15 home diy projects on a budget that’ll totally save your space (and your sanity!)

Let’s be real: diy home improvements and projects around the house can sound kind of scary (and expensive), but they don’t have to be!

We’re all about keeping things simple, fun, and easy on the wallet while making improvements to our spaces . We can totally give our spaces a little glow-up without spending a ton of money or losing our minds.

Whether we’re craving some quick fixes for our job or just looking for a fun weekend activity, there are plenty of budget-friendly projects out there.

Let’s roll up our sleeves together and make our homes a little happier—because we hope deserve it!

1) Paint your front door a bold color for instant curb appeal

Let’s talk about that front door! It’s the first thing people see, and painting it a fun, bold color can give it new life and works real magic at a low cost .

We’re talking bright red, playful yellow, or even a cheery turquoise. Paint is super budget-friendly, and we don’t need to be expert painters for this.

For more inspiration, check out these front door color ideas featured in this video .

We can do this in a day, even if our kids “help!”

2) Create a removable wallpaper accent wall to spice up any room

Okay, who else wants to jazz up those boring bathroom or basement walls but refuses to commit forever?

Removable wallpaper is our new BFF, especially since we can often find it for free at thrift stores or online marketplaces . Peel-and-stick designs are total lifesavers for renters, indecisive decorators, or anyone just plain tired of beige.

We pick a fun print, stick it up, and bam—instant cool glow-up!

If we change our minds, it peels right off with zero drama. Check out even more secret ideas to inspire us at this removable accent wall roundup.

3) DIY floating shelves using reclaimed wood and brackets

Who doesn’t want more shelf space—and bonus points for style and easy access to their favorite items ! We can totally make floating shelves that look fancy but don’t wreck our wallets.

All we need is some reclaimed wood and sturdy brackets. Just cut the wood to size, sand it down, and attach the brackets to the wall.

For inspo and step-by-step help, check out these DIY floating shelf ideas.

Let’s show our blank walls some love and make them super cute!

4) Refresh old furniture with a fresh coat of chalk paint

We all have that one piece of furniture just collecting dust, right? With chalk paint, we can give it a total glow-up without needing fancy skills or spending much money.

Chalk paint goes on easy, covers up old scratches, and seriously changes the vibe of our space.

We can even pick wild colors or go with a classic white farmhouse look for extra fun. If you want a customized inspo and step-by-step help, check out this easy chalk paint makeover for vintage furniture.

5) Make pleated-look draperies with inexpensive fabric

We all want pretty windows, but custom drapes are pricey—like those luxury car interiors .

Here’s our trick: let’s grab some budget-friendly fabric—think plain cotton, linen blends, or even drop cloths—and fake that high-end look.

By folding and pinching little sections, then hooking them onto the rod, we give our curtains instant pleats.

It honestly looks fancy, but nobody has to know they’re a total DIY. If we need more help, we can check out these tips for DIY pinch pleat curtains using easy fabric.

6) Spruce up your fireplace by painting the brick

Old brick fireplaces aren’t always giving the cozy vibes we want. But guess what? We can fix that in a weekend with just a can of paint!

It’s such a simple DIY, and there are so many painted brick fireplace ideas out there.

Grab your roller, blast your favorite playlist, and let’s make those bricks pop—bye-bye, dated red! This DIY project is a great way to save money.

7) Replace outdated cabinet hardware with trendy knobs and pulls

Hear us out—swapping cabinet hardware is the ultimate “we actually have our lives together” hack.

We can grab cute, modern knobs and pulls for less than a fancy coffee run. No tools? No problem. We just need a screwdriver and, boom, we’re interior design experts.

For ideas, check out these inexpensive and budget-friendly cabinet hardware picks.

8) Build a simple headboard from plywood and fabric

Who else is over that sad, bare wall behind the bed or the bookcase ? We can totally make a cute headboard and not spend a fortune, promise!

All we need is some plywood, a fun fabric, and a little bit of patience to create a cute towel bar as a headboard . We just cut the plywood to size, wrap it with our favorite fabric, and staple it tight.

Seriously, that’s it! Need step-by-step tips? Check out this helpful DIY headboard guide for inspo and even more budget hacks.

9) Organize entryways with budget-friendly hooks and baskets

Let’s be real, our entryway is where chaos lives! Shoes, bags, keys—sometimes even socks that ran away from the laundry. We get it.

Hooks are our lifesaver. We can buy a cheap pack at the dollar store, screw them to any wall or the back of the door, and boom—instant bag and coat station.

We also love baskets, especially in the laundry room for organizing clothes and keeping the space tidy . They’re perfect for tossing shoes, hats, and all the “mom, where’s my…” stuff.

If you need inspo, check out these entryway storage ideas.

10) Switch out bland light switch plates for funky, fun designs

Let’s be real—those boring white switch plates have got to go. We can make them pop with cute patterns, bright colors, or even our kids’ artwork.

There are so many ways to personalize them, like using washi tape, stickers, or DIY scrapbook paper covers.

It’s a five-minute project that totally changes the vibe of any room. Swapping switch plates doesn’t break the bank, but it sure does bring in some personality!

11) Add peel-and-stick backsplash tiles in the kitchen

Okay, let’s talk peel-and-stick backsplash tiles—they’re honestly a kitchen game changer. You just peel, stick, and suddenly your backsplash goes from “meh” to “wait, did you hire someone?”

No fancy tools or skills needed! Mess up? Peel it off and try again. These tiles look cute, and cleanup’s a breeze.

