Top 5 Home Decor Hacks

Hi y'all! Today, I'm excited to share with you my favorite top 5 Decor Hacks, because let's be real...high end decor is NOT cheap, and also, who has that kind of time?! I'm just trying to get through the different seasons and holidays, with my sanity intact all the while parenting 2 teen boys and a preteen girl. Yes. PRETEEN GIRL. All of the sudden, there are a whole lot of emotions up in this house! But...I promised you decor, so here you go!

**Though I was compensated for this post in product and/or monetarily, all opinions, ideas and comments are 100% my own. Please note: this post may also contain affiliate links.**

5. Splurge on high end, good quality paint, but do it yourself. 

I promise you, painting a chic accent wall is not difficult. Make it a 'fun' family event. Seriously. Put the kids to work!

Isn't my helper so cute?! See the full tutorial for "My Updated Entryway and Accent Wall" here.

Yes, the paint I used is custom and  by regular paint standards, pricey. However, it's the best quality paint I've ever used (and I've used SO MUCH paint over the years), it's all natural, non-toxic and honestly just provides a finish that nothing else can or will. It contains lime, and the end result is very dramatic. It's called "Pure and Original" and my favorite line is their Fresco Lime. If you can't justify painting an entire room in high end paint, simply do one accent wall. You will still get the dramatic effect but at a fraction of the cost.

4. Improve your kitchen without spending a ton of money by painting (or staining) your cabinetry. 

If your kitchen has some good bones, there's no sense in shelling out thousands to install new cabinetry...paint (or stain) those babies! Adding a backsplash and changing out the hardware is another great way to really get some "high end drama" without spending too much money. Custom cabinetry can cost anywhere from 12k to 20k (sometimes even more) here in the tri-state area...save that money and update them with some good quality paint. 

If you choose to go the DIY route, please make sure you do it the right way. I know that there are many tutorials all over the internet from bloggers who used "no prep paint" and simply slapped it onto their cabinetry, but I promise you, as a professional who does this for a living, there is NO SUCH THING AS NO PREP PAINT. I know, I just got shouty...my bad. Nothing annoys me more than people who give bad advice. To properly paint your cabinetry, take all the doors and hardware down/off, thoroughly clean them (I use diluted Simple Green), rough them up for a paint job with some fine grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge, clean them again, prime them, then paint and seal. If you don't have respiratory issues like I do, I suggest you go with an alkyd enamel. If being green is important to you, feel free to use a true mineral or milk paint but make sure to always seal with a poly, do NOT wax kitchen cabinetry.

Client Kitchen BEFORE

Client Kitchen AFTER

 Adding a pop of color to the insides of the cabinets really ups the 'wow factor', as well. I used Pure and Original's "Ashes" in their Classico line for this look. The blue inside is also by them, and called "Barbados Blues". The hardware is by D. Lawless.

Client Kitchen AFTER

If you are going to stain them, you need to sand down to bare wood or strip the finish off the cabinets. Here's a kitchen that I did in a dark stain.

Client Kitchen BEFORE

 Hardware is by D. Lawless once again. I actually mixed three stains to get that custom stain color, then layered them to add depth. Always seal with poly.

Client Kitchen AFTER

The same thought applies to bathroom vanities.

 

3. Stay up to date with your seasonal or holiday decor by using temporary vinyl to jazz up apothecary jars or other items like plates, etc.

 It says 'Happy Fall' for now, but come the day after Thanksgiving, I'll remove the vinyl and add a "Merry Christmas" and exchange the fake apples and pine cones for Christmas lights or some candy canes and in just a few minutes, I have custom Holiday decor with very little effort. 

Throw pillow cases customized with iron on vinyl for each holiday are a low cost way to celebrate each holiday, and are easy to switch out as the seasons change. I've seen people put different designs on either side, to have a two-in-one pillow case. 

Signs can also be made two-sided to make seasonal decor a snap. (Stay tuned for a tutorial on how to make them!)

2. DIY shelving adds a custom touch to a space, and is so easy to achieve it's amazing!

 Style them using thrift store items, or hit up discount department stores to create your perfectly staged vignette. Don't forget to use coupons when you buy your supplies, and scrap wood is always an option! 

1. Update thrift store, or even curbside furniture, to furnish your perfect space. 


Don't be afraid to use color, and change our the hardware for a more custom look. Yard sales are also your friends. Did you know that eclectic pieces can become collections? Everything doesn't always have to match, either. Play with color, and bring the room together with it. You can have all different sizes, shapes of chairs, but if the color matches, they work together.

Barn Sale Find: BEFORE

AFTER, TUTORIAL HERE.

 A pop of color does wonders for a space.

Black, is of course, a super dramatic color to use!

Farmhouse Fun Nightstand Tutorial HERE

Seriously, don't be afraid of color...

Statement pieces are fun, impressive and conversation starters. They are also easy to repaint, or switch out, especially when you have found them curbside or paid only a few dollars, for. Take for example the above 'Frozen-inspired desk'. My daughter has about 4 years tops that she will be into that movie, then will move on once she outgrows it. She wanted a 'Frozen' room, and all I could think of was that I'd have to redo the room again when she got too old for Disney Princesses. So I settled on creating a teal and purple room with a few 'Frozen' touches, such as the desk, the artwork and bedding. Once she outgrows it, those items can be removed and she'll still have a gorgeous teal and purple room fit for a teenager. 

Those are my Top 5 Decor Hacks. Hope you will incorporate some of them into your home! Check out all the tutorial posts linked, to see how I achieved the looks. 

Do you have any decor tips or hacks that you'd like share with us? Leave a comment!