Author: Hamlet Homes

Don’t feel discouraged by those high priced designer rooms in the glossy magazines. You can make your home look just as chic and put together at a fraction of the cost. Take a look through our ideas and let us know which are your favorite décor on a dime items.

Frame your flowers

Add freshness and life to your home using fresh flowers and cut out cardboard. Shape the cardboard to spell your name, a word, or a shape you love. Add grip green foam (available at any craft store) and arrange your favorite short stemmed flowers to your liking. Voila!  

Seasonal décor for every holiday

No matter the season, you can decorate your home to celebrate the holidays. Buy some inexpensive glass or plastic candy containers. Fill them with décor items for whatever the holiday. Add bows and ornaments during the Christmas season, mini pumpkins and candy corns in the fall, and plastic Easter eggs in the spring. Using these containers year round saves money and time, and your home will look festive and trendy at every holiday!  

Plan a gallery wall

Use the frames and artwork you already have at home and design a gallery wall. Use different sized frames to add visual appeal, and map it out so there’s equal space between every piece. Make sure every frame is hung level to create the perfect look.  

Chic bathroom storage

With a little creativity, bathroom items can be stored in a beautiful way. Instead of using the soap dispenser from the store, pour some into a decorative bottle. Get a matching set for your toothbrushes, cotton swabs and Q-tips, and any other bathroom necessities you like to have within arm’s reach. This keeps every item organized, clean, and looking amazing.   Tweet us your favorite décor on a dime item at @HamletHomesUtah!

This summer, enjoy the beautiful outdoors with your family and friends. Not sure what to do outside besides hike, bike, and swim? We’ve got you covered! Below are some super simple DIY games and activities to keep you and the kids entertained!

Ring Toss With a Twist

Impress your friends with a super fun (not to mention, adorable) game of ring toss! It’s a game that is both fun for kids and adults and will add some color to your backyard! The curvature of the flamingos’ necks adds a little extra challenge too! If your backyard party is at night or your kids are restless before bed, make a glow-in-the-dark ring toss instead using glow sticks!  

Giant Jenga

Instead of playing games inside all day, get some fresh air and bring them outdoors! Make a giant version of Jenga for a backyard game that a group can play without feeling crowded around tiny pieces! If young kids are playing, try making the pieces out of foam rather than wood to prevent any little toes from getting hurt.  

Lawn Twister

Leave the tarp inside and DIY your own Twister board right on your lawn! Use washable yard paint to spray twister circles directly on your grass and let the games begin!

Rock Tic Tac Toe

Do you have a few rocks to spare? Then you can make the easiest tic-tac-toe game there ever was! Not only will it be a great game to play while enjoying the sun, but making the game itself is a fun activity! Let the kids (or adults- we’re not judging) choose how they want to paint their rocks and use your new pet rocks as the x’s and o’s.

Backyard Bowling

Have a few extra bottles laying around since your last BBQ? Recycle old bottles (plastic bottles are preferred) by turning them into bowling pins! Simply pour some paint inside each bottle and swish it around and add some tape to the outside for some fun decoration. After the paint dries, pour sand, rice, or dried beans into each bottle to weigh them down. Be careful not to add too much weight – you don’t want to make them impossible to knock over. Find any type of ball you want (the smaller, the more challenging). Now you have yourself your own bowling set! For a fun game at night, place glow sticks or fairy lights inside each bottle and inside a hamster ball, or just buy a glow in the dark ball.  

Bean Bag Toss

Put together the perfect party with this fun carnival style game! Decorate the wood any theme you want or have the kids paint it for a fun arts-and-crafts project. Combine the bean-bag toss with outdoor bowling and some ice cream and you have yourself the perfect carnival.

DIY Backyard Movie Night

What better way to enjoy a summer night than by relaxing with an outdoor movie?! Transform your yard into a cozy outdoor theatre with some blankets and beanbag chairs. It’s perfect for the whole family, a kids party, or a dinner date! For a romantic touch, hang a few lanterns, open a bottle of wine, and have a picnic under the stars while watching your favorite rom-com.  

Make It Sprinkle!

Summertime is a wonderful time of year to be outdoors, but sometimes the heat is a deterrent to getting fresh air. Don’t let that stop you from getting a tan though. Build your kids a mini water-park in your own backyard using a hose, pool noodles, or pvc pipes. Be creative too! You can make a tunnel, a spinning sprayer, or even an obstacle course.  

