9 DIY Projects to Try—Because Who Needs Pinterest-Level Perfection Anyway?

DIY projects are basically our secret weapon for turning a regular day into something fun, creative, and totally ours with the whole family .

Whether we’re looking to shake up our routine, bond with our crew, or just finally tackle that Pinterest board we keep ignoring, a good fun project is always a win.

Trying out new DIY projects lets us play, experiment, and maybe even surprise ourselves with what we can make.

No one’s judging—mismatched paint and glitter explosions are basically part of the charm here! Let’s get inspired together and see what we can make with just a little time and even less perfection.

1) DIY scented candles with your fave essential oils

Let’s get real—our houses never actually smell like the Instagram moms say they do. But we can totally fake it with some cute and easy DIY scented candles, perfect for the holiday season .

We’ll need some candle wax (soy or beeswax works), wicks, jars, and, most important, our fave essential oils.

Trust us, lavender or lemon is way better than “two-day-old socks.” If you want tips on melting the wax and setting the wick, check out these step-by-step candle making instructions—they’re super clear for beginners.

Once the wax melts, we drop in our essential oils and stir.

There’s a huge win when the house smells like something other than stale snacks. Plus, these candles look super cute on a coffee table!

If the kids are climbing the walls, let’s get them helping—this counts as “science” and makes us feel way more put together than we really are.

And hey, these little beauties are perfect for gifting on a special occasion r pretending we have our act together.

2) Paint a fresh accent wall in your living room

Sometimes our living rooms just need a little extra pop, and painting an accent wall or updating our furniture is a budget friendly way to add style and make it happen on the cheap.

We don’t need to be professional painters for this, either. A single bold color can totally change the mood, and if it’s crooked? We’ll just call it “creative freedom.”

There are so many fun ideas out there. Think stripes, geometric shapes, or even a color-block moment.

If we’re feeling brave (or high on Pinterest), we can pick a trendy color and just go for it!

Don’t want to commit forever? No stress, we can try faux wallpaper or simple shapes using stencils or painter’s tape to hang up .

Cleanup is way easier than wrangling toddlers with paint on their hands—trust us.

Either way, we end up with a wall that makes us smile every time we pass by.

And hey, if the kids get involved, that’s just extra personality, adding charm to our front door decor right?

3) Customize plain tote bags with fabric paint

Okay, who else has like three boring tote bags shoved in a closet?

Let’s turn those sad sacks into bright, artsy bags we actually want to use.

We just need some fabric paint, brushes, and maybe a little masking tape if we want to conquer a geometric pattern for this easy project.

You could go wild with zigzags, words, or even messy rainbow splatters. No art degree required!

If the kids want in, hand them some paint pens or fabric markers for this quick project —they’ll love doodling their own masterpieces.

These bags are perfect for groceries, library runs, or as an easy gift for teachers or friends.

And the best part? There’s no right or wrong. Whatever we make is perfectly ours.

For even more inspiration, check out 12 fun canvas tote bag painting ideas.

Let’s get excited and painting, friends!

4) Build a simple wooden potting bench for the backyard

If you’ve ever tried to start seeds on your kitchen counter, you know it turns into chaos fast. We totally get it!

That’s why building a wooden potting bench for the backyard is a total game changer, giving your garden a new life .

No fancy tools or experience needed here! We can grab some basic lumber, a drill, and screws, and have something up by the weekend.

Want to see how it’s done? There are lots of easy tutorials out there, like these super helpful potting bench plans that walk us through every single step.

We can even grab inspiration from Pinterest for cute add-ons, like hooks for tools or a little shelf for our extra pots and garden gloves.

Plus, our new bench makes us look like we totally have our lives together—even if we’re just winging it with this gardening thing.

Let’s embrace the mess, get our hands dirty, and make a spot all our own outside!

5) Create a cute painted plant pot squad

Hear us out—our plants deserve glowy makeovers, too.

