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Home decor enthusiasts are naturally creative—styling a shelf or arranging a room takes the same artistic eye used in crafting DIY decor. By picking up a craft hobby, you can deepen your love for design, create the pieces you’ve always wished for (often for less than buying new), and enjoy the soothing benefits of hands-on work. There’s something incredibly satisfying about making something from scratch, and even more rewarding when it perfectly suits your style and space. Best of all, you don’t need to be an expert. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or just a beginner, decorating with your own creations adds a personal, meaningful touch to your home. The following list of hobbies that double as home decor is here to inspire you to lean into your creativity and bring your space to life.
Related: 15 Mindful (and Fun) Adult Hobbies You Can Do from the Comfort of Your Home
1. Rug Tufting
Rug tufting, a technique that involves inserting loops of yarn into a base, has become increasingly popular in recent years. It produces vibrant, sculptural objects that can work as rugs or wall hangings. These fuzzy art pieces add coziness and a groovy feel to whatever room they’re in. You can tuft with a punch needle, but most people use a tufting gun for faster results.
2. Ceramics
The hobby of ceramics can result in countless pieces of home decor, from vases and platters to artful plates and bowls. You can even fill your cupboards with dishes you designed yourself and enjoy the daily satisfaction of using something handmade. Ceramics offer a creative way to craft practical objects that reflect your personal style. To get started, look up ceramic studios in your area. Many offer one-time classes for beginners and memberships if you decide to dive deeper into the hobby.
Related: How to Paint Terra-cotta Pots to Decorate Your Home
3. Folk Painting
Many cultures have a folk painting tradition used to embellish furniture, cabinets, trim, and more. Mimicking a folk painting style will add color and decoration to your home with very few materials, just brushes and paint. Personalizing your existing items with folk paintings can help you transform hand-me-down furniture or found vintage pieces into something you truly love. To get started, research the folk painting tradition from your cultural heritage or check out a range of styles to find one you like. Then, practice painting on paper before transitioning to objects.
4. Embroidery
The soothing hobby of embroidery brings color and texture to a range of existing home decor. Embroidery, the art of stitching decorative designs onto fabric with needle and thread, has been used for centuries to adorn pillows, wall hangings, seat cushions, and clothing. A beginner stitch sampler kit is a great way to get started. These kits will teach you the foundational stitches and typically include all the essential supplies.
5. Quilting
Quilting is a versatile craft that can become part of a legacy you pass down for generations. At its core, quilting involves stitching together layers of fabric, often in intricate patterns, to create both beautiful and functional items. You can start with something as simple as a coaster and gradually work your way up to a blanket you’ll treasure for decades. Quilt projects can also double as wall decor, table runners, bed linens, and more. If you’re curious about quilting but don’t have a sewing machine, many communities offer sewing rooms where you can take classes or use equipment to work on your projects.
6. Crochet
Crochet is a versatile hobby that produces a diverse range of objects and textiles. It involves using a hooked needle to loop yarn into patterns, allowing you to create everything from blankets and plant hangers to wall hangings and doilies. The style of crochet pieces can range from traditional to vintage to boho, making it a hobby that easily aligns with your unique interior style.
Related: This Cute Crochet Owl Basket Is a Simple Project for Beginners
7. Decoupage
Decoupage is a simple craft technique that involves cutting out pieces of decorative paper and gluing them onto surfaces to create custom designs. With just paper, adhesive, and a sealant, you can completely transform furniture, storage boxes, and home accessories like picture frames. After arranging your cutouts on the item, you apply a protective adhesive—often a product like Mod Podge—to seal everything in place and give it a smooth, finished look. While decoupage is commonly linked to a charming cottage style, the possibilities are endless. You can layer images for a rich, collage effect or use clean, bold shapes to give items a modern, graphic update.
Related: Dress Up a Drum Shade with Watercolor Fabric
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