Home renovation reality shows and Pinterest give you the impression that DIY home improvement projects are easy, but there is a learning curve. If you’re a beginner, it may be best to avoid major overhauls and instead focus on a few small projects to build up your confidence and skills before taking on more complex ones.
Painting is a low-risk, high-impact project that can drastically change the look and feel of a room. Plus, you don’t need to be a renowned artist to pull it off. You’ll also get to learn how paint flows, dries and hides, which can be helpful for future projects.
Another DIY project that’s perfect for beginners is replacing cabinet knobs or handles. “This can have a big impact on the look of your kitchen without breaking the bank,” explains Family Handyman. “And it’s a good way to get familiar with tools and materials before tackling a more complicated job, like installing new countertops or rewiring your house.”
A window screen repair is another relatively straightforward beginner home improvement. Whether it’s a hole from a fallen branch or tears caused by overzealous pets, you’ll want to be able to fix this to keep insects out and make your windows more appealing.
Creating a realistic budget and setting aside time to work on your projects will help you stay on track. It’s also a good idea to have a separate savings account for your renovation. That way, you won’t have to weed through personal transactions versus renovation expenses when you need to reconcile your records.