25 Home Renovations Ideas You Can Actually DIY

***Courtesy of Havenly; Photographed by Kylie Fitts.***

Confession time: We're getting a little sick of our spaces. When we first moved into our current pads, we were excited to fill our new homes with furniture and accessories that truly brought us joy. But, after spending an unprecedented amount of time inside, our once-stylish spaces feel, well, dull. A change of scenery can usually get us out of our ruts, but it's safe to say most of us won't be swinging by our favorite design destinations anytime soon.

The good news? Just because we're social distancing doesn't mean we have to wallow in our own decor despair. If you're looking to switch up your surroundings — without actually going anywhere, that is — you can always try out a new DIY. Not only is it a great way to pass the time, but you can also find a project that will create the illusion of a full-fledged home renovation. And, since you're "remodeling" your home on your own, you won't have to worry about staying six feet away from your contractor.

Want to flex your DIY muscle, but have no idea where to start? Look no further than these 25 home reno ideas. We tapped a handful of designers and bloggers to share their favorite home renovation projects that you can do on your own.

We know that not everyone is a DIY professional, so the list below features ideas for every comfort level. From building your own barn door to reviving your space with a fresh coat of paint, there's bound to be something here you feel confident to take on all by yourself (or at least with your bubble).

Turns out, a home renovation (or at least a project that feels like one) is a lot easier than you'd think. All you really need are some supplies, patience, and lots of creativity.

Fancy Floors

**Courtesy of Murray Khouri Interior Design.**

Want to revitalize your hardwood floors without covering them with yet another area rug? Go ahead and embrace your artistic side.

"A painted floor is a tale as old as time," say Mary Catherine Murray and Amanda Khouri, co-founders of Murray Khouri Interior Design. "It's also a great way to refresh hardwoods that are in bad shape if you're not planning to replace or refinish them. [They] can be done in one solid color, a geometric pattern, a border around the perimeter of the room — the possibilities really are endless."

Before you get started, the design duo recommends taping the perimeter of the room and using a durable primer.

"Start at the back corner of the [area] and paint yourself out," they share. "A small powder room is a great candidate if you aren't ready to commit to a large space. But, as we like to tell our clients: More is more."

Green With Envy

According to Chicago-based designer Brooke Lang, the devil lies in the decor details. If you want to focus on those smaller touches, add some leafy greens to unexpected places.

"Fresh plants are a wonderful way to change the mood in any home, so why not combine a potter with some wall decor?" she says. "I found this antique-looking wall mirror from World Market and added a mini pot [as well as foliage] in place of the candle. The mirror helps bounce light around, while introducing a natural element."

Here, Lang used these fun planters to flank the windows, bringing some flair to the room.

Style With Stencil

Make no mistake, we love wallpaper as much as the next person. But, unless you're working with an easy peel-and-stick option, applying it a room can be a complete pain. Thanks to Lang's DIY project, you can have the best of both worlds.

"I love how dynamic and unique wallpaper designs are, but they can be a major commitment," she shares. "Paint stencils are a powerful way to add visual interest to boring white walls. In this example, we used a gold-leaf paint to achieve the same look as a wallpaper. It ended up being a fraction of the cost and a little time over the weekend!"

Refresh Your Hardware

If your cabinets are overdue for a major upgrade, but you're not ready to replace them altogether, consider swapping out the hardware.

"We’re big fans of low-effort, high-impact around here," says Karina Lameraner, a stylist at Modsy. "One of our favorite ways to transform a space is by swapping out hardware on doors, drawers, hooks, or rods around your home."

Another perk? This idea is great for rentals. Simply reattach your older knobs and pulls when your lease is up, and your landlord will have no idea you made this tweak.

Rework Your Home Office

If the past year has taught us anything, it's that a home office is a necessary addition to any space. But, since most of us didn't have "private workspace" on our real-estate wish lists, there's a good chance many people are clocking in from their kitchen counter. If you want to create the illusion of a home office without going through the hassle of a formal addition, consider transforming one of your favorite nooks and crannies.

All you have to do is find some empty space to get creative. Whether you have an attic you can covert, like this fun office, or even an awkward unused corner of your home, you can set up for business pretty much anywhere.

"We’re seeing a ton of folks examining underutilized reach-in closet space and redesigning it to their advantage," Lameraner shares. "The reason why this project is so approachable from a DIY perspective is because simply by removing the doors and any hanging rods, you can begin the space transform.

"We’re also seeing these reach-in closets being turned into little stylish reading nooks," she says. "A great accent chair, a fresh coat of paint, or even a fun peel-and-stick wallpaper will transform even the smallest closet into an elevated and chic [space]."

