The thing about a custom look is that it can be achieved with a little bit of work and an even smaller budget depending upon the fabric or, type of material you work with.  The only tool you need to invest in to get you started on this project is a staple gun, and either the electric or manual one will work just fine so use what feels best for you.

Creating a Headboard Using Small Square Pre Made Canvases:  If you go to a craft store you will find different sized pre made canvases that can be covered in a layer of batting and the   material of your choice, and then hung against the wall next to one another to form a one of a kind headboard.  You can use two rows that are as wide as the bed itself and just as high, or add a third or fourth row to create visual interest and complete the look. Here are the steps to follow if you would like to try this yourself.

Step One: Measure the horizontal width of the bed, and vertical height you desire to determine how many pre made canvases you will need to cover the area.  Then, take measurements with you and go purchase your canvases.

Step Two: Go to a fabric store and pick out the batting and material you would like to work with.  Use the measurements you came up with for your canvases to estimate the total amount of material needed and add on at least 2 to 4 inches on all sides to account for the extra you will need to wrap around the frames.  You may look at suede or leather, or go with a fabric that has an interesting pattern or texture to compliment your design.

Step Three: Take and cut your batting and material to fit the size of each canvas, and be sure to leave two to four inches extra to accommodate wrapping around the edges.  Take one side, wrap it, and anchor it with a staple or two.  Then go to the opposite side and pull it as tight as you can and staple, and continue until you have all four sides tagged. You can add as many staples as needed to hold material in place and tuck the corner edges at an angle for a clean look. Repeat process till all canvases are covered.

Step Four: Once you have all canvases successfully covered, lay them out on the floor to get the best pattern or design, and then decide if you would like to hook them together to hang as one larger piece, or hang them up separately against each other.  To hang as one unit,  purchase small flat metal connectors and fasten to the backs of your canvases to connect to one another.  Then mark on your wall the level you wish to hang your new headboard at, and stand back and enjoy.  If you choose to hang each one independently you may use a nail or a screw, and place them to your specifications. When you have completed this step you are ready to see the finished product, a nice high end custom headboard for a fraction of the cost.

A New Use for the Monthly Calendar: There is a calendar out on the market today that has  pictures of just about every single subject matter available.  This makes it incredibly easy to find and match the subject you need to the style you are trying to achieve and end up with twelve smaller pictures that can help to fill a wall with some minor adjustments.  Simply find the picture you wish to display, and cut the edges so that the focal point of the picture is centered in the middle.  Then, get some poster board and  construct a mock boarder for your picture to give it a more polished look, or leave it as it is and place it in a standard picture frame.  This will give you versatile wall art for about 50% less than it would cost pre-framed.

Hint: This is a fantastic option for decorating a child’s room with Disney pictures that can cost a fortune if purchased the traditional way!

Using a Decorative Throw as Wall Art: Sometimes you can have a large wall that requires an equally large painting to balance out the room. This concept is easy enough unless you don’t have the $200 to $300 dollars necessary to turn that wish into a reality. Well, one way to achieve a similar look is to find a throw that you like, back it with and attach it to pressboard to give it form, and purchase decorative molding to surround the art and complete the look.   You do not have to be proficient in construction and your local DIY store has everything necessary to accomplish this design goal.

Hint: For an old world or country feel use a quilt, for a child’s room use a throw that depicts a favorite character such as Tinker Bell or an action hero, and for an eclectic look, pick a nondescript piece that has an interesting pattern or texture.

Faming Posters for a Child’s Room: If you have ever tried to purchase a frame large enough to fit a poster in you already know how much money you will spend for a plastic frame that doesn’t even look that nice.  Instead, simply go to the fabric store and pick out some ribbon that will be long enough to frame your poster and play off of one or all of the colors in the picture you have chosen.  Use a hot glue gun to tack the corners, and find a bit of bling to put on each corner.  This will give your poster a homey feel without having a homemade look.

Hint: For a girl’s room, use fake jewels at each of the corners, or if you have a beach theme use sea shells or tiny flip flops at each end to give it a touch of whimsy.