Want to try an inexpensive update for a child or teen’s room, but you don’t consider yourself a crafter or do-it-yourselfer? No talent? No problem.
Here are four DIY ideas that are easy, inexpensive and, best of all, can be done in a weekend. Each is a project kids can help with and – as with anything worth doing – they’ll appreciate it more if they have a hand in it.
INSTANT WALL MURAL
Everyone knows a quick way to change the personality of a room is by brushing on a new paint color, but why not take it one step further with the addition of a wall mural?
Removable wall decals are one of the hottest trends in wall decor right now, according to Design Recipes, a website run by Cathy Hobbs, one of 12 contestants on Season 6 of HGTV’s “Design Star.”
Inexpensive and easy to apply, peel-and-stick wall decals add instant personality to a room, fit small or large spaces, reflect a child’s interests and can even be personalized with the child’s name.
While you can find a limited selection of designs in local stores, the best variety is found online. Amazon.com offers popular characters such as Disney princesses and characters from “Star Wars” and “The Avengers,” as well as themed packs of construction machinery, jungle or sea life and alphabet animals.
Among others, Target.com carries nursery decal collections for $19.99, glow-in-the-dark fairies for $14.24 as well as Fathead sports scenes and college logos. What New England Patriots fan would turn down a lifesize Tom Brady on their wall (Fathead, $99.98)?
To apply: First paint the wall a solid color if you’re not planning to leave it white. Remove decals from their package and cut each motif away from the larger sheet. This will make them easier to apply. Hold each piece up to the wall to decide its placement and lightly mark the spot with a pencil if needed, before peeling and sticking.
To apply each decal, start peeling off the backing from one edge. Smooth the sticker with your hand as you lay it down to prevent bubbles from forming underneath. If you wish to remove a decal to change its placement, it’s easier to do so before the whole piece has been applied. Once it’s down, you risk pulling off paint when you pull up the sticker.
An outdated oak pedestal table was given new life with a whitewashing of chalk-based paint. The fresh look makes the former dinette set versatile enough for use as a writing table, an occasional table in a sitting area or even a bedside table. Table and chair cost $269.95 at Galleries on Williams Street.UPCYCLE FURNITURE
Take an old wooden desk of any size that’s no longer used and give it new life with chalk paint. A can of chalk-based paint starts at $3.99 at hobby and craft stores, and you’ll need a flat-bristle brush for painting.
The beauty of chalk painting is that you don’t have to strip or sand the old piece before painting. Just wipe down the table or chair with a degreaser (Lowe’s sells Simple Green) in a solution of 75 percent water to 25 percent cleaner. After rubbing down the piece, wipe off the degreaser with a damp cloth.
Thoroughly shake the can of paint to be sure the pigment is well mixed, dip your brush about halfway up the bristles and begin applying in long, smooth strokes. Allow it to dry for a half-hour before applying a second coat if you think it’s needed.
Chalk paint dries quickly, so brushes will need to be cleaned immediately after in soap and water.
Judy Klemm, owner of the Galleries on Williams Street, has a small pedestal table and chair on display that was updated with a whitewashing of chalk paint. It turned an outdated oak dinette into a versatile set that could be used as a writing desk, occasional table in a sitting area or even a bedside table.
TOSS THIS IDEA AROUND
Girls of any age can never have too many pillows piled on their beds. Toss pillows are relatively affordable, and the right pattern or color can really add impact to a bedroom.
Design Recipe suggests this craft-friendly idea: Make toss pillows from two affordable scarves of equal size.
Place scarves toward each other with the side you want to expose facing inside. Attach them to each other by placing fusion tape around three sides.
Using an iron on steam setting, place the iron on top of the hem, causing the fusion tape to melt and create a closed hem along three sides. Stuff the pillow with batting through the fourth side, then close the side by hand stitching.
Cathy Kleinschmidt, assistant store manager of Hancock Fabric on Brainerd Road, says pillows are more commonly made than curtains for home accents. But many seamstresses will buy fabric for coordinating pillows and curtains. She says local seamstresses who choose to make their own curtains usually opt for the rod-and-pocket style in which the fabric is folded over across the top side of the curtain, creating a pocket wide enough to slide a curtain rod through.
CUSTOM MEMO BOARD
Even in this age of cellphone photos, teens still fill bedroom memo/tack boards with glossy photos of their favorite moments. You could pay nearly $30 for one of these fabric memo boards at a big-box bed-and-bath store or custom-make one for half that amount.
Purchase a cork board (or use a piece of plywood if custom-making the memo board for a specific space). Wrap the board with batting, pulling the edges over the back before stapling into place. Cover the board and batting with a bright fabric and staple fabric in place to the back of board.
Using a ribbon in a contrasting color, criss-cross the full board. Attach the ribbon’s ends with decorative upholstery tacks. You can find a package of 20 antique-gold, round tacks for $2.99 at Hobby Lobby. Then tap a tack into the center of each X formed by the criss-crossing ribbons. Attach a means of hanging the board to its back and you’ve nailed this project.
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.