See creative, budget-friendly DIY home decor projects from my friend Leigh—you might want to try a few yourself!
Hello friends! Today I’m pleased to introduce Leigh, a talented DIYer I met on Instagram. She shares beautiful, practical projects that are easy to recreate and perfect for anyone who loves home improvement on a budget.
Leigh writes at The Little by Little Home, where she documents room makeovers, simple DIY builds, painting projects, and everyday family life. She began blogging after moving into a very old farmhouse and has since remodeled many rooms, learning and refining affordable techniques along the way. After renovating 14 rooms in that farmhouse, she and her family moved into a 1915 Dutch Colonial–style home and continued transforming each space with thoughtful, cost-conscious updates.
DIY Home Decor Projects for Every Room in Your House
Dining Room Light Fixture
One of Leigh’s clever, low-cost upgrades was turning a clearance drum lampshade into a fresh look for her dining room chandelier. With a few parts from the hardware store and a little creativity, she updated the light fixture for under $20. This is a great example of how a simple accessory and basic hardware can change a room’s tone without a major investment.
Simple DIY Fireplace Mantel
Leigh transformed a heavy, dated stone fireplace into a cleaner, more modern focal point by painting the stone and capping the existing mantel with store-bought boards. The result is an easy, budget-friendly mantel makeover that gives the fireplace a fresh, polished appearance without a full rebuild. This approach works well for older homes where retaining character is important but modernizing the finish is desired.
How to Convert a Dresser into a Vanity
When Leigh converted a small office into a half bath and laundry room, she chose creative thrift solutions to keep costs down. Using a sink she already owned and a secondhand dresser, her husband built a custom vanity that looks intentional and unique. Converting furniture into functional bathroom pieces is a practical way to save money and add character to small rooms.
Painted Kitchen Cabinets
One of the most impactful projects was painting the kitchen cabinets. In just a few days, painting refreshed the entire kitchen and significantly changed the space’s feel. Leigh shares a step-by-step process for prepping and painting cabinets, plus a follow-up review a year later on how the finish held up—useful reading if you’re considering the same upgrade.
Piano Painting
Leigh admits painting a piano is intimidating, but the bold choice paid off. She repainted a vintage upright piano in a cheerful yellow, turning it into a standout piece that brightens the room. This project shows that thoughtful paint choices—even on large, sentimental items—can transform their presence while keeping the piece’s history intact.
These projects highlight Leigh’s practical, thrifty approach: small budgets, thoughtful details, and creative repurposing. If you enjoy approachable DIY home decor ideas—ranging from furniture makeovers to room-wide transformations—her blog has many more before-and-after photos and step-by-step guides to inspire your next project.
Thank you, Leigh, for sharing these creative home updates!
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For more behind-the-scenes content and daily inspiration, follow the Harbour Breeze Instagram channel to see real-life progress, quick tips, and sneak peeks of upcoming makeovers.
