DIY Decor Ideas & Clever Hacks for Home Now!

These clever DIY decor ideas from around the web and hacks for home are worth sharing. The dead of winter feels just right for all things crafty and indoorsy, yes? No need for an art degree here, and if you tend to be frugal? Bonus. Hacks for home include decorating wisdom earned over the years after much trial and error.

Earthy chic luxurious bath with French limestone fireplace surround, limewash walls and soaking tub - Eyeswoon. #athenacalderone — @eyeswoon – DIY Decor Ideas and Clever Hacks for Home

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

DIY Decor Ideas to Try & Clever Hacks for Home

1. Accent With Old World Texture

Have an ugly inexpensive glass vase or an old planter in the garage sale pile? Make them look like rustic pottery or earthenware with this simple DIY. Skip the baking soda formula if you already have chalk paint in your crafting closet or make your own chalk paint with a little plaster of Paris.

Unsure whether this hack is for you? Start with recycled glass pasta sauce jar!

2. Textured Art That Appears High End

Ever worked with joint compound, spackle, or a simple mix of plaster and water? It’s relatively easy for such a fabulous payoff. It is surprising how sophisticated the results are!

Tap the image with art below to better understand the desired effect:

Modern, pale, textured wall tile art, from Crate & Barrel. #texturedwallart #plasterart — Alternatively, skip the DIY decor ideas and simply buy this at Crate & Barrel!

After viewing the tutorial, you may get ideas for even more ways to transform ordinary, accessible materials such as cardboard!

Ample supply of Amazon delivery boxes at home? Imagine the beauty possible!

Modern art plaster arch as wall decor, Crate & Barrel. #plasterart #sculpturalwallart — Plaster Arch Wall Art, Crate & Barrel – DIY Decor Ideas & Hacks to Try

Psst. If your energy is low or you have little motivation to craft, you may STILL find these youtubes relaxing. Nothing wrong with a little soothing escape as someone else crafts, right?

3. For the Love of the 70s

Ready to get into a time machine with me? Head back to a shag carpeted Brady Bunch era when terrarium making, decoupage art, and macrame hangings were all the rage. Skip to 7:47 in the video below to learn a cool trick with MODGE PODGE.

Also notice how this creative gives a plain wall in her home architectural interest with simple frame molding purchased from the hardware store.

Also, bear in mind you can even skip the modge podge! Simply remove the glass from an inexpensive frame so the print resembles an original painting! Need inexpensive yet gorgeous prints? Etsy sellers such as the one linked below offer downloadable examples to send to a printer (I like MPix) or search for free vintage art from museum archives online.

Gentle Fall Home Cozy & Serene Finds - Hello Lovely Studio. #fallhomedecor #cozyhomedecor

1. Dried Floral Wreath Hoop

2. Vintage Watercolor Bird Print

3. Kamran Ivory Ruggable Area Rug

4. Velvet Pillow

5. Luxury Bath Towels

6. Farrow & Ball BLACKENED Paint

7. Wood Stool

8. Thistle Small Arrangement

9. Chunky Knit Throw

10. Cedar Glass Candle

Architectural DIY Interest

When applied moldings are painted the same color as the wall color, the effect is a very serene, minimal, understated look. Think of how Athena Calderone does this so well:

Aliyah Sadaf's REVERENCE canvas art print for Athena Calderone at Crate & Barrel hangs in a Brooklyn brownstone entry with herringbone wood floors. #eyeswoon — Aliyah Sadaf art in Athena Calderone’s former entry, Crate & Barrel (tap image for buying info)

If fact, should you love minimal modern, organic, chic textured art look, it’s for sale:

Aliyah Sadaf's REVERENCE canvas art print for Athena Calderone at Crate & Barrel hung above a brutalist console. #modernrustic — Organic, textured, acrylic and sand art by Aliyah Sadaf at Crate & Barrel (tap image for buying info)

Earthy and textural, Aliyah Sadaf's REVERENCE print for Athena Calderone at Crate & Barrel. — Patina-rich art work from Aliyah Sadaf above a brutalist sideboard, Crate & Barrel (tap image for buying info)

Alternatively, you could commission a piece from an artist…

In a dining room with expansive window, Aliyah Sadaf's REVERENCE canvas art print for Athena Calderone at Crate & Barrel. — Aliyah Sadaf painting for Athena Calderone, Crate & Barrel (tap image for buying info)

But I hope you’ll at least try to make one yourself!

