7 Budget-Friendly DIY Homeware Ideas to Transform Your Space
Looking for ways to refresh your home without spending a fortune? Here's our collection of creative DIY homeware ideas using items you likely already have around the house!
Create a Home That Tells Your Story
We all love refreshing our spaces with beautiful homeware, but sometimes our budget doesn't quite match our Pinterest board dreams!
The good news?
DIY projects offer the perfect solution for creating a home that truly reflects your authentic self—filled with pieces that bring you joy and inspiration.
At Joy on Tap, we believe your home should tell your unique story.
These projects require minimal materials and offer maximum impact, so you save money while creating something that's perfectly yours.
They make for delightful weekend crafting ideas (perhaps with a cuppa and biscuit in hand!) and can even become treasured family activities.
7 DIY Homeware Projects to Try This Weekend
1. Tin Can Pen Pots
Those empty food tins destined for recycling can become stylish desk organisers or faux flower vases with just a bit of creativity!
Try wrapping them in colourful washi tape, painting them with chalky finish paint, or covering them with natural twine for different aesthetics to match your space.
We've covered ours in decorative paper to brighten our desk, and they've become completely unrecognisable from their humble beginnings!
2. Fabric-Covered Storage Boxes
Transform plain cardboard boxes from deliveries into beautiful storage solutions with fabric scraps. Imagine how delighted you'll be every time you open your cupboard to see these personalised treasures rather than plain, plastic boxes!
Experiment with patterns and colours that complement your décor, and suddenly those necessary storage items become part of your intentional design scheme rather than eyesores.
Coming soon: Sign up to our newsletter to be the first to receive our step-by-step guide for creating these gorgeous storage solutions!
3. Upcycled Glass Jar Tealight Holders
Empty jam jars, pasta sauce containers, and other glass vessels make enchanting candle holders for cosy evenings.
Transform them with tissue paper for stained-glass effects, salt and glue for a frosted appearance, or wrapped twine for rustic charm.
We've used tissue paper and doilies to create a cheerful, dappled effect that casts the most magical shadows when lit.
Imagine these scattered around your home on dark evenings, creating pockets of warmth and wonder!
4. Bath Mat Patchwork Rug
Create a bespoke area rug by combining inexpensive bath mats in complementary colours. This clever hack gives you the exact size and colour combination you're dreaming of without the hefty price tag of large rugs, while providing a surprisingly luxurious feel underfoot.
Our inspiration for this rug came from Annika Hinds of
5. Fabric-Covered Cardboard Frames
Make your own picture frames from cardboard covered with fabric scraps.
This allows you to create custom-sized frames in exactly the colours and patterns you want—perfect for displaying favourite photos or our metallic prints with messages that remind you of your limitless potential.
These frames are super lightweight, making them perfect for hanging in rental properties without damaging walls. Check out our step-by-step tutorial here!
6. Pin-less Notice Board
Display cards, photos, and inspiring notes without damaging them by creating a ribbon notice board. A fabric-covered board with ribbons criss-crossed across the front creates spaces to tuck treasured items safely while keeping them visible for daily inspiration.
This is another brilliant way to bring pattern and colour into a room with something practical and safe—no stray push pins to accidentally stand on!
It's perfect for displaying our postcards with their encouraging messages to keep you inspired throughout your day.
7. Cushion Covers
Refresh your living space with new cushion covers made from vintage tea towels, fabric remnants, or even beloved old jumpers that have seen better days.
With fabric glue or iron-on hemming tape, you can create new looks for your sofa without any sewing knowledge!
Cushion covers are one of our favourite things to switch out when you want a seasonal refresh, so don't be afraid to go wild with your favourite patterns and colours!
For those feeling a bit more adventurous, we've created cushion covers with some intermediate features like piping, buttonholes, and scalloped edging.
We'll be sharing a detailed tutorial really soon! Join our email list to be notified.
The beauty of DIY homeware isn't just in the money saved—it's in creating a space filled with items that carry meaning and reflect your personality.
Each handcrafted piece becomes part of your home's unique story and helps you connect with your authentic self.
Which of these ideas speaks to you most? We'd absolutely love to see your DIY creations!
Tag us in your photos or pin this post for weekend project inspiration.
Remember: Creating a home that tells your story isn't about perfection—it's about expressing your authentic self and surrounding yourself with joy, one DIY project at a time!
P.S. Let's Create Together!
Seen a DIY you want to try but don't know where to start?
Drop us a comment below to let us know which tutorial you'd like to see next! We're here to help you bring more creativity, purpose, and beauty into your everyday life.
Joy on Tap Pick of the Week: Wall Art Prints
For those moments when you're seeking inspiration rather than creation, our metallic and fine art prints pair beautifully with handmade items, adding daily reminders of your limitless potential to your home.
With a variety of messages and designs to choose from, you can truly personalise your space with words that speak to your authentic self. Imagine waking up to "Embrace moments of ordinary joy" or being reminded to "Relentlessly pursue your dreams" whenever you need that gentle nudge.
Our prints look stunning paired with DIY fabric-covered frames (perhaps using fabric scraps from your cushion project?), or simply displayed in your favourite wooden frames as shown. Place them beside your bed for a morning affirmation, in your home office for a midday boost, or in your entryway to welcome you home with words that matter.
Mix and match messages and colours to create a personalised gallery wall that tells your unique story, or select just one special phrase that resonates with your current journey. Each print is carefully created with our sustainable print-on-demand model, meaning your purchase is kind to both your home and our planet—because we believe beautiful spaces and conscious choices go hand in hand.
Why not complement your DIY projects with a print that speaks to you?
Browse our collection here and find the perfect words to brighten your newly refreshed space!
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