We have been doing our Mr. Kate Decorates on a Budget series for a few years, but never have we decorated a room for less than $150! But this time, with the help of the Dollar Store and lots and lots of DIYs, we were able to surprise a couple with a bedroom full of color, unique touches, and a mid century modern energy.
Watch the video above and check out more pictures of the room below!
It's been a longtime dream of mine to take on the challenge of a teen bedroom for our Budget Makeover series, and today that has come to fruition! Teenage years are such an important time, and it was a delight to take this room from childhood into a space that can be grown into and grown with. Taking the trends of 2020 into consideration, we designed a room inspired by a minimalist color palette, hobbies of exercise and art, and of course, TikTok!
Watch the episode above and check out the before and after pictures below!
It's been a while since we've been able to do an Under $300 makeover, but to be fair, it's been a while since we've been able to go to the thrift store! This episode marks a fresh start for both of those beloved trends, as we take on a previously pretty empty and uninspiring space for a local teacher and fill it with thrifted finds and DIY touches to give it a lovely and literature-themed makeover!
Watch the episode above and check out the room pics below!
Generally speaking in life, we're told it's best not to look at things from a black and white perspective. But when it comes to this farmhouse and industrial fusion style bedroom for a lovely couple in Florida, I don't think we need anything past those two tones! While they were hesitant at first, I love how the dramatic, bold black wall anchors the otherwise soft and light design. Watch how everything came together in the episode above and check out the shopping links and more room pics below!
Shop this room!:
Bed Frame: https://bit.ly/3ixDjjU
Chair: https://bit.ly/2Ru1qUy
Ceiling Fan: https://amzn.to/2ZGegDU
Side Table: https://bit.ly/3bZOhfF
Rug: https://bit.ly/2FAi7Lp
Rustic Arch Wall Art: https://amzn.to/32wDp5E
Bedding: https://bit.ly/3bXb0sJ
Curtains: https://bit.ly/3hwL9J5
Table Lamp: https://bit.ly/33v2Bc8
Floor Lamp: https://bit.ly/3ml6UiI
Gold Lamp: https://bit.ly/2ZDiiwR
Black and White Pillow: https://bit.ly/3bXbpLL
White Pillow: https://bit.ly/3hyxJwh
Good Day/ Good Night Sign: https://bit.ly/2ZDCG0A
Toilette Sign: https://amzn.to/3bYPALw
Wood Frame: https://bit.ly/2RsycFS
White Lantern: https://amzn.to/35DKa7Q
Blanket: https://bit.ly/32vP0SD
Woven Baskets: https://amzn.to/2RoG5fi
Wood Storage Bin: https://bit.ly/3iITef2
Faux White Flowers: https://amzn.to/2ZzIZlJ
Flamless Candles: https://amzn.to/2Rqtngf
Ceramic Knobs: https://amzn.to/2Ryaest
This makeover is relatable for so many reasons ... not only are the couple whose new pad this is so emblematic of many young people living in a big city (it ain't easy!!), but their down-to-earth style is so approachable and something I think many other millennials (and other gen's) will grasp onto and love.
Obviously one of the biggest design trends of the past few years is houseplants! Especially during times like this, having little green beings in your care can be a comfort, as well as being easy on the eye. I hope that this (entirely virtual!) makeover will inspire lots of aspiring green thumbs and wannabe minimalists out there!
Watch the video above and check out the before and after pics and shopping links below!
