But like with everything else, this piece can be easily fixed. Using some molding, laminate tile, and some paint, you can take an old tired fireplace and give it a new, modern look in almost no time.
Batten Wall
Sometimes all it takes is a little creativity to liven up a bedroom. Take, for instance, this beautiful board and batten wall. You can take any type of wood and layout of your design. Then with a little work and paint, you get a beautiful wall that can double as a headboard if you want.
The inclusion of a wall like this will give your bedroom walls texture and allow your room to feel a little more elevated. Of course, then it’s all about the interior design details, like color pallet and accessories.
Repurpose Some Sheets
If you have an open room that has a lot of windows, the covering for these windows is essential. You could go more modern and install some trendy Venetian blinds, or go retro and put in some wooden shutters.
Working on a tight budget doesn’t have to stop you from making some impact. If you want the most bang for your buck, try repurposing some sheets. You can cut slits in the sheets at the top where there is a thick border and make tabs to insert curtain rods.
Unique Paint Job
Creating an accent wall or even a ceiling can really change the whole look of a room. If you want to get that mansion-like quality in your home, you can always try a marbling paint style. This is a lot easier than you think.
All you need is latex and acrylic paint and a sponge. Paint your wall your chosen color and then mix the two paints, one your chosen color and the other some shade of white. Then cut some pieces from your sponges for a unique texture and dip the sponge in and start painting.
It’s the First Thing They See
Just like the bedroom in the example above, you can use this same technique to enhance your entryway. First impressions are always the ones that last. So, creating a unique batten and board wall and then painting it a color that matches your palette is a great idea.
It is even better if you then add in some amazing personal touches and some cool accessories. These should all match the mood you are trying to instill.
Revive Your Bathroom
The bathroom sometimes gets overlooked. After all, it is the room that people tend to spend the least amount of time in. By adding a two-tone paint scheme and putting up a border around your mirror, you can improve your bathroom’s look.
Then, if you have space, install a few shelves so that you can declutter the cabinets, and you have a bathroom that everyone will want to spend more time in.
Lighting Fixture Update
Maybe the room looks great, but it was designed many years ago, and the lighting fixture might leave a little something to be desired. So, changing them out for something a little more modern or unique could make the room pop just a bit more.
For instance, this unique mason jar lighting fixture. The process of changing this took little effort. A simple hole cut in the top and the use of the washer that was already there allows you to attach the jar to the fixture. So cool and chic!
Veneer Wall Accents
Taking a drab wall to one that catches the eye and adds texture to a room can elevate its look and feel very easily. But it doesn’t have to be expensive or even that hard. Choosing some veneer that looks like bricks or even stones could be the perfect DIY project.
All you have to do is pick a wall like this and mark out where you want the veneer to lay. Then cut and place, and in a few hours, you will have a stunning wall accent just like this one.
Flooring That Just Sticks On
If you have updated your bathroom, don’t forget the tile. Even if it is in good condition, if you have opted for a new style or color palette, you will want to update the flooring as well. However, if the floor is in good condition, the last thing you want to do is rip it up and lay down new tile.
Instead, pick up some cool vinyl tile that is adhesive and map out the pattern you want. Then just lay it over the top of the tile already there and voila – an instant luxury vibe is yours.
Statement Fixtures
Making a home your own and giving it a wow factor can be as simple as making a little adjustment to your lighting fixture. We have already talked a little about this. However, creating a unique chandelier light like this microphone model goes above and beyond.
This is an easy project to create and only requires a few dollars to do. Yet when it is constructed and painted, those few dollars look like a thousand-dollar art piece. This sets your interior design apart and can make a home feel more expensive.
Wood Floors
Pulling up your floor and putting in wood floors can be time consuming and expensive. But there are some great laminated tiles that imitate wood grain that can solve this problem.
There will be a few steps in the process, but when it is done, you will get a wood floor that looks like the one in the images. Not only will you save time, but also money, and leave your home looking way better than when you started.
Dress Up Your Closet
There is no reason for the doors to closets or rooms to be bland and boring. In fact, it is easy to dress them up and elevate their apparent value. You can change your doors into barn-like rustic chic doors and bring some style to any room.
This can be done by using laminates like in the photo above and then adding slanted wood accents. Then coat it with a nice bit of paint and attach an antique-looking handle, and you have added a bit of down-home charm.
New Floor
Having a stunning floor can change the whole feel of the room. But how do you get a unique look that stands out amongst the other houses? There are many ways, including this paper and glue idea.
