Easy But Cute Upcycled Home Decor

Bored with your home decor? There's plenty of fun, cheap, and cute ways to boost your decor.
decor · 4 min
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Image from Courtney M White
Image from Courtney White

The pandemic has us all reaching for our phones and seeking out fun things to do while stuck at home. Pinterest and Tiktok have been one of the best things to boost our 2020 creative productivity. We’ve sat home and stared at the walls of our house so long we’ve started ripping the decor off the walls because we hate it. Is it out of style? Probably not, but everyone's just sat home long enough to hate the interior design of our homes. The magic of the internet has shown us some really awesome home decor DIYs, and even better, they're upcycled!

Here are some super creative, super fun ways to decorate your walls:

1. Painted Records 

Image from Courtney M White
Image from Courtney White

In recent years, it's become trendy to buy records? Does everyone have a record player? No, of course not, but hey, it’s trendy. There's a multitude of things you can do to records to make them trendy. You can nail them to the wall in perfect lines or you can paint them. There are even clock pieces sold so you can make your records into a clock.

2. Newspaper Wallpaper

Image from Instagram.com
Image from Instagram

This became trendy on Tiktok. People were taking newspapers and hanging them up on the wall. Many left it as a temporary backdrop for at-home photo shoots. It makes interesting wall decor and even allows for further embellishment as it can be drawn on. It might even be a great way to release some stress.

3. Spotify Codes

This summer proved productive in the crafting department and Tiktok fed a great deal of it. There was this trend where people were drawing the Spotify code to a song onto a piece of glass and gluing a picture above it, hanging the piece on the wall. There was also a fun trend where people were drawing out the codes to all their favorite songs and adding them to a wall, making it a playlist of great but randomized songs. 

4. Books

There's a lot that can be done to and with books to make them into the fun decor. If you have books you want to get rid of or feel like buying some books to craft with, book folding is a great way to spice up an old book. You can fold the pages into any shape you please. You can also use old books as shelves on a wall by adding a platform piece and screwing it to the wall. Some people have even stacked books and added a glass top to make a cute table.

5. Photo Wall

Image from Courtney M White
Image from Courtney White

Also known as the VSCO wall, people have been printing out pictures that fit certain aesthetics or pictures of their friends to add to a wall in a pretty manner. Some online shops will even pick out pictures for you just so you can follow a certain look- such as a Harry Potter wall or a pink wall. 

6. Corks

Image from CrazyLaura.com


Did you drink a lot of wine over quarantine? There’s plenty you can do with corks. You can glue them into a picture frame and make a cute DIY cork board. You can hollow them out and add a magnet and make cute mini planters for the fridge. You can glue them to a piece of wood and cut it out in the shape of a letter to hang on a wall. 

7. Picture Frames

Image from Community.com
Image from Community.com

Picture frame walls have become a great way to break up a wall that was once bland. You simply take old frames and paint them the same color as the wall, this gives the wall a little bit of texture. You can also turn frames into chalkboards by painting the glass piece with chalkboard paint. Another option is to add hooks to an empty frame and hang your necklaces from it. Old frames are typically super cheap and an easy find at any thrift shop.

8. Cassettes

Cassettes are in the weird point where they're too old to be used but too new to be “vintage”. You can use them to create some cool artwork. Cassettes can be glued together and painted on relatively easily. They make for some cool textured paintings. Not good at painting? You can use them as a cool border for a room by using command strips to attach them to the wall.

9. Shadow Boxes

Image from Pixy.com

Shadow boxes are a fun and easy way to showcase your stuff. You can put stuff inside them and on top of them to display your knickknacks. If you can't find one, you can easily make one from pieces of wood. 

No Artistic Talent?

If you can't DIY or don't have the time but still want some fun room decor, you still have plenty of options. You can order from online vendors, like Etsy or Facebook Marketplace. Plenty of other people have tons of fun homemade decorations you can add to your home to break it up a little. You can even buy off a friend who makes stuff. 

Upcycled home decor is both super fun and good for the environment. Every piece is very unique and makes your house super quaint. You can always decorate it!

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Opinions and Perspectives

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SilentWatcherX commented SilentWatcherX 3 years ago

Created themed areas using different projects. Each room tells its own story now.

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WarpDriveX commented WarpDriveX 3 years ago

Found some amazing vintage frames that work perfectly with these ideas.

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Nerissa_Glimmer commented Nerissa_Glimmer 3 years ago

My whole family gets involved with scanning the Spotify codes now.

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Lara_Twilight commented Lara_Twilight 3 years ago

The newspaper wall surprisingly works with my minimalist aesthetic.

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Sarah_87 commented Sarah_87 3 years ago

These projects gave me confidence to try more creative home improvements.

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Lang_Ledger commented Lang_Ledger 3 years ago

Never thought I'd become so invested in DIY decor, but here we are!

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ZeroGravityMind commented ZeroGravityMind 3 years ago

Mixing different textures from these projects creates such interesting walls.

