by Wendy Brumback

Created on: May 28, 2010   Last Updated: May 30, 2010

Sharpies are perhaps one of the most common items in the home office.  We use them to write out address on large envelopes, mark packages, boxes and to write out name inside of books.  It seems every time we turn around we find we are needing those handy little things for something. And they come in so many sizes and colors! 

From ultra fine tip to huge think tips; from pastels to bold to primary colors, no matter what you need you are bound to find it somewhere in the sharpie family.  But, did you know these handy little things can also be used for decorating? 

Sharpies are some of the best quality, low cost markers available.  So, why not use them instead of paint?  You’ll find you love using them for all sorts of outside-of-the-office projects from serving trays to toilet seats.  Here are a few free project ideas for you to try out:

~Large projects

Walls and doors.  You can do a little or a lot, but consider using sharpies to create a mural, paint a boarder, or add faux texture to your walls and doors.  Don’t think you have the talent for a full mural? 

Try making a flower or vine boarder.  If you are into a modern/contemporary look, try using abstract designs, or illusions. 

 A simple illusion to try is to create a series of rectangles that start off small in the upper left hand corner, make each one a little bigger as you go to the right, and as you move down. 

Once you get about half way start to decrease the size of the rectangles.   Color it in a checkerboard fashion. This will create the illusion that the wall protrudes out in a circled shape.

Furniture. Sharpies can be an easy way to draw on little objects along legs of chairs, around knobs on dressers and along the edges of shelves.  Furniture is where you can become the most creative. 

In a child’s room, try using sharpies on chair legs to make them look like crayons, baseball bats, snakes, bones, science beakers or tubes, and just about anything else that come in a long cylinder form.  Once done don’t forget to use a clear coating on the project (and any other sharpie project) to help protect your design.

~Medium Projects

You can find so many things around the house that could use a little sprucing up.  All you have to do is look around for anything that seems kind of plain, and has a flatter surface to work with. 

Some great projects are your toilet seat lid, lamps,

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>