DIY Home Improvement Projects For Every Skill Level

Everyone loves a good DIY project. Not only do they help improve your home and save you money, but they also give you a feeling of accomplishment.

When it comes to choosing the best DIY projects for your home, there are a few things to take into account—most importantly, the amount of skill required versus the amount of home improvement skill you actually have.

Whether you’re a DIY newbie or a seasoned pro, here are some of the best home improvement ideas for any skill level.

If you’re a beginner...

Even the simplest projects can make a meaningful impact on the value and look of your home. If you’re looking to ease into DIY projects, here are a few simple ones to try:

Paint the walls

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One of the easiest things you can do, painting your walls can actually boost your home’s value—in 2017, for example, homes with living area walls painted in light beige or oatmeal shades earned sellers $1,809 more¹ on average than other colors.

Paint bathroom cabinets

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Redoing your bathroom can be both time-consuming and expensive. If you want to update your bathroom without spending the money (or time) on a full reno, painting or re-staining your bathroom cabinets can make a major impact. While it does take some prep work, it’s simple enough for anyone to take on.

Refresh your kitchen or bathroom grout

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If the grout around your tile looks dingy or plain old gross no matter how much you clean it, it could be stained. Using a grout tile pen is a simple way to make your bathroom or kitchen sparkle again without the mess of completely redoing the grout.

If you’re intermediate...

If you’re comfortable with tools and have a little more experience doing your own work, these DIY projects can help boost the value and style to your home.

Install tile backsplash

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Installing a new tile backsplash in your kitchen is a great way to update your kitchen’s look. You can rent tile cutters for the day or week from most home improvement stores.

Lay laminate or vinyl flooring

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Two of the most popular flooring trends for 2018²—laminate and waterproof luxury vinyl—also happen to be relatively easy to install. Either option will probably require a saw, subfloor, and a few inexpensive flooring tools.

Build an outdoor fire pit

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Chilly evenings are a lot more fun when you have a backyard fire pit to roast marshmallows or hotdogs on. This project does require some masonry work, but even if you don’t have experience with that, it’s OK—this is actually a good project to learn from. Give yourself a few days from start to finish to let the concrete set.

Transform your garage with epoxy flooring

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If you want to makeover your garage, consider epoxy flooring. This thick material covers minor cracks and stains in concrete, is durable and easy to clean up, and makes your garage look like a showroom. To have epoxy professionally done costs $1,000 or more, depending on the size of your garage, but you can do it yourself for a fraction of that cost.

If you’re advanced...

Up for a challenge? These advanced home renovation ideas can transform the look of your home, add more space, or make it a more enjoyable place for your family.

Build a pergola

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A pergola can help make your backyard an attractive gathering place for friends and family, and you can build it yourself if you’re up to the task. Check out these blueprints and step-by-step instructions.

Install a tile shower

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If you have a fiberglass shower enclosure or old tile that’s begging for an update, you can redo your entire shower—with accent tiles included—in a few days. This project involves demolition, so you might want to grab a friend or two to help.

Finish your basement

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A finished basement is one of the smartest projects you can undertake. It not only adds an extra living area to your home, but it also provides a 70 percent return on your investment, on average.

Doing most of the work yourself can help you cut costs, but make sure to hire a pro for things like electrical or plumbing if you feel like it may be out of your area of expertise.

Whether you want to spend a few hours repainting or are ready to tackle something more advanced, these projects are definitely worth a try.

Sources

1. "7 Paint Colors That Can Boost The Value Of Your Home". 2017. Cbsnews.Com.
2. "2018 Kitchen Flooring Trends: 20+ Flooring Ideas For The Perfect Kitchen - Flooringinc Blog". 2018. Flooringinc Blog.