By Dan WardIn this story:
Want to add a personal touch to your space without spending thousands? Learn how to make DIY home decor at our craft classes in San Francisco!
You've probably had that moment: you're scrolling through endless interior inspo on Pinterest when you spot a curated space that's perfectly "you". You search for the home accessories, the paintings, the furniture, the plants... only to discover that all those eye-catching pieces sure aren't cheap. Thankfully, creating a space you love doesn't need to break the budget. With these DIY home decor ideas, you can create a one-of-a-kind space that's worthy of a thousands "pins".
From bespoke pottery and DIY candles to boho-chic macrame wall hangings, we have endless DIY home decor ideas guaranteed to transform your space. Rather than spending hours on YouTube following complicated tutorials, head to one of our Bay Area craft classes and learn from a professional in real life. In just a few hours, you'll learn...
1. Learn a cool new skill – think candle making, embroidery or calligraphy
2. Meet like-minded locals
3. Craft your own DIY home decor with the help of a pro
4. Head home feeling relaxed and refreshed – craft tends to have that effect!
If you're overwhelmed by choice, here's our round-up of the best craft classes in San Francisco – handpicked for Pinterest lovers and DIY decor devotees. Let's go!
Add ambiance with handmade candles
Is there a better way to add vibes to a room than with candles? From the soft flicker of the flame to the subtle release of your favorite scent, they’re an instantly uplifting companion – perfect for any room in your house. If you find store-bought scents unappealing and overpowering, or you're trying to limit how much you spend, candle making classes are the answer!
With homemade candles, you can create something that will both match your home decor and include a custom fragrance. It's disappointing to find a chic candle with a smell that makes you nauseous. So make a personalized version with your favorite scents. Candles can also make thoughtful housewarming gift ideas, and with a custom touch, your friend or family member will appreciate the gesture.
With new candle-making classes in SF popping up all the time, now’s the perfect time to discover the therapeutic benefits of this soothing hobby. Utilizing eco-friendly materials like soy wax, along with natural essential oils to add gorgeous and long-lasting scents, filling your home with high-quality candles just got a lot easier. Plus, you can use (or re-use) any vessel you like, from old glass jars to vintage ceramic mugs, letting you easily match the candle to your decor, while doing your bit for the planet at the same time.
Perk up boring beige walls with calligraphy
Whether you work from home or need some moral support in the kitchen, a framed motivational quote or piece of DIY calligraphy is a unique way to bring personality into your space. But it doesn’t have to be all “Live, Laugh, Love” or “Hang in There, Baby” — simple yet beautifully-written words can be a chic addition to any wall, or even become thoughtful gift ideas. It’s all the more meaningful if you write it yourself, which is where our range of San Francisco calligraphy classes come in.
From traditional ink calligraphy using a fountain pen to modern forms of brush lettering inspired by Japanese calligraphy, you’ll soon find a lettering style to suit you. It’s not just a way to decorate your walls, either: calligraphy and brush lettering are calming activities to help you unwind after a long day. By taking your time with each letter and letting your hand go with the flow of the ink, you'll slip into a hypnotic rhythm and forget about deadlines and meetings. Want treat yourself to a moment of calm with the added bonus of new DIY home decor? Try this Pointed Pen Calligraphy Class for Beginners and add a little oomph to your space today.
Cultivate retro vibes with macrame
Once the sole preserve of grandparents’ basements, macrame is now having a bit of a renaissance. It’s not hard to see why — these intricately knotted beauties are a quick and easy way to add some natural texture to any wall in the home. They’re easy to make, too! If you need some inspiration, there are dozens of crafters hosting these popular San Francisco craft classes who’d love to share their skills with like-minded folks. It’s a pretty mesmerizing hobby, too — once you get into the flow of tying those little knots, you’ll see just how addictive macrame can be.
If you’re also a plant parent, a macrame hanging planter is a chic way to make room for even more green buddies in your space. Easily customizable in just about any color you can think of, they’re the ideal way to elevate even the most humble houseplant to center-stage status.
Want something even more practical? Make yourself a macrame market bag! Whether you’re having a picnic at Golden Gate Park or hitting the Mission farmer’s market to pick up a few things, these lightweight and deceptively spacious bags are sure to become a constant companion. Just don’t be surprised if you get stopped and asked where your bag comes from! Check out our macrame classes in San Francisco and take your DIY home decor to the next level.
Runs regularly
Nob Hill & Mission District
1 to 6 guests
$89
9 years in business
8k followers
Use embroidery to add personal touches
From pillowcases to wall hangings to old t-shirts, there’s very little that couldn’t be improved by some embroidery. You may be surprised to learn that you don’t need a machine to do high-quality, colorful embroidery; just a needle, some thread and a little time. Whether you want to add a bit of boho to your bedroom or are keeping things minimal with Japanese sashiko embroidery techniques, there are a whole host of embroidery workshops in SF that’ll help you turn plain fabrics from drab to fab.
Embroidery is one of those hobbies that can seem daunting at first, but by learning from an expert, you’ll soon find it’s a lot easier than you thought to get started. Pop along to an embroidery class and you’ll be in good hands — whether you’re a seasoned seamstress or a complete beginner, they’ll show you the ins and outs of how you can turn simple stitches into upcycled art.
Give your coffee corner a glow-up with a handmade clay mug
If you’re spending good money on coffee, why settle for a subpar cup to drink out of? Try a pottery class in San Francisco and make your own bespoke coffee cup! Cups and mugs are a brilliant first pottery project for beginners, as they can be made by hand with coiled clay, without the need for a wheel. Hand-building pottery with clay is an excellent choice for a hands-on craft, making it ideal to share with a couple friends, the whole family or even as a workplace team-building exercise — there’ll be no more fighting over the office coffee cups if everyone’s is unique! A word of warning though: once you’ve experienced the reassuring weight and tactile feel of a handmade ceramic mug, it will be hard to go back to a regular one.
Add warmth with Turkish mosaic lamps
Looking to add a touch of exotic warmth to your space? Turkish mosaic lamps transform any corner of your home into a cozy retreat. When the lamp is lit, its colorful glass pieces cast enchanting patterns across your walls, creating an instant mood shift that no store-bought lighting can match. The best part? You don't need to book a flight to Istanbul to get one!
At our Turkish mosaic lamp workshop in San Francisco, you'll learn to craft your very own statement piece using 16 vibrant glass colors and traditional techniques. This DIY home decor idea will set you back just $89 – that's less than the cost of store-bought lamp, with the added benefit of hands-on guidance from an experienced teacher and two hours of relaxed crafting time! Gain a deeper appreciation for this centuries-old art form, learn more about Turkish culture and head home with a totally unique piece of DIY decor for your home – perfect for bedrooms, reading nooks, or anywhere that could use a little extra magic!
