Revisited DIY Projects: An Honest Look at What Lasted and What Didn’t
In the vast world of home decorating, the allure of a good DIY project is undeniable. We pour our time, money, and creative energy into transforming spaces, driven by the promise of personalized results and often, significant savings. But here’s the million-dollar question that often arises after the initial “reveal”: “How’d that hold up?” Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on some of my most popular and talked-about DIY endeavors to give you an unfiltered look at their longevity and practical performance over the years.
Having completed countless projects for my blog, I’ve had the pleasure of bringing many visions to life. While I’ve enjoyed every single one, this particular post focuses on those projects that sparked immediate curiosity from readers. Questions often revolved around unconventional methods or newly introduced products, with many wondering if these ambitious undertakings would truly endure the test of time and daily use. This deep dive into my archives aims to answer those lingering questions, providing genuine insights into what truly works and what might be best avoided.
The Enduring Appeal of DIY: Beyond the “Wow” Factor
When it comes to DIY decorating, two factors rise above all else for me: quality and longevity. It’s not enough for a project to look good the day it’s finished. Given the investment of time, money, and effort, you want the reassurance that your hard work will last and continue to perform its intended function. This commitment to lasting quality is a cornerstone of my approach to every single project I share.
Contrast this with what we often see in various home improvement shows and social media trends. The “WOW factor” is paramount, designed to elicit immediate, dazzling reactions. Think of those rapid-fire room transformations, sometimes completed within a single day. I vividly recall one particular HGTV episode where a dining room wood floor was painted in the morning, with furniture placed back by dinnertime, all to capture the homeowner’s astonished reaction upon seeing their “transformed” space. While visually impactful for television, such rushed projects often leave me wondering about their true durability.
I can only imagine the dismay of those homeowners the following morning, long after the camera crews had departed, left to grapple with a floor likely still tacky or easily damaged. Such superficial approaches, prioritizing speed over lasting quality, are simply not something I advocate for or share on this blog. My philosophy has always been rooted in creating transformations that are not only beautiful but genuinely functional and resilient for years to come.
Real-World DIY: My Commitment to Lasting Transformations
Every single project featured on this blog has been completed for my own home or for a family member. This personal connection ensures that longevity and practicality are always top of mind. For each DIY, I meticulously consider not just style and budget, but also the inherent quality of the materials and methods used, striving for results that will truly stand the test of time.
Sometimes, what seems like a clever shortcut can lead to unexpected challenges. A memorable instance was when I wall-mounted a TV and concealed the wires behind the wall without using a proper wiring kit. This decision quickly brought the wrath of internet electricians down upon me! I promptly removed the post, invested in an in-wall wiring kit, and then re-posted the updated tutorial. Seven years later, that post remains my number one traffic driver each month. While it might not be the go-to for my loyal subscribers, Google and Pinterest searches consistently bring new readers to that very practical solution.
Conversely, some quick fixes unexpectedly evolve into permanent, highly effective solutions. A perfect example is the transformation of a small, single-door closet in our previous home into a spacious double-door pantry closet. We repurposed existing doors, but one of the doorknob catches interfered with the new configuration. My solution? A simple dab of hot glue to secure it inside the door. This seemingly temporary fix worked perfectly for years, and I have no doubt it continues to keep those doors functioning flawlessly, even though I no longer live in that house to photograph it.
These experiences highlight a common thread in the DIY community: the desire for not just immediate gratification, but lasting satisfaction. The general inquiry I’ve often received about projects echoes this sentiment:
“OK, Love it! It looks good now, but how will it hold up with use?”
To comprehensively answer these questions, I delved deep into my blog archives and comment sections. My mission was to identify those DIY projects that have not only endured for years but have also consistently proven their worth, making me eager to repeat them. Simultaneously, I sought out projects that, upon reflection, didn’t quite live up to expectations, leading to valuable lessons learned about time, effort, and product choices. This honest assessment has culminated in my definitive list of “DO & DON’T” DIY decor projects, starting with the resounding successes.
DIY Decor Projects That Have Stood the Test of Time (and I’d Do Again!)
IKEA BEKVAM Stool Makeover
This humble IKEA BEKVAM stool is a true workhorse in my home, currently residing proudly in my kitchen, right in front of the chalkboard wall. When I first embarked on this project in 2013, covering it with houndstooth duct tape, many readers voiced concerns. The most frequent questions revolved around the tape’s durability: would it last, and would it inevitably become sticky? I’m thrilled to report that almost six years later, this stool is still going strong, defying all expectations with absolutely no stickiness whatsoever.
