When scrolling through beautiful design projects accomplished by DIY enthusiasts on social media, two thoughts are always triggered: 1. Look at these amazing things you can do at your home! and 2. Oh my!@#$%^&*! Will they find the time to get it all done?
We asked influencers directly for answers. And it turns out DIYers are just like us. All this he cannot complete in one day (or two, or three).
“What you see on social media is typically days, or even weeks, of work condensed into a 15-second reel,” admits Lisa Chung (@ourhome.becoming on Instagram).
Many (though not all) are full-time content creators, which means completing these projects is part of their job. However, that doesn't mean it's easy! “I know it's hard to make time. That's my real job. So the first thing I want to say is that there's no need to feel bad if you're overwhelmed by the prospect of a project,” says Anne. Sage (@citysage) says: on Instagram).
Of course, that doesn't mean DIY work is impossible for people who have other jobs or care for families.
“While working full-time and raising three young children, I started doing DIY projects at home,” says Chun. Since her DIY is her passion, she has found a way to fit her own projects into her own schedule. “Sometimes I would stay late into the night after the kids went to bed. Other times, being a weekend warrior meant taking the kids shopping at the hardware store and teaching them how to use paint and drills. “Of course, safely,'' she says.
To help you stay on track with your own home decorating and renovation projects, Chun and Sage shared their 7 best project management tips.
DIY beginners should start small
“I always recommend starting small, building skills and confidence, slowly investing in tools, and gaining a deeper understanding of what it takes to actually complete a project,” Chun said. say.
For your first project, she suggests something low-effort but high-impact, like painting a room or devising an organization system for your pantry. “These are things that have a big visual impact, improve the day-to-day functionality of the space, and can be completed in a week with minimal 'DIY skills,'” says Chun. Once you get the hang of it, you can move on to larger, more complex projects like installing wall trim or shiplap on the ceiling. “Especially it was definitely an arm and back workout!”
Anne Sage Small projects like this bathroom renovation by Anne Sage are easy to complete and are an ideal place to start DIY.
Tackle one housing project at a time
Both Chun and Sage tend to run one project at a time, rather than spreading out too much across multiple projects. “I try to only focus on one big project at a time because it creates a lot of disruption in our home,” Sage says. “But I'm trying to remember that I'm not the only one living in this house, and that my husband can't stand the chaos any more than I can.” Masu!”
Reserve time for DIY projects in advance
Having a plan of action is important, and the more specific you make it, the easier it will be to complete the project. “Our home lives are full of competing priorities and complex schedules, so it's easy to fill free time with chores and other non-project tasks,” says Chun. . “She blocks time on her calendar, coordinates child care with her husband, and stays focused to complete her DIY projects.”
Buffer your project with extra time and cash
Just as you should always have a little extra in your renovation budget as a buffer, you should also allow for extra time when planning your DIY project.
“Learning (i.e. watching YouTube tutorials, reading article and blog tutorials), practicing (i.e. messing up, undoing, redoing), searching for parts that you inevitably forget. An unexpected trip to the hardware store takes a lot of invisible time. It's just life,” says Chun. “It's all part of the process. When estimating your timeline, be sure to include it so you don't get frustrated when the project takes longer than expected.”
Break down large projects into smaller tasks
“We try to focus on one project at a time, but for large renovations, we break them down into phases or subprojects to make them easier to manage,” Sage says. From a practical standpoint, breaking down even small projects allows you to fit smaller tasks into smaller blocks of time. Even a 15-minute time frame can make a difference. “If you use your time strategically, whether it’s buying the materials you need over the weekend, using a short break to add a new layer of dirt, or letting it dry during a meeting, you can save time while you work. You'd be surprised what you can do. Add up all those micro-moments,” says Chun.
Hire a construction professional or ask for help
DIY stands for “Do It Yourself,” but it doesn't mean you have to do everything yourself. “I usually plan large projects when friends and family come to help me with the heavy lifting. For example, when my in-laws visited one summer, we demoed and painted my daughter's room. “I did,” Sage says.
If you're really feeling overwhelmed, DIY some parts of the project and get professional help for others. “In a recent office renovation, we paid a contractor to demonstrate carpeting, wallpaper, and painting. Then we did the wallpaper and flooring ourselves,” Sage added.
Lisa Chung, become our home
Lisa Chun shows off her completed closet.
Don't give up when the project is finished!
“The hardest thing is always the last one. The novelty wears off, you're tired, you just want to get it done. And the last one requires the most concentration and patience, but the most concentration. ” Sage says. “The most common pattern I see in myself and others is that 90 percent of the project is completed, and the remaining 10 percent lingers for weeks or months.”
That being said, persistence is almost always worth it in the end. “Projects take time, and I always prefer to take things slowly and carefully, redoing things on the fly if necessary, rather than rushing to complete them or only finishing 95% of the time. I realized it was a good thing,” says Chun. “We have a saying in our family: “Don't stop until you're proud.''