If you’re decorating and remodeling your home on a budget, you’re probably into DIY because you can’t afford to pay someone else to do it for you. That’s where the Internet’s got your back.
As I contemplate renovating my 1995 builder grade home from top to bottom, I’m looking for those bloggers who have created lovely rooms without spending a lot of money. There’s plenty of inspiration and practical advice on DIY makeovers for the frugal.
These days, I’m trying to be even more thrifty than usual. I got laid off from my newspaper reporting job (along with many others) a few months ago. I have extra time on my hands, but my budget took a big hit.
What’s a DIY chick to do? Look for ways to create loveliness that don’t cost much cash. That’s what I’m seeking these days.
Here at Plum Prairie Ranch, I’ve updated a boring end table with chalk paint and used items I found around the house to style my mantle.
I love changing out the look of my mantle so I can feature different items and gain more enjoyment from them. The flag-painted flower holder and the little angel were hiding in dark corners before I placed them front and center!
Just last week, I “shopped my home” to give my mantle a patriotic theme. The only items I purchased were $8 in fake flowers from Hobby Lobby. If you look at the mirror reflection, you’ll see the dated green wallpaper and fruit border I chose back in 1995. I don’t have the funds to remodel the kitchen right now, but I can update my mantle on the cheap.
Blogs for DIY dreamers on a budget
If you want decorating ideas and DIY projects on a budget, here are nine great blogs to visit.
Designer Trapped: Tasha at Designer Trapped has tons of budget ideas, from a room redo to easy artwork. I’m digging the jewelry organization for earrings she created from a sheet of decorative metal.
Jewelry organization from Tasha at designertrapped.com.
Thrifty Decor Chick: My fireplace surround is currently naked. Most of the tile fell off months ago when an errant dog toy hit it (not that hard, the tile was loose). I took the remaining pieces off and bought creamy, lovely polished travertine to replace it. But we won’t be doing that until we replace all the flooring in our great room because the hearth also needs to be changed out. Sarah at the Thrifty Decor Chick has an awesome tutorial for tiling the fireplace surround.
Tutorial for tiling a fireplace surround from thriftydecorchick.com.
Bless ‘er House: I’m a bit of a francophile. When I was in college, I spent a month studying in Paris and a few weeks traveling around the French countryside, so forgive me if I’m a little obsessed with French country and Parisian style. Lauren from Bless ‘Er House turns an ugly duckling dresser into a French swan (cygne en francais, s’il vous plait) in her French Blue Dresser Makeover.
French Blue dresser makeover from blesserhouse.com.
Maison de Pax: I found Rachel at Maison de Pax while searching for master bath inspiration ideas. Again, we’ve got the French influence, c’est si bon. She crafted a gorgeous makeover of her bathroom. I’m all about a hack to make life easier. And if it helps me murder fewer plants, even better. Here’s Rachel’s wine bottle plant waterer.
Wine bottle waterer from maisondepax.com.
Cherished Bliss: Raise your hand if you have one of those giant mirrors over your vanity. They’re in pretty much every house from the 90s. Not gonna lie, but it’s kind of nice having a ginormous mirror in the bathroom. Framing it out would make it much more attractive. Ashley from Cherished Bliss shows us how to frame out that builder grade bathroom mirror.
Framing out a builder grade bathroom mirror at cherishedbliss.com.
Addicted 2 Decorating: I love this DIY console table sofa table from Kristi at Addicted 2 Decorating that uses these turned posts. I can get these type of posts at a store in Fort Worth that carries salvaged architectural elements. The Old Home Supply has posts, doors, windows, claw foot tubs and LOTS more. If you’re a fan of vintage or farmhouse style, go to Old Home Supply. Buy some posts and try this table.
Building a console table with salvaged posts at addicted2decorating.com.
Pretty Handy Girl: Brittany at Pretty Handy Girl is a contractor with the heart of a teacher. Are you afraid of power tools? She has tool tutorials on her blog! Get educated and then get busy! I’m itching to try this easy mulch and stone path along my garden in the back yard. The garden bed frequently gets inundated with grass, so a path would provide a barrier.
Mulch and stone garden path from prettyhandygirl.com.
Anikas DIY Life: When I decorate the master bedroom, I want to have a bench at the foot of the bed. Here’s a lovely easy upholstered bench from Anikas DIY Life.
Upholstered X-bench from anikasdiylife.com.
Remodelaholic: So many plans, so little time. Love, love, love doing a little DIY dreaming while l contemplate future projects. Every Friday, Remodelaholic features wow-worthy makeovers from across the world wide web.
What budget project do you want to do? Do you have a favorite DIY blogger to share? Do tell!