I have to admit that since working for HIG and HRG, I do often get the urge to redecorate my home. However, it can be challenging when you are 1. working with a budget and 2. do not any decorating experience. So, of course I’m always looking for pretty ideas that are both affordable and beginner’s level type of DIY.
Here are a few such ideas I recently received from the Home Depot (all following content and images provided by):
Create your own vintage-inspired kitchen
What’s old is new again with the return of vintage flair. Incorporating this trend into your kitchen doesn’t have to include a complete overhaul. To infuse your kitchen with a vintage vibe, install easy to use peel and stick backsplashes like the Pewter Motif Smart Tiles.
Step 1: Measure your backsplash and determine how many tiles you will need.
Step 2: Wipe down the area, removing all dirt from the surface.
Step 3: Peel the backing from the tile exposing the sticky surface.
Step 4: Stick the tile in the appropriate position and rub down all corners of the tile to secure it.
Step 5: Repeat until the desired area is covered.
Cost of product: $11.99 for 10 In. by 10 In. tile (Pewter Motif Smart Tile)
Time: three to four hours
Tools required: a clean cloth and capable hands
The finishing touch
Painted finishes are back on trend and especially hot for kitchen cabinets - from antiqued and weathered to glossy and glazed! Frank Turco, Manager of Colour, Trend and Design, The Home Depot, suggests experimenting with yellow, cream, sage, green, red or black for spring ‘09. It’s easy to give your kitchen an instant facelift by painting those old cabinets!
Step 1: Remove the cabinet doors from the framework (to make them easier to work with) and smooth out your doors and cabinet framework by filling in any dents with filler and sanding away rough areas.
Step 2: Prepare any areas you don’t want painted with painters tape and lay a drop cloth on the floor.
Step 3: Paint the entire surface with primer.
Step 4: Tackle the edges and corners first by painting them with a paintbrush.
Step 5: Fill in the remaining area with a roller (once dry, repeat with an additional coat).
Cost of product: $32.97 for Premium Plus Interior Semi-Gloss Enamel Paint – Deep Base, 3.43L
Time: one weekend (may vary depending on the size and number of cabinets in your kitchen)
Tools required: sand paper, painters tape, drop cloth, primer, paint roller, paint, roller pan and 2 or 3 In. paint brush.
Redesign your closet
For those of us not so lucky to open the door to a new 10 x 10 Ft. closet; decorating, updating and organizing your closet will make it feel brand new, and perhaps even reveal some hidden treasures you had forgotten about!
Step 1: Remove everything from your closet and sort by things to give away, store and keep.
Step 2: Take the opportunity to clean your closet. Wipe down shelves, remove dust bunnies – make it sparkle!
Step 2: Freshen it up by painting the back wall in a colour you love or better yet, why not use a bold wallpaper to create some drama (closets need excitement too).
Step 4: Take advantage of unused space by setting up a set of drawers or easy-to-install closet organizer to provide even more storage.
Step 5: Maintain, maintain, maintain – it is up to you to keep it clean all year round!
Cost of product: $44.98/20.5 In. Black and White Large Scale Dramatic Floral Outline wallpaper; $89.99 Vaughan Woods Laminate Closet Organizer or $169.00 South Shore Furniture Five Drawer Chest (available only on homedepot.ca)
Time: one weekend
Tools required: damp cloth, eco friendly cleaner, hangers, shoe rack, sandpaper, primer, paint brush or roller, drill, hammer, screws, nails
Put it on display!
Don’t hide treasured pieces in a cupboard stuffed with endless items – put them on display. Here’s how to create your very own stylish hanging display piece using Rubbermaid’s Triple Cube Wood Shelf Kit. Each pre-assembled cube shelving unit is easy-to-install and can hold up to 11 Lbs. of weight. It’s as simple as these five steps:
Step 1: Before putting any screws in the wall, first determine how you want all three cubes to be displayed.
Step 2: Use a level to ensure the cube is straight on the wall. With a pencil, mark two points on the wall for the location of the anchors and screws.
Step 3: Hammer the anchors into the marked pencil spots, place the brackets over the anchors and secure the brackets to the wall with screws.
Step 4: Place the cube on top of the brackets so it is securely fastened to the wall.
Step 5: Repeat steps 1-4 for remaining two cubes.
Cost of product: $38.99 (kit includes three cubes, anchors, screws and brackets)
Time: one to two hours
Tools required: level, hammer, screwdriver and pencil
Conserve it
The desire to move to a more eco-friendly household has everyone working to “green” their home. An eco-friendly low-flow shower head is a great option to conserve water while still maintaining a powerful shower!
Step 1: Tighten an adjustable wrench to the flat spots on the base of the shower head, and turn it counter-clockwise to loosen and remove the old shower head.
Step 2: If there is a rubber washer, place it on the shower. Otherwise, don’t worry about it.
Step 3: Screw the shower head onto the exposed shower arm and tighten it with your hand.
Step 4: Turn the water back on at the faucet and check for leaks.
Step 5: If the shower head leaks at the connection to the shower arm, you need to tighten the connection more and may need to use a wrench to finish it off.
Cost of product: $44.99/WaterPik Aquascape shower head (Eco Options approved)
Time: one afternoon
Tools required: wrench, elbow grease
I for one am keen on the backsplash tile and perhaps repainting the kitchen cabinets –perhaps a fun indoors activity if it proves to be a rainy weekend.
Studio After
Bedroom After
Living Room After
