​13 DIY Home Decor Projects You Can Complete in a Weekend

Excited to share this helpful article from Redfin on 13 DIY home decor projects for the weekend. Here is the link to the original article.

June 2nd, 2020 by Lexi Klinkenberg

Since we have been spending more time in our homes lately, now may be the
perfect time to declutter, reorganize, or revamp your space. Though these tasks
can seem overwhelming if you think about them in the context of your entire
home, instead, set some specific and achievable goals that will help refresh your
home and give you a sense of renewal. Simple things like organizing your pantry,
decorating your home, or framing some art can have a surprisingly big effect on
how you feel in your space. Check out 13 DIY home decor projects you could
attempt this weekend.

1. Get new curtains 

Curtains can add texture, color, and vibrance to a room. Whether you are looking
for a neutral color to balance out the rest of your room or want to use color to
make your windows the focal point, curtains are a great way to do so.
Readymade curtains are ideal if you have a smaller budget; just make sure to
measure the windows first and be sure they won’t be too difficult to put up.
2. Refresh your bedside table
A well-styled nightstand can set the tone for your bedroom, but it can also be a
practical addition for sleep. Assess your needs. Maybe it should include things
like an eye mask, water bottle, and a book. Keep the essentials close and
remove anything you don’t need. Keeping your bedside table neat and adding
small decorations, such as a plant or candle can give your room a fresh new
look.

3. Replace your pillow covers
You will be amazed at the impact new pillow covers can have on a space. Pillows
are an easy, fast, and cheap DIY home decor project that can spruce up your
home in no time. You can add pops of color, texture, and contrast on a small
budget that leaves a big impact. They don’t need to be matching — contrasting
colors and patterns often look great together. If you’re looking for more calm and
clarity, go for more subdued tones like pastels and neutrals. If vibrancy is what
you’re after, choose bright patterns. New decorative pillow covers can bring a
pop of color or be a great start to changing your interior design. If the pillows
themselves are getting a bit lumpy or old, it might be time to replace those too.
Try this:
“Revamp your surroundings with an accent pillow that speaks to you. Filter out
the noise and the trends, and instead find a color, or texture, or a print on a pillow
that resonates with you. By doing so, you’ll feel revitalized every time you step
into that space. When searching for pillows to personalize your space, invest in
pillows that have removable covers that can be laundered in the washer. More
than ever, our home is a reflection of who we are. ” – Poetic Pillow

4. Hang mirrors
Mirrors are great budget-friendly accessories to add to any home. Mirrors can
give the illusion that a room is bigger or has more space. They can also increase
light in your home by reflecting light from a natural source or other sources of
light in your home. This can be especially important if you live somewhere
like Portland, OR or  Seattle, WA  where there are many gloomy days. If you
already have mirrors up, you could try repositioning them in different ways to
make your space look bigger or bring in more light. If you don’t, you could buy
mirrors in many different shapes and sizes and hang them anywhere in your
home.

5. Change your duvet cover
A duvet cover is often the first thing the eye is drawn to in a bedroom. If you want
the focus of the room to be on the walls, art, or furniture, go for a white or neutral
cover. If the rest of the room is simple, then you might opt for a bright or
patterned cover. Choose a good quality duvet – you spend so much time
sleeping in your bed that it’s worth the investment.

6. Put down a colorful rug
Stripes, especially black and white, can give the illusion of a larger room, while
other patterns inject life into a space. Take the room’s function into consideration.
If you’ll be walking on the rug or eating over it, then lighter colors may show spills
and footprints. Generally, it is better to go for a slightly oversized rug rather than
one that’s too small for the space. Rugs are a great DIY home decor upgrade
that can give your home some color or tie everything together.
Try this:
“Invest in an authentic, hand-knotted wool area rug. This will not only add
functional beauty to your home, but it is also the most sustainable choice; a
quality hand-knotted area rug can last well over 50 years.” – Main Street Oriental
Rugs
“Just like your other decor, your rug should either be the pop of color, texture, or
pattern OR the subdued item complementing other bold elements (like bright
walls or patterned wallpaper). If you start with the rug in terms of design, it can
sometimes be the largest focal point in the room. Vintage rugs are our go-to
because they have character, even when going with a neutral, bright, or
patterned rug, you are going to get more interest and intrigue in their aesthetic.”
– Old New House
“Take rough dimensions of your room and take photos to share with a
salesperson at your local rug store. Find out what size of rug you’ll need for your
space. Even for a small room, a rug shouldn’t be smaller than 8 x 10. As you’re
shopping keep in mind what room the new rug is for and what fiber is best for
wearability and cleanability.”  – Rug News andDesign