By drenching thick paper in water and glue and then stretching it out over your prepared floor, you can get a fantastic result. Once the glue-soaked paper dries, you put a few coats of polyurethane on top, and when it dries, you get a unique glossy floor that will add some style and be easy to clean too.
Bring Your Counters Into This Century
If you have an older home and are looking to dress it up, then those very standard marble countertops in the bathroom may be where you should start. This can be done in two parts.
You will want to sand down the sink and paint it. Then paint over the top of the counter. A good choice to finish it is the white limestone that they used in the renovation for this project. Then paint the cabinets to match your color scheme and you’re done!
Fake Baseboard
Maybe you want to add some detailing to that plain dining room. One way to do this is to add some baseboards that give the room an elegant feel. By adding both moldings and trim, you will instantly elevate the quality of the room.
If you are working with a small baseboard but just want to thicken it up, you can do it quickly and with almost no out-of-pocket expenses. You will place a thinner piece of wood above the baseboard and then paint in between the two bards.
Add Some Trim
Adding trim around the entirety of your bathroom mirror as we have seen definitely ups the sophistication, but how about installing a frame and a shelf in the idle? Not only will this give you more space, but it will help give your bathroom some depth and texture.
Simply measure out your mirror and then divide that in two. Then decide how big a shelf you want and find a prefabricated one. Then, use wall molding and install it and the prefab shelving around the mirror. A quick coat of paint and a little accessorizing, and you have a new bathroom.
Plinth Block
Are you having a problem with the flow between your baseboards and door frame? A gap between the two can make your home feel out of date, and it just looks bad. But there is a way that you can fix it.
All you have to do is buy a plinth block and size it to cover the gap. This will be symbiotic with your molding and trim and add a little touch of something that will improve the appearance of the wall tenfold.
Elevate Your Electronics
Sometimes, all that needs to be done to give your home a little polish is to add accessories and touches to the existing housewares. For instance, a TV sitting on your mantle. Adding a wooden frame around the TV set can make a mantle look more like a home entertainment system.
Choose a material that will work well with what is already there, like in this image where the mantle was topped with a wood texture material. Then all you have to do is build the frame and stain both with the same stain, and you have a cohesive look.
Italian Vibes
Tired of those old generic blinds? Think they distract from the beauty of your home? You can take those blinds and turn them into Roman shades very easily. Doing so will give your home a little bit of an Italian feel and serve to enhance the overall look of your room.
Just take a pair of scissors, cut the small cords, and gather a group of the blinds together. Sew them into fabric pouches, and then you have some slick-looking shades that are cute and stylish.
Remove the Doors & Add Some Flourish
If you want to freshen up your kitchen and give it an open feel, you can do this quite easily. When you’re done, your kitchen will look like it has just been given the VIP renovation treatment.
Choose some of the cabinets to remove the doors. Then give the cabinets a quick paint. After that take, some molding and trim the lower counter drawers and doors with it. Add a cute rug, and your kitchen now looks like something on one of those cooking shows.
Rustic Walls
Accent walls are great for elevating your home’s look, but you don’t have to rely on paint or wallpaper. Pick up some old pallets or wood and make your accent wall out of that. This will add a little rustic charm to your home and give you both color and texture.
Once you have chosen the wall or walls, measure your wood. Stain it with whatever stain your want and then mount it to the wall. Make some final touches with the stain and then decorate it.
Get Rid of Brass Fixturing
This may be one of the easiest fixes. There was a time when brass fixtures or any shiny metal was considered chic. But with modern interior design, it just cheapens the look. So why not get rid of them?
Sure, you can replace them completely, but if you’re working on a tight budget, why not paint them? Find some nice metallic paint and primer and give your fixtures a makeover.
Industrial Style
Linoleum countertops are so plain and don’t often add anything to the look of a room. So, one way to switch that up is to get rid of it. Perhaps you want a more industrial style look. You can have this by using concrete and a satin finish.
Strip the linoleum. Lightly coat the countertop with a concrete mixture. Let it dry, sand it down to get it even, and then apply a few coats of staining finish. The result is a cool looking modern countertop.
Update Stain and Paint
If you have a staircase in your home, it can begin to look worn or maybe just not go with your décor. You can either tear it out and get a new one or do it more cost-effectively by just re-staining and painting it yourself.
If you like the wood, but you want to class it up, take the wood frame and stain it with a dark wood color like mahogany. Then the wood bars can be painted white or stained with the same color.
Transform Your Coat Closet
This one will take a little more work, but it will be well worth it. If you want to take your entryway or any other room that has a closet to a new level, then opening it up and giving it a makeover could be a good idea.
