Best Tips for DIY Decor

Learn the tips DIY decor needs to know for perfect home decor every times. From faster, cheaper projects to ensuring your projects always look high end, we’ve got you covered.

Get the Secrets to Perfect Home Decor Every Time

DIY projects are a great way to add some personality to your home decor, and they can be a lot of fun too! But before you start any project, there are a few secrets that every DIYer should know. Knowing these secrets will help make your projects easier and more successful.

Knowing the basics of home decorating will help you in a number of ways. First, you’ll be able to choose the right materials for the job. Second, you’ll know where to find the best materials for any project. Finally, understanding basic principles of design will allow you to create cohesive and stylish results that reflect your personal taste.

So before you start your next home decor project, take some time to learn the basics. It will make all the difference in the final outcome!

Why Ya Need the Basics

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t have an infinite budget for home decor. That’s why DIY projects can be such a great way to add your own personal touch to your home without breaking the bank. But before you start tackling any DIY project, it’s important to know the basics of home decorating.

Decorating projects can take time, and they sometimes require a bit of trial and error. But if you’re patient and persistent, the results will be well worth the effort. So next time you’re feeling stuck or lost when it comes to decorating your home, remember: have a plan, experiment, and be patient. That along with the following tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating the home of your dreams.

With a little knowledge, you’ll be able to plan and execute your projects with confidence, ensuring that your end result is exactly what you wanted. Below is everything you need to know that will make your DIY projects simpler, faster, cheaper and will ensure that all your projects and decorating comes out looking high end.

Decorating your home can be a lot of fun, but it can also be a bit daunting, especially if you’re not sure where to start. That’s why knowing the basics of DIY decorating is so important. Once you understand the basics, you’ll be able to approach your decorating projects with confidence, and you’ll be able to create looks that are stylish and unique.

So without further ado, here are the nine best tips for DIY decor!

Where to Find Original Materials

Shhhh… don’t tell but seasoned DIYers have secret sources for creating unique DIY decor without breaking the bank. And all it takes is just one easy step.

Step 1: Stop going to big box stores.

OK, maybe don’t stop going to these places entirely. I mean, stores like Michael’s, The Brick, and Home Sense definitely have some awesome stuff. You can even finds things for a great price on occasion. But I’m encouraging you to think outside the box.

Some amazing places to find DIY decor materials include:

Thrift stores, flea markets, antique shops, and garage sales
Habitat for Humanity Restores
Home Repair Stores (such as Home Depot or Lowe’s)
Automotive stores / department
Your own backyard
Fabric stores
Ikea, Dollar Store and Dollar Tree
Amazon, Ebay, and Etsy
Office supply stores,
Market Place, Kijiji and Free Cycle

Exploring theses places will provide you with a wealth of new and unusual materials and will definitely have you saving some coin.

Give it a try! Pick a place listed above and go on a hunt. Look for used materials, unusual items, and furniture that needs a little TLC. You never know what treasures you are going to find.

I have an article that shares my top thrift tips. You may want to give it a read.

Tip DIY Decor: Mastering Design Basics

At Jenny’s Place main focus is DIY decor but good design will always elevate your creations. If you want your DIY decor to look professional then you need to master a few design basics. After you master the basics you can play with them, even break them a little but first you must learn them.

There’s just something about odd numbers that makes things look more aesthetically pleasing. It creates a more balanced, symmetrical look. Odd numbers are more visually appealing. When we see something that is evenly balanced, it creates a sense of visual stability.

When you’re decorating a room, it’s important to create a cohesive look. But if everything is just one uniform texture, it can start to look a little boring. That’s why adding some variety can really help to liven things up. Using different textures can add visual interest and depth, and it can also help to balance out other elements in the room.

One general principle that many designers recommend is to limit wood tones to two when selecting furniture and finishes. The rationale is that too many different wood tones can create a busy and cluttered look. For a more contrasted look go with contrasting wood tones.

So, if you’re looking to achieve a cohesive and stylish look, limiting your wood tones may be the way to go.

Break down of colour rule

60-30-10 rule is basically when choosing colours try and stick to 3 colours.

Use this colour in 60% of the room. Think walls, floors, and the larger pieces of furniture

30% of a second colour. Think drapery, bed comforters, head board, fabrics and smaller pieces of furniture

10% is your accent colour. Think art work, throw pillows, blankets and accessory pieces

Picture over couch following tips for DIY decor

Tip DIY Decor: Know your measurements

This is a huge topic to cover and I can’t provide them all here but here are a few of the essential ones to get you started.

Most people hang their art work too high. Art work should be hung at eye level (60″-65″ above the floor)

Hang 3 feet above table top at the center point of your dining room table.

Most couches need a coffee table height of 16″-18″. Taller couches may need to go a bit higher. 20″-21″ is ideal

Table top should be as high as the top of the mattress or a few inches higher

Hang your curtain rod a couple of inches below the ceiling to create the look of a higher ceiling

Look around your house. Are there any areas that maybe could use a few tweaks with the above rules?

Chalk Paint

Chalk paint is by far the DIYer’s best tip for DIY decor. This stuff is flipping amazing! Seriously, will change your life.

Chalk paint is great for both furniture makeovers and for DIY decor. Its matte finish and easily distressed nature tends to be favoured by those who like farmhouse, rustic, or shabby chic styles.

However, that doesn’t mean you should pass it by if you are more into more modern looks. A polyurethane or polycrylic top coat can give a piece a polished satin to glossy look. While a wax coating creates more of an antiqued look.

See how I turned a gaudy dresser into a stunning and practical TV stand with nothing more than a few basic power tools and some chalk paint.