The duct tape has proven remarkably tough and resilient. While one corner of the lower step shows minor wear, and the white paint on the legs has acquired a few dings, the overall condition of the stool remains excellent. This project was a revelation in the power of simple, inexpensive materials to create a lasting impact. I would absolutely cover another stool or any flat surface with this tape again. Available in a vast array of colors and patterns, it offers an incredibly budget-friendly way to transform a piece of furniture, requiring no special tools or advanced skills. You can explore many patterns here.
Staircase Makeover
If you have a carpeted staircase that you’re longing to transform into a beautiful stained step and painted riser masterpiece, I encourage you to take a peek beneath that carpet! You might be surprised by the potential waiting to be uncovered. Completing this staircase makeover in my previous house made an enormous difference to the overall aesthetic and feel of the home. The transformation was so impactful that when we moved to the lake house, revamping the foyer staircase became one of my very first major projects.
While not an exorbitantly expensive project, it does demand a considerable investment of time and effort. However, the reward of a stunning, upgraded staircase that dramatically enhances your home’s entry is immeasurable. The durability of painted risers and stained treads has consistently impressed me; they handle daily foot traffic with grace, and maintenance is straightforward. This is a project I would enthusiastically undertake again and highly recommend to anyone seeking a truly transformative DIY.
Bathroom Remodel for $265.00
Among all the home DIY decor projects I’ve tackled, this budget-friendly bathroom remodel holds a special place in my heart as one of my absolute favorites. From the ingenious $10 vinyl floor color fix to the custom-designed decorative molding adorning the tub front, every step of transforming this builder-grade bathroom was a joy. The result was a vibrant, personalized space achieved on an incredibly tight budget, proving that significant upgrades don’t always require significant financial outlay.
What Would I Do Differently Now?: It has been eight years since this transformation. If I were to approach this project today, my main alteration would be to exclusively use PVC boards around the tub. At the time I undertook this remodel, the availability of PVC boards in various sizes was quite limited, leading me to use other materials. Today, with a wider selection of moisture-resistant PVC options, it would be my preferred choice for maximum longevity and resistance in a wet environment.
Kitchen Banquette
This custom-built banquette is one of only two things I truly miss from my previous home. When we moved, I wished I could bring it along, but its custom fit and built-in nature meant it had to stay. My dad, with some assistance from me, constructed it. After he passed away, this banquette took on an entirely new, profound meaning for me; sitting there, I felt his loving hands still embracing every moment. It was more than just furniture; it was a cherished memory.
The banquette was meticulously crafted and truly “perfect” in every aspect, providing comfortable seating for cozy family dinners and effortlessly accommodating larger gatherings around the table thanks to its ideal “L” shape. I would absolutely love to build a similar one in my current kitchen, but unfortunately, there isn’t sufficient space to replicate that essential “L” configuration that made the original so functional and inviting. This project stands as a testament to the enduring joy of a well-designed, personalized piece of furniture.
DIY Chalk Paint
When I first began experimenting with making, using, and sharing my own chalk paint recipes, I had no inkling of how deeply I would come to love this versatile medium. Back in 2012, the market was largely dominated by expensive brands like Annie Sloan, which offered a limited palette of colors. If their specific shades or price point didn’t suit your needs, options were scarce. Creating my own chalk paint offered a revolutionary alternative: it was incredibly inexpensive, and I could custom-mix any color I desired, opening up a world of creative possibilities.
Fast forward to today, and the landscape has dramatically changed. Nearly every major paint brand now offers its own line of chalk paint, boasting a wide spectrum of colors and various price points. This increased availability and affordability mean I now often opt for ready-made chalk paint due to its convenience. However, for those instances when I require a very specific, unique shade that isn’t commercially available, I still enthusiastically revert to making my own. The enduring appeal of DIY chalk paint lies in its incredible adhesion, beautiful matte finish, and the freedom it provides to transform furniture and decor with ease.
Kitchen Counter Carrara Marble Painting
As you might well imagine, this particular project is consistently the one that generates the most questions and curiosity among my readers. Almost two years ago, I embarked on the ambitious task of painting my dark brown Formica kitchen counters to mimic the elegant look of Carrara marble. Interestingly, at the time, dedicated Carrara marble painting kits weren’t widely available, so I ingeniously adapted a “Granite Countertop painting kit” to achieve my desired aesthetic. Today, fortunately, you can find specific kits designed for a marble look, making the process even more accessible.