7. Take advantage of indoor plants
Indoor plants help you connect to nature even if you don’t have an outdoor
space. Plants can complement any decor and really add personality to your
home. Other than plants having the ability to spruce up any space, they also
have other benefits. Indoor plants are great for providing a pleasant and tranquil
environment for living, working, and relaxing. Learn more about your favorite
species — like the amount of maintenance and sun the various types of plants
need— and choose the indoor plants that would be best suited for you and your
home.
Try this:
“First, make sure you buy the right plant for the light conditions. Don’t expect a
‘high light’ plant to thrive in the corner of your darkest room. Position your new
plant in the right light and earn your first ‘green thumb’ up. Next, don’t water your

plant unless it needs it – overwatering kills more indoor plants than any other
well-intentioned practice. Try using a soil probe to gauge your watering routine
will earn you the two-green-thumbs-up designation.”  – Plantz
“When choosing houseplants, consider how you’ll be watering them. Hanging
plants can be a challenge to water, so make sure you choose the right plant and
pot for your space!” – Pretty In Green
“Instantly upgrade your look from overgrown jungle to chic with a DIY plant stand.
In just a few simple steps, you can repurpose an old ladder into a perfectly tiered
stand to display your houseplants.”  – Clean Water Grow
“Adapt your watering to the season. The increased light exposure of the summer
months dries your plants out faster, so increase your watering frequency during
summer. Make sure your plant pot has drainage holes to drain any excess water
that might occur. – Invincible House Plants

8. Organize your pantry
It’s no surprise that pantries become messy and disorganized with how
frequently we’re using them. Organizing this space is a great DIY project that can
make all the difference. Putting dry food such as cereal, cookies, flour, and sugar
in containers helps them stay fresh longer and make everything easier to find. If
you display foods in clear plastic or glass containers, you’ll be able to see exactly
what you have and know when you’re about to run out of something. Check
expiration dates to make sure you’re not storing items you should discard.
Try this:
“Keep your pantry organized by storing items in zones and keeping similar items
together in categories. Try making zones for baking, breakfast, snacks,
condiments, canned goods, grains and pasta, and spices to start. Then add
containers to help keep the items together in a tidy way. Incorporate baskets,
bins, lazy susans, and jars to corral pantry staples by category.  Lastly, label the
containers so you are more likely to keep it organized.” – Space Camp
Organizing
“In a pantry, start by organizing items by how often they are used. The items you
rarely use should be stored on the top shelf in order to keep the more accessible
shelves for the items you use daily. This system allows you to keep track of what
you have and avoid wasting food and time.” – Your Space in Mind

9. Reposition your art
When your artwork has been in the same spot for years, you can become blind to
its beauty. That is why it is important to take the time to complete this DIY home
decor project. By repositioning your art to a new room in your home, you bring it
to life again. Before you move your pieces, get someone to help hold them up in
the desired spot so you can get a feel for how they look before you commit to
that location. You might be surprised by which artwork combos look good and
which don’t.
Try This:
“Update your interior design by adding artwork by a local artist. Perhaps from
your hometown or a place you’ve visited. It’s easy nowadays to search online art
marketplaces by geographic area and find a special piece that resonates with
you personally!” – Boarding All Rows
“Though often overlooked, placing art properly makes a big difference and has a
big impact on the overall balance of space. Centering art at eye level allows for
the best impact of the piece on the viewer. Try creating paper cut-outs to represent art then tape them to the wall to help you to determine the best size
and help you plan proper placement on the wall. Don’t overthink the art, just keep
it simple and have fun while doing it.”  – Shannon Levy Interiors
“Swapping out your wall art offers a simple, affordable, and dramatic refresh.
Your space can feel brand new with just a few quick additions. We suggest
striking gallery walls for maximum impact. They can work in any space and with
all types of collections.” – American Flat
“For hanging artwork over the couch, a good rule of thumb is about 8-10 inches
above the back of the sofa. Try using a piece of art that has pops of bold accent
colors throughout it. This adds a lot of interest to the room, it’s almost like playing
hide and seek with your accent color.” – OPO Interiors