Pack A Punch With Paint

If you're dipping your toes into the DIY world for the very first time, take things slow by reimagining your room with a fresh coat of paint. It's amazing how much influence this one tweak can have on your space.

"Painting light walls a dark, moody color is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to revamp a space," says Vivian Torres, interior designer at Havenly. "I wanted to create a bedroom that was different from the rest of my home, so I opted to paint in a color called Black Berry by Benjamin Moore. It's not a pure black because it has a blue undertone, but it's [still] dramatic and transformative. I kept the rest of the decor light for added contrast and brightness."

Build A Breakfast Nook

Another easy way to transform your home? Add a breakfast nook to your kitchen.

"Just because you have a [tiny area] doesn’t mean that it can’t be comfortable, personal, and beautiful," Torres says. "Just take this DIY breakfast nook as an example of a small-space solution that packs a ton of style.The L-shaped banquette not only maximizes seating around the bistro table, but it also offers storage, which to some can feel life-saving."

According to Torres, the magic lies in IKEA's Sekiton collection.

"Start with three horizontal wall cabinets for the base and fill in the remaining corner gap with medium-density fiberboard," she shares. "Then, add a coat of paint and brass handles for a more elevated, custom aesthetic."

Round out your nook with cushions, a cozy throw, and fresh bouquet of flowers.

Creative Cabinets

While we're on the topic of kitchens, we give you full permission to revive your lackluster cabinets.

"When we think of a remodel, the dollar signs typically flash before our eyes, and we throw our hands up," Torres says. "But, try this hack to update your cabinetry for a personalized, eye-catching aesthetic that doesn’t break the bank.

One way to level up your kitchen is with open shelving. Whether you source materials through your local hardware store or spring for finished products from brands like Semihandmade, this tip enables you to show off your covetable cookware and styling skills.

Beautiful Built-Ins

Admit it: When you think about built-ins, you envision a difficult, time-consuming undertaking. But, according to Torres, this DIY project is easier and more cost-effective than you think.

"For a minimal frame that maximizes precious square footage, go with IKEA's cult-classic Billy Bookcases because of their uniquely narrow depth of 11 inches," she says. "You can add in coordinating height extension units up to the ceiling for a seamless, truly 'built-in' aesthetic"

Want to go the extra mile? Torres recommends adding a trim to the top of your bookcase or painting them the same color as your walls. Either way, you'll wind up with storage that packs a punch.

Cool Ceilings

Courtesy of Christina Kim Design; Photographed by Raquel Langworthy.

Looking for a pseudo home renovation that defies gravity? Take a cue from designer Christina Kim.

"Our clients are always asking for some kind of cool feature," she shares. "Wood-clad ceilings make a big impact and are a great DIY. Grab one-foot by six-foot tongue-and-groove planks in your favorite material — pine and white oak work great. Plan to run the boards perpendicular to the joists so you have something to nail into. You can even leave the boards unfinished for a warm modern look — especially in casual spaces like basements."

Goodbye and good riddance, ugly popcorn ceilings.

Stairway To Heaven

We know that a flight of stairs serves a practical purpose — you know, to transport you from one floor to another — but, this feature isn't always the most exciting. If you're looking to spice up your steps without starting from scratch, interior designer Nicole White suggests that you consider adding an unexpected coat of paint.

"I always wanted fun elements throughout our home so my son could be as playful as possible," she shares. "The stair risers were no exception. I also hated how often we tossed paint samples after client presentations, so I decided to use a few of those sample colors to make [the steps into a] piece of art. My son's personal art is also displayed on the nearby wall, so he’s dubbed the entire area as his own gallery."

Or, if you have some leftover peel-and-stick wallpaper, you can create a cool tiled effect like the setup here. It's an easy faux renovation that virtually anyone can achieve.

Fix Up Your Foyer

It doesn't matter if you're having dinner with your pod or receiving a special delivery, the entryway is the first thing all of your guests will see. So, why not make it look good? If you're looking for a rookie-friendly way to transform your foyer, EQ3's Liana Thomson recommends doubling down on accessories.

“Entryways are often a neglected part of home renovations," she explains. "Adding a fresh coat of paint and reupholstering some pillows are easy DIYs to accent your project. Go a step further by [illuminating] the space with a plug-in pendant — no electrician required.”

Let There Be Light

Speaking of lighting, why not refresh every pendant in your home?

"A simple and easy way to transform a space is to swap out your fixtures to create a completely different mood and aesthetic," says Kylie Wolfe, senior designer at K Interiors. "Lighting can be one of the best ways to elevate a basic space into a beautiful statement."