Shop this apartment!:
Table: https://amzn.to/32dhDCK
Media Unit: https://bit.ly/3j7w7uJ
Woven Bar Stools (similar): https://bit.ly/3aM4tjL
Refrigerator: https://bit.ly/3gkH6PE
Cat Cactus Scratcher: https://amzn.to/32dItKW
Grassweave Wallpaper: https://amzn.to/3giJrKM
Cactus Wallpaper: https://amzn.to/3aKiUFb
Rug: https://bit.ly/2EiBHvg
Litter Box: https://amzn.to/2Yp3Sjc
Cat Tower: https://amzn.to/31fUY9o
Bamboo Plant Stand: https://amzn.to/3l8P560
Round Mirror: https://amzn.to/2Qs12FT
Jute Rug: https://amzn.to/3hjeUhb
Rattan Pendant Light: https://amzn.to/3j3UDN4
White Textured Pots: https://amzn.to/2Yn1j16
Terracotta Pots: https://amzn.to/3j2ywXn
Macrame Plant Hangers: https://amzn.to/2E5MWYb
Ceramic Hanging Planters: https://amzn.to/31kASLs
Woven Hanging Planter: https://amzn.to/3j2APJZ
Three Tier Plant Stand: https://amzn.to/3heQeGG
Linen Curtains: https://amzn.to/32fhrTl
Seashells: https://amzn.to/31jFkdc
Wood Beads: https://amzn.to/31gcVEY
Woven Tray: https://amzn.to/3iZEGHV
White Ceiling Light: https://amzn.to/3gnipC2
White and Terracotta Pots: https://amzn.to/2Ef4aCj
Wood Frames: https://amzn.to/34nhtLy
White Pot: https://amzn.to/2Em98wW
This makeover represents a lot of firsts! This was our first install done completely virtually (meaning the roommates that live in this apartment had to do it all themselves, with our texts and video calls as direction), and also our first One Store Challenge!
For anyone not sure where to start with their decor or overwhelmed by the process, this challenge is the one for you! Just pick a store and commit to purchasing all of the items for your room from that shop. We chose Big Lots for this first episode, and everything you see in the room below (even down to the toys in the artwork!) are from their website. For the links to everything we purchased, check out the video description on YouTube!
Watch the video above to see everything come together, and check our the before and after pics below!
Away we go! Well ... eventually! While the pandemic is still a present concern in California and beyond, we've actually been able to make the best of the quaran-time and get our Airstream fully renovated, redecorated and ready to go!
This was one of our most challenging designs, since everything had to be compact, lightweight, able to fit into curves, and stable ... since this home is on wheels, after all! I was largely inspired by the 1960s, the heyday of Airstreams, for the aesthetic, and rounded out the design with colorful murals, some leopard touches, and a Matisse moment or two!
Watch the video above for more details on how we renovated and updated our Airstream to work for our family of three, and check out the before and after pictures and shopping links below for inspiration!
Shop our tiny home!:
A question or comment we get a lot on videos is .... "But what about rentals?" The Creative Weirdos in apartments and other leased spaces have the same amount of creativity and weirdness and design potential to express, they're just limited by the terms of a rental agreement. But if you have the will, I have so many ways (specifically: 20) to transform your home without starting a war with your landlord. Check out the video above and read more about the projects below!
You knew I had to start here! It's as obvious as it is easy as it is effective! One of my favorite uses was actually this wallpaper mural we used in the $10,000 Room Makeover (which was a rental!)
The difference between a mural and just regular wallpaper is that a mural is meant to take up one wall, whereas regular wallpaper has a repeating pattern that can be started and stopped anywhere!
This technique was also seen in Niki DeMar's 70s-Inspired Apartment ... both with a colorful pattern in the dining room and a realistic stone facade behind the entertainment system.
If you're unsure about committing to an entire wall — what about some doors? In this Weird Shaped Apartment Makeover, we covered some sliding doors in the kitchen in a lovely blue and white pattern and the effect is amazing!
For a more crafty/ budget take on this — try a roll of wrapping paper! We used this in our Dorm Room, 3 Ways video, and it added a fun pop of color and pattern for less than $5.
Just as removable as wallpaper, but smaller and more stylized ... we love a wall decal! These can be seen in quite a few spaces we've done, but the black and white palm leaves in James Charles's home always stand out to me as an elegant example.
The fun thing about wall decals is that they can be used to highlight specific features of your space, like these vibrant leaves that made the stairs in the Rainbow Room Makeover into an indoor jungle moment.
Even though decals are smaller than rolls of wallpaper, they can still be used to fill large spaces ... just look at our BeautyCon booth, adorned with decal gems!
Of course, I couldn't discuss decals without showing off the dinosaurs from Colleen's nursery! These decals were actually created from paintings I made. You can find businesses online where you can upload your own artwork and they will size it out, print it as a decal, and ship it to you!
I love this idea so much, I can't believe I've never done it! This awesome, easy, and super-removable wall art is courtesy of Creative Weirdo Blandine!
This project is a bit more involved, but such an immersive way to get that trendy Modern Farmhouse style in an apartment or rental unit! This shiplap wall in Lily Marston's apartment is entirely mounted with removable strips, meaning no wall damage whatsoever!
