Friend to friend, I don’t think we use our free will nearly enough.
I had this little aha moment the other day while staring at my plain kitchen drawer organizers. I’m an adult. Nobody is going to send me to my room. I can color on my own stuff whenever I want! And so I did.
I grabbed some acrylic pens, pulled up a few inspo pics of folk art on Pinterest, and started doodling. Now every time I open my cabinet, I get a tiny dose of whimsy and coziness I didn’t have before. Here’s how to do it yourself!
What I Actually Decorated
I started small, with two of the most unglamorous items I own:
- My Ziploc bag organizer — you know, that one that holds the sandwich and gallon bags.
- My foil, plastic wrap, and parchment paper organizer
These things are useful but, let’s be honest,. plain. Forgettable. Bleh. But, the perfect blank canvas!
How to Do it Yourself
I’m not an artist, and you don’t need to be one either. Here’s exactly how I did it.
Step 1: I Looked Up Inspiration on Pinterest
Before touching a single pen, I scrolled through Pinterest for simple pattern ideas.
I saved a few favorites: little flowers, wavy lines, tiny dots, and some loose abstract shapes. Easy stuff.
Tip: Search for “folk art” or “folk art furniture.” You’ll get tons of beginner-friendly ideas.
Step 2: I Grabbed Acrylic Pens
This was the real game-changer. Acrylic pens are wonderful because they:
- Show up bright and bold, even on white or colored surfaces
- Stick well to plastic and wood
- Dry fairly quickly
- Come in just about every color you could want
Before you start doodling you can draw on designs and shapes with pencil as a template. Come to find out, I literally do not own a single pencil in my house. So I had to wing it!
Step 3: I Just Started Doodling
I picked a corner, drew a small shape, and kept going.
Some patterns turned out neat and even. Others were a little (okay a LOT! wobbly.) And you know what? That just makes them feel handmade and real.
I let everything dry fully before tossing the organizers back in the cabinet. That’s it. The whole project took less than an afternoon.
“But What If I Mess It Up?”
I hear you. This was my biggest worry too.
So let me ease your mind:
- Imperfect is the point. These are your everyday items, not gallery pieces! They’re just for funsies, and you can start with things hidden in a drawer like I did. Plus, mistakes add charm.
- Start with one item. Test your style on something small before committing to a big project.
There’s basically no pressure here. The worst-case scenario is you clean it off and try again. I’m definitely going to be trying different styles! You could pick a theme like “strawberries” or “flowers” or “quilt blocks” and stick with it per item. That way you know it will still be cohesive no matter what. I got a little too off theme with mine.
Why This Tiny Project Matters More Than You’d Think
It sounds silly, decorating a Ziploc bag holder. But here’s the “so what.”
We spend so much time in our kitchens. We open the same drawers and reach for the same boxes day after day. When those little objects bring a touch of whimy and fun, your whole routine feels a little bit less mundane.
You get to make your space yours. You get to add whimsy wherever you please.
How to Try It Yourself This Weekend
Want to give it a go? Here’s your quick checklist:
- Pick one boring item in your home that you use often.
- Grab a set of acrylic pens in colors you love.
- Browse Pinterest for two or three simple patterns.
- Doodle freely girl, don’t overthink it!
- Let it dry, then put it back and enjoy the surprise every time you see it.
Wooden trays, drawer dividers, plant pots, storage boxes, all of it is fair game. Once you start, it’s hard to stop….trust me! ;P
So, Would You Try It?
Now I’m curious, would you give it a try? I’d love to know what everyday object you’d doodle on first.