Here's some DIY home projects for beginners that I've completed over the years to increase the value of my property. It also includes the story of HOW I learned how to remodel my house without DIY courses. Note, I had absolutely no training prior, just motivation to save money.
Now for anyone who caught my last project, you'll have noticed we've finally bought the narrowboat we've always wanted.
So I think now's the time I think I should come clean and explain what's REALLY been going on, because, well… I've been keeping a few secrets!
In short, we've now sold the bungalow I've spent years doing renovation work on and documenting. In fact, if it wasn't for getting on the property ladder and stopped renting, I might not even have a blog. Anyway, I'm going back to the beginning to share how I got here.
Making the Transition From Renting to Getting a Mortgage
Back in 2013, me and my fiancé at the time, (now husband) had been renting for 3 years in the Midlands. And one thing my parents always told me was, renting is dead money.
I appreciate, it's even harder to get on the property ladder 8 years on - even more so after lockdown, but expensive rent prices always seem to surprise me.
We started paying about £500 a month for a 1 bed maisonette in Solihull, then a little bit less for a 3 bed semi detached house closer to the countryside. So I certainly didn't want to rent forever
And I had absolutely no desire to learn how to DIY to add value to someone else's property. Apart from that, I loved painting furniture, which became my very first projects!
It also pained me that our landlord was pretty slack replacing things that we thought were faulty. And then you've got to regularly tidy up with the anticipation of a landlord inspection. We were just fed up of it.
Saving a 10% Deposit For a Mortgage
I started to become aware that houses in our area were selling VERY quickly and I insisted we needed to start scraping together for a 10% house deposit.
It took me a while to convince, because, again, it wasn't our dream area, but you have to try and work your way up.
ALSO, we already had a wedding fund growing - which we ended up spending on our first Mazda Bongo campervan - priorities!! And then it had a cracked head gasket and swallowed it up. *Note, we later bought another MB, then upgraded to a Mercedes Vito and documented my DIY campervan conversions.
Looking For Properties Within Our Budget
But after months of putting every spare cash we could find into, this time, a house fund while viewing a LOT of houses to do up all around the Midlands… we found a 2 bed semi detached bungalow that needed quite a bit of TLC.
In fact, I'd seen it a few months prior but me (and my MUM) poo pooed it for being way too small to start a family, grow. I think what didn't help was that it was labelled at a chalet. Something we'd always spent time in on our Butlins Skegness holidays back in the 80s and 90s!
And the properties I'd seen in between were either in a bad area or they wanted top money for stuff that needed loads of renovation work doing to them. But, I came full circle back to this semi bungalow and no one seemed to want it. And by this point, I thought, what the hell, let's view it. I haven't got anything to lose and committed to the thought that I'd be doing up an old house.
Doing Property Research
So, the night before, I did a lot of research. I priced up quotes for jobs that needed doing, found the owner had died 2 years before and compared it to other properties online as the listing didn't show plans. I assume that's because it was a unique layout with a 1970s loft dormer.
And, I'd also got an all important vibe from the estate agents on the phone that the seller would accept a low offer. ANYWAY… after viewing it on my own, I convinced my husband it met our all of our criteria and put in an offer that same day without him even looking at it!
And that was, it was in a nice, quiet area, cheap enough to only have a small mortgage AND, there was room for improvement to increase in value - not just with inflation.
Looking Beyond Ugly House Interiors
As far as the house modernisation required, I felt confident it was a good move (maybe a bit overambitious at the time), but that's because I'd grown up watching my parents renovate houses with a quick turnaround. So it's 1960's/70's interiors didn't phase me one little bit.
And it was actually more spacious than the photos portrayed. ANOTHER bonus. So, I put a cheeky offer in to account for the work that would need to be done. And the next morning, it was accepted!
In fact, I remember my Dad's words the moment I rang him at work, and he said… "you did good, there!"
My Unexpected DIY Future
And so, the next few years would end up being a whole new, exciting learning curve (and career path with TV opportunities), that I never expected. Like being on BBC One's Right on the Money.
And then, of course, last Summer being the carpenter on Alan Titchmarsh's Love Your Weekend. It's VERY surreal when you spent your childhood watching Ground Force with your family.
And, I suppose subconsciously, I was slowly following in my parents' footsteps. You may have even seen me wearing a T-shirt I made with their saying, money is "hard earnt easy spent!".
Taking Time To Learn How to DIY
So, getting back to moving into the bungalow. When we first moved in, I had a vintage clothing business on eBay from home. And that's what I really wanted the garage for.
But with my career path (and all the retail management jobs I'd had before), I felt my English and Journalism degree was going to waste. I'm sure my parents thought the same too. (We'll talk more about that in a minute).
And after getting lots of frustrating quotes from tradesmen while my husband would be at work, both my parents and in-laws would say yay or nay, whether the prices were reasonable, because, not only is my Dad a carpenter, but my father in law used to do groundworks on construction sites.
Getting DIY Tips From Experienced People
Both our parents gave us tips and advice and answer any questions I had, (which were a lot!). Then, my husband would then challenge me to see how much money I could save us, by doing some of the stuff myself. *ONLY, though, if he'd tidy up after me.