Instead of white wood, we used pale, whitewashed wood planks in this Beachy Bedroom Makeover for a relaxed, bohemian take on the project.
Also don't forget Colleen's chevron wood wall! We have a DIY tutorial just for that, so all you need are the supplies and the time and we'll walk you through how to get this effect!
We mentioned the much loved, oft used Gallery Wall in our recent 25 DIYs to Do While Stuck At Home video, but it's time to expand on that notion. This gallery wall from the Weirdly Shaped Apartment Makeover was hung using Command strips! Don't let an inability to create holes in your walls stop you from hanging things!
Another great gallery wall was this one from the Color Trends Apartment Makeover. I used some paint to create most of the artwork up on the wall, so the focus is on the family photos! You don't need to have a massive art collection to fill up your wall space ... just make your own!
Once you have a gallery wall set up, you can play around with switching different art or photos in and out! We have a gallery wall in our dining room, and I change it up every once in a while to give the room and house a different feel!
You may wonder why I started "The Big Stuff" section with cleaning ... but this really is the biggest thing! Nothing will make you feel more cramped and confined in your rental (especially if it's a small one) than clutter. Just look at the difference some organization made in Tiny's Bedroom Makeover!
For families who rent, toys are another big thing that can create clutter. My mantra is that everything should have its place ... so that's exactly what we did for this Garage Playroom Makeover!
A lot of rental units are already carpeted. You can't help that. But that does not mean that you need to embrace the existing carpeting if it does not work with your design. There is nothing — I repeat nothing!! — wrong with putting a rug over carpet. Look at how much this rug lightened up Andrea Brooks' space.
We also used this trick in the $10,000 Room Makeover!
A key thing to remember for this is to consider if heavy furniture will be on top of the rug, and if so, to find a rug that is strong enough to not buckle where the weight is ... you can see this at work in the Rainbow Room Makeover below.
Also, as demonstrated in this Under $200 Bedroom Makeover, you don't need to choose a fluffy or shag rug! We chose more of a woven rug for this space and it worked excellently.
SOS! Do you have Wall-i-tis? To diagnose, look around your room ... is all of your furniture lining the walls? This is one of the most common issues we see in spaces, but are you ready for the bright side? It's completely free to fix! Just reconsider your layout and rearrange your furniture to a better layout. The difference is enormous, as seen in the Under $1000 Home Makeover!
Here, in the Under $300 Living Room Makeover, just moving the sofa off of the wall made the biggest difference to the flow of the room, and actually made it seem larger!
If you have an open concept space like Jessie Paege's, this rule is especially important to you. Get creative with the floor space you have to create a space that feels inviting and interesting.
Sometimes just moving one piece makes all the difference! For this Garage Playroom Makeover, we positioned the DIY table desk diagonally into the room and it completely changed the entire vibe.
For renters, or anyone averse to putting holes in their walls, shelves are still an option for you! Consider getting an etagere or two, like we have in our living room.
These etageres are really seen to great effect in Paula's Pink Bedroom. We chose lucite options, which makes them seem like floating shelves, even though they are standing structures!
Another option is a leaning bookshelf or two, as we used in this Breaking Beige Nursery!
If you're in a DIY mood though, or prefer a more bohemian look, may I suggest these DIY Rope Shelves?
Repeat after me: vertical blinds are the enemy! So many rental spaces have these unfortunate features, but they are easy to get rid of and easy to replace if you have the desire. You can unclip the blinds and clip in some curtains for an easy replacement ... or remove the track alltogether and opt for some window film, like we used in Lilly Singh's Office Makeover!
I may be biased when I say this, since I am also a jewelry designer, but making something look its best is all about the accessories! The easiest accessory for your home? Some DIY artwork! Try an idea like this Drip Paint Bicycle from the Under $300 Living Room, and use the previous idea of damage-free hanging to display it!
One of my favorite tricks though, especially with smaller spaces, is to always have one big piece of art. If you have some willing friends/ family members/ roommates, try this DIY Acrylic Pour Art like we did for the Dolan Twins' Dining Room!
One of the most oft-recreated pieces of art is this DIY Dragged Paint Art from Cloe Couture's Apartment! No extra hands needed for this one, just a squeegee!
