Spruce Up the House With 50 Clever DIY Ideas
How to Make a Modern Chandelier, Glam Dresser, Chalkboard Table and More
Call it the end of cabin fever, the calm after the spring cleaning storm, or just a result of seeing nature renew itself as it does every year with freshly budding plants and little baby animals all over the place. Whatever it is about spring, we here at Houzz find it to be the time of year where we start to look at everything around us with fresh eyes — not least of all our homes. We're ready to tackle that paint project, get our backyard into shape, and are coming up with a long list of ideas for sprucing up both inside and out of the house. With that in mind, we decided to compile fifty of our favorite DIY projects from around the Houzz community. Take a look, and maybe get ready to prepare your own list of projects to get your home in shape for the new season.
by Casa Greer
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Those pretty chevron curtains were actually put together without a sewing machine by Houzz user Casa Greer. Find details on the project at the Casa Greer blog.
by The Brick House
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Morgan over at the Brick House made that awesome modern chandelier using instructions from lighting designer Lindsey Adelman.
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Houzz user iheartorganizing shared some photos of the amazing built-in she and her husband created in their living room. Find full details on the project at her eponymous blog.
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by Katya Popova
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| Poufs! They're a big deal right now. Rather than spend $300+ on one for your home, why not follow Houzz user katypopo's lead and make your own? She used instructions found here. |
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Artist and blogger Tina Sindahl used an IKEA cabinet and upholstery nails to recreate the look of a high-end credenza she loved. You can find out how she did it on her blog, Signed by Tina. (The instructions are in Swedish, but there's a drop-down menu on the sidebar for translation.)
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Tina also made several pieces of art around the house, including this fishscale-looking project. You can follow her instructions to make your own, too.
Like Tina's style? You can see more of her amazing home in our Houzz Tour.
Like Tina's style? You can see more of her amazing home in our Houzz Tour.
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Our friends at DIYLife shared this project for updating butcher block countertops to their former glory. All it takes is a little elbow grease, some mineral oil and a sander.
Houzz user kaileybo from It's a Wannabe Decorator's Life made her own pot rack by repurposing a surprising item...
| ... She used a little ladder found at her local antique mall. What a clever idea! |
by decordemon
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Unite a set of mismatched chairs and dining table with a coat of paint and tailored tablecloth.
DIY Project: Sit Pretty with Mismatched Chairs
DIY Project: Sit Pretty with Mismatched Chairs
by decordemon
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Skip expensive wallpaper rolls for this low-cost alternative. Brian Patrick Flynn shows you how to cover a space in pages cut from old books.
Jennifer Flores from Rambling Renovators used the family's collection of handmade doilies to create the installation you see hanging above the bed. Get full instructions on the project here.
You can see more of the Rambling Renovators home in their Houzz Tour!
You can see more of the Rambling Renovators home in their Houzz Tour!
by decordemon
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Take a generic hollow-core door and turn it into something stylish. Here's how.
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by Mandi Smith T
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| A collection of pretty plates can become a focal point for your walls with ease by following these these step-by-step instructions. |
by Studio Zerbey
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Lauren and Kyle Zerbey made a leaf-like sculpture in their bathroom out of recycled toilet paper rolls. You can do the same with this tutorial from Growing Up Creative.
See more of the Zerbey's home in their Houzz Tour.
See more of the Zerbey's home in their Houzz Tour.
by decordemon
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Give an old table an upgrade — and make breakfast far more fun — with this tutorial for creating a chalkboard tabletop.
by decordemon
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An assortment of knickknacks takes a far more chic tone when redone with a few sprays of crisp white.
DIY Project: Knickknack Makeover
DIY Project: Knickknack Makeover
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| Knobs and handles are an easy and instant way to change the look of a piece of furniture. Here, designer Abbe Fenimore added handles to an IKEA dresser and a mirror cut to fit the top to come up with a look that's less "big box chain" and more one-of-a-kind.
See more of this home designed by Fenimore in the Houzz Tour. |
by decordemon
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Every four-legged friend deserves a spot all their own in a home. This project reconfigures an old suitcase into a chic bed for your stylish pet.
DIY Project: Vintage Suitcase Dog Bed
DIY Project: Vintage Suitcase Dog Bed
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Designer Lauren Liess decided to turn her older refrigerator into a work of art with a few coats of chalkboard paint. Now her kids have a space for drawing, and she has a handy spot for the grocery list.
