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Are you a DIY weekend warrior looking for your next crafty creation or home improvement project? Here are 10 must-try ideas you probably haven't considered before, which will add value, style and convenience to your living space.
Brian McCourt is a contractor, design expert and co-host of HGTV Canada’s Backyard Builds.
Brian McCourt is a contractor, design expert and co-host of HGTV Canada’s Backyard Builds.
DIY
10 Home Improvement Projects You Never Thought to DIY (But Definitely Should)
November 29, 2017
Are you a DIY weekend warrior looking for your next crafty creation or home improvement project? Here are 10 must-try ideas you probably haven't considered before, which will add value, style and convenience to your living space.
Brian McCourt is a contractor, design expert and co-host of HGTV Canada’s Backyard Builds.
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Fabric Track Doors
1/10Fabric Track Doors
1/10Photo Credit: Fred Larue
This idea (thought up by my friend and DIY master Fred Larue) is so genius I wish I thought of it myself! These graphic doors are made from 1x2 lumber, iron-on Velcro and four yards of discount fabric. You can easily remove the material when it needs a wash or to replace it for another on-trend fabric style.DIY10 Home Improvement Projects You Never Thought to DIY (But Definitely Should)Fabric Track Doors
PHOTO 1 of 10READ LESS -This idea (thought up by my friend and DIY master Fred Larue) is so genius I wish I thought of it myself! These graphic doors are made from 1x2 lumber, iron-on Velcro and four yards of discount fabric. You can easily remove the material when it needs a wash or to replace it for another on-trend fabric style.Photo Credit: Fred Larue
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Wallpapered Ceiling
2/10Wallpapered Ceiling
2/10Photo Credit: Brian McCourt
We’ve been having parties with our walls for far too long and never have the decency to invite the ceiling. Luckily, she’s above it all and isn’t holding a grudge. Maybe it’s time to try some removable wallpaper up top! (<a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/these-stylish-ceiling-ideas-will-inspire-you-to-reach-new-design-heights-1904542/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">See here for more stylish ceiling ideas</a>).DIY10 Home Improvement Projects You Never Thought to DIY (But Definitely Should)Wallpapered Ceiling
PHOTO 2 of 10READ LESS -We’ve been having parties with our walls for far too long and never have the decency to invite the ceiling. Luckily, she’s above it all and isn’t holding a grudge. Maybe it’s time to try some removable wallpaper up top! (<a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/these-stylish-ceiling-ideas-will-inspire-you-to-reach-new-design-heights-1904542/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">See here for more stylish ceiling ideas</a>).Photo Credit: Brian McCourt
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Alcove Seating
3/10Alcove Seating
3/10Photo Credit: Getty Images
Anytime I see an empty alcove space, I immediately think to add bench seating. With three surrounding walls for support, building a floating bench out of 2x4s and plywood is a walk in the park – or maybe it’s a sit in the park?DIY10 Home Improvement Projects You Never Thought to DIY (But Definitely Should)Alcove Seating
PHOTO 3 of 10READ LESS -Anytime I see an empty alcove space, I immediately think to add bench seating. With three surrounding walls for support, building a floating bench out of 2x4s and plywood is a walk in the park – or maybe it’s a sit in the park?Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Painted Floors
4/10Painted Floors
4/10Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
Low budget? Beat-up floors? Too thin to refinish? Maybe it’s time to break the rules and get paint all over the ground (à la <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/shows/sarahs-cottage/photos/inside-sarah-richardsons-rental-cottage-1051664" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Sarah Richardson’s rental cottage</a> pictured here). Use a good quality floor paint and roll new life onto the boards. The best part? When the wood gets scratched, you can just touch it up!DIY10 Home Improvement Projects You Never Thought to DIY (But Definitely Should)Painted Floors