If you're not sure about all that pattern though, consider a simple painted canvas. We used this as a trick to bring some color into the No-Paint-Allowed Office Goals spaces.
It also worked great as a updated bulletin/ inspiration board in Shizen's Apartment!
A lot of rentals come with old, or pretty basic hardware. An easy facelift for a kitchen or bathroom is to switch those pulls and knobs out for something more your style! We used this trick in the Under $300 Kitchen Makeover, so you know it's affordable!
This idea isn't just for kitchens or bathrooms, though! Give your dresser or nightstand a new finish with some fancy new knobs! Some of my favorite knobs we ever used were these crystal ones in Andrea Brooks's Bedroom!
Like the removable wallpaper idea, just on a smaller scale. If you have a fridge, counter, or surface that could use a new facade, buy a roll of contact paper and get to work! We used marble contact paper to update this fridge in Tati's Glam Room!
For a tutorial on applying contact paper, check out this DIY Marble Table!
Sometimes the best projects are the ones hiding right before your eyes! I've always been a major proponent for upcycling, since it's cost-efficient, environmentally-friendly, and super creative! One of my favorite upcycled projects was this DIY Shadowbox Table, which we literally turned upside down to give new life!
Bar carts are all the rage right now, but if you don't have one yourself ... consider DIY-ing it? All this project needed was an old suitcase and some table legs, and the end product is oh-so-Instagrammable.
Any old school Creative Weirdos probably recognize this DIY Stick Chair! I took an old and beat up accent chair, some paint, fabric, and sticks sourced from nature, and created this whimsical seating option.
Since leases and rental agreements tend to be rather restrictive with rules, renters can end up feeling limited and make safe choices in all aspects of their apartment/ home design. But a bunch of bland/ safe choices just make for an uninspiring space. Break out of our your (beige) rut with some color and pattern ... even with just one thing like this easy DIY Banana Art!
If the bananas are a little too bold for you, try making art out of just one color, like we did for this triptych from Joslyn Davis' Studio!
But how about painting not paper ... but curtains?! This project is from my book, A Hot Glue Gun Mess, but I also made a video tutorial of it!
Recessed lights are a fact of life ... you can't change that they are a very common feature in rental spaces, but you can change them out. We used recessed conversion kits in spaces like Eva Gutowski's Bedroom to install pretty pendants that just fit right into the lightbulb socket of the recessed light!
We also used these in the Dolan Twins' Dining Room, to emphasize the lighting over the dining table. There are so many options available online for lights like these!
Admittedly, this one is a little hard to do without making at least one hole, but a ceiling hole is more easily covered up and disguised than wall holes, and if that's the tiny price to pay for some major overhead mood lighting ... it's worth it! It's so nice to be able to hang a light where there wasn't one before, like here in Mia Stammer's Living Room!
You could even DIY your own swag light like we did for this Playroom Makeover!
These hanging lights really work in almost any space in the home! I loved using a swag light as a bedside light instead of a lamp in this Tween Bedroom Makeover.
But that doesn't mean that lamps don't have their place. A designer's trick for lighting is to make sure that there are light sources at different heights/ levels in a room. This is where lamps come into play. If you're looking for a fun project, I have always loved this DIY Cement Lamp we made!
Or a DIY approach that works for either table or floor lamps are these Floral Lampshades!
I think that renters often forget about sconces as a lighting option, since they seem too permanent/ too much work to install. But! There are so many plug-in sconce options available, and they can have such an impact on a room, like this swing arm sconce did in James Charles' Home.
We also used a plug-in sconce in Eva Gutowski's room to create a cozy lighting situation for her windowsill nook!
Here is a set of double sconces in Joey Graceffa's Gaming Room, adding some symmetrical, stylish light to his dark and enchanting space.
Plug-in sconces are close to home for me ... because they're literally in my home! When I wasn't enjoying having lamps on our bedside tables anymore because they took up too much space, I opted for plug-in sconces hung above the tables instead!
Our last idea! While a mirror isn't technically a source of light, it is the best way to emphasize and augment the light you already have in your home. A big mirror can do wonders for a small space to really make it seem much brighter, open, and more spacious, like here in Shizen's Boho Glam Apartment.
Another major mirror moment in Alisha Marie's bedroom!
Here in Charley's Bedroom, I placed the mirror opposite the windows, so it would reflect the natural light back across the room and really brighten up the space!
