The best thing about your home or apartment is how much you can make it your own. From the color scheme to furniture to décor, the options are endless and you can easily transform a space with a little bit of imagination, some luck and elbow grease.
Instead of heading straight to a home goods store for holiday decor, instead, try a thrift shop or a hardware store for as a place to start for own DIY project. This will allow you to create something special for your space that means a lot to you but is also perfectly customized to blend into your existing aesthetic. The possibilities are unlimited when it comes to color combinations, patterns and even projects that you can accomplish when you put your mind to doing it yourself and creating a unique conversation piece for your home.
1. Hand-dyed knits and fabrics
Customize any fabric pieces in your home by dying them to match just the color you're looking for—or to add some holiday flare. Whether you’re just looking for a change of scenery, find a great piece at a second hand or discount store, or just are looking for a fun project, it doesn’t get much easier than simply dying some fabric. Add some color to cloth napkins in your kitchen by dying them red and green to match a holiday tablescape, or dye the covers of pillows or curtains in your living room or bedroom to get into the holiday spirit. If you’re feeling ambitious, you could even do an ombré or tie-dye pattern to infuse any room with a pop of festive color.
2. Repurpose thrift store finds
One of the easiest and best ways to save money when redecorating is to find pieces hiding in the thrift store. Though they may not look like much at first, be on the lookout for pieces that can be taken apart, reused and up-cycled into something completely new. Whether you find a chair with a great silhouette and create a slipcover, or find a table that has a great top and just needs new legs, the options truly are endless. Just be sure to look for shapes and sizes that will work well with your space, and go from there. Adding fun new pieces during the holidays will help transform your space and also create extra seating for those holiday guests.
3. Add a new trim or finish—permanent or temporary
Give a yard sale find or a hand-me-down piece an instant facelift with a new coat of paint or a fun trim—once you’re finished, you won’t even recognize it! It can be as simple as refreshing an old dresser or table that has peeling paint, or in a color that doesn’t mesh with the rest of your home or picking a shade to match your holiday color scheme. Sand it down and give it a fresh coat of paint to instantly transform it to look like new. Or simply add a studded or painted trim to something to give it new personality, or even add pom-pom or lace trim to pillows or curtains to instantly elevate your space. If you want to keep it for holiday décor for many years, opt for a permanent attachment like nails or glue. But if you just want to use it for the holidays, opt for something easily removable like double-sided tape or Command strips or a temporary fix.