Look, I get it. You scroll through Pinterest at 2 AM, see those gorgeous living spaces, and think “my place could never.” Well, I’m here to tell you that’s complete nonsense. Your space absolutely can look like it belongs in a design magazine, and you don’t need a trust fund or an interior designer on speed dial to make it happen. With a few simple DIY Projects, you can elevate your home aesthetic.
I’ve spent the last few years transforming every apartment I’ve lived in (and trust me, there have been a few), and honestly? The best DIY Projects are the ones that cost less than your weekly coffee runs and take about as much time as binge-watching three episodes of your favorite show. So grab your hot glue gun and let’s make your space actually feel like you.
Home Aesthetic DIY Projects to Transform Your Space:
1. Create a Stunning Gallery Wall
Why settle for blank walls when you can have a masterpiece?
Gallery walls are literally one of the easiest ways to add personality to any room, and yet people overthink them like crazy. I spent two months staring at a pile of frames before I finally just started hammering nails into the wall. Spoiler alert: it turned out great.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- A mix of frames (thrift stores are your best friend here)
- Photos, prints, or artwork you actually like
- Painter’s tape for planning
- A hammer and nails (obviously)
The trick? Lay everything out on the floor first. Seriously, don’t skip this step unless you enjoy making unnecessary holes in your wall. Arrange your frames until you find a layout that doesn’t make your eye twitch, take a photo, then recreate it on your wall. Use painter’s tape to mark where each frame goes, and boom—you’ve got yourself an art gallery.
Pro tip: Mix frame colors and sizes for that effortlessly eclectic look. Matching frames are fine if you’re going for that clean, modern vibe, but IMO, the mismatched look has way more character.
2. Transform Your Space with Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper
Remember when wallpaper meant commitment issues and steam removal? Yeah, those days are gone.
Peel-and-stick wallpaper is genuinely a game-changer for renters and commitment-phobes alike. I’ve used it in three different apartments, and removing it was easier than breaking up with my high school boyfriend. You can find patterns ranging from subtle textures to bold geometrics, and installation takes maybe an afternoon if you’re working solo.
Here’s the deal:
- Measure your wall carefully (measure twice, cut once, people)
- Start from the top and smooth as you go
- Use a credit card to push out air bubbles
- Trim excess with a sharp blade
The best part? You can do just one accent wall and completely change the room’s vibe. I did a moody dark floral pattern behind my bed, and suddenly my basic bedroom looked like it belonged in a boutique hotel. Not bad for a Sunday afternoon project, right?
3. DIY Floating Shelves for Style and Storage
Want to know the secret to making any room look more put-together? Floating shelves.
These beauties give you storage without the bulky look of traditional shelving units, and they’re surprisingly simple to make. I built my first set with literal zero carpentry experience, and they’re still holding my plant collection three years later (knock on wood).
You’ll need:
- Wooden boards (choose your finish—I’m partial to natural wood)
- Floating shelf brackets
- A level (trust me, wonky shelves will haunt you)
- Screws and a drill
Cut your boards to size (or have the hardware store do it—no shame in that game), attach the brackets to the wall studs, and slide your shelves on. Style them with books, plants, candles, or whatever aesthetic you’re going for. The key is not overcrowding them. Less is definitely more here, unless you’re going for maximalist vibes, then ignore everything I just said 🙂
4. Upgrade Your Lighting with DIY Lamp Makeovers
Here’s something nobody tells you: lighting can make or break a room’s aesthetic.
That harsh overhead light? It’s probably why your space feels more “interrogation room” than “cozy sanctuary.” But before you drop $200 on a designer lamp, check your local thrift store. I’ve found perfectly good lamps for under $10 and transformed them into pieces that look like they cost ten times that.
Easy lamp upgrade ideas:
- Spray paint the base in a trendy color (matte black never fails)
- Replace boring shades with textured or patterned ones
- Add decorative elements like rope, beads, or fabric
- Mix metallics for that high-end look
I recently took a sad brass lamp from the ’80s, spray-painted it matte white, and added a linen drum shade. Total cost? About $15. Total compliments from guests? Too many to count. FYI, metallic spray paint is also your friend for giving old fixtures new life.
5. Create a Cozy Reading Nook
Ever wish you had a dedicated spot to escape and get lost in a book?
You don’t need a huge space for this—just a corner, a comfy chair, and some creativity. I built mine in a 400-square-foot studio apartment, so trust me when I say size doesn’t matter (that’s what she said).
The essentials:
- A comfortable chair or floor cushions
- Good lighting (remember what we just talked about?)
- A small side table for your coffee/wine/tea
- Throw pillows and a blanket for maximum coziness
- Maybe some plants to complete the vibe
String up some fairy lights or add a floor lamp, pile on the cushions, and suddenly you’ve got an Insta-worthy reading nook. I added a floating shelf above mine for books, and honestly, it’s become my favorite spot in the entire apartment. Sometimes the best projects are the simplest ones.
