The more time you spend in your home, the easier it becomes to see opportunities to improve your living space. Quirks that were once endearing can become bothersome, or a design from another home might catch your eye and have you wanting for a different look.
The beauty of the digital age is how easy it’s become to find inspiration and tutorials for projects that you can do yourself. Simply hop on YouTube and search for a project, and you’ll be greeted with a variety of different options.
Here’s the challenge.
Everyone has different levels of ability when it comes to home projects, and too often tutorials can make a project seem simple. It’s all too easy to end up over your head and wishing you hadn’t started the project in the first place.
With that understanding, we pulled together 30 of our favorite home DIY projects and then categorized them based on necessary skill level, risk, time, and cost. Each project falls into one of the following categories:
- Beginner – these projects are inexpensive, require a basic skill level, and in the event you don’t like the result, odds are you can easily restore the project to its original state.
- Intermediate – these projects might require more tools and supplies, a bit more expertise, and while many can be restored should you not like the result, it’s going to take some work.
- Advanced – these projects require a higher level of precision, often require more than basic household tools, and are meant to last. If not executed properly, the results can be costly.
Wherever you fit in these categories, we hope you find something on the list that appeals to you! Let’s dive in!
Not a fan of the easy stuff? Click either of the buttons below to jump directly to Intermediate or Advanced projects!
Paint Your Front Door
Perhaps your front door is in rough shape, or you just want to add a pop of color to make your home feel more inviting. Painting your door is a project that can easily be done in an afternoon, and can have a dramatic effect on your home’s appearance.
Here’s a tutorial we like:
Hang Some String Lights
This is about as simple and easy a project as you’ll find on the list. Hanging string lights requires nothing more than a staple gun or some hooks, and can make your back porch or outdoor seating area feel like an evening retreat.
Here are some best sellers on Amazon right now:
Add Some Peel & Stick Wallpaper
Wallpaper has come a long way. If you have a wall or space that needs some character, peel and stick wallpaper may be your solution. Aside from the paper itself, the project requires only basic household tools, and there are a ton of options with different patterns and textures.
Here’s a straightforward tutorial that covers the project well:
Frame Your Bathroom Mirrors
Framed mirrors add a touch of character and class to your bathroom. If you are tired of your builder grade mirrors, yet aren’t keen on the idea of springing for all new mirrors, a DIY framing project will be right up your alley.
Here’s a tutorial that shows how easy it can be to go from boring to stylish!
Swap Out Your Shower Heads
This project is one that delivers both style and functionality. If the look of your shower head lends to a dated feel, or you just want to change the way your shower delivers water, a replacement is in order. Shower heads are fairly easy to swap out, and are well worth the investment.
Check out this video tutorial that breaks down the installation process:
Add Some Decorative Trim
If you’re looking to add some dimension or contrast to a room, consider adding some decorative trim to your walls. Whether you choose to paint the trim the same color as the wall or a contrasting color, the result is a classic, interesting look. We recommend painting the trim prior to installing it, and the tutorial below shows how a piece of plyboard can be your best friend when it comes to placement.
Add Some Plants!
No tutorial needed here – this one is pretty straightforward. Real plants are in, and deliver a natural feel to any room. There are also tons of cute planters out there to compliment whatever look you are going for, or you can even make your own!
Change Out Your Doorknobs
Doorknobs are easily to overlook, but offer a nice touch of style without needing to replace a door. You’ll find a variety of options to fit the design of the rest of your home, and installation is a breeze.
Here’s a simple breakdown of how to swap them out:
Replace Your Kitchen Cabinet Hardware
Similar to a doorknob, swapping out your kitchen cabinet hardware is a great way to change the look in your kitchen without having to replace the entire cabinet. Since they are relatively easy to switch out, don’t be afraid to try something bold. For an easy installation process, we recommend buying replacements that fit the holes already drilled in your cabinets. Here’s a tutorial that covers the entire installation:
Reupholster Some Chairs
Do you wish you could change the look of your upholstered chairs? Perhaps you found some chairs with great bones at a flea market and the fabric is in disrepair? Before you spend the money on new chairs, consider reupholstering an old one. You get to choose the exact fabric you want, and can save a lot of money in the process. Here’s a guide to show you how:
Add Some Wainscoting
Wainscoting serves as a way of protecting a surface while delivering some charming character. You can install some on the back of your kitchen island or the outside of a tub as a simple project, or cover the lower areas of your walls in an entire room for a more dramatic change. We recommend using ready-made panels to make installation easier, and the tutorial below will walk you through the step-by-step process.
Create a DIY Headboard
If you are in the market for a new headboard, consider making your own! You can either breathe life into an old one, or create one from scratch. There are a variety of ways to go with this project — some of which are more involved than others — hence why it lands in our intermediate category.
Need some inspiration? Here are some ideas to get you started:
Replace Your Light Fixtures
You hate to see it. A home has undergone a dramatic renovation, yet the lighting from 1979 remains. If you aren’t quite ready for a larger renovation, or have recently made some changes, updating your lighting can have a dramatic effect on the look of your home.
The video tutorial below will help you with the basics:
Install New Ceiling Fans
Similar to lighting, a new ceiling fan can make a big difference. Installation is a bit more involved than your typical light fixture, so we recommend that you follow the directions in the tutorial below to ensure that the project goes smoothly.