I honestly couldn’t be happier with how the paint has performed, not just in terms of its appearance, but also its remarkable durability. While it’s crucial to manage expectations – no painted finish will be absolutely flawless forever – the counters have held up exceptionally well. Over time, a few minor imperfections have emerged, which is entirely normal for a highly used surface. Let’s take a closer look:
For the most part, the counter surfaces maintain their pristine appearance, looking almost as fresh as they did immediately after painting. However, some minor wear has just begun to manifest along a particular edge, a testament to the inevitable friction and contact points in a busy kitchen. The most notable area of concern is the seam in the Formica, located directly above the dishwasher.
The consistent heat emanating from the dishwasher has caused this particular seam to slightly lift, resulting in some cracking of the paint along that line. While the paint remains adhered and shows no signs of peeling, the surface is no longer perfectly smooth in that specific area. This is a crucial detail to consider for anyone contemplating a similar project, especially over high-heat appliances.
A more recent development involved replacing our vintage JennAir cooktop, which had developed some electrical issues. During the installation of the new unit, the technician needed to enlarge the existing counter opening using a jigsaw. As you can see from the photo above, this process left marks on the painted surface that the new cooktop did not entirely cover, exposing some of the original Formica. Rest assured, I have a plan to address this! Once I successfully implement the repair and ensure it seamlessly blends with the existing painted surface, I will share a detailed post about the fix. Despite these minor challenges, the Carrara marble look remains a highly rewarding and enduring DIY transformation.
Painting Upholstery
This little chair, affectionately known as “the chair that could,” was a fantastic freebie from a generous neighbor. Its petite size, combined with its rocking and swiveling functions, made it incredibly versatile and a perfect fit for almost any space. While I no longer own it – my daughter gladly adopted it for her apartment, where it perfectly serves as a cozy rocker – its story is a testament to the power of painted upholstery.
I painted this chair using a combination of fabric medium and paint, and I would absolutely undertake this project again if I found another upholstered piece that matched my needs in size but not in color. The finish remained surprisingly durable and soft to the touch. Since this project, I’ve observed others painting upholstery with chalk paint and sealing it with a light layer of clear wax. The results are remarkable, often mimicking the look and feel of leather, with impressive wear characteristics.
During our move to the lake house, the chair did take a bit of a beating, acquiring some scuff marks on one of its front pleats. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that most of these marks could be easily washed off with a hot, sudsy rag, further reinforcing my confidence in this DIY technique. Painting upholstery is a transformative and surprisingly durable way to update tired furniture.
Dining Room Brass Chandelier Makeover
This brass chandelier is the other beloved item I wished I could have brought with me when we moved, but logistical considerations and the lack of a suitable room in our new home meant it stayed with the house. Transforming this simple builder-grade chandelier was a truly inexpensive project that I spread over several days, allowing ample drying time between each layer of paint to achieve a beautifully aged and layered look.
What I Learned From This Project: Perhaps the most profound lesson from this DIY was to shed the fear of painting something! It instilled in me the confidence to persevere, even when the initial results weren’t quite what I envisioned. I started with nothing to lose, as I genuinely disliked the chandelier in its original state. After the first few coats of paint, I still wasn’t completely satisfied, but I kept adding layers, experimenting with techniques until I achieved the desired aged patina. The crucial final touch, adding sparkling crystals, truly elevated its style and brought it to life, transforming it into the elegant fixture I had imagined. This project taught me the value of artistic patience and trusting the process.
DIY Rolling Door from Bifold Doors
In my previous house, my “studioffice” was connected to the family room by a double-wide doorway, which frequently exposed my creative messes to guests. We initially explored installing traditional bi-fold doors to conceal the space, but this would have required a track system that we preferred to avoid, and standard two-door setups didn’t quite fit the opening correctly. A serendipitous trip to a local Habitat for Humanity ReStore yielded the perfect solution: three lightweight bi-fold doors, each costing only a few dollars.
My ingenious solution involved adding wheels to the bottom of each door, hinging them together, and then painting them a crisp white. By attaching one side to the doorway’s frame and adding a stylish handle, I created a truly unique and highly functional rolling door system for an astonishingly low cost of about $25. This project was a complete success, solving a practical problem with creativity and thrift. If faced with a similar need, I would not hesitate to replicate this exact method again; it proved to be an elegant, budget-friendly, and durable solution.
The DIY Decorating Projects I Would NOT Do Again (and Why!)
How to Make Outdoor Wall Art (with a caveat!)
