DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL

I recently updated our small sun porch on a small budget, and turned it into our own midwestern tropical oasis. As a finishing touch, I added some fun DIY art made with my Cricut Joy.

Scroll to the end to see the Cricut Joy tutorial, which injects some personality into the space.

Prior to the affordable update, our sun porch was mainly used as a junk room — I hated looking at it. I hated even more it was a wasted space that was very under utilized.

One weekend I found the motivation to clear out the junk and reimagine the space.

Take a look at the before photos. It was filled with random junk and unused furniture and painted a bright green color — I knew I would immediately change the wall color.

I cleaned up the sun room and sold all the furniture on Marketplace – I was excited for a clean slate!

After I gave the room a good wipe down, it was time to start prepping, then painting. My kiddo wanted to help and actually did quite a bit of the work, ha!

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

We used a high quality Emerald paint from Sherwin Williams (with primer added) in basic white to match our current window trim.

I know it’s a no-no to use white straight from the can, but I liked how much it brightened the room and blended with the ceiling. 🙂

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog
After one coat of pint.

It took us two days to paint two coats, and I was so happy with how much brighter the sun porch space felt.

Once the wall paint dried, it was time to paint our white metal barstools a light pink shade.

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

This light pink color was a big stretch for me, but I felt the room needed a couple slight pops of color.

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

Next up, it was time to style the room – my very favorite part!

Ted helped me hang two long brushed brass curtain rods over each set of windows.

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

The curtains

Then I added four beautiful semi-sheer palm leaf curtain panels to the rods. I am so in love with these curtains! They sell out quickly, but here is a similar curtain option.

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

Next, I added a 7′ x 10′ striped indoor/outdoor rug from Target. I really love the look and quality of this rug, and it vacuums very well – even dirty dog prints. 🙂

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

Next, I added a wicker chair, tropical (similar) and geometric (similar) pillow, a faux sheepskin rug, our 15 year old slipcovered couch from IKEA, and some other accessories recycled from other parts of our house.

I also added strand of white deck lights to the ceiling using the hooks that were already installed in the ceiling, and I love the glow they bring to the room.

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

My only splurge for the space was this beautiful wicker chair ($150). I adore it and can’t believe there are still some available!

The coffee table was from Target about 5 years ago and is no longer available, but I found a similar option here.

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

I repurposed the marble side table from our primary bathroom remodel and added in some real and faux plants.

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

This is my favorite view of the room, and I absolutely love how this space turned out – we spend so much time in here as a family!

The sun porch TV and bar area

Ted mounted a very affordable TV we got on clearance on the wall – we use it to watch our Roku apps and listen to music.

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog
DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

And finally, we wanted a small bar area, so Ted built us a very affordable bar top out of one sheet of pine that I spray stained.

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

He used some extra pieces of wood leftover from other home projects and created some cleats to attach to the wall for the table top to rest on.

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog
DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog
DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog
DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

The wood top was added and supported from the bottom with two extra wood pieces we had in the garage.

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog
DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

I love our little bar top, but really wanted to infuse some more character into this sun porch corner. I grabbed my Cricut Joy and created some palm leaf designs.

Supplies needed:

Cricut Joy (or any other Cricut machine)
Cricut basic tool set
Standard grip mat for Joy
Vinyl (Premium textured metallic in gold)
Smart Vinyl (removable in coral and aqua)
Cricut Design Space
Cricut Access (Standard or Premium)
Scissors
Canvas(es)
Acrylic or spray paint

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

Using affordable acrylic paint, I painted two canvases.

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

Once dry, I pulled coordinating Smart Vinyl and opened up Design Space to start the design process.

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

In Design Space I searched “palm leaf” in images and placed them into my canvas. When I was ready to print I welded the leaves together and cut the vinyl.

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

I decided to print the same leaves in both the aqua vinyl and the textured gold vinyl so I could layer them for some depth and interest.

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

Once the vinyl was cut, I weeded away the access.

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog
DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

I placed the aqua leaves around the left edge of the canvas first, and used the burnishing tool (from basic tool set) to ensure everything went on smoothly.

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog
DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

The leaves were added to the left side of the canvas since the pink canvas was going to be layered on top on the right-hand side.

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

I repeated the same steps with the textured gold vinyl.

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

The gold vinyl was applied offset with the aqua vinyl to bring some interest and depth.

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog
DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

The final leaves were added and it was then time for my second canvas.

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

In Design Space I created my second design using the phrase “Don’t worry be happy,” which I purchased from a stock site.

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

I cut the coral vinyl and weeded away the excess.

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

The weeding was complete, and I burnished some transfer tape for an easy transfer to the canvas.

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog
DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

It was time to transfer the vinyl to the pink canvas – I love the coral and pink combo!

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

This burnishing tool really helped smooth the vinyl onto the canvas.

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

After the design was transferred, I gently peeled away the transfer tape and revealed my cute and easy design.

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

I was really happy with the design, but thought it needed a pop of the same textured gold vinyl to better coordinate with the other canvas.

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog
DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog
DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

I love this pop of gold!

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

Easy as that, I had created two custom decor pieces for the sun porch bar.

I love the touch of fun and color they bring to the space, and love even more that they were so easy and affordable!

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

A closer look!

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog
DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog
DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog

What do you think of our affordable sun porch makeover and DIY Cricut Joy art? Not too shabby, huh?

If you need us, we’ll be hanging out in this room indefinitely. 🙂

xoxo
Audrey

This post is sponsored by Cricut, but all opinions and projects are my own. I only share products that I love and make a small commission when you purchase fro my links at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!

Oh, and in case you’re curious to see more, here is our deck outside the sun room. Al product links can be found in this blog post.

large wood deck with black and white strips and palm leaves
large wood deck with black and white strips and palm leaves
large wood deck with black and white strips and palm leaves
large wood deck with black and white strips and palm leaves
large wood deck with black and white strips and palm leaves
large wood deck with black and white strips and palm leaves
large wood deck with black and white strips and palm leaves

Pin our affordable DIY sun porch for later.

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog
Learn how we updated our sun porch on a small budget and turned it into our tropical oasis with the help of Cricut Joy.
Learn how we updated our sun porch on a small budget and turned it into our tropical oasis with the help of Cricut Joy.

Check out my other Cricut DIY projects

DIY SUN PORCH UPDATE ON A BUDGET + A DIY CRICUT JOY TUTORIAL, Oh So Lovely Blog
Make holiday tea towel gifts with your Cricut Joy
Personalize your back to school gear with Cricut — 20 fun and easy ideas!