to decorate. Go to a garage sale and look at what they have for some possible ideas as well.
Question : Can I have an example of some DIY projects?
Answer : You could do something as simple as decorating a simple lamp with some fabric or even writing quotes or putting accessories on a dresser. There are endless possibilities.
Question : Where can I get free suggestions on how to decorate my room?
Answer : There are a lot of online sights that offer decorating techniques. You can take an old dresser or desk and make it a decorative piece by writing quotes or drawing on it for decor.
Question : How should I decorate a loft bed?
Answer : Buy some nice sheets or reuse some from a garage sale or even at your own house. Go to a garage sale to find some decorative pillows or throws to add. You could even use some fabric to make a curtain for around it.
Question : I share a room with my sister and we have different tastes, how do I decorate?
Answer : You can always decorate your half of the room! If that's not convenient, then add a few small touches that don't clash with your sister's style. You could also just talk it over with your sister and try to compromise, there's got to be a few things you can agree on!
Question : How do I get teenage room decor for free with DIY?
Answer : Use the tips here to create things that vibe with the teen's style.
Tips.
Spray paint any mismatched furniture to match your room's décor.
Turn a wall into a chalkboard by painting it with chalkboard paint, or designate one wall as an art wall and paint what ever you want.
Minimize damage to walls when hanging pictures or posters by using blue sticky tack or reusable adhesive hooks. You can also buy an inexpensive picture or mirror hanging kit from a hardware store.
Turn a twin bed into a daybed by pushing it against the wall and placing pillows along the back edge.
Keep your room feeling fresh by washing bed sheets and pillow cases at least once a week.
Make a wall collage using photos, posters and anything cute.
Turn on your favorite music and renew your spirit along with your room. Music can change a room's atmosphere completely without any need for redecoration.
Planning is the most important first step for any redecorating or DIY project.
Select a theme or color scheme and stick to it. This will help you stick to your budget by preventing you from buying anything that does not 'go'.
Remember if you are under-aged or living in someone else's house, ask permission before decorating.
Warnings.
Be careful moving furniture. Ask for help if you think you may need it. Strained backs or broken toes are never fun.
Always let someone else use a nail and hammer if you're inexperienced. Throbbing thumbs or cracked walls certainly don't add much to a room.
Refrain from using power tools unless you have received proper training or obtain guidance from someone who is experience. Always wear a face mask when stripping old paint or sanding furniture.
Let's face it, when you're twelve, those baby yellow walls and white pine furniture just isn't cool anymore. A teenager needs a little more pizazz in a room. Here are some ideas on how to do that without spending a horrific amount of money on the process. Make sure to put the baby dolls in the closet.
Steps.
1. Paint the room. Paint isn't very expensive and it makes a room look completely different. Don't just stick to plain old white, try some other colors. Pick a shade of your favorite color and use that. You could even paint the ceiling if you want to, the same color as the walls or any other interesting color. You may also consider only painting two walls or so because this allows you do use darker colours without making the room feel enclosed and keeps it light.
2. Try to change the finish on it. Your local paint store will have ideas on how to do neat finishes on the walls. Take a look at sponge painting, and stencils, they add interest to a room and stencils can even follow your favorite hobby. Be bold and make your room into whatever you want. Also, you can try out wall stickers or cards which are an easy way to stop plain walls looking boring.
3. Add shelves. It just tends to collect and usually ends up on the floor because there isn't enough space in the closet for it. Shelves are the answer. You can make shelves out of just about anything, from cement bricks and boards to those plastic crates that eggs come in at the store. Ask for the crates at the store and then stack them in your room, on their sides. They come in all kinds of bright colors, but you can always spray paint them if you want.
4. Choose a theme for the room and stick to it. Make sure it matches the colours. A tropical room in red and black doesn't make as much sense as one in blue and green. Try not to use permanent decorations for themes. While horses are cool today, you may not like them when you're 17. Most of all, let your imagination go wild.
5. Another idea is to paint part of the wall with black paint. You could just do shapes or work on a city skyline that goes right around the room. If you paint a large black rectangle it can be used as a chalk board.
