DIY home improvement projects do not have to be intimating. Here are a few projects to help get your creative wheels spinning. Once you start creating a home you love with DIY, you will wish you would have started sooner.
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We are all about DIY projects around here. That is why we call ourselves DIY nuts! If we feel we can do a project ourselves, you better believe we will try. We absolutely feel so much pride when our do-it-ourselves projects help make our house a home.
Not to mention, some home DIY projects are not only cheaper than hiring professionals but can also help you increase the value of your home.
What does DIY stand for?
DIY stands for do-it-yourself and DIY home projects are a great way to turn your house into a home.
Home Improvement Projects That Should Not Be DIY
Just be aware that there are a few home DIYs that we will not try to conquer. Here is a great Chicago Tribune article that talks about some of the cons of doing all projects DIY. We have learned our lesson that some projects (electrical, plumbing, etc.) should be left to professionals.
However, there are endless DIY home projects we do feel we can take on (and you can, too). Once you tackle of few weekend projects, your wishlist of DIY home projects will probably keep growing.
Why do home renovations yourself?
When someone decides to take on home projects themselves, you are bound to get a unique item or feel in your home. I know some people who love to just buy all the furniture out of a catalog so that their room looks just like a Pottery Barn ad.
That is a really expensive way to go about decorating your home.
There really is no individuality in doing that.
If you are that person that just likes to buy everything, you still may be able to pick up a few DIY tips or small home items you could make to really make your house a home.
Whether you are painting or using power tools, here are 55+ weekend DIYs to help inspire your next project.
DIY Kitchen Projects
The kitchen is the perfect place to spend your weekend. You can really make a big impact in a small amount of time. Don't worry there are ways to cheaply makeover your kitchen.
1
Add Color To Your Kitchen Island
Maybe you don't want to paint or repaint all of your kitchen cabinets. Adding color to an island is a way to give a fresh look while keeping it a weekend painting project.
Something as simple as changing out your cabinet hardware can make a big impact. Sometimes you may just really need to deep clean your hardware and not even have to replace it. Other times you may decide to spray paint it. Just make sure that you prep the hardware properly first.
These oak kitchen cabinets were completely updated by changing the surroundings. Adding an awesome backsplash can really modernize your kitchen without having to do much else. You can easily rent a tile saw or even try peel-and-stick versions this weekend.
Yes, you heard that right. You can even paint your glass tile backsplash for a cleaner look. No need to rip out the old tile and start over. The best part is that this project only takes a few hours with dry time.
Another DIY kitchen idea is to change out light fixtures. Changing light fixtures in any room is a great way to help give a space a quick refresh. You can find all types of different light fixtures for all sorts of budgets out there. Pick a light fixture that showcases your personality. We still absolutely love this capiz shell chandelier 5+ years later.
White is the classic cabinet color that can really update your space. But don’t be scared to try some of the newer grays or even muted colors that are out there.If you are on a budget, then painting old cabinets is a sure way to makeover your kitchen space. Turning your old brown cabinets white (or two-toned) is a sure way to brighten your kitchen and make you love this space again.
The kitchen and bathrooms are probably two of the most used rooms in a house. Therefore, DIY projects that are budget-friendly can truly enhance these spaces.
7
Use Paint In A Fun Way
Painting can always change a space. Different shades of gray can really make a space feel more modern. Adding a fun design can give a whole new feel for only the cost of the paint.Make sure not to pick a color that is too dark if you have a small bathroom.
You can create your own DIY bathroom shelves or install premade shelves. This is a simple DIY project that anyone can do to help keep yourself more organized and your guests more at home.
Create your own accessories, like repurposing old jars to store things like q-tips, other toiletries, and things guests might need. There are a lot of different ways you can repurpose items for bathroom shelves.
You can find mirrors with frames that are pretty cheap at places like HomeGoods are even from Target, like this fun-shaped one. And if you are like us, then those builder-grade mirrors are great to put up in a basement for your home gym mirrors (always repurposing around here).
Painting a wall, creating closet shelving or just adding new accessories can make your bedroom feel cozy on a budget.
13
Create DIY Nursery Decor and Accessories
Consider gender-neutral nursery decor but with a pop of color. Create your own DIY nursery curtains, pillows and mobile. It is cheaper to find a fabric you love and go from there. Sometimes your nursery color inspiration may come from fabric first.
Consider even using items that aren't necessarily meant for bedrooms (think spick racks or gutters) to help store toys and books in kid bedrooms and nurseries.
This project does take a little elbow grease and time but can be done in one weekend. If I can do it while pregnant, you can too! Change the color scheme to fit your needs and space.
DIY doesn't always have to be hard. Finally, organize all those adorable clothes by size with easy cardboard dividers, or spend time making fancier ones. Either way, you will be thankful you took a little time to organize that nursery closet.
