7 Illinois Suburban Homes With DIY Décor That Feels Designer-Made
Ever walked into someone’s home and thought, ‘Wow, did they hire a decorator?’ only to discover they crafted everything themselves? I’ve toured some of Illinois’ most charming suburban nests where homeowners turned everyday materials into jaw-dropping décor. These crafty suburbanites prove you don’t need a fat wallet to create spaces that look straight out of a magazine – just some imagination, elbow grease, and perhaps a glue gun or two!
1. Naperville Farmhouse Fantasy
Holy shiplap, Batman! Jennifer’s 1990s cookie-cutter home underwent a stunning transformation with nothing but paint, some salvaged barn wood, and her husband’s reluctant assistance. I nearly fell over when she told me those ‘custom’ kitchen cabinets were actually big-box store basics with added trim and antique hardware.
The dining room features a table made from an old door she rescued from a demolition site. ‘My neighbors thought I was dumpster diving,’ she laughed. ‘Now they ask for decorating advice!’
2. Evanston Mid-Century Miracle
Marcus and David turned their 1950s bungalow into a mid-century wonderland without breaking the bank. The showstopper? A room divider crafted from thrifted wooden dowels and brass fittings that had me picking my jaw up off their polished concrete floors.
Their living room boasts framed vintage record covers that cost pennies but look like museum pieces. ‘We couldn’t afford the furniture we loved,’ Marcus confessed, ‘so we learned to build it instead.’ Their walnut coffee table? A $30 woodworking class and some YouTube tutorials.
3. Schaumburg Boho Basement Breakthrough
Priya transformed her dreary basement into a bohemian paradise that would make Anthropologie executives sweat. The hanging macramé chair? She made it after a single workshop. Those gorgeous tapestries? Hand-dyed using vegetable scraps from her kitchen!
‘My husband thought I was crazy when I dragged home all those wooden pallets,’ she giggled. Now those pallets form a stunning accent wall that’s been featured in three home décor blogs.
My favorite touch: the collection of mismatched vintage mirrors she spray-painted gold and arranged in a sunburst pattern. Pure genius on a shoestring!
4. Oak Park Literary Loft
English professor Elaine turned her attic into a bibliophile’s dream using nothing but creativity and Facebook Marketplace finds. The ceiling-mounted bookshelf that spans the entire room? Built from scratch using pipes and reclaimed wood from a demolished local theater.
Her reading nook features window seats fashioned from old kitchen cabinets topped with cushions she sewed herself. ‘My students think I’m wealthy,’ she chuckled. ‘Little do they know I’m just crafty and patient.’
The vintage library ladder came from a barn sale for $25. After some sanding and a coat of chalk paint, it looks like it costs thousands.
5. Wilmette Coastal Cottage Conversion
Lake Michigan might be freshwater, but you’d swear you were in Cape Cod stepping into Sarah’s suburban split-level. The weathered ‘driftwood’ wall treatment? Actually fence boards she aged herself with vinegar and steel wool. I tested her technique in my own bathroom – magical results!
Sarah’s nautical rope stair railing had me doing a double-take. ‘My husband thought I was nuts drilling into our staircase,’ she confessed over homemade lemonade. But the result looks straight out of a luxury beach resort.
Even her light fixtures deserve applause – ordinary pendant lights transformed with rope wrapping and seashells collected during family vacations.
6. Glen Ellyn’s Green Haven
Green living takes center stage in this Glen Ellyn home. The rooftop garden is not just a visual delight but a practical solution for sustainable living. From tomatoes to tulips, this garden reflects the homeowner’s commitment to eco-friendliness and self-sufficiency.
This garden isn’t merely for show; it’s a functional space that provides fresh produce throughout the year. The vibrant plants and flowers add a splash of color, making this home a standout in the neighborhood. It’s an inspiring tale of how sustainable practices can be seamlessly integrated into suburban life.
7. Hinsdale Heritage Home Revival
Walking into the Johnson family’s 1920s Hinsdale bungalow feels like stepping into a perfectly curated antique showroom, except everything has been lovingly restored by their own hands. Old wooden chairs rescued from garage sales now sport custom chalk paint finishes that complement the home’s original hardwood floors.
The living room centerpiece, a massive bookshelf wall, was constructed entirely by homeowner Mark using reclaimed barn wood and vintage hardware. What appears to be expensive wallpaper in the dining room is actually a hand-stenciled pattern Lisa painstakingly applied over three weekends.
Their most impressive feat? The kitchen island that looks like imported marble but is actually concrete they poured and polished themselves, saving nearly $3,000 while creating a conversation piece guests can’t stop touching to confirm it isn’t the real thing.
