diy home projects
for beginners
Learning to DIY: My Story.
My first beginner project was inspired because my husband told me “No”
I sat in my daughters soon to be nursery, dreaming of all the pretty pink details that would soon fill the space. I really wanted to buy this cute shelf from Pottery Barn and fill it with fluffy gray elephants.
Pottery barn was out of budget especially in baby saving mode, but I had to try. I showed my husband, with my fingers crossed, and he saw the price and said, “That's crazy for a shelf, is there another one that's cheaper?”
That's when my journey as a DIY beginner began. I was a pregnant lady determined to get what I wanted and I had the courage to try. I asked my dad if he had any wood working tools, because I wanted to learn how to DIY and build a beautiful shelf.
“What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?”– Vincent Van Gogh
My dad was a mechanic with a shop full of tools. Not the right tools for a DIY beginner, but he happened to have some DIY and wood working tools. He gave me his miter saw and said, “I can teach you how to use some of these tools, but I don't know much about woodworking.”
We built a shelf that looked nothing like the Pottery Barn shelf I originally imagined!! But I didn't even care, I was so excited I actually built something myself .. like little ole me, I mean, with some help. I used what we had on hand, and felt so proud of that dinky shelf. It was love at first build, ha ha. It was invigorating and I felt like the possibilities were endless. Needless to say I was obsessed with learning how to DIY home projects.
Now that he's passed I look back on that DIY beginner project and it means so much more.
Soon I learned that doing DIY home projects was a bit more complex than I thought. A lot more than just slopping some paint on a piece of scrap wood and calling it a shelf. It was a learning process as with any new hobby. But it felt SO good to make something I wanted and save money. I dove in ready to teach myself, not knowing what to do or how to do it.
I was figuring the whole DIY thing out and discovering my creativity along the way. Fast forward almost 10 years later, I have been through all the trials and errors.
The more I learned how to DIY home projects and design, the more I discovered about myself and that our home environment (+ Jesus) holds the key to our happiness and family dynamics.
With each DIY home project, I saw the transformative power of customizing your home, how tailored solutions and personalized designs can improve the functionality of our living spaces.
My DIY journey has allowed me to create a home that combines pretty and functional spaces on a budget tailored for us.
It felt good knowing I could change my home how I wanted without having to spend extra money hiring out. That's when my DIY journey for sharing began and empowering women to take action and have fun creating pretty, functional spaces using paint and power tools.
What Tools Do You Need? -> Power Tool Purchasing Guide
Learning how to DIY as a beginner is such a fulfilling experience. It doesn't happen overnight, and there's so much to learn with all the power tools, what to use and how to use it. You might often wonder if it's worth the process in the first place, but I can encouragingly say, YES it is! That's why it's so important to not overcomplicate it and HAVE FUN! When you're having fun, the challenges don't seem so frustrating.
As a DIY Beginner, you almost feel like a kid again. You have a DIY home project vision and its new, it's exciting, it gives you drive, but it can also be confusing and scary. There is no other way to learn how to DIY beside going through the experience yourself, you have to take action. But if you are having a hard time taking action, lean into yourself and community. Plus, here are some DIY beginner tips for you.
DIY for beginners
& 3 things to know
1st learn how to conquer fear! We are all nervous to use power tools and scared (and excited) start DIY home projects. The thought alone of messing something up is scary enough. Half the time I felt frustrated figuring out how to use a tool and change the bits. Even the sound alone of power tools made me nervous when I first started DIY home projects. Not to mention the thought of me cutting a finger off, I mean, it's a scary situation right?
So, start watching a lot of diy home project videos on one tool at a time. Don't skip reading over the tool manual, even if it's a brief read. Learn what the part of your tools are called. Then, google additional safety tips. It's also wise to research what NOT to do when using tools. Once you have done all that and learned what safety protection you need, I like to do what is called listen to the engine. (now you can tell my dad was a mechanic, ha)
Turn your tool on and listen. Pay attention to the sound of it coming on and off (without using it). Get used to that loud noise, and how it sounds. Give it some ‘gas' or really, power if it's a tool with a trigger. I do this with all my new tools. It is helpful to know when your tool sounds off from a safety standpoint and mechanical. There could be a problem and it's easier to identify that.
DIY for beginners:
rev up that engine
Now without using your tool in a DIY project, just turn your tool on and listen. Pay attention to the sound of it coming on and off (not using on your stock). Get used to that loud noise, and how it sounds. Give it some ‘gas' or really, power if it's a tool with a trigger. I do this with all my new tools. This helps with your confidence and gives you a sense of the power behind the tool. It's also good to know what your tool sounds like from a safety standpoint and mechanical. There could be a problem and it's easier to identify that.
2nd tip to start DIY for beginners & home projects might sound trivial, but it is to train yourself to enjoy the process. If I could go back in time, this is what I would tell myself before I starts home projects.
