There are so many decorating shows about how to makeover your home in under a weekend & on a budget. Yes, it’s possible. What these shows don’t tell you is that they have carpenters to do a lot of the behind the scenes work. The really pricey part comes when you don’t have your own tools, because these come with the carpenters which work behind the scenes on the decorating shows. These carpenters aren’t usually around to help you with your home projects.
However, if you invest in tools, you can save a lot of money on DIY projects. I was just looking today at a site called Direct Tools, which had a great price on a Senco Stapler. A good stapler can be used in everything from building projects to even a quick upholstery project. It’s a must have if you are really serious about DIY.
It’s not always feasible to have the piece of artwork that you want in your room. It can be too expensive, you can’t get it made, or it’s just too obvious. For instance, the above picture is a stock photo that I fell in love with.
However, I don’t really have the money or the means to have this in my home. Instead, I can have it inspire the feeling of my space. By looking at this picture I know that I want:
- A very neutral color palette
- A pop of black.
- Possibly some wrought iron accents.
- I’d also like simplicity with a traditional feeling as well as things at an angle.
So the next time you can’t afford to buy a van Gogh instead tried to recreate the feeling that the painting gave you.
Home made art work can make a room if done correctly. You can even use it as a headboard. This way you can make it whatever size you need, for not a lot of money. That is the economic term, not a lot of money. You can buy canvases very inexpensively at major chain stores, or you can even make your own canvas. Here are some ideas to make your first piece a success:
- Sometimes bigger is better. A large piece of art can add a graphic punch & won’t get lost in the room, don’t be afraid to start with a very big project, just the sheer size will be impressive.
- Remember to keep it simple, maybe it’s not the best idea to start out painting a family portrait, work on large abstract shapes, such as stripes & splotches.
- Keep your palette limited to one-three colors. Resist the urge to fit everything into one painting. Leave some white space.
- Go for it. I know that art can be intimidating, but the most important thing is to have fun. If you don’t like the piece, you don’t have to use it, or you can paint over it.
Whenever I go to garage sales I see a lot of beautiful frames that are missing their glass. I always want to buy them but I know I will never take the effort to go get new glass cut. An easy substitute headboard is to hang a whole bunch of empty picture frames, either along one wall, or just over the bed. This can be adapted to suit any style.
- For an eclectic look you can staple fabric into the back of some of the frames, or even paint different colors on the wall underneath them.
- For a more modern look you can paint the frames all the same color, & keep them the same size so they look like a giant shoji screen.
- For a shabby chic look you can distress the frames or leave them in their natural state.
This project is very easy, & will cost you next to nothing & will make a big statement in your room