Why settle for boring pots when we can team up and make a whole squad of adorable, unique planters? Grab those plain terra cotta pots and let’s give them some sass!

Acrylic paints are our BFFs here, but honestly, we can use whatever’s rolling around in our craft bins.

We can try stripes, cute faces, polka dots, or even funky patterns. If we want inspo, these painted pot ideas are basically plant pot runway looks.

Let the kids take over a few pots for extra fun—crooked smiley faces and wild colors are totally the vibe.

We can line our masterpieces up on the windowsill or stash them outside.

Our plant fam is looking so much happier already, and honestly, so are we. We can capture these moments in photos, and paint smudges on our hands are basically proof of our creative powers!

6) Make a chic bathtub tray for ultimate chill vibes

Let’s be honest—sometimes we just need a moment of peace, and a long soak in the tub is where it’s at.

But you know what takes bath time from “meh” to “yes, queen”? A cute DIY bathtub tray, for which you can find full instructions online .

We can finally have a spot for our snacks, a good book, and, let’s be real, maybe even a little wine without worrying about anything taking a swim.

No fancy skills needed—just a wooden board that fits across the tub, a little sanding, and some waterproof finish.

If we’re feeling extra, we can even add a phone or tablet holder!

There are so many fun DIY bathtub tray ideas to try that look super stylish and cost way less than store-bought versions.

We can make it rustic, modern, or simple—whatever fits our bathtub vibes.

And when the kids call our name for the millionth time, at least we have a comfy spot to hide (even if it’s just for five minutes).

7) Turn old jars into stylish storage containers

Who else has an entire cabinet filled with random glass jars because “we might use them one day”? We do. No shame.

It’s time to finally put those jars to work and add some cute storage to our space.

Let’s grab a few of those empty pasta sauce or jam jars from the back of the pantry. Give them a good wash (no judgment if they still smell like pickles, just soak ‘em a bit longer).

Then, let’s peel off those labels—hot water and a little baking soda is a game-changer.

Now, the fun part! We can paint the lids bright colors, add some stickers, or even use washi tape for a pop.

These jars are perfect for storing craft supplies, snacks, or bathroom essentials, creating more space for our kids’ tiny treasures that finally have a home that isn’t under the couch!

Looking for more inspiration? There are even more fun ideas to decorate and reuse jars over at these DIY storage container tips.

We love easy projects that help us stay organized and cut down on clutter—plus, we get to feel extra crafty.

8) Craft a gallery wall with thrifted frames

Let’s be real—gallery walls look fancy, but we don’t need to drop big bucks at a fancy store. We can grab frames from our local thrift shop, and honestly, half the fun is the treasure hunt!

Don’t stress about matching sizes or styles. The mixed look totally adds character.

Once we’ve got our frames, we can give them a little love following the instructions . A quick coat of spray paint or even just a wipe-down can make a huge difference.

Cool tip: thrifted frames don’t need to be perfect! Their worn-in look adds to the vibe.

Next, we can fill those babies with whatever sparks joy to display —kid art, postcards, old prints, or fun free printables. If we want, let the kids help pick what goes in each frame.

Let’s lay our frames out on the floor first, so we can play with the arrangement before busting out the hammer. We can always move things around later—this is Parenting: Messy and Unscripted, after all!

9) Revamp your bathroom vanity with a quick paint job

Let’s be real—our bathroom vanities take a beating! Toothpaste smears, towel tosses, and so much hair.

Turning that tired, scuffed vanity into something snazzy is easier than it sounds. We don’t need to be pros for this one.

Grab a screwdriver to pop off the handles (don’t lose those tiny screws!). Give everything a good wipe-down.

It’s shocking how gross the grooves can get, right? A quick sanding helps the paint stick.

No need to go wild—a light scuff with sandpaper totally works! We’ve heard that using a high quality bonding primer does wonders for getting that paint to stay put.

Now, here’s our favorite part: picking a fun color! Mint? Navy? Sunshine yellow?

