30+ Gorgeous DIY Projects To Decorate Your Grown Up Apartment

Get ~inspired~.

Alice Mongkongllite

1. Use fabric medium and acrylic paint to turn a cheap remnant rug into a custom statement piece.

upcycledtreasures.com

You can usually find remnant rugs at Home Depot or Lowe’s, just ask for what they might have in stock. Learn how to paint the remnant here.

2. Adhere some gold leaf to canvas pillow covers to make statement pillows.

thegatheredhome.com

Here’s the tutorial, although you might want to paint a pre-made cover instead of using fabric glue to make your own.

3. Modernize your childhood dresser (or an antique thrift find) with a fresh coat of paint and new hardware.

leopardandplaid.com

Here’s how. If you don’t have a convenient flea market near you, eBay actually has quite a few good finds. And if you don’t want to buy new drawer pulls, you can spray paint the current ones metallic gold.

4. Paint and frame four doormats for a faux-wood headboard.

karapaslaydesigns.com

Here are the instructions. While you can’t still buy the exact mats used in the tutorial, you can use any rubber doormats that you like (this one and this one are similar).

5. Or, nail salvaged wood together for a minimal but warm headboard.

fiveoeight.com

This does require some DIY guts, and the tutorial comes in a few parts: one and twoand three.

6. OR, dumpster-dive for an old door, and paint it a fun color.

mysocaldlife.com

Here’s how they did it. You might consider skipping the door knob, though, so you don’t accidentally slam your head against it when you wake up from a bad dream.

7. Turn a 1×1 cubby into a sleek side table.

sugarandcloth.com

This would work in your bedroom or next to your sofa. This tutorial uses an Ikea Expedit shelf, which you can’t buy anymore, but you can find similar shelveselsewhere.

8. Or, screw some hairpin legs to a stained or painted crate.

dwellbeautiful.com

Here’s how. Bonus: you get a little more bookshelf space.

9. ~Orrr~ you can build your own wooden top for your hairpin legs.

mayanrocks.com

Find the plans here.

10. Cover a boring mirror with a fabric that you love.

Jackie Hernandez / tealandlime.com

Here are the instructions, but if you don’t mind the edges of your mirror as-is you can skip the wood veneer step.

11. Warm up your entryway with an Anthropologie-like paper flower garland.

liagriffith.com

It’s an inexpensive way to deal with that big, blank wall. Here’s how you can make it, including the printable flower templates.

12. Cover an ugly planter in pretty rocks for your front steps.

centsationalgirl.com

So maybe you don’t have a wrap-around porch, but that doesn’t mean what you do have has to be boring. Here’s how to do this.

13. Pick out some tough fabric and sew a slipcover for a utility bucket.

designsponge.com

Utility bucket = personal ottoman? Yes. Here’s how to do it.

14. Cover an old pallet with foam, batting, and fabric for a custom living room ottoman.

domesticsuperhero.com

Enlist a couple of friends or roommates to help you out with the tufting. Here are the instructions, with photos.

15. Or, if your small apartment can’t fit a giant pallet-sized ottoman, make one out of an old cable spool.

infarrantlycreative.net

Here’s how. To find a big spool, try calling up a local commercial electrician, who might have one that you can pick up.

16. Add simple legs to an Ikea table top for a midcentury-style coffee table, if you prefer to skip the cushioned ottoman.

ajoyfulriot.com

It’s cheap, and you could probably put it together in an afternoon. Here’s how.

17. Mount a cool shower curtain on a basic wood frame for a wall-sized statement.

6thstreetdesignschool.blogspot.com

See how to do it here. The hardware store will usually cut wood to size for you, so all you have to do is nail it together.

18. Glue old picture frames onto wooden boxes for pretty framed shadow shelves.

shanty-2-chic.com

Try a local flea market for cheap but pretty frames. Here’s how to make them.

19. Glue felt around wooden dowels for a cheap and pretty magazine holder.

tableandhearth.com

(Some of us still do read magazines!) Here are the directions.

20. Recover and paint ugly cheap chairs for actually pretty guest seating.

designformankind.com

Ok so maybe this feels a *little* over the top, but if you’re feeling extra crafty, why not? Here’s how you can make them.

21. Hot glue paint chips to the inside of a poster frame for a dry erase calendar that actually matches your kitchen towels.

mapleandmagnolia.com

To get the pretty background, you’ll also need a neutral fabric. Get more details on how to make this here.

22. Balance a marble tile on a copper pipe frame for a pretty plant stand.

abubblylife.com

You can find single marble tiles at most flooring stores, and ask your hardware store to custom cut your copper pipe for you. Here’s the tutorial.

23. Secure an old suitcase to a TV table for a small but stylish bar.

thedesiwonderwoman.com

Here’s how you can do it, even though the tutorial uses empty liquor bottles for some reason.

24. Turn a couple of Ikea pieces into a trendy drink table with some gold spray paint.

brit.co

Here’s the step-by-step. You’ll probably need a couple of tubes of super glue, though.

25. Tie sisal rope onto a painted board to create a simple hanging shelf.

burkatron.com

Get the super simple instructions here.

26. Upholster a piece of wood with a pretty blanket (and hairpin legs, again) for a colorful bench.

abeautifulmess.com

Your puppy will love it, too. Here are the instructions.

27. Turn two bowls and some concrete into a beautiful succulent planter.

burkatron.com

Literally two plastic bowls. It looks hard to make, but it’s not! Here’s how.

28. Or, knot together some pretty mini hangers for your kitchen window.

forthemakers.com

Here’s the tutorial (illustrated with photos, thankfully), which also includes directions for those pretty ombré pots.

29. Edge a simple round mirror in copper tape.

makerssociety.com.au

Copper tape is usually used as a “shielding tape” in electronic work. Find out howyou can use it to jazz up an old mirror.

30. Or, adhere copper leaf to a framed mirror that you already own.

Homey Oh My! / homeyohmy.com

Here’s how, and here are some tips on using metallic leaf.

31. Drill holes in the side of a ceramic pot to turn your favorite pot into a hanging garden.

themerrythought.com

Be sure to read the directions so you don’t crack the pot, and please wear safety goggles! Here’s the tutorial.

32. Spray paint a plastic or wooden dowel with copper spray paint, then hang air plants on it.

Gathered Cheer / gatheredcheer.com

If you put this in the bathroom, then you won’t even have to remember to mist the plants with water because they’ll be moistened every time you shower. Here’s how to make it.

33. Marble a vase by floating nail polish in a bowl of water.

hellolidy.com

Make it even cheaper by picking out your nail colors from the clearance bin. Here’s the step-by-step.