6. Add some pillows to the décor. There's nothing like some soft pillows or cushions to sit on when you invite a bunch of friends over for a video night. Make sure there is enough comfortable seating for a few people. Chatting on the floor isn't comfy.
7. If you or a friend is artistic, try adding some spice to the walls with a nice mural. It can be as big or as little as you want, from a ladybug in one corner to a full wall panorama.
8. Try hanging some bead curtains from the frame. They come in dozens of shapes now, from peace signs and hearts, to stars and happy faces. Choose one that fits your personality.
9. Don't underestimate the power of posters. Arrange them in different ways. Try a checkerboard pattern or randomly tilted posters.
10. Spice up the wallpapered look. Tired of your wallpaper and not allowed to change it? Try hanging a cool fabric over it. Fill it with posters, photos, cork boards, and the like.
11. Add some type of borders. Borders finish off your room. You can stencil borders, add a wallpaper border, or make your own with a collection. Adding a shelf around the top of your walls will provide a place to put larger items, or you can stick up pictures or movie tickets, or ticket stubs from fairs, etc. Pick something that you like and go with it. Borders don't have to stay by the ceiling either, they can run around the room at any level you please.
12. Start collecting pictures and words from magazines NOW. Anything that interests you and start gluing it up to the door. Layer things, overlap the pictures and stick the words on top. You can just do whatever or choose a theme like animals, fame, or something that pleases you.
Tips.
Keep your room clean!
Make it unique; make it reflect who you are!
Even though it's in style, doesn't mean it's cool. Don't do anything permanent just because other kids are doing it. You may end up regretting it.
Try to add a dry erase board or chalkboard to add some tips and drawings that aren't permanent to express yourself!
Use colorful wall stickers and stamps to illustrate who you are.
Posters are a great way of showing your true self.
Try putting chalk board paint in you room.☺
Warnings.
If you're a parent trying to surprise your child with a new room; Don't. The best way to make your child happy, is to let them have the liberty of doing it themselves.
If you're a parent decorating for a foster child, or an adopted child, wait until they come and let them help you pick things out, or ask them when you meet them for the first time.
Do things that suit YOU, not your friends or the popular kids.
Be careful if using paint, not to breath fumes constantly. It's bad for you.
Ask your parents if you're allowed to tape stuff to or draw on a wall.
Things You'll Need : Posters, Paint and paint-brushes, Wall boarders, A disco light lamp! (Optional).
Pink is a versatile and fun color to decorate with throughout your home. Many people avoid using pink because it reminds them of childish decor. This, however, is not always the case. There are many ways that you can incorporate pink into your decor while still creating a stylish and sophisticated feel. When using pink in your home decor try using it is an accent color, play around with different shades, and choose complementary colors to pair with the pink. The most important thing is to experiment and have fun!
Method 1 Using Pink as an Accent Color.
1. Buy a pink statement piece to create a focal point. Pink can be an intimidating color to use in home decor. Some people feel that pink is too bold to use on walls and it reminds them of childish or overly feminine decor. As a result, use pink as an accent colour to brighten a room and add a pop of color. To do this you can buy a pink statement piece, such as a sofa, appliance, table, headboard, or large piece of artwork, depending on the room you are decorating.
Use subdued colors on the walls in order to allow the pink statement piece to act as a focal point in the room.
Pair pink with neutral colors like gold, white, or gray.
2. Use pink throws and pillows for a pop of pink. If you want to use pink in a more subtle way, try adding pink throws and pillows to your living room. This allows you to incorporate pink into your decorating pallet without breaking the bank on a large statement piece. You can also change your throws and pillows seasonally to mix things up in a fun way.
For example, you could use pink pillows and throws during the spring and summer months to brighten up your home.
3. Paint one accent wall pink to make the color stand out. Another way to incorporate pink into your home decor is by painting one accent wall pink. This will allow the color pink to stand out and make a statement without feeling overdone. Try using a bright pink in a small space such as a front entryway or powder room.
You could also create a pink accent wall in a bedroom, using a softer more romantic shade of pink, such as a blush or rose.
