While many pastimes can cost a pretty penny, doing-it-yourself around the house, revamping your closet and even whipping up beauty products can cut costs significantly while satisfying your creative side.
Thanks to Pinterest and the seemingly endless Internet, I’ve rapidly grown my list of favorite DIY blogs.
The blogs below all showcase projects that are simple to pull off and gentle on your budget. I’ve tried many of them myself, from the body butter I apply daily to the bed I sleep on every night.
Want to tackle some fresh DIY ideas? Dive in (and happy crafting)!
Lifestyle
1. A Beautiful Mess
Run by two sisters, A Beautiful Mess offers a delightful blend of lifestyle content. There’s something for every DIY enthusiast and even if you’re not crafty, the stunning imagery alone makes it worth a visit.
Post you’ll love:Elsie’s DIY Dining Room Table
I have a nook in my home that’s ideal for a wide, bespoke desk, and Elsie’s dining table inspired me to build one. One afternoon and $80 later, I had the perfect desk for my space — a fraction of the $800 a carpenter quoted.
2. Brit + Co
This DIY powerhouse covers everything from leatherwork to online workshops for bloggers. Their photos might intimidate you, but the instructions are approachable and truly original.
Post you’ll love: 15 Easy Ways to Turn T-Shirts into Jewelry
I never imagined turning old tees into jewelry, but now I want to convert them all. This post is Brit + Co at its best: turning everyday items into something beautiful without spending money.
3. Curry Strumpet
Based in Amsterdam, Deepa writes about motherhood and expat life. Her creative projects, though not the main focus, are remarkable.
Post you’ll love:Before & After: Ikea Brimnes Bed
Is this my favorite DIY project online? Quite possibly. When my husband and I moved into a studio, we bought an Ikea bed with drawers for $200. Using this guide, we transformed it into something magical with a bit of wallpaper (and lots of patience).
4. Design Sponge
With excellent columns like “Living In” and “Biz Ladies,” Design Sponge is the DIY blog for anyone serious about design—or at least for avid pinners.
Post you’ll love: Flowers Under $50: Taming the Grocery Store Bouquet
I had only $100 to spend on flowers for my backyard wedding, and Design Sponge provided DIY floral ideas that actually worked. We bought blooms at the corner store and ended up with epic arrangements.
5. Ruffles & Truffles
This is one of those charming blogs from someone who seems to have it all, yet the site remains approachable. Katie’s writing is personal and motivating, encouraging readers to make whatever they imagine.
Post you’ll love: Tree stump table DIY
I live near woods and there are stumps everywhere. When my husband and I wanted a rustic touch, we grabbed a redwood stump and followed this tutorial to craft a beautiful side table for $0.
6. Shabby Love Blog
Shabby Love Blog offers furniture painting, wall art concepts and small carpentry projects. Simple instructions, clear photos and approachable projects make it an ideal DIY companion.
Post you’ll love: For the Love of Ironstone
My husband has a Lego habit. While I believe in blending styles, a massive Lego ship doesn’t scream “elegant.” We compromised by building this shelf to display everything from Legos to ceramics beautifully.
Home
7. Ana White
If you’re ready to work with tools, Ana White is an excellent starting point. Her site aggregates build plans from all over, providing clear construction guides anyone can use.
Post you’ll love: Reclaimed-Wood Headboard
Save a bundle by buying a basic platform bed and making your own headboard. This reclaimed-wood headboard plan is simple and ideal for beginner carpenters.
8. Apartment Therapy
Apartment Therapy often tempts me to buy all the home decor things, but it also has a treasure trove of content on maximizing what you already own.
Post you’ll love: 10 Ways To Use IKEA’s Bekvam Spice Racks All Over the House
At about $3 each, Ikea’s Bekvam spice racks have countless uses for the price. I’ve used them in the kitchen and bathroom; Apartment Therapy opened my eyes to clever storage hacks.
9. Cuckoo for Design
From tufted chairs to painted drapes, Julia of Cuckoo for Design takes on projects big and small with fantastic outcomes. I love that she’s an everyday person who makes the most of what she has.
Post you’ll love:Black and White Cross Hallway Wall
Tired of bland rental walls? Julia used vinyl to create a contemporary hallway design. Now I know boring beige doesn’t have to be permanent.
10. The DIY Playbook
Casey and Bridget, the best-friend duo behind The DIY Playbook, tackle a wide range of budget-friendly projects. Their posts feel like friendly chats, even while they collaborate with major brands.
Post you’ll love:How to Create a Mason Jar Organizer
Of course there’s a mason jar project here! I adore this one because I never have enough bathroom storage. My friends and I made several in an afternoon — they were easy and delightfully vintage.
