Simple Kitchen and Bath DIYs for Everyday Use

Every “storage hack” claims to cure clutter, but even Martha Stewart probably has a coffee pod graveyard. What actually helps? Using stuff you already have—or whatever’s cheap. The best projects skip the fancy and fiddly.

Easy-Clean Organizers

I tried lining up spice jars on a lazy Susan. Lasted three days. Magnets are better—stick strong ones on jar lids, slap a metal strip under the cabinet, done. A kitchen designer told me most people store by habit, not function. That’s why baskets under the sink fill with junk, but a tension rod with spray bottles above? Used every day. (Check these hacks for proof.) No expensive drawer organizers beat a $2 plastic bin for tea and measuring spoons. Anyone saying otherwise probably owns a label maker still in the box. I do. I just write on washi tape.

Big-mouth glass jars and a folding step-stool save my back, but if you alphabetize your salts, nobody appreciates it. For wall space, I mounted a thin shelf for my phone and recipe notes—just cork board glued to a plank. Took 12 minutes, looks like a joke next to those “command centers.”

DIY Eco-Friendly Lip Balm

Not exactly kitchen, but who hasn’t made lip balm during a cleaning spree? I hoard empty tubes, lose half the lids. Fastest version: melt a tablespoon each of shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax. Dermatologist Dr. Ula Jurman says beeswax protects skin without clogging pores. Pour it in tubes or, if you’re desperate, a contact lens case. Want mint? Add a drop of peppermint oil. JAMA Dermatology says this stuff is better than petroleum balms.

I tried silicone molds once—what a mess. Tubes are faster. I never sterilize the bowl, just microwave on half and stir with chopsticks. It won’t last like store-bought, but I keep extras in the fridge with my hot sauce. If anyone brings up eco-packaging versus buying $6 balm at Whole Foods, ask if they compost on vacation. Bet they don’t.

Frequently Asked Questions

Staying up late to finish a coat rack—why does every “simple” DIY need six tools? Drills, paint, everything scattered, and I just want to avoid wrecking my hands. I look up expert advice and hacks, but still end up doubting if I’m the only one in this mess.

What are some beginner-friendly DIY home projects that can be completed in a weekend?

Nail polish stains never come off tile. Ruined my boots once, just to stop a planter from wobbling. IKEA spice racks as bookshelves? Saved my sanity last fall. Even Family Handyman admits dressers-as-consoles and basic coat hooks are “beginner goldmines,” but drying time always gets me, not the measuring.

Sure, you can build shelves, storage hacks, or a coffee table, but then your neighbor borrows your sander forever. “Start with a pallet project,” my old shop teacher said. Have you ever hauled a pallet up three flights of stairs? Weekend project equals Friday panic and Monday regret.

Can you suggest budget-friendly DIY improvements for a home office space?

Nobody ever admits that washi tape for cable organization means you’ll find rogue glitter stuck to your keyboard for months. I dumped a bunch of kitchen jars on my desk for pens, because, yeah, that’s what the internet says, but now it’s just a jar graveyard. Bought a $14 adjustable standing desk riser—regret. It wobbles if you even breathe near it. But hey, I swapped out my old bulbs for those “daylight balanced” ones (DIY Folly swears by them: link), and my headaches actually got better. Or maybe I’m just imagining it? Whatever.

Can we talk about those exercise balls? Supposed to help your back, but I lasted three minutes before almost rolling out the window. Pegboard behind the monitor: not as ugly as I thought, and now my cables look less like spaghetti. Still doesn’t stop my cat from biting through every single USB cord I own, so, you know, progress?

What are quick and creative one-hour art projects for adults to enjoy at home?

“Quick craft”—what a lie. If you’re missing glue, you’ll spend half the time digging through junk drawers. Tried string art with thumbtacks; my thumbs still hurt. Mason jar fairy lights from DIY Joy’s roundup? Great, unless you forget the batteries like I did. I attempted a no-sew canvas collage, but lost my scissors halfway and ended up hacking fabric with kitchen shears.

Has anyone ever finished a painting without destroying their kitchen table? I haven’t. Geometric wall decals with painter’s tape are weirdly satisfying to peel off, but now all I see are fingerprints and smudges I need to clean. Worth it? Maybe.

What simple DIY projects can students undertake to personalize their living spaces?

Microwave ramen stains—permanent, apparently. My dorm room looked like a hospital until I duct-taped string lights to the wall. Not pretty, but it worked. Tried those washi tape “frames” for photos (thanks, DIY Folly), but the humidity turned my pictures into wavy nightmares.

Command hooks? Lifesavers. Saved my coat from the floor more times than I can count. Made a bulletin board out of a pizza box—crunchy, sentimental, and guaranteed to crash down at 3 a.m. and scare the life out of you.

Could you share some sociable group craft ideas that are perfect for adult gatherings?

Cocktail night plus glitter equals disaster. Why do friendship bracelets require so much focus? I’ve done mug-painting parties—someone always drinks from the paint water, every single time. Family Handyman talks about group upcycling (CD clocks, really?), but none of those clocks actually tell time. They just sit there, looking kind of cool, I guess.

Tried group candle-making once. Wax everywhere. Honestly, the person who claims to hate crafts usually ends up being the only one with a steady hand and stops the rest of us from burning the place down.

Where can I find easy and inexpensive DIY craft tutorials that are also unique and enjoyable?

YouTube’s search bar? Oh, please. Type in “easy tutorial” and you’ll get a ten-minute video that somehow turns into a four-hour odyssey, and for what? A lopsided felt cactus? I mean, who has that kind of time? Blogs like DIY Folly—yeah, I’ve scrolled through those—sometimes actually show you what’s going on, step by step, so at least you know where you went wrong halfway through. DIY Joy too, but half their stuff looks like it’s made by people who own a glue gun for every day of the week. Honestly, I see a sewing machine and my brain just checks out. Bobbins? Nope. I’m not built for that.

And recipe cards for crafts? Absolute lie. Those promo photos are staged harder than a reality show reunion. Instagram’s “DIY” hashtag is a wild mess—upcycled shoes, button art, random glue disasters. Occasionally, you’ll stumble on the thing you actually needed, but it’s always explained by someone with neon nails, perfect lighting, and apparently zero distractions. Am I supposed to believe anyone lives like that?