Function doesn’t have to be ugly. In fact, it can, and should, be quite the opposite. Add polish and visual interest to your home while also providing much needed storage, space, and organization throughout. We love these six design ideas that incorporate beauty and function all in one.

Crate to table function

A crate table like this featured design is beautiful, and acts as additional storage. This crate table’s 4 cubbies worth of space are perfect for storing books, DVDS, magazines, shoes, TV remotes, and more.  

What’s under the staircase?

If your home is a multilevel one, you may have a decent amount of space that you’re not taking advantage of. The area under the staircase is prime square footage for additional storage. A small storage closet is a great way to utilize this space, or you can install drawers for a more unique stylish option, like this featured design.  

Hang coats with style

Not only is this décor item beautiful and functional, it’s also economical! Use an old windowed door and turn it into a beautiful collage to show off family and friend’s photos. Attach hooks and display your new work of art at your entryway. Guests and family members now have a designated place to hang coats and bags, and can marvel at your beautiful photo collage.  

Dish drainer be gone

Dish drainers are a main staple in most kitchens, but they can be an eyesore in an otherwise stylish kitchen. This design features a built in dish drainer that fits seamlessly with the kitchen area. Its placement is perfect, right next to the sink, and it leaves countertops clean and clear of drying dishes.  

Utensils out of sight

Similar to the dish drainer, big utensils can add clutter to a kitchen fast. To eliminate utensils out in plain sight, you can hide them below view. This example features a clean and organized storage option for utensils. Alternatively, you can hang them from underneath cabinets, or store them in a drawer.   Do you have more ideas on how function and beauty can meet in the home? Tweet us about it at @hamlethomesutah!

Ready to take on a weekend warrior project? We’ve got just the list to get you inspired and on your way to a custom completed craft. Take a look through these 10 easy pallet projects you can complete in just one weekend. Your home will look like a page out of the latest pottery barn magazine!

Create a Coffee Table

Coffee tables are the center pieces of every living room, but that doesn’t mean you need to spend hundreds of dollars on one to make your space look put together. Instead, use pallets as the perfect platform! They are so versatile that you can even decide what look you are going for, whether it be rustic, modern, or chic! Be creative with your design and use the pallet shape to your advantage; they already have built in shelves! You can even paint the pallet for a pop of color or keep the wood for a more natural look and stain it to your liking.  

Go to Town on a Garden

Plants are the perfect way to turn your house into a happy home. Adding a few flowers or trees will brighten up your yard, but it won’t necessarily make it stand out. To put your own fun twist on the traditional outdoor space, add some pallet planters. You can use the pallets to make a geometric tiered garden or shelves for your herbs and vegetables. If you are looking for a more intricate design, use the wood from a recycled pallet to completely redesign the planter.  

Fashion Yourself Flower Holders

Having plants in your house brings a fresh and clean feel to a space. They brighten the mood of every room and make it seem lighter and more colorful. Flower pots and vases can be bulky and obstructive. Instead of having pots on your windowsill, hang plants vertically on your wall using pallets as the backdrop. They will replace the need for art, while adding a natural and chic feel to a room. You can coordinate the design of the pallet with your home’s aesthetic too, by changing the color or texture of the wood. For a more modern or traditional look, stain the pallets using a medium or dark brown with a glossy finish. For a rustic look, paint the wood and then chip some of the paint away or simply use a sun bleached pallet.  

Why Not Build a Wall?

Wooden paneled walls change the entire look of a room and transform a regular backdrop, but they can be expensive. Instead of breaking the bank, deconstruct wooden pallets and use the individual boards to make a wall. For an even more sophisticated look, make sure the pallets you get are a few different shades and then mix the different tones of wood when placing them on the wall. The result: a beautiful multi-toned wood paneled wall.  

Beautify Your Backyard

Everyone deserves a few hours of simple relaxation a day, but few of us actually get it. Build a little outdoor sanctuary so you can give yourself a break every now and again. Make yourself a hanging bed or a cozy outdoor sofa. On those beautiful days, you might actually take advantage of the great weather and breathe in some fresh air.  

Get Your Pallet Game On

Build you own, one-of-a-kind, big enough for a giant, board game! Use pallet boards to make a table, similar to the living room table shown previously, and then paint it to match the board game of your choosing! Be careful not to choose a game with too many pieces, because you will need to either make your own pieces or buy large ones! For checkers, you can spray paint rocks or hockey pucks or come up with your own creative idea.  

