Planning a DIY home project, that saves you money and takes up less time – here’s how to plan for it
Ever wonder how some people get their home projects done in no time compared to others who are just dreaming about the space and potential that their home could have.
Even with the same budget and work schedule, some people are just planning and executing it better and faster.
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The Method To Planning
I use a 3 step method that helps me get from A – Z with any and all projects I do. Whether that’s building a small bench or doing a full kitchen remodel.
I call this method the PRO method and it stands for:
- Planning / Prioritizing
- Research
- Onboard
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By splitting my home project into these 3 phases I can accurately set a deadline and determine how much I’ll spend and how long it will take me.
I want to go over the first part of my 3 step method Planning with you today.
Planning Your Next Home Project
Before you start any home project you really should decide and figure out a few things.
- What ONE area will I work on
- How often does this area get used
- Does it require electrical, plumbing or demolition work
- Can you do this myself
- How much are you willing to spend
- Do you need a permit to do it
- How can you stay motivated
Once you have answered these questions you’re planning phase can get a little easier.
Prioritizing
Now that you’ve answered those questions above, you have to choose one area to start.
Choosing one area that you will focus on is key when you first start your home renovations (or if you are a beginner who hasn’t done many home projects).
Focusing on ONE area at a time will help you feel less overwhelmed. It will also make it easier for you to start and finish your project.
For example if you have goals to make a guest room, it has a bathroom. Start with the room and then move on once it’s finished.
I’m a sucker for starting ten projects at once – and then I do a little bit in every room and nothing gets finished.
I know starting new projects is more exciting than finishing and the details that drag. BUT in order to get the home you love – if you’re not going to hire projects out and if you don’t have a lot of people helping you. Doing one room at a time will make a HUGE difference.
Take Action
Now that you have some info on the project you’re wanting to do –
- start by creating a room board
- answer the questions from above
- Make sure you take measurements and write them down
- start researching
Creating A Mood Board
Creating a mood board before you start your project is great in the planning phase because it does a few things:
- Gives you momentum to keep going when you’re in the messy middle
- Helps you identify your style esthetic for the project
- Reminds you what you want in that space
What is a Mood board
A mood board is a digital or physical board that you make that displays colors, textures, fabrics, collage pictures of items all meshed together to create a vision that you work towards.
How to create a digital room board
During your planning phase I think it is super important after choosing the one thing you’ll work on to make a room board (if you’re doing a room of course).
Now that you created your room board – go ahead and do the rest of the action items under the planning phase and you can move forward in your home project and go into the researching phase. And yes they are two different phases that are necessary to avoid constructors remorse lol.
In the next section I’ll show you how to create a digital room board.
Want to watch the Instagram Live where I explained how to do a room board go here – https://www.instagram.com/tv/CW4Wi7DFFj9/
How to create a digital room board
The first thing you want to do is to answer a few questions and before you answer these questions take a deep breath and then answer these:
- What do you want the space to feel like when you walk in
- What do you want the vibe to be
- How do you want people to feel
- How do you want it to smell
- Is there something like this that you want to incorporate
Once you answer these then and only then can you create your room board.
Go to Canva . Com
You do not need a paid account – using the free canva account will do just fine.
- Go to canva.com
- Hit the search bar at the top of the screen and search for document A4
- Click blank template
- Then you will go ahead and click TEXT on the left side bar and name your document
- Then go into the left side bar and go to photos – in the search bar start to look for things that answer the questions from above.
In my example I will write: Kitchen Remodel
I want it to feel bright and warm – so I’m going to search for white backsplash.
Then I also want it to smell like lemons and summer – so I’m going to search yellow kitchen and find an image I like
Then I can just keep searching for things I know I want – like pendant lights, rugs, etc..
If there is an image you know you love like a specific furniture piece and it is not in the CANVA photo sections – you can go to google and look it up and download it into the CANVA in the upload sections.
Now you have your room board done and you can save it to your desktop or phone and pull it out when you are in the messy middle of home renovations and you need to remember what you are working towards.
Here are a few different mood boards I have done for different projects
Want to learn more about the other two phases and go from starting ten projects to actually finishing all your DIY home projects? Join DIY Dream Space – the power tool school for beginners.
Now that you have your room board done – go back up to the ACTION items under the planning phase, and get your home projects done.
Want to remember this planning method? Pin the image below to your favorite Pinterest board to come back too.
