Decorating Diva: 6 DIY Decor Ideas


We are well into the school year, and fall fever has begun to cast its spell. Between ordering this semester’s books and stocking up on #2 pencils, I almost forgot about one of the main priorities on my collegiate checklist: finalizing my living arrangements. Although I am staying on campus alongside three suitemates, I didn’t have the slightest clue on how to decorate my dorm. Luckily, with the help of several pinned DIY ideas, Pinterest has become my go-to guide on enhancing my home away from home. Don’t leave yours bare; have fun personalizing your space with six tricks of the trade.



What you’ll need:
  • Wiffle balls
  • Faux flowers
  • Hot glue gun
  • Ribbon

How you’ll do it:
  • Pluck any stems off of a single flower, making sure not to pull apart the flower itself.
  • Hot glue a circle around an opening in the wiffle ball.
  • Press the flower onto the hole until glue hardens.
  • Keep going until the ball is full of flowers, but make sure to leave room to tie a ribbon onto the ball.
  • Hang it up and enjoy.



What you’ll need:
  • Elmer’s glue
  • Pencil
  • White canvas
  • Watercolor paint
  • Paintbrush

How you’ll do it:
  • Sketch out a design of your choosing on the white canvas.
  • Use the glue to trace your design.
  • Let glue dry completely.
  • Paint over your design and the canvas until satisfied.
  • Hang it up and enjoy.


What you’ll need:
  • Mirror with hanging hooks
  • Wide ribbon
  • Chalkboard spray paint
  • Chalk
  • Newspaper

How you’ll do it:
  • Lay down newspaper in a well-vented area, and position mirror.
  • Refer to the directions on the can of spray paint to ensure an even coat.
  • Let dry.
  • Test out the paint job with the chalk.
  • Tie ribbon onto the mirror’s back hooks.
  • Hang it up and enjoy.


What you’ll need:
  • Pre-made wooden plaque
  • Wood stain (optional)
  • Tiny nails
  • Embroidery floss
  • Ruler
  • Scissors

How you’ll do it:
  • Use wood stain to finish the pre-made wooden plaque. Let dry completely.
  • Place nails two-and-a-half centimeters apart, and nail down a pattern, initial or shape of your choosing. TIP: When placing nails, use your judgement, and make sure not to nail them down too close together because the wood could split.
  • Wrap embroidery floss around the nails in a diagonal and/or criss-cross fashion until satisfied.
  • To finish, tie the ends of the floss around a nail.
  • Hang it up and enjoy.


What you’ll need:
  • Styrofoam
  • Glue
  • Quilt batting
  • Pencil
  • Pins
  • 2 fabric patterns
  • Ribbon
  • Scissors

How you’ll do it:
  • Draw your letter on a piece of styrofoam.
  • Apply glue on one side of styrofoam surface.
  • Glue some quilt batting in the shape of your letter onto the styrofoam.
  • Cut out your letter twice, using each fabric pattern once. TIP: Make sure to leave at least an extra half-inch of fabric on all sides when cutting out your letter.
  • Start wrapping the letter by pinning the fabric on the sides.
  • When one side is done, do steps 1-4 again on the other side using a different fabric pattern.
  • Cover the edges with a ribbon to hide imperfections.


What you’ll need:
  • Patterned pillowcase
  • Embroidery hoop
  • Ribbon
  • Scissors

How you’ll do it:
  • Place the top of a pillowcase in an embroidery hoop.
  • Attach a ribbon to the hoop’s fastener for hanging.
  • Hang it up and enjoy.
  • TIP: Not only can this bag be used for laundry, it’s also a great catch-all for anything you can come up with!

*Before hanging, make sure to ask if your specific dormitory or apartment complex allows for any nailing or taping to avoid damage or those pesky fees.

By: Brianna Arps

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