Are you interested in taking on a DIY home project, but feel intimidated by the time commitment? What if we told you that all you need is one weekend?
The best part about weekend DIY projects is that they give you a sense of accomplishment. They’re easy to plan—and most importantly, finish--and don’t drag on for months.
Here are 10 relatively easy DIY home improvement projects you can do over the weekend.
(Oh--and if you find you're missing a tool or two to get the job done, just head on over to the Sparetoolz App to find them available for rent.)
Paint a Wall
We know, it’s not exactly a groundbreaking suggestion—but it’s one of the most impactful AND least expensive. Changing the color of just one wall of a room can completely change the mood and feel of the space. It’s like you’ve added a new room to your place! (Need some help in choosing the right shade? Click here.)
This is something you can definitely do in two days, including the time it’ll take to prepare and apply multiple coats.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you going.
Hang a Medicine Cabinet
Installing a brand new medicine cabinet or even upgrading an existing one can revive your bathroom in one simple step. Better yet, it can also add storage space. Opt for a unit that can directly mount to the wall for a quicker installation.
Check a how-to guide here.
Add a Ceiling Fan
This one is a little bit trickier because it involves a bit of wiring, but it’s not rocket science, we promise!
A ceiling fan can come in handy during the transitional months of the year. Not only can it be part of your décor, it can also help you save on energy bills since you won’t need to use your air-conditioner.
Just make sure you’ve got everything you need before you start this project.
Grow Your Own Fruits and Vegetables
Ever thought of joining the farm-to-table movement? Maybe you should. At least you’ll know where your food is coming from—and you won’t have to pay $22 for a Caprese salad!
You can grow a selection of fruits and vegetables in any outdoor space. Even if you’re in a tiny apartment, you might be surprised at how much you can grow on a windowsill. You can learn the basics here.
(Not even allowed to have a planter on your windowsill? Fine, mean landlord. Try this indoor grow light instead, and choose a corner of your home to become your magical indoor garden.)
Add a Deck to Your Backyard
You can do this in a weekend, but you might need an extra pair of hands—and you’ll probably need the full weekend to get it done.
Adding a deck to your home can offer a great return on your investment in multiple ways. A deck functions as a multipurpose outdoor living space you can use to entertain, plant homegrown produce, or just set up a hammock and snooze the weekend away. And, when you decide to sell the place, the deck you’ve built will add more value.
Not sure how to do it? The folks at This Old House have you covered here.
Build a Garden Shed
Put your garden (and tool collection!) in order and build a garden shed. Having this extra space is not only useful for organization, but can also help you store hazardous materials in a safe place out of reach of children and pets. Depending on the weather where you live, you could even use it as an extra space for activities, such as a craft room.
We’ve assembled a variety of shed plans for you to choose from here. How much of the weekend it’ll take will depend on the size of the shed you choose to build. Some can be completed in less than a day!
Give Your Garden an Arbor Bench
If you’ve invested a lot of time, energy, and/or money in creating a gorgeous garden, you probably want to spend some time out there enjoying it!
Create a garden retreat by building an arbor bench: a cozy corner where you can enjoy quiet time with a book and a cup of coffee. Shaded by your favorite climbers, it’ll give you an open-air space without having to endure the blazing sun. You can pick a design that accentuates your home style from the helpful folks at Fresh Patio here.
Turn a Closet into a Home Office
Tight on space, but need someplace to work or do homework? Your office doesn’t have to be a separate room. Get creative with storage space by turning a closet into a functional office. Yes, it really is possible! Even better, all you have to do to hide the administrative mess is shut the door. Voila!
Get the know-how from Family Handyman here.
Turn Unused Space into a Window Seat
A window seat is yet another cozy spot in your home where you can curl up reading a book, enjoying a hot drink, or simply taking pleasure in the view outside your window. Add some drawers or cabinets below, and you’ve even snagged yourself some extra storage space. Yeah!
Get some ideas on how to turn unused space into a comfortable window seat here.
Install Built-in Shelves Above Your Bed
When it comes to the area around your bed, there generally isn’t a lot of space to put things. This shelf unit gives your bedroom a new look in addition to 10 times the space your nightstand offers.
So, which project do you think you’ll start with? Tweet us @Sparetoolzapp to show us your work!