Do-it-yourself (DIY) decorating can be a cost-effective and enjoyable method of decorating a new living space or office. There are many outlets for DIY decorating, including furniture construction, artwork creation, and painting. It’s generally best to begin with easier tasks, such as painting or making slip covers, before attempting more complex decorating, such as building furniture or installing plumbing. Consulting the help of experts or associates at home and garden stores can also be beneficial, and they can help decorators learn practical skills that they might need before beginning a project.
Painting and applying wallpaper are two DIY decorating activities that many people choose to complete on their own. Not only does this save money, but it can also be a fun way to showcase creativity or work as a team with roommates or family members. Wallpaper installation generally requires more prep work and more careful application than painting, which can be layered or redone if any mistakes are made. Setting aside plenty of time, clearing any furniture away from the walls, and using protective tape, sheets, and additional ceiling-colored paint for touch-ups will help ensure a professional appearance.
Other popular DIY decorating ideas are to create slipcovers for existing furniture, make new curtains and drapes, or use fabric to make new tablecloths or wall hangings. Purchasing fabric is often fairly inexpensive, and making slipcovers or curtains can drastically change the look and feel of a room. This budget decorating strategy is one way to make existing furniture look newer and protect it from stains or scratches as well as create a more unified color scheme throughout a room. Although sewing slip covers and curtains will require a sewing machine, the cost of the machine and fabric together is often significantly less than purchasing professionally created materials.
Many people enjoy creating homemade decorations, such as decorative pillows, pottery, paintings, or sculptures. These creative activities can often add finishing touches to a room’s design and can be accomplished relatively inexpensively. The cost of supplies for paintings and drawings is often quite manageable, especially for hobbyists who might already have adequate materials. Many families often enjoy creating artwork, frames, or sculptures that personalize shared living areas together.
More complex DIY decorating can include building furniture or remodeling projects that require the addition or removal of walls and plumbing. These projects can often save a large amount of money, but they require additional training and the help of experts in the beginning. Investing some time in learning these projects can often benefit home decorators in the long term, but they do require a large upfront investment in both time and money.