6 DIY home decor ideas to try this summer

Taking a staycation this summer or simply on the hunt for inspiring weekend projects? Give these fun, practical, and inexpensive ideas a try. Remember—you don't have to break the bank to have a good time! Stéphanie Guéritaud, stylist, home decor writer, and creator of the blog Déconome (in French), shares her top five budget DIY home decor ideas.

01Frame your dried flowers

• Estimated cost: $15 for the frame, white glue, and card stock

Guéritaud loves the idea of framing dried flowers (in French) to spruce up your home. It's a suggestion courtesy of Mylène Bizeul, the stylist behind the Instagram account @bien.beau. According to Guéritaud, there's no need to rush out and buy flowers. "You can simply pick some from your balcony garden or from alongside the sidewalk." She finds that little flowers like daisies or baby's breath make for delicate, minimalist results. "The great thing about this DIY idea is that you can choose any flowers you like and really get creative, adapting it to your particular taste and home decor." For best results, Guéritaud stresses the importance of choosing the right paper and frame. "Mylène likes to use thin gold or silver frames with colourful card stock to really highlight the flowers." Once you've chosen your flowers, press them between the pages of a heavy book for a few days. Then glue them to the paper of your choice, using tweezers to place them just so.

02Make your own candles

• Estimated cost: $20 to $30 for 1 kg of wax and one essential oil (makes 8 to 10 candles)

Are you familiar with the Danish concept of hygge? The term encompasses a feeling of well-being or a warm and cozy atmosphere. It's also associated with a positive state of mind arising from a pleasant, soothing, and happy moment. Get inspired by this way of living and create a positive ambiance in your living room or bedroom by making your own candles (in French). "It's super easy," says Guéritaud. "Simply melt white wax in a double boiler and add essential oils and food colouring to achieve the fragrance and colour you want." Before you pour the wax, be sure to put cotton wicks at the base of the candle and wrap them around a small stick placed across the container (like a bamboo skewer) to keep them straight.

Next, pour the wax into the container and let it harden in the fridge. "You can buy wax flakes at all kinds of craft stores or at co-ops like Coop Coco in Montréal." As for the choice of container, be creative and use whatever suits your fancy!

03Turn your old plastic bottles into terracotta vases

• Estimated cost: $6 for a paint sample

While searching for new ideas, Guéritaud stumbled upon a new decorative trend: porcelain vases in the shape of bottles. The trend inspired her to create an easy, budget-friendly DIY home decor idea (in French) by repurposing plastic bottles from household products. “You can use detergent or shampoo bottles. Simply rinse them, remove the labels, and then paint them. I went with a terracotta-like brick-red tone, but you can choose whatever colour you like." Keep in mind that home centres sell inexpensive paint samples. For about $6, you can get just enough paint to complete your project. Not only will your vases be on trend, they'll also be eco-friendly since you're repurposing your old bottles!

04Try embroidery

• Estimated cost: About $30 for an embroidery kit

Add a personal touch to your home decor with your own embroidery (in French). It's easier than you think! "Embroidery can play a decorative role," says Guéritaud, "adding interest to things like jeans, jackets, cushions, and pillowcases. Another option is to leave your work in the embroidery hoop and hang it up as is, perhaps in your child's bedroom, for a touch of originality." Arts and crafts supply stores such as DeSerres carry kits in a variety of designs that come with instructions. If you need more help, you can sign up for Mamie Lisette's (in French) online workshops ($15 per session) to learn the basics. You can also order the materials if you don't have what you need at home ($10 to $15 delivery fee).

A similar trend that's caught Guéritaud's eye is punch needle. "It's a form of embroidery where you push thread or yarn into the fabric to make loops. It's all the rage right now for decorating things like cushions." Give it a try!

05Paddles up!

• Estimated cost: $30 for a paddle and a paint sample

Another easy and inexpensive DIY idea from Guéritaud is painting paddles (in French) to lend your home a summery feel. You can pick up a set at a hardware store like Canadian Tire. There's nothing to it: simply sand off the varnish so that the paint will adhere better and buy a $5 paint sample to create the design of your choice. "Handcrafted paddles can easily run as high as $200. This is a great way to recreate this trendy home decor item at a fraction of the cost!"

06Make your own eco-friendly beeswax wraps

• Estimated cost: $2.50 (for 30 g of wax)

Have you heard of using beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap? They can be pricey to buy, but you can just as easily make your own (in French)!

"Use any fabric you like," says Guéritaud, "so long as it's clean—ideally cotton so that it's easy to manipulate. Place it on a baking sheet, sprinkle it with 2 to 3 spoonfuls of organic beeswax flakes, and put it in the oven for a few seconds to melt the wax and let it soak into the fabric." Since wax can be flammable, be sure to keep a close eye on the oven and remove the baking sheet as soon as the wax is melted, warns Guéritaud. She also recommends choosing a high-quality local wax, as some imported ones can give off a strong, unpleasant odour. Lastly, Guéritaud suggests adding a little jojoba oil to your wraps to make them softer and longer-lasting.

If you enjoy this project, try making your own eco-friendly household products too!

If spending more time at home has sparked your interest in DIY, these budget-friendly ideas should keep you busy while lending a personal touch to your home decor. Projects like these are a great way to give the local economy a boost, as they require tools, ingredients, and materials made in Québec. They're also an opportunity to give old objects a new lease on life. It's a win-win situation!