Also don't forget that a mirror can also be a DIY moment like this Painted Positivity Mirror from Andrea Russett's Guest Bedroom!
It's nearing May, and in Los Angeles, that means it's starting to get hot!! While we're all still staying at home, Joey and I thought we should make the best of this time to transform our backyard from basic to baby's dreamland! We shopped from a lot of small or local businesses to fill the space with lots of activities and areas for our family of 3 to enjoy together.
Check it out below and watch the episode above for all that + a visit to The LaBrant Fam!
Shop our backyard!:
Horse Swing
Outdoor Bed
Silver Speedster (similar)
Radio Flyer Wagon
Activity Table (similar)
Activity Table (similar)
Mud Kitchen
Pool
Swing (similar)
We're living in unprecedented times, with a global pandemic putting the lives we lead on hold and forcing everyone indoors for the greater good. Here in LA, we have a "Safer At Home" mandate that keeps us pretty much inside except for picking up essentials or taking walks/ runs. But! Being stuck at home doesn't need to mean being stuck. This is an amazing time to get in touch with your inner creative weirdo and to take all that pent up creative energy and all those ideas you've had out on the very four walls that contain you.
I've compiled 25 projects from our past videos and makeovers to inspire you to give your home and your creative side a little love! Watch the video above for more details, and check out pictures and links to all the projects below!
1. Accent Wall
A simple project, but an effective one! This works best in rooms like bedrooms, dining rooms, and living rooms, and can be done in a bright color or something more neutral. As long as it makes an impact!
See more of this pink wall from PauTip's OMGWACO episode here!
This more neutral bedroom accent wall is from our recent OMGWACO episode with Jason Nash!
Here is a great dining room example from a makeover that was all about color!
And of course, our very own living room with a dramatic black accent wall!
2. Brush Stroke Wall
One of our most recreated and beloved DIY's, from Tati's Beauty Room Makeover. This project requires almost no technical skill to create a big impact!
3. Minimalist Mountain Mural
Another wall idea that really doesn't require much technical skill, just some tape and some paint!
This geometric version was from our Under $1000 House Makeover.
Whereas this more freehand version was done by Jordan in our Design Vs. Design Kids episode!
4. Mudcloth Wall
Another popular DIY that is often recreated, this major statement of a mural originated in Mia Stammer's Boho Makeover!
5. Drip Paint Wall
Who wants to get a little messy? Then this colorful and incredibly fun DIY from Jessie Paege's Rainbow Makeover is certainly for you. If you don't have the syringes we used at home, just improvise with cups!
This technique was also used by Dalya in our Design Vs. Design Kids episode. She dripped paint down a door, as well, which was so creative and turned out amazing!
6. Lyric Wall
As seen in our bedroom makeover for Lilly Singh, this DIY idea doesn't need to just be for lyrics — any inspiring words would work!
7. Monochromatic Wall
This one is near and dear to me ... quite literally near because it's just down the hall! I painted a subtle black tree over the gray walls in Moon's nursery for a more subtle mural.
8. Rainbow Mural
On the absolute other side of the spectrum is the most colorful wall mural we've done! This one is sure to bring some happiness into your home, which would be great during trying times like these.
If you don't have all those paint colors, that's ok! As seen here in the Rainbow Baby Nursery Makeover, we created a rainbow with just a few hues.
This is a more mid-century modern take on the idea, as opposed to the traditional arch of the rainbow. It worked great in this Rainbow-Inspired Room!
9. Partially Painted Wall
Such a classic! As simple as this looks (and truly is), there is a specific technique to get your lines as crisp as possible, so make sure to read up on that before getting started!
As seen with a subtle gray in the Under $300 Bedroom Makeover!
Or a more colorful peach in PatrickStarrr's Beauty Room Makeover!
But if you're looking to get a little extra creative and a little extra weird with it, consider this diagonal version, a la the Under $300 Kids Room Makeover.
Or go all out and split your room into two tones! This is from one of my favorite makeovers, LaurDIY's Office!
10. Faux Marble
It's not just a trend! Marble is here to stay. So while you're stuck inside, why not master painting your own faux marble instead of trying to save up for the real thing?
If you're feeling like you've mastered the art of the faux marble, think about taking it on as a mural, to get the same effect as seen in Alisha Marie's Bedroom Makeover!
