Create a Designer Bedroom Effortlessly

Even if you aren’t a designer or on a tight budget, I have one tip that will help you create a designer bedroom effortlessly.

Your bedroom is your oasis. It should be a relaxing retreat from the stress of the day-to-day. When is the last time, if ever, that you invested in it? If you’re like me, the answer is never. Fall is right around the corner and I am challenging you to create a relaxing bedroom retreat before the holidays pick up. Even if you aren’t a designer or on a tight budget, I have one tip that will help you create a designer bedroom effortlessly. Surprise: it’s as easy as picking a comforter.

 

Even if you aren’t a designer or on a tight budget, I have one tip that will help you create a designer bedroom effortlessly.

 

[bctt tweet=”Don’t miss this one tip that will help you create a designer bedroom effortlessly.” username=”diyadulation”]

 

Even if you aren’t a designer or on a tight budget, I have one tip that will help you create a designer bedroom effortlessly.
Photo Credit: Groupon.com

Why Start with the Comforter

The easiest way to achieve a cohesive, designer bedroom is start with the focal point of your room. Choose your bedding set first. This helps in 3 ways:

  1. It provides you a color scheme from which to work.
  2. You can take a pillow sham with you to coordinate other elements such as drapes, art, and accessories.
  3. It helps set the direction for the overall style of your room.

Above is the comforter that I picked out as the starting point for my designer bedroom. I found it on Groupon Goods along with tons of other gorgeous styles! They also have price ranges to match everyone’s budget. I love the colors in this one and can’t wait to start piecing the rest of the bedroom together.

 

Even if you aren’t a designer or on a tight budget, I have one tip that will help you create a designer bedroom effortlessly.
Photo Credit: Groupon.com

Determine Bold or Subtle Walls

Once you have the selected, use it to help pick your wall color. This is where you need to decide if you want to be bold or subtle. Even if you have chosen a neutral comforter, you can still go bold for your wall color. However, if you have chosen a bright and colorful comforter, going bright/bold on the walls will make the room seem more energized and less peaceful. If that is your style, go for it! If you needs some extra tips, here a few rules to help out the design-challenged:

 

Even if you aren’t a designer or on a tight budget, I have one tip that will help you create a designer bedroom effortlessly.
Photo Credit: Groupon.com

Furniture Matters

Choosing your comforter first also sets the style course for the room. If new furniture is out of your budget you can makeover your existing furniture. Keep in mind that some furniture styles and patterns do not go together. Distressed furniture doesn’t pair with colorful and ornate bedding. Don’t add mirrors to your night stand if your bedding is a country quilt design. These are tips to keep in mind when designing your retreat.

 

Even if you aren’t a designer or on a tight budget, I have one tip that will help you create a designer bedroom effortlessly.
Photo Credit: Groupon.com
Even if you aren’t a designer or on a tight budget, I have one tip that will help you create a designer bedroom effortlessly.
Photo Credit: Groupon.com

Now that you know that all it takes is the right comforter to set your designer bedroom in motion pick it out! Check out Groupon Goods for an amazing, budget-friendly selection! (You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.) If you decide to take the challenge with me, comment with your favorite bedding below so we can see your unique style taking shape! Check back next week for the next update on our bedroom makeover.

See where I’m linking up!

Upcycled Thrift Store Tray

It’s that time again! I’ve paired up today with 19 other talented ladies to bring you a monthly Thrift Store Decor Upcycle Challenge. Each month we will create a new home decor piece from an item(s) we’ve found at a thrift store, yard sale, resale shop etc. There is no budget or specific theme so we are free to let our creativity run wild! This month I’m bringing you this beautiful upcycled thrift store tray. You can check out last month’s challenge where I made this Bathroom Organizer as well as see everyone else’s awesome upcycles.

Meet the Hosts

Thrift Store DecorUpcycle Challenge

Amanda | The Kolb Corner      Chelc| Inside the Fox Den
Erlene | My Pinterventures     Kim | Made in a Day     Sara | Twelve on Main
Debra | Shoppe No. 5      Shirley | Intelligent Domestications
Marie | DIY Adulation     Lindsay | Crazy Organized   Michelle | Our Crafty Mom
Julie | Live From Julie’s House     Dru | Polka Dot Poplars
Maureen | Red Cottage Chronicles     Pili | Sweet Things     Channell | Hobnail House
Colleen | Life on Kaydeross Creek     Ann | Duct Tape and Denim
Paula | Virginia Sweet Pea     Sherry | Savvy Apron     Stacy | Anastasia Vintage

You can also follow our board on Pinterest for more upcycled decor inspiration!


 

Gorgeous decor doesn't have to cost a fortune. This beautiful upcycled thrift store tray is perfect on your coffee table or as a serving tray for parties!

