Sunday, December 22, 2024

Where Do Design Influencers Find the Time For All of These DIY Projects?

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Beginner DIYers Should Start Small

“I always recommend that people start miniature to build up that skill and confidence, slowly invest in tools, and gain a stronger understanding of what a project will actually take to complete,” Lisa Chun (@ourhome.becoming on Instagram) says.

For a first project, she suggests something that’s low-effort but high-impact, like painting a room or devising an organization system for your pantry. “These are things that have substantial visual impact, improve the daily functionality of a space, and can be completed in one weekend with minimal ‘DIY skill,'” Chun says. Once you get the hang of it, you can move on to bigger, more intricate projects like installing wall trim or shiplap on a ceiling. “That one in particular was definitely an arm and back workout!”

Tackle One Home Project at a Time

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Both Chun and Sage tend to do one project at a time rather than spread themselves too lean between multiple. “I try to focus on only one vast project at a time because it’s such a disruption to our home!” Sage says. “But I might slip in a couple smaller ones simultaneously… I try to remember that I’m not the only one who lives in the house, and my husband has less patience for chaos than I do!”

Make Time for DIY Projects in Advance

It’s essential to have a plan of action, and the more specific you make it, the easier it will be the finish the project “We have a lot of competing priorities and scheduling complexities in our family life so empty blocks of time are easily filled with chores and other non-project tasks,” Chun says. “I block out time on my calendar and coordinate with my husband on childcare for even more capacity to focus and get DIY projects done.”

Buffer Your Project With Extra Time—And Cash

Just as you should always pad your renovation budget with a little extra cash as a buffer, you should also give yourself extra time when planning a DIY project.

“There is a lot of concealed time required for learning (i.e. watching YouTube tutorials and reading articles and blog tutorials); practice (i.e. messing up, undoing, and redoing); unexpected trips to the hardware store for the parts you inevitably forget; and just life,” Chun says. “That’s all part of the process. When estimating a timeline, make sure you build this in so that you don’t get frustrated that the project is taking so much longer than expected.”

Break Down Big Projects into Smaller Tasks

“I try to focus on one project at a time, but if it’s a major renovation, I break them up into phases or sub-projects to make it more manageable,” says Sage. From a practical standpoint, breaking down even a miniature project allows you to fit little tasks into shorter blocks of time. Even a 15-minute window can make a difference! “If you employ your time strategically—buying materials needed on the weekend, using a quick break to add a modern layer of stain and letting it arid for the hours you have meetings—you will be amazed at how much you can get done when you add up all of those micro-moments,” Chun says.

Hire a Building Professional or Ask for Help

Even though DIY stands for “do it yourself,” it doesn’t mean you have to do everything yourself. “I usually plan my vast projects when friends or family members are available to support with the ponderous lifting—for example when my in-laws visited one summer, we demo’d and painted my daughter’s room,” Sage says.

And if you’re truly overwhelmed, DIY some parts of a project and hire professional support with others. “On a recent office makeover, I paid a contractor to demo the carpet and wallpaper, as well as paint, and then we’re doing the wallpapering and floors ourselves,” Sage adds.

Don’t Give Up at the End of a Project!

“The hardest part is always the tail end. The novelty has worn off, you’re tired, you just want it done—and the finishing tasks require the most focus and patience when you have the least!” Sage says. “The most common pattern I see in myself in others is that projects get 90 percent done and then the last 10 percent lingers for weeks or months!”

That being said, persevering is almost always worth it in the end. “Projects take time. I’ve always found that it’s better to go slowly and do things carefully—and redo things on the spot if I need to—versus rushing just to complete it or doing it only to 95 percent,” Chun says. “We have a saying in our home: Don’t stop until you’re proud.”

FAQs

* How do I get started with DIY projects?
+ Start miniature and begin with a low-effort but high-impact project, like painting a room or organizing your pantry.
* How do I stay on track with my DIY project?
+ Break down substantial projects into smaller tasks and create a schedule for completing them.
+ Make sure to leave some extra time in your schedule for unexpected tasks or setbacks.
* What if I get overwhelmed with a DIY project?
+ Don’t be afraid to ask for support or hire a professional to complete certain tasks.
+ Remember that DIY stands for “do it yourself,” but it doesn’t mean you have to do everything yourself.
* What are some common mistakes to avoid when completing a DIY project?
+ Don’t rush through a project just to finish it. Take your time and do things carefully.
+ Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and learn from them.

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