Category: DIY

  • 7 Inexpensive Decorating Ideas for Small Apartments

    7 Inexpensive Decorating Ideas for Small Apartments

    Small spaces are really hard to decorate. If you decorate a small apartment with too many things it would be cramped and crowded. If you use too less decorative items, it would look empty and deserted. You have to find the perfect interior décor balance for it to look welcoming and attractive. This is why we have dedicated today’s post solely for this purpose. Here are ten ways to decorate a small apartment especially when you are on a budget.

    small apartments

    via pinterest

    Lighting

    Lighting can either make or break a room. So invest in lower-wattage bulbs because they will allow you to change a room’s mood from romantic to restful. Please don’t handle the electric matters yourself as it can be very dangerous for you and your house. Always go for professional assistance and if you are having trouble finding commercial electricians in your area, http://www.newedgegroup.com.au/can help you out in this regard.

    small apartment

    via Provident Home Design

    Remnant tables

    When buying fabrics for décor never miss out those remnant tables at your local fabric stores. They are perfect for banding drapes, recovering pillows and other handling other sewing projects around the house. These tables can offer you fabrics at 1/3 of the price and are just as good as those on the shelves.

    small apartments

    via Apartment Therapy

    The Greenery

    Having plants in any room makes you feel more alive. Simple green foliage usually lasts longer than flowers. Even the design of a single leaf can make a striking effect. Try putting a single palm leaf or even a slender flax in a giant vase. It will cast a simple yet a modern appeal.

    small aparatment

    via Apartment Therapy

    Focus on Floors

    Your floor is also an important part of your house and just like walls, they need your attention too. To completely change the floor surface, try staining wood floors. You can also install a carpet or replace old linoleum. For a quick fix, just add an area rug. Trust us, just by making the floors distinct, your walls can definitely look better.

    small apartment

    via Pinterest

    Storage Matters

    Storage matters a lot when you are living in small spaces. You generally have two options: building under or building up. If you want a dramatic effect to consider building tall bookshelves. You can also take the advantage of the space underneath your bed and store things there. Toffee tables with hidden storage options are also a good item to buy. These things help in keeping the clutter out of sight and improve the outlook of your house.

    small apartments

    via Tidbits & Twine

    Combining Patterns

    Make things fun and colorful and combine patterns, styles and different textures of fabric in almost everything from furniture to window treatments and accessories. It will add color to your rooms and also your life.

    small apartments

    via Pop Sugar

    Illusions

    Cast illusions to give a roomy and spacious feeling to your small apartment. Vertical lines or similar patterns on walls can cast an illusion of a high ceiling. Similarly installing a mirror on a complete wall can make a room look twice its size.

    *disclosure this post syndicated by New Edge Group

  • Easy on the pocket DIY wall décor ideas

    Easy on the pocket DIY wall décor ideas

    When it comes to decorating apartment walls, ideas tend to flow but not every time are these ideas successfully implemented. This is because what you have in mind might have a hefty cost attached to it. However, decoration is not always about going out of the way to purchase the best. There are amazing ways to decorate which are both creative and easy on the pocket. So let’s get started with some of these extraordinary DIY wall décor projects.

    framed fabric

    via Balancing Beauty and Bedlam

    fabric wall

    Using fabric to decorate walls

    This can be used in the kitchens and if used correctly, they can go really well with Black Stainless Steel Appliances. You can easily get fabrics with floral patterns or even geometric prints easily from the market. Such things are also easily procured from the market at cheap rates. Its very easy to install and adorn your walls. All you have to do is cut the fabric in square or round shapes and have them framed and hung from the wall. You can also attach them to the smooth side of a cardboard and past them on the wall, if you choose to. This DIY home décor idea is easy, economical and colourful.

    vintage frames

    via Boho Weddings & Life

    vintage frames

    Wall décor with vintage frames

    The best way to personalise a living space is to adorn it with pictures that bring back sweet memories. Such memories look even better if framed in classic frames. Framing old and memorable pictures using antique frames will give an elegant touch to your walls. Also, they add a bit of a drama to the contemporary outlook of your living room. You can find many old vintage frames in the market at cheap rates. All you need to do is to install a picture that you love the most and hang it to the main wall of your room. Trust me; you will love every bit of it.

     

    DIY shelves

    via  caroline | burkatron DIY

    DIY shelves

    DIY shelves

    Have you ever imagined making an invisible bookshelf where books just seem to float in mid-air with literally no supports? Well, now you can create one easily! All you need is two sets of metal brackets, a drilling machine and a couple of old books. If your old books are heavy, try going for metal brackets that are made of sturdier material. Start by drilling holes into the wall and place one bracket on the top of the wall and one on the lower end and then slide in the book between the brackets. This will ensure that the book is balanced. Once you are done, you can place lightweight objects such as vase, small photo frames or other books as well on the shelves.

