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You should never stop looking for opportunities to better yourself. Whether you have basic, moderate or advanced DIY experience, there’s always room to improve, and the best way to build your skill set is by taking on a new project. You might have to step outside your comfort zone, but that makes it all the more rewarding.
In this article, we’ll detail five projects you can handle on your own, ranging from basic crafts to more complex installations which require a little extra effort. Regardless of aptitude, you’ll find each of the suggestions below — with a bit of planning and preparation — are within your ability.
Approach these projects with a positive attitude, and don’t give up!
1. Modern Address Plate
The address plate outside your home is likely the standard model, simple and unassuming. It serves its purpose and does little more. If you want to give your plate a modern update, with a cool, contemporary style, you can manage this easy project in two hours of total work time if you follow a tutorial.
A quick trip to your local hardware store will yield everything you need, and you likely have most of the requisite tools in your garage already. Just make sure to use safety glasses and gloves when handling your materials to prevent any accidents. The same goes for all the other projects on this list as well.
2. Vintage Trunk Bar
You might like the idea of a home bar, but for one reason or another, you never got around to making one. Fortunately, you have a less costly, more convenient alternative. A DIY home bar made from a vintage trunk is not only attractive but incredibly easy to transport from room to room.
With plywood, casters, aluminum corner channels, nails, screws and a little ingenuity, you can make a DIY vintage trunk bar at a fraction of the price of a large-scale installation. More than that, attaching wheels to the bottom will allow you to effortlessly move it wherever you need it.
3. Tire Rim Fire Pit
Repurposing old materials to make new items is both cost-effective and eco-friendly. You’re saving money and the environment, using trash which would otherwise pile up in junkyards, and the tire rim fire pit is a perfect example of this resourceful mentality. Upcycling provides a broad spectrum of possibilities.
A DIY fire pit will take up only a minimal amount of space in your backyard, serving multiple functions. You can place a grate on top to create an open-air grill, and customize it in other ways to suit your needs. Building one is far less expensive than store-bought fire pits, and just as effective.
4. Pallet Headboard
It doesn’t take much time or money to make a rustic headboard out of a repurposed pallet. If you want to bring an old-fashioned, rural warmth to your bedroom, this project only requires a few slats of wood and your standard toolset to accomplish. You can create a homespun headboard in no time at all.
Whether you choose pallet boards or old barn wood, the quality of your materials will influence the aesthetic of the final piece. It’s something to remember when collecting supplies. Consider the general look and feel you want to achieve with the headboard before beginning work.
5. Flooring Remodel
While most homeowners delegate flooring installation to a professional crew, you might find it’s within your skill set and ability. Some materials like snap-together laminate are relatively easy to handle with the right equipment and attitude. Just take it slowly, reference online guides and adhere to proper safety protocol.
If you engage in DIY projects for the interior of your home — like the pallet headboard, for example — you could find your flooring is mismatched. Knowing the best ways to match and coordinate your flooring is essential to maintaining consistency throughout your living space. Everything has to work together.
Start Your Next Project Today
There are few things more fulfilling than patting the dust from your clothes as you view the culmination of your hard work. While you put away your tools and store your extra supplies, you’ll enjoy a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment knowing you contributed to your home. It’s an unparalleled feeling.
To get started, view tutorials on some of the projects we’ve detailed above. And most of all, remember to stay safe!
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Photo provided by the author.