Transforming your home into a stylish, cozy retreat doesn’t require a hefty budget or professional design skills. With a little creativity and a willingness to roll up your sleeves, you can refresh your space with easy DIY projects that add charm and personality. From breathing new life into old lampshades to updating furniture, here are some simple ideas to elevate your home décor.

Add Fabric to an Old Lampshade

Lampshades are functional, but they can also serve as a statement piece in a room. If you have a plain or outdated lampshade, consider covering it with fabric for a quick and stylish update.

Materials Needed:

  • Fabric of your choice
  • Fabric glue or a hot glue gun
  • Scissors
  • Measuring tape

Steps:

  1. Measure the height and circumference of your lampshade. Add an extra inch to the measurements for seam allowances.
  2. Cut your chosen fabric to size. For a seamless look, choose a lightweight fabric that’s easy to wrap.
  3. Apply fabric glue along one edge of the lampshade and begin wrapping the fabric around it, smoothing out wrinkles as you go.
  4. Overlap the ends slightly, then secure them with glue. Tuck excess fabric at the top and bottom edges inside the shade, gluing them down for a clean finish.

This project is an inexpensive way to incorporate a bold pattern or complement your room’s color palette.

Reupholster Your Headboard

An upholstered headboard can instantly elevate your bedroom’s aesthetic. If your existing headboard looks worn or outdated, reupholstering it is a relatively straightforward DIY project.

Materials Needed:

  • Fabric (choose a durable upholstery fabric)
  • Foam padding (if you want extra cushioning)
  • Staple gun
  • Screwdriver (if the headboard needs to be detached)

Steps:

  1. Remove the headboard from the bed frame and lay it flat on a work surface.
  2. If you want extra padding, cut foam to fit the headboard and adhere it using spray adhesive.
  3. Lay your fabric over the foam, ensuring it extends several inches beyond the edges of the headboard.
  4. Pull the fabric taut and staple it to the back of the headboard frame, working your way around and ensuring there are no wrinkles.

Reattach the headboard to your bed frame for a refreshed look that adds texture and style to your space.

Create a Gallery Wall

A gallery wall is a versatile and creative way to showcase your personality while filling blank wall space.

Materials Needed:

  • Picture frames in various sizes
  • Artwork, photographs, or prints
  • Painter’s tape and a level
  • Command strips or nails

Steps:

  1. Gather your artwork and arrange the frames on the floor to find a layout you love. Mix and match different frame styles for an eclectic look or stick to uniform frames for a minimalist vibe.
  2. Use painter’s tape to outline the arrangement on your wall before hanging the frames.
  3. Secure the frames with nails or command strips, ensuring they are level.

A gallery wall can be updated easily by swapping out the artwork or photos, making it a flexible and ever-evolving décor feature.

Paint an Accent Wall

Painting an accent wall is one of the simplest ways to dramatically change the look and feel of a room.

Materials Needed:

  • Paint (choose a color that complements your existing décor)
  • Painter’s tape
  • Paint rollers and brushes

Steps:

  1. Choose the wall you want to highlight, such as the one behind a sofa or bed.
  2. Tape off the edges and any areas you want to protect from paint.
  3. Apply paint with a roller for large sections and use a brush for corners and edges.
  4. Allow the paint to dry and add a second coat if needed.

An accent wall adds depth and visual interest without requiring a complete room overhaul.

Update Furniture with Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper

Peel-and-stick wallpaper isn’t just for walls. Use it to revamp furniture like dressers, side tables, or bookshelves.

Materials Needed:

  • Peel-and-stick wallpaper
  • Scissors or a utility knife
  • Measuring tape

Steps:

  1. Measure the surface of your furniture and cut the wallpaper to size.
  2. Peel off the backing and carefully apply the wallpaper, smoothing out air bubbles as you go.
  3. Trim any excess with a utility knife for clean edges.

This project allows you to experiment with patterns and textures without a permanent commitment.

DIY Floating Shelves

Floating shelves are both functional and stylish, offering storage while keeping your space looking sleek.

Materials Needed:

  • Wooden boards
  • Brackets
  • Screws and a drill

Steps:

  1. Measure and cut the wooden boards to your desired shelf length.
  2. Attach brackets to the wall, ensuring they’re level and evenly spaced.
  3. Secure the wooden boards to the brackets.

Decorate the shelves with books, plants, or decorative objects to complete the look.

Enhance Curtains with Trim

Elevate plain curtains by adding decorative trim for a custom look.

Materials Needed:

  • Curtains
  • Decorative trim (like tassels or pom-poms)
  • Fabric glue or sewing machine

Steps:

  1. Lay the curtains flat and measure the trim to fit the edges.
  2. Attach the trim using fabric glue or by sewing it along the edges of the curtains.

This simple upgrade adds texture and personality to your windows.