Do you own your own home or maybe you are a renter looking to spruce up your living space? Or maybe you’re just someone interested in DIY home decor projects, but you’re not sure where to start? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
One excellent way to achieve this is by taking on your own DIY home decor projects. Focus on easy projects as they will not only help you with a tight budget but also allow you to share your personal style and exercise your creativity in your space. You will also get a sense of accomplishment from doing something with your hands and a little hard work.
In this beginner’s guide, I offer some simple tips and tricks that will help you get started the easiest way on your DIY home decor journey. Your DIY home decor projects should be more than DIY crafts with a hot glue gun. I hope this guide will inspire you to create a beautiful and personalized space that reflects your unique style.
DIY home project tips for beginners
- Finding Inspiration – A great starting point in any DIY project is finding inspiration. You can use Pinterest, Instagram, or even home decor magazines to find ideas for your DIY projects. Look for projects that are simple and easy to do, especially if you’re a beginner. Once you’ve found a project that you love, start planning.
- Start Small – Your first project should be a small and easy DIY project. This will give you the confidence to learn more. As you complete more small projects and acquire more tools, you can then begin to take on more challenging projects as you gain skills and knowledge.
- Create a Plan – Before you begin your DIY project, it’s essential to create a plan. This will help you avoid mistakes and save you a lot of time and frustration. Make a list of all the necessary materials, tools, and equipment that you’ll need to complete your project. Also, set a reasonable and realistic timeline for your project. Search the internet for easy tutorials that way you know that you have the tools to finish the task.
- Repurpose and Upcycle – One of the easiest ways to save money and add character to your home is to repurpose or upcycle items that you already have or from thrift stores. For example, you can turn an old ladder into a bookshelf or a bedframe into a shelf. You can also give old furniture a new life with a fresh coat of paint or some new hardware. Don’t be afraid to get creative and think outside of the box when it comes to repurposing items.
- Take it One Project at a Time – It is important to remember that DIYing your entire home can be overwhelming. Take it one room and one project at a time and focus on creating a space that makes you happy. Don’t worry about being “perfect.” You will learn as you complete each project.
- Getting the Right Tools – Having the right tools is critical when embarking on DIY home decor projects. Fortunately, many DIY projects require only basic tools such as a hammer, saw, and screwdriver. However, if you’re taking on more complex DIY projects, you may need specialized tools such as a jigsaw, drill, and sander. When purchasing tools, go for quality tools over cheap ones. This will save you money in the long run.
Must have tools for Beginner DIY Projects
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Of course, there are the basic manual hand tools that are a MUST to get started on your DIY journey. These basics are quality measuring tape, hammer, clamps, utility knife, screwdriver, speed square, level, adjustable wrench, pliers, and a staple gun.
Once you can use all the above tools, you are ready to up your skill level with some beginner power tools. The very first power tool I would recommend is a power drill. This is the easiest power tool to use and it only takes a little knowledge of how to use one.
Here is a list of the other basic power tools I suggest:
- Hand-held Sander – An orbital sander moves in small, circular orbits, hence the name “orbital”. An orbital sander is known for its smooth, swirl-free finish, and they’re typically less aggressive than belt or disk sanders, making them ideal for fine sanding and finishing work. corner sander and an orbital sander. My other recommendation is a detail sander. A detailed sander, also known as a mouse sander or corner sander, is designed for precision sanding. It owes its name to its small, pointed shape that resembles a computer mouse, which allows it to reach into tight corners and spaces that larger sanders can’t access. I recommend starting with a detailed sander before the orbital sander.
- Circular Saw. A circular saw is a powerful and versatile handheld power tool with a round, flat blade that spins in a circular motion. You can easily use it for all types of cutting. You can even use it to rip down sheets of wood. For a straight rip cut, I use the Kreg Rip-Cut saw guide. This is why I recommend this before a table saw. It’s cheaper and can do the same type of cuts.
- Jigsaw. A jigsaw is a versatile saw used for making curved cuts and intricate patterns in various materials such as wood, metal, plastic, and even ceramic tiles. It is a handheld tool with a reciprocating saw blade that moves up and down rapidly to cut through the material.
- Kreg Jig. A Kreg Jig is a popular tool used in woodworking and DIY projects for creating strong and concealed joints. It works by drilling precisely angled holes in pieces of wood, allowing for secure connections without the need for visible fasteners or screws. I only recommend this if you would like to build furniture or smaller wood accessories. You can build without one, however, using pocket holes gives your wood stronger connections.
Here is a list of the more advanced power tools I suggest:
- Power Nail Gun – Using a battery-operated nail gun allows for faster and smoother operation compared to traditional manual hammering. With just a squeeze of the trigger, the nail gun drives nails precisely and quickly into the desired surface.
- Miter Saw – A miter saw is designed to make precise and accurate cuts at various angles, primarily for creating clean, angled cuts in materials such as wood, plastic, or metal. I recommend this saw once you are ready to do 45-degree angles in your projects. A miter saw is a game-changer for making your own picture frames. Learning how to do this type of cut allows for cleaner finish lines.
- Table Saw – A table saw is designed with a flat table-like surface, which provides support to the material being cut. The circular blade, which can be adjusted to alter the depth of the cut, protrudes through this surface. Again, you can get by by using a circular saw and saw horses, however, the table saw is way easier to use.