Here are instructions for covering your fridge with chalkboard paint from green living expert (and blogger) Danny Seo.
Here are instructions for covering your fridge with chalkboard paint from green living expert (and blogger) Danny Seo.
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Lauren also made the canopy in her youngest son's room out of a dropcloth and leftover paint from the walls. You can get more details of the project at her blog, Pure Style Home.
See more of Lauren's lovely home in her Houzz Tour.
See more of Lauren's lovely home in her Houzz Tour.
Make an impact on your walls with an all-over stencil in a bright and cheerful shade. See How to Use an All-Over Wall Stencil.
| For a more detailed look, try a more delicate stencil in one room or wall in your home. Stencil designer Janna Makaeva of Cutting Edge Designs shows how it's done. |
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Michelle Hinckley transformed an old mirror into the bulletin board shown here. Get the how-to on her blog, Three Men and a Lady.
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Another great idea from Michelle: turn a simple wood dresser into a glam nightstand. Find detailed instructions on the project here.
See more of Michelle's DIY skills in her Houzz Tour.
See more of Michelle's DIY skills in her Houzz Tour.
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Love those popular starburst mirrors? Follow Michelle's lead and make your own with a smaller mirror and some — wait for it — bamboo skewers!
Get the tutorial at her blog, Three Men and a Lady.
Get the tutorial at her blog, Three Men and a Lady.
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You don't have to be an upholstery pro to update simple furnishings like this stool. Houzz user mariannefromfrance gives the play-by-play on how to tackle this easy update on her blog, Noces de Coton.
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| Houzz user carrieannrich fell in love with a bench from Ballard Designs, but wasn't quite so crazy about the price tag. She decided to make one herself, and thankfully provided instructions on her blog for how you can too! |
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by Atypical Type A
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| Next time you see a dilapidated Scrabble box at the thrift store, pick it up! Those old letters could be new magnets for your fridge, thanks to this project from Alicia at Atypical Type A.
You can see more of Alicia's projects and fun home in her Houzz Tour. |
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by The Red Jet
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| Amanda from Red Jet Whistle had the ingenious idea to hang a thrifted ball light from an iron plant hanger to make this cool bedside lamp. |
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by The Red Jet
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| It may be a tad hard to see on the right side of this photo, but a little bunting dresses up a wall of Amanda's sweet bathroom. She shares how to make your own flag bunting in this tutorial. |
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by The Red Jet
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| And how could I leave out this awesome Flor tile customization? Amanda gives a full play-by-play on how the rug was made right here. |
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| Houzz member serim took two basic IKEA shoe cabinets and transformed them using a bit of paint and some 3D wall covers. Find out how she did it on her blog, Eclectic Touch. |
by Monica Ewing
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Wine corks hold a wealth of possibilities after the bottle is long gone. Houzz user Monica Ewing repurposed hers into a crafty bath mat, and you can too by following her helpful tutorial.
by Monica Ewing
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Monica's filled with good ideas! Here she took an old window and turned it into a frame for a selection of botanical prints. Get the how-to on her blog, Crafty Nest.
by Monica Ewing
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Another idea from Monica: Salvaged drawers can become a colorful modular bookcase.
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Old maps become a new wall covering in this room shared by Houzz member philigry. Get a detailed look at the project on her blog.
by decordemon
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Ready to move your entertaining outside? Brian shows how to turn a carport into a chic outside dining room.
DIY: Turn Your Carport Into an Outdoor Dining Room
DIY: Turn Your Carport Into an Outdoor Dining Room
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| That's not a bouquet of flowers on the dresser, it's a little lamp that Leah from The Way We Are painted white and hot-glued with fake flowers from the dollar store. So sweet for a little girl's room! |
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by Studio Zerbey
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| Why spend $$ on a wall decal when you can get the same look with felt and twine? Follow the Zerbey's lead and make your own instead. See how. |
by Studio Zerbey
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For the more savvy handyperson, Lauren and Kyle's teak plywood-wrapped vanity could be a project to try.
Read more about The Zerbey's home renovation on their blog, Chezerby.
Read more about The Zerbey's home renovation on their blog, Chezerby.
by decordemon
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Get mobile with your gardening with a tutorial for making a movable plant container from our own Decor Demon.
