Okay. So, here’s what happened.
I got this “brilliant” idea to redo my entire guest bathroom by myself—just me, YouTube, a caffeine addiction, and what I can only describe as blind optimism. I’d been binge-watching those budget-friendly home makeover reels on Instagram and thought, “How hard can it be?” (If you just made a snort-laugh noise, you’re my kind of person.)
Spoiler alert: it was kinda hard. But also so worth it and DIY home renovation tips.
I mean, sure, I now have trust issues with caulk. But I also saved about $4,000 by not hiring a pro. So here we are—me, still slightly haunted by grout, and you, maybe about to start your own chaos-filled reno adventure.
Let me help you avoid at least half my mistakes.
1. Start Ugly. Start Anyway.
Look, if you wait until everything’s perfect—tools, plan, hair tied back like a Home Depot warrior princess—you’re never gonna start. My first project was peeling 20-year-old wallpaper off our laundry room wall with a butter knife. Not kidding.
And you know what? It worked.
Was it the right way? Probably not. But it got me started. Momentum, baby.
2. YouTube is a Miracle and Also Slightly Evil
Seriously, bless those content creators who can remove and replace tile like they’re just spreading butter on toast. BUTTER ON TOAST, SUSAN?!
YouTube is your best friend and your worst enemy. It’s helpful—don’t get me wrong. I learned how to:
- Seal a sink
- Replace a faucet
- Patch drywall without making it look like someone kicked it in
But sometimes, the tutorials are edited so smoothly, you don’t see the 4 hours they spent cursing behind the scenes. Just… lower your expectations. Then lower them again and Home Renovation Tips That Save You Thousands.
3. Tools Matter, But You Don’t Need the Entire Lowe’s Catalog
Don’t fall into the “I need everything” trap. I almost bought a $150 sander… and then remembered I could rent one for $15 a day. Boom. Saved myself a Chick-fil-A family meal and a therapy copay.
Here’s my short and spicy “starter kit”:
- Cordless drill (you’ll feel so powerful)
- Stud finder (because your walls aren’t see-through, friend)
- Painter’s tape
- Level (no, eyeballing it doesn’t work—I learned the hard way)
- Caulk gun (aka “The Beast”)
- Shop vac (you will make more mess than you ever dreamed possible)
You can upgrade later. Or not. I still borrow my neighbor’s orbital sander and bring him cookies as rent.
4. Paint Can Fix Almost Anything (Except Regret)
I swear by this: paint is the duct tape of home reno. Dingy walls? Paint. Sad cabinets? Paint. Weird patch job from 2009? You bet your sweet behind—paint.
Just… don’t buy the cheapest paint. That’s like trying to fix a paper cut with glitter. It doesn’t end well.
Also, primer is not optional. I skipped it once. ONCE. My kitchen looked like a Dalmatian for three days.
5. Ask for Help (Even If It’s Just for Emotional Support)
At some point, I called my brother to hold a cabinet door while I screwed the hinges in. Thirty minutes later, we were on the floor laughing because it somehow looked worse than before. But then we fixed it.
Sometimes, you need a second pair of hands—or someone to tell you you’re not insane for thinking your wall “feels uneven.”
Pro tip: bribing people with pizza and beer is still currency in the DIY world.
6. Budget Like a Real Person, Not a Pinterest Board
Here’s a truth bomb: you will go over budget. Every. Single. Time.
Why? Because there’s always something:
- The “quick fix” that turns into “oops, that’s mold.”
- The hardware you forgot.
- The 3 extra trips to the store because you got the wrong screws.
So pad your budget. Take what you think it’ll cost and add 30%. Or 40%, if you’re me and impulsive.
7. Watch Out for the Weekend Warrior Trap
Here’s what happens: you start something on Saturday morning, thinking, “Oh, I’ll knock this out by lunch.”
Cut to 8 p.m. You’re covered in paint, haven’t eaten all day, and the toilet you removed is now sitting in the hallway like an awkward guest.
DIY projects take longer than you think. Always. Even the “easy” ones. Don’t rush. Break it into chunks and DIY home renovation tips.
Example:
Saturday = Remove baseboards
Sunday = Patch and sand
Monday = Cry a little and keep sanding
Time is your friend. Rushing is where expensive mistakes live.
8. Don’t Be Afraid to Fail Ugly
My first attempt at tiling looked like I did it blindfolded during a small earthquake. But I learned. And the second time? Still not perfect—but honestly, kinda cute.
DIY is messy. It’s awkward. You’ll drop a hammer on your foot and maybe invent new curse words. But when you finish something and think, I made this, it hits different.
I’m telling you, nothing beats that weirdly satisfying feeling of sitting on your floor, eating snacks, admiring your slightly uneven but beautiful DIY wall. try DIY Home Renovation Tips That Save You Thousands.
9. The Internet is a Goldmine (Just Use Your Filter)
There are some amazing blogs out there—real people doing real stuff, not just the Pinterest-perfect influencers. I love checking out sites like Young House Love and even weird Reddit threads where people are brutally honest.
Get inspired. But also remember: your project doesn’t have to look like it belongs on HGTV to be a win.
10. Celebrate the Wins (No Matter How Small)
Hung a shelf? Celebrate. Fixed that weird door squeak? Party time. Installed a toilet and didn’t flood the house? You are the moment.
DIY is a marathon, not a sprint. So wear your paint-stained sweatshirt like a badge of honor, take before/after pics (even if it’s just a new doorknob), and own your mess.
You did something. That counts.
Final Thought (Which I Definitely Should’ve Put Earlier): Know Your Limits
There’s no shame in calling a pro when you hit something serious—plumbing, electrical, anything that can burn your house down. You’re not lazy. You’re wise.
Trust me. I once tried to “wing” a toilet flange installation. I will never recover.