 

[bctt tweet=”A beautiful upcycled thrift store tray is perfect on your coffee table or for parties! #upcycled #diy” username=”diyadulation”]

 

Gorgeous decor doesn't have to cost a fortune. This beautiful upcycled thrift store tray is perfect on your coffee table or as a serving tray for parties!

Materials

 

Gorgeous decor doesn't have to cost a fortune. This beautiful upcycled thrift store tray is perfect on your coffee table or as a serving tray for parties!

Gorgeous decor doesn't have to cost a fortune. This beautiful upcycled thrift store tray is perfect on your coffee table or as a serving tray for parties!

Step 1

Paint your entire tray with white latex paint.

Tip:

  • Because of the material of mine, I didn’t sand or prime it first. If you are using a tray made of a harder wood or one that is lacquered, you will want to do this first.

 

Gorgeous decor doesn't have to cost a fortune. This beautiful upcycled thrift store tray is perfect on your coffee table or as a serving tray for parties!

Step 2

Once your paint is dry, use your tray to measure out your contact paper. Remember that you want to make it smaller than the footprint of your tray so that it will fit on the inside of the tray.

 

Gorgeous decor doesn't have to cost a fortune. This beautiful upcycled thrift store tray is perfect on your coffee table or as a serving tray for parties!

Step 3

Pull back the edge of the backing on your contact paper (but do not completely remove it) and press the exposed edge of the paper to the inside of your tray. Smooth the rest onto your tray by peeling the backing off a little at a time and smoothing into place.

 

Gorgeous decor doesn't have to cost a fortune. This beautiful upcycled thrift store tray is perfect on your coffee table or as a serving tray for parties!

Gorgeous decor doesn't have to cost a fortune. This beautiful upcycled thrift store tray is perfect on your coffee table or as a serving tray for parties!

Step 4

Seal the bottom of your tray with Mod Podge.

Note:

  • I used the gloss version on this but it you are going for a different style, you may want to use Matte instead. It simply depends on your tastes.

Step 5

Using fine grit sandpaper, lightly sand the corners, edges, and sides of your tray to give it a distressed look.

 

Gorgeous decor doesn't have to cost a fortune. This beautiful upcycled thrift store tray is perfect on your coffee table or as a serving tray for parties!

Gorgeous decor doesn't have to cost a fortune. This beautiful upcycled thrift store tray is perfect on your coffee table or as a serving tray for parties!

Step 6

Drill 2 holes on either side of the tray roughly 3 inches apart. Make sure that the drill bit you choose makes a hole big enough for your rope to fit through.

 

Gorgeous decor doesn't have to cost a fortune. This beautiful upcycled thrift store tray is perfect on your coffee table or as a serving tray for parties!

Gorgeous decor doesn't have to cost a fortune. This beautiful upcycled thrift store tray is perfect on your coffee table or as a serving tray for parties!

Step 7

Thread your rope through the holes and knot each end.

 

Gorgeous decor doesn't have to cost a fortune. This beautiful upcycled thrift store tray is perfect on your coffee table or as a serving tray for parties!

Step 8

Trim off any excess at the end on the knots.

 

Gorgeous decor doesn't have to cost a fortune. This beautiful upcycled thrift store tray is perfect on your coffee table or as a serving tray for parties!

Gorgeous decor doesn't have to cost a fortune. This beautiful upcycled thrift store tray is perfect on your coffee table or as a serving tray for parties!

Gorgeous decor doesn't have to cost a fortune. This beautiful upcycled thrift store tray is perfect on your coffee table or as a serving tray for parties!

Gorgeous decor doesn't have to cost a fortune. This beautiful upcycled thrift store tray is perfect on your coffee table or as a serving tray for parties!

Gorgeous decor doesn't have to cost a fortune. This beautiful upcycled thrift store tray is perfect on your coffee table or as a serving tray for parties!

Gorgeous decor doesn't have to cost a fortune. This beautiful upcycled thrift store tray is perfect on your coffee table or as a serving tray for parties!

This upcycled thrift store tray turned out so much different than I expected but in the best way possible. There’s a really good chance that my family members are getting decorative trays for Christmas because I want to make more so bad! Before you go, don’t miss the projects from my fellow bloggers below. You can also find previous months’ hops on our Recycled Crafts page.


 

Be sure to check out all of the other creative upcycle projects my fellow bloggers have come up with!


Easy DIY Doormat

With the weather warming up you are spending more time outside. If you’re anything like me, that has highlighted the sad state of your outdoor décor. Winter wreaks havoc on your curb appeal. Of course, with kids at home, it can also be hard to find the time to update your outdoor style. That’s why I love this easy DIY doormat! It is not only easy to make but incredibly inexpensive.

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission. Read the full disclosure here.

 

With kids at home this summer, it can also be hard to find the time to update your outdoor style. That’s why I love this easy DIY doormat!

