You don’t need to spend a bundle to update your decor. There are plenty of affordable ways to spruce up your living space and incorporate styles your truly love. All you need is a little time and these do-it-yourself ideas from the design mind of Nina Freudenberger, founder of Haus Interior.

Wall Graphics
Instead of wallpapering your entire apartment try sprucing it up with wall decals. These sticky style accessories are quick and easy to apply without a mess. All you need is a pair of scissors and your creative eye. Try adhering them as an accent (such as behind your headboard), or on an accent wall in smaller rooms like a powder room, nursery or hallway. Remember, it’s ok to be bold! Mount these graphics on existing walls, or paint a daring new color beneath for a more dramatic effect.

Wall graphics are growing in popularity, (as attested to the variety of colors and styles). But for a sampling of designs try these links below.

FermLiving
WhatIsBlik Design

Fabric Wall Panel/Art
Spruce up your blank walls with contemporary fabrics you love. When stretched over art stretchers or framed, cloth can easily look chic.

1.To create your own, you’ll need fabric stretchers (can be found at any art shop, typically used to make canvases to paint on.) These stretchers have corners which can just be gently pushed together. But we recommend adding a dab of wood glue to keep your project together.

2. Choose any fabric you love, ideally (choose heavier fabrics and try bold patterns you might not pick at first). Remember, since you’re stretching the fabric over it’s frame, geometric prints will be harder to keep straight.

3. Cut your fabric about 3 inches larger then the frame itself is – and just wrap it around the frame just as you would wrap a present., it just needs to look clean on the front! On the back of the stretchers, staple the fabric, cut away any extra, and you are ready to go! Just hang on a nail and place over your sofa or headboard, or create a collection of smaller pieces and hang as a group!

For materials, try local art supply or fabric stores. Or try these online alternatives:
Art Supplies Online
J. Caroline Creative Fabric.com
Hable Construction

Total project price: less then $60 depending on fabric choice and final size of panel.

Paint your walls with horizontal or vertical stripes!
Depending on the space and your patience, this is a simple way to make your space look larger or your ceiling height taller. This is a simple afternoon activity which I have done myself, and all you need is the paint color of your choice, some blue painting tape, a ruler and a level. Tape out the increments of your desired stripe, and smooth it to the wall by applying pressure so that paint cannot seep underneath. And the rest is just layering on that paint! Get creative with your paint color choices, I love bold colors, so try green or a deep purple. I love Farrow and Ball paint colors for their dark, rich tones. –Nina V. Freudenberger

Nina V. Freudenberger is the founder and principal of Haus Interior LLC, launched early 2007 in New York City.

After attending Rhode Island School of Design and graduationg with her Bachelors of Architecture, she worked as senior designer at Kondylis Design for four years.

With a prestigious client list of over 25 projects, Nina opened her own firm to continue the vision of elegant and sophisticated design while retaining the experimental energy of the contemporary world.

For more fabulous do-it-yourself tips from Nina, visit her site at thecultivatedhome.com or check out these articles: Do It Yourself Decor — Little Extras, and Do It Yourself Decor — Add Style to Your Space