About 90 percent of items in our home are things I bought second-hand or picked up on the side of the road. My favorite places to shop second-hand are consignment stores, yard sales, and estate sales.
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Decorating is always exciting for me, but I find that there's something special about spring that makes it even more of a thrill! The rainy days of early spring let me know that soon the grass will be green and the buds will once again bloom. This is a signal for me to brighten things up inside my home with color through flowers and simple decor that isn't expensive. It's also a chance to relieve some of the clutter that has accumulated over the winter months and to reorganize things for a fresh new start.
If you are looking for creative ideas to brighten up the gloomy days of spring inside your home click through to get inspiration. I loaded this post up with some of my favorite earlier spring decor ideas that I hope will fill you with an abundance of creativity to brighten up your home for spring.
I start small by adding fresh flowers. This simple way of decorating is an inexpensive way to brighten up rainy days. I like to clip flowers from my yard, but since it's still chilly here in early spring it's not possible so I'll purchase inexpensive seasonal flowers from the grocery store and display them in a variety of ways.
HOW TO MAKE WOODY BRANCH FLOWERS LAST LONGER
Style a bookshelf with color:
Here I styled mine with a mix of vintage pieces and small-sized coastal prints.
Or go big and hang artwork above a bookcase
Or a mantel
A good tip to remember is if you go big with your artwork make sure the colors in the art coordinate with the colors in your home.
Without spending too much money, a great way to brighten up a room for spring is with decorative throw pillows. You can really cater to your color palette as to what you're feeling at that time. I use pillows that have zippers instead of ones that are sewn shut. The reason I do this is that pillow covers take up less storage space, and I like to change my pillows each season so it's just easier for me to zip off one cover and swap it for another.
.jpg "love my simple home pillow covers with zippers")
Paint furniture
Or take it up a notch and paint your front door a bright color.
In this post, I share my tips and tricks on how I decorate with faux flowers to make them look real.
.jpg "how to decorate with faux flowers lovemysimplehome.com")
Get crafty
Create artwork to lean on a bookshelf, make a colorful centerpiece for your dining table, and don't forget your front door with a cheerful wreath. These Colorful and simple craft projects are quick and fun to make on any day even if it's a gloomy one.
Go organic with a wreath made from natural materials
Thank you for sticking around till the end of this post and I hope you enjoyed clicking through the links for inspiration on creative decor ideas that brighten up the gloomy days of spring inside your home.
xo
Julie
One of my favorite things to do in the summer is to walk along the beach and collect seashells, driftwood, and beach glass.
This large frame was the door to our entertainment center. If you would like to see how I repurposed it, you can read about it here.
My collection of driftwood was the inspiration for this simple project!
BEFORE
To get the driftwood look for this white frame I used wood stain and craft paint.
This large frame was the door to our entertainment center. If you would like to see how I repurposed it, you can read about it here.
HOW TO GET THE DRIFTWOOD LOOK FOR YOUR FRAME
The first thing I did was remove the glass. I wanted a lighter frame to hang on my newly painted plank wall.
Then I sanded the white paint, just to rough it up. I used weathered gray wood stain and burnt umber craft paint.
This is my own method on how to make painted wood look like driftwood:
SUPPLIES:
sandpaper
foam brush
cloth
wood stain
water
latex gloves to protect your hands!
Using a foam brush, I brushed on the wood stain. Then I rubbed the wood stain into the white paint with a soft cloth. Next, I used a damp cloth and wiped some of the wood stain off. I added more wood stain and continued the process.
Then let it dry!
Here is what the frame looked like before I added the craft paint. It's a pretty grey, but not weathered enough to look like driftwood.
The final step to get the driftwood look is applying the craft paint! I used a cloth to apply the craft paint. I rubbed the craft paint into the stain and wiped it with a damp cloth. Let it dry...
AND
That's it...Now I have the driftwood look! I added the doorknob from the entertainment center to cover
the nail.
AFTER
Hi friends, do you have a laminate top dining table that you want to paint but are not sure how to paint so it will withstand spills and messes? I can help by showing you step by step how I painted mine. This DIY project was easy to do but takes some patience!
I was looking for a round table that would fit the small nook in my kitchen. I thought this laminate top dining table purchased at a yard sale would be the perfect candidate for a makeover with a beautiful new finish of bright white paint.
