We would all love to have enough money so we could change our home decor any time we wanted, but the truth is most of us aren’t that lucky. If you want to spruce up your home but don’t have a massive budget to blow, why not try a few simple DIY homecrafts? You can find plenty of inspiration on sites like Homecrafts.co.uk
Art
Okay, so the truth is, very few of us can paint like Van Gogh, but that doesn’t mean you can’t display your art with pride. Modern art is a very subjective thing and a simple painting with streaks of colour or a canvas decorated with polka dots can look very stunning. It might not fetch millions in an art gallery but it could really brighten up your home. And if you still don’t feel that your work is ready for the viewing public, why not ask an artistic friend to paint something for you?
Mosaic
Mosaics are one of those rare art forms that look remarkably complicated but can actually be quite simple. All you need is some coloured glass or plastic beads, strong glue and a surface to put your design on to. A pane of clear glass or a ceramic vase is ideal but you can use many other things too. Lay out your design without glue first so you can get it looking just right. Take your time, there is no rush, and once you’ve glued it in place you won’t be able to change it. Once you’re happy, get gluing! A layer of clear varnish once it has dried will help keep your design looking marvellous for longer.
Needlework
It may seem like something that old ladies and women in period dramas do, but needlework is becoming fashionable again. Stitching magazines are filled with gorgeous patterns you can work from, or try your local vintage market for some more unique designs. Using just coloured thread and a needle, you can spend hours creating intricate and beautiful designs that can be put into picture frames, on cushions or even stitched into clothing.
Ceramics
One of the more labour-intensive crafts to try, ceramics is no less rewarding. You don’t even need a kiln or oven to do it – simply buy air-dry clay and you’re off! Sculpt whatever you fancy, from cups and bowls to figurines and buttons, let it dry properly and then paint. Voila! You have your very own ceramic artwork to show off in your home. Why not try making your own vase to display on your window sill, or make gifts for your friends on their birthdays?
Upholstery
Sometimes something as simple as changing your cushion covers can make a world of difference to a tired old room, so why not make some yourself? Buy the cloth you wish to use at a fabric market or online and away you go. If you have a sewing machine the work will go twice as quickly but if you are happy to work by hand, that’s fine to. You can pick and choose colours to match the seasons if you want, with dark purple for winter, sky blue for spring, yellow for summer and orange for autumn – the choice is yours.
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These are great ideas! Some years ago I took leftover paint that I was using on different walls and cabinets in the house and painted sort of a color block design as wall art–very simple, just a medium colored background with some “squares” (no real measuring) and lines in the lighter and darker colors. It really looked pretty good, like it belonged there. Believe me–I am not an artist! But since the colors were already in the room, it worked.
I love all of these ideas. Though I am not an expert crafter, it doesn’t stop me from trying. Thanks for sharing this.
I would love to learn how to needlepoint, I love how beautiful the artistry is, I believe it’s a dying art
Having a good eye for interesting pieces and keeping the clutter under control go a long way! My favorite idea on this list is the suggestion to change cushion covers. Prints and colors in of-the-moment colors and styles really can change the whole look of a room.
I am a quilter although I havent been able to lately. I had 3 hand surgeries and it messed things up a bit (even my typing) but I am working on it. I love mosiacs and used to have a good eye for it and would love to do some stepping stones!
I love these ideas, especially the mosaics one. I have a picture frame that is really plain, and I’m thinking I’ll give the mosaic idea a try to spruce it up! Thanks!
I was entering a needlepoint book giveaway last week and got enthused about it all over again. I used to craft a lot then when I got back into school, I was so busy and then never got back into it. I kept all my materials though so there is hope 🙂
These are all great idea! I tend to be a jack of all trades and want to give my all to lots of different forms of art. I’ve wanted to paint a masterpiece, for example, but the daunting idea of having that as my unattainable goal has kept me from even starting. I really like your idea of just using colors you like and patters you like to create something that you would be proud to hang in your space.
Great ideas. I actually just found out that a potter opened a studio in my neighborhood and is teaching classes so I’ve been thinking about trying it out. I haven’t had much time for art in a while so it would be nice to get in touch with my creative side!
I can remember having a ceramics class in college. If I’m being completely honest I was not very good at it but I did have fun. I never really got into crafts too much but I admire people that are crafty.
I love all these ideas. I have a blank wall that I really want to liven up. I have lots of ideas just not sure what to do.
We currently rent so we really can’t do much to the house that would be permanent. I do love to buy interesting throws and pillows to accent the couch. I also love to put up some artwork, too. Hang a few choice religious pieces around the house and family pictures always makes me feel like I am home. Hopefully, someday soon we will own a place so we can paint as well. Nothing homey about beige and white; which is all we have here along with some old holes on the walls from the previous tenant.
Diana C
Mosaic is such a great option, very pretty too. And i am big on Upholstery for those pieces that need a little TLC. I also love finding furniture at yard sales that i can redo for cheap.
These are some great ideas – I keep waiting until I can take art classes and do my own Renoir!!! I did do one embroidery picture and framed it, it really came out nice.