This project was initially a lot of fun, a creative endeavor I undertook for my sister’s patio. While the idea was charming, the execution, unfortunately, did not stand the test of time. The wood frames, despite being treated, quickly warped and deteriorated in the humid outdoor air. It was a clear demonstration that not all materials are suited for every environment.
Lesson Learned: When planning any outdoor DIY project, it is absolutely essential to acknowledge that the elements will take a significant toll on your creations. Therefore, it’s wise not to invest excessive amounts of time or money into items that are highly susceptible to weather damage. For outdoor decor, opt for inherently weather-resistant materials or durable finishes designed for exterior use. On a positive note, when I painted outdoor resin planters using my DIY exterior chalk paint, they have remarkably held up for over three years, even through the brutal southern summer heat and humidity, proving that the right product choice makes all the difference.
Clock Tray Makeover
I genuinely adore this clock tray; even though it now sports a distinctly antique, yellowish patina, it still fits perfectly on the small chest of drawers I use as a nightstand. For this project, I lined the inside of the tray with elegant black and white clock face scrapbook paper and then sealed it with a product called EnviroTex. This product is renowned for its thick, glass-like finish, which initially provides a stunning, smooth surface. It’s undeniably a “cool” product, but it comes with a few significant drawbacks: it’s expensive, quite tricky to work with, and, crucially, it yellows noticeably over time.
The Fix: My plan to refresh this tray involves finding the exact same scrapbook paper and carefully adhering it over the existing surface. To seal it this time, I will use Minwax Polycrylic in a gloss finish. Being water-based, Polycrylic will not yellow over time, preserving the crisp white background of the paper. While the finish might not be quite as thick and perfectly glass-like as the EnviroTex, it will still provide a beautiful, durable, and non-yellowing protective layer, giving me the desired aesthetic.
Lesson Learned: This project provided a crucial insight: avoid using oil-based sealers of any kind over white or light-colored surfaces. These products are prone to darkening or yellowing over time, which becomes particularly noticeable on pale backgrounds. They are generally only suitable for use over dark colors where such discoloration is far less apparent. Interestingly, I did use this same product on these brass drawer pulls, and they have not yellowed to the same extent, likely due to the darker underlying metal.
Deck at My Previous House Restoration (A Cautionary Tale)
This project stands out as a colossal mistake. We decided to use a brand-new product on the market at the time, called Deck ReStore 10X, to refinish the aging deck at our previous house. I meticulously followed every step of the directions, eager for a lasting transformation. For approximately a year, everything looked fantastic, and we were thrilled with the results. Then, quite suddenly, everything went south as the paint began to peel and lift in numerous areas, creating a patchy, unsightly mess.
The Fix: The aftermath was a significant undertaking. We had to rent a drum sander, equipped with the roughest sandpaper imaginable, and spent two grueling days sanding and scraping off the stubborn layers of peeling paint. Only after this arduous process could we properly prepare the wood and apply a traditional stain, which ultimately provided the durable finish we originally sought.
Lesson Learned: This experience taught me an invaluable lesson: never again will I use a brand-new product on a large-scale project without thoroughly testing it first. It’s imperative to always test new materials or techniques on a small, inconspicuous area to assess their performance and longevity before committing to an entire surface. The allure of innovative products can be strong, but proven methods and thorough testing are crucial for avoiding costly and time-consuming rectifications on major home improvements.
Final Thoughts on DIY Success and Embracing Imperfection
With hundreds of projects completed over the years, it’s entirely normal that some didn’t unfold precisely as planned. However, looking back, I’m genuinely proud of my overall success rate and the many lasting transformations I’ve achieved. The journey of DIY is rarely without its detours, but each challenge offers an opportunity for growth and learning.
I firmly believe in embracing the possibility of failure; it’s a vital part of the creative process. This philosophy empowers me to try just about anything, provided I’ve conducted sufficient research to build confidence in a new technique or product. For me, “I don’t dream… I do… DIY…” This isn’t just a catchy phrase; it’s a commitment to translating the visions in my head into tangible realities within my home. It’s about bringing those ideas to life, one project at a time, even if it means learning from the occasional misstep.
Are you curious about any other projects I’ve tackled? Perhaps you’re wondering how we seamlessly mounted our flat-screen TV to the wall and concealed all the cords, or any other specific DIY? Please don’t hesitate to ask in the comments section below. I love hearing from you and sharing my experiences.
And now, I turn the question to you: What DIY projects have you completed in your own home that you would enthusiastically do again, and which ones would you definitively steer clear of? Share your insights and lessons learned!