    Well, these were the top three ideas, we chose to present to you this week. We hope you like them. If you need further details you can always contact us via email. If you are fascinated and willing to try out these amazing DIY ideas, then wait no further. Go ahead and make your walls stand out in a creative and interesting way!

    *disclosure: this post in partnership with AJ Madison

  • Spring interiors: bliss indoors and out

    Spring interiors: bliss indoors and out

    Spring Interiors

    The weather has been so wishy-washy. Teasing us with a 70 degree day, and then bringing us back down by dropping to 50 overnight! But, the leaves are finally on the trees, and the days are longer – so it’s safe to say Spring is here.

    I love the longer days…so beautiful
    via KML Design

    Domino Mag

    …and fresh flowers. The first image is flowers in tea tins. I do this, but my tea tins aren’t water tight so I put a juice glass with water inside the tea tin and just put the flowers in the glass. The second image is a cute idea: use some glass bottles (they don’t have to match), wrap some jute or hemp around them – and you get a lovely handpicked, country centerpiece.
    via Country Living

    ….weekends in the country….
    via NiKreations

    Love the lanterns hanging from the trees!
    via Scandinavian Chic

    Meals outside..
    When I was a kid, we out outside every evening in the summer. We didn’t have a patio, so we just set up chairs and a table right out in the yard

    2 images above via Rue Magazine

    The ultimate—poolside…
    via Design Interior

    How do you enjoy spring?

    *disclosure: this post contains a sponsored link

     

  • Beautiful Simplicity in this Scandinavian-Inspired Minneapolis Home

    You’re going to love this light-filled clean and stylish home. This is a REAL house, in fact – it’s a rental, and at only 1,250 square feet it’s a size most of us can relate to.

    I’ll start off with the foyer since it’s one of my favorite spots.

    I love that wardrobe, which was a craigslist find.
    The twin’s nursery is so sweet, see below

    The narrow wood floor is gorgeous and really fits in with the aesthetic of the home.  The couple are grateful that their landlord has really helped been open-minded when it comes to painting and changing out light fixtures, etc.

    The master bedroom also serves as a home office. Since space is tight, the couple decided to forgo nightstands and lamps by hanging simple but gorgeous bare bulbs.

    The armoire is an Ikea hack!

    The living room showcases the home’s old bones, but also cleverly blends modern furnishings with Craigslist finds.

    The dark gray Turkish Kilim rug helps anchors the space.

    The curved doorway is a great frame to a custom DIY dining room light fixture.
    The wooden chairs are Ikea, metal chairs are Target, and the table is a DIY by David Morse of Stéypå!
    See the entire home and read more at Apartment Therapy.
  • Filling in Spaces

    Filling in Spaces

    When decorating a home, sometimes there’s a wall that just stumps you. It’s either an awkward size, a really large wall, a corner, or just a space you’d like to give a little more character. Either way, there are a few tricks I use to fill up a space that needs some love:
    Create unique abstract wall art with Sharpie + wood.:
    via brit.co
    You can never go wrong with a large wall print, a plant, and a console. Extra storage and something pretty to look at it are my first attempt at filling an empty wall.
    How You Can Decorate The Empty Corners In Your Home - 15 Cool Ideas:
    via homedit
    Corner’s can be more difficult! A collage of pictures is a great idea, a ladder with blankets, a corner table with a plant, or maybe even a beautiful basket could be a great solution to a corner problem.
    For an entry way, I love a bench seat where you can sit down and take off your shoes, and there are some great ways to fill up a wall with DIY wall art that won’t break the bank!
    I love the look of shelving as a wall filler on your way or in a kitchen. Using things you already have around the house and fresh flowers is a great filler.
    14 Blank Wall Ideas You Haven't Thought Of (PHOTOS):
    A large mirror is a wonderful way to fill an empty wall. It also helps with smaller rooms, bounce natural light around, and make the room feel larger.
    How would you fill your empty space? Leave a comment below!
  • The best of 2015!

    The best of 2015!

