18 Amazing DIY Decorating Projects That Are Easier Than You Think

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Do you find lots of DIY home projects online that look absolutely amazing, but when you get to the instructions, well, your jaw drops at the difficulty? Me too. (See also: 15 Home Decorating Ideas for Under $5)

The good news is that there are plenty of straightforward projects out there that can make your home look fantastic (and give you the satisfaction of doing it yourself). Here are some of my favorites for every area of your home.

1. Painted Tablecloth

This Polka Dot Tablecloth is so simple, a kid could make it. Cut out a dot shape using a potato, dip it in some textile paint, and stamp. Of course, if you have other ideas for designs, just use a brush or stamp and the same textile paint.

2. Painted Furniture

If you have an index finger, you can spray paint a variety of furniture pieces. I've given a bright coat to chairs, side tables, and even a dresser for design on a dime. There are definitely some best practices here, including cleaning and lightly sanding, spraying outdoors in a well ventilated area, priming and painting with thin coats, and sealing with a clear finisher if your piece will be heavily used.

3. Fun Tile

Refresh that outdated backsplash by painting over it! You'll need a shellac-based primer, acrylic house paint, and a polyurethane top coat. I took this project a step farther by using metallic craft paint to create an artistic mixed-tile look in my kitchen.

4. Stone Tub

That old bathtub can get a spa-worthy makeover using AirStone — a lightweight veneer you can buy at Lowes — and adhesive. You'll want to clean your tub well before beginning for optimum sticking power. From there, just apply the adhesive to the stone and stick. You can cut different sizes using a hacksaw.

5. Serene Fireplace

I've given new life to an old fireplace in three homes now. Old red brick doesn't go with all decors, so paint those suckers by using a regular paintbrush and a foam brush (will help get in all the crevices) and good quality flat, semi-gloss, or gloss latex, depending on your tastes. Note: I've skipped the priming the last two times, and my results have been just as stellar. (See also: Boost Your Home's Value With These 5 Projects)

6. Basket Pendant

Updating an old light fixture doesn't have to be expensive. I love this Basket Pendant Light idea — which features a cool $10 thrift store basket and cheap pendant light. Just remove the pendant's original cover, snake it through the basket, hang, and you're done (similar fixtures cost over $300!).

7. Haute Headboard

Head to your local lumber supply or box hardware store and get a large piece of plywood cut to size for this DIY Headboard. Once you have your board cut, cover it with batting and fabric, then embellish with nailhead trim. The cost was just $67 for a queen bed, and the time required was only an afternoon.

8. Towel Hooks

Tame all those bathroom towels with this beautiful rack that assembles in only minutes. Cut (or have someone cut) your desired length from a 1x10 board, then sand it lightly and stain. Once it dries, mark where your hooks will go, hang, and then screw in your hooks. Bonus: The entire cost is less than $15 from start to finish.

9. Terrific Throw

Even if you've never once touched a sewing machine, you can still make a throw blanket for your couch to ward off chills. The classic is a warm fleece blanket, where you take two pieces of fleece fabric, cut all along the edges, and then tie off to bind. If you live in a warmer climate, it's the same process for this throw, just using jersey knit fabric.

10. Abstract Art

I recently went out looking for some art to cozy up our family room, and I was shocked at the price tags. This DIY Abstract Art project looks a ton like a lot of the options I was considering, but at a fraction of the price. You'll need a large canvas, acrylic paints, a couple brushes, and about an hour of creative time.

11. Quote Pillow

Pillows with sayings scrawled on them are all the rage these days (that sounds like something my grandmother would say!). Fittingly, they can be quite expensive at the store. Make your own using this easy tutorial, a linen pillowcase, stencils, and fabric marker. I'd paint words on both sides and flip to change things up every now and again.

12. Custom Chalkboard

Turn trash into treasure by taking an old picture frame and painting the glass on the inside with a couple coats of chalkboard paint. You can paint the frame with colorful spray paint, too! It's the easiest way to get a chalkboard in your house without painting the walls black. (See also: 15 Fantastic Chalkboard Paint Projects)

13. No Sew Curtains

I made these No Sew Curtains for my daughter's nursery a couple of years ago. The hardest part was picking out the fabric design I wanted. Iron your yards until they are smooth, then cut to your desired size. Instead of sewing, use hemming tape to create clean edges. You hang using curtain clip rings. Done!

14. Table Runner

The same idea applies with this No-Sew Table Runner, just on a smaller scale. You could make one for every month of the year or the change of seasons. Pick out your fabric, cut it to fit your dining table, hem using the iron-on tape, and enjoy.

15. Copycat Shelves

Skip the Restoration Hardware order and make your own Industrial Shelves. As with many other projects on this list, you can get your 2x10 board cut down to the size you want (in this case, the author chose 30 inches for three shelves total) at the store for little or no charge. After staining them, hang with spray painted pipes and floor flanges.

16. Kitchen Cart

My eyes nearly popped out of my head with this DIY Kitchen Cart. And here's why: You just use three boards cut to the size you want, stain them, then fasten together using metal angles, and then screw on some caster wheels. (See also: 10 Ways To Make Your Apartment Awesome Without Losing Your Deposit)

17. Wrap Wreath

Liven up your front door by making a Wrap Wreath using a foam wreath form and some recycled paper bags. Cut strips of the paper, twist, and then wrap around your form and hot glue to secure. You can make a more colorful wreath by using thick yarn instead of paper. Embellish however your mood strikes you. (See also: 10 Useful Items You Should Never Throw Out)

18. Hand-Painted Rug

Upcycle an boring old rug into an amazing West Elm Copycat. You'll want to create a stencil of sorts using whatever design you think will match your home's decor. From there, draw the outlines using a Sharpie marker and paint over it using acrylic or latex. You can seal the rug using fabric protector to finish.

Have you made any fab, easy DIY projects lately? Please share in comments!

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