10. Paint old furniture
Painting your furniture is a great way to take something old and make it look
brand new again. You can turn a tired dresser, kitchen table, or desk into a
unique treasure with some new fresh paint. It’s much more cost-effective than
buying new furniture and can give your decor the upgrade you’ve been looking
for.
Try this:
“My advice for homeowners looking to breathe new life into old furniture would be
– be bold! Choose a color that will make you smile as you walk by. Don’t be
afraid of messing up, and spend as much time prepping as you do painting.”
– Thrifted Nest
“No matter what color of paint you choose, your finish is only as good as the
surface you put it on. Use a mix of 50/50 vinegar and water for a thorough scrub,
follow with a rinse wipe, and allow it to dry. Then choose a color in your favorite
paint brand and have some fun!” – Whimsy & Wood
“When redoing furniture for the first time, start with something small and
inexpensive like an end stand or chair. Pick up furniture paint at your local
hardware store that doesn’t require sanding or priming. Clean the piece and use
a foam brush to get started. It will make the experience easy, fun, and maybe
even addicting. You’re giving life something old and creating memories along the
way!”  – FunCycled
“Take an old tired piece of furniture and update it with paint. The trick is to find
your favorite home decor item that you already own and use that as your inspiration for the color palette. For example, if you adore that wall tapestry you
brought back from Hawaii a few years ago, use those colors in combination to
create a one of a kind art piece.”  – The Turquoise Iris
Consider using milk paint when painting old furniture. It’s easy-to-use, and you
can skip sanding if you have a bonding agent. Some milk paints even come in
powder form, so you can mix up your own color! – Just Measuring Up
The quality of a brush is as important as the quality of the paint. To keep it in
pristine condition we clean our paintbrush with a stiff-bristled scrub brush, to
ensure professional results, minimizing brush strokes. – Sunny Side Design
Sometimes the best finish for a piece of furniture is a natural wood finish.
Sanding back a brown-stained dining table or dresser can be just as beautiful as
paint. Once the old finish is removed, protect it with a clear matte water-based
polyurethane.  – Entri Ways
“Add some happiness to your home by painting your furniture in that color.
What’s your color? The color that moves you, makes you happy, or fills you with
joy?” – A Ray of Sunlight
“Select a furniture piece that you love before painting and check the structural
integrity to avoid refinishing AND repairing. Try to avoid metal, laminates, and
other man-made materials and remember wood is your friend. Don’t feel bad if
your project is beyond your current skill level, that’s what the experts are here
for.” –  Revitaliste

11. Freshen up your front door
If you are looking to get outside this weekend, painting your front door is the
perfect DIY home decor project to tackle this weekend. A new color could be
exactly what your home exterior needs to look its best. Choosing a color can feel
like a way of setting an intention for what’s to come. Want more energy? Try
yellow or red. How about more calm and simplicity? Maybe blue or green. A
striking front entrance welcomes guests and is a budget-friendly way to transform
your home.
“When choosing your door paint always choose the highest grade paint your
budget will allow. This will help greatly with the cleanability of the high traffic area
and aid with the elusive color retention aspect. High-grade paint will ensure
beauty and functional use for years to come.” – Pro Color Jax

“When refinishing the front door; don’t neglect the top and bottom of the door.
Moisture can wreak havoc through these areas and cause damage. In addition,
many door manufactures will void warranties if these areas are not protected with
a coating.” –  Jax Painting

12. Finally frame those prints
Do you have a whole bunch of special photos you haven’t gotten around to
printing and framing? When we take photos mostly on our phones, it’s easy to
lose your favorites in the digital archives with our other photos. Take the time to
print photos or frame photos you have already printed. Printing new photos is
relatively cheap and you can find frames from discount stores if you’re on a tight
budget.

13. Declutter your desk
A tidy workspace can make all the difference in how productive you are.
Eliminate any nonessential paperwork and other items. Give the desk a good
wiping and place an inspiring quote on the wall and some fresh flowers in a vase.
Make your desk your happy place, somewhere you look forward to working
rather than somewhere to avoid. A decluttered, neat desk may be exactly what
your room needed.
“Have a “hot spot” for today’s most urgent project. Personally, I prefer a clear file
folder standing up in a vertical file sorter.  Also, put your to-do list in plain sight
and review it each morning before you start.” – Efficient Spaces
“If you work from home, keep your paperwork in a separate place from the
household ones. Keep your desk space free of clutter to allow concentration,
which means that your stationery should be kept to a minimum and stored in a
drawer using cutlery dividers.” – Your Space in Mind