3 DIY Ideas to Dominate Your Valentine's Day Decor

DIY Valentine's day carfts

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, it's time to start thinking about ways to embellish our space for the super sweet holiday. Thankfully, decorating for Valentine's Day doesn't need to involve shiny diamonds and fancy chocolate. You can use materials around your home to spice things up in a creative way. To get you started, here are three easy DIY projects to take on. The best part is that all three are beginner-friendly and don't require expensive materials. It doesn't get any better than that.

Burlap Heart Wreath

DIY Valentine's Day heart burlap wreath

  • Scrap cardboard
  • Burlap
  • Faux flower
  • Scissors
  • Marker or pen
  • Hot glue gun

Step 1 - Gather Your Supplies

burlap wreath supplies

To make your homemade burlap heart wreath, round up your materials. Because this project requires inexpensive supplies, this is an extremely budget-friendly way to decorate for Valentine's Day.

For example, you can use scrap cardboard from old cardboard boxes or food packaging. It's an excellent way to recycle while sprucing up your space. Burlap can be re-used from old coffee or rice bags. You can also purchase burlap at your local fabric store. Lastly, simple and pretty faux flowers can be found at the craft or dollar store. Don't forget to snip off the stem with pliers before starting this project.

Step 2 - Draw Heart Shapes

draw hearts on cardboard

Using the marker, draw a large heart on the scrap cardboard. The size is totally up to you. This will determine how big your finished wreath is. You can even use up the entire piece of cardboard, if you'd like.

Draw a smaller heart in the center. This will be the piece that you cut out.

Don't be afraid to play around. Continue re-drawing the heart outlines as many times as you need to achieve the size that you like.

Step 3 - Cut the Cardboard

cut cardboard wreath

Using the scissors, cut around the outline of the large heart.

Carefully pierce the smaller heart shape with the scissors. This will allow you to cut this part out without cutting through the large heart.

Cut the cardboard until you reach the outline of the smaller heart. Remember, this part will be cut out and discarded. Focus on reaching the outer edge.

Once you reach the outline, cut along it to remove the inner heart piece.

Keep cutting along the outline to completely remove the smaller heart. This step will create a heart-shaped wreath shape.

Step 4 - Cut the Burlap

cut burlap strips

Using the scissors, cut the burlap fabric into long strips. The thickness of each strip will depend on the size of your wreath. For best results, create burlap strips that are the same thickness as the heart shape.

Step 5 - Glue to the Wreath

glue burlap to make wreath

Hot glue one end of the first burlap strip to the cardboard wreath.

Step 6 - Wrap Around

wrap burlap around wreath

Wrap the burlap around the cardboard. Apply hot glue every now and then to ensure extra security.

Keep adding burlap strips as needed. The number of strips required will depend on the length of the strips and the size of the burlap.

Continue wrapping until the entire heart is covered with burlap. Hot glue the end in place.

Step 7 - Add the Flower

glue flower on burlap wreath

Hot glue the faux flower to the wreath.

Step 8 - Hang Up

hang finished burlap valentine's day wreath

And just like that, you can decorate your space with a brand new wreath. To do this, you can tie a strand of ribbon or rope to the wreath and hang it up on a hook. This is an optional step that will depend on your space and hook fixtures that you own. You can also simply place the wreath directly onto a wreath hanger.

Time: 30 minutes || Cost: $7

XOXO Trinket Dish:

diy trinket dish

  • Parchment paper
  • Wooden rolling pin
  • Small bowl
  • Air dry clay
  • Metallic permanent or paint marker
  • Acrylic paint
  • Decoupage
  • Foam paint brushes

Step 1 - Gather Your Supplies

dish supplies

Round up your materials to make a trinket dish. Keep in mind that you don't have to use white acrylic paint. Feel free to use any color that suits your taste and style.

Step 2 - Roll the Clay

rolling clay

Protect your work space with parchment paper. Using the rolling pin, flatten the clay ball into a circle. Make sure the thickness of the circle is even throughout the entire piece.

Air-dry clay is very forgiving. If you mess up, simply roll it into a ball and try again.

Step 3 - Mold the Clay

diy trinket dish

Place the clay on top of the small bowl to mold it into a shallow trinket dish. You can also turn the bowl over and use the outside to shape the clay.

Leave the clay to air dry for two to three days or according to the package's directions.

Step 4 - Paint

paint dish

Once the clay has hardened, use the foam brush to apply a layer of acrylic paint to the dish.

Leave the paint to dry. Take care to avoid touching it while it dries.

Step 5 - Draw XOXO

valentine's day trinket dish

Using the marker, draw "XOXO" across the dish. This will create a repeating pattern.

Step 6 - Seal

seal trinket dish

Protect your dish with a layer of clear decoupage. Let dry.

Your new dish is ready to dress up your vanity, book case, or desk!

Time: 35 minutes (prep time) & 3 days (drying time) || Cost: $9

Cupcake Toppers:

cupcake diy toppers

  • Toothpicks
  • Colored or printed card stock
  • Hot glue gun
  • Heart hole punch
  • Rhinestones (optional)
  • Ribbon (optional)
  • Gel or metallic pen (optional)
  • Scissors

Step 1 - Gather Your Materials

cupcake diy toppers

The supplies for this project are extremely simple and easy to find. You an even use toothpicks from your own kitchen. Scrap paper from past projects also work wonderfully for this project.

Step 2 - Punch Out the Hearts

cupcake diy toppers

Using the heart hole puncher, punch several hearts from the card stock of your choice.

Step 3 - Hot Glue

glue cupcake toppers to toothpicks

Adhere one heart to each toothpick. Make sure to glue the heart to the blunt side of the toothpick. This will allow the pointed end to pierce into the cupcake properly.

The quantity of toothpicks needed will depend on the number of cupcakes you are decorating.

More Ideas:

cupcake diy toppers

Use chalkboard paper and a gel pen to create fun messages for that special someone.

Take it up a notch by gluing rhinestones and tying ribbon around the toothpicks.

Time: 5 minutes || Cost: $3