Paint a Picture

Create your own paintings using wooden pallets as the canvases. Don’t worry though, you don’t need to be Picasso to create beautiful décor. Create very simple paintings like the ones here, which, despite their simplicity and easy nature, still look amazing!  

Serve Up a Sign

Have you ever wanted to make a sign with your own saying on it? Use a wooden pallet as a background and paint away! You can use a stencil for more precision or freehand paint it if you are a master. The best part of painting on wood rather than on canvas is that even if you’re not the best painter, it will still look great. The wood makes any mistakes or sloppiness look intentional! So, off you go Picasso!  

Build A Bed (Head)board

Headboards bring a bedroom together. Instead of buying one, try your hand at making one. You can make a ‘floating’ headboard or one the height of the wall. Make it look just like the sophisticated one you saw in the home magazine or make it your own by painting a design on it! Who would have thought there would be so many ways to make a headboard out of one basic material?  

Dream Up a Dog Bed

Let’s face it, our pets are our kids, and as parents, we only want the best for them. Spend your weekend building a cozy bed for Scooby and Bruno. They will thank you with endless long walks and midnight wake up calls. Simply use a pallet as the base and add a dog bed or toddler sized mattress on top. For an extra sophisticated look, add paint, side railing and your dogs’ name stenciled on the front.  

First impressions are important in life. That’s why making your front patio representative of you and your aesthetic is so essential to turning your house into your home. Below are 7 simple ways to ensure that your home welcomes both family and friends with open arms. 

1. Add a pop of color

Neutrals are great for houses. They look put together and elegant, but these colors don’t exactly scream excitement. Adding hints of color across your patio draws the eye in and can turn a regular house into an inviting sanctuary. Color sets the tone of the home, so make sure it’s welcoming. Whether you add color by painting the front door or garage, or by adding fun cushions to your furnishings, color will revive your front porch.  

2. Plant life

The best way to liven up your patio is to actually add life! Not only are plants colorful, but they smell amazing too! Try planting a few pots near the front steps, or add flowers to your windowsills. Hanging a wreath on the front door can also add a friendly touch. Be sure to change out the wreath seasonally to always be in the holiday spirit. For a more traditional look, add climbing vines to the exterior of your home!

3. Choose a theme and stick with it

Do you know that guy who couldn’t decide if he wanted to wear pinstripe pants or a gingham shirt to prom, so he wore both? Yes? Well, don’t be like him. Decide what look you are going for and choose decorations based on whether they match your theme. If you want your front porch to be rustic, don’t have pinwheels or Romanesque statues alongside your vintage wheel. If you want a modern look, it’s probably best to avoid faux chipped tables.

4. Add Patio decor

Decor is what brings a space together. It provides the finishing touches that transform a doorway into an entrance. Decor can include anything from a floor mat to a birdcage. You can add objects to a garden or include an old lantern. To make your home even cozier, try mix-matching to give it a vintage touch. No matter what you add, make sure it represents you and your aesthetic.

5. Make use of small spaces

Is your patio on the small side? No problem! When decorating, people tend to look at the physical floor space and forget about the ceiling and everything in between. Work vertically and make use of window sills and ledges. That way, you can add more personal touches without crowding the walking path. You can hang lights and plants, add shelves, or even build a ladder!  

6. Function meets resourceful

The secret to any great space is that is remains useful and beautiful. After all, what’s the point of having an area if you can never use it. A well-designed patioe will use functional items creatively, making them fit with the look.  For instance,  add a rustic bench next to the front door. Not only will the bench look great, but it will serve as a useful surface to place items when you’re entering your home. Another idea to keep in mind when decorating is to be resourceful. Just because you’re beautifying a space doesn’t mean you have to buy all new materials. Don’t go buy new pots if you want to plant flowers. Instead, use an old pair of boots, a wheelbarrow, a watering can, or even an old barrel. Lastly, before designing your patio, consider what you need first. Rather than trying to hide your big bag of de-icing salt, place it in a decorative bucket.  Often, the most useful materials can be made to look great.  

7. Keep it Simple

With so many creative ideas out there, it is sometimes hard to narrow down what ideas you will have room to do and what ones you won’t. The most important tip to remember is to avoid clutter. No matter how many great ideas you have, none of them will stand out or look great if you include too many. The simpler, the better.