11. Fairy Twinkle Lights
Who doesn't love the extra glow from a set of twinkle lights? But instead of making your place look like Christmas came early, we have a few tricks to bring your lights to a new level.
I love to layer twinkle lights behind curtains, as seen in the recent OMGWACO with Jason Nash!
This makeover was dedicated to the amazing Fairy Light Canopy. Get the DIY steps here!
A different approach, that works better if you have the wired lights instead of the ones with a thicker cord, is to make use the lights to hang your photos! Get the DIY steps for this project here!
12. Decoupage Table Top or Art
A throwback for any old school Creative Weirdo! This project has taken on a few different forms over the years, since it has nearly endless creative potential.
Get the steps for this DIY here!
In the Under $300 Living Room Makeover, I used the same technique to make a wooden table top look like stone!
For the same room, I decoupaged this planetary wall art! Get the DIY step here!
13. Tufted Headboard
While these projects are a bit more ambitious, we all have the time ... and hey, you'll be creating something that you'll have and use for years to come? As I like to say: Why Not?
Get the DIY Steps for this Tufted Mermaid Shell Headboard here!
Get the steps for this Framed Pillows Headboard here!
14. Stuffed Animal Headboard
As seen in Molly Burke's Bedroom Makeover, this project is a little more out there ... but you can always use the frame idea above to create it in a smaller way!
15. Faux Flowers
Another one of my favorite tricks! Flowers tend to show up in a lot of my projects — not only because I think they're beautiful, but because they bountiful creative capacity!
I love faux flowers so much, I decorated the entry room of the Mr. Kate office with them!
Get the DIY steps for this project here!
I've also used faux flowers to adorn the top of this teepee from this Bohemian Nursery Makeover.
As well as using them to create this floral nameplate art from the Rainbow Baby Nursery Makeover!
16. Paper Flowers
If you like the floral look but don't have any faux stems around, or are just looking for something a bit bigger ... consider this project from Adelaine Morin's Bedroom Makeover!
17. Paper Makeup Face
On the topic of paper projects, this DIY from PatrickStarrr's Beauty Room has always been one of my favorites. If you're at home with roommates, friends, or family, this would be a great project to do all together!
18. Palm Reading Art
Or, if you're inclined to make art inspired by a different body part, may I suggest this mystical, magical Palm Reading Art we did for Manny MUA's Living Room?
19. Paint Dipped Art
This project is great if you have some wall art around the house that you're frankly tired of. Breathe new life into something a little stale with ... what else? Some neon!
20. No Sew Throw Pillows
Since you're probably spending quite a bit of time lounging on the sofa or in bed, why not spruce up that space with new pillows? No sewing machine needed!
21. Gallery Wall
If you've had some wall art or photos laying around and have never figured out what the right way to hang them is, now is the time! I have a Gallery Wall, 3 Ways video that spells out some tried and true methods for creating and hanging the perfect layout for you.
One of my firm rules for a gallery wall, as seen in all of these examples, is that you want to minimize the amount of photos of people used. Balance out your favorite picture with some art or more general imagery, so everyone knows what the main focus is and no one gets overwhelmed by the amount of eyes staring back at them from the wall.
22. Shelf Styling
What better time to get your shelfie just right? As with gallery walls, I have some go-to rules for shelf styling, which you should take a look at! Generally speaking though, I would say it's all about balance ... or lack there of. Play around with placement and don't keep things the same on every shelf!
23. Make Your Bed
I don't mean in the morning chore way! What I mean is that there's more to a bed than some covers and your sleeping pillows. Treat that space with some throw pillows (maybe DIY-ed ones?), a blanket, and some styling. It will be all the more rewarding when you arrive in your room to sleep to see your bed looking like something out of a hotel!
24. Decorating with Plants
Now, if you don't have plants, this isn't a reason to go out to the stores unnecessarily to buy them ... there are a lot of places that sell plants online, or you can just find a new place or way to display the plants you already have at home. Think about gathering them together ... and remember that smaller plants can make an impact too!
25. The Pillow Karate Chop
Last but far from least ... this move has been implemented in just about every single room makeover I've ever done. Bring your pillows back up to form by giving them a swift karate chop on top. It helps them stand better, look fuller, and be just way more appealing than if they were squished and limp. Try it now and thank me later!
