I think Pinterest was created for two groups of people: people who love to decorate and people who would love to figure out how to decorate. I have never had the decorating knack. I was not naturally inclined and never really saw someone who was passionate about decorating. Disclaimer: That doesn’t necessarily mean there were no decorators around; it just means, if they were, I never really noticed.
I say all that to say that since getting married, I’ve had more of a desire to figure it out. So, in the last couple of years I’ve begun taking baby steps. Baby steps for me and for our home.
I’ve been taking baby steps in the living room. And, my latest attempt to liven up our space is by adding some color to our couches.
BEFORE: Here’s what they have looked like for a few years.
I first experimented with pillow covers made by using hem tape. And, when I did, I realized I had just tapped into a whole world of potential. I got so excited that I shopped around and bought a sewing machine. These pillow covers can be made either way. Here’s what I did.
Measure The Pillow
Mine are 19″. In order to account for a 1/2″ hem all the way around, I added an inch to that number when cutting the fabric.
Cut the Fabric
I cut three pieces of fabric. The first was 20″ by 20.” Then, I cut two smaller panels for the back of the pillow (the goal is that they would over lap in the back. So, the directions I found said that I should cut two pieces 4″ inches shorter. However, since my pillows are fairly flat, I adjusted the numbers so that I could get the most use out of my fabric. I cut one that was 20″ by 14″ and another at 20″ by 12″.
Here’s what that looked like.
Then, I lay the two smaller ones face down on the big piece, just like a pillow cover turned inside out.
Then, I pinned it all up…and got so excited that I was so close to the finished product 
Then, I sewed a seam about half an inch around! Then, I just turned the whole thing inside out and stuffed my pillows in!
After: Ta-da!
The goal was to turn them around and sew a half inch seam in the front for a little character. However, I didn’t get very far, as I realized that I’ll need a different needle for my sewing machine. Yes, I’m a total newbie at this! 
I’m now on a mission to find a print fabric to accent these. There are a couple I love. However, they cost approximately an arm and a leg to purchase. So, I’m waiting for the right fabric at the right price. Meanwhile, we are taking baby steps in the right direction around here
What DIY home decorating project have you done lately?
Everyday I spend more time on Pinterest than I should. But where else can the most decoratively challenged person in the world feel like I can be the next HGTV designer. I especially love finding new ways to decorate the thrifty way! Decorating doesn’t have to cost you a small fortune although it could. Face it, there are people who pay interior designers thousands of dollars just to decorate their living room. Unfortunately we just aren’t in that tax bracket so we’ll just learn to do-it-ourselves.
These are some things I’ve done that have saved us some money.
1. Make your own pillows. If you can find a good deal on fabric making pillows is really cost effective. I found some awesome fabric on sale for about $2.00 a yard and made new throw pillow for my couches. They are still going strong and would have cost a lot in the store. I am not a seamstress either, so if you simply know how to work a sewing machine, you’ll be good to go!
2. Hit the fancy garage sales. Not all garage sales are created equal. I’ll be honest here! Garage sales in more affluent neighborhoods can mean some major scores! These are great to go to for higher end decor for your house. I almost re-did my whole kitchen off of a high end estate sale.
3. Repurpose! I love this idea. Take something for one use and turn it into something else. I’ve seen cribs turned into play areas for kids to draw and color. The possibilities are endless for you creative types. I turn to Pinterest for these ideas too!
4. Buy oops paint. My grandma taught me this. She just bought a new house and it needed paint in the bedrooms. So she went to the oops isle at a home improvement store and got hundreds of dollars of premium paint for about $50. And this was no cheap paint. This was the kind I would never buy myself at full price. You can’t be picky and you probably won’t be able to get extra for touch up, but if you plan it right you can do it!
5. Don’t decorate for the seasons. Try to use decor that works all year long or you’ll have to spend more money each season. It’s much more cost effective to just have evergreen decorations.
I know, you’re thinking, “There’s no way only $20 could make a difference throughout an entire kitchen without painting it or doing something to the walls.”
I ask you… when is the last time you noticed the hardware on your cabinets? It’s amazing the impression they make, which isn’t surprising since they’re placed throughout your entire kitchen.
I recently moved into a new rental, and being a Thrifty Diva I chose to get something more affordable, but no doubt, you sacrifice looks a bit to do so. While the place is nice and funcational and safe, some of the fixtures are simply outdated in appearance. With it being a rental, there’s only so much I can do to improve it (especially since the owner wouldn’t approve my request to paint).
Looking at the kitchen, it screamed 80s. The most obvious factor, the wood cabinet pulls.
I got on Amazon.com and found the best deal on these Satin Nickel Cabinet Pulls. Much better!
Before:
After:
Before:
After:
I removed all of the wood cabinet pulls, placed them in a ziploc bag, tucked them away in the back of an out of reach cabinet, and when I move out someday, I can simply put them back on the cabinets. But I bet even the landlord would prefer my cabinet pulls. 
Though if my current cabinet pulls fit my future cabinets someday… psshhh… I’m putting back in the ugly wood ones and taking my pretty, shiny new ones with me!
Are you looking for a new light fixture for your home? Summer is home improvement time, isn’t it? Here are some hot deals you won’t want to miss!
Designers Fountain 3644-PB Hall / Foyer Light
Was $134.25
Today: $25.49 + Free Shipping
Designers Fountain 17105-PB Chandelier
Was $143.25
Today: $21.49 + Free Shipping
Hardware House 543769 Berkshire 14-1/2-Inch by 10-Inch Ceiling Light Fixture, Classic Bronze
Was $48
Today: $22.95 + $7.24 Shipping = $30.19
…
Let us know if you find an even better deal! Leave a comment and share your bargain hunting skills.
I am pretty excited to share my new house decorations and how little I spent on them.
My family and I recently moved from our 2000 square foot home we owned to a 949 square foot rental while we wait to find the perfect new home. It’s been a HUGE challenge to fit all of our stuff. An even bigger challenge is the lack of storage and shelves in this house. It’s not even that we have a lot of stuff, but what we do have takes up every bit of space. So I’ve had to get creative and since I’m a Thrifty Diva, I did it on a dime.
First of all, our bathrooms are TINY. We have two bathrooms and only one has a closet. There are only two drawers in the whole master bathroom and like my hubby says, I have a lot of toiletries. I also HATE clutter. I hate for things to be out everywhere and with no order. I like everything to have a home.
Wire Baskets = Cheap Shelves!
Storage and shelves can be quite spendy, but I found a way to have storage that’s pretty, practical and half the price of the conventional store items. I went to my local TJ Maxx and spent $14 on three wire baskets that would normally be used sitting up right. However, when you screw them into walls, they become instant storage. Plus, it’s super easy and they are sturdy. Check out my awesome new bathroom shelf! This one was $3.99 and it’s cute!
Almost any kind of square basket will work as long as you can put a screw through the bottom. This would also be awesome for a pantry if you need more shelves, but measure first before searching these out. Baskets like this would also be easy to find as garage sales and in clearance sections of stores.
I also have more decorations that needed for this small of place, but I love my decor and want to display it. So I bought two more baskets and made some shelves in my hallway. I love how they turned out! (Sorry for the angle, they are kind of up high and I am short. )
What are some ways you’ve designed on a dime?
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