Nesting With Grace

by Brooke Christen

6 Simple DIYs That Instantly Upgrade Any Space

October 13, 2026

One of my favorite parts of putting Ella’s dorm together was finding little ways to make a very basic space feel cozy and more like her. We didn’t do anything complicated or permanent, just a handful of DIY projects that added warmth, personality, and function. These are five simple DIY ideas that can work in a dorm, apartment, rental, bedroom, or really anywhere you want to add a little more character.

1. Add Café Curtains Where You Want to Hide the Clutter

I love using café curtains in unexpected places! For Ella’s dorm, we hemmed a pair to fit under her desk, which gave the basic desk an instant upgrade while hiding all of the storage underneath.

But this little trick definitely isn’t just for desks. At home, I’ve used café curtains above our mini fridge.

Inside a cabinet to hide things I don’t necessarily want on display.

And over our washer and dryer in the laundry nook to our bedroom. How to do it: Measure the opening you want to cover and hem your café curtain to the length you need. I like using iron-on hem tape for an easy no-sew option, but you can also sew a simple hem. Hang them using a rod or tension rod. That’s it!

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They’re such an easy way to soften a space, add a little pattern or texture, and hide the not-so-pretty stuff at the same time. And because you can hem them to whatever length you need, you can make them work in so many different spots.

2. Transform a Wall With Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper

Peel-and-stick wallpaper is one of my favorite ways to completely change the feel of a room without making a permanent commitment.

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How to do it: Start with a clean, dry wall and measure the area before cutting your first piece. Peel back just a small section of the backing, line the wallpaper up at the top, and slowly work your way down, smoothing out bubbles as you go with wallpaper smoother. Overlap or line up the next panel according to the pattern, then trim the excess along the edges with a razor.

Use it on one statement wall, behind a bed, inside a nook, or even on the back of a bookshelf. A little pattern or color can make an otherwise basic space feel so much more intentional.

3. Hang a Pendant Light From the Ceiling

Good lighting can completely change a room, and adding a pendant light is an easy way to get more light without taking up precious floor or tabletop space.

How to do it: Decide where you want your light to hang and install a ceiling hook that is rated to hold the weight of your pendant. Hang the cord from the hook, adjust it to the height you want, and run the cord toward the nearest outlet.

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Hang one over a desk, bedside table, reading corner, or anywhere that could use a little extra light.

4. Convert a Pendant Light to Plug In

Have you ever found the perfect pendant light only to realize it needs to be hardwired?

How-To: A hardwired pendant can usually be converted to plug into a regular outlet by adding a properly rated replacement plug. Follow the instructions included with your conversion kit and the light fixture, making sure all connections are secure and enclosed. Because this involves electrical wiring, if you aren’t comfortable doing it yourself, have an electrician or someone experienced with electrical work make the conversion for you.

Once converted, the light can be hung from a ceiling hook and plugged into a regular wall outlet. It’s a simple change that can turn a light you love into something that works almost anywhere.

5. Hang Mugs Under Your Cabinets

This is one of those tiny projects that’s both practical and cute.

How-To: Figure out how many mugs you want to hang and space them out underneath the cabinet before you start. Mark each spot, then use a small drill bit to make a starter hole for each one. Just make sure your drill bit is smaller than the hook crew and that you don’t drill all the way through the cabinet! Once the hooks are in, hang your favorite mugs.

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It’s such a simple way to free up cabinet space while putting your cutest mugs on display and frees up cabinet space! It’s especially helpful in small kitchens where every inch of storage matters.

6. Turn Leftover Tile Into Wall Decor

We had a few story tiles left over from our fireplace project at home, and instead of letting them go to waste, we found the perfect spot for them above the sink in Ella’s little dorm kitchen. They added color and personality to the blank wall above the sink, while also giving that little splash zone a bit of extra coverage.

Quick How-To:We simply figured out the placement and used heavy-duty Command Strips rated for the weight of the tiles to attach them to the wall. Just be sure to follow the weight limits and directions on the strips you use. Such an easy way to turn leftover tile into art and add a little personality to a blank wall!

Small Changes, Big Impact

None of these projects require a complete renovation. They’re just simple ways to make the space you already have work and look a little cozier. Hide the clutter under a desk. Add some pattern to a blank wall. Bring in better lighting. Find a creative way to use unused space. Sometimes those little changes are exactly what a room needs.

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