This how to guide isn't like other how to guides — this is about building simple and essential home goods you actually need. So get ready to learn how to build that thing you've always wanted. It's not as hard as you may think!
Upgrading your home is fun and refreshing – literally and figuratively. We might even go so far as to say it’s necessary at times, but…it can also get very expensive. The good news is that with a little extra time and effort you can do a lot yourself! There are so many popular home goods you can build on your own, more affordably, and surprisingly easily.
Channeling and flexing that DIY energy means you can really have some fun. This is your chance to get creative and play around with things like materials, paint, and embellishments! DIYing it lets you create a design that really reflects your personal style. You’re not limited by someone else’s vision or artificially jacked up prices.
Ahead, we’ve gathered some fun, practical, and uncomplicated home decor projects you can make yourself.
Coffee Table
A coffee table is a fun and approachable project for anyone looking to get into woodworking! We like this project from the Home Depot as a good starting point. Keep in mind: this project does require you to cut quite a bit of lumber. It’s important to make sure you have a space in your home where you can do so safely. (Or get the good folks at your local lumber shop to do that part for you.)
If you’re up for a challenge you can even add drawers for extra storage space or wheels to make your coffee table more portable. While the concept of making a coffee table can seem pretty basic, your end-product can be anything but, if you have fun with it! Switch up the materials and finishes to reflect your taste. Go with what you're feeling. This table can be rustic, minimal, industrial, or something else entirely! Make it your own and enjoy the process.
Bar Stools
Bar stools can be a serious space saver in a small apartment. They give you and your guests a uniquely designed spot to perch, eat, and drink — without taking up too much space.
Oh, and remember that coffee table you’ve made? Well, you’ll be putting those same skills to use to make these bar stools! This simple version from Bitterroot DIY is a great place to start. Pro tip: Tie the kitchen together by using a finish or paint on these stools that matches or complements the rest of your kitchen’s decor. While a dark wood finish looks chic and timeless, a bright pop of color can really liven up an otherwise monochrome space. You can also set your bar stools apart by using different materials for the legs — for example, this version uses old pipes as a base for an industrial look.
Hanging Shelves
Hanging shelves are one of the easiest pieces of decor you can make for yourself, and they’re incredibly useful. Displaying your favorite items on the wall adds so much visual appeal and personal flair to your home. It helps tell “your story” to both you and your guests. We all collect stuff. Now show it off! It can also save you a huge amount of space if you’re living in a small apartment. (We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again — when it comes to small spaces, maximize your vertical space!) No more clutter in the closet — or, well…you know, less clutter in the closet. Ahem. MOVING ON.
Basically, all you need to make a hanging shelf is a long piece of wood and a way to attach it to the wall. However, you can get so much more creative with the design if you want shelves that will really stand out and spice up your room. For example, you can connect multiple shelves with rope to really take advantage of that vertical space.
Wine Rack
If you enjoy drinking wine (we sure do ¯\_(ツ)_/¯), a DIY wine rack is a great addition to your kitchen. Investing in a wine rack is one of the easiest ways to keep all of your favorite wines organized. Wine racks can also make great holiday or birthday gifts. Everybody gives wine, and you’re not everybody, right? 😉 When the wine is gone, it’s gone. A beautiful wine rack is forever!
For those who are comfortable with woodworking, we recommend adding a stemware component to your wine storage. Jen Woodhouse demonstrates how to incorporate stemware storage in a beautiful and simple way. This understated and effective design would look gorgeous in any space. If this seems like a lot, remember: you don’t need to be highly skilled in woodworking to make a wine rack. There are plenty of easy ways to convert old materials just by adding the right hardware.
TV Console
Even in the era of cord-cutting, the TV is still the focal point of many homes. Its full-color high definition glow is the roaring fire of this futuristic world we live in. Instead of buying a pricey entertainment console (like this exquisite “Naturalist,” for a cool $15k) or struggling to mount your 70 inch flatscreen on the wall, you can build your own TV stand instead!
Bonus points: these consoles also do a whole lot more than hold your TV. You can also use them to store items like blankets, toys, books, games, and more.
One option we like is this farmhouse console from Remodelaholic. The simple design somehow feels both trendy and timeless. If you’re looking for something more modern, this black-and-white version from Crafted By The Hunts is sure to turn heads!
To bring it all home (lol not sorry), building an entertainment console is pretty similar to building your own coffee table. As with the other projects we’ve mentioned here, you can customize the materials and finish to match your taste in decor.
Hopefully we’ve shown you that you can make beautiful and sturdy pieces for your home with just a bit of effort and creativity.
Do you need some SPARE TOOLS (🙃 ) for your DIY projects, but don’t want to spend too much money and/or create unnecessary waste? You might just know someone who can help.
