Great DIY living spaces from Daybreak homeowners

EDITORS NOTE: The following is an installment in an occasional blog series by Daybreak resident Aly Brooks.  Aly is a local blogger and owner of  the event and social media management firm Entirely Eventful Day. You can  read more about her and her ideas on her blog by clicking the link provided.

If you’ve visited Daybreak, chances are you’ve toured the beautiful model homes… but have you been inside REAL Daybreak Homes? If you aren’t yet familiar with Daybreak, it’s one of the nation’s best master-planned communities located in South Jordan, Utah. Picture thousands of homes, shops, offices, schools and parks surrounding a 65 acre lake. Sounds awesome? Yep.
Well, today I am sharing some tips for creating beautiful living spaces that are family and budget-friendly.
The Kirkland family, long-time Daybreak residents, have kindly welcomed you into their fabulous home. The Kirklands own one of the larger homes Daybreak offers. And who would guess that this beauty is decorated on a dime? Come on in…
Upon entering the Kirkland home you are welcomed with light and airy pale blue walls that are grounded with deep-brown hardwood floor. The sofas are old, but who would know?

Tip #1
Use what you have.
The Kirklands have four little ones and a budget. So they are keeping their old couches and throwing some fresh, white slipcovers over them. This, not only, creates a fresh look, but they are easily thrown into the wash.

Tip #2
Consistency is key.
The entire main floor is painted the same color and the same color scheme exists throughout. This makes the space flow and feel larger. Keeping with a consistent color scheme is also a budget saver. If everything you use goes together, you can easily switch out accessories in other areas of your home when you feel like freshening things up a bit.

Tip #3
Keep it simple.
Over accessorizing is easy to do. So remember, what you take out is just as important as what you add.

Tip #4
Add in nature.
Flowers, branches, and sea shells, are all great elements to bring the outside in and create a beautiful space. It doesn’t have to be expensive. A well placed faux flower (shown below) can bring an air of whimsy to your space.

Tip #5
Think GROUPINGS.
Rather than spending a whole lot of cash on one large piece of art to go behind the sofa, simply group objects and frames together in order to fill the space.

Tip # 6
Do It Yourself!
Melanie Kirkland made this amazing sunburst mirror for about $30. It’s just a ceiling medallion and dowels from the hardware store. It’s beautiful and a similar mirror would  have cost her hundreds if she had paid retail.

Tip #7
Make it personal.
Everyone who walks through your door should know who lives there. Don’t worry about making your home look like an impersonal photo from a magazine. Put your initials on the wall and display special photographs.

Tip #8
Add an unexpected pop of color.
Keep your color palette consistent, but don’t be afraid to add an unexpected pop of red, like in this adorable poppy pillow. Melanie, sews most of her throw pillows. She also loves IKEA for an inexpensive pillow.

Tip #9
Small objects make a big difference.
Melanie collects accessories during sales and from thrift stores. A group of well-placed objects adds interest and beauty. Yes, she does have four kids. The key is getting such a good deal on your accessories that you won’t be heartbroken if (when) your kids break them.

Tip #10 
Statement lighting makes a statement.
This light fixture is to die for but it didn’t cost and arm and a leg. The Kirklands got it during an online flash sale! You can find great deals on statement lighting like this on sites like Overstock.com and Amazon.com.

Tip #11
Function can be pretty.
We all have “stuff” that we want to display. Melanie painted and distressed an old frame and added some metal and now it’s a super pretty magnet board. This is so much better than plastering it all over the fridge!

Tip #12
Fill the space.
The Kirklands plan to install a pretty backsplash when their budget allows, but for now, they fill the space above the stove with a DIY chalkboard. Genius.

Tip #13
Knock it off! 
The pendant lighting looks high-end, but they are really from a big box hardware store. Find a look you love… and then find it for less! (Get this look).

Welcome to the dining room! It think this has to be my favorite room in the house. Again, a beautiful light fixture adds something special to the space. And it’s really a budget-friendly lighting option.

Tip #14
Thrift it and repurpose it.
Never underestimate the power of a fresh coat of paint. Melanie painted this table and chairs and now they look like custom furniture. Keep your eye out at local thrift stores and yard sales. A little elbow grease can save you a lot of money!

Tip #15
Add a statement piece.
This lovely blue sideboard is such a pleasant surprise among all the light colors. But remember, a statement piece is supposed to make a statement so only one at a time please.

Thanks Melanie for letting us tour your lovely home!

To find your next home in any of  Daybreak’s villages CLICK HERE.