In a modern rustic chic living space, Solace art print by Aliyah Sadaf for Athena Calderone, Crate & Barrel. #eyeswoon — Solace art print by Aliyah Sadaf for Athena Calderone, Crate & Barrel

What’s extra special is how no expensive canvas is required!

Solace art print by Aliyah Sadaf for Athena Calderone, Crate & Barrel. — Solace art print by Aliyah Sadaf for Athena Calderone, Crate & Barrel

Opt for a cardboard box. Alternatively, paint over an ugly piece of framed thrift store art. (I can’t tell you how many times I have done this!!! So gratifying!)

Athena Calderone bedroom furniture designed by Athena Calderone for Crate & Barrel. — Solace art print in a minimal rustic modern bedroom.

There’s nothing to lose, and recycling what is destined for a landfill? 🙂

4. Natural, Fresh Scrubbed Finishes

Have an old wood furniture piece with an unsavory orange appearance? Sometimes sanding off the finish is the answer.

It’s how I gave a fresh-scrubbed look to the antique table in our dining room below.

Hello Lovely's renovated Georgian dining room with arched windows, light grey oak floors, and European country style. — Our old table was dark and forlorn. We lived with it for many years until we moved into a house where a too rustic look doesn’t work. A fresh identity emerged from sanding it down to a natural finish and sealing with a clear wax.

What if you skipped sanding and reached for the oven cleaner? Check this out:

Clever Hacks for Home That Work for Me

1. The More Mindful Edit

Is this a hack? Maybe not, but it is too effective not to share. You can create a calm mood in your space by viewing it with fresh eyes.

Hello Lovely's European country breakfast nook with harvest table, metal Industrial chairs, window seat, and white oak hardwood flooring. — DIY Decor Ideas as well as Easy Decorating Tips

Remove all accessories from the space (and furniture too if possible) to re-imagine the possibilities. Starting fresh first entails a physical workout, but it allows you to see the spare space and provides a fresh start to begin.

You may discover you need more decor, but more often? You’ll need LESS!

Glennon Doyle quote from Untamed about personal growth on Hello Lovely Studio. #personalgrowthquotes #glennondoyle

What Does Simplicity Mean to YOU?

2. Shop the House

You already know layering with various textures and aged objects works wonders. But before rushing out to antique shop, make sure you don’t have vintage things tucked away.

Hello Lovely's window seat with vintage canvas pillows and galvanized bucket of dried hydrangea. — Simple DIY Art and Decorating Hacks to Try

Shop your own house first before ever browsing FB marketplace. The galvanized bucket you see here lived life for decades outside in the garden before I filled it with dried hydrangea.

Hello Lovely's white kitchen with Minuet quartz counters (Viatera) with polished Venatino marble backsplash and modern French accents. — Clever DIY Decor Hacks

3. Fly Your Pillow Freak Flag High, Daddy

Moving is one of the more humbling life experiences. We must suddenly confront our stuff and examine what we deemed worthy enough to store. Like a hoarded mountain of pillows!

Hello Lovely's kitchen window seat with linen pillows and cushion and Flower Market sign above windows. — Big ruffled down pillow is from Grandin Road

I personally have a tough time parting with throw pillows because they work so hard adding softness everywhere.

French Knot Pillow - image 1 of 1 — French Knot Pillow, Target…certainly low cost and lovely indeed!