Well, that arrangement didn't stick for long! PLUS, I didn't want to do my eBay business anymore. I felt the efforts in my DIY were more productive. BUT, by the time he'd get home, I'd be shattered, and he'd geared himself up all day to do DIY once he got home. So our workflow and energy levels weren't on the same page.
Plus, I really like getting in the zone on my own with music and coffee…. oh, Hans' for company… so it became me enjoying it on my own.
DIY On One Room at a Time
One thing that both our parents kept telling us over and over again, was: work on one room at a time. Well, as soon as I learned how to use a wallpaper stripper with music, I got in the zone and ignored them. (There was woodchip wallpaper EVERYWHERE!). I didn't have a renovation plan at all.
So after a visit to see what we'd bought, my mum said I'd made the property worse because there wasn't one finished room yet. But we were just so used to camping that living in a DIY home improvement zone really didn't phase us. And come on... a place has to get worse before it gets better!
Although, listening to them would've prevented the constant need to move furniture from one room to the other! I've used my office as EVERY room in that house, APART from the bathroom!
After Finishing The DIY Basics
I didn't really know how to do up a house. First, I'd worked through the absolute basics of how to decorate a room for beginners, like filling walls and painting, etc.
My Dad then organised some builders to come and do some of the major works I still can't do today, like build a conservatory, fix the garage's roof, electrics, etc. But, when he was done, that's when I began to spend HOURS, if not DAYS, watching YouTube videos for bigger DIY challenges.
I like to watch as many as possible instead of DIY courses until I fully understand something, and read the comments, because, you've got to take a lot of them with a pinch of salt. But, if you keep looking, there's an increasing amount of tradespeople and professionals who are now filming tutorials as part of their business marketing plan.
And with each home having its own unique obstacles, I felt a duty to document MY challenges too in the hope of saving others a lot of money (and hours of their time).
Why You Don't Need DIY Skills
Now, before you start looking at this list, something I want you to bear in mind is that, back in 2015, I didn't know one screw from the other.
Or how to use a screwdriver properly, let alone a combi drill or an impact driver. Mind you, in my defence, there are a LOT of new products always coming on the market.
But, if you're miles away from friends and family and want to be more self-sufficient, or need to save money, you'll be amazed what you DIY can achieve. I always tend to learn more when I get out of my comfort zone.
Why You Don't Need Lots of DIY Tools
Also, you may have noticed over the years that I'm also not really driven by power tools, although I do have my favourites for certain jobs. But it really makes me chuckle when some people leave comments saying it's alright for me with having thousands of pounds worth of tools.
That's really not the case. Most of the big jobs, I feel like I tend to use a hand saw, and apart from being sent the odd one, I only really like to build my collection when I need something. And I'll try my hardest to avoid spending.
There are, of course, times that I wish I'd bought something sooner, like my pocket hole jig for easy woodworking. But there's nothing wrong with being resourceful on a budget!
Why You Don't Need a Workshop
I didn't really have a proper workshop set up. I'd use my garden most of the time, or my favourite place, the conservatory because it was warmer.
If you're determined or addicted to DIY, you'll just make do with what you've got. But for me, it was impressive before and after transformations that got me hooked. And I started to ask myself, "what else can I achieve?"
Just start small, let your tool collection grow project by project and build your confidence at your own pace. You'll soon find out what your favourite tools are and what method work best for you. And over time, the more you do it, the more mistakes you learn from, the less daunting the bigger jobs start to appear.
My List Of Completed DIY Home Projects For Beginners
DIY Home Projects For Beginners
Here's some DIY home projects for beginners that I've completed over the years to increase the value of my property. It also includes the story of HOW I learned how to remodel my house without DIY courses. Note, I had absolutely no training prior, just motivation to save money.
An ultimate guide for beginners on how to paint a panel door with glass (or not). Whether you're repainting a door or painting bare wood, I'll help you pick the best paint for interior doors, rollers, and tips to prevent problems you might face. Includes an in-depth video tutorial for a helping hand.
Here's a compilation of fitting a kitchen DIY projects that you can do yourself to save money because a kitchen installation isn't cheap when hiring out. You'll also find tips on repairs, how to update a kitchen with a lick of paint and other small kitchen ideas.
Note that 99% of these projects have videos to follow along on my Youtube channel, The Carpenter's Daughter.
A cheap and easy chevron pallet wood headboard made using recycled materials.
An easy step by step on how to fit Perfect Fit conservatory blinds easily in double glazed windows with internal beading. And the beauty is, there's no tools needed for drilling and screwing a track and they leave no trace behind if taken down.
Here's my very quick spring door stop installation guide. Although very easy, this is one of the many jobs people tend not to get around to doing because they don't know or haven't looked into it.
Here's how I did my 3d wall panels installation in our home. They're like large 3d tiles, easy to cut and make great decorative wall panels.
Here's how I learnt to change a uPVC door lock in a minute. You really don't need a locksmith for this and it will save you money!
