Improve Your DIY Skills With Some Great Projects for Beginners

Starting a do-it-yourself project can be intimidating for anyone. The benefits of working on home improvement projects on your own, however, often outweigh alternatives. Luckily, not all DIY projects require the same level of skill and experience. By following these introductory DIY projects, you can master the skills necessary to tackle bigger projects down the road.

Repainting Wood Furniture

Repainting or refinishing wood furniture is a great alternative to purchasing new pieces for your home, especially if you’re looking for a simple décor change. With a little bit of work, you can make an old and worn piece of furniture look brand new at a fraction of the price of purchasing something new. This project is great for beginners and requires little experience to complete. Repainting old furniture will get you comfortable with several important skills, including the basics of sanding and painting, as well as working with stain removers and other surface cleaners. Taking on a project like this will also give you a good opportunity to check on your furniture: fix a wobbly leg, sand or polish a scuff, and replace any rotting wood.

Chalkboard Surface

You can transform just about any blank space in your home into a write-able surface by using chalkboard contact paper or chalkboard paint. Chalkboards are great for leaving notes for family members or writing out shopping lists. Consider locations on inset doors, entryway walls, and the inside of pantry doors. Thankfully, this project is great for beginners because of its simplicity and flexibility. You can get even more creative by making a decorative frame or wooden storage space for your erasers and writing tools. This project will teach you the basics of measuring and painting, preparing a surface for adhesive, and properly cutting a material to correct dimensions.

Installing a Plank Wall

Plank walls can add another layer of texture to any surface of your home, whether it’s a bathroom wall or underneath a kitchen island. The best part about installing a plank wall is the flexibility in styles and colors to match any theme in your home. Building a plank wall will expand your DIY abilities significantly, while at the same time building on previously learned skills. This project will rely on your knowledge of sanding and painting surfaces and using adhesives. At the same time, this project will teach you how to measure and cut larger pieces of wood. You can use a traditional hand saw, or try out power saws like a jigsaw to complete this project.

Home Depot Demonstrations

While DIY projects may appear daunting, The Home Depot offers free workshops to further hone your DIY skills. These demonstrations will teach you the basic skills required to complete many DIY projects, including how to properly sand and stain wood, how to use different power tools, and how to install and repair things around the house. Furthermore, these demonstrations will help expand your knowledge in the realm of DIY and prepare you for future projects. The best part? This is a free resource where you can learn with others, get helpful tips and tricks, and ask as many questions as you’d like from an expert.