Remove the doors (repurpose them into something else so they don’t go to waste) and then add shelving or even drawers. Then attach a coat hanging section and paint. You can even make it a little reading nook, like in the image.
Wood Accents
Sometimes it is all an illusion. Instead of ripping stuff out and rebuilding it, you can simply add to it. Taking wood accents like legs and bases and adding them to cabinet setups can add something extra.
You can use legs that you would attach to chairs or other wood furniture and mount them on the counter. Then throw a coat of paint on it, and your cabinet is now a unique and stylish fixture.
Create Your Wallpaper Effect
Now with this one, you will need to be a little tech-savvy, but when you see the final product, you will be amazed. This is the accent wall concept brought to another level. Instead of painting a wall just one color, you can stencil on the pattern of your choice to give the room a unique look.
Paint the wall a neutral color, find a pattern you like, and then slowly stencil it onto the wall. You will end up with a wallpaper-like look for half the price, and it will look amazing.
Removable Wallpaper & Contact Paper
If you want something simple that will change the entire look of a room, then removable wallpaper is a good option. As you can see from the images, it does wonders for not only walls but along with some well-placed contact paper, which can be used on cabinets.
Choose a wallpaper and contact paper that will work well together and then apply them. With a little fresh paint and some new accessories, your room will look stupendous.
Upcycling Furniture
If you have an open floor kitchen, you may want more room or just want to change up the look. One way to do that is to add an island. That doesn’t mean you have to go find a furniture maker or head to a furniture store.
That old dresser sitting in your garage or getting ready to be given to Goodwill can be repurposed and upcycled to be that island you are looking for. You can add an extendable leaf and repaint it. Remove some of the drawers, turn the holes into a shelf, and end up with the perfect kitchen island.
Reupholster Chairs
If you are looking for a quick way to elevate a room’s look, there is nothing easier than reupholstering the chairs. You can choose a new fabric or go with a leather option, but changing the tired old upholstery of the chair, it can do wonders for a room.
It is fairly simple. All you have to do is flip the chair over and remove the seat. Then remove the fabric or apply your new fabric over the top. Once you have that done, you are a staple gun away from new chairs.
Add Some Pizzazz to a Closet Door
You can spruce up your bedroom in many ways, and one of them is to use upholstery to create a one of a kind and luxurious closet door. You can even remove the doorknob and replace it with a fancy in-the-middle of the door style knocker.
The process is straightforward: remove the door and then lay a thin coat of fabric glue down. Then attach some cushioning and cover it with vinyl. Voila, instant spruce!
Change the Knob
Sometimes just playing with the accents of a room can make a big difference. One of these is the oft-overlooked door handle. You can switch it out for a more modern style or go antique. Just remember to match it to the room’s overall style.
This may be the easiest and cheapest way to bring the luxury up in a room. The project is small too; all you have to do is remove the current door handle and then replace it with the one you have chosen. In a matter of minutes, your room will have a different level of elegance.
Make-Over Appliances
Wallpaper seems to be way more multipurpose than most think. You can use it for walls, cabinets, and even add a little something to your appliances.
If you have older appliances that you don’t have the money to replace, using a peel and stick wallpaper could solve your problem. All you have to do is choose a wallpaper that matches your color scheme and then start to measure, cut, and apply.
Marbleize Your Counters
We have talked about refinishing and even cementing your countertops, but one of the most luxurious looking substances known to man is marble. You can take your boring vinyl countertop and paint it to look like marble very easily.
There are kits specifically designed to do this, and they can be found at pretty much any hardware store. Just follow the instructions, and in no time, your kitchen will be looking like you spent a fortune on it.
Use Pegboard
If you are looking for more storage space and have a more rustic interior design style, you may want to use pegboards. You can mount them to the wall and then use them to build shelves or hang decorations. It will give your home a little more of a customized look.
This customization will make it appear that you have spent tons of money revamping your house and making it look like your home is worth more than it is. Plus, it will make your home feel tidier too!
Mirror Wall
Having the illusion of more space is nice, but with a mirror wall, it can also be more elegant. Taking a blank wall and using mirrors to cover it or make a fun design could be just the accent to set off the interior of your home.
It is pretty easy to do and cheap as well. You just need some mirrors in the size you like and then some double-sided mounting squares. Measure it out, attach the mirrors, and you will have a stunning and unique wall.
Elevate Air Vents
You can have the most beautiful, elegant room, and one poorly laced old vent can ruin the whole vibe. That is why one of the best DIY projects you can undertake is to disguise your vent. There are many ways to do this.