Pros and Cons of Chalk Paint

Seldom requires prep
Dries quickly
Easy to distress
No primer needed
Looks fantastic in farmhouse and shabby chic decor

Can wear easily if not top coated
Needs a top coat to achieve a satin or glossy finish
Costs more money than latex
Can leave brush strokes on furniture but is easy to sand smooth

Antique stores shopping top tips for DIY decor

Finding Inspiration

Inspiration for creating DIY decor is almost everywhere. The key is to think outside the box. Try to look at things in a new light.

In the first tips for DIY decor, shared was a list of excellent places to find unique materials and supplies. Let me give you a few example of things you could consider trying.

Fluffy white car towels can be used to wrap around a foam shape or to embellish a throw pillow. Large castor wheels can change up a coffee table or bar cart. Used tires make great wall displays in kid’s rooms, garden planters, or outdoor rope furniture.

Look at the physical shape of decor and furniture items NOT the colour, removable details, hardware, fabric coverings or lamp shades. These can be easily changed up with a little paint, detailing, or new fabric or shade.

It’s no secret that you can find great craft products at a great price at dollar stores but I want you to think past the craft aisle. Gardening supplies can become wall art, a Victorian inspired outdoor lamp post, or try turning plastic fencing into fancy lanterns. Pizza pans, candle sticks and a coat of spray paint magically turn into a tiered tray. Floor mats become throw pillows. Hula hoops can be turned into massive wreaths or a chandelier.

Consider trying out these unexpected dollar store DIY supplies for your next project.

Don’t discount that old dresser just because it’s an ugly puke green with pineapple shaped hardware. And that hideous brass coloured lamp with the frilly shade can easily be made into something spectacular.

Here are 35 decor items you should always be buying from at the thrift store.

Challenge yourself. Try exploring an area you haven’t tried yet. See if you can see items in a new light and start exploring the new possibilities.

Tip DIY Decor: Make It High End

If you want a piece to look high end, like this stunning faux floral centerpiece, then you need to pay attention to the little bits and the big bits of a project.

A few little things that can make a big difference in making DIY decor look more high end are:

Remove any stickers, clean the item, sand the item if needed, and remove any hardware or unnecessary embellishments.

Good quality paint although more expensive often costs less in the long run because it requires fewer coats, lasts longer, and gives the pieces a high end finish.

Think of hardware as the piece’s jewelry. Much like in fashion jewelry can make or break a piece. Invest in attractive, high quality hardware. And remember spray paint can easily switch up old hardware that meets these requirements but is maybe ugly in it’s original colour.

Pay attention to measurements, line things up properly, stencil in a straight line, use a blow drier or a lighter to get rid of left over hot glue strings, paint the back and the inside of the piece. All tiny details that make a big difference in the finished product.

Add more detail with stickers, jewelry, handles, hardware, textured applications, buttons, metal, fabric, ribbon, rope, or by distressing the piece.

A few dollar store frames glued together and painted to create a wooden centerpiece crate looks more high end when you pair it will high quality fake floral stems or with real leather handles affixed to the ends with golden tacks.

To see the difference a little attention to detail makes you may want to see how I made over dollar store wooden trays and how a little detail like jute trim can complete a project’s look

Make Your Projects Easier and Faster

Here are a few tips and tricks that can make your DIYing easier and quicker.

Use a good quality glue gun and glue sticks. Gorilla glue sticks are my personal favourite.
Start early. I know this sounds counter productive but if you start preparing for Christmas in October you are sure to have your DIY decor ready and you won’t feel rushed or end up with a rushed product.
Copy others. No one says you have to come up with every one of your ideas by yourself. Copy others on Youtube, blogs, Pinterest, or from retail stores and online sites.
Invest in crafting products that will make your life simpler: paper trimmer, Cricut machine, DSLR camera, hand held power tools
Have a well organized and well stocked craft room, closet, section in the house. When your supplies are organized and easy to find things will naturally go more smoothly.
Chalk paint. I said it before but it bares mentioning again. Chalk paint dries quickly so it is ideal for painting and stenciling.

Check out At Jenny’s Place on Pinterest

Looking for some great ideas to spruce up your home on a budget? At Jenny’s Place has a ton a great decorating ideas. So what are you waiting for? Follow us today and get inspired!

Follow At Jenny’s Place

What Every Room Needs

Again, At Jenny’s Place main focus is DIY decor but if you are going to make your own stuff you want it to look good and to have it look good you need your home to look good. Here are a few tips to making that happen.

What every room needs:

I know. Boring. But critical. Even if your furniture needs a little work, your shelves need re-configuring and your couch is not the right style for your look a clean room will always show better than a messy one.

Wat to make cleaning a bit more fun?! Check out these fun ideas for decorating with cleaning products.

A room needs different light sources in order to create an ambiance. Include pot lights, hanging lights, lamps, dimmers, and candles.

Texture adds interest so make sure you include it in every room through carpeting, drapery, throw pillows, blankets, on the walls, fabrics.

Whether it’s paintings, photography, macrame wall hangings, wooden signs, metal work, clocks, or a feature wall art work goes a long to way to creating interest in a room.

When decorating aim to include something new, something old. Something high end and something low end. Something bold and something subtle. By mixing it up you will create a look that is unique, interesting, and pleasing to the eye and again all without breaking the bank.

Jenny’s Finishing Thoughts On Best Tips for DIY Decor

And voila! Armed with these DIY decor tips take a look at your home decor with a fresh eye. Is there anything you would like to change? Is there a project you’ve been putting off because you didn’t know where to start? Are there some simple design tweaks you can now make that will improve the overall look? Now is the day to conquer it!

I know that you’ve got this. I’m super excited for you. Let me know in the comments below which of these DIY decor tips you’re going to try out and how it goes. I can’t wait to hear all about it. Cheers!

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