Today I am rounding up some of my favorite affordable Christmas finds. A lot of them you saw in my fireplace makeover.
When to Use MDF vs Solid Wood
One of my most asked questions is, “hey, what material did you use to build the….”. So today I am breaking down all the basics of MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard vs solid wood). I am going to go through each one, the benefits of each option, where it’s most often used, and which I’ve used in my projects. Ready to become material experts? Heck yes!
Solid Wood
About Wood: First, you can always build with solid wood. This is a good choice if it’s something you want to stain, or want the real wood look.
Solid wood can include knots and imperfections. The boards may not be perfectly straight and they can contract or warp a little overtime. It’s also more expensive.
*Fingerjoint pine is another form of wood I sometimes use that is wood pieces spliced together to form a longer piece.
*Plywood is another form and is made up of sheets of wood veneer glued together into one solid piece. It comes in different grades and can be stained, but the edges are unfinished and can easily splinter.

MDF or Medium-Density Fiberboard
MDF is made up of wood! It’s actually recycled wood so it is also beneficial for the environment. To make MDF, the manufacturers take the scraps of wood leftover from the production of wood boards and beams that might normally end up burned or in a landfill, and turn it into MDF by adding glue and heat/pressure. Here is some more information about MDF.

Benefits:
-The result is a board that is smooth throughout with no knots or imperfections to worry about.
-It’s great for painting since the boards are perfectly smooth.
-MDF is very consistent throughout, so cut edges appear smooth and you can use router to get decorative edges.
-MDF is less expensive than solid wood and plywood.
Where it’s used:
MDF is used in so many spaces in our homes. You can find it in cabinets, furniture, moulding/trim work, door parts, and store fixtures.
What projects have I used MDF?
Remember those primed and smooth shiplap boards I used in the fireplace area? I used MDF here because I wanted a smooth modern look with no knots, and they were more affordable than solid wood.

I am currently trimming out my stairs in MDF. I looked at some solid wood options, but there were imperfections and I needed my boards to be perfectly straight. Also my boards came with a slight rounded edge so I didn’t even need to buy a router.

My barn door is made of a 3/4 MDF sheet and topped with MDF boards. I wanted it perfectly smooth and didn’t want it to warp over time.

My window trim and baseboards are also MDF
*If you plan to use MDF in areas with moisture (like bathrooms or around sinks) you can source moisture-resistant MDF, but just make sure you prime and paint all edges so there is a barrier the water can’t get through.
I hope that was helpful! Now go build something! Tune into @angelarosehome for more tutorials and projects.
Prep and Plans for the Closet Room
This post is sponsored by Handy Paint Products.
Is there anything more fun than an under the stairs closet? There is NOT! It’s pretty much all my kids’ (and my) dreams come true! Today I am going share some plans for the space, and some of my prep work I still need to do before transforming this space!
IKEA Hack: How to Update Your Furniture with Chalk Paint (and a Modern Twist)
This post is sponsored by Rust-Oleum.
I hope you had fun following along with my 2 Day $200 transformation with Cynthia Harper. I decided to tackle a sad forgotten corner of my master bedroom, focusing on my IKEA Hemnes dresser. Are you ready to see this transformation and learn how you can modernize your furniture as well? (the answer is yes!)
Fall Favorites Round Up to Make Your Home Cozy
This post is sponsored by Walmart.
Fall is officially here which in my mind equals cozy. I figured it was time to cozy-up our under the stairs closet playroom. Check out below to see how to add some cozy fall favorites, and the cool lights I added that change any space into magic!
How to add Fall in 3 easy steps

Fall Pillow Round Up and a Sneak Peek to Christmas
In true Angela fashion, to purchase these cute fall pillows…I had to buy 30 to test out. And you know me, I buy 30 but only keep 5 (I need my options!) But I figured I would share all my finds with you…remember, I do all the work so you don’t have to right?
$1500 Room Giveaway Picks
I am so excited to give one of you a $1500 Room Giveaway! I thought I would round up my favorite items (from Eclectic Goods) for you, to see how to pull together a room. And now that I’ve made this mood board, I need to build another room in my house so that I can use these to decorate it. ha!

How to Paint Your Tile Floor
This post is sponsored by Rust-Oleum
Are you ready to see the craziest floor transformation…and just with paint? Everyone has boring beige tile somewhere in their house, or maybe just some linoleum or vinyl that isn’t your favorite? It’s time to change that with my all time favorite DIY tool…paint! Check out this before and after and tutorial so you can learn how to paint your tile (or any floor really) with paint too.
Modern Accent Chairs For Every Budget
I love a good accent chair! They are my favorite way to change the style of a room without switching out everything. So today, I am going to give you a round up of my favorite accent chairs for every budget…and also a few tips!
Affordable Neutral Rug Round Up
This post is sponsored by Walmart.
Nothing quite completes a space like an area rug. It can make a room feel instantly finished, and bring a whole space together. So today I have rounded up some favorite affordable neutral rugs that would look good in any space!
Top Three Rug Questions:
I have carpet all over my house. Can I still use a rug? The answer to this question is a resounding YES!!! Rugs are an amazing tool over carpet and serve many functions beyond just being pretty! They can help protect the permanent flooring, OR they can mask carpet that may not be your favorite but isn’t the budget to replace. If you have a bedroom or living room and thought that you weren’t able to put a rug down…GO FOR IT!