Creative Custom Additions and Vintage Upgrades: Trendy DIY Projects to Refresh the Home

Renovations are becoming more trendy among Aussies, with Tim Reardon, Housing Industry Association chief economist highlighting the fact that people are renovating at rates “about 30 per cent more than pre-pandemic,” according to the Sydney Morning Herald. While renovations serve as an economical option for those rather than buying a new home, it offers homeowners a unique chance to carry out a dream makeover. For those that are unsure as to where to start, adding personality and warmth can be achieved through simple trends, many of which can be implemented in a creative do-it-yourself fashion.

A True Dose of Personality

An article from The Interiors Addict by Jen Bishop highlights findings from Temple & Webster’s January 2026 trend report, which found that Aussies are welcoming home styling choices that are “defined by confidence, emotion and individuality,” Bishop writes. This essentially involves ditching an aesthetic that appears cold and unfeeling (a mood that trends like ‘millenial grey’ can convey) in exchange for a more personalised approach that leaves residents and guests alike wanting to stay a spell. According to the article, this includes tones like chocolate brown, which can evoke feelings of warmth, as well as “meaningful objects” placed about.

One of the best ways that Aussies can add a touch of personality throughout their home’s design is through the display of personal photos. Whether it be landscapes captured on a vacation or cherished memories with loved ones, photos are the perfect way to make any home feel more tailored. While it can sound like a mundane idea, there are plenty of tasteful ways to display your photos. For example, rather than a mix, focusing on a specific subject (nature, family, food, pets, holidays, etc.) can set a unique and artistic tone for the room all the while making for a more cohesive display. 

A gallery wall is just one way to play around with different photos and frame shapes, while shadow boxes can enable a decorative and 3D touch to the space. The frames themselves can heavily influence the overall design of the room, and there are a healthy variety of styles to choose from. Favored picture frames include timeless choices like black and silver, though a gold frame can elevate a look significantly — especially when the gold tones of the frame contrast with a rich hue of the wall behind it. Gold can go particularly well against a dark green, red, blue, or even a black backdrop. It’s crucial to realise that there are endless combinations when taking into consideration the wall, photo, and frame, each of which can influence the final look. In any case, there are options to suit any desired aesthetic, whether you’re keeping things fairly modern or throwing it back to the past.

The Power of Comebacks — Making Nostalgia Modern 

One of the simplest and most impactful ways to upgrade a home’s interior is through a wall makeover. Whether you choose a bold monotone color for an entire room or paint a mural, there’s no question that addressing the wall can transform the space in its entirety. One of the hottest trends for wall makeovers in 2025 was vintage wallpaper, and it still looks just as good in 2026. An article from The Spruce highlights the words of interior designer Jenni Jacobs, who is based in Massachusetts. “Vintage wallpaper offers a fantastic way to add personality and individuality to a space, and we’re thrilled to see it making a comeback,” Jacobs remarks. One popular rendition of vintage wallpaper puts the spotlight on warm, earthy tones (olive green, anyone?) which happen to align with other modern interior design trends (such as the trend towards earthy natural decor and hues). 

Wallpapering a room yourself can seem like a tedious endeavor, though it doesn’t have to be an impossible mission. While you’ll generally need to prepare the wall beforehand (cleaning, sanding, priming, etc.), the process will typically require a variety of tools that range from a stepladder to drop cloths, wallpaper paste, and more. An Architectural Digest article by Lexi Dwyer lists the supplies and outlines the basic steps of the wallpaper application process. From prepping the walls to the measuring and application, precision plays a key role — especially if you’re working with patterned wallpaper. Starting with a small piece of wallpaper in a discreet corner of the room can be a great way to get a feel for the application process, especially if it’s your first time.

Other doses of the past can be found in similarly attainable DIY projects, as there are no shortage of trends from the past that are making their long-awaited comeback. Another now-popular trend from the 1970s is “mood-boosting accents,” according to one 2026 Better Homes & Gardens post by Shivani Vyas. “Bold geometric motifs, warm earthy hues like ochre, avocado green, and deep browns, plus textured fabrics such as velvet, shag rugs, and macramé wall hangings,” Vyas lists, going on to point out that these accent pieces can evoke feelings like comfort. Taking these ideas into your own hands, projects like a hanging macramé plant holder or a DIY throw pillow with some funky fabric can make ideal accent pieces that can complement vintage wallpaper in a classic way. 

Aussies that plan to take on a home renovation have a unique opportunity to refresh the home with a dash of creativity. While adding your own personal touches can be a great way to customise any space, reviving quintessential trends from the past can bring a stylish warmth to the home whether via the wallpaper or accent finishes.