I was looking for a round table that would fit the small nook in my kitchen. I thought this laminate top dining table purchased at a yard sale would be the perfect candidate for a makeover with a beautiful new finish of bright white paint.
BEFORE
Laminate Tabletop Material List:
Step One: CLEAN
The first thing you need to do is wash the table off. Use a soapy sponge with water to clean all the dirt, oil, or grime off the tabletop and base. Use a clean dry towel to dry it completely.
Step Two: SAND
The purpose of sanding is to give the paint/primer something to grab onto. Use a palm sander with 220 grit sandpaper and sand the top in the direction of the grain. You don't need to sand too much, just enough for the paint to stick to. After sanding, clean the surface again with a soft clean cloth. If the base of your table is in poor condition go ahead and sand it too. (You might find it easier to hand-sand the base of the table.)
Step Three: PAINT
A table that will be used daily needs paint that is durable and can withstand spills. I recommend BEHR Premium Plus Ultra in an Eggshell enamel finish. (You don't need an entire gallon, one quart is plenty.) This paint is stain-blocking and is paint & primer in one. For a super bright white, use Ultra Pure White.
Apply four thin coats of paint with a foam roller. Wait two hours between coats. Don't let the first few coats discourage you. They will show the laminate underneath. Be patient, the end result will be a beautiful smooth finish.
This is what the table looks like after one coat:
Here is the same table after four coats: (Smooth as Butter)
If you are painting your base, use a paintbrush to paint the legs and other parts of the table that are not easily accessible with the roller.
Step Four: SEAL
The final step to keep your table beautiful and help it stand up to spills is to seal it! Use at least three coats of Minwax Polycrylic Clear Satin to seal the top of the table.
Using a synthetic paintbrush apply one thin coat and let it dry overnight (patience). Then lightly hand sand with 320 grit sandpaper. Clean off the surface and add another coat, wait two hours and apply the final coat (or more coats if desired).
Using a synthetic paintbrush apply one thin coat and let it dry overnight (patience). Then lightly hand sand with 320 grit sandpaper. Clean off the surface and add another coat, wait two hours and apply the final coat (or more coats if desired).
Allow the sealer to harden for at least 48 hours. Then start eating at your beautiful new table.
Would you believe this table was an ugly laminate tabletop if had not seen the before pictures?
Sometimes a change will do ya good! When there's no time for a big renovation or it's just not in the budget how can we update our homes? The answer is with cosmetic changes. Here's how...
Restyle
Clear the surfaces of coffee tables, and bookshelves then spend time restyling. Magazines and interior design blogs are great sources for finding inspiration. I wrote a post on HOW TO STYLE A COFFEE TABLE IN 4 EASY STEPS you can also check out the fun video below. Sometimes all it takes is a little redecorating to make a room feel well thought out and updated.
Dress Up The Walls
Frame and hang photographs in groups to tell a story. Add punch to your wall with removable wallpaper. There are a lot of new trendy patterns and beautiful graphics that can transform your room and give it a designer look. If you have DIY skills install SHIPLAP or wood strips. We installed shiplap above our FIREPLACE in one day and the wood strips in our entryway only took about a half-hour to install.
Try A New Layout
Rearranging your furniture can make your room feel like a brand new space. No renovation is needed! Shake things up a bit and change your furniture layout by reconsidering your existing furniture choices. Are they in the right place? Are they in scale to the space? Try moving pieces around or edit what doesn't fit. You'd be surprised how doing this will make your room more functional and feel more open. Our SECTIONAL was over ten years old and wasn't working for our downsized family. We replaced it with an OVERSIZE SOFA that has plenty of room for seating but takes up less space in the room.
Update Window Treatments
The biggest priority when choosing window treatments should be whether you need privacy or light or both. You can go with blinds, shades, sheers, or curtains. Choose the thickness of your fabric depending on how much light or privacy you want in the room. In my living room, I chose woven roller shades that let in light and curtains for privacy. In the GUEST BEDROOM, I opted for extra thick curtains without blinds or shades
Change Your Lighting
In today's market, there are so many gorgeous options. Floor and table lamps are easy updates that you can do yourself. Take a look at your space and see how you can layer in wall sconces, and table lamps. Changing dated light fixtures can instantly modernize a space.
