Earlier this week, my boyfriend and I landed on a good-sized apartment to move into next month, finally outgrowing our current tiny unit. I am practically frothing at the mouth from the surplus in space and my interior design nerve is twitching fervently, in a good way (?). With all this newly acquired square-footage, I can’t wait to do round-off back handsprings in the living room decorate my abode floor-to-ceiling without it looking too cluttered.

After the jump are awesome projects that can give your place a distinct feel without breaking the piggy bank.

As much as I like quick and simple DIY projects, I really enjoy investing my time in heavy-duty projects. I used to help my dad landscape the entire backyard. Yes, the entire thing — garden, fountain, rose bushes, trees, stone pathways, etc.! Every time I peeked out of my bedroom window into the backyard, I couldn’t believe I contributed to such a gorgeous yard.

I plan to try all of these DIY home decorations. I’ll be proud to live with and use what I’ve created or altered. And I doesn’t hurt to esteem myself as a young, budding Martha Stewart.


1. Nail and Yarn Art This is especially ideal for me since I love geometry and precise design. I refuse to freehand anything — the ruler is a must in every project. Check out some helpful tips and more pictures here.

2. Chalkboard Frame You can buy a frame like this a Hobby Lobby for a fair price. (Plus, they are basically on sale every other week.) I’m not one for inspirational quotes, so I’ll write in some movie quotes. Maybe “Leeloo Dallas Multipass” or “Liver Alone!”. Click here for instructions.

3. Book Headboard A good portion of book lovers are opposed to destroying books which is completely understandable. I think that instead of throwing them away or letting them rot, you can upcycle them into works of art or, in this case, beautiful decorations or furnishing embellishments. Visit Instructables for the how-to.

4. Framed Jewelry Display This doubles as gorgeous wall decor and a solution to knotted jewelry. I already have my eyes set on this frame, so if I can’t find one of the same color, I can simply color it with some cheap craft store paint. Full instructions here.

5. Mod Podge Coffee Table You can decorate your living room table with any paper of your choice! I think I may opt for maps. The Mod Podge works as a glue and a sealant. Check out the steps here!

6. Wallpapered Bookcase Our new apartment has a built-in bookcase, but I still want to keep my current bookcase. It’s pretty boring, so I feel like decorating it and filling it sparingly with smaller items. Click here for full instructions.

7. Mason Jar Key Hook I love love love mason jars, but you knew that. This could be used for keys, or as towel hooks in your kitchen or bathroom. Here are helpful instructions!

8. Penny Wall Art I discovered this months ago and kept coming back. I have tons of pennies, so why not turn them into a piece of gradient art? Each penny, new or old, has a traveled a beaten path and deserves to be displayed in peace. Although the instructions aren’t complete, you can choose your own canvas and use a small glue gun.

Expect more home decor posts from me as my obsession fills to the brim and subsequently overflows. My apartment will become Mouth-Frothing Decor City, USA, and there’s nothing my boyfriend or dog can do about it!

Lovelies, would you give any of these home DIYs a whirl?