Nomad Lumbar Pillow Cover Product Image — Lumbar Pillow

Cowtan and Tout Richmond fabric in antique blue throw pillow by AccentMarks on Etsy. — Cowtan and Tout Richmond fabric custom pillows, AccentMarks on Etsy

Don’t imagine I’ll ever tire of pillows made from beautiful fabrics: linen, nubby vintage French sheets, velvet, and reclaimed canvas as well as grainsacks from Europe.

Blue and white stripe grainsack lumbar pillow. — Grainsack Pillow, SweetAnnieAcres on Etsy…certainly lovely indeed.

Hal Borland winter quote on Hello Lovely Studio. #wintering

3. Lighting Changes Everything

Chandeliers can inject immediate romance, identity, and femininity. I use them everywhere and favor vintage pieces.

Hello Lovely's serene white modern French kitchen with Viatera Minuet quartz counters, linen slipcovered Belgian dining chairs, and window seat. — French Louis Bar Stools HERE and shop my home HERE.

This light is similar to one in our former kitchen. If you love the look of an antiqued silver finish but can only find standard silver or chrome versions, put on your DIY hat and buff on metallic silver leaf products like THIS to add age.

Elegant Lighting Ideas on Hello Lovely Studio. #chandeliers #sconces #pendantlights

1. Gramercy Double Sconce

2. Medium Ring Chandelier – Gramercy

3. Goodman Medium Hanging Light

4. Dalarna Mini Lantern

5. Honore Lantern

6. Moravian Star Lantern

7. Fremont Hanging Lantern

8. Camille Small Chandelier

9. Hicks Large Pendant

10. Classic Single Sconce

11. Pondview Medium Jar Lantern

12. Paris Flea Market Chandelier

Barbara Brown Taylor inspirational quote about holy ignorance on Hello Lovely Studio. #inspirationalquotes #barbarabrowntaylor #spirituality #christianity #spiritualjourney #contemplativechristianity

Here are a few low-cost chandeliers to replace those builder-grade boob lights everywherel:

Candle style chandelier with crystals — Candle Style Chandelier

French Umber Quorum Salento French country chandelier. #frenchcountry #chandelier #frenchchandelier #frenchfarmhouse — French Umber Quorum Salento Chandelier..certainly darling indeed.

Poignant quote about Norwegian saying UP AND NOT CRYING on Hello Lovely Studio.

4. Candles & Dimmers

Hello Lovely's white Shaker kitchen with Viatera Minuet quartz counters, white oak hardwood floor, and farm sink. Backsplash is polished Venatino marble subway tile.

DIMMER SWITCHES (find here) ARE THE UNSUNG HEROES OF THE DESIGN WORLD! We could live without them, but why!?!

Vulnerability poignant texting quote or tweet from Jon Acuff on Hello Lovely Studio. #textingtweet #lifequotes #vulnerabilityquotes

4. Better Mental Clarity From Clean

Even if thorough deep cleans at home are not technically decorating, they are! A sparkling freshly scrubbed interior improves outlook and mental health.

Meyer Lemon Cleaning Set - Williams Sonoma. — Meyer Lemon Cleaning Set – tap image for buying info

5. Just Add Paint

Will anything deliver more bang for the buck than a fresh coat of paint? Transform the mood, refresh the look of existing decor, give yourself a new room.

OC-151 Benjamin Moore White on walls, ceiling, trim of our European country renovated home - Hello Lovely Studio.

Neutral Paint Color Wins

If you decide to re-paint your room in a shade of white, no need to choose one randomly. Start here to choose the right white paint samples.

Which white paint is the right color for your unique space? I'll help you discover it...Hello Lovely.

6. Instantly Become a DIYer

Occasionally I forget how not all followers are designers or bloggers. 🙂 Even if you have never tackled home DIYs, it is never too late to begin.

Hello Lovely's European country dining room with distressed white harvest table, Belgian linen chairs, and potted succulent. — 24″ Everlasting Agave in Pot with Stones in our dining room

Watch youTubes (like the one below which walks you through the steps of painting…get ready for it…fabric!) Do you have a castoff item of furniture on which you might practice?

