Delaware DIY Projects To Tackle Before Sunday Dinner

Ever looked around your Delaware home on a weekend morning and thought, ‘I could transform something before the family arrives for dinner’? Sunday gatherings are a First State tradition, but so is our DIY spirit!

These quick home projects capture Delaware’s coastal charm and colonial heritage. They’re totally doable in just a few hours, leaving you plenty of time to prepare that roast chicken.

1. Refinish A Coastal-Inspired Entry Table

Grab that forgotten side table from your garage and transform it into a coastal showpiece! Sand down the surface until smooth, then apply a whitewash paint technique using watered-down blue or seafoam green.

While it dries, collect seashells from your last Rehoboth Beach trip. Arrange them in a pretty glass bowl to display atop your refreshed table. The combination creates an instant Delaware coastal vibe without a massive time commitment.

Your dinner guests will marvel at your crafty transformation. Just don’t tell them how simple it actually was!

2. Paint A Front Door In A Bold Colonial Hue

Nothing says ‘Delaware heritage’ quite like a statement front door! Choose a historically inspired color, think deep navy like the Delaware River, brick red like Old New Castle, or hunter green like our state parks.

Remove hardware first, then tape edges carefully. Two quick coats with a foam roller create magic in under two hours. The transformation will astonish your Sunday guests before they even ring the doorbell!

Bonus tip, coordinate your new door color with seasonal wreaths for maximum curb appeal that celebrates our state’s colonial roots.

3. Install Peel-And-Stick Shiplap In A Breakfast Nook

Channel Lewes harbor vibes with no carpentry skills required. Modern peel-and-stick shiplap panels transform boring walls into coastal charm central in under three hours. Measure your nook area, then simply cut, peel, and press.

The horizontal lines create an illusion of wider space, perfect for those charming but compact Delaware homes. White shiplap brightens the room while nodding to our maritime heritage.

Complete the look with a small shelf displaying local finds like Dogfish Head bottle caps or beach glass collected from Cape Henlopen. It’ll give you an authentic First State breakfast spot.

4. Build A Simple Window Box For Seasonal Flowers

Looking to add instant charm to your Delaware home? Window boxes are the perfect solution! Purchase pre-cut cedar boards from your local Wilmington hardware store. Assemble using waterproof wood glue and outdoor screws, the entire project takes just 90 minutes.

Mount beneath a front-facing window using sturdy brackets. Fill with potting soil and plant seasonal blooms, black-eyed Susans (our state flower) for summer or hardy mums for fall gatherings.

These boxes instantly elevate your home’s character while honoring Delaware’s agricultural heritage. Your Sunday dinner guests will appreciate this touch of natural beauty as they approach your welcoming home.

5. Create A Gallery Wall Featuring Delaware Landscapes

Celebrate our gorgeous state with a quick gallery wall. Print photos from your phone of Bombay Hook marshes, Brandywine Valley gardens, or Rehoboth sunsets. Grab affordable frames from Target in complementary colors.

Arrange frames on the floor first to perfect your layout. A mix of sizes creates visual interest, while keeping all frames the same color maintains elegance. Use removable hanging strips for damage-free installation in under an hour.

This personal touch showcases your Delaware adventures while giving dinner guests something meaningful to admire between courses!

6. Create A Nautical Rope Mirror For The Hallway

Transform an ordinary mirror into a coastal masterpiece that captures Delaware’s maritime heritage. Grab some sisal rope from the hardware store and a plain circular mirror from your local craft shop.

The process is surprisingly simple! Apply hot glue in small sections around the mirror’s edge, pressing the rope firmly as you work your way around. Two or three layers create the perfect thickness.

Many Delaware homes feature these nautical touches as a nod to our connection with the sea. Your guests will admire this handcrafted piece while waiting for dinner, and you’ll smile knowing it cost less than $25 to make.

7. Swap Out Old Hardware For Brushed Brass Or Matte Black

Cabinet and drawer pulls might seem like small details, but they make a huge impact on your kitchen’s overall feel. Hardware stores in Wilmington and Dover carry beautiful options that reflect Delaware’s blend of historic charm and modern sensibility.

Brushed brass adds warmth reminiscent of Delaware’s golden cornfields, while matte black offers sophisticated contrast against lighter cabinetry. The best part? This project requires just a screwdriver and about 30 minutes of your time.

Remember to bring an existing piece with you to ensure proper sizing. Your Sunday dinner guests will notice the polished update while barely realizing what exactly changed in your kitchen space.

8. Stencil A Coastal Pattern On A Small Accent Wall

Looking to add a touch of Delaware charm to your home? Nothing says “Delaware home” quite like subtle coastal motifs that pay homage to our beautiful beaches.

Pick up a seahorse, shell, or anchor stencil from a craft store in Rehoboth or Lewes and transform a powder room or entryway wall in just an hour or two. The trick is using a nearly-dry foam roller with paint that’s just slightly darker or lighter than your base wall color.

This creates a sophisticated tone-on-tone effect rather than something overly themed. Delaware homes often feature these gentle nods to coastal living without going overboard. Your Sunday dinner guests will appreciate the thoughtful touch that makes your space feel uniquely connected to our beloved shoreline.

9. Style A Coffee Table With Local Books And Driftwood Decor

Before your guests arrive for Sunday dinner, give your living room a quick Delaware-inspired refresh. Local bookstores in Newark and Middletown offer beautiful photography books showcasing the Du Pont gardens, Delaware beaches, and historic landmarks.

Arrange these books alongside pieces of driftwood collected from Bethany Beach or Cape Henlopen. A small glass jar filled with Delaware beach sand adds an authentic touch that sparks conversation. This fifteen-minute styling project costs almost nothing yet creates a distinctly local atmosphere.

Your coffee table becomes not just furniture but a celebration of the First State’s natural beauty. It’s perfect for guests to admire while waiting for that Sunday pot roast to finish cooking.

10. Update Light Fixtures In An Entryway Or Dining Room

First impressions matter! Replacing dated light fixtures instantly modernizes your Delaware home while honoring architectural traditions. Historic Wilmington homes often feature lantern-style pendants, while coastal Sussex County homes embrace fixtures with glass and natural elements.

This project typically takes less than an hour if you’re swapping a fixture of a similar size. Remember to turn off the power at the breaker box before beginning, safety first in the First State! Hardware stores in Dover and Newark stock beautiful options at every price point.

Your Sunday dinner will literally shine under new lighting, creating the perfect ambiance for those famous Delaware crab cakes or peach pie you’ve prepared for dessert.