11. Dwell Beautiful
Erica, the creator of Dwell Beautiful, is a new homeowner in the Pacific Northwest who shares concise, clear DIY tutorials. From Ikea remixes to custom shelving, she offers a wide variety of projects.
Post you’ll love:The Great Crate Challenge
When I moved into a room with only 10 inches beside the bed, no bedside table would fit. Dwell’s crate challenge inspired us to use crates as narrow nightstands — brilliant!
12. Emily Henderson
HGTV alum Emily Henderson is design royalty. Her frequently updated blog is a craft-lover’s dream.
Post you’ll love: DIY Tree Slab Side Table in Redbook
I never imagined making a side table from a tree slab and hairpin legs, but it’s surprisingly simple and only cost me $40.
13. Miss Mustard Seed
Marian is an incredible artist with a blog full of projects and inspiration. She runs a painting business, launched a paint line and authored Inspired You. Her greatest strength is motivating readers to transform tired furniture into treasures.
Post you’ll love: Union Jack Dresser Junior
Because of Marian, I started snagging furniture for $20, sanding and repurposing it. I adore this Union Jack dresser but haven’t quite worked up the courage to recreate it yet.
14. Purl Bee
Be warned: if you make everything on Purl Bee you might not save money. But for serious crafters, it’s an endless source of knitting, crocheting and sewing ideas. I’ve adapted a few projects using yarn I already owned and sourcing cheaper supplies.
Post you’ll love: Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Baby Booties
These booties are ideal for friends having babies. I bought two skeins and made this pattern for three different new moms.
15. Young House Love
You can’t talk DIY without mentioning Young House Love (RIP). Though no longer active, this beloved home blog left behind videos, interviews, house tours and lots of inspiration.
Post you’ll love: Framing Arrangements & Art Hanging Ideas
Young House Love sparked a gallery-wall craze. This video shows how to group art and frames you already own into creative displays.
Food
16. Baked Bree
This food blog features recipes, kid-friendly snacks and gift ideas that will make you eager to start a new kitchen project.
Post you’ll love: Toffee Blondies
Toffee blondies in a jar are a quick, inexpensive gift. Perfect for holidays, birthdays, showers or housewarmings — cheap, simple, pretty and delicious.
Finance
17. Wise Bread
Is there anything Wise Bread doesn’t cover? Primarily a personal finance site, they regularly publish creative content on how DIY habits can save you money over time.
Post you’ll love: Make Your Clothing Fit Perfectly With These 10 No-Sew Fixes
If your body fluctuates like mine, those well-fitting pants from the holidays may feel off a few months later. While I sometimes get clothes altered, this post offers easy temporary fixes that don’t permanently alter garments.
Fashion
18. Trash to Couture
A tablecloth turned jacket? Refashioned sweatpants? Trash to Couture is the ultimate upcycling fashion blog. Laura has incredible sewing skills and a creative mind.
Post you’ll love: DIY Embellished Sweater
Transform an old sweater into something stunning. I’m on the hunt for the perfect applique so I can repurpose my husband’s shirts with a hot glue gun. This kind of upcycling is great for the planet, your wallet and your wardrobe.
19. Un-Fancy
Though primarily a fashion blog, Un-Fancy helps you save by promoting minimalism. This capsule-wardrobe approach inspires you to buy less and cherish what you own. Un-Fancy even offers free worksheets to help define your style.
Post you’ll love: How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe
I’ve slowly embraced the capsule wardrobe. Paring back has actually generated more outfit combinations — without spending any money.
Beauty
20. Crunchy Betty
Although Crunchy Betty hasn’t been updated recently, her archives are full of natural, budget-friendly beauty tips that can help you skip the department store. Even if you aren’t super “crunchy,” there’s plenty to learn here.
Post you’ll love: No ‘Poo To You, Too!!!
Leslie’s No Poo post (that’s no shampoo) introduced me to her site. Even cutting back shampooing to every other day or trying a vinegar rinse can save your hair and your budget.
21. The Idea Room
Forgive me for sending you here — every post on Amy’s blog makes me want to run to the craft room. You’ll find projects you’ll immediately want to make. You’re welcome.
Post you’ll love:DIY Whipped Body Butter Recipe
I’ll never buy lotion again; for a few dollars I make enough of this luxurious-scented body butter to last months. It’s simple, indulgent and wallet-friendly, with variations so you never tire of the aroma.
Your Turn: What’s your favorite DIY blog? What money-saving DIY projects do you swear by?
M. Schembari is a writer, traveler and startup community development manager based in San Francisco.
Related resources: diy projects save money, diy cat toys, diy dog toys
