Easy Home & Patio Decor on a BUDGET! | DIYing vs. Buying saved me HUNDREDS ?

Easy Home & Patio Decor on a BUDGET! | DIYing vs. Buying saved me HUNDREDS ?

Over the last four years of doing DIY dupes on my channel, I've lost count of just how much I've saved by DIYing instead of buying high-end decor. However, I can guarantee you at this point, we're definitely in the thousands of dollars. I'm back again today with more DIYs that you should definitely make instead of buy to help you save and get that look in your home without breaking the bank. A huge thank you to Craftsy for sponsoring this video!

I love how relaxing the sound of water is, so I wanted to add some sort of fountain out by our pool but not for $ 349. Thinking I could get a similar look and vibe for much less, I started at the hardware store. When I tell you anyone can do this DIY, I promise anyone can! Get yourself a planter, whether you buy one or get one from your house. This one's from Walmart. Then you'll need some rocks. You can either steal them from your house if you've got extra rocks, or you can grab some little pond pebbles like I did (the whole bag was under five bucks at Home Depot). I put the planter on a plant stand just to rise it up— we already had this, but you could easily put it on a table as well. Fill it up with rocks and then fill it up with water.

If you get the rocks I did, make sure to clean them first. Otherwise, your water's going to look like this: muddy and unclear, so we dumped it out and refilled it. My buddy was there to help, and before we added the fountain piece, I added these mosquito dunks. These kill mosquito larvae for 30 days; it just dissolves in there, so you're not going to have a breeding ground while trying to relax. Then I added the solar fountain from Amazon—so easy to put together—good to go! I was able to make this for under $ 40, about $ 37 all in. And listen to how zen this sounds!

When I plan the projects for these DIY instead of buy videos, I first comb through high-end sites for things that I love but could easily DIY. I saw all these beautiful embroidered pillows and wanted to make one for myself. But in the past, I struggled to find an easy-to-follow embroidery tutorial that didn’t leave me frustrated. Recently, I took the Startup Library: Hand Embroidery course on Craftsy, and had a breakthrough!

I'm partnering with Craftsy on this video because it is an excellent online resource for all things creative, perfect for my craft buddies. They offer virtual courses on everything from home decor and sewing to baking and cake decorating, with options for every skill level. Now that I've gained confidence with Craftsy, I'm embroidering my own pillow. It’s going to be this glue gun that's part of my new branding to live here in my craft room. I plan to work on this before bed instead of just scrolling through my phone—definitely way more relaxing.

Two other Craftsy courses I loved and would recommend: “DIY” which is full of wood build projects and tips and tricks, and “Artisan Bread in Minutes”—I cannot wait to use the tips from that class to make my own rolls this fall. Not only does Craftsy offer hundreds of on-demand courses with new ones always being added, they also have live streaming tutorials allowing you to ask questions and chat with other DIYers for immediate support.

The first 1,000 craft buddies to use the link down in the description will get a full year of Premium membership to Craftsy for only $ 1.49! Yep, you heard me right—a full year for under $ 2. All the details are down in the description, and I can't wait to hear what you learn with Craftsy.

I fell in love with these Pottery Barn recycled glass mason jar vases. I didn’t particularly care for the bee stamp but wanted a blue-tinted vase, so I took myself to the thrift store to find some glass jars. You can use any glass you have—you can even shop your house for this. You’ll need some alcohol ink to tint these and keep them waterproof. I thought I needed some isopropyl alcohol, but really, it ended up thinning it out too much, so I don't think you need it.

Take a disposable makeup sponge and just apply the ink to your jar. You’ll want to work quick in up and down strokes and ensure you are in a well-ventilated area. I wore a mask and gloves as well. Clean your rocks first, fill it up with water, and make sure your fountain piece is in there, you have mosquito dunks, and you’re good to go for a zen fountain.

To summarize the entire video into clear, digestible takeaways, I've created easy DIYs, like a solar-powered fountain using a planter and pebbles, an embroidered pillow thanks to Craftsy's course, and tinted glass vases for under $ 40 each. Moreover, a tabletop fire bowl and chic two-tone vessels prove DIYing can effortlessly match high-end decor styles without the steep price tag.

Keywords

• DIY decor
• Craftsy courses
• Solar fountain
• Embroidered pillow
• Alcohol ink vases
• Tabletop fire bowl
• Two-tone ceramics
• Budget-friendly

FAQ

Q: How much money can I save by DIYing home decor instead of buying it? A: By DIYing instead of buying high-end decor, you can save thousands of dollars over a few years.

Q: Where do you recommend getting supplies for DIYs? A: Stores like Walmart and Home Depot offer affordable supplies for various DIY projects. Thrift stores are also great for finding unique items that can be transformed.

Q: What's the best way to learn new crafting skills? A: Platforms like Craftsy offer virtual courses on a variety of creative topics, including home decor, sewing, baking, and more, with options for every skill level.

Q: How do you make glass jars waterproof after tinting them? A: After applying alcohol ink to the jars, let them dry for an hour and then give them a clear coat of spray paint to make them waterproof.

Q: How do you create a tabletop fire bowl safely? A: Use nonflammable materials like sand and rocks in a planter, add a tabletop fire bowl insert, and ensure you're following safety instructions for lighting and using isopropyl alcohol.

Q: Can I customize the look of my DIYs to match different aesthetics? A: Absolutely! You can use different base colors and textures to match the particular aesthetic you're going for, like modern organic or farmhouse styles.