6. Revamp Furniture with Contact Paper
Contact paper is basically magic in a roll, and I will die on this hill.
Got a boring dresser? Wrap it. Ugly coffee table? Transform it. Builder-grade kitchen cabinets making you sad? You know what to do. Contact paper comes in marble, wood grain, solid colors, and patterns that’ll blow your mind. It’s like temporary tattoos for your furniture.
My favorite uses:
- Marble contact paper on countertops (instant upgrade)
- Wood grain on cheap furniture for a high-end look
- Geometric patterns on drawer fronts
- Solid colors to modernize outdated pieces
The application process is similar to peel-and-stick wallpaper—clean your surface, measure carefully, smooth as you go. I covered a $30 IKEA dresser in marble contact paper, and people genuinely think it’s a real stone piece. The satisfaction of pulling off designer looks on a budget? Chef’s kiss.
7. Build Your Own Headboard
Why spend $500 on a headboard when you can make one for a fraction of that?
Seriously, headboards are one of the most overpriced furniture items out there. I made my first one using reclaimed wood pallets (free from behind a local store) and some sandpaper. It took maybe three hours total, and I still get compliments on it years later.
DIY headboard options:
- Wooden plank headboard (rustic and trendy)
- Fabric-covered foam board (soft and luxurious)
- Floating shelves arranged as a headboard (functional and stylish)
- Macramé wall hanging (boho perfection)
The wooden plank route is my personal favorite. Sand down your wood, stain or paint it, arrange the planks how you want them, and secure them together. Mount it to the wall or attach it to your bed frame. Boom—instant bedroom upgrade that makes your space look intentional instead of “I just moved in and never finished decorating.”
8. Create Custom Wall Art
Blank walls staring at you judgmentally? Let’s fix that.
You don’t need to be Picasso to create wall art that looks expensive and pulls your room together. Abstract art is literally the easiest thing to make, and the beauty is that there’s no wrong way to do it. I’ve made pieces using just paint samples from the hardware store, and people assume I bought them from a gallery :/
Easy art project ideas:
- Canvas painting with acrylics (abstract or geometric)
- Framed fabric or wallpaper samples
- Pressed botanicals in frames
- Typography prints you design and print yourself
Grab a canvas (dollar stores have them cheap), pick a color palette that matches your space, and just start painting. Use tape to create clean geometric lines, or go full abstract with random brush strokes. Once it’s dry, frame it or hang it as-is. The confidence boost from pointing to your wall and saying “oh, I made that” is worth the effort alone.
9. Design a Plant Wall or Hanging Garden
Plants make everything better. This is not an opinion; it’s a fact.
If you’re working with limited floor space (aren’t we all?), going vertical with your plant game is the move. Hanging planters, wall-mounted pots, and macramé plant hangers are having a major moment, and for good reason—they add life and color without eating up precious square footage.
Here’s what works:
- Macramé hangers (you can DIY or buy for cheap)
- Floating shelves specifically for plants
- Wall-mounted planters in a grid pattern
- Tension rod plant hangers for windows
I started with three hanging plants in my living room and now I have… well, significantly more than three. The key is choosing plants that actually work with your light situation. Don’t be that person who buys a fern for a windowless bathroom and wonders why it died. Start with easy plants like pothos, snake plants, or philodendrons—they’re basically indestructible.
10. Style a Coffee Table Vignette
Want to know the fastest way to make your living room look designed? Style your coffee table properly.
This sounds so simple, but I see people either leaving their coffee tables completely bare or using them as a dumping ground for remote controls and random mail. Neither is the vibe we’re going for. A well-styled coffee table pulls the entire room together and makes your space feel curated.
The formula:
- Start with a tray or decorative base
- Add height with a small plant or flowers
- Include books (bonus points if you actually read them)
- Add a personal item or decorative object
- Keep it functional—leave room for actual coffee
I use a wooden tray as my base, stack three books I love, add a small succulent, and throw in a decorative candle. It takes five minutes to arrange but makes the whole room feel more intentional. Swap things out seasonally to keep it fresh—spring flowers, fall pumpkins, winter pinecones. You get the idea.
Table of Contents
So there you have it—ten projects that’ll transform your space without transforming your bank account.
The best part about DIY aesthetic projects? They’re completely customizable to your taste. Don’t like my color choices? Change them. Want to add more bohemian vibes? Go for it. The point is making your space feel like yours, not recreating someone else’s Pinterest board exactly.
Start with one project this weekend. Maybe it’s that gallery wall you’ve been thinking about, or maybe you finally tackle those boring lamp bases collecting dust in your closet. Whatever you choose, remember that perfect is the enemy of done. Your space doesn’t need to be Instagram-perfect—it just needs to make you happy when you walk through the door.
Now stop reading and go make something beautiful. Your walls are waiting.