4. Add texture to a room using pink wallpaper. Wallpaper can also be a great foundation for your color scheme. Patterned wallpaper will help to add texture to a room. You can try wallpapering the entire room, or just one wall depending on your preference. If you choose to use wallpaper on only one wall, you should paint the remaining walls in the room to match the background color of the wallpaper. This will create a seamless transition between the accent wall and the rest of the room.
For example, if you choose a pink wallpaper with tiny white flowers, pull out the pink background color and paint the remaining walls to match that shade of pink.
Method 2 Playing with Different Shades of Pink.
1. Try decorating with blush or rose to add subtlety. Pink also comes in a variety of different shades that are suitable for different styles of decor. Try decorating with subtle pinks such as blush, shell pink, and rose to give your home a summery feeling and a light pop of pink.
For instance, choose a neutral color, like white or gray, for the base. Decorate with pillows, picture frames, or vases, all in varying shades of pink.
2. Decorate with dark pinks for a bolder look. Dark bold pinks, such as fuchsia or hot pink, will draw a lot of attention. As a result, you should use them mainly as impact pieces that will catch the eye and hold attention. Use bold pinks in artwork, upholstery, or as part of a patterned rug. Although you can paint walls in bold pinks, some people may find this overwhelming. It is best to stick to smaller rooms or accent walls.
Pair hot pink with green or navy blue to make a bold and vibrant statement.
3. Layer different shades of pink to create a youthful elegance. This type of decorating is called monochromatic. Use pink as a base color and then layer your accent pieces with different shades of pink. This type of decorating works nicely in the bedroom.
For instance, if you are decorating a nursery or child's room you can use multiple shades of pink to create a unique look. Try layering light pink walls with bubble gum pink furniture, and hot pink floral accessories.
Method 3 Complementing Pink Decor.
1. Pair pink with dark colors. Soft light pinks pair nicely with darker tones. Dark tones, such as black, brown, dark grey, and dark wood allow the lightness of pink to stand out.
For example, pink upholstery looks great framed by dark wood. You can also position pink furniture on dark tiled floors for an elegant and sophisticated look.
2. Use metallic colors to complement pink. Pink also pairs well with metallic tones, such as silver and gold. For example, you could pair pink upholstered dining room chairs with an ornate gold light fixture. This will help brighten the room and the gold and pink tones will complement each other nicely. Similarly, you could use a cooler shade of pink for a living room area rug and pair it with grey furniture and silver light fixtures.
Experiment throughout your home matching different shades or pink with a variety of metallic textures.
3. Use pink as a neutral tone. You can also use pink as a neutral tone. For instance, paint your walls a beige color that has pink undertones. You can pull out these undertones by adding pink accent pieces to the room. For example, try pink drapes, pillows, pictures, or floral arrangements. This is a great way to incorporate pink in a subtle and sophisticated manner.
Alternatively you could paint your walls a light pink and then pair it with more neutral furniture and accessories. This will allow the pink walls to appear more neutral.
Pink works well with many styles. You can use pink to create a shabby-chic look, a glamorous and luxurious style, or a floral, summery vibe.
Tips.
Search online for unique decorating ideas.
Hire an interior decorator or ask for decorating advice while shopping for paint and other supplies.
Home decor is about personal taste and the most important thing is to make sure that you love the way your home looks.
Don't worry that using pink will make your home look too feminine or childish. When done tastefully, it can be appropriate for any setting or style and look sophisticated.
Birthday banners are a great addition to any party, but store bought banners can feel impersonal, especially if you wish to add the person's name. Fortunately, it is very easy to make a birthday banner. This article will show you lots of ways to make such a banner.
Steps Getting Started.
1. Come up with a message. Your message can be as simple or complex as you want it to be. Here are some ideas to get you started.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOB, HAPPY 30th BOB (the "th" will be on one sheet), HAPPY SWEET 16, HAPPY 16th BITHDAY JANE (the "th" will be on one sheet), HAPPY SWEET 16 JANE.
