New to DIY?

Are you itching to transform your home but don't want to break the bank hiring professionals? Or perhaps you're a busy mom with no prior experience in DIY home renovation, but you dream of making your space more beautiful and functional? Well, you're in luck! With the power of YouTube tutorials and a handful of simple tools, you can unleash your inner handywoman and embark on a DIY home renovation journey that's both fulfilling and budget-friendly.

I'm here to share my own experiences as a mom who, with no formal training, learned to tackle home renovation projects by watching online tutorials. If I can do it, so can you! So, let's roll up our sleeves and get started.

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Before you begin your DIY renovation journey, it's crucial to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve. Browse through home decor magazines, Instagram, Pinterest boards, or even your favorite DIY YouTubers' videos to gather inspiration. This vision will be your driving force throughout the project.

Start with a Vision

Gather Essential Tools

You might be surprised to learn that a few simple tools are all you need to kickstart your DIY home renovation projects. Here's a list of some must-have tools. All of these are tools from the brands I use myself. They're of good quality and reliability for the money spent.

• Tape Measure: Essential for accurate measurements.

  • Both the old school handheld tape measure

  • and a laser device have their essential uses.

  • There is even a tool that has both in one!

• Screwdriver Set: You will likely need a variety of screwdrivers for different tasks. I personally like the multi-use tools because they're compact and simpler to tote around.

• Hammer: For everything from hanging pictures to minor demolition.

• Utility Knife: Great for cutting and trimming materials.

• Pliers: Useful for gripping, bending, and cutting.

• Level: Ensures your work is straight and even. Both the old school bubble level and laser level are very helpful.

• Paintbrushes and Rollers: Essential for painting projects.

• Speed square: Great for measuring and straight lines when cutting smaller wood.

• Miter shears: Handy portable little tool to cut small things like quarter round.

• Nail setter: Great for finishing work when adding molding to sink the nails.

• Stud Finder: Quite helpful when hanging anything on the wall.

• Power Drill: Perfect for drilling holes and driving screws.

• Impact Driver: Makes driving screws much easier than with a drill. There's also a great prime deal on a set for both the drill and impact driver right now.

• Nail Gun: Speeds up the process of most woodworking projects.

• Power Sander: Essential for woodworking and cabinetry

• Kreg Jig: If you want to make cabinetry, shelves, built ins, etc., YOU NEED THIS! I never thought I could make any of those things but this tool makes it very simple.

• Paint Sprayer: Dramatically speeds up the process and gives a great finish for large painting projects.

• Safety Gear: Always prioritize safety with gloves, safety goggles, and a dust mask. I personally love Stoggles!

YouTube is a goldmine of knowledge when it comes to DIY home renovation. Whether you're looking to install a new light fixture, paint a room, or lay a tile floor, there's likely a step-by-step video tutorial for it. Other places to check for tutorials are Pinterest and Instagram. There's also tons of blogs out there with step by step instructions for projects. Pick a project that matches your skill level and start learning. The best part is that you can pause, rewind, and replay as many times as needed until you feel confident.

Embrace Tutorials

Practice Makes Perfect

Don't be discouraged if you don't nail your first project. DIY renovation is a learning process, and the more you practice, the better you'll become. Start with smaller tasks like hanging shelves or repainting furniture to build your confidence. As you gain experience, you can tackle more complex projects.

Budget Wisely

One of the significant advantages of DIY renovation is the cost savings. However, it's still crucial to budget wisely. Plan out your expenses, including materials and tools, and stick to your budget to avoid overspending. You can often find affordable materials and tools at thrift stores, online marketplaces, or by repurposing items you already have. When it comes to paint most stores have a returned paint section of things that were previously purchased, opened, and returned. These can be hugely discounted.

She makes it look easy but there is nothing easy about what Joanna Gaines does. Whether you like her style or not, taking on large home projects is freaking hard...but also so fun and rewarding. You get to sit back, look at it, and say, "I MADE that!"

With a clear vision, a few essential tools, and the wealth of knowledge available on YouTube, you can confidently embark on your DIY home renovation journey. Remember, every expert was once a beginner, and there's no better time to start than now. As a mom with no prior training, I can attest that the feeling of accomplishment and pride when you complete a project is worth every effort. So, get inspired, gather your tools, and start transforming your space one project at a time. You've got this!

Remember, You're not Joanna Gaines