diy Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Create With Lei

Easy DIY Accent Wall for Beginners—No Renovation Needed!

Nov 4, 2024 | diy, home, makeovers & room design

Accent walls are a fantastic way to bring personality to a room, especially in spaces like dining rooms where you want an inviting vibe. My mom’s dining room is part of an open-concept layout, and while she’d already painted the wall in a moody tone, she wanted something extra. We decided on a beginner-friendly accent wall design that wouldn’t overwhelm the room or require a renovation.

I’ve broken down the step-by-step below and included the items that I used (with links, where possible). If you prefer to ‘watch rather than read’ I’ve got the video below also!

Post may include affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission when readers purchase items through my links.

DIY Supplies You’ll Need

Here’s everything we used for this beginner-friendly DIY accent wall project:

1×2 pine boards – enough to cover the wall based on your desired design
Brad nail gun – for quick, secure attachment
Miter saw – to cut precise 45-degree angles
Painter’s tape – optional, to protect walls or ceilings
Construction adhesive – optional, for extra hold
Caulk or wood filler – to fill in gaps and nail holes
Primer and paint – for a smooth, cohesive finish

Here’s the video walkthrough:

In the video below, I talk through what we did to complete this accent wall project. Below that, are the steps broken down within the blog post.

Here’s the step-by-step:

Here’s everything we did to complete this simple and affordable accent wall project.

Step 1: Preparing the Wall

Since my mom had already painted her wall, we skipped this step. But if you’re starting from scratch, consider smoothing out any wall texture (like orange peel) with joint compound for an extra-polished look. This is optional but can make a difference for a perfectly smooth finish.

Step 2: Planning the Accent Wall Pattern

To keep this beginner-friendly, we went with an abstract design that didn’t require a strict pattern or measuring for each piece. I sketched out a general plan with my mom and sister, but we mainly followed our instincts as we placed each board. This approach is perfect for beginners—it lets you be flexible and make adjustments as you go.

Step 3: Cutting and Placing the Boards

Using the miter saw, I cut each 1×2 board at a 45-degree angle. This cut makes it easy to fit pieces together for a clean look. If you’re new to angles, think of a 45-degree cut as half of a right angle, which creates a professional, flush finish.

Step 4: Attaching the Boards

We attached the boards with a brad nail gun, but if you’re planning to keep your wall long-term, you could add a bit of construction adhesive for extra hold. Just be cautious; adhesive can be tough to remove if you decide to take down the accent wall in the future.

Step 5: Finishing Touches – Filling, Sanding, and Painting

After attaching the boards, we filled any gaps, seams, and nail holes with caulk or wood filler. Once everything dried, we lightly sanded for a smooth finish. Finally, we painted the wall using a paint with primer included for a seamless look that tied the room together beautifully.

Tips for a Successful Beginner-Friendly DIY Accent Wall

Stay Flexible: Adjust your pattern as you go. Step back often to make sure the design looks good from a distance.
Use Painter’s Tape: Tape off areas like the ceiling or adjoining walls to keep paint where it belongs.
Avoid Too Much Adhesive: If you’re unsure about keeping the wall, stick with nails only or use adhesive sparingly.

Final Thoughts: A Budget-Friendly Accent Wall Anyone Can Do!

This DIY accent wall project was quick, affordable, and fun! If you’re a beginner looking for a way to transform your space without spending a fortune, this project is for you. With some pine boards and a little creativity, you can give any room a custom look in no time.

If you try this one, I genuinely want to see it. This was such a fun project to do with my mom and sister — and proof that you don’t need a big budget or a renovation to make a room feel like something. Tag me. @createwithlei on like all the platforms lol 🤎

How to Create a DIY Affordable (Budget-Friendly) Mantel for Under $50

Oct 23, 2024 | building + furniture, diy, makeovers, makeovers & room design

Hey there, it’s Léi! Today, I’m diving into one of my favorite types of DIY projects—a budget-friendly fireplace mantel makeover.

If you’ve been staring at an outdated shelf or mantel in your living room and thinking, “I want to update this without spending a fortune,” then you’re in the right place.

For under $50, I’ll show you exactly how I turned my old Ikea Lack shelf into a sleek, stylish mantel that’s both affordable and doable for anyone.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Transform Your Fireplace Mantel

Let me walk you through my process, so you can recreate this look in your own home! You can also watch the YouTube video below.

DIY Supplies You’ll Need

Here’s everything we used for this beginner-friendly DIY accent wall project:

2×6 pine boards – enough to cover the wall based on your desired design
cove moulding
ornamental moulding
unfinished wood corbel/bracket
Brad nail gun – for quick, secure attachment
Miter saw – to cut precise 45-degree angles
Painter’s tape – optional, to protect walls or ceilings
Construction adhesive – optional, for extra hold
wood filler – to fill in gaps and nail holes
Primer and paint, or wood stain

1. Removing the Old Mantel Shelf

My fireplace had been sporting an Ikea Lack shelf that’s seen better days.

