3 Quick Decorating Projects
You Can Do in One Day

Sadly it’s snowing here in Western Massachusetts today, but we’re stuck inside anyway, right? Unless you want to go out and play in the snow, but that’s not my jam, too cold! It can be tough to find things to do indoors, but it makes us (at least me) realize that there are lots of things I can be doing to spruce up my own home! If you find yourself with the urge to update some things (and you’ve already done the projects in last week’s blog) in your home during this strange and different time, you’re not alone! Here are some quick and easy projects that you may not have thought of.

Set up a Family Gaming area!

This one’s a great idea if you’re at home with kids or even just want to get competitive with your husband! Everyone loves games! Why not have a place to spend some family time and play some of those board games that have been sitting in the basement collecting dust?

First you need to find the best spot. Do you have a dining room that’s collecting dust? You could finally take advantage of that unused dining room! Lay out a fun table cloth if you want to protect your dining table and you can store all of the games in the sideboard, or add an oversized basket to a corner to store them. You can even add a small easel for a pad or board to keep score or for drawing games.
If you use your dining room or don’t have one, find an empty corner in your living room or family room! Gather up some big throw pillows or cushions and lay a big decorative throw or blanket on the floor. Add that big basket to store the games. If you need to find a space or make some space check out this blog with things you can throw away NOW. Then, all you have to do is pop some popcorn, gather your family together and have some good old fashioned FUN! Let me know who wins!

Create a Peaceful Reading Nook!

Less screen time is super important right now. But how do you peel your kids, or yourself, away from the screen? Snuggle up with a good book, either on your own or with your kids! Creating a cozy reading nook is a great way to entice you to sit down and read. It can be in any unused corner, just make sure it’s away from any noise and distractions, if possible. It could have a comfy chair and maybe an ottoman to kick your feet up on, or just put a comfy throw on the floor and some big pillows or cushions.

You’ll need to have a light source, so either a lamp or sunlight if you plan on reading during the day. Also be sure to have a surface that you can put a drink on. Add a small table or garden stool next to your chair, or if you’re cozying up on the floor, grab a tray from your kitchen and set it next to you so you can put your coffee, glass of wine or a snack down without spilling. If it’s a nice day, your reading nook could even be outside! Just take that tray right out to your backyard or front porch and relax! Maybe you have a couple of trees where you could add a hammock. Or, add a chair or two to your front porch. Getting some fresh air and sunlight isn’t a bad idea too!

Update Your Kitchen!

There are SO many ways to do little updates on your kitchen without doing a complete remodel! Obviously, paint goes a long way. You can paint almost anything! Try painting your bottom cabinets a different color than the top cabinets! Just make sure you do the proper prep so that the paint lasts. There are great tutorials all over YouTube for cabinet painting. Depending on your kitchen, you can even paint your backsplash! My former assistant Melissa painted the backsplash in her old house with chalkboard paint. She loved it because she could meal plan and write the weekly menu where everyone could see it! Or, you can designate one wall in your kitchen for a chalkboard. Frame it out with some wood trim and paint the inside of the “frame” with chalkboard paint. Ta-da! What a great way to keep the kids busy, right? Maybe they can write their favorite meals to give you some cooking inspiration! And if you’re thinking about renovating your kitchen there’s a great questionnaire that’ll get you contemplating the things that you need to think about BEFORE you renovate HERE

Another easy and quick kitchen update is to change your cabinet hardware. If you have pulls, be sure to measure from screw to screw to figure out what size pull you’ll need. Then you can order however many you need along with knobs to match. Also make sure when you’re ordering knobs that the diameter is the same or larger to cover the old spot, just in case the wood underneath the knob was unfinished. You don’t want to get new knobs and find out that you need to paint or stain the cabinet underneath. Then when they arrive, it’s a quick swap for a whole new look in your kitchen.

If you have room on your countertops, you can order some large cookie jars and store your flour, sugar, rice, snacks, anything in them! They’re easily accessible and they look cute! I have two on my countertop for flour and sugar.
You can also add a rug! I know most people have a tiny little mat in front of their sink, but you can put a runner in front of your cabinets instead! Or if you have an open kitchen, use a larger rug. You can really bring in some color and pattern with a fun rug! Plus, it’ll keep your feet warmer while you’re doing dishes and save your back from standing on hard tile while you’re cooking.

Lastly, set up a coffee or tea station! If you don’t have room on your kitchen counters, bring in a small table, tea or bar cart, or sideboard, if you have room. You can put your coffee pot there with a small basket or box to hold your coffee or tea, filters, and whatever else you need. If there’s a drawer, even better, you can store them in there. Add a couple of your favorite mugs and you’ve got yourself a new coffee/tea station!

Small projects are a great way to keep you busy right now. And, they’ll make your home feel fresher. Whenever I complete a home project, even a small one, it gives my home a little bit of new energy. Creating a gaming area is a great project for your kids to complete too. Having a spot to read to your kids or escape in a good book seems like the perfect thing right now. And everyone is always looking for an inexpensive way to freshen up their kitchen, right? If you’re looking for a little inspiration, check out this basement remodel that we completed a little over a year ago! I hope you try some of these and let me know in the comments below how they turned out!

Pin this post to come back to it later!