The ABCs of DIY Decorating

Take a look around this Ohio house in photos from HGTV Magazine for creative, low-cost design moves. Find an idea for each letter of the alphabet (in no particular order).

By: Betsy Goldberg

From: HGTV Magazine

Related To:

New Family Space

Just because you love color doesn't mean you have to live in a rainbow home. "With our last house, every wall was a different shade. I'd get bored and repaint, which was a big hassle," says Julie Ditty, a photographer and mom of three (Luke, 10; Gennesa, 8; and Cana, 12) in Plain City, Ohio. This time, when they moved into their new house in 2012, Julie and her husband, Bob, a senior manager in pharmaceuticals, went for white walls, vintage finds and bursts of colorful accents. "This home feels more like us," says Julie. "It's light and open, with fun, unexpected pieces in every room."

From: HGTV Magazine

A: Art on a Dime

Use clothespins to hold 4" x 6" black-and-white photos on white cotton rope. No need for frames!

From: HGTV Magazine

X: X-tra Kitchen Storage

The wood and pipe shelf structure holds silverware and dishes.

From: HGTV Magazine

E: Exposed Beams and P: Plumbing Pipe Shelves

Painted white (White Dove by Benjamin Moore), the ceiling support joists blend into the room. Galvanized pipes suspend wood shelves so everyday dishes are easy to grab.

From: HGTV Magazine

G: Galvanized Metal Lights

The pendants and sconces are outdoor fixtures from millenniumlighting.com.

From: HGTV Magazine

W: Wide-Plank Wood Island

Boards of pine painted high-gloss white make up the island's base.

From: HGTV Magazine

L: Leather Sofa

Julie uses wipes made for leather to clean the sofa and the ottoman.

From: HGTV Magazine

Q: Quirky Seating and K: Knit Pouf

Two sets of these stadium-style folding chairs were just $10 at a garage sale. "I don't limit myself to using furniture only where it's designed to go," Julie says. "If you want a dresser in your living room, why not?" The pouf is soft but made of sturdy, long-lasting jute (target.com).

From: HGTV Magazine

Z: Zigzag Rug

A bold pattern spices up the space.

From: HGTV Magazine

H: Hand-Me-Down Hutch

The oak and pine piece, from Bob's parents, displays Julie's jadeite collection.

From: HGTV Magazine

D: DIY Sign

Julie painted words and a border on a canvas drop cloth and stretched it over a pine frame.

From: HGTV Magazine

R: Retro Aprons

"I look ridiculous in one, but I hang our grandmas' aprons because the prints are pretty," says Julie.

From: HGTV Magazine

N: Nautical Lights

Metal exterior fixtures from The Home Depot light the bathroom.

From: HGTV Magazine

O: Office Cabinet

A set of metal drawers between the sinks stands in for pricey cabinetry.

From: HGTV Magazine

U: Unusual Collection

Flea market hats hung on plastic hooks in the living room look great as wall art.

From: HGTV Magazine

M: Map As Wall Art and I: Industrial Shelving

A world map from etsy.com came with a metal rod to screw it into the wall. This three-level metal unit is on casters, so it's easy to move around.

From: HGTV Magazine

C: Canisters for Crafts Supplies

Lidded glass jars from IKEA keep art stuff neat but visible.

From: HGTV Magazine

V: Vintage Table

Blue metal legs make this wood table ($12 at an auction) special.

From: HGTV Magazine

J: Jute Rug

A chunky woven rug from Lowe's is a casual, durable pick for a kids' space.

From: HGTV Magazine

B: Bright Green Bed

Julie pepped up her daughter's spindle bed with Antibes Green paint by Annie Sloan.

From: HGTV Magazine

S: Striped Curtains

The long window panels are made of garage sale fabric.

From: HGTV Magazine

F: Fun Garland

Triangles of IKEA fabric are strung up with cotton ribbon.

From: HGTV Magazine

T: Thrift Store Suitcase and Y: Yellow Cabinet

The room needed another pop of red. Quick fix: a $1.50 suitcase. This carved wood piece has been painted six different hues, including this sunny one (try Lemon Zest by Behr).

From: HGTV Magazine

Shop This Look

Photo By: Jonny Valiant

The ABCs of DIY Decorating

Related To:

New Family Space

A: Art on a Dime

X: X-tra Kitchen Storage

E: Exposed Beams and P: Plumbing Pipe Shelves

G: Galvanized Metal Lights

W: Wide-Plank Wood Island

L: Leather Sofa

Q: Quirky Seating and K: Knit Pouf

Z: Zigzag Rug

H: Hand-Me-Down Hutch

D: DIY Sign

R: Retro Aprons

N: Nautical Lights

O: Office Cabinet

U: Unusual Collection

M: Map As Wall Art and I: Industrial Shelving

C: Canisters for Crafts Supplies

V: Vintage Table

J: Jute Rug

B: Bright Green Bed

S: Striped Curtains

F: Fun Garland

T: Thrift Store Suitcase and Y: Yellow Cabinet

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