The first step was taking it down—but of course, it wasn’t as easy as just sliding it off. With a little elbow grease and the right tools (hello, drywall anchors), I got that sucker off.

Pro tip: Always check for any construction adhesive or caulking that might be holding your old shelf in place!

2. Cutting and Measuring Affordable Wood Pieces

For this makeover, I wanted a mantel that spanned the full length of the fireplace, unlike the original Lack shelf that fell short.

So, I grabbed some budget-friendly pine boards and carefully measured them to fit the space. This step is all about precision—measure twice, cut once!

I also picked up some corbels and trim to give the mantel that extra pop of dimension and style.

For the DIYers out there: corbels are a fancy word for brackets, and they’re a great way to elevate the look without breaking the bank.

3. Assembling the Mantel

After cutting the wood to the perfect size, it was time to assemble everything. I stacked the boards, added trim for extra flair, and used simple wood glue and screws to secure it all together.

A few tricks I’ve picked up over the years: clamps are your best friend for keeping everything tight while the glue dries, and using a brad nailer can speed up the process of attaching trim.

4. Installing the New Mantel

Once the mantel was fully assembled, it was time to install it. Since my wall didn’t have studs in the right place (so annoying!), I used drywall anchors to ensure the mantel was properly secured.

For added support, I attached the corbels underneath the shelf—not only do they look cute, but they also help distribute the weight.

5. Adding the Perfect Stain for a Polished Look

The final touch was staining the wood. I went through a couple of color options before landing on a black satin finish that perfectly complements the rest of my living room decor.

If you’re unsure about which stain to use, don’t be afraid to try a few different samples until you find the one that speaks to your vision.

Bonus Tips for a Seamless DIY Mantel Makeover:

Use What You Have: Before buying all-new materials, check if you can repurpose anything in your home. I reused some trim I already had on hand.
Measure Accurately: This is key to making sure your pieces fit together properly and the final look is clean.
Take Your Time: While I aimed for this project to be quick, DIY projects have a way of surprising us with small setbacks. Stay patient and enjoy the process!

Final Thoughts: Is a DIY Mantel Makeover Worth It?

Absolutely! This project only took a few days (and a few curse words), but now I have a mantel that’s both stylish and functional.

Plus, it didn’t break the bank. For under $50, I managed to give my living room a fresh new look that feels custom, without the cost of a full renovation.

If you’re looking to upgrade your space on a budget, give this DIY mantel makeover a try. It’s the perfect way to make a big impact without spending big money.

Like what you see? Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to my channel for more budget-friendly DIY home projects. Let’s build this creative community together and keep creating beautiful, affordable spaces!

DIY Aged Vase Refresh

May 20, 2023 | decor, diy

I found this beautiful aged vessel from TJ Maxx but the color was just too salmony and clashed with my whole house. I initially saw it at Home Goods for $19.99 or $24.99 and passed on it, even though I loved the shape.

Then when I saw it marked down to $7.99 on Clearance at TJ Maxx, the manager actually said it was a mistake but she honored the price, so I took it as a sign that it was meant for me. LOL

Anyway, so I loved the shape and the size of this vessel but the color was just not it. And if you know me, you know how much I love to paint so this was an easy fix!

I played around with a few different beige, taupe, and brown paint colors and mixed them together to create the perfect refreshed aged look I wanted. I used a paintbrush, foam brush, and paper towel to stipple and dab the paint colors in a very natural way.

I essentially layered the paint colors, allowing the paint to dry in between coats. This vessel is very textured so it soaked up paint pretty quickly in some areas. Nonetheless, it only took a few rounds and coats of color mixes until I got the color blend that I was happy with and now i absolutely love it!

Moody Budget-Friendly Fireplace Refresh (Renter Friendly too!)

Nov 4, 2022 | decor, diy

This fireplace has been a thorn in my side for quite some time and I’ve wanted to redo it for so long. But based on its location and how it was built, it meant it was going to be a larger and more costly project than I was prepared to take on so I let it sit and fester, ugly and glaring for a long time.

Until this Christmas season, I could not take it any longer and decided to myself in the middle and do a refresh, one that was more cost-effective and would at least make the space look much more visually appealing.

The big elephant in the room is the non-mantle mantle. There is a nonsensical black “board” that was placed there as a sort of a mantle that I detest and I have not yet removed it. The issue is the bump out that’s attached to the wall that is underneath the board, which prevents building out a real mantle. I will be removing them both but it is significantly more involved, it is coming but it will not be happening in this project **sobs**. Lol Moving on.

So what could I do as a quick weekend project to update my fireplace area so it’s not such an eyesore in the meantime? Let’s touch up the inside brick color, and change the old outdated white tiles and the icky tiling on the floor.

