I Turned My Plain Rental Walls into a Cozy Cottage for $10

As I take down my winter decorations, I'm realizing just how plain the walls in my rental are looking, so today I'm giving them a cozy cottage refresh for just $10 and bringing you along for the process. I have a few ideas in mind, but there are still a couple areas I'm struggling to figure out, so we'll see if we can pull this all together. First up, I'm swapping out my evergreen wall art for something a little more springy. I've always struggled to thrift the perfect frame and artwork together, so a few years ago I came up with a simple solution. I found a print on Etsy, had it printed at Staples, and built this faux frame from a few pieces of scrap wood. It's nothing fancy, but it fills the space nicely and lets me switch out the artwork whenever the seasons change. This print is one I already owned, so this update cost me nothing, but it already makes the wall feel a little warmer and more lived in. Right next to the accent wall is another wall that's looking very plain these days. We'll be coming back to that one in a bit, but for now I want to focus on this cozy little white chair where I like to add a bit more color to the room. Now that winter is long gone, I'm more than ready to put this evergreen pillowcase away and swap it for something a little brighter. This pillowcase was actually thrifted with that exact purpose in mind. I wanted an accent pillow that picked up the same colors as the artwork I just hung to help tie everything together. One thing that's been really helpful in my decorating journey is choosing just a handful of core colors and repeating them throughout a space. It makes the room feel more cohesive and over time it becomes much easier to thrift pieces that fit right in. Now back in the living room, I have this picture frame on this wall that is long overdue for a swap. I was hoping to buy a new print online, but when I couldn't find just the right one, I came across this pretty free print on a blog that I thought could do. But of course, my printer was out of ink. I didn't feel up to the adventure of going out to town for some new ink, so I decided I'd just have to improvise. Now when it comes to painting, watercolor is typically my go-to, but I couldn't imagine watercolor and blue ink from the printer making a good combination, so I settled on acrylic paint. Something I feel like I haven't actually put on paper since my high school art days, so we'll see how this turns out. While my artwork is drying, I want to show you my idea for the plainest wall in the living room. I'm thinking of dressing it up with some fabric, so I've been laying everything out to make sure the colors work together. I think the artwork and pillow are a pretty good match, but these fabrics still feel like they're missing something, and I keep coming back to green. So let's run to the fabric store and see if we can find the piece that pulls it all together. This green isn't quite the shade I was hoping for, but I think it might work. I suppose only time will tell. For this bare wall, my plan is to make a pennant banner. I see them all over Pinterest and think they're just about the cutest things ever. The only problem is, I've never actually made one before, and if I'm being honest, I'm definitely a beginner and not exactly the most careful at measuring out my sewing projects. You know that about cooking with your heart instead of measuring? Well, that's how I feel when I approach sewing projects, so hopefully this all works out. The dough my son and I were working on earlier has now proofed long enough in the fridge and is ready for scoring. I've always found myself naturally drawn to decorating and creative projects. While the kitchen is an area I'm still growing in, so whenever I can, I try and bring a little creativity into my baking too. It may not make the bread taste any better, but taking a few extra moments to score a simple design into the loaf somehow makes the whole process feel just a little more special. Before I sew my pennant banner, I want to tackle this wall. I've actually been dreaming about making it feel more cottage-like for months, but I've kept talking myself out of it. A big reason for that is this accent mole. Years ago, I created a renter-friendly faux shiplap effect, but I did it horizontally. Ever since, I've convinced myself that if I wanted the cozy cottage look I was after, I'd first have to erase it all and start over with vertical shiplap. And honestly, that felt like far more work than I was willing to take on in this season. But recently, I came across a cottage home that had both horizontal and vertical shiplap in the same room, and for the first time, I thought, maybe I've actually been overthinking this the whole time. Maybe this wall doesn't have to wait until everything else is perfect. And since trying it cost me absolutely nothing, I figured there was no harm in seeing where the idea leads. It's at this point where what should have been a simple living room refresh started to feel more like Mount Everest. My shiplap wall remained half-finished, and my sewing project sat tucked away in a drawer for months. I just couldn't seem to find the energy or motivation to keep going. Though, I do have to say it was for good reason. It is with so much excitement that I'm finally able to share that my husband and I are expecting our second baby this fall. I'm currently 19 weeks along with the same little baby we were initially told more than likely never made it and to prepare for miscarriage. We are incredibly grateful to God for this precious little miracle and can't wait to welcome them into our family. And while the first few months left me with very little energy for projects around the house, it finally feels like some of that creativity has returned. I have to say it feels so good to be back creating again, both in my home and here on YouTube. And if I'm being honest, I already can't wait to start making all the cute little things for this baby too. But for now, I'll keep plucking away at this banner. I think my banner is coming along quite nicely considering I've been winging it this entire time. But before I can hang it up, it's finally time to finish this shiplap wall. To create this look, I simply drew vertical lines with a pencil and am now coming back through with a paper towel to soften and thicken them. And honestly, the result is surprisingly convincing. A few years ago, I had a maintenance man come by and he actually reached out and touched the wall because he thought I'd somehow installed real shiplap in the rental. I'd call that a renter-friendly win, especially considering it costs absolutely nothing. The only thing in this entire cottage refresh that cost me money was this banner. All I needed was a couple rolls of bias tape and a small piece of green fabric, which the total came to $10. And speaking of which, let's see how it looks. I have to say, I think the green turned out surprisingly perfect. Anything darker would have stood out too much, but this feels like it belongs here. And before I forget, my little painting has long since dried and has been patiently waiting for its spot on the wall. While this room is far from finished, it's amazing how a few simple changes can completely change how a space feels. The walls no longer feel quite so plain, and the room feels a whole lot cozier and more cottage-like than it did this morning. Sometimes, I think creating a home isn't about getting everything perfect. It's about slowly adding pieces you love and enjoying the process along the way. Friend, I want to thank you for spending a part of your day with me. I hope you have a lovely week, and I'll see you next time.