DIY Home Improvement: Beginner Tips That Actually Work

Ever tried hanging a shelf and ended up with a wall that looks like Swiss cheese?

Start with a stud finder.

It’s not a dating app—it helps you find the wooden beams behind your wall.

Anchoring into studs means your shelf won’t crash down like your last attempt at baking sourdough.

Painting a room?

Don’t skip the prep.

Clean the walls, tape the edges, and use a primer.

Yes, it’s boring—but so is repainting because your first coat peeled like a sunburn.

Also, invest in a decent roller.

Your wall deserves better than a $2 brush that sheds more than your cat.

Want to upgrade your kitchen without selling a kidney?

Swap out cabinet handles.

It’s like giving your cabinets a glow-up.

Just measure the distance between the screw holes before buying new ones—unless you enjoy extra trips to the

hardware store and explaining to your partner why the kitchen looks worse now.

Lighting makes a huge difference.

Replace outdated fixtures with something modern and energy-efficient.

Just remember to turn off the power first—unless you want your DIY project to end with a dramatic

light show and a call to your electrician cousin.

Bonus: LED bulbs save money and make you look better on Zoom calls.