PHOTO 4 of 10READ LESS -Low budget? Beat-up floors? Too thin to refinish? Maybe it’s time to break the rules and get paint all over the ground (à la <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/shows/sarahs-cottage/photos/inside-sarah-richardsons-rental-cottage-1051664" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Sarah Richardson’s rental cottage</a> pictured here). Use a good quality floor paint and roll new life onto the boards. The best part? When the wood gets scratched, you can just touch it up!Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Bottle Cap Backsplash
5/10Bottle Cap Backsplash
5/10Photo Credit: Pixabay
You may have to drink a lot of beer or pop, but save those bottle caps! They make a really cool backsplash worth drinking for. Use un-sanded grout so you don’t scratch the caps' metal finish.DIY10 Home Improvement Projects You Never Thought to DIY (But Definitely Should)Bottle Cap Backsplash
PHOTO 5 of 10READ LESS -You may have to drink a lot of beer or pop, but save those bottle caps! They make a really cool backsplash worth drinking for. Use un-sanded grout so you don’t scratch the caps' metal finish.Photo Credit: Pixabay
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Turning Slab Into Shaker
6/10Turning Slab Into Shaker
6/10Photo Credit: Unsplash
Edge your boring flat slab doors with moulding to create a high-end shaker style – or experiment with your own moulding designs.DIY10 Home Improvement Projects You Never Thought to DIY (But Definitely Should)Turning Slab Into Shaker
PHOTO 6 of 10READ LESS -Edge your boring flat slab doors with moulding to create a high-end shaker style – or experiment with your own moulding designs.Photo Credit: Unsplash
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Made-Over Mirror
7/10Made-Over Mirror
7/10Photo Credit: Unsplash
It’s time to give that beauty reflection of yours the frame it deserves. Simply install moulding around a wall-glued mirror to add personality to the room and make it stand out above the rest.DIY10 Home Improvement Projects You Never Thought to DIY (But Definitely Should)Made-Over Mirror
PHOTO 7 of 10READ LESS -It’s time to give that beauty reflection of yours the frame it deserves. Simply install moulding around a wall-glued mirror to add personality to the room and make it stand out above the rest.Photo Credit: Unsplash
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Door Handles
8/10Door Handles
8/10Photo Credit: Pixabay
Maybe you’ve already thought of this one, but I’m just including it to let you know that it’s incredibly easy to swap door handles. A screw driver and five to ten minutes is all you need (and maybe a quick YouTube tutorial).DIY10 Home Improvement Projects You Never Thought to DIY (But Definitely Should)Door Handles
PHOTO 8 of 10READ LESS -Maybe you’ve already thought of this one, but I’m just including it to let you know that it’s incredibly easy to swap door handles. A screw driver and five to ten minutes is all you need (and maybe a quick YouTube tutorial).Photo Credit: Pixabay
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Central Vac Unit
9/10Central Vac Unit
9/10Photo Credit: Getty Images
For smaller spaces (think 1,200 square feet or less) a central vacuum system doesn’t need to be behind the wall. You can mount a unit into the closet and connect the hose right to the source. Most CV hoses will reach every corner of your apartment.DIY10 Home Improvement Projects You Never Thought to DIY (But Definitely Should)Central Vac Unit
PHOTO 9 of 10READ LESS -For smaller spaces (think 1,200 square feet or less) a central vacuum system doesn’t need to be behind the wall. You can mount a unit into the closet and connect the hose right to the source. Most CV hoses will reach every corner of your apartment.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Elevated Garden Bed
10/10Elevated Garden Bed
10/10Photo Credit: Pat McCourt
Here’s a great idea for handy folks to build for their parents. It can be challenging to grow veggies as we age because all that bending and squatting is hard on our backs and knees. A counter-height garden bed is a gift that keeps on giving. Come spring, the above planters (designed and built by my dad Pat McCourt) will be flourishing with all the fixings for a homegrown salad.DIY10 Home Improvement Projects You Never Thought to DIY (But Definitely Should)Elevated Garden Bed
PHOTO 10 of 10READ LESS -Here’s a great idea for handy folks to build for their parents. It can be challenging to grow veggies as we age because all that bending and squatting is hard on our backs and knees. A counter-height garden bed is a gift that keeps on giving. Come spring, the above planters (designed and built by my dad Pat McCourt) will be flourishing with all the fixings for a homegrown salad.Photo Credit: Pat McCourt
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