    Another amazing year here on Decorology has passed! Looking back on 2015, this may have been the biggest year of changes I have had! Throughout all those moments, I have had the most amazing following here on the blog and I want to take the time to appreciate all of you who have made this blog possible. From readers, to subscribers, to advertisers, and those who have supported me from the beginning, thank you! Thank you for being a part of Decorology. 
    So now, I’d like to share the best posts of 2015! Here it goes:
    Tiny powder room with black Subway Tile and white grout. Herringbone floors.
    love this mix of modern + traditional
    What was your favorite post for 2015? What are you looking for in 2016?
  • Some Fall DIY Favorites

    Some Fall DIY Favorites

    There are so many simple fun DIY’s for fall but here is a preview of some of my favorite!
    DIY Falling Leaves. These are 2 of my favorite things and I'm totes making this happen this fall.:
    via brit
    Fall and leaves go hand in hand but beautiful glitter with lots of great fall colors is definitely a winner!
    DIY Fall Chalkboard. Great for the holidays. Make a large one for the kitchen, and small ones to place around the table for thanksgiving as place cards. Could even use the small ones for labeling food dishes on the buffet table.:

    There’s something so refreshing about have nature in your home. This wood slice sign is such a creative way to bring the outdoors in.
    What is fall without a pumpkin? And I especially love a personalized pumpkin. What a fun way to add a little fall fun to your front porch.
    A wreath is great for any season but to me, fall is one of the best times! They can be simple, natural, and stunning. 
    What are some of your favorite fall DIY’s for your home? I’d love to hear in the comments below.
  • Decorating on a Budget

    Decorating on a Budget

    For those of us who have the desire to change the way our home looks, but don’t have a winning lottery to do so, here are a few things you can do to decorate on a budget:
    Lend farmhouse charm to your dining room with a grain bin repurposed as a buffet. The deep drawers are suited for storing linens and party staples, such as candles and special occasion china! http://www.bhg.com/decorating/storage/projects/from-flea-market-finds-to-savvy-storage/?socsrc=bhgpin041615fleamarketstorage&page=16
    via bhg
    Check out your local thrift stores, flea markets, and yard sales! Get a great piece of furniture that might cost you a couple hundred brand new, and make it yours for just a few bucks.
    Ask family and friends for unused furniture! Chances are high someone you know has something in their basement they don’t even know is down there anymore. Take it off their hands and in your home!
    We love these different sized vintage mirrors! More flea market chic home accents:http://www.bhg.com/decorating/decorating-style/flea-market/flea-market-chic-home-accents/?socsrc=bhgpin052413marketmirrors=15
    via bhg
    You might be surprised to find that you already own a fantastic piece of furniture that just needs a little TLC. Some paint and new hardware can make a huge change without much of a dent! My tip on spending less on paint? Buy a sample size bucket instead of a gallon especially for small pieces.
    A little advanced diy for me but still a good one! I may have someone else do it for me ^^
    Don’t want to buy expensive shelving? DIY! Wood and stain are much cheaper than pre-made store bought. 
    Be creative! Take the time to search and find the right pieces for the right price or see if you can make it yourself! You may be surprised at how much you can do with a tight budget.
  • Easy outdoor upgrade

    Easy outdoor upgrade

    Outdoor space can be tricky when it comes to design. In most cases, to upgrade your exterior space can be quite a costly adventure. There’s one that I always keep in mind when being budget conscious and that’s a pergola! 
    They aren’t too expensive, they are easy to DIY, and they can add so much more to your outdoor space. 
    They create a great space for some partial shade, and some privacy if you’d like it!
    You can dress them up or keep them simple but making them look stunning is not difficult!
    Making it an addition to a preexisting deck our outdoor space really makes your usable outdoor space double!
    Great black timber pergola with white outdoor furniture. Pinned to Garden Design - Pergolas by Darin Bradbury.
    You can use it with a wall to hide an eyesore! It creates a cozy nook and provides great shade.
    Not to mention it’s great for hanging lights from. Who wouldn’t want to add a romantic touch to your outdoor space on a great budget?
  • Taking ombre to the next level!

    Taking ombre to the next level!

    Ombre has been a major must do when it comes to hair this past year and even though it’s slowly fading away I am seeing it pop up in places I wouldn’t expect.

    It wasn’t too long after the hair craze, that diy ombre cabinets started popping up all over the place.
    Followed by ombre curtains and other home decor.
    Ombre wall... stunning! I think I need one. Ombre is becoming big in 2013 in clothes nails,hair and even walls
    via elv-s
    But something much bolder and much newer caught my eye. Ombre walls!?
    Could you picture a room in your home with ombre walls?
    Pink Ombre wall using Resene paints, featured in the August issue of Your Home and Garden magazine. Photography by Melanie Jenkins, styling by Emily Somerville-Ryan.
    via resene
    Would you do it?
    I’m curious to see what you think!