We all like to save money, do things ourselves, and even express our creativity. That’s where do-it-yourself projects come into play. Save the tough jobs for the professionals if they’re out of your ability range, and save the fun and creative ones for yourself—especially if you can include the entire family.

Here’s a list of fun, easy DIY projects that can reap remarkable benefits for your home and design.

A decorative switch plate from Atlas

1. Switch Plate Switch-A-Roo
The actual job of swapping out a switch plate couldn’t be easier. Armed with just a screwdriver, you can update the look of an entire room or provide a little extra decorative flair to a certain switch.

Finding the right switch plate is the fun part. You can always go decorative. You can also adorn a plain, plastic switch plate with mosaic tile or let your children paint switch plates for their rooms. Whether you continue a room’s theme or let them stand out, switching out switch plates is an easy DIY project with a big reward.

2. Create a Chalkboard Tabletop
This comes courtesy of Houzz.com, a fantastic source for everything interior and exterior design. Kids LOVE having their own table where they can color, play, eat and, well…just be kids. So, instead of worrying that your kids are going to destroy one of your good tables or bemoaning the lack of a kids’ table, go ahead and make one for them.

This DIY project is fun, easy and creative, and it invites the kids to work on something they’ll get lots of use out of and are actually encouraged to write on (imagine that!). As far as materials, you’ll need things like primer, chalkboard paint, a good paintbrush, and sandpaper among a few others. And you know what? No power tools. This project is ideal for little hands to help with and gives you the chance to act like a kid again.

A fun chalkboard table is easy to make

For full instructions visit Houzz.com here.

3. Producing Inexpensive Wall Art
We had our Media Team demonstrate this one, and it really is a quick and easy DIY project that can give a room as much or as little accent as you choose. Colorful wall art doesn’t have to cost and arm and a leg, and you can customize your own piece of art. And again, the kids will LOVE this one.

To maximize your savings, find the frame you want at a thrift store. After cutting a piece of foam core to fit inside the frame, figure out what you want to showcase. Whether it’s a patterned fabric that’s ready to go or a solid pattern that might need a little accenting, you’ve added exactly what you were looking for and you did it yourself while saving a bit of cabbage in the process.

4. Paint On the Welcome Mat
Have you ever spent hours or days (or weeks) searching for just the right welcome mat for your front door? The amount of options are practically limitless, and scouring the stores can take over your life if you’re the selective type who just won’t settle for anything less than your vision.

This Old House offers an outstanding DIY tip that can help you overcome not finding exactly what you’re looking for: just create it. Painting a welcome mat-like pattern on your front door stoop can help you attain just the look you’ve been dreaming of. And this is definitely something you can do yourself.

5. Flower Box Beautification
One of the most popular additions to a home’s exterior is a flower box. It adds color, warmth and depth to your home, and, if you plant just the right flowers, you can have a bird and butterfly show right before your very eyes.

As ehow.com points out, building a flower box for your home is actually pretty easy, and you’ll have to do some planning and measuring. Sure, you can always purchase a ready-made flower box that’s arranged to get installed once you take it out of the box. But if you have the incentive, go ahead and add this to the list of very do-able DIY projects.

6. Frame Your Favorite Sayings
Ever heard a song lyric that sticks in your mind like peanut butter to the roof of your mouth? Have a favorite line from a book or poem that you’d like to incorporate more into your life? Then do it, by making it more visible.

After printing out, stenciling or somehow recreating what you’d like to showcase, match it up with the appropriate frame. Whether it’s rustic, contemporary, or somewhere in between, get as artistic and creative as you want in order to convey your sentiment.

These projects are just the tip of the DIY iceberg. If you really want to be inspired, jump online, flip through some creative home design magazines, gather your friends and family, and get to work. Or just set aside a weekend for some quiet, inspired time for you and knock out a project or two.

Until next time, Happy Home Improving!

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