Last year I wrote about how after five years in our home, I still hadn't decorated it. I was simply paralyzed by options, and choices, and just did nothing instead. I'm happy to report that now, six months later, I've finally taken some small steps that have made my house at least start looking like we own it.

Oh, there's still much more to be done, but I at least got my office started, and found bedding for my daughter's "big girl" bedroom, and found a mirror to hang in our dining room wall. Even more, that mirror is actually hung!

I found that while I didn't have the budget to hire a decorator who would just do the whole thing for me, there were plenty of other free or less-expensive options out there to help people like me. Here are five to consider if you're also home-decorating challenged ... or just want a fresh perspective.

I think there are parts of minimalism that really appeal to me. Less stuff equals less clutter, right? But unless you're super dedicated to that sort of endeavor, the reality of living with kids sets in fast, and before you know it you're tripping on Tonka trucks and finding broken crayons on the bottom of your purse. With that in mind, I've put together a few good inspirations to help you kick the kid clutter to the curb (or storage basket) where it belongs.

The first? Use painter or washi tape to hang some of your child's best artwork rather than letting it sit out on the counter or clog up a drawer. It's a great non-permanent way to display their creativity at the cost of a few rolls of tape and zero damage to your walls. 

See more ideas like this below:

It's Easter weekend! If you're looking for some adorable Easter decorating and craft ideas, we've got 10 easy-peasy projects for you right here. Some of these you can make for a surprise for your kids, and others are fun crafts your kids will love making with you. There's something for everyone here.

Terrariums are the best way to add a little green to your surroundings with a minimal amount of effort -- no green thumb required! The best part is that you can build a terrarium out of just about any kind of container as long as you have the basics on hand. That cool geometric cube terrarium above is from Etsy seller ABJ Glassworks and comes with a simple starter kit, plants included.  

I've pulled together a few more fabulous terrarium inspirations and ideas for you to browse through below.

Bunk beds are the best! They're functional AND fun, and can be a great solution to making the most out of a shared space. I like it even better when bunks go beyond the traditional stacked setup and step into a more creative realm. The scene above is a tad reminiscent of the world's coolest dorm room with a study space tucked next to the bottom bed. So smart though, right? 

Click through to see four more creative bunk beds below:

Polka dots aren't just for nurseries and kids' rooms anymore. These days you'll find them scattered throughout the house. Not quite sure how to incorporate polka dots into your home furnishings? Start easy with a few throw pillows!

Click through for a few more polka dot inspirations below ...

One of the best parts of the holiday season is finding beautiful cards from family and friends in the mailbox each day and proudly displaying them on your mantle.

But then when it's time to pack up all the decorations after New Year's, it's tough to figure out what to do with those cards, because it just seems wrong to throw them away (especially ones with cute kid photos.)

If you're looking for a simple and fun way to enjoy holiday cards year after year, look no further than the latest episode of Make It Fabulous from CafeMom Studios.

Residents in a Seattle neighborhood probably gasped out loud when they saw their neighbor's house: It looks like someone's too-big Christmas tree burst through the roof! You can see the tree with lights in the window. And right above that, a tree top pokes out from a pile of broken shingles.

Jiminy Christmas, did someone forget to measure? And who knew the tip of a Christmas tree could be strong enough to push through a ceiling and roof, anyway! Seriously, what's going on there in Seattle with the trees? Concerned neighbors have been stopping by to find out how this all happened.