DIY home improvement ideas: 18 favorite projects and tips

I feel my greatest satisfaction from the construction of a 320-square-foot floating deck over a previously unusable sloping portion of my yard. I see outdoor space from the perspective of how it can be used as a product manager of patio furniture, and my own backyard was a total disaster with no place to put furniture since it lacks any level ground. The purpose of this project was to create some usable space and make my yard functionally better by creating new outdoor living areas and designated spaces for dining, lounging, and BBQ or grilling.

The majority of my experience has taught me to concentrate 90% of your time and effort on the substructure or the underlying structure when building a deck. Most people spend their time focused on the color of the composite decking and ignore the structural geometry of the foundation, which is where the long-term failures occur. Make sure to obsess over making sure your footings or blocks are perfectly level and calculate the correct joist spans for the weight they will carry. A solid foundation ensures the longevity of your investment and creates a safe environment; the surface boards are simply the finishing touch.

My favorite DIY project has been adding wood slat panels behind the bed in our primary bedroom. This simple addition transformed what was essentially a basic box into a cozy, high-design space while requiring minimal investment in materials and tools. For anyone considering a similar project, I’d recommend carefully planning your measurements and potentially creating a small test section first to ensure you’re happy with the spacing and overall look. The beauty of architectural details like these is that they can completely change how a room feels without the need for a full renovation or significant expenses.

One of the best DIY projects I’ve tackled was customizing an empty corner into a built-in reading nook. I constructed a simple wooden bench that has storage space underneath, and I built wall-mounted shelves above the bench to hold our books and plants. What was once an uninspired corner became the coziest area in our home, offering the best of both worlds in comfort and pragmatism.

Overall, the process helped me realize the sometimes counterintuitive notion of designing small spaces with intention and how that can lead to a much larger feel.

My biggest piece of advice is to design with verticality in mind and also consider lighting. A simple, soft wall sconce made a huge difference in the mood of the corner.

When deciding on the final touches, don’t put pressure on yourself to finish quickly. Sometimes it can be the simplest detail of function and form that makes things feel ‘you.’

The best DIY project I did was to build a full-height library wall in the living room that combined storage and display. I made it out of clear-stained fir because it lends warmth and lets the grain show through. Each shelf was designed to hold specific items like books, records, prints, and the like. The cabinets below provided storage for cables, tools, and small equipment. The project brought order to an underutilized wall and created a focal point that lends balance, depth, and character to the room without being overwhelming.

Anyone contemplating a project needs to plan around the functionality of the room as used day-to-day. Pre-fit each component before final assembly, since walls are rarely square. Allow for minor irregularities in the work and make them part of the design. Be sure to add appropriate lighting behind the shelving to highlight textural quality and lend warmth.

One of my favorite DIY projects was building a vertical herb garden on my balcony. By utilizing basic PVC piping and a few wall mounts, I created an ideal little space-saving garden just off our front door. This was a great way to grow fresh basil, mint, and other culinary herbs right outside our back door. In addition to adding a splash of green to what had become a rather drab concrete balcony area, I was able to gain quick and easy access to all the fresh ingredients needed for family meals.

If you are considering a DIY project similar to this one, I think there are a couple of things to keep in mind. First, be sure to use only food-safe products for your materials, as they will come into contact with edible plants. Also, ensure that your garden has adequate drainage. To accomplish this, I placed a layer of gravel at the bottom of each planter so that roots could grow properly and not be waterlogged.

Second, I would recommend starting small with a few (maybe 3-4) planters to see where the sunlight falls in the different parts of the space. I used a smartphone app to monitor the amount of light falling into the space and to optimize the placement of the plants. It has made a big difference in the health of the herb garden that I now enjoy.

Overall, I found the sense of accomplishment from completing this DIY and the many practical uses for it to be extremely rewarding. As such, I believe that a well-done DIY project is a great way to improve both the functionality and aesthetic appeal of a living space. I hope that others consider their own vertical gardening ideas and enjoy the experience of growing their own fresh produce in limited space.

Making my own bookshelves was probably the most fun DIY project. It became a source of storage and personality in the room, which felt neat and signature. The project elevated the space by making it a focal point and providing us with a spot to show off books, plants, and decor. Measure closely, use materials that are secure or strong, and if you’re new to DIY, start with a simple design. Sanding and painting are chores that take time, so be patient — it’s worth the effort for the smooth look!

The DIY project I enjoyed most was turning a small patio into a green oasis with vertical gardening. I constructed some wooden frames to hold planters, and then I filled the planter boxes with herbs, succulents, and seasonal flowers to liven up what was otherwise a boring wall. The results were stunning; the patio was transformed from a plain concrete area into a calming retreat where I could go outside at the end of the day and relax.

Due to the transformation, I was able to improve air quality and create an inviting outdoor space. My main piece of advice is to use plants that are suited to your climate and sunlight conditions so that you don’t have to worry about maintenance; it is not difficult to grow plants when nature takes over. You should also use an irrigation system; even a simple drip line can save you hours of watering and will allow your garden to flourish.

