It’s time. You’ve been saving for some time now. Your cozy apartment is home, but you want more. You want to leave something behind, just create something with your bare hands! There’s no better way to it than making the perfect house yourself. Yes, you’ve read that right.
Being a Do-It-Yourself person, there should be no problem with this plan. You know that building things is good for you. Best feeling ever! So, let’s focus on something worth our while. Here are five DIY guides to help get your Fixer Upper on and your dream home started!
1. The House Plans’ Guide to Planning a House
This free and incredible guide walks you step-by-step through the process of designing your own home! It starts with crash courses on zoning laws and slope analysis (basically, all the boring stuff) before moving on quick lessons on basic architecture, housing styles, and all the needs of your house.
Photo by JB Architecture Group, Inc. – Discover traditional exterior home design ideas
By the end of their tutorial, you’ll know all there is to know about house design. House Plans doesn’t stop there though. They also guide you through the final parts of the design process: bubble diagrams, blueprint design, even 3D-modeling of your home-to-be!
Photo by John Kraemer & Sons – Look for contemporary exterior home design inspiration
For more brilliant plans and inspiration on building sustainably, you can also check out the following on YouTube:
And these websites as well:
- www.thevenusproject.com
- www.faircompanies.com
Photo by Brandon Architects, Inc. – Look for transitional exterior home pictures
Once you’ve got the house itself designed, the next part of your project will be improving what you already have!
2. A New Fence
After your dream home is planned out, you’ll probably want to add a fence.
Photo by GEREMIA DESIGN – More contemporary deck photos
Whether for security, decoration, or both, Lowe’s Hardware is ready to help you through the entire project. Not only does the hardware company guide you through the construction of your fence, but they also provide a list of all the working gear and materials you’ll need, which you’ll be able to get from any Lowe’s hardware store.
Photo by K&D Landscape Management – Discover traditional patio design inspiration
Plus, if you’re environmentally-conscious, don’t worry about buying from Lowe’s — they’ve been awarded EPA’s SmartWay Excellence Award eight times for sustainable transportation practices! Any materials you buy will have been delivered as eco-friendly as it gets.
3. Swinging Pallet Bed
There are few home additions as iconic as a tree swing. However, The Merrythought’s Caitlin and Manda, lifestyle bloggers with a passion for DIY guides, take the concept even further by adding a comfy mattress and warm blanket!
Photo by RedAgape Blog – Browse farmhouse landscape ideas
They use really simple materials that can be bought from any local hardware store to make it: lumber, wooden pallets, and rope. All you’ll need to do is attach it all together with a drill and some screws!
Photo by Matthew Bolt Graphic Design – Look for beach style porch design inspiration
Just imagine: lying there with your favorite book, swinging slowly in the gentle breeze on the swing you made yourself. It’s the perfect way to relax (which we all really do need once and a while). With this duo’s help, some basic carpentry, and a free afternoon, you’ll be able to do just that!
4. Customized Mailbox
Just want a small project to do? Replace your mailbox! It’s the first thing you’ll see when pulling up to your home, so of course you’ll want to personalize it. DIYer Serena Appiah did just that. Her blog Thrift Diving is devoted to incredible DIY projects that emphasize affordability, because, let’s be real, an empty wallet after you finish building is the last thing you want. She makes sure this guide is no different, and teaches you how to build and install your own mailbox without going broke!
Photo by Jeld-Wen Windows and Doors – Search rustic entryway design ideas
You pick the colors and you decide where it goes. By the time you’re done, you’ll have a beautiful mailbox on your curb to admire every time you pull into your driveway, and enough cash for your next big project!
5. Copper Penny Floor
Linoleum, hardwood, and tile flooring are all nice, but they just aren’t you. You want to build something unique, something different, something that’ll really set the room apart. Like… Pennies flow! With pennies and epoxy, Alexis McDowell covered her 38-square-foot kitchen floor, laying down about $2.78 in pennies per square foot.
Photo by Patti Yost – Kitchen Designer – Browse transitional kitchen ideas
She documented the whole endeavor, from preparation to completion, and released it in this fantastic guide for other DIYers to do as well!
Photo by OSMOND DESIGNS – Look for traditional bathroom pictures
Once you’re finished, you’ll have a beautiful floor that adds a modern, industrial aesthetic to your home without draining your bank account. Compared to other flooring options, it literally costs pennies to build!
Feeling Inspired Yet?
These DIY guides are must-haves if you plan on designing and building the house of your dreams. Whether it’s small projects, like cute mailboxes and comfy swinging beds, or larger ones, like fence construction and blueprinting your future home, you’ll be ready to tackle anything with your own two hands.
Photo by BrickWood Ovens – Search traditional exterior home design ideas
Happy building!
Author bio:
Amanda Wilks is a DIY enthusiast and a Workbootcritic writer and editor. She wants to spread the idea that DIY-ing, open sourcing, community collaboration and healthy living are all part of the solution to most of our personal and global problems. Amanda’s Twitter.