There’s no better way to start out the new year than with a DIY home project. These types of endeavours aren’t just a fun distraction or activity but they can also be a great money saver in the long term. Remodels and interior makeovers will update your house and can ensure your appliances and home is set up to be efficient and not costing you more over time. And, of course, they can also improve the value of your home by giving it a contemporary and new feel.
After 2020, a year of COVID-19, we all deserve a fun addition to the house, one that won’t break the bank. Some projects are easier or cheaper than others but they’re all rewarding in the end.
Below are the top five DIY home projects to do in 2021.
Table of Contents
1. Home offices
Why you should build a home office in 2021
In the year of COVID-19, working from home has become common for many people all over the world. This trend is likely to continue in 2021, which makes the home office very important. If you’re going to be working from home, it’s time to create a real office space instead of working from the guest bedroom or kitchen table.
How to make a home office
Creating a home office is an easy yet extremely worthwhile DIY home project. Before you start searching for the perfect furniture, buying new tech, or flipping through paint swatches, the first step is choosing the right room or space. Be sure to find a spot that has good natural lighting, which is great for your mood and those all-important Zoom calls, gives you plenty of privacy, and enough space for a desk.
Now the fun may begin. When choosing furniture, be sure to find the right size desk and a comfortable chair. For some, a lot of desk space isn’t necessary but if you have a laptop, second monitor, notes, and books then a large desk is essential. Having a custom sized home office desk made for you is the ideal solution to make the most of your space and suit your requirements.
If you have an entirely new room to work with then you may want to find the right colour and paint before moving in any of the furniture. If this isn’t an option, you can still hang pictures, bring in plants, and decorate your desk. This is the step of the project where you can really make the space your own.
Cost
Depending on the scale of your DIY home project, the cost of a home office will vary. If you’re building or remodelling an office, the cost could be upwards of £5000 to convert a garage into an office or add a garden room office, or over £10,000 if you are adding an extension. If you already have a space, the cost will be equal to whatever furniture and technology you need. You can reduce these costs by option for preloved furniture, sourcing free furniture or upcycling. If you already have all you need and simply need to organise, all it costs is your time and perhaps a fresh lick of paint and a few new accessories like filing solutions and houseplants.
2. Statement walls
Why you should create a statement wall in 2021
This project is the creation of a wall that is different from the others either by colour, design or decoration. It’s meant to give a room more character and excitement, instead of having four plain walls that all look the same. This DIY home project is another simple yet rewarding endeavour for 2021. If you’re still working from home due to COVID-19, this will make your house feel more exciting and lively while you’re stuck indoors. We’re all spending more time at home than ever before, so let’s make it a more exciting place to be!
How to make a statement wall
When it comes to making an accent wall, first you must decide what design and colours you want to use. If the room is already decorated, be sure to choose a colour that will fit the theme. While mismatched colours may still bring attention to your accented wall, it won’t be positive attention if the clash does not work!
Different styles of statement walls include honeycomb, Polaroid collage, stripes, pictures, chevrons, and more. You could also use different materials in your design including wood, paint concrete, and wallpaper.
Depending on your choice of style and material, you’ll need different supplies and different steps to complete. However, most designs will include a process where you need to cover the floor and furniture to protect it, tape the trim and put a primer coat on the wall. After that, the steps will vary.
Cost
The cost is dependent on the materials you choose for your design. If you’re painting you’ll need to buy paint, brushes, and tape which can range between £50 and £100, depending on brands, size of the room and what you might already have i.e. brushes. If you’ve chosen wallpaper, your cost can vary depending on the type you buy. Some cost £10 a roll and others can cost hundreds. Be sure to choose the right type of material for your budget. If you’re on a tight budget then simply painting one wall in an accent colour can really change the look of a wall and can cost around £20-£30 easy.
3. Bathroom makeover
Why you should do a bathroom makeover in 2021
There’s no better time than at the start of a new year to remodel your bathroom. This DIY home project not only updates and livens up your house but it will save you money over time. New bathroom appliances can help to replace old pipes and fittings and curb your water usage. New bathrooms are also desirable by house buyers and can increase the value of your home when it comes to selling.