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LaneyM commented LaneyM 3 years ago

The photo wall became a family project. Everyone helped choose pictures.

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ZeroByteX commented ZeroByteX 3 years ago

Love how affordable these projects are. Creativity doesn't have to be expensive.

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DeclutterAndThrive commented DeclutterAndThrive 3 years ago

These ideas helped me create a space that truly feels like me.

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NataliaM commented NataliaM 3 years ago

Started with one DIY project and now my whole house is a creative showcase!

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SadieReed commented SadieReed 3 years ago

The cork projects are sustainable and look great. Perfect combination.

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CalebNguyen commented CalebNguyen 3 years ago

Can't believe how professional the frame wall looks with just a coat of paint.

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GravitySeeker commented GravitySeeker 3 years ago

Used vintage music sheets for my Spotify code backgrounds. Adds another layer of meaning.

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Belloni_Blog commented Belloni_Blog 3 years ago

The newspaper wall became a time capsule of 2020. Kind of meaningful now.

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Inner-Calm_Unlocked_555 commented Inner-Calm_Unlocked_555 3 years ago

My painted records match my room's color scheme perfectly.

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Joanna_Ortega commented Joanna_Ortega 3 years ago

Found some amazing old books at thrift stores for the folding project.

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AuroraJames commented AuroraJames 3 years ago

The shadow boxes are perfect for my small space. Vertical storage that looks intentional!

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Hannah_21 commented Hannah_21 3 years ago

These projects really helped me through some tough lockdown days.

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JayCooks commented JayCooks 3 years ago

Combined several ideas into one feature wall. It's eclectic but works somehow.

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Tina-Griffith commented Tina-Griffith 3 years ago

The picture frame wall makes such a difference to my room's depth.

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Claire commented Claire 3 years ago

My Spotify code wall has become a music sharing hub among friends.

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MilesBennett commented MilesBennett 3 years ago

Never thought old cassettes could look so artistic. They catch the light beautifully.

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Brielle_Rice commented Brielle_Rice 3 years ago

The cork board project was perfect for using up my quarantine wine cork collection.

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YasminJ commented YasminJ 3 years ago

Book folding is addictive. Started with one and now I've done a whole series.

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Safer_Stories commented Safer_Stories 3 years ago

Anyone else's walls become a complete creative explosion during lockdown?

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Jasmine99 commented Jasmine99 3 years ago

The painted records project helped me use up leftover craft supplies.

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Grounded-And_Glowing_99 commented Grounded-And_Glowing_99 4 years ago

Used old sheet music instead of newspaper. Creates a similar effect but more musical!

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Marie_Whisper commented Marie_Whisper 4 years ago

The photo wall taking forever to plan but looks amazing now it's done.

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McNary_Musings commented McNary_Musings 4 years ago

My shadow boxes tell the story of different trips I've taken. Such great memories.

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LyraJ commented LyraJ 4 years ago

The cassette art is surprisingly modern looking when done in metallics.

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Delilah-Hughes commented Delilah-Hughes 4 years ago

Made a massive mistake with the newspaper wall but turned it into an abstract art piece instead.

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ParallelHorizon commented ParallelHorizon 4 years ago

These ideas work well together. My gallery wall mixes frames, records, and Spotify codes.

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Cora_Morgan commented Cora_Morgan 4 years ago

Book folding is actually quite meditative once you get into the rhythm of it.

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ZariaH commented ZariaH 4 years ago

The cork projects are great but collecting enough corks takes forever!

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LibbyH commented LibbyH 4 years ago

Love how unique each project turns out. No two are exactly alike.

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VincentC commented VincentC 4 years ago

The newspaper wall is perfect for my writing room. Feels like being surrounded by stories.

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ZeroDystopiaX commented ZeroDystopiaX 4 years ago

Started small with one shadow box and now I'm addicted to creating themed displays.

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Isaac commented Isaac 4 years ago

The painted records work best with acrylic paint and a good sealant, in my experience.

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LucasParker commented LucasParker 4 years ago

My Spotify code wall tells the story of my life through music. It's become quite meaningful.

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Dakota_Ramos commented Dakota_Ramos 4 years ago

Anyone else's family think they've gone crazy with all these DIY projects?

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SarahMartinez commented SarahMartinez 4 years ago

The picture frame wall took longer than expected but was worth every minute.

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MelanieT commented MelanieT 4 years ago

These projects really helped me connect with my creative side during isolation.

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McArdle_Memo commented McArdle_Memo 4 years ago

I'm surprised how modern the cassette art looks when done right. Mine's monochrome and quite striking.

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GoodVibesOnly commented GoodVibesOnly 4 years ago

Created a Harry Potter themed photo wall. The aesthetic planning was half the fun!

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Lily_Dreams commented Lily_Dreams 4 years ago

The newspaper wall is definitely polarizing. My partner hated it at first but now loves it.

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Hayden-Ford commented Hayden-Ford 4 years ago

My cork letter turned out crooked but somehow that makes it more charming.