Need a little help? Check out tips for getting those tiles to actually stick in this video.

12) Revamp bookshelves with colorful paint and trendy decorative items

Let’s grab those old, boring shelves and give them a fresh vibe with some easy DIY magic. Pick a bold paint color—or try two if you’re feeling wild!

Once the paint dries, toss on baskets, string lights, and a couple of plants. Want more ideas? Here are some creative DIY bookshelf makeover ideas that actually work for real families.

13) Upgrade your planters by swapping river rocks for dark mulch

Let’s be honest, we all want our plants to pop. Swapping river rocks for dark mulch is a total win.

Mulch makes plant colors stand out across a range of colors nd gives everything a fresh, cozy vibe. It also keeps soil cool and locks in moisture, so we don’t have to water constantly.

Plus, mulch helps the yard look tidy without spending much. People are loving river rock or mulch refreshes in their flower beds for a reason!

14) Sew your own no-sew pillow covers using fabric glue

Honestly, who has time to sew anymore? We sure don’t! That’s why this no-sew pillow cover hack is a lifesaver.

Grab some cute fabric and good fabric glue. Just cut, fold, glue, and boom—custom pillows in no time.

If you want a step-by-step, there’s a guide at this tutorial. Let’s get crafty and ditch the needle and thread, yeah?

15) Install affordable sconces to glam up a boring wall

Let’s be real, our walls get a little blah sometimes without a stylish mirror to reflect light and create depth . Adding wall sconces gives your space an instant mini-makeover.

You don’t have to spend much—there are super cute DIY options with dollar store supplies. We found genius ideas you can try (no power tool meltdowns) on this post about DIY wall sconces.

Let’s embrace the bling—one glue stick at a time!

How To Get Started With Budget-Friendly DIY

Kicking off any DIY journey at home can feel like a leap, but we can keep it simple (and affordable) with a little planning. It’s wild how just a few small habits—like organizing our space and learning when to snag cheap tools—make projects less stressful and a lot more fun.

Prepping Your Space Without Breaking The Bank

First up: We don’t need a fancy workspace. Let’s clear off a table, grab a laundry basket for stuff we need to move, and throw down old towels to keep the mess under control.

If kids or pets are zooming around, let’s put up some quick “DIY Zone” signs—extra points for doodling on them together as a mini craft before the main event!

For storage, we love using what we already have. Empty jars work for screws or brushes, baskets or bins for bigger things, and labels made with washi tape or even sticky notes if we’re feeling wild.

If we’re painting or gluing, a cheap shower curtain liner from the dollar store protects floors like a champ. Keeping supplies close saves so much time. Honestly, the less we have to hunt for stuff, the more energy we have for actual DIY fun.

Gathering Affordable Tools and Materials

We don’t need every tool in the hardware store—just a few basics cover most DIYs. Here’s a quick table of our go-to budget tools:

Tool	Why We Love It	Budget Tip
Tape Measure	Doesn’t lie about length	Dollar store find!
Screwdriver Set	For all the twists and turns	Check out secondhand options
Hammer	Classic for a reason	Borrow from a friend or neighbor
Utility Knife	Precision magic	Get a pack, split the cost
Paintbrushes	For messy masterpieces	Clean and reuse when possible

Let’s check out community sites or neighborhood swaps for leftover paint, tiles, or wood. Sometimes just asking in DIY forums helps us score freebies from folks with extra supplies.

Sales at local hardware stores, thrift shops, and online giveaways are gold for picking up what we need without draining our wallet. Sharing and swapping tools with family or neighbors makes DIY way more doable—and honestly, a lot more social.

Tips For Staying Motivated And Keeping It Fun

Let’s be real—diy projects can feel like a rollercoaster. Some days, we’re pumped up and ready to go; other days, just finding the paintbrush feels like a win.

Keeping things fun and slightly staying motivated makes all the difference.

Setting Realistic DIY Goals

First, let’s be honest about what we can finish. If we’ve only got a few hours on the weekend, maybe don’t rip up all the bathroom tile yet.

Instead, make a list of tiny, manageable steps. Maybe just paint one wall or swap out those old cabinet knobs.

Breaking things down into mini goals keeps us from getting overwhelmed. We should give ourselves grace when life gets in the way—sometimes, just prepping the space or organizing our supplies is a win.

According to Young House Love, focusing on one area at a time actually helps us see progress faster and keeps the mess contained. (And our sanity intact!)

If you like, jot down the steps in your phone notes or put them in a cute checklist on the fridge. Checking something off, even if it’s tiny, feels amazing.

Celebrating Your Progress (And Oops Moments!)

Let’s be real—sometimes we just mess up at our desk while trying out new DIYs . Did you spill paint on your favorite leggings?

Or maybe that picture frame is hanging at a totally crooked angle? Welcome to the club!

Honestly, it’s better to laugh it off and swap our “nailed it or failed it” stories. It’s way more fun that way.

Every little win deserves a celebration, too, especially when we save cash during our projects . Snap a before-and-after photo, blast your favorite song while you clean up, or just pour yourself a big cup of iced coffee when you finish a task.

Give yourself credit for the effort, not just the results. That’s what keeps the good vibes rolling.

We pick up something new with every project—even if it’s just learning what not to do next time, like coordinating our fashion with our DIY efforts . Sharing funny fails and favorite hacks with our DIY crew? Always a highlight.

Need a little inspiration for what you can tackle in a day? Consider projects that maximize your storage space! Check out these 15 simple home projects—there’s probably something in there you’ll want to try.