How to remodel your bathroom
This isn’t the easiest DIY home project but it could be one of the most fun and rewarding. Any total bathroom remodel should start with demolition. Remove old appliances and tile. If there’s a wall or cabinets you want to remove, don’t be afraid to use a sledgehammer! Just make sure you have another bathroom to use if you are going for a full remodel as this will take a few days.
The next step is preparing the plumbing for new fixtures. While you’re going through this part of the remodel, you may run into some problems or difficulties. That’s why finding a 24 hour plumbing service is very important. The last thing you want during this project is for everything to get ruined by a plumbing mishap. Unless it’s only basic plumbing and you are competent, then you will need to call in a plumbing expert to do this part for you, especially if you are redesigning the room and need to move pipes. You don’t want a DIY disaster!
The same goes with electrics. Don’t mess with them yourself, particularly in the bathroom in the presence of water. Call in a professional by searching for an electrician Ealing or your local area to do this part for you.
Once the electrics and plumbing are in place, you can paint the walls, tile, install the sink, toilet, and new bath/shower. Then accessorize to really bring the room together.
Cost
When it comes to bathroom remodels, the prices can get fairly high. However, most of these are labour costs that won’t apply to your DIY home project. For a DIY bathroom remodel, you’re likely looking at a cost of around £2000 – more depending on what new appliances and bathroom suite you decide to purchase.
4. Open shelving
Why you should build open shelving in 2021
This DIY home project is versatile and can be done in any room you want – bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, or office. Open shelving will help organise your space and bring a modern touch to the design without breaking your wallet.
How to make open shelves
The process of adding open shelves to a wall is simple and fast. You’ll need to find the right brackets first which may take the most time out of everything. When you’ve found the correct ones for your project, mark where they’ll go on the wall, secure them, and place the shelves on top.
But which shelves will you add? A great DIY project is to use reclaimed wood like used scaffold boards, cur to size, sand back and stain in the wood stain colour of your choice.
Alternatively you can buy readymade shelves and simply add your own twist to them by finding some unique brackets.
The rest is just decorating the shelving and organising – simple, fun, and fast.
Cost
Open shelving is not only easy to build, but cheap to do. A DIY open shelving project can be really cheap if you manage to source reclaimed wood or preloved shelves to upcycle. Then it’s just the cost of wood varnish which is around £10-£15 and some amazing brackets which might cost around £20 for a pair of something unique and high quality, or more if you opt for designer or antique styles. Depending on how many brackets, shelves, and new decorations you buy, the price will obviously be higher or lower.
5. Window boxes
Why you should build window boxes in 2021
Window boxes are a great DIY project if you’re a new DIY builder or if you’re operating on a budget. This project is a great idea to liven up your front landscaping by adding them to windows or porch railings. While this may be seasonal depending on where you live, they’re a great DIY project to do as spring approaches. And, of course, you can always choose evergreen plants for the boxes to ensure they look great in all seasons.
How to make window boxes
The process of building window boxes mainly includes the creation of the box with wood and screws. First, cut your planks to the right size – both length and width. Before you start building your window box, you’ll want to secure the cleats which are the attachment points between your box and the wall if you’ve chosen to put it beneath your window.
Building the box is pretty simple. Use a drill and some screws to assemble the front, back, and sides. If you’re more advanced, you can add additional design to the outside of the box such as trim. If you’re new to DIY projects, then just move on to priming and painting or staining the wood in a protective all-weather material.
All that’s left is to hang the box, line with a waterproof membrane to help prevent rot and mould, drill drainage holes in the bottom, and fill it with colourful flowers and foliage.
Cost
The supplies you’ll need to buy for this project, if you don’t already own them, include a drill, hammer, paint brushes, tape measure, boards, screws, primer, paint and sandpaper. You’ll also need to work dirt and flowers into your budget. Depending on where you purchase these items and how many you already own, the overall price can vary greatly.
DIY projects for all abilities
Whether you’re a newcomer to DIY projects or a seasoned veteran, there’s a perfect project for you. When you’re trying to decide on the right 2021 project, be sure to evaluate your available time, budget and ability. These factors will play a huge role in the overall success of your efforts. And in the spirit of DIY, don’t be afraid to take on new challenges, adapt to changes, and embrace creativity!