We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
The next time your guests compliment your home decor, it would great if you could respond with: "Thank you, I made it." Tackling DIY home projects is a creative way to design an interior that reflects your personality — whether your primary bedroom needs an upgrade or the living room decor could use fresh artwork. Not to mention, simple crafts can save money and give items you already own a fresh purpose. To inspire your creativity, we've rounded up DIY home decor ideas that'll put your personal style on display.
No matter your home aesthetic — modern, rustic, minimal or eclectic — this roundup showcases a project worth recreating. Find DIYs for every skill level and an array of hobbies, whether you fancy woodworking, sewing or painting. If you haven't dabbled in any of these crafts, we've included beginner-friendly ideas like decorated candlesticks, a hanging photo collage and DIY colorful glassware.
Many of these projects double as a genius upcycling idea — think: a chic cabinet crafted from shutters, a succulent planter made from wooden crates and faux flowers constructed from egg cartons. We've sprinkled in seasonal decor, including fall decor ideas (like an autumn-theme gallery wall) and DIY Christmas decor (hint: gilded candle holders). Now break out your supplies and start scrolling these Pinterest-worthy ideas to breathe new energy into your home.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
1
Live Edge Shelf
Jenni Yolo
With a simple shelf, turn an unused corner into a breakfast bar — this one is made with live-edge wood and a DIY floating shelf kit. "The extra surface adds more eating space to the kitchen without feeling cramped,” says Jenni Yolo of I Spy DIY, who designed the space and installed the shelf.
Consider a renter-friendly way to create visual impact in the bedroom, such as a wall-to-wall painted headboard. Here, a thin black line ¼" thick separates two wall colors: a cheerful green (Farrow & Ball’s Breakfast Room Green) and creamy white. "Since my bedroom was on the smaller side with a standard ceiling height, painting 1/3 of the way up helps trick the eye to make the space feel bigger," says designer Julie Rose.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3
Cubby Cabinet
Ananda Yankellow
With nine spacious cubbies, this sleek case inspired by vintage apothecary cabinets provides storage space for everything from seasonal treasures to school and office supplies. You'll only need a few things — about $15 worth of supplies — to recreate the look.
Turn average taper candles into unique home decor, ideal if you're planning to host a dinner party. Apply alcohol to wipe any dust and debris from the candlesticks, then use paint markers or acrylic paint to add floral designs of your choosing. Our advice? Decorate one side at a time to avoid smudging your work.
Cozy up a neutral corner by adding backrests to a seating area. Here, designer Ali Henrie suspended cushions from brass metal drapery rods — a relatively simple project, since most curtain rods are adjustable.
You don’t have to renovate to transform your bathroom into a zen-like escape. Not only does Amy Leferink of Interior Impressions add a bench and eucalyptus inside the shower, she applies teak panels to the wall using tile adhesive then adds hooks to hang fluffy towels.
Spruce up your space with an upcycling idea, like these pretty flowers made from old egg cartons. No worries if you're not an expert crafter — these instructions are easy to follow. Start by gathering your supplies, which include natural egg cartons. floral wire, paint brushes and acrylic paint.
From snake plants to ZZ plants, this raised plant stand is a great way to showcase your favorite indoor houseplants. According to these bloggers, this woodworking project only takes 45 minutes!
Colored glasses are everywhere right now — in the form of wine glasses, drinking glasses, bud vases and decorative items. Did you know it was possible to turn old clear jars into colorful glassware to give them a charming vintage look?
Enjoy the liberty of rotating photos regularly with a DIY collage made with a two-by-four, nails, string and clothespins. For added style, photographer Lumalia Armstrong of Celebrate Again suggests paining or staining the wood.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11
Hand-Painted Floors
Bret Gum
Give your house a truly customized feel by painting a checkerboard design onto hardwood floors. "Hand-painted floors have a fresh, bespoke farmhouse feeling for today's interiors," says interior designer Julia Chasman.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
12
Striped Bathroom Wall
Cate Black
To create this adorable striped bathroom for her daughter, designer Audrey Scheck used 1-inch-thick painters' tape to add the white lines, then caulked around it to prevent bleeding.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13
Hanging Bows
Cameron Reynolds. Marie Cloud of Indigo Pruitt Design Studio
Tackle mess in every room while elevating your home style with simple DIY projects. Here, designer Marie Cloud of Indigo Pruitt uses tension rods and curtain rings to hang bows and declutter her daughter's dresser top.
Let a stylish straw hat collection double as decor for a warm-weather entryway upgrade. To create this overlapping wall arrangement, designer Kate Lester simply used Command hooks — which also means the hats are easy to grab as you head out.
Breathe new life into old or thrifted glass jars by turning them into elegant candle holders. Simply apply gold leaf sheets around the base after lightly brushing the area with adhesive. You can keep adding sheets until you love the look.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
16
No-Sew Window Seat Cushion
Domestically Blissful
Rather than breaking out the needle and thread, this blogger wraps a window seat cushion with fabric (she uses an old curtain panel). She wraps it just as you would a present and fabric velcro holds everything together!
Use a kitchen sponge and a little paint to transform a plain white wall. Just dip the straight edge of the sponge into paint, then press it against the wall. Here, bloggers Niña Williams and Cecilia Moyer group the lines in threes, using a level to ensure straightness.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
18
Reclaimed Space
Doug Petersen
Use pages of your favorite book to add a touch of whimsy to any space. This alcove in a modern farmhouse also features a Dr. Seuss quote, cut out of vinyl, up the stairs. "It invites you to give yourself over to the world of imagination found in a good book," says designer Emily Clark of Clark & Co. Homes.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19
Frame-Filled Accent Wall
A Beautiful Mess
Create a statement accent wall by hanging frames of different shapes and sizes, then cover everything with a fresh coat of paint — preferably something bold. Tip: keep it affordable by gathering your frames from antique and thrift stores.
Put your wardrobe on display by turning two ladders into a chic clothing rack. You'll also need two wooden planks for the shoe platforms, as well as a wooden rod for the top.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."