Warm weather often finds me in the driveway working on fun decor projects.
Photo: The Inspired Room
Painting is just easier outdoors and I love sprucing up the house a bit with some fresh looks.
Here are some great projects from around the web that don’t cost much and add a lot of fun to your surroundings.
1. DIY Bottle Lamp
All you need is an attractive bottle, a lamp kit from the hardware store, and a lamp shade.
You might scout out the liquor store for the perfect bottle. Large wine bottles look good as do some liqueur bottles. Somebody might like a gift of a Jack Daniels lamp!
Click here for the directions at The Inspired Room.
2. Repainted Table and Chairs
Photo: The Budget Decorator
This takes more time, but you can do the chairs one at a time as you have time. This is a great project for a table you find at a garage sale or resale shop that’s not in the best condition. Paint covers a lot of flaws.
Click here for tips on how to paint without brush strokes at Painted Furniture Ideas.
Click here for the tutorial for this painting project at The Budget Decorator. She includes directions for recovering chair seats.
If decide you’d rather spray paint the furniture, compare costs of using expensive cans of spray paint and renting a paint sprayer. The people in the following link bought a paint sprayer; but if you won’t use it much it’s probably smarter to rent one. Click here for their method of spray painting at Decor and the Dog .
3. Letter Top Side Table
This is a great way to upcycle a small table you find at a garage sale, etc.
Click here for the directions at Purple Butterfly Kisses. The table there is covered with wooden letters and she gives a place to order them from in the comments.
Even easier and cheaper: use letter stickers often sold with scrapbooking supplies. Put them on, paint over it all and then remove the stickers carefully when the paint is dry. Or leave them on and just give it a clear coat.
Letter Table Top
I like the random arty look pictured, but you can also make words. You can pick a theme and arrange the words in a random way or in a word cloud. Use a child’s name, the names of characters from a favorite book, etc. Arrange the words in a circle or a spiral. Anything goes. Just lay out the words in a pleasing pattern before you stick them on.
4. Mason Jar Chandelier (or less rustic style)
This project is more of a challenge, but if you take it a step at a time it is doable.
I’m thinking you could adapt this method to make a chandelier that is less rustic. Pick different lampshades and wooden base to change up the look.
Click here for the detailed tutorial at Nest of Bliss.
Photo: Our Southern Home
5. No-Sew Envelope Pillow Cover
This is the easiest project of all. Add some color or pattern to your couch or bed with a little bit of fabric. You can find luxurious remnants of decorator fabric at a big discount from their original price. Ask at your local fabric store where their remnant table is and have fun!
Click here for directions at Our Southern Home.
If you like the natural look in decor click here for 6 Affordable Decor Trends to DIY. These projects use burlap, linen, and rope for texture and interest. And they are fun to do!
For more great projects, click the tab at the top of this page: “Top DIY Projects.”
maggie says
So glad your paints furniture turned out so well! A friend painted mismatched furniture all white for her daughter’s room and it’s charming! I love bottle lamps and I’m sure yours will be great! You can buy large bottles at craft stores if you don’t have one handy. Thanks for your comment Anum and happy crafting!
Anum @Current on Currency says
I’ve always wanted to make a DIY bottle lamp.. I painted my dining table, chairs and dresser, and they turned out great (after watching some great youtube tutorials of course). Thanks for the great ideas, Maggie!