From fancy chandeliers that give you major Bridgerton vibes to cool pendants, you're bound to find one that matches your personal style.

Magnificent Crown Molding

Wish your home had charming features like crown molding along the ceilings? Well, with a little elbow grease, it can.

"People usually look to their walls to change up the room, but the ceiling is often a forgotten element," says designer Robin Baron.

To achieve the look, pick up wooden or styrofoam molding planks, add a generous amount of compound mud, and adhere them to the ceiling by nailing them in. You'll have a home that's packed with beautiful, architectural details in no time. (Calling all DIY pros: You can even add some lattice or wainscoting to your walls.)

Up, Up Away

Courtesy of Cheryl Luckett, York Wallcoverings.

Or, if you want to bring your bold design eye to new heights, consider adding some wallpaper to your ceiling. Charlotte-based designer Cheryll Luckett recently transformed her clients' home office with a moody floral pattern.

We know what you're thinking: Though applying wallpaper to the ceiling seems like an effective way to make a statement, it sounds difficult. Don't worry, you can recreate the look with a peel-and-stick set. For example, York Wallcoverings uses a special SureStrip technology that's pre-pasted, full sheet removable option. It's perfect for DIY rookies.

Build Your Own Beams

Convinced exposed beams can only be installed by a contractor? Blogger Jenna Sue recreated the look from scratch. She nailed together four planks of wood for a DIY beam, stained each one to her liking, and hung them with heavy-duty toggle-bolt anchors.

Get Pretty With A Painted Arch

What's a design lover to do if they want to hit the fresh button on their home, but are not very DIY savvy? (We're talking to the point where painting an entire accent wall seems daunting.) Fortunately, small updates can make a big impact. Designer Brittaney Elise kept things simple with a trendy painted arch.

(Psst...you can learn more about this growing design fad here.)

Crafty Closet

Want to hack your way to a covetable closet space? Take a cue from Hydrangea Treehouse's Kelin Zhao, who faked a wardrobe renovation with IKEA's Trofast collection. "The furniture is inexpensive, so don't be afraid to paint and customize it," she says.

Customizable Creation

***Courtesy of Jett Set Farmhouse; Photographed by Leslie Brown Photography.***

Or, if you want to put your DIY skills to the test, Noel Jett of Jett Set Farmhouse created her own custom closet with some cabinetry-grade plywood. Since this project requires a lot of measuring, strategy, and patience, it's a fun challenge for renovation enthusiasts. But, don't worry: If the final product is any indication, all the hard work will be worth it.

Plant Power

***Courtesy of Fletcher Creek Cottage/Dena Breitmeyer.***

Why limit your plant collection to your floor and tabletops when you can create your own garden wall? We love how Dena Breitmeyer of Fletcher Creek Cottage hacked the look indoors with strands of faux-ivy garland. The result? A lush garden minus the upkeep.

Barn Door Dreams

Sliding barn doors have been all the rage ever since Chip and Joanna Gaines put the modern farmhouse look on the design map. If you want to recreate this trend on your own, check out this DIY project from House on Longwood Lane. The geometric detailing is a fun upgrade from many of the plain wooden doors we see on repeat.

Homemade Happy Hour

Ready to shake up your virtual happy hour? Trade in the traditional bar cart for a more permanent fixture. As House on Longwood Lane's Kourtni Munoz proves, this upgrade is easier than you'd think. With a wine fridge, open shelves, and ample room for all her accoutrements, this DIY wet bar is certainly worth toasting to.

Sitting Pretty

You don't need to enlist a contractor to score an adorable window seat. Want proof? Take a look at this space from Made by Carli. The blogger added a nook to her cozy corner with a bunch of wood boards and some screws. We would love to curl up here with a good book or glass of wine.

Hung Up

Believe it or not, some of the smallest pseudo renovations can have the biggest impact. While a dowel-peg hanger might not seem like a huge undertaking, we promise you'll get a lot of mileage out of it. After all, where else would you put your purse, jacket, or mask? If you want to get the look in your home, check out this DIY from Made by Carli.

Tiled Treatment

At first thought, your tiles might seem like a permanent feature in your home — or, at least one that can only be updated by a professional. But, Shavonda Gardner has debunked that decor myth once and for all. The designer freshen up her bathroom floor with some QuicTiles from the Home Depot. This project might look intimidating, but Gardner was able to do it over the course of a weekend.

Like this idea, but aren't ready to rip up your tiles? Floor decals are an affordable, commitment-free alternative.