Get ready to paint.
If your home needs a pick-me-up, consider several low-cost, creative, do-it-yourself projects that will add pizazz to your house, inside and out. A project does not have to be big to create an impact that will wow guests. With a little bit of paint, a few supplies and old-fashioned elbow grease, you will be on your way to adding new focal points to your home.
Fold It Up
A folding screen made from hollow-core doors is a work of art in addition to a functional piece of furniture. Purchase three hollow-core doors (lightweight, hollow doors without holes) from any large hardware store. Add two or three heavy-duty hinges to each side of the doors and paint the doors to match your decor. Tah-dah! Instant art and a useful room divider/screen combined.
Trellis Art
Paint a trellis that has an interesting shape.
Change a trellis into a work of wall art. Buy a trellis that has a unique shape and -- even better -- includes some metal elements (for added interest). Paint the wood on the trellis with black paint and screw two large, heavy-duty eye hooks onto the horizontal side of the trellis. Add a length of eight large links of chain, also painted black, to the eye hooks. Hang the painted trellis by the chain links onto a large, empty wall that needs jazzing up. Use a wrought-iron curtain rod with interesting finials to hang the chain from.
Frame It
Create visual interest around a boring ceiling fan or light fixture by placing a large picture frame around it, mounted to the ceiling. Purchase a large frame, at least 22 by 26 inches, and paint or texture it with colors complementary to your decor. Separate the frame at one corner in order to slide it over a light fixture or ceiling fan and reassemble it when it is installed. Use finishing nails to attach the frame to the ceiling, then glue it in place. Hold glued the frame pieces in place until they dry with painter's tape, then remove. Additionally, paint the ceiling area within the frame with a metallic paint that matches the frame for artistic flair.
Ladder for the Birds
Use a variety of birdhouse styles.
Paint a old ladder, 6 feet long or less, any color that suits you for a project destined for the outdoors. Set the ladder in an out-of-the-way place in your backyard and place birdhouses of different styles on each ladder rung. Anchor the birdhouses using a hand-held tube of heavy-duty glue such as Liquid Nails brand adhesive. You have just created a home for the birds and an interesting view for guests.
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