- Router – A wood router is primarily used to hollow out or rout out an area in the face of a piece of wood, but it can also be utilized for cutting decorative edges, grooves, and intricate patterns. If you are ready for a router, I highly recommend that you also use it with a routing table. The table helps to keep the router steady for cleaner details.
If you are on a budget and are slowly building up your power tools, I recommend getting the power tools in the order that I have listed above.
The best way to learn how to use each of these power tools is to search YouTube. They have a lot of great tutorials on how to begin. Just type in “How to use a jigsaw for beginners” in the YouTube search bar. Change each search for the specific tool you would like to learn how to use.
A very important part is to make sure you use proper safety gear. Also, take the time to understand how each function before you begin.
Easy DIY Home Decor Ideas for Beginners
DIY projects are inexpensive, fun, and a great way to spruce up any living space. With these easy beginner DIY home decor projects, all it takes is a little creativity and time before your place will be transformed into something straight out of the pages of Designed Decor! With a few simple tools, supplies, and ideas you can create stunning pieces that perfectly fit your style.
- DIY Wall Art. An accent wall can be a great opportunity to add some personality and a focal point to your space. You don’t have to be an artist or an interior designer to create your own wall art or gallery wall. You can find tons of free printable art online or create your own using a program like Picmonkey or Canva. You can also frame family photos or postcards to add a personal touch. Don’t forget to experiment with different types of frames or gallery walls to create a cohesive look. Here are a few tutorials that I have done with creating my own wall art. Easy DIY art canvas ~ DIY antique wall map ~ Budget-friendly artwork
- DIY Picture Ledge. A picture ledge is a great idea and a very easy DIY home decor project, that allows you to display the wall art that you made. Easily fill up those bare walls with a DIY picture ledge. You can even have your local lumber store cut the wood pieces to size if you don’t have a power saw. Make sure you read how I made my own picture ledge with repurposed oak that I removed from my home.
- Hanging Air Plant Holder. Hanging air plant holders come in various designs, shapes, and sizes, from simple single-plant holders to intricate multi-plant displays. They can be minimalist and modern, rustic and natural, or even whimsical and quirky, depending on the aesthetic you prefer. Stop over to get the easy tutorial on how I built my air plant holders for my guest suite.
- Tufted Bench – A tufted upholstery bench is a piece of furniture that combines functionality with elegance. It’s often used as additional seating, a decorative accent, or even as a storage solution in various rooms of a home. You MUST stop over because I do my tufting with a different technique than the other tutorials that you will find online. I use power tools to do the tufting! How to build a tufted bench.
- Window Flower Box. A wooden window flower box, also known as a window planter, is a charming and practical addition to the exterior of a home. These flower boxes are typically rectangular in shape but can come in different sizes to fit different window widths. Come see how I created a faux window on my windowless shed and built the wooden flower box as well.
Simple Repurposed Beginner Projects
I love a great repurposed project. Nothing is better than finding an item at a thrift store and having a vision to turn it into something that will function and look great with my decor style. Some of my favorite repurposed projects do not even require power tools. Some are as simple as spray paint and glue.
- Drawer Front Risers – I turned old oak drawer fronts into display risers. You can easily do the same as my tutorial with glue and paint. I used screws to attach the legs because I wanted to make sure they were very secure. You can get away with using wood glue.
- Bed Frame Wall Shelf – This repurposed home decor project is one of my favorites. The wooden bed frame was a curbside find and the only power tool I needed was my power drill.
- Table Leg Candle Stick Holder. This was a complete upcycle project by using a table leg and some leftover wood scraps. Again, I used power tools but you could also achieve the same outcome with hand tools. Power tools just make DIYing so much easier.
- Repurposed Wooden Ladder – I love a good solid old wooden ladder, they make the best repurposed projects. You can also just clean one up and use it as a blanket ladder. I have done a few repurposed ladder projects over the years. Repurposed Ladder Shelf ~ Repurposed Leaning Ladder ~ Vertical Herb Garden
- Repurposed Chair Leg Bench – Nothing like using the legs of wooden chairs and pairing them with a barnwood slab. This project does require a hole saw bit that works with a power drill.
When it comes to DIY home decor projects, it is always good to start the easy way. Start with small ideas and build up your skills and expertise gradually. With the tips and tricks in this guide, you can start creating a beautiful home with DIY projects that you’ll be proud of and without a lot of work or a lot of money.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced DIY-er, the DIY home decor projects will help you save money, personalize your space, and have fun while doing it. So, grab your tools, get creative, and start making your home beautiful with DIY home decor projects!
DeDe Bailey
DeDe Bailey is the artistic mastermind behind Designed Décor and The Puzzle Table. With a rich background in home décor retail, she has transformed her website into a platform driven by a profound passion for helping individuals craft spaces they adore. As a self-taught furniture painting artist and thrift decorator, she loves sharing her knowledge and empowering others to beautify their homes through furniture painting and thrifting. When she isn’t sharing her wisdom on the Designed Décor blog, DeDe is occupied with showcasing her ingenious jigsaw puzzle table design and expanding her short-term rental located in NE Ohio.
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