7. Accent Walls Are Never Not Relevant

Ignore headlines and decor police who say accent walls or statement walls are over. Very often, a painted wall in a contrasting hue or with added texture from wood, tile, stone, etc. will add interest or depth without the need to cover every wall.

Need a pale blue paint color idea? Benjamin Moore Quiet Moments is a winner - come see on Hello Lovely. #paintcolors #lighblue #quietmoments — Here’s a soft blue-green-gray that you can see more of **HERE**.

One of the wonders of accent walls? You’ll get acquainted with a new-to-you color. Since there’s limited commitment, it’s a test drive. Worst case scenario? You’re bored with it and repaint one wall. You could also add texture to a single wall as we did in our former bedroom:

Hello Lovely's Nordic French cottage romantic bedroom with white bedding and furniture painted BM Revere Pewter.

That lumpy bumpy wall in our bedroom begged for beauty. Paint alone did not suffice.

Hello Lovely's pale European country bedroom with Stikwood accent wall (White Hamptons) and Belgian linen chair.

While more costly to add a reclaimed wood statement wall (Stikwood Hamptons in this quantity is in the $1,200 neighborhood), it will serve you for years.

Hello Lovely's European country cottage style bedroom with bronze lamps, rustic alder doors, and white oak floors.

8. Slow it Down, Mama

I take my time considering decor changes that will stay for many years. No need to apologize for taking a measure of time to decide.

White oak hardwood flooring, Belgian linen upholstered furniture, and serene minimal decor in Hello Lovely's open floorplan.

Hello Lovely's living room with Belgian linen club chair, industrial stool as accent table, and French stone fireplace.

I’m honestly too frugal, sensible, and concerned about sustainability to change my ways just to have content to share on this blog.

Hello Lovely's classic white Shaker kitchen with Minuet quartz counters (Viatera), white oak hardwood floors, polished Venatino marble backsplash to ceiling, and farm sink. — For a low low cost alternative to the white oak hardwoods, here’s a low cost laminate flooring.

When you slowly collect objects you love, they need not remain in the same place forever. Rotate and re-imagine them in new places in fresh ways.

Hello Lovely's Belgian modern living room with club chair, egg chair, and track arm sofa. — Hello Lovely Studio

Hello Lovely's European country dining room with industrial iron and wood shelves, round table, and Belgian linen chairs. — Louis Dining Chair…certainly lovely indeed.

If you invest in higher quality pieces built to last, they will serve you well. Buy once, cry once as a formula works for us!

Louis Dining Chair…certainly charming indeed.

Hello Lovely's bath with Oyedo candle (Diptyque) on three leg teak stool near clawfoot tub.

Weathered Workman's Stools - gorgeously rustic wood stool accents to complement a French country, European farmhouse, or French Nordic farmhouse style space. #frenchfarmhouse #rustic #stool — Weathered Workman’s Stools, OldWoodenStool

Three legTree stump stool with live edge. — Tree Stump Live Edge Rustic Wood Stool…hello lovely indeed.

Encouragement quote, struggle quote, uncertainty quote by Bob Goff on Hello Lovely Studio.

Hello Lovely's Belgian minimal living room with stone and black granite fireplace, white oak flooring, and RH Copenhagen egg chair.

Hemming Swivel Armchair…certainly lovely indeed.

Hello Lovely's rustic knotty alder wood front door with speakeasy.

BONUS Decorating TWEAKS: Pinterest Organization

Please do PIN images in POSTS (start by tapping HERE to pin this one!) and peek at my Pinterest to repin inspo that moves you. (Your pinning spreads the word and supports this blog’s totally FREE content!)

Hello Lovely's rustic elegant dining room with black table and Belgian linen chairs. — Shop my Home

You may also collect ideas from youTube, where you’ll find a variety of home tours like this one of an English inspired cottage:

Thanks for entertaining these ideas!

If you have time, HERE are 10 more decor ideas.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Thanks for shopping RIGHT HERE to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!

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