My favorite DIY project in my own place was building a 12-foot wall shelf system using leftover roof sheathing and seven steel brackets that cost me exactly 42 dollars. In reality, that shelf changed the whole feel of the room because it lifted everything off the floor and brought this clean horizontal line that made the space look wider by maybe 30 percent. I mean, the materials were sitting in my garage, and it took roughly two hours from start to finish, which made it feel even better. Seriously, the shelf became this anchor point that makes the room feel intentional without trying too hard. The devil is in the details, and making sure the brackets were spaced at exactly 20 inches kept the whole thing solid.

The enhancement came from the structure of the piece rather than the decor on it. People underestimate how much one stable, overbuilt element can change the energy of a room. In fact, the added storage cleared out about five bins worth of clutter that had been floating around for months. Long story short, the room looks calmer, cleaner, and way more functional. To be fair, nothing fancy happened here, just a clean cut, good screws, and a bit of patience.

In 2022, I was going to buy a large custom-built entertainment unit for my living room, but instead of paying thousands for a carpenter to build me one, I thought I’d just build a floating media console myself. This project was a great example of using my design engineering background from VIA University College in my personal space. I made the console to house all the electronics and cables for a minimalist appearance with high-quality oak veneer boards. It improved the space in the way that all the clutter was off the ground and the room felt larger and much cleaner. The floating design works particularly well because it visually opens up the area of the lower wall, which is ideal for a smaller room.

My tip to anyone considering a similar DIY is to over-engineer the wall mounting. I used a strong French cleat system that was attached straight to the wall studs, so the finished piece is easily able to handle well over 100 kilos, giving me no worries about the weight of the electronics being so large. You should be spending 60 percent of your total project time on the hidden structure because the visible aesthetic is only important if the unit is strong and secure.

I spent 12 hours creating a custom home gym in my garage because exercise is a key part of being a man to achieve peak wellness and control low testosterone in my practice. My goal was to install a highly functional space that did not feel like a typical dingy garage gym. I concentrated on how to maximize the 4.75-meter by 6.09-meter area for under $3,000.00. I repainted the walls, installed interlocking rubber flooring tiles that cost $585.50 and a wall-mounted folding squat rack that cost $899.99. The transformation made the space bright, professional, and completely dedicated to physical health, which is a constant focus for my men’s health patients.

Others trying to do a garage gym should spend time getting all dimensions measured before buying major equipment. My team sees a lot of men who buy racks too big for their space due to the height of the ceiling or door clearance. Focus on multi-functional equipment such as the folding rack in order to save as much space as possible, and consider high-density rubber mats for flooring, which not only protect the concrete below but also provide excellent grip while lifting heavy equipment. Installing good lighting and a proper sound system makes the area much more inviting so that you will actually use the gym consistently.

I installed flat, matte white paddle switches in place of all the outdated builder-grade light switches. It only cost about $60 and took a few hours, but it immediately gave the place a much newer feel. Before I saw it for myself, I had no idea how much of a difference it would make. I was surprised that even the guests noticed the change.

Make sure to turn off the breaker as well as the switch if you wish to attempt this. Don’t take any chances; make sure the power is off by using a non-contact voltage tester. The rest went smoothly after I figured out the wiring. Before disconnecting the wires, label them. Although you don’t need to be an electrician, you should take your time and work carefully.

In my backyard, I built a raised garden using hardwood set in concrete anchors. This transformed a useless space in the back of the yard into a useful one which grows vegetables all year and requires little attention, and it’s all quite tidy as well. The structure gives the yard some contour and makes planting and harvesting the crops easier, while also creating a neat appearance.

For anyone who wants to build a similar DIY project, focusing on the security of the framework is important by fastening it down to prevent pests and using high-quality wood in the construction. Another important consideration is that the inside of the bed should be lined with heavy-duty landscaping fabric to control weeds and retain moisture. Measuring carefully, checking the depth of soil to be used, and allowing adequate room for the plants to grow are necessary steps for a low-maintenance and satisfactory setup.

Planning the layout of the garden before building is quite important in making it efficient and compact, and it will also save trouble later on.

I would say my favorite was converting a cluttered utility closet into a self-contained beverage station. It’s got a mini fridge, a hot water dispenser, an 18-slot K-cup drawer, and LED lighting that turns on when you open the door. The whole thing cost under $350 and took 6 hours to build with off-the-shelf parts. The space gets used 7 times a day, minimum, and keeps people from crowding the main kitchen when guests are over. Believe it or not, that single change cut down on noise and foot traffic by at least 60% during the holidays… no kidding.

I’d say refinishing wood furniture is one of my favorite DIY projects I’ve done in my home. This can take a bit of research and practice to get done right, and I’d probably recommend it for pieces without sentimental value first before trying it on older, antique pieces. Refinishing your wood pieces can allow you to refresh and enhance the appearance of wood furniture, and you can select a different stain or finish based on how you’d like it to look, match it to existing decor, etc., which I think makes this a great project if you’re looking to enhance a particular space.