Decorating on a budget (fun ideas)

While I was hanging out with my brother and SIL last week (I'm really missing their sweet new baby right about now!) I asked Dayna if I could take a camera tour around their darling home.  She has decorated everything so cute without spending much money at all and I love so many of her ideas!  So of course I had to share them with all of you.  :)

My brother made these planter boxes with just some wood and wood screws.  Then he and Dayna painted them black and added some pretty flowers.  Such a small project that makes a huge difference on the exterior of their house.  Yea for planter boxes!  I love them.

Another fun exterior project - Dayna spray painted a simple, inexpensive twig wreath from a craft store yellow (used to be brown).  I love the pop of color it adds to her black front door. 

Her entry way is so welcoming.  She painted an old desk turquoise.  Then she bought a sunburst mirror at Target for above the table and it wasn't quite big enough so she attached it to a simple, inexpensive mirror.  Perfect!  She also just bought that cute lamp with the yellow shade at Target.  Add a simple white bird (you know I'm a fan of using a bird or two when decorating), a few magazines and wa-la!  A super stylish entry way.

This is a fun photo gallery hanging over her couch.  I love the way she used two frames with large black borders and two frames with large white borders.  It keeps things interesting but cohesive.  

And here is a corner of sweet little Finn's new nursery.  Isn't it adorable!?  The crib was a Craigslist find ($30!).  My brother worked his magic to fix it up a bit and make sure it was safe and then Dayna spray painted it white.  What a difference a little spray paint can make.  She didn't know if she was having a boy or a girl when she decorated this space and I think she did a great job keeping it gender neutral but still full of color and personality.

 The fun Alphabet and You Are My Happy wall hangings were Target finds.  

 The butterfly mobile was her one splurge ($50 ordered on Etsy).  I do this a lot when I decorate.  Splurge a bit on one thing that you really love or that creates a focal point or stands out in your space.  Then everything else around it can be inexpensive and you still have an upscale look.  

Moving on to her 3 year old's "big boy room."  This was a bookcase Dayna had that she painted black. Then she simply added fun patterned wrapping paper to the back of it.  Such an easy, inexpensive way to add color and pattern to a room.  The best part is how easy it will be to switch things up.  She can change the wrapping paper and re-paint the bookcase to create a whole new look.  Re-using items you already have in a different way is a great way to save some money while adding character and charm to a room.  

Drew loves owls.  This chair was a TJ Maxx find.  I love decor that personalizes a space.  The owl was a gift from grandma from Pottery Barn Kids.  I know this because Kole has one too.  :)

And here is Drew's new big boy bed.  LOVE this!  The sunglasses and colors in this bedding are so fun.  Especially with the blue table and bright yellow lamp (bedding and furniture found at... where else... Target!).

Then she simply hung a baby picture of Drew and added some paper lanterns from the dollar store to complete the room! 

Ok.  How fun is this headboard!?  SO easy.  A large piece of particle board from Home Depot, some quilt batting, and fabric.  That's all you need!  Oh - and a staple gun.  Along with someone who's not afraid to use it.  

Just like the bookshelf lined with wrapping paper, you can easily change this when you're in the mood for a different look.  I love the way it gives her room a dramatic focal point.

And I had to snap a quick picture of what was laying on the end of Dayna's bed.  Only because it reminded me so much of my own.  :)

Dayna's house is proof that you don't need to spend a lot of money to have a beautifully decorated home.  By just tweaking and re-using some things she already had along with a few simple DIY projects she has created a welcoming space that totally matches her personality.  I LOVE it all!  Thanks for letting us take a peek into your darling home Dayna!  Call me the next time you head to Target.  :)