How to Set DIY Goals for 2022

Written by Hannah Madans Welk
on Jan 05, 2022

smiling couple planning a painting project on the flor

Setting goals early in the year will help you schedule your projects, plan a budget, and stay motivated all year long. Having a list of goals will also give you a sense of accomplishment as you accomplish each one.

Projects

Start by figuring out what projects you are hoping to accomplish in 2020. Make a list of each project, the materials needed for each, the cost, and any special skills you may need. Consider breaking the list into a few categories: inside the house and outside the house are great ways to organize it.

If you have children, also consider making a list of what projects they can be involved in, such as decorating a playroom. You could also organize your list into "must do" and "want to do" categories so you know which projects are the most pressing.

Calendar

Once you know what projects you hope to accomplish in 2022, it's time to bust out your calendar. This can be a calendar on your phone or a hard copy. Assign dates to all your projects so you know what you need to get done when. It's fine if you end up doing the projects early but think of this as a deadline for your project.

Instead of just writing a project due date into the calendar, write down the steps you need to take as well. For example, if you are looking to retile your bathroom, write down a date a few months prior when you need to start looking at tile, the date the tile needs to be ordered by, the date when you need to order other materials, and so on.

Make sure to consider what season some of your projects should be done by. If you need to reshingle your roof, for example, you will want to do so before the rainy season where you live. And if you are planning to upgrade your AC system, you will want to do so before the hot summer months.

Budget

Having a budget, and more importantly, sticking to it, is incredibly important when considering DIY projects for the year. If you have a few big DIY projects, consider spacing them out throughout the year so that you are spreading out your expenses.

By knowing what DIY projects you are doing so far out, you will also be able to take advantage of sales rather than having to buy certain materials immediately.

Home improvement stores often have sales around major holidays and at the end of the seasons. If you have a spring project that is not urgent, for example, the materials may be more affordable come summer.

Prioritize

When making your calendar or thinking about your budget, it may become clear that it is just not practical to do every DIY project you are considering. If this is the case, you will have to prioritize. This is why "must do" and "want to do" categories on your list for the year are a great idea.

Make sure you prioritize anything that will hurt you not to do—if your area is prone to storms, fixing your roof is a bigger deal than adding an accent wall to your bedroom. Furthermore, there will be some tasks that not doing now will cost you a lot of money in the long run. These items should also be prioritized.

Make sure, though, that you leave one or two fun or easy items on your DIY list, like organizing your kitchen or putting new handles on your dresser. These tasks are easy to accomplish and you will get great joy out of seeing them every day.

This also has the added benefit of giving you a sense of accomplishment that will help motivate you to get a head start on some of your other DIY projects. The hardest part is often starting, so start with something small and manageable before moving on to other projects.

Grow Your Skill Set

Whether you are a DIY novice or skilled practitioner, you can always learn more. Check around your area or online for classes on particular DIY skill sets that are interesting to you.

In a pinch, you can always look up how to do specific projects but a class will allow you to develop a more well-rounded skillset that you can apply to DIY projects for years to come.