2. Come up with a layout. Most banners will have the entire message on the same line, but you don't have to do this. You can make your banner look more interesting by giving it a different layout. Here are some ideas to get you started:
All the words can be on the same line.
Each word can be on a different line.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY can be on one line, and the person's name can be one a different line.
3. Decide on a theme. This can make choosing your colors, patterns, and fonts a lot easier. You can match the theme to the party, the person's interests, or come up with your own theme. Here are some ideas to get you started:
If you want to use a train theme, consider making a pennant banner with square pennants. Each pennant will make a train cart. Make a train engine shape to use at the front of your banner.
For an under water theme, use lots of blues and greens. Use some fish and bubble stickers around the letters.
For a princess theme, consider what sort of princess this is. Typical princess colors are pink and silver, but if your princess is from a specific movie, you might want to use the colors from her dress instead.
Consider what the person likes. Does he or she have a favorite food, animal, color, book, or movie? Choose one of those, and design your banner around that.
4. Play with font. You can use a standard block letter font, or a fancy italic or cursive font. Larger, thicker fonts might be more appealing to children. If your banner has a party or theme, consider matching the font to that. For example, if you are doing a princess themed banner, consider using a cursive or italic font.
5. Choose a color scheme. This will help your banner look more unified and interesting. Choosing random colors might result in something that looks less than appealing. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Use three different colors, such as red, yellow, and blue.
Use different shades of the same color. For example: light blue, medium blue, and dark blue.
Use all cool colors, such as green, blue, and purple. You can also use all warm colors, such as red/pink, orange, and yellow.
Use metallic colors, such as gold or silver.
Alternate contrasting colors, such as white and black.
6. Don't be afraid to use prints and patterns. You can make your banner look really interesting and unique with some patterned scrapbooking paper. Here are some things to consider:
Combine solid colors and patterns. For example: solid blue and white with blue dots.
Combine patterns, such as vertical strips, horizontal strips, and dots.
Try to use similar colors in your patterns. This will tie the design together and prevent the patterns and colors from clashing.
7. Use blank spaces to add designs. When creating a banner, you will likely end up with some blank spaces between and around the words. You can leave them blank, or you can fill them in with images that matches the theme. Here are some ideas to get you started:
If you are making a pennant banner for a snow themed party, and you have blank pennants between the words, consider gluing a snowflake onto the blank pennant.
If you are painting a banner for a super hero themed party, consider adding a border using comic book strips. You can also buy comic book themed scrapbooking paper instead if you don't want to sacrifice any old comic books.
If you are making a banner for someone who likes the ocean, consider filling in any blank spaces with images of fish, shells, and sea bubbles.
Method 1 Using Letter Shapes.
1. Choose your paper. The best paper to use for this is cardstock. You can find it in the scrapbook section of an arts and crafts store. It comes in many different colors. You can also use construction paper, but it will not be as bright and it will not be as durable.
2. Trace your letter shapes onto the paper. Find some large stencils, and use them to trace the letters onto your paper. You should be able to fit several letters onto one page. Make sure that the letters are several inches high; you want to be able to read the banner easily from across the room.
Try to use a pencil while tracing so that you can erase the lines later.
You can also print the letter outlines out onto the paper. If you are using cardstock, feed one sheet at a time through your printer.
3. Cut the letters out. You can use scissors or a sharp craft knife. Be sure to cut just inside the lines you made when tracing the letter. If you see any pencil marks, be sure to erase them.
4. Measure and cut your string. The string needs to be long enough to fit all of the letters, plus an additional 12 inches (30.48 centimeters) at each end. This will allow you to hang the banner.
5. Arrange your letters. They can be as close together or as far apart as you like. They will hang better, however, if you include some space between each letter.
6. Glue the letters to the banner. Flip the letters over. Draw a thin line of glue along the top edge of each letter. Press the string down into the glue.
You can also use clear tape to stick the string to the back of the letters if you are short on time.
7. Let the glue dry before hanging the banner. Depending on the type of glue you used, this can take anywhere from a few hours to a whole day.
Method 2 Making a Pennant Banner.
