DIY Custom Design on a Budget

Thanks to television shows like “Design on a Dime” and websites like Pinterest, the DIY (Do It Yourself) movement has boomed in the last few years. Homeowners are scaling back their renovation budgets without losing the custom look they dreamed of.  How?

They’re doing the work themselves. And you can, too! 

With a little elbow grease and some creativity, you can turn something drab into something fab.  From mason jars to old shutters, anything you already have or find can become attractive, custom décor for your home. And it’s an added bonus that by repurposing these objects, you’re minimizing your impact on landfills, and ultimately, the environment. 

Here are some easy DIY projects that can update your home with things you already have:
• Recover your dining room chairs in a modern fabric
• Turn an old dresser into a vintage bathroom vanity
• Replace the glass top in your metal coffee table with reclaimed wood (from pallets) for an industrial look
• Paint old window shutters or architectural moldings and hang them on a wall to add color and texture to the room

If you do not already have the piece you would like to customize, then shop resale to find it at a deeply discounted price that is significantly less than buying new. Sure, you will have a little work to do, but along with your new décor, you will also have the satisfaction of knowing that you are the creative genius behind your new, affordable custom design.

Photos courtesy of:
http://www.curbly.com/users/diy-maven/posts/8478-dresser-turned-bath-vanity
http://www.houzz.com/photos/2385655/DIY-Ideas--Spray-Paint-and-Reupholster-Your-Dining-Room-Chairs-eclectic--dallas