The greatest things in life are free—and home design is no exception. From frugal furniture to discount decor, these some DIY projects are sure to transform your humble home into an unforgettable abode without putting a dent in your wallet.
Carton
Even hungry diners can lose their appetite at the sight of the watered-down dribble that trickles out of a half-empty mustard bottle. Keep your condiments flowing fresh and free by resting the upside-down bottles in the indentations of an egg carton, ensuring that mustard—and not water—will be the first thing your hot dog catches!
Butcher Block on the Cheap
The enduring appeal of a butcher-block countertop usually comes at a high price—but not with this bottom-dollar beauty made from paint stirrers. Start by removing the curved portion of each stirrer, then glue the shortened sticks to a tabletop. Finish by coating the surface with polyurethane to give the wood a show-stopping sheen.
DIY Glass Cabinet Inserts
Brighten up your kitchen and put that gorgeous wedding china on display by replacing interior wood cabinet panels with inexpensive glass sheets. Not brave enough to go totally open with your cabinetry? Try this project on just the set of cabinets flanking your stove or the cabinet over the coffee counter.
Cut a Rug
Have a few old T-shirts or cotton knits lying around? Cut them into strips, braid them in alternating colors, and sew them together with a zigzag stitch into a circular or oval rug to transform these humble hand-me-downs into a pocket-friendly pick-me-up for bare floors.
Sweeten the Pot-pourri
If you can’t stomach the scent of store-bought, synthetic potpourri, swap it for this frugal, all-natural equivalent. When simmered over the stove, vanilla, bay leaves, rosemary, and fresh oranges make for an oh-so-sweet but subtle air freshener for the whole home.
Full Plate
Wall art doesn’t have to be limited to familiar framed accents like portraits or posters. Here, nailing down melamine dinner plates in myriad colors, shapes, and sizes unexpectedly transforms an empty wall of shame in the dining room into one of cozy, eclectic charm.
Votive Motive
The perfect solution for lighting a small indoor or outdoor space, these DIY candle holders are made from glass jars that have been tinted with Mod Podge, water, and food coloring. After setting the tint in the oven, use paint pens to add fanciful, custom patterns to the luminaries.
Plant a New Idea
Under the sweltering sun, both you and your garden can fall victim to dehydration. With this self-watering system, your plants will be able to quench their thirst just as readily as you can quench yours. Simply fill a bottle with water and place it upside down in the soil of a container, and your plants will be able to drink as much as they need—and you’ll be able to take watering worries off your mind.
Cool and Collected
Need to beat the heat without giving your wallet a beating? It’s no sweat when you upcycle a Styrofoam cooler into this energy-efficient air conditioner. Tricked out with a fan and dryer vents, an ordinary cooler can transform incoming hot air into a crisp, refreshing breeze.
Wow With Window Boxes
Don’t forget your exteriors! Add color and interest to the front of your home with DIY wood window boxes filled with overflowing, seasonal blooms.
Key to Success
Did you just forget where you put your keys for the umpteenth time? You can keep that light switch in your brain turned on by building this magnetized switch plate that doubles as a key holder. Just place a strong neodymium magnet behind the switch plate to hold your house or car keys whenever you return home, and you’ll always know where they are as you dash out the door.
Bright Idea
It can be tough to light up doom-and-gloom spaces like basements, hallways, or stairwells. To brighten things up, try building this faux window complete with built-in light fixture. A wood window from an old storm door serves as the window frame, and plug-in LED light strips line the muntins on the back. Mounted on the wall and topped with a homey valance, the illuminating construction cheers up a narrow, dark hallway.
