If you’re looking to get started in the DIY world it can sometimes feel intimidating to pick a project that will both challenge you while still being achievable. So I’ve rounded up 5 projects that are great for the DIYer who’s just getting started. You’ll need some tools but not a ton, and a lot of the techniques you’ll see are super useful in the DIY space. With each project I have a corresponding YouTube video and a more detailed blog linked. So no matter what you decide to start with, you’ll have a step by step guide as you go! There’s nothing more therapeutic for me than building something, and I hope you can find that same joy in these projects too!
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Best projects for beginners
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Ok, here we go!
1. Limewash Paint an Accent Wall
Watch the full project video here!
Some quick tips for this project:
This project taught me a few things about limewash paint. But trust me, this is totally a great way to get into DIYing. You don’t need a ton of supplies and the visual impact at the end of the project is dramatic.
You’re going to want to make sure that you prep your wall by patching any holes and sanding the filler smooth.
Once you get into the actual painting process, the primer coats are really important and so are your brush strokes. Bigger brush strokes had a way better look in my opinion.
Keep in mind, with limewash paint it doesn’t look amazing at first! It needs 12 hours to dry so trust the process and you’re totally going to love it by the end.
Bonus tip: Make sure you use painter’s tape for your edges otherwise vertical lines made with limewash paint are super visible and will ruin the overall look.
Check out the full project in this blog post.
2. DIY Pegboard Wall Organizer
Watch the full project video here!
The basics for this project:
The awesome part of this project is that I started it with a scrap piece of wood. So it’s a great way to recycle leftover material. You’ll use a circular saw to cut down your material if needed. If you don’t have a circular saw or your base piece is already the correct size you can skip that step.
You can decide what the layout of your pegs will be and you’ll use a forstner bit to drill the holes for the dowels.
As with any good woodworking project you’ll get some sanding practice in and you can customize it by adding shelves if you want but they’re totally optional. This is such a fun one day project that will get you using a few power tools!
You’ll find more detailed instructions here!
3. DIY Hexagon Serving Tray
Watch the full project video here!
The rundown of this project:
I will say there is some math involved with getting the correct measurements for hexagons. But I also made a template for the same size as the tray I made, so feel free to use mine if that takes away the guess work for you!
You can create your own geometric design in the center of your tray and once you finalize your design you’ll make angled cuts on the miter saw.
You’ll sand and stain your pieces to get your desired look. Attach the pieces with glue and a pin nailer. You’ll use this same method to attach the edges of the tray.
Once you assemble and finish staining you’ll have a perfect serving tray that you made yourself!
Take a look at the full blog post for more details.
4. DIY Easy Smokeless Fire Pit Set Up
Watch the full project video here!
What you really need to know about this project:
This project was such a satisfying and quick win. I was able to make a super functional and aesthetically pleasing outdoor space out of a spot that was just nothing in my backyard. You’ll need minimal tools for this project and the impact is dramatic.
I used cut to size pavers to create a spot for my smokeless fire pit. Your creativity itch will be satisfied as you design an organic shape to lay them in.
After you get your fire pit base set up it’s all styling. I got some some chairs, pillows, and mosquito repellant twinkle lights to create the perfect s’mores station. You can really make this fit the style of your home however you’d like.
This one is such a fun and quick weekend project that you can start in the afternoon and be enjoying s’mores by the evening.
There are more detailed instructions here!
5. DIY Record Cabinet Restoration
Watch the full project video here.
The nitty gritty:
This same restoration process could totally be applied to any type of older furniture. So if the size of this cabinet seems daunting you can definitely start with a smaller piece.
Restoring furniture takes a lot of cleaning, sanding, wood filling, more sanding and finishing (by staining or sealing the wood). Some pieces also have lots of nooks and crannies so you sometimes have to get creative with how you sand in those small spaces. Also, depending on the style of your piece you may need to keep certain parts in their original condition, like with this cabinet I wanted to keep the fabric of the speaker and the record mechanisms as is.
Make sure to notice if your piece is solid wood or plywood with a veneer. If you sand down a veneer too far you’ll have trouble making it look good when you get to the finishing stage. So make sure to check this before digging in with a powerful tool (don’t ask me how I know this…)
This project will really take you through the process of sanding and raising the grain of your wood so it’s a great way to learn this technique for future furniture/woodworking projects.
You can find some more step by step instructions in this blog post.
Happy DIYing
I hope you find a project on this list that inspires you to go out and make something! Remember you can make any of these projects completely your own or follow along how I did them step by step. But feel free to stretch your creativity and make something that really reflects you.
Also, if you’re really new to the DIY space make sure to check out my blog post 5 Best Power Tools for Beginner Woodworkers and DIYers. That post has recommendations for where and how to start your tool collection and I hope it helps you make some projects with confidence! As always you can find me on YouTube where I share all of my current projects. But in the meantime, happy DIYing friends!
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