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Gabriel_59 commented Gabriel_59 4 years ago

Using old books as shelves works great if you use proper wall anchors. Mine have held up for months.

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DavidBrown commented DavidBrown 4 years ago

Started with one painted record and now my whole wall is covered. It's addictive!

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DailyAffirmations commented DailyAffirmations 4 years ago

The Spotify code trend is so clever! It's like having an interactive art gallery.

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ClarissaH commented ClarissaH 4 years ago

Never thought of painting frames the same color as walls. It's subtle but adds such nice dimension.

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TinaDreams commented TinaDreams 4 years ago

These ideas are perfect for apartment dwellers. Most can be removed without damaging walls.

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WholeBody_Health_2024 commented WholeBody_Health_2024 4 years ago

Found some vintage newspapers in my grandparents' attic. Planning to frame sections for wall art.

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LostGalaxy commented LostGalaxy 4 years ago

The shadow box display transformed my collectibles from clutter to conversation pieces.

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HaleyB commented HaleyB 4 years ago

Tried the cassette art but couldn't get the paint to stick well. Any suggestions?

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Chloe commented Chloe 4 years ago

I combined the photo wall with Spotify codes idea. Each picture has its own song. My teenagers think it's cool.

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Sullivan_Story commented Sullivan_Story 4 years ago

The book folding art is actually easier than it looks. Started with simple patterns and worked my way up.

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Believe-Achieve_555 commented Believe-Achieve_555 4 years ago

Made a cork board from wine corks and it's both functional and decorative. Win-win!

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CyberShadow commented CyberShadow 4 years ago

Anyone else notice how these ideas align perfectly with the current sustainability movement? Love it!

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TheBalancedMind commented TheBalancedMind 4 years ago

The painted records look amazing in person! I've done three so far and they're conversation starters.

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Alice_Sunflower commented Alice_Sunflower 4 years ago

I appreciate how budget-friendly these ideas are. Been wanting to refresh my space without breaking the bank.

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JaxonGarcia commented JaxonGarcia 4 years ago

My local thrift store has tons of old frames. Going to try that chalkboard conversion idea this weekend.

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AngelaT commented AngelaT 4 years ago

These DIY projects saved my sanity during lockdown. The newspaper wall was particularly therapeutic to create.

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Anastasia_Mystic commented Anastasia_Mystic 4 years ago

Working on the Spotify code project now. Any tips for getting the lines straight on the glass?

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Darla_Soft commented Darla_Soft 4 years ago

I worry these trends will look dated really quickly. Remember when everyone was doing mason jar everything?

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YogaFlowDaily commented YogaFlowDaily 4 years ago

The cork letter idea is fantastic! Made one for my kitchen and it adds such a personal touch.

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FireDragonX commented FireDragonX 4 years ago

Has anyone tried combining multiple ideas? I'm thinking of doing a mixed media wall with records and Spotify codes.

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Alana-Holmes commented Alana-Holmes 4 years ago

Picture frame walls are timeless. I painted mine dark blue against a white wall and it looks stunning.

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Mira_Starburst commented Mira_Starburst 4 years ago

The cassette art speaks to my soul! Found a box of old ones in my parents' basement. Now I know what to do with them.

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Lorraine_Breeze commented Lorraine_Breeze 4 years ago

I'm concerned about the book shelves idea. How do you ensure they're sturdy enough to hold weight?

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GraceMiller commented GraceMiller 4 years ago

Just finished my photo wall yesterday! Pro tip: use a level to keep everything straight. Learned that the hard way.

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Carlson_Critique commented Carlson_Critique 4 years ago

The shadow box idea is brilliant! I've been looking for ways to display my travel souvenirs.

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HudsonBell commented HudsonBell 4 years ago

These are great sustainable options! I'm tired of buying mass-produced decor that everyone else has.

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Denise-Lamb commented Denise-Lamb 4 years ago

Book folding seems interesting but I can't bring myself to fold actual books. It feels wrong somehow.

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Brianna_84 commented Brianna_84 4 years ago

The cork ideas are perfect for me. I've collected so many wine corks during lockdown, might as well put them to good use!

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Adalian_Article commented Adalian_Article 4 years ago

Actually, I've done the newspaper wall and the ink doesn't rub off if you seal it properly. My room looks like an artistic statement piece now!

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NightmareVision commented NightmareVision 4 years ago

Not sure about the newspaper wall idea. Wouldn't it make the room look messy? Plus, what about the ink rubbing off?

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Lowry_Ledger commented Lowry_Ledger 4 years ago

I tried the Spotify code art and it turned out amazing! My friends always scan them when they visit and discover new music.

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Aurora_Shine commented Aurora_Shine 4 years ago

The newspaper wall trend is genius! I did it in my home office and it creates such an interesting backdrop for video calls.

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Holt_Headlines commented Holt_Headlines 4 years ago

Love these creative ideas! I've been wanting to try the painted records project. Has anyone here actually done it?

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