Absolutely adoorable!

Want to give your crib a new "outlook"? How about decorating the door to your private domain? Sure, the huge "Keep Out" sign is somewhat effective, and that hook is handy for hanging your hoodie on--but you've got to admit, it's not exactly stylish. We've whipped up some simple, inexpensive ideas to make your dull door dazzle. And, hey! Before you get too excited, make sure you get your parents' go-ahead. Oh, and one word of caution: dropcloth!

Giveaway!

Sick of your little bro bustin' in on your party? Perhaps you need some private time to study for that lit test. The Dazzlin' Doorway is kinda like a high-tech, yet style-savvy door curtain. It alerts you when someone is outside of your room, waiting to come in. The sweetest part is, you can record a custom message for the would-be intruders, or choose from the many pre-recorded messages. You can tell the world to get lost, come on in ... whatever. We're giving away 15 of these sassy door curtains, so send us a postcard with your name and addy to Dazzlin' Doorway, Girls' Life, 4517 Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21214 by July 1. You can check out wildplanet.com for info on this and other fab room accessories.

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Door #1 Window to your world

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SHOPPING LIST acrylic paint * paintbrush * florist foam * shoe box * tacks * silk floral picks or greenery * tacky glue

If your door doesn't have a back panel that can be altered, like ours did, you can use a sturdy shoebox to fashion your window box. First, paint the door in contrasting colors, and paint the shoebox to coordinate with your door decor. Let door and shoebox dry completely. Use tacks to mount the shoebox beneath your "window," making sure it's level. You can paint your "window" on, as shown, or mount a mirror above your box to serve as your "window." Spread the bottom of the box with tacky glue, and place florist foam in the box on top of the glue. Stick silk floral picks right into the foam. You can use sunflowers, ivy, roses or even seasonal finds for a room that blooms!

Door #2 Chalk it up

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SHOPPING LIST chalkboard paint (found at home improvement or paint stores) * paintbrush * chalk * trim * small plastic purse

Following the directions on the paint can, prep your door as instructed. Put one or two coats of chalkboard paint over the primed door, being sure to let dry completely between coats. Once both coats have dried, carefully outline the edges of the door with your trim material (we glued on a gold border). Tuck some pretty pastel chalk into a little handbag, and hang it on your doorknob for easy access. Now, you have a chalkboard "write" on your door for leaving messages and mindless doodles. Just wipe with a damp cloth to erase existing messages and start anew. Can't "knock" that!

Door #3 Worth 1,000 words

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SHOPPING LIST acrylic paint * yardstick * sponge paintbrushes * pencil * stencils

What's your favorite quote, verse, lyric or poem? Display it on your door, line by line. First, cover the door with a base coat of paint in a fairly light color (this step is not necessary if your door is already in good base condition). Next, using the yardstick as a guide, pencil as many straight lines as you need for your quote. Lightly pencil in individual letters to ensure you have enough room to fit your quote. Then, one by one, line up each stencil, dabbing paint on with sponge paintbrushes. If lettering comes out less than perfect, tidy them up by outlining with black marker when dry. Add moons, stars or other designs as accents.

Door #4 Tres chic sheet

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SHOPPING LIST flat bed sheet large enough to cover your door (or purchased fabric--stiff cotton is recommended) * scissors * wide ribbon * upholstery or flat-head tacks * hammer * tacky glue

This project works best if you take the door off its hinges, so get some help. Measure front of door. Cut sheet to fit, leaving two inches extra on all four sides. Stretch sheet over the door, securing with tacks along the outer edges. Where the sheet meets the doorknob, cut out an "X" just large enough for the knob to slip through. Trim around door handle. Tack ribbon at top-center of door and pull straight down to the bottom, securing at the underside with a tack. Run another piece of ribbon crosswise and secure both sides with a tack. Flatten loose pieces of ribbon with dabs of tacky glue. Remount door. Finish off with a bow.

Door #5 Silly self-portrait

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SHOPPING LIST old clothes * staple gun and staples * dollar-store accessories * silhouette head (either purchased or cut from construction paper)

Rather than tossing that favorite outfit that you can't squeeze into any longer, turn it Into a door display. First, hang your "head" near the top of the door. We mounted a Glamour Girls wall sculpture ($25, burnesgroup.com), but you can cut out a silhouette of your own face by simply taping a piece of construction paper to the wall and having someone outline your shadow. (Remember that kindergarten project?) Use the staple gun to attach the clothes to the door, and don't forget to accessorize. We scored snazzy socks, gloves, jewelry and barrettes at the dollar store to finish dressing our door doll.