1. Choose your paper. You can use any type of paper you want to make your pennants. The best paper to use is scrapbooking paper, because it is very colorful. Cardstock is also a good option, because it is sturdy. The paper can be all one color, or multiple colors.
2. Make sure you have enough paper to spell out your message. You will need one sheet of paper for each letter in your message. You will also need an extra sheet for the spaces between each word.
3. Create a template for the pennants using thick cardstock paper. You can use almost any shape you want, but the most popular shapes are circles, triangles, and rectangles. Make the template a few inches larger than the letters you are planning on using. It needs to be large enough so that you can easily read it across the room.
If you are using a rectangle, consider cutting a ^ shape into the bottom.
4. Trace the template onto the back of each paper and cut the shapes out. Use a pencil if you can. Once you have cut the shapes out, erase any pencil marks that are still visible. These will be your pennants. You will be sticking the letters onto these.
If you could not find a pencil, cut the shapes out just inside the lines you have made.
5. Consider cutting a smaller version of the pennant shape, and gluing it down onto the pennant first. Use a contrasting color. This will create a sort of frame around the letter. To do this, take your template and cut it smaller all around by ½ to 1 inch (1.27 to 2.54 centimeters). Trace the template onto contrasting sheets of paper, cut the shapes out, and attach them to the center of each pennant. You can use glue or clear, double-sided tape.
6. Create your letters and stick them down onto the pennants. The letters need to be several inches high, but smaller than the pennants. You will need one letter for pennant. Consider using a contrasting color to make them more visible. Here are some ideas on what you can use for the letters:
Use some large, letter stickers.
Paint the letters on using stencils and acrylic paint.
Cut the letters out of paper and glue them on. You can even use glitter scrapbooking paper for some extra sparkle.
7. Choose and cut your string. Choose a thin string, such as baker's twine, yarn, or balloon ribbon. Plan on leaving about 12 inches (30.48 centimeters) of string at the front and end of your banner so that you can hang it.
8. Consider weaving some string through the pennants. This method will work best on triangle and square-shaped pennants. Use a hole punch to poke a hole in each top corner. Then, weave the ribbon through the holes like so:
Push the string down through the left hole.
Bring the string across the back of the pennant.
Pull the string up through the right hole.
Push the string down through the left hole of next pennant.
Bring it across the back of the pennant, and pull it back up through the right hole.
Keep doing this until you have no more pennants.
9. Consider taping the string to the back of your banner. Flip the shape over, and lay the string across the back. Position it about ½ inch (1.27 centimeters) below the top edge. Secure it in place with a long piece of clear tape. The tape should go from one side of the shape to the other.
If you are using a rectangle shape, tape the string 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) down from the top edge. Fold the top edge back by 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) on top of the string. Secure it with glue or clear, double-sided tape.
10. Wait for any glue and paint to dry before hanging the banner. Depending on what you used, this can take anywhere between a few hours to a whole day.
Method 3 Painting a Banner.
1. Buy enough butcher paper to fit your message. You can find colorful butcher paper online, in teacher supply stores, and in certain university/college art stores. Regular arts and crafts stores may not sell butcher paper.
You can also use fabric instead, but you may want to hem the edges so that they do not fray.
White butcher paper may seem plain, but it will give you a nice canvas to work on.
2. Draw some guidelines on the paper using a pencil and ruler. Draw lightly with the pencil so that you can erase the marks easier later on. This will help ensure that your words are straight and not crooked.
3. Lightly sketch out your message using a pencil. You don't have to get the font right at this point—just try to get the rough shape and size. This will help you position the stencils later on. Again, remember to draw lightly so that the pencil does not show through the paint.
4. Place your stencil where you want it. Some stencils will have a sticky back and will stay put while you paint. If your stencil moves around too much, tape the edges down using painter's tape.
5. Paint over the stencil using acrylic paint. You can use a foam brush or a stencil brush to apply the paint. Apply the paint using a light, tapping motion. Try not to apply too much paint at once; you can always apply another coat or two. If you apply too much paint at once, the paint may leak under the stencil and create puddles.
If you are painting on fabric, use fabric paint instead.