Paint Your Home
We say it to our clients all the time when showing homes; a fresh coat of paint can make a huge difference. Whether you’re looking to modernize a room with a bright white or go with a bolder color choice, the difference from painting is dramatic and immediate. Doing the job correctly does require a proper approach and attention to detail, so here’s a link to double check and make sure you’re taking the proper steps.
Create a Shiplap Accent Wall
If you watch a lot of home renovation shows, you’ve probably seen your fair share of shiplap accents. This trendy look is still in, and can quickly add character and a warm feeling to a space that lacks it. You can choose to use shiplap or save money by cutting plywood to mimic the look of shiplap.
The tutorial below shows how:
Make Some DIY Shelving
Most people have shelves in their homes, but often forget how easy it can be to make your own! The options here are limitless, from choice of material to design, so building your own shelves is a great weekend project that results in a piece that matches the style of your home and something you can always look at and be proud of!
Here are some cool ideas for DIY shelving:
Add New Baseboards
Adding baseboards to a room is a great way to create instant character. Although this project seems simple enough, you’ll need to make some precise cuts, and the process of measuring, preparing, and installing will likely take you a few days, so plan accordingly.
The step-by-step guide below has some great best practices to keep in mind if you’re considering adding or replacing the baseboards in your home.
Make Some Garage Organizers
A well organized garage looks appealing while making life much easier. There are plenty of ways to get organized — overhead storage, toolbox organizers, shelving, and more. Whichever you choose, most garage storage can be easily built to fit your needs. Just make sure that whatever you build is sturdy enough to hold the items it’s intended for.
Here are some creative ideas for garage storage projects:
Pressure Wash Your Home
Regardless of the exterior materials your home is made from, over time, dust and dirt are sure to build up. Pressure washing your home is fairly straightforward, yet it will take you some time to complete the job. The tutorial below provides some great tips for preparing your home to be pressure washed, as well as some important warnings, such as not pressure washing lead-based paint and keeping the pressure washer away from windows:
Build a DIY Sliding Barn Door
Installing a sliding barn door is an easy way to give a room a modern, stylish look. Rather than purchasing a door new, you can repurpose an old door and change out the hardware to complete the look.
Here’s a tutorial on how to build your own sliding barn door:
Give Your Garage Door a Makeover
For many homes, the garage door takes up a good portion of the front of the house. If you want your home to look its best, giving your garage door a makeover can be a great way to get there. There are plenty of different styles and methods for changing up the look, so here are some ideas to help provide some inspiration:
Take on a Faux Marble Project
While this project will not cost much to complete, it’s the risk involved that lands it in this category for us. Execute a faux marble look correctly, and you can make your old laminate counters look updated and fresh while saving a ton of money. Get it wrong, and you can end up with a surface that looks worse than before you started. We recommend starting with the tutorial below and practicing on a few test surfaces to perfect your approach before heading into the kitchen.
Install a New Kitchen Backsplash
A backsplash can give your kitchen a luxurious feel, yet if yours is old or out of style, it might be doing just the opposite. There are plenty of options available to provide the look you want, and if you have the right tools, adding your own backlash won’t break the bank. There are some important nuances to consider in order to achieve a well executed look, so here’s an easy-to-follow tutorial for replacing your backsplash.
Retile Your Shower
A freshly tiled shower can make your bathroom feel like new. You may want to have a professional install your shower membrane and pan, but if you have the right tools and know how, you can save a good bit of money by doing all of the tile work.
Here’s a tutorial to cover the basics:
Give Your Staircase a Makeover
In many homes, the staircase is one of the first things your guests will see. Make their first impression a great one by giving your stairs a fresh look. If the stairs are covered in carpet, consider exposing and refinishing the treads. Changing out your railing can also have a dramatic effect on the space.
Here’s a great tutorial on refinishing your stair treads:
Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets
We’ve seen a lot of painted cabinets in recent years. When done properly, the results can be stunning. You may be tempted to simply grab a paint brush and start covering, but trust us, the key here is the prep work. The tutorial below does a great job of outlining the proper steps to painting your cabinets to achieve a look you’ll love.
Give Your Fireplace a Makeover
Your fireplace can serve as a focal point in a room, or in some cases, an eyesore that you’d like to cover up and forget. There are some simple fixes to sprucing up your fireplace, but consider going all out and giving it a full makeover.
There are tons of great possibilities — here’s a list of different makeover options for any home:
Create a Garden
If you’re tired of looking out at the same old patch of grass, creating a garden is a great way to change up the look of your yard while enjoying some outdoor activity. The possibilities are endless, although it is important to choose plants that will thrive in the area you live in, as well as put in the work to keep them healthy. Here are some really neat vegetable garden ideas that will keep you plenty busy, while putting some food on the table in the process!
Refinish Your Wood Floors
While vinyl plank flooring continues to gain popularity, nicely finished hardwood floors offer a timeless look. If your floors have seen better days, considering refinishing rather than replacing or covering them up. You’ll likely need to rent the right tools for the job, but the money saved by doing the job yourself — and the satisfaction of seeing your own results — will be well worth it. Here’s a tutorial that outlines the process of bringing those old floors back to life!
We hope this list was helpful and that you have a few new projects to be excited about! If you choose to move forward with any of these projects, we’d love to hear about your results. And as always, if you have any questions about making a move or need any home resources, we would be honored to help! You can always call us at 972-608-0777 or request a call HERE and we’ll be in touch.
