Easy Home Decor Crafts and Projects

Shelf Pizzazz

Upgrade basic white floating shelves with pretty hardware. We spray-painted our shelf supports a pretty pink. Another must-try shelf project? Turn an old drawer into a box shelf (next to chair) with a little paint, a divider, and hanging hardware.

Framed Up

Even if the art inside a frame isn't your style, a pretty frame is still a secondhand score. Round up a series of pretty frames, remove the art, spray-paint them in a unifying color scheme, and arrange them on a wall.

Stitched Lampshade

Simple stitches transformed this plain pleated shade. Choose colors of embroidery floss that match your decor and plan out a pretty design. We stitched long stitches to create the vertical lines, added V shapes in two colors, and completed the design with hash marks underneath.

Be-Ribboned Lampshade

For an even easier lampshade embellishment, try this. Cut ribbons to fit around a lampshade and tie the ends in a knot to secure. For extra stability, secure the ribbons with a few dots of hot glue.

Trim Out Curtains

Give off-the-rack curtains a custom treatment with grosgrain ribbon. Cut ribbon to length and attach to the curtain edges. You can either stitch the ribbon in place or use iron-on adhesive.

Decoupage Design Tabletop

Decoupage a lovely design on a thrift store table. Paint the table with two coats of metallic paint. Cover with metallic glaze for extra shine. Let dry. Cut a scrap of wallpaper to cover the tabletop. Coat the top with decoupage glue. Position the paper, pressing carefully to remove any air bubbles. Cover with multiple layers of glue. Let each coat dry before applying the next. Finish with a spray sealant.

Fireplace Screen

Create an easy screen to mask your fireplace -- or any space -- when it's not in use. This bold geometric print pops in front of the white fireplace and mantel.

Here's how to make it: Cut four pieces of 1/2-inch-thick particleboard to your desired size. (The screen's size depends on what you want it to cover. This fireplace is 32 inches wide; the screen is made from four 12x36-inch boards, which came precut from a home improvement store). Use interior latex paint to coat the boards in a color that complements your wallpaper (here, black). Cut strips of wallpaper 2 inches wider and longer than the particleboard. Apply a light layer of spray adhesive to one side of the board and to the back of the wallpaper. Press the adhesive side of the paper onto the adhesive side of the board. Start at the top middle and work your way down, smoothing air bubbles as you go. Wrap the excess around to the back and secure. Repeat for the other boards. Let the boards dry. Use superglue to affix small hinges to connect the boards on the painted side.

Floral Stenciled Dresser

Nondescript wood dressers can often be found for rock-bottom prices at garage sales. To give them a dose of character and contemporary style, cover the top in color and embellish the fronts with stencils. Removing drawers in favor of lined and labeled baskets is another easy way to add color and charm.