Paint
Paint makes the biggest impact in a room and is budget-friendly. If you do nothing to a room but add a fresh coat of paint, the difference you will see will impress you and even inspire you to make other changes.
Houseplants
The simplest way to refresh a room is with houseplants. Adding greenery or fresh flowers to a room can instantly give a room a facelift without having to lift a finger. Plants simply make a room more colorful and attractive. Plants like Boston Fern, English Ivy, and Peace Lillies freshen the air inside your home.
Affiliate links may be used in this post for your convenience.
How to update your home without renovating
Clean and Declutter
Deep cleaning and decluttering can instantly make a home more livable. When my home is clean and orderly, I can think clearer. Set goals to clean one room or closet at a time, then work to organize anything left behind. Even if this is all you do, it will definitely make a difference.
Restyle
Clear the surfaces of coffee tables, and bookshelves then spend time restyling. Magazines and interior design blogs are great sources for finding inspiration. I wrote a post on HOW TO STYLE A COFFEE TABLE IN 4 EASY STEPS you can also check out the fun video below. Sometimes all it takes is a little redecorating to make a room feel well thought out and updated.
Dress Up The Walls
Frame and hang photographs in groups to tell a story. Add punch to your wall with removable wallpaper. There are a lot of new trendy patterns and beautiful graphics that can transform your room and give it a designer look. If you have DIY skills install SHIPLAP or wood strips. We installed shiplap above our FIREPLACE in one day and the wood strips in our entryway only took about a half-hour to install.
Try A New Layout
Rearranging your furniture can make your room feel like a brand new space. No renovation is needed! Shake things up a bit and change your furniture layout by reconsidering your existing furniture choices. Are they in the right place? Are they in scale to the space? Try moving pieces around or edit what doesn't fit. You'd be surprised how doing this will make your room more functional and feel more open. Our SECTIONAL was over ten years old and wasn't working for our downsized family. We replaced it with an OVERSIZE SOFA that has plenty of room for seating but takes up less space in the room.
Update Window Treatments
The biggest priority when choosing window treatments should be whether you need privacy or light or both. You can go with blinds, shades, sheers, or curtains. Choose the thickness of your fabric depending on how much light or privacy you want in the room. In my living room, I chose woven roller shades that let in light and curtains for privacy. In the GUEST BEDROOM, I opted for extra thick curtains without blinds or shades
Change Your Lighting
In today's market, there are so many gorgeous options. Floor and table lamps are easy updates that you can do yourself. Take a look at your space and see how you can layer in wall sconces, and table lamps. Changing dated light fixtures can instantly modernize a space.
Paint
Paint makes the biggest impact in a room and is budget-friendly. If you do nothing to a room but add a fresh coat of paint, the difference you will see will impress you and even inspire you to make other changes.
Houseplants
The simplest way to refresh a room is with houseplants. Adding greenery or fresh flowers to a room can instantly give a room a facelift without having to lift a finger. Plants simply make a room more colorful and attractive. Plants like Boston Fern, English Ivy, and Peace Lillies freshen the air inside your home.
BRING AN ORGANIC TOUCH TO YOUR HOME WITH A DIY TEXTURED MOSS WREATH.
This post contains affiliate links.
SUPPLIES
One package of preserved moss
I purchased mine on Amazon.
One grapevine wreath (any shape will do)
Fixative Spray
This will keep the moss intact.
I used Krylon fixative spray.
The moss is very messy to work with!!
Before you begin, put newspaper down on the surface you are working on, this will make cleaning up a lot easier for you!
ARE YOU READY TO GET STARTED?
IT'S AS EASY AS
One grapevine wreath (any shape will do)
Fixative Spray
This will keep the moss intact.
I used Krylon fixative spray.
The moss is very messy to work with!!
Before you begin, put newspaper down on the surface you are working on, this will make cleaning up a lot easier for you!
ARE YOU READY TO GET STARTED?
IT'S AS EASY AS
1 2 3
1. Start with a grapevine wreath form. Any shape you desire.
1. Start with a grapevine wreath form. Any shape you desire.
2. Pull the moss apart and break it into small pieces.
3. Starting at the top of the wreath tuck each piece of moss in-between the vines following the shape of the wreath. Fill in as many gaps as you can. When you are finished, spray the fixative over the entire wreath.
THAT'S IT!
Now you have a fabulous mossy wreath to show off on your front door or inside your home.
Please pin for future use