One of them is to make a wooden air vent. All you need is a few pieces of wood, some rulers, a little time, and you can have a pretty nice and elevated vent cover that will keep your rooms’ continuity.
Paint Your Door
Sometimes all your home needs is a fresh coat of paint on your entrance door. By adding a new color, or even a fresh coat of paint, you can elevate your home’s look before your guests even step foot inside.
You can remove the door to paint it or leave it attached. All you will need is your paint, some painter's tape, and a few brushes. Within a matter of hours, your home can look more expensive.
Blanket Ladder
Sometimes the luxury lies in the accessories you choose to place in your home. You can add an antique table or lamp or go a little modern rustic and build yourself a blanket ladder.
You can, of course, use an already built ladder, or you can personalize it and build it yourself. This may take a little time, but you will be able to choose the wood and the design and make it your own while adding a rustic-chic touch.
Floating Shelves
Bathrooms deserve a little love, too, and installing customized floating shelves can really bring the whole look up to a more luxurious place. You can choose to use wood or metal. A nice look would be even to use an antique metal to give it a little character.
The project won’t take you long either. You just need your chosen material, a level, and a little time. When it is done, decorate it with accessories and knick-knacks and enjoy.
Planter Boxes
The first impressions are the ones that stick, so making a good one can really change you or your guests feel about the chicness of your home. That means greeting them with a nice entryway look.
After painting a Tudor door, consider adding some pretty DIY planters at the entrance. Fill them with bright flowers or even fragrant herbs and instantly raise the street cred of your house. Instant chic!
Spray Frames of Furniture
Okay, back to the interior. One way you can really play with the style of your interiors is to add some metallics to your design. That doesn’t just mean fixtures that can mean furniture as well.
But if you don’t want to go hunting for that brass coffee table, you can just use metallic paint and a more affordable table. Spray the table with the paint (perhaps gold as that adds a touch of elegance) and let it dry.
Add Legs to Your Sink
Some bathrooms are fitted with a free-standing sink that is wall mounted. This may not be the most efficient way to use your space, nor look that nice. But you can fix that by making that sink a pedestal style.
You can mount prefabricated legs to it, or you can build a nice little storage system underneath. By painting it to match your decor, you can make your bathroom look amazing. And like we said, get some extra space.
Wall Sconces are Nice
This one will take a little more work and some very careful time spent with electrical wires. However, once you have installed wall sconces in your home, the elegance and chic of your interior design may just come together.
You will have to work with electrical wires, and the project may take some time, but it is doable on your own. There are plenty of tutorials and blogs you can use to finish this project successfully. With these additions, your home renovation may just give you the most bang for your buck.
Just like with the stenciling of the wall discussed above, you can do the same treatment to your floors as well. All you need is a little chalkboard paint and a cool stencil pattern, and you will give your floor the spruce up it needs.
Clean and tape off your floor. Then coat the floor with the chalk paint until it’s nice and even. Finally, line your stencil up and with another paint copy the pattern onto the floor.
Turn That Door Into A Piece of Furniture
Remember that door you are removed from the closet for another project? Don’t throw it out! You can make it into a distressed and cool accent piece of furniture. Grab some antique-looking ironwork and coat hangers and create an entryway nook that will have everyone asking where you bought it.
With a little paint and some sandpaper, you can create an antique-distressed look in no time. Add some extra wood to create some drawers and shelves, and it will be ready to place wherever you would like.
Light & Paint
If you have a cluttered room like the one in the picture, then you may feel that it could use a little renovation. It won’t take much, really. Paint your cabinets a lighter color and remove the blinds. Instead, replace them with some curtains and don’t forget the floor.
Use the technique above and paint your linoleum a brighter color with a fun design. With these few little changes, the room will open up and look more expensive than it did before.
Maybe your bathroom has a colored sink, and it is throwing off your whole DIY update design. That’s okay; this is an easy fix. All you have to do is paint your sink. Then you can begin finishing the remodel without any problems.
You will need to sand the sheen off the basin and then take off the faucet and handles or put tape on them, so you don’t get any paint on them. Then choose a color and paint. It’s that simple.
Corbels & Wood
Maybe you have a nice little breakfast island, but it is just so plain that you want to elevate its look. This can be done with a few wood planks, a few corbels, and some paint – all things that are easy to find and quick to change the feel of the room.
Mount some wood planks to your island and then find some fun and chic corner to mount under the countertop at the edges. Then once everything is attached, paint them, and there you go.