6. Move the stencil over to the next letter. You may want to start out by painting every other letter first, then going back and painting the missing letters. This will give the paint time to dry, and you won't have to worry about accidentally touching and smearing wet paint.
7. Let the paint dry before you hang the banner. Depending on what type of paint you used, this can take anywhere between 20 minutes to 2 hours. Hang your banner up by either taping or tacking it to the wall.
Method 4 Using Photoshop
1. Open a new file in Photoshop and set the dimensions for your banner. Don't worry about making your banner super large. You can always make it bigger later. Your local print shop should also be able to print the banner larger.
Consider staring out with a 500 by 200 pixel banner.
2. Use the fill tool to set a background color, if desired. You can find the fill tool on the side menu. It looks like a paint bucket. You can leave the background white, or your can make it a different color. You can also choose to add a gradient.
To create a gradient: right-click on the paint bucket, and select the gradient option. Choose the two colors you want; they are located at the bottom of the side menu. Click on your banner, drag down a little, and let go.
3. Select the type tool. You can find it on the side menu. It usually looks like a letter T. Click on it, and then click on your background where you want the text to be.
4. Choose the font, color, and size of your text. You can find these options along the top of the screen. For the color, consider choosing something that contrasts with the background.
5. Type out your birthday message. If the text is not to your liking, highlight it, and change it by choosing the font options located along the top of the screen.
6. Save your file onto your computer and a USB flash drive. You will want to save it as a Photoshop document first. This will keep the layers intact, so that you can return to them and change them, if necessary. You will also want to save a printable version of your file. This will usually be a JPEG or PDF file. Check with your local print shop to see what sorts of files they can print.
7. Take the USB flash drive with your to your local print shop to print it. From there, you will be able to choose the paper you want it printed on. You will also be able to choose the size as well.
Method 5 Using Other Materials.
1. Use colorful paper bags. Get enough colorful paper bags to spell out your message. Make sure that all of the bags are the same size. Stick one letter to the front of each bag. You can use letter stickers, or cut your own letters out of colorful paper and glue them on.[6]
2. Use paper cups. Get enough colored paper cups to spell out your message. Stick one letter onto the front of each up. Use clothespins to secure the cups to a lone piece of ribbon.[7]
You can cut your own letters out of colorful paper and stick them onto the cups using glue.
You can also use large letter stickers
3. Use balloons. Get enough clear, latex balloons to spell out your message. Fill each balloon with a handful of colorful, paper confetti. Blow the balloons up and tie the ends into knots. Stick one letter onto each balloon. Tie the balloons onto a long piece of string to create a birthday banner garland.[8]
The balloons must be clear, or the confetti won't show.
Rub the balloons across some carpet or your hair. This will create static and make the confetti spread out.
You can use giant letter stickers, poster letters, or vinyl letter stickers.
4. Use paper doilies to make the pennants. When making a pennant banner, consider using paper doilies. You can fold them in half over the string and glue them in place, or your can tape them. You can also secure the doilies to the string using clothespins. Use delicate, cursive or italic letter stickers in a contrasting color to form your message.
5. Use colorful clothespins to attach pennants to string. Instead of using tape or glue, try pinning the pennants to the string instead. This will give you a more rustic look, which can work well with country, burlap, and shabby-chic themes.
Tips.
Consider matching the theme of your banner to the theme of the party.
Keep the person's likes and dislikes in mind. You would not want to make a banner using colors that the person hates.
Use things that the person likes as inspiration. If the person really likes the color blue and cats, consider making a blue banner with lots of kitty cats on it.
Warnings : Banners made out of paper are fragile. Do not hang them outside if it will rain. Also, be careful not to tear them.
Things You'll Need.
Using Letter Shapes : Scrapbook paper or cardstock, Stencils, Pencil, Scissors or craft knife, String, Glue or clear tape.
Making a Pennant Banner : Scrapbook paper or cardstock, Pencil, Scissors, String, Glue, hole punch, or tape.
Painting a Banner : Butcher paper, Pencil, Ruler, Stencils, Acrylic paint, Foam brush or stencil brush, Painter's tape (optional).
