We're halfway through DIY and Project month, and right about now some of you may be considering taking on a household upgrade or two. You're probably also hoping that these DIY endeavours will save some money, as well as give you bragging rights among your friends.
But as any crafty enthusiast knows, DIY can end up being just as expensive (or sometimes more so) than going pro or store-bought. It becomes addictive, and before you know it you're drowning in paint swatches and power tools and have a To Do list a mile long. Hardly the stuff thrift dreams are made of.
Luckily there are things you can do to lessen the financial burden (or dare I say, risk) doing it yourself runs. Read on for a few of the big ones:
Choose Cheaply
The best DIYs are those which take trash and turn it into treasure. And by "trash" I mean hand-me-downs, flea market finds and ubiquitous big-box store pieces. Choosing affordable objects to makeover to begin with not only saves money, but gives you the freedom to take chances, change your mind, and mess up. If it doesn't work out the way you planned, at least you didn't invest too much in the process.
We have some great posts in our archives on budget DIY projects, so get searching and get inspired!
Beg, Borrow and Steal
Ok, so we can't really advocate stealing, but everything else is fair game. DIY can mean investing in a lot of equipment, some of it expensive, and some of it the kind of "affordable" extras that can really add up. Rather than shelling out for reusables like drop cloths, paintbrushes and tools, why not see if a friend or neighbor has any to spare?
When it comes to power tools or other expensive equipment, consider renting if you can't borrow. Your local hardware chain store probably offers this service, and for something you'll only use once or twice (say, a floor sander or tile cutter) it makes sense to cut down on cost, not to mention storage space. Bonus: renting tools often comes with support on how to use them properly, unlike a purchase, which can leave you reading the manual and scratching your head in confusion.
Know your Limits
One of the best ways to keep your DIY budget in check is to know when DIY isn't such a great idea. Online tutorials and crafty books are great, but they can only lead you so far in this game. Tackling a project beyond your skill level can lead to costly mistakes and professional re-dos, and spending more money than you ever planned. So think hard about where your DIY line is: wallpapering your bedroom? Adding shelves to your kitchen? Re-upolstering a beloved piece of furniture?
Before you entirely give up on that ambitious project, however, consider a few educational options to help it run smoothly: take a class at your local hardware store, or ask a handier friend to help you out.
How do you keep your DIY budget in check? If you've got any tips or stories to share, chime in below!
(Image: Stephen and Jessica's Artfully Arranged Home and Studio)
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I need some ideas on a vertical landing strip. We have moved into a 600 sq ft in-law. I do not have a place (I don't think) for a table as I enter but I do have a wall between my bathroom and bedroom door where I think I could do something. 3' wide with 8' ceiling. Because we have reduced our living space dramatically, I have to make use of every inch of storage space that I can find but not to make it cluttered looking. Thank you.
Hi Typingn, We recently renovated our mudroom, and while it is a little bigger than what you describe, I was collecting ideas for a long time for "mudroom" and "entry way" on Pinterest. Perhaps you can find some inspiration on my boards! http://pinterest.com/jodi_vautrin/spaces-mudroom-inspiration/ and http://pinterest.com/jodi_vautrin/spaces-entryway-inspiration/
When I finally get the final touches in the mudroom, I will post them to my blog: ourhaus.blogspot.com. Good luck! Constraints can sometimes make design easier!
- Jodi
Hi typingn, I recently did a project in an apartment where the front door leads directly into the living room, without a formal entryway or closet for coat - there was only a large wall to work with. I built 3 wall panels (each one 2 ft wide x 6 ft high) that I painted to add a splash of color. These panels are great because you can add anything you want to them, like wall sconces, coat racks or shelves. For my project, I added lighting (wall sconces) and coat racks to the side panels and made the middle panel a command center with a notice board that doubles as wall art and a DIY 6" wide shelf/charging station for a place to drop keys and charge phones. Maybe one wall panel could work with the 3 ft x 8 ft wall space that you have? If you want to see what it looks like, here's a link to the project, including a video on how to build everything. http://www.engineeryourspace.com/how-to-decorate-a-small-apartment/
Hope this gives you some ideas that might work for your space! Isabelle
Typingn-
You are smart in going vertical for your landing strip. Here are some ideas for stylish hooks and shelves with links to where you can buy them: http://www.thesmarterhomeoffice.com/2012/4-home-office-launch-pad-ideas-organization-for-business-on-the-go/ <href>
This is where you can be creative and have fun.Good Luck in your new home.
Linda
I have a two-foot vertical landing strip in my house. I put in an attractive wall-mounted apple-green enamel file inbox (where mail can be dropped until I have time to look at it) over a set of hooks and a large basket where my family tosses backpacks, lunch bags and shoes as they come in the door.
My DIY tip is to take good care of paint brushes and equipment to maximize their useful lives, and swap labor and expertise with friends.
Can you go into your wall, putting in shelves between studs, perhaps? It would be shallow, but not useless.
I agree with caring for paint brushes--they may not seem expensive, but if you keep ruining them it adds up. Also, better to spring a couple of extra bucks for brushes that will last for that matter. Tool should be maintained too.
Plan and budget all projects--and leave wiggle room in the budget just in case. If it's a big job, get estimates from pros, since sometimes the difference is not that huge (depending). Sometimes doing part of the work and hiring out part of it is a good way to save money and still get your DIY fun on. I always hire out for serious wiring and plumbing and similar jobs that take major experience; those pros can save you from doing damage that can cost you dearly in the end. If they screw up, they're liable instead of you. Just make sure they can PROVE that they are licensed and insured though!
I've found some great deals on tools and DIY materials on Craigslist. It may be a matter of waiting and watching a lot to get a good deal, but if you plan ahead it helps a lot.
I took several woodshop night classes offered to the public by local high schools or community colleges. Very helpful not only for techniques and ideas, but to get over any fear of using power tools. Also, while you're in the class you can often use their expensive equipment to do relatively fine work, if it's that kind of project.
Even better than renting tools is borrowing them from a local tool library. Wiki has a list of them & even info on starting one up in your community. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tool-lending_libraries They're a great way for folks to recycle tools they no longer need (and probably get some tax write-off) while providing tools to folks who can't afford them or only need them short-term. The North Portland Tool Library has saved me hundreds & allows me to connect with other DIY-ers in my neighborhood.
vertical landing strip how about an old CD holder? not too deep and could even be recessed into the drywall*** and screwed into a stud. check for wiring first, run a tracer [cheap tool from home depot, looks like a magic marker, point lights up when current is located] over the intended area. if the coast is clear, check for plumbing, a stud finder can usually find metal [where there are no studs]. the opposite side of a stud from your light switch is usually a good spot just take a carpet knife and trace your cd holder [no more than 14" wide. retrace the lines, until you have broken through, and hit with a hammer, a square will pop out. and ta-da. you can now insert your cd holder for a landing strip. if you have to alter the opening [likely] you can trim it out to hide the gaps
*** if you have plaster and lathe walls, recessing is a HUGE job, not a quick 1,2,3. leave them alone unless you are willing to risk a massive undertaking.
landing strip
shoe cabinet to store shoes/hats/gloves/scarf, use top surface to hold keys
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60239961/