 

[bctt tweet=”With this DIY doormat it’s easy to find the time to update your outdoor style. #diy #outdoor ” username=”diyadulation”]

 

With kids at home this summer, it can also be hard to find the time to update your outdoor style. That’s why I love this easy DIY doormat!

Materials

 

With kids at home this summer, it can also be hard to find the time to update your outdoor style. That’s why I love this easy DIY doormat!

Step 1

Remove the tags from your doormat.

 

With kids at home this summer, it can also be hard to find the time to update your outdoor style. That’s why I love this easy DIY doormat!

Step 2

Place your letters where you want them on your mat.

Note:

  • The stencils linked in the materials are the exact set I used. If you want the same design, use the capital “W” at the beginning and the capital “E” at the end.

 

With kids at home this summer, it can also be hard to find the time to update your outdoor style. That’s why I love this easy DIY doormat!

Step 3

Tape a box around your letters with painters tape.

Step 4

Paint a layer of white fabric paint over the entire taped off rectangle with your paint brush.

Tip:

  • Because of the material of the mat you want to be careful around the stencils. Always pull your brush away from the letter stencils.

Step 5

Allow paint layer to dry. While you’re waiting, begin painting your flower. Start with a circle about 3 inches from the bottom right corner of your mat.

Tip:

  • This works best if you apply all of the flower lines and details directly from your paint containers.

 

With kids at home this summer, it can also be hard to find the time to update your outdoor style. That’s why I love this easy DIY doormat!

Step 6

Next, create your petals. To do this, pick a spot on your circle and sweep away from your circle creating a curved line. Do the same thing again a little further down on the circle to create the second side of the petal. (See picture above for help.)

 

With kids at home this summer, it can also be hard to find the time to update your outdoor style. That’s why I love this easy DIY doormat!

Step 7

Create the inner petal detail by doing the same as you did to create your petal only smaller. (Again, see picture above for help.)

 

With kids at home this summer, it can also be hard to find the time to update your outdoor style. That’s why I love this easy DIY doormat!

Step 8

Repeat steps 6 and 7 until you have created all of your petals.

 

With kids at home this summer, it can also be hard to find the time to update your outdoor style. That’s why I love this easy DIY doormat!

Step 9

Color the center of your petals with yellow.

 

With kids at home this summer, it can also be hard to find the time to update your outdoor style. That’s why I love this easy DIY doormat!

Step 10

Next, fill in the rest of your petals with green. Allow your flower to dry.

Step 11

While you’re waiting for your flower to dry, paint a second coat of white paint on your rectangle.

Tips:

  • To keep your flower from getting messed up when you do this, gently spin your mat around so that the flower is on the top while you paint the second white coat.
  • You will want to use your brush again on this part.

Step 12

Allow your second coat of white to dry.

 

With kids at home this summer, it can also be hard to find the time to update your outdoor style. That’s why I love this easy DIY doormat!

Step 13

While you wait, put a second smaller circle in the center of your flower.

 

With kids at home this summer, it can also be hard to find the time to update your outdoor style. That’s why I love this easy DIY doormat!

Step 14

Fill in the center circle with red and the outer circle with teal.

 

With kids at home this summer, it can also be hard to find the time to update your outdoor style. That’s why I love this easy DIY doormat!

Step 15

Next, outline your entire flower with teal as in the picture.

 

With kids at home this summer, it can also be hard to find the time to update your outdoor style. That’s why I love this easy DIY doormat!

With kids at home this summer, it can also be hard to find the time to update your outdoor style. That’s why I love this easy DIY doormat!

With kids at home this summer, it can also be hard to find the time to update your outdoor style. That’s why I love this easy DIY doormat!

Step 16

Remove the tape and stencils from the center of your mat. Fill in your letters with yellow paint.

 

With kids at home this summer, it can also be hard to find the time to update your outdoor style. That’s why I love this easy DIY doormat!

Step 17

Lastly, add in your decorative swirls. These can just be done free-form in whatever design you’d like. If you’d rather have more structure, you can copy from the picture above.

 

With kids at home this summer, it can also be hard to find the time to update your outdoor style. That’s why I love this easy DIY doormat!

Step 18

Allow your entire mat to dry completely. Then set your new doormat outside of your door and enjoy!

 

With kids at home this summer, it can also be hard to find the time to update your outdoor style. That’s why I love this easy DIY doormat!

With kids at home this summer, it can also be hard to find the time to update your outdoor style. That’s why I love this easy DIY doormat!

The bright colors on this are perfect for summer and will help update your front porch quickly and easily. Feel free to play around with the colors and make this doormat fit your own personal style. If you want more quick outdoor décor updates we’ve got you covered. Check out this gorgeous wreath or this fun napkin basket before you go!

See where I’m linking up!