There’s no wrong answer. Use a small roller or brush and go slow—that’s our not-so-secret trick for avoiding drips and getting the right style .

If you’re extra, add new knobs for a fresh touch. Or, if you’re feeling artsy, try painted stencils on the doors for something extra cute.

The best part? We did it ourselves, and found an easy way to celebrate . High fives all around!

Getting Organized for Your DIY Adventure

Let’s be real—getting ready for DIY doesn’t have to mean dropping cash or turning our dining rooms into disaster zones. Sometimes the best tools are hiding in plain sight.

Any little corner can be the perfect “workshop” if we set it up with love (and maybe a snack nearby).

Must-Have Supplies You Already Own

We don’t need a fancy craft store haul to get started. Dig around your kitchen junk drawer, that mysterious closet, or even the kids’ old school supplies.

You’ll be surprised by how many essentials you already have. Here’s a cheat sheet of usual suspects we can snag from home:

• Scissors (bonus points if they’re not the sticky kid ones)
• Rulers, tape, and glue sticks
• Old magazines or leftover wrapping paper
• Mason jars, shoeboxes, or empty food containers
• Rubber bands and clothespins
• Paint, crayons, or markers hiding at the bottom of the toy bin

We can totally use these supplies to organize or decorate, as shown with some clever ideas from this list of DIY organization projects. Let’s not forget all the random buttons and extra fabric we’ve hung onto for “someday”—well, today is that day.

Setting Up a Creative Space (No Garage Required)

No garage? No problem! We can create a mini-maker space almost anywhere.

The kitchen table is a classic, but a corner of the living room or even the floor totally works. Grab a tray or basket to hold our supplies—instant organization and clean-up is a breeze.

Lay down an old tablecloth or beach towel to protect surfaces or keep a box nearby because glitter has a mind of its own and that stuff spreads fast. Lighting matters, so we like to pull a lamp close or park ourselves by a window.

We can throw on a playlist, pour a cold drink, and suddenly DIY time feels more like a party than a chore. If we need more ideas on small-space organizing, check out these DIY organization ideas for inspiration that work even in tiny spots.

Troubleshooting Common DIY Oopsies

Messed up a project? No shame, friends—we’ve all been there!

DIY disasters totally happen, and the best fixes are usually simple and a lot less stressful once you know a few tricks.

Fixing Craft Fails Like a Boss

Let’s be real: sometimes our hot glue guns have a mind of their own, and the glitter just won’t stick where we want during this project , leading to a few hilarious photos. Here’s what helps us out:

Quick Fixes Table

Oopsie	Fast Fix
Crooked labels	Peel gently, re-stick, and smooth out
Paint smudges	Dab with a baby wipe or repaint that spot
Glue everywhere	Peel off after drying or use a craft knife
Stubborn glitter	Hair spray locks it in place

We never toss out a “ruined” project right away. A little creativity saves the day—think stickers, washi tape, or just calling it “abstract art.”

If something keeps breaking, we’ll check out common DIY mistakes right here to see what not to do in round two. Remember, every whoops is just a story for our group chat.

When the Kids Want to Help…And It Gets Messy

Kids jump in with big smiles, but honestly, bigger messes usually follow. We try to set up a “mess zone”—hello, old sheet or shower curtain on the floor.

Extra wipes and aprons? Always. Stuff will spill, and markers somehow end up on elbows.

If we’re excited and ready for it, there’s way less panic. For stains, I grab a magic eraser or mix up a baking soda paste, which is an inexpensive solution that usually saves the day on most surfaces and works well with various materials .

We let the kiddos make their own choices, even if googly eyes end up on the wrong side. That’s half the fun, right?

Sometimes the chaos feels a bit much, but a little mess means the kids are learning, and we can find ways to make it inexpensive . They’re making memories and probably giving us their own version of modern art.

Oopsies just mean everyone’s hands got right into the action!