When you are first learning to do home projects, you tend to get really excited about the end goal. It's not bad to be excited, but sometimes that leads DIY beginners to skip steps because they are in a rush to see how it turns out. I still have to consciously remind myself of this.
Taking your time during diy home projects and enjoying the in-progress phase is really important. Embrace the learning curve and take your time trying different DIY methods or products. Also, when you aren't in a rush, you make less mistakes and don't get frustrated as easy if your home project plans are disrupted.
3rd DIY for beginners tip – is to start small home projects and FINISH them. When you learn a new hobby, it takes longer in the beginning. As a beginner if you take on a huge project without some smaller projects under your belt, you are more likely to get frustrated and give up easier. Everyone wants to see the fruit of their labor and how the end product comes out.
If you have been on Instagram or and social as DIY lover, you have probably heard other DIY'ers talk about the 95% club right? We all kind of laugh about not finishing our diy home projects. But, for me, I laugh to make myself feel better.
I look around my house and I have 6 unfinished DIY home projects STILL from when I first began my journey. And honestly, I hate it lol. I feels like a burden on my shoulders, kind of like clutter. Don't let unfinished DIY home projects build up on your to do list. JUST FINISH THEM.
I have been slowly knocking them off my list. My new rule (if you're a beginner or not) for DIY projects is that I won't start a new project unless I have fully completed the last DIY home project.
DIY for beginners should be easy to start with. Here are some simple home projects to help you get started, I've shared some below.
Learn to effortlessly navigate DIY
as a beginner
5 Best DIY Home Project Tools
When you are learning how to DIY home projects, tools and lack thereof can feel overwhelming. The more you use power tools, the more comfortable you get. Just remember it takes time.
The more DIY home projects you do, you start to notice that a lot of tools have similar functions and they get easier to figure out and use.
As a DIY beginner, you might be what I call “tool poor” at least I was. I am thankful that my dad had an avid love of tools, he was a mechanic. Most of them were for cars, but he had a good amount for wood working tools as well that I have since inherited.
Power tools are expensive and if you can't buy them new, you can always buy them used or borrow them. Or buy the cheap ones and invest later, it's all circumstantial to where you are at in your journey.
Before I owned my table saw, I borrowed my friend's for my faux shiplap wall in my bathroom.
There are many different ways to do DIY home projects and tool alternatives. Some power tools can be used in place of what is “best to be used” right? If a table saw is easier to rip down pieces quicker, but all you have as a beginner is a jigsaw or circular saw, go slow and try it out. It's ok to use what you have until your tool collection starts to grow. There will be a few tools that come in handy with almost every project and some tools are easier to learn as a beginner.
- power drill
- brad nail gun
- miter saw
- orbital sander
Getting Started DIY & Wood Working For Beginners
Getting started doing diy projects for beginners is a great way to save money, add value to your home, and express your creativity. Whether you're a seasoned DIYer or just starting out, there are plenty of projects that are within your reach. Here are a few additional tips to get you started:
Choose a project that's right for you. There are endless possibilities when it comes to DIY home projects, so it's important to choose one that's appropriate for your skill level and budget. If you're new to DIY, start with something small and simple, like painting a room or adding shelves to closet. As you gain confidence, you can tackle more ambitious projects, like taking on an accent wall.
Do your research & plan. Once you've chosen a project, take some time to research the steps involved. There are plenty of resources available online and in libraries, and you can also ask for advice from friends, family, or experienced DIYers.
Get the right tools and materials and create a plan. Before you start working, make sure you have all the tools and materials you'll need. This will save you time and frustration down the road. If you don't own a particular tool, you can often rent it from a hardware store.
Be patient. DIY home projects can be time-consuming, so it's important to enjoy the process. Don't try to rush through the project as there is more risk for mistakes and ochies.
Be safe and always take your time as a DIY beginner. This includes wearing PPE – personal protective equipment, masks, eye goggles and ear muffs.
Have fun! Getting started as a DIY beginner is fun and rewarding. So, relax, take your time, and enjoy the process of making your home your own.
Easy Wood Working & DIY Beginner Home Project Ideas
- Refinish a piece of furniture, whether you practice painting or staining.
- Paint a room or accent wall. This is a great way to update the look of your home without spending a lot of money.
- Add a wood accent wall or box trim. Create a simple design. faux shiplap or board and batten are great beginner friendly options. Picture frame molding is fairly easy as well and can be cut with miter sheers or a miter box and hand saw
- Install new shelves. Replace those ugly wire shelves or add more shelves to a closet.
- Build a simple piece of furniture. A behind the couch table, side table or plant stand is a great place to start. Keep it simple as a beginner. This is a great way to add a personal touch with something you built your home.
- Closet turned mudroom. Another easy way to create some function around the house.
No matter what home project you tackle as a beginner, the most important thing is to take your time and have fun. It feels so good to be done and be proud of your accomplishments. DIY home projects are a great way to break out of your comfort zone and learn new skills. All while saving money to make your home more beautiful. So, get started today and pick out a projects to DIY.