5 DIY Decorating Projects Perfect for the Holiday Weekend

There’s nothing like a long weekend to get a few of those to-do-list items checked off. Once you’ve done the weekly chores and caught up with friends and family, there’s often little time left for rest and relaxation during a two-day weekend. There might be time to squeeze in a quick project here and there, but it’ll be just that — squeezing. A three-day weekend offers the perfect amount of time to dive into something a little more creative but still manageable.

In preparation for the coming holiday weekend, here’s a compilation of some imaginative DIY projects that might inspire you. Why not put the extra day to good use and create something lovely and functional for your home?

1. Make Your Own Blackboard

Blackboards are unbelievably useful for keeping track of everything in the house. Whether you use it for a weekly shopping list that people can add to as they wish, a communal day-to-day diary to keep track of everyone’s movements or just a space to leave notes on without wasting paper, you’ll surely find one useful. They don’t have to be eyesores, either; you can make a blackboard that’s as cute as it is useful.


Getting started: You’ll need a scrap of wood, some blackboard paint, a sponge brush, a ruler, a pencil, chalk, a white paint pen and hooks or fastenings for hanging the board.

The steps are very straightforward, and this project shouldn’t take you long at all.

See how to make your own blackboard


2. Paint Stripes on Your Floor

This is a great project to give an entire room a lift. If you love the feel of exposed floorboards and want to add a little interest to the current finish or color, then stripes (or whatever pattern you fancy) may be the solution. They’ll brighten and freshen the room, giving it a polished and cared-for feel. The hardest part of the project will be clearing the room, but once this has been done, the rest of the work should be fairly straightforward.


Getting started: Choose your design and paint colors, measure the room, map out the pattern on the floor with tape to keep the lines clean and then get painting. Just be sure to have a clear system for marking out which stripes you’re painting and which you’re not.

See how to paint stripes on your floor


3. Create a Rustic Headboard From Salvaged Doors

If you’re happy with your bed but looking for a headboard update, this may be the project for you.


Getting started: It will require a fair amount of tools and be slightly more time consuming than other projects, but this project is still easily doable in a day. It will be well worth it when you think of the finished product; just imagine how much a bed with a headboard like this would cost to buy. The best part is, you can tailor it specifically to your room — choosing the type of wood, size, fixtures, paint (or no paint) and color. Just make sure you sand it down well to avoid any rough edges or splinters.

See how to create your own rustic chic headboard from salvaged doors


4. Create a Simple Wall Stencil Using a Pizza Box

This is a fun and inexpensive project that’ll transform whichever room you try it in. A pizza box might seem like an unconventional item of choice for a room makeover, but it’s incredibly effective. The cardboard is strong, so it works well as a template, and it won’t cost you anything more than the pizza it comes with. While it’s a money-saving project, it’s worth taking the time to do it right. Careful measurements and planning will help make sure that the wall looks professional and seamless.


Getting started: Decide on the design you want to create. At this point anything goes; just remember that you will have to outline and fill in every single element by hand, so you may not want to make it too elaborate. The circular pattern used here looks cool on the wall and ensures consistency across the room. Simply measure and cut out the stencil, measure and map out the walls, and then start painting. Remember, stenciling is different than painting a mural or something more freehand, so accuracy and care are needed.

See how to stencil a wall using a pizza box


5. Transform a Bar Cart Into a Bedside Table

With a little effort and care, you can do your bit for the environment by reusing something that was headed for the trash and create a new favorite piece for your home. The wonderful thing about a project like this is that you can create something that reflects your own individual style and that you never would have found in a shop. This cart was found in a secondhand shop, sanded down and painted to create an (almost) brand-new and very stylish bedside table.


Getting started: Next time you unearth a treasure in a secondhand shop or you’re planning to drop something off at the Dumpster, think about how you might be able to transform it to create a much-loved piece for your home.

See how to turn a vintage bar cart into a bedside table
Tell us: Do you have any DIY plans for the long weekend? We’d love to hear about them in the Comments.

More: Discover other decorating projects you can do at home

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