My Top 5 DIY Tips

Well, my mind is in full "stage mode," meaning staging the house for showings. I understand this might be a silly use of my time considering properties in Plano are in short supply and in high demand. Still, my mind constantly thinks of ways to make certain spaces prettier, cleaner, and more appealing. I then switch to "What do I already have? How little can I spend?"

I do have experience with this afterall; my whole house looks the way it does due my high expectations with design and my thrifty, DIY mindset.

So many people have graciously complemented me, my skills, and my house over the years, and while this is flattering, it is also uncomfortable for me. I do believe that anyone can do what I have done and get very similar results...but maybe they don't know where to start.

I have compiled my top 5 tips for aspiring do-it-yourself-er's, in hopes to inspire some projects, and create a place you love to live in.

1. Spray paint
It's uses are endless. Change outdated brass doorknobs to contemporary nickel or bronze. Paint that old light fixture to new beauty. Refinish furniture, chair cushions, outdoor playsets, candle holders, the sky is the limit, and the difference is amazing. For $6 a can, you can transform most anything to something trendy, new, and pretty.

entry light, looks so much better!

2. Contact paper
Yes, it lines your shelves and drawers, but it's so much more. Cover countertops, add detail to painted walls, change the look of something with ease. You can purchase it in wood grain, granite print, chalkboard or dry-erase finishes. For less than $10, you can update something with a simple peel-and-stick application...also, easy removal for touch-ups or change in style.

background shelving in pantry, simple strips makes a dramatic look

3. Polyurethane
This is a great finisher. It seals your stain job, paint job; it gives things strength and sheen. It's easy to use, and easy to clean up. It comes in small 8 oz cans, and large gallon sizes. Finish your projects with this and you will have a clean, professional-looking product that you will love.

combination of contact paper and poly here, great look, always loved this simple update

4. Caulk
Seems easy and simple, and it is, but the overall look makes a huge difference. Touch up countertop seams, fill in baseboard edges, sharpen doorway moldings, and seal your shower/tub. The clean, sharp line will stand out, and make things look surprisingly new. Some caulk even comes in small, self-squeeze tubes, meaning you can ditch the caulkgun...I hate caulkguns.

Not my picture, but the look speaks for itself

5. Grout paint
This is an amazing product. It's really a tinted sealant that you just paint on over your existing grout. Wipe a simple sweep and wipe down, you paint on the sealant over dry grout and let dry. No amount of scrubbing is worth it when you know this stuff is just $20 and can cover your entire kitchen/bathroom/entryway with plenty of paint to spare. The difference is dramatic, and lasting. I love this stuff.

Again, not my personal tile, but the change is amazing

There are more tips and tricks I have discovered over the past few years, but these 5 are my favorite, hands down. Start with these, and you will have amazing results. Yes, there is always the stand-bys like paint and wood stain, but these bonuses will complete your transformation. Anyone can do it, you just got to know where to start!


M.LEWIS