DIY Project: Mobile Container Garden
DIY Project: Mobile Container Garden
by Splendid Willow
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Monika of Splendid Willow shows how a coat of Benjamin Moore's "Old Navy" oil-based high-gloss paint and new pulls give an old chest a new lease on life.
by Atypical Type A
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If you've got a tangle of jewelry that needs taming, this DIY is right up your alley. Alicia of Atypical Type A used picture wire and screw hooks to make this simple rack. Now her earrings and necklaces are organized and easy to see.
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by ABCD Design LLC
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| Amy of ABC Design mimicked the look of her loft windows on a blank wall with a heap of square mirrors, a laser level and plenty of mirror mastic. |
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| Here's a super-easy trick: Bling up a towel bar with a little glue and some rhinestones, as Tina Sindahl did. |
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We like this spic-and-span garage organization project on DIYLife. You might even end up with an extra parking spot when all is said and done!
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Contributor Killy Scheer and her husband made this fantastic headboard for the bedroom in their old Harlem apartment. The nightstand, on the other hand, is the easiest "DIY" of all: It's simply a suitcase perched on top of a small stool!
Get full instructions for making the headboard at Killy's blog, the Studiolo.
Get full instructions for making the headboard at Killy's blog, the Studiolo.
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The pair also turned a niche in their living room into a full-blown office for two with built-in desk and curtains to hide work away when the "room" isn't in use.
Read more about the office and, of course, the rest of the house in their Houzz Tour.
Read more about the office and, of course, the rest of the house in their Houzz Tour.
by The Locker
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Here's an easy and inexpensive way to add interest to a wall via The Locker: Use a few embroidery hoops to hold scraps of fabric, and voila! Instant art display.
Got a home project you're working on now? Let us know in the comments below.
More DIY ideas for your home
Got a home project you're working on now? Let us know in the comments below.
More DIY ideas for your home
Comments
Becky Harris Whoa! I'm so impressed - so much creativity and such amazing results here! My hat is off to these people; I'm the world's biggest DIY disaster.
2 years ago · Like
Mary Glidden Some really fantastic ideas out there in blogland!! Love it! 
2 years ago · Like
Danielle I am So impressed and I feel totally inspired. Thanks for putting together such a fabulous ideabook!
2 years ago · Like
ddtigrbaby What a great ideabook!
2 years ago · Like
carrieannrich Great ideabook! I love being included in such talented company!!
2 years ago · Like
Annie Thornton I couldn't even tell that most of these were actually DIYs. There are so many creative individuals.
2 years ago · Like
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Rebekah Zaveloff So many fun and creative ways to make things yourself! Love this idea book. I'll be looking back at this one for sure!
2 years ago · Like
gknee Best Ideabook! So many wonderful possibilities.
2 years ago · Like
i_zhan It really is a great ideabook. Most readers of the houzz are creative and handy, and probably all know how the hands itch for a diy :). Thanks! :)
2 years ago · Like
asude Thanks for all the links
2 years ago · Like
ginaann Thank you to the creative, resourceful people who inspire people like me with practical and innovative ideas.
2 years ago · Like
Sandy Jenney Some great ideas! Thanks
2 years ago · Like
Vintage Renewal Thank you for posting these wonderful creative people's ideas!
2 years ago · Like
JEANIE Houzz + diy = best ideabook ever! Keep these coming!
2 years ago · Like
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janeinglenellyn This was a fabulous idea book! Great ideas and inspiration for more. Thank you!
2 years ago · Like
Marty Walker MD Thanks for the inspiring ideas! I definitely have "spring fever' and love reading the comments from your contributors..thank you for such a great ideabook!
2 years ago · Like
Kristen Schraven Best. Post. Ever! So many fun projects to try and blogs to get lost in.
2 years ago · Like
Bethany Poole Awesome ideas and great blog post! Thanks for sharing!
2 years ago · Like
ploefff quick and easy DIY. Cut the picture out of a plastic bag and mount it on any smooth surface by wiping it with a wet cloth on the back and place it on the desired spot. Then rub the plastic from the center towards the edge with the cloth until it sits flat on the surface. 
2 years ago · Like
bezzy Have loved browsing the ideas books, so may great ideas to create unique features without spending a fortune. I now have a list of projects to have a go at - hopefully they'll be succesful!
21 months ago · Like
mamarussell I just made those embroidery hoop/fabric wall hangings yesterday! I discovered a way to print onto fabric using your computer printer and VOILA! Cutest baby room evarrr 
20 months ago · Like
Ideabook updated on April 8, 2011.
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