How many years have you had the same mattress or pillows? If you can't remember it is probably time you consider purchasing a new one. You don't even have to go to the store. There are numerous different mattresses in boxes that you can get delivered right to your home. Spoiler Alert: We were nervous about ordering a mattress in a box, but still are super happy with our choice.
Whether with chalk paint or gel stain, you can modernize a dresser to fit your home decor style. Add some new accessories and you will have a completely new look.
Adding 9 frames in a square can create a feature wall your guest will love to look at. We know you have a blank wall just waiting to get some love. Whether you want a picture wall that is all the same frames or a variety of sizes and styles, you can build a gallery wall to fit your style and budget.
After our television was mounted in the corner, we had to come up with a DIY corner shelf for our cable box. Adding just this one shelf seemed to replace our need for the ugly television stand we had that we were able to sell in buy-sell-trade groups (learn more about buying and selling furniture for DIY projects in our post about the lingo).
Don’t just paint the walls, consider painting molding and trim. This is a total pain, but you will not get over how fresh your house can look with freshly painted molding. Again, we use this same technique to paint our kitchen cabinets, molding, and fireplace mantel.
Yes, we know some people gasp at the thought of painting woodwork or brick. However, if it isn't your style, paint can be the cheapest way to do a fireplace makeover.
Not sure you want to completely paint the brick? If you don't like the appearance of your brick, but still want some variation you may want to consider whitewashing for a weekend DIY fireplace remodel. Even this large wall fireplace was done over a few hours.
Consider your home's layout. If you are not using your dining room, then turn it into something you would use, like a home office.
You will love having your own space to work. We have even seen people turn small closets into desk spaces so that they have their own personal place to go and work.
27
Paint Your Computer Case
Spend an hour painting your old lap top case so you don't dread looking at in your home office.
The basement is the perfect place to start with your beginner DIY projects.
34
Add Modern Basement Drop Ceiling Tile Idea
Update your basement ceiling. Those old drop ceiling tiles that you think are white, are actually probably pretty dingy. The best part is that these vinyl tiles can be cut with scissors and get fit into the grid you probably already have.
Redo any room that is not what you need. This room in our basement has gone from an odd wallpapered office (not our design) to abedroom to now a kids' craft and playroom.
Paint molding or doors. While we have painted every single piece of molding white upstairs, we knew that our basement didn’t need that. Instead, just picking to paint the white columns and closet doors really brightened the basement.
Transform an old piece of furniture into something completely new. Here you can see how an old entertainment center turned into an awesome dress-up clothes storage idea.
Paintstock cabinets and attach them above your washer and dryer. Adding 36” heigh cabinets can give you almost a whole other shelf to store your household projects.
Consider looking at your entryway or walls to see if there are any other weekend DIYs you can complete.
44
Turn A Closet Into A Mudroom “Cubby”
Turn an entryway closet into a mud bench or “mudroom”. Adding extra hooks, using baskets and extra shelving will help everyone in your family have a place to put things right when they come in the door.
Build a DIY playset that your children can love. This can be a smaller playset with a simple rock wall or a huge endeavor that can grow with your children for many years.
Create raised garden boxes or DIY your landscape to be a true oasis. Adding potted plants, gardens and simple landscaping can really enhance your outdoor space. Want to make these more budget-friendly? Use cedar picket fencing instead of cedar boards.
Make your own outdoor furniture with leftover composite decking (or regular pressure-treated wood). Outdoor furniture can be pretty pricey, and if you are like us, then you love it when you come up with a solution for the leftover materials you already have.
Not quite ready to get those power tools out?Then go ahead and try to makeover old plastic toys this weekend. You would be amazed at how much money you can save when you repurpose outdoor toys. In the above link, we go into full detail on how we did this Little Tikes Playhouse makeover.
Now is the time to start getting those hands busy creating and making things to improve your home. We know that these are all possible with hard work and determination.
You will be so happy when you start to see your DIY home improvement ideas come to life!
Erin Nutter is the DIY enthusiast, writer and photographer behind TheDIYNuts.com. She loves sharing her passion for do-it-yourself projects along with her husband, Eric. As an artist, mother, and lover of all things DIY she hopes to inspire you to be creative to make a life and home you love.
Hey Ruth. Thanks for the kind words about our DIY projects. May I ask what device you were on? I do have share buttons at the top and button. If you are on a tablet or computer you also should have been able to share with the hover Pinterest icon as well. I hope that helps.
Hey this is great. Very very helpful for me. No share buttons?
Hey Ruth. Thanks for the kind words about our DIY projects. May I ask what device you were on? I do have share buttons at the top and button. If you are on a tablet or computer you also should have been able to share with the hover Pinterest icon as well. I hope that helps.
Looking for a DIY site that I too can share ideas and ask questions.
Hi Charlie. I would recommend looking at a few DIY Facebook groups. People are always sharing their projects and/or asking for advice.