My fireplace has the gas option but we usually just burn wood in it. The only issue with that is that it gets gross on the inside so it was in desperate need of a touchup. So after cleaning it out, I repainted the inside brick walls with a black high-heat paint that’s made for high temperatures.

When it comes to the white tiles *barf* I really wanted to remove it all but this was supposed to be an affordable and quick weekend project. I still wanted tiles that had texture and dimension. I was able to find tiles that were made from a natural stone and had lots of texture, in a peel-and-stick option. I was so thrilled.

These tiles are peel-and-stick but they are made from stone (though they are very thin pieces themselves and not thick stone) and they are safe to go on the outside of the fireplace. (These are not rated for direct heat inside of a fireplace and you should always do your own research before use in your specific environment).

I installed the tile and though it was a lovely dark grey with lots of variation it wasn’t quite as dark as I wanted.

So what I ended up doing was going over the tile, once I finished installing it, with a deep grey almost black paint wash.

3D Paper Block Letter Signs w/ Collage Design

May 16, 2019 | crafting + making, diy

As part of a volunteer community service project, we made 3D block letter decorative signs for the walls of the main library at one of the local elementary schools in our area.

We created 3D block-style letters out of thick white cardstock and then made a colorful graphic textile design on the fronts of them. The colorful textile was created by collaging various images of book covers and maps.

We made 3D block letter signs for 3 of the main library sections: Fiction, Nonfiction, and Travel.

You can definitely draw out the shape of the letters and then cut them out with scissors or a utility knife. I loved the varsity-style letters and just ordered a set from Etsy since it was already set up as an SVG which is easy to resize and cut with the machines.

I used a Cricut cutting machine for this project but you could definitely use scissors or a utility knife if you do not have a cutting machine. I chose to use a cutting machine to keep the cuts precise, save myself some time, and to be honest I just love using my Cricut! Lol.

I’m including a list of the materials I used and any links I can find to the specific or similar products. But if you have similar materials at home, feel free to swap out and use what you have and let the creative juices flow!

Materials that I used: (I’ve linked what I can, some *affiliate links may be included).

12″x12″ white cardstock

hot glue gun + glue sticks

Cricut Maker (or scissors or utility knife)

color printer (optional if you want to print out book covers or other patterns to do a collage)

(*I may earn a small commission on any purchase made using my affiliate links, it does not have any additional cost and in some cases, it may include a discount on your purchase. Any discounts or discount codes will be noted at the time of purchase and are controlled by the retailer.)

I used the block letters from this Etsy store and downloaded the SVG files. I cut out the letters that I needed and then folded them based on the instructions and used hot glue to keep them firmly in place.

I printed out a collection of book cover images in small sizes and created a colorful collage on the front of the FICTION and NONFICTION letters. For the TRAVEL letters, I took pieces of old maps and created a collage on the front of the letters.

Once everything dried, we mounted them to a larger posterboard to be installed on the wall at the school’s library! This was a very fun project and was a joy to be able to contribute to brightening up the elementary school’s library. 🙂

DIY Christmas Ornament Trees

Nov 17, 2018 | crafting + making, decor, diy

It’s no secret at all that I love Christmas decor, like “big-vinyl-sticker-I-heart-Christmas” love Christmas decor. Lol, I’ve made so many Christmas crafts, ornaments, and decor pieces over the years but honestly, I’m sorely lacking in photos and videos of so many of them! I also lost a lot of footage and image files. I’ve already sulked and cried about it … moving on.

I’m going to do my best to share pics of the older projects that I’ve worked on, but, like this project, I do not have any before or step-by-step photos. But I will share what I have for this one and any other of the older projects, and for the more current and future projects – because let’s be honest we all know there will be more to come – I am much better at documenting with photos and videos. What’s that saying about repetition?

Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s get to this blog post’s topic: Christmas ornament ball trees and wreaths!

Let’s start with the Christmas Ornament Trees, these were mini trees I had the best time making. I chose different color themes and sizes. These made excellent tabletop decorations, standing on the fireplace hearth, and great little gifts.

For the base, I tried out a few different materials: the cardboard spherical cones, and the styrofoam cones, and I even tried shaping leftover cardboard into a cone and stuffing the inside with craft paper (newspaper will do too) to keep the shape.

For the balls, I gathered a variety of ornament ball sizes and glued them in a freestyle manner on the cone. I used hot glue and bravery because the fingertips did take an ‘L” or two, not going to lie. LOL.

For some of the trees, I added a little bit of tinsel or garland to sprinkle in and create a bit more fullness.

One note of caution, some of the ornament balls have glitter so be prepared for a glittery sparkly mess!

soft white pink gold ornament christmas trees

Creative at heart, maker by nature. I’ve always loved DIY, design, and storytelling, whether through home projects, crafting, or content creation.

Create with Léi is where I share how-to’s, ideas, and inspiration to help you bring your creative visions to life—because creativity isn’t just about making things look good, it’s about making them yours.