By Erin McFeeters
Do you spend hours scrolling through Pinterest? Or wish you could be the next contestant on NBC’s Making It? One of the only ways to individualize a home to specific wants and needs without breaking the bank, do it yourself home projects are more prevalent than ever before. According to the National Association of Realtors® 2019 Remodeling Impact Report: D.I.Y., “Projects that reflected adding the consumer’s personality to their home were twice as popular to D.I.Y. than hiring a professional.”
The Craze
HGTV is largely credited with inspiring average Joe’s across the country to work on their own home projects. Shows like Room by Room, Decorating Cents, and Trading Spaces started the D.I.Y. craze in the ‘90s. Room by Room specifically was the very first show to air on HGTV and the show was so successful it ran for 14 years.
Then, the Internet changed the game for D.I.Y. and it’s never been the same. Since Etsy’s establishment in 2005, people from across the globe can connect and sell their custom projects. However, it’s more than just an e-commerce site, it’s a community of unique D.I.Y.ers and creative people. 2010 brought Pinterest to the world and changed the way people would search, plan, and organize projects forever. Pinterest can be the ultimate inspiration.
Why D.I.Y.?
Saving money is one small piece of the puzzle. The joy a project can bring is often the impactful part. Remodeling experts measure the emotional gain a project or remodel brings to the homeowner and call it the Joy Score. According to NAR’s 2019 Remodeling Impact Report, “The reported Joy Score is higher when someone does the project themselves rather than hiring a professional.”
D.I.Y. projects also provide a sense of accomplishment after the work is complete. NAR reported 81% of those who did the project work felt accomplished compared to 73% of those who hired a professional to do the job for them.
Do you dream of doing D.I.Y. projects but lack space and equipment? The DIY Joint in Hoboken offers unique woodworking classes and open studio time. They have all the equipment and tools needed for the next home project plus master craftsmen on hand ready to help any project idea become a reality.
“My purpose for starting the DIY Joint was to bring a positive and empowering social experience to people in my community,” said Priscilla Van Houten, founder and owner of The DIY Joint. “Being able to create something tangible has given me incredible confidence in myself, and it has taught me that I am capable of doing more than I think.”
Van Houten’s favorite projects to D.I.Y. are ones she can make at a fraction of the cost, compared to buying the item from a big box store. These include side tables, bathroom vanities, and headboards. To find inspiration for these projects Van Houten’s go-to resource is Pinterest.
“I love that Pinterest recommends photos with similar features, so you can see the same project done in many different ways,” said Van Houten. “I also take to Etsy for inspiration because it’s made up of creative DIYers who are always on top of new trends.”
Ready to D.I.Y. a project? Van Houten recommends starting out with an easy project using cheap materials because no matter how long you’ve been D.I.Y.ing mistakes will happen. Then, once you’re comfortable with the process, take up something more challenging.
Try some of the 2019 D.I.Y. Trends from Pinterest 100: The top trends for 2019. Find these projects and more on Pinterest.com.
- Wall Art: Freshen up any room with drip-and-pour acrylic painting. This fun and trendy craft uses acrylic paint, plastic cups, all-purpose glue, and a canvas to create eye-catching wall art. Do this project just in time for summer.
- Outdoor Fire Pit: Want to be the happening house this summer? Build a fire pit out of bricks or slabs of stone. Project inspiration for this D.I.Y. varies extensively. Some can be finished in a few hours while others are a bit more extensive.
- Adding Yellow to Your Living Room: Yellow sofas made Pinterest’s 2019 trends. Thrifting is an inexpensive way to find pieces of furniture to refurbish or give new life. Reupholster with a soft yellow fabric and be the trendy home in your neighborhood. Sounds complicated? Go to Pinterest.com to find similar projects to bring yellow into your living room.
- Textile Art: People are wrapping up their walls according to Pinterest. Homeowners are using quilts or yearn tapestries to adorn their walls, and some are selling them for $200+. If you’re ready to get out the sewing machine make a quilt, or try making a yarn tapestry using yarn, a wooden rod, and some fabric dye. Find step by step tutorials for this trend on Pinterest, or if you’re a visual person, YouTube is the perfect place for video tutorials.
- Wall Refresh with Geometric Shapes: This painting project is a new twist on an accent wall. Rather than painting your accent wall one singular color use painters tape to create color blocks in different shapes. Try using different angles, different patterns, and more.
- Pressed Tin Tiles: These fun textured tiles are guaranteed to make a statement. Various projects are floating around online and make it easy to find the perfect project. D.I.Y.ers do everything from leaving them natural to painting them a wild color, the possibilities are limitless.
- Vertical Gardens: If you’re looking to add a ton of plants to your outdoor space, get started on this project. Many of these vertical gardeners staple Tuf-Felt to create pockets to place the plants in and line them along their fences. Remember to take into account the plants will have to be replanted each year unless perenials are used.
- Tile Stencils: Pick one of these tile stencils and go to town on walls and floors. Cuttingedgestencils.com is a great place to buy one of these stencils, and they have a multitude of resources to guide D.I.Y.ers through the stenciling process. There’s a stencil pattern for every taste.