How to fit quick, easy and adjustable twin slot shelves in a shed. It’s extremely sturdy and ideal if you want to add or remove shelving at any time.
Here’s how to fit a shed lock using coach bolts for extra security. I believe this reduces the risk of anyone entering without creating a lot of noise.
Here I show you how to build a shed base (aka subframe) with pressure treated timber. This is to lift a shed off the ground, prevent rotting and also add more stability to your shed base.
Here’s my step by step on how I built my custom pine shelf to provide DVD storage on my landing. It holds almost 500 DVDs, but can be made taller or slimmer and I’ll talk you through an alternative base around a skirting board and more.
With woodworking, we’re always left with offcuts you might assume are useless. So here’s a list of 50 scrap wood projects where you can put them to good use and improve your home.
Here I show you how I built and installed a flat packed 6 x 3 Wickes shed for more garden storage.
Here's my comprehensive guide on how to hang a door with lots of tips and tricks. I'll also walk you through how to hang a door in a new frame (and old). What to do if your frame is shorter than recommended for cutting and how to fit flush hinges as well as butt hinges.
Note, this guide is a nutshell only. Please ensure you read the full post above regarding the different hinges and work arounds.
This tiled kitchen splashback is a great starter tutorial to create a waterproof and modern space. I'll also show you some tips and tricks if doing alone, especially my Blu Tack hack for planning your tile trim!
A step by step driveway gate installation with double metal gates with enough clearance for your drive top open properly. We'll also show you how to prevent them from being stolen and drilling holes in the ground for drop bolts. Also includes a how to video to follow along.
Here's my super easy shed shelving using London brackets and very little power tools or skill to help get you organised. Includes video to follow along and tips on the types of wood you can use and alternative shed racking.
Here’s my easy mud kitchen DIY tutorial that anyone can make out of old dresser drawer, some pallet wood and household objects you probably have. It also makes the perfect DIY toy kitchen as a personalised gift on a budget in less than an hour.
Here's my step by step on how to install melamine edging tape on J pull handles when you're working on a made to measure kitchen yourself. My method uses contact adhesive for non-iron on edging tape that's around 1mm thick. I'll also show you how to trim edge banding like a pro, which can also be useful for high gloss shelves or any melamine wood.
Step by step on fitting a kitchen plinth and in corners (AKA kitchen kickboard). It requires minimal tools and I'll also show you a video guide to follow along.
Here's a step by step on how to fit a 5 lever mortice lock to make a shed more secure. This comes from my DIY biked shed project and features a reversible sash lock, but you may need to change a mortice lock a screw to replace an existing one.
Here I show you how to make a wooden maple leaf trivet using a pine off cut, jigsaw and router for detail. I’ll also talk you through alternative tools if you don’t have what I use. It makes a great seasonal gift but can also be made in to coasters and place mats!
This easy DIY Z shelf 3 tier trolley has endless storage uses around the home for plastic baskets. You won't need to learn how to make a basket, because I've designed it to fit both 4L Curver and Wham Studio boxes. Includes free plans with step by steps and alternative tools you can use.
Here, I show you my lesson on fitting skirting boards. I'll talk you through attaching to plasterboard, brick wall and tips around plug sockets.
If you have short fence posts and panels in your garden and want more privacy, then these fence post extensions are a great solution. These are perfect to prevent replacing heavy concrete posts.
A quick step by step on how to cut a hole in a kitchen sink when working with stainless steel. Note, this is for a mixer tap which requires one hole. Includes video to follow along.
Here's how to make an insect hotel, recycled from an old drawer to attract wildlife, such as bugs and bees for a more productive garden.
How to make a plant stand with a bottom shelf from an old upcycled drawer and pallet wood. This woodworking project for beginners requires minimal tools.
This rustic DIY bookcase is perfect for beginners, as seen on the TV set of Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh. It’s also cheap to make and can be adapted easily for your own belongings and books.
If you’re looking for a unique wall feature in a living room, or chimney breast ideas, then why not consider this painted circle on wall? It’s easy and you don’t need wall stencils for painting.
Here’s my quick and easy DIY TV stand which was also a scrap wood project. It takes about an hour to make and is a perfect beginner’s woodworking project.
Here, I show you a drill bit hack that I learnt recently for if you don't have a drill bit at hand. This is using a nail in your combi drill.
Here's a loose step by step guide on how we built a partition wall to turn a living room into two bedrooms. Please note, I am not a professional, but am documenting what my Dad taught me.
Here’s how I had to lay bricks to cover up the old fireplace hole after knocking out the chimney and chimney breast. However, if you still have a chimney breast, please read the notes as the method is different.
Here’s how to make my DIY lap desk with cushion. It’s made using 12mm plywood, your choice of smooth wallpaper and a ready-made cushion. However, I’ll talk you through alternative methods as I go to help you.
Here’s my step by step guide on how you can make my DIY treadmill desk for so much less. It’s been an amazing solution, allowing me to achieve 20k Fitbit steps a day while doing my normal office work. It can also be made with basic tools, CLS timber and 12mm plywood.
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