Beginners Guide to DIY Decor

Are you a DIYer at heart but need a little nudge? The beginners guide to DIY decor is that nudge. Today we are going back to basics.

Falling In Love With DIY Decor

When I became a young mom Martha Stewart was at the top of her game. Home Depot was the new kid on the block and I couldn’t get enough of House and Home. It was DIY heaven and I relished in it. I learned a ton and I love DIYing as much today as I did back then.

Decor is the ideal way to create the perfect ambiance. It transforms the mundane into the spectacular. Those around you feel special and cared for and it elevates everyone’s mood. But it can be expensive to redecorate.

DIY decor is the perfect solution. It makes achieving your dream home possible because it’s nicer on the wallet and it allows you to customize to your style needs. Plus, it’s just fun!

What is DIY Decor?

DIY decor simply means decor that you made.

This can be as simple as spray painting a vase to as complicated as a full kitchen makeover. It is most often used in the home and in our outdoor spaces. DIYing is also very practical for creating decor for the holidays, the changing of seasons, and for large or small parties.

Common Misconceptions about DIY Decor

There are common misconceptions when it come to DIY home decorating. The following answers these questions.

Yes, you can save money by doing it yourself, but quality is key. It takes time to do it right and you have to be patient. Just remember, take your time and enjoy the process. After all, your home should be a reflection of you and your unique style.

There are some really nice looking pieces of expensive decor out there. I love scrolling or strolling through high end decor stores and seeing the latest pieces. Then I love to go back my craft room and replicate them. Decor doesn’t need to be high end or expensive it only needs to look that way.

Not my stuff, honey.

Seriously though, of course you can make DIYs that look cheap and tacky. But DIYing doesn’t have to look homemade. In fact, my goal is to create decor that other’s can’t tell is homemade. With a little bit of skill, some basic tools, good quality products, and a little imagination you too can create high end decor.

Only if you want it to be. There are so many great inexpensive places to find pieces to makeover and tons of cheap materials to be found in order to create seasonal or holiday decor. You can find fantastic crafting material at dollar stores, and discount warehouses. Although, more expensive crafts stores are also a great resources and they often offer coupon discounts.

Amazing decor pieces and furniture can be scored at antique stores, second hand stores, auctions and garage sales. A little smart shopping and a ton of creativity can go a long way.

In my humble opinion all new is boring. No, everything doesn’t have to be brand new. In fact, a well decorated home should have a mix of new and old. You should also have a nice mix of high end and low end pieces. This adds personality and it doesn’t break the bank.

Nope. You need a desire to create beautiful spaces. There are plenty of resources for the self taught decorator. As for woodworking, all you need to know to start is how to cut with scissors and how to wield a hot glue gun. The rest can be worked around or learned when needed.

The Beginner’s Guide To DIY Decor Basics

Educate yourself a bit. There are a ton of online resources (besides this site) that can teach you new DIY skills and are wonderful for inspiration.

Start dreaming and collecting ideas. Pinterest is a fantastic place to get ideas, as are magazines, and Google search. I still like to keep a binder of clippings for inspiration but most often I use my computer to create my inspiration boards and Pinterest is my number one place to store and organize ideas.

Invest in a few DIY basics. Of course there are a number of tools and products that can make your DIYing easier but you don’t need to rush out and purchase them all at once. As you become more confident you will undoubtedly create your own mental list of products and tools that you just can’t live without but for now a few basics like a paint brush, paint, scissors and a glue gun can go a long way.

Lastly, you need a little bravery. The occasional failure is a given. Just take the plunge and try.

Success as a DIYer comes when you love the things that you create.

The Beginners Guide To DIY Decor Tips For Success

Be willing to try new things
Be curious and learn about colours, textures, period furniture
Learn new techniques and tools that will enhance your skills
Seek inspiration and education on various social media platforms and on Pinterest
Be willing to make mistakes and don’t give up trying
Seek beauty and inspiration in your surroundings

Common Questions About DIY Decor

People often ask me how to get started with DIY home decorating. And it’s a fair question! After all, there are so many options and possibilities out there, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. But don’t worry, it’s not as difficult as it seems. Here are a few of the beginners guide to DIY decor tips to get you started:

The list of things you can DIY around your home is limitless but a few popular ideas are:

Painted signs
Customized throw pillows
Upcycle furniture
Tiered trays
Wall art
Custom benches
Room makeovers
Candles and candle holders

There are a number of ways a home can be decorated on a modest budget. Careful shopping, furniture / item makeovers, and creative hacks are all great ways to decorate with little money. Paying attention to details, working with colour and texture and mixing purchased decor with DIY decor is also an effective way to create a high end look.

BONUS TIP: Never underestimate the power of a good coat of paint.

Basic changes can make big impact. With very little money invested you can change your whole room up to fit your mood.

Simple things like moving around the furniture and changing the wall art can make a room feel like a completely new space. As can, changing up the throw cushions, blankets, and curtains. Circulating decor, painting a piece of small furniture a different colour and switching up book shelves can also have a big impact.

A little ingenuity can make for a whole new look.

Oh boy, I hope not or I am in big trouble.

I have a beautiful home but it is a work in progress and that’s ok. Maybe one day I’ll have my dream home and all I’ll need to do is decorate it. For now I know that tasteful decor distracts from my homes imperfections and that it impresses anyone who walks through the front door.

Please don’t run out and spend a small fortune on supplies. Many of these supplies can be found inexpensively at your local dollar tree or on Amazon. Watch your local craft store for coupons.

Tools To Start With

Set of large and small paint brushes
A decent hot glue gun and glue sticks
Mod Podge
Painter’s Tape
Good paint of scissors
X-acto knife and self healing cutting mat
Ruler
Sharpie markers with varying sized points
Sand paper in soft and rougher grades
Needle nose pliers
Wire snips
Twine
Paint
Paint brushes

As you explore this and other sites you will find ideas you will want to replicate or transform to suit your style and this will naturally grow your supply.

Jenny’s Finishing Thoughts on the Beginners Guide to DIY Decor

To want a beautiful home that reflects your taste and style is human. A certain pride comes from knowing it was your own two hands that made your home and its decor beautiful. By starting small and steadily growing your skills you will be decorating your home like a pro in no time. Pinky promise.

Let me know in the comments below why you started DIYing or why you are interested in starting to create your own DIY decor.

Did you find this post helpful or inspirational? Save This Pin to your DIY Decor board on Pinterest.