In a year where saving money and cutting costs is paramount to most of us, DIY offers the ideal solution to overhauling your home and switching up your space on a budget – so long as you're prepared to get your hands dirty.
Whether it's painting, building, or upcycling, homeowners and renters alike can enjoy diving into projects to refresh their homes while expressing their creativity and personality.
Here, we spoke to interior design and property experts to discover which DIY projects are trending now – so you can improve your home without spending big.
2025 DIY trends
1. Statement wall treatments
Really, statement walls never go out of style. But, as real estate expert Carissa Kristoff, Realtor at C Kappa Corp/ Berkshire Hathaway HS Select Properties, says, 'Forget uncreative white walls – 2025 calls for strong, outstanding designs.
'An accent wall could totally transform the feeling of a room, be it textured paint, stencils, or lovely wallpaper. For me, peel-and-stick wallpaper from Tempaper is great since it is an easy way to add style without the headache of a big paint job.'
Peel-and-stick wallpaper is also perfect for renters, as it's quick and easy to apply and install, and remove without any damage to walls. Just make sure you really know how to apply peel-and-stick wallpaper before getting started, to ensure patterns and textures look cohesive.
Shaun Green, senior interior designer and the founder of The Furniture Shack, adds, 'One of the biggest trends making a comeback with a huge bang is feature walls. This includes decorative wall decals, custom wall mural ideas with stencils, panels, or painted with contrasting colors or textured paint.
Wall paneling in particular – a design trend popular in the '70s – is making a comeback in 2025. Kerry Sherin at Ownerly, a home valuation company says, 'In addition to offering warmth, texture, and depth, wall decor panel ideas may help keep rooms quieter. Originally used as decorative accents or insulation, they may now be integrated into whole walls and ceilings to provide coziness, warmth, and texture, providing a captivating focal point.'
And, as Claire Douglas, DIY expert at Claire Douglas Styling, who regularly shares her projects on her Instagram @clairedouglasstyling, adds, 'There are more and more types of wall paneling available to DIYers from, wainscotting, shiplap, tongue and groove, picture frame, fluted, reeded and even acoustic.
'DIY wall paneling is the perfect way to add texture and interest to a scheme, it's is an affordable and achievable project and I've shared lots of paneling tutorials on my blog and socials to help those just getting started.'
Why not experiment with different patterns and color schemes to create a statement wall that adds character to your space? This could be adding colors and designs synonymous with summer themes, or planning for winter by adding warm tones and textures.
Alternatively, strip it all back with exposed brick, which is still on trend according to Brett Johnson, owner at New Era Home Buyers, and packs a cool and rustic punch without being overly decorative.
He says, One of the biggest trends in older homes are homeowners revealing brick that was previously concealed behind drywall or framing and either leaving it in its raw, aged state or refinishing it with limewash for a muted old-world look.
'The character and texture of exposed brick brings warmth and authenticity, and I've seen it transform everything from kitchen backsplashes to accent walls. I suggest Romabio's Lime Slurry available at Amazon, for a quick, distressed finish on drywall or brick.'
All prices correct at time of publication.
With a craft knife complete with five replaceable blades, a smoother, a squeegee and a measuring tape, this handy tool kit contains everything you need to make applying peel-and-stick wallpaper even easier.
This super simple peel-and-stick wallpaper allows you to elevate your space on a budget, for a resilient, long-lasting finish that's effortlessly easy to remove.
This clear wallpaper adhesive makes pattern matching easy and provides a long-lasting, durable bond.
2. Multifunctional spaces
With flexible and multifunctional spaces growing in popularity, experts predict that this year DIY enthusiasts will take the opportunity to tailor their spaces to improve their home's efficiency while maximizing space.
Many of us continue to work from home, meaning that DIY projects that can make our spaces multifunctional, perhaps transitioning an office to a living area or bedroom, are becoming invaluable. Constructing hidden desks and creative room dividers are practical ways DIY enthusiasts can enhance their living spaces' versatility without compromising on style. Even ideas as simple as combining a walk-in pantry with a laundry room and installing clever storage ideas are great ways to save space while improving functionality.
Luckily, as real estate expert Carissa assures, the improved efficiency of smaller spaces can be achieved with a DIY approach, with Murphy beds, available at Wayfair, foldaway desks, and creative storage ideas. 'It's all about thinking outside of the box; I have seen customers turn closets into home offices and guest bedrooms into multipurpose areas,' she explains.
Ryan Meagher, business development manager at BVM Contracting agrees, adding, 'I think this trend is going to keep running hot, as people are looking to cram more of their lives into potentially smaller spaces.
'With the way housing is shrinking in size, people are going to need to get more savvy with how they utilize their spaces!'
3. DIY outdoor kitchens
Outdoor kitchens are fast becoming one of the most popular renovation projects that will add value to your home, with DIY expert Claire advising that they help to make the most of every inch, and are perfect for entertaining.
She says, 'Most DIY designs comprise countertops, cabinetry and usually some form of cooker, BBQ or pizza oven. Top-end installations even boast extras like wine fridges, running water and electricity.
'DIY outdoor kitchens are going to be big in 2025 because they offer a way for everyone to benefit from this luxurious addition without breaking the bank. Savvy DIYers are constructing frames from timber and cladding with strip wood or similar before installing DIY countertops and accessories.
'Often paired with slat fencing or pergolas for shade and cover, DIY outdoor kitchens can be as extravagant as your skills and vision will allow.'
Before getting started, just make sure you thoroughly plan your outdoor kitchen to ensure it will all work and fit seamlessly, and be clued up on how much an outdoor kitchen costs to avoid any nasty surprises, even when installing one yourself.
4. Statement headboards
As DIY expert Claire says, 'There's nothing new about making a headboard, it's an easy DIY project and can be turned around in a day.'
But, what's new for 2025, she explains, is waving goodbye to 'bog-standard headboard ideas,' and hello to 'DIY statement headboards a plenty. The likes of Soho Home have whet our appetite for grandiose, oversized, and often wavy or textured headboards, luxuriously wrapped in rich velvet or stylish pattern.
'These beauties come at a price that's often out of reach for the average Joe, and that's where the DIY headboard trend is going to come in.'
The best part is you only need a handful of tools to remove the existing fabric and backing and reupholster it in your new design of choice. Make sure you measure your fabric first, using a flexible tape measure such as the GDMINLO Soft Tape Measure available at Amazon, and use fabric scissors, like the Scotch Precision Stainless Steel Crafting Scissors available at Walmart to accurately cut it to size.
A tack lifter never goes amiss in any DIY tool box, particularly when reupholstering fabrics.
A staple gun makes attaching fabrics when reupholstering a breeze. This one allows you to change the power pressure as per the project you're working on.
With a comfort grip handle, these fabric scissors are durable, made of high-density steel, for a smooth and even cut.
5. Upcycling
Should you upcycle your thrift store finds? According to Jonathan Palley, CEO at Clever Tiny Homes, upcycling is not only really brilliant way to be sustainable at home, but a thrifty way to handle decorating and home improvement, predicting it to be 'especially big' in 2025.
'It very much fits with the current design emphasis on maximalism, eclectic pairings, and vintage looks,' she says. 'It's a great way to find furniture, wall art, and fixtures that perfectly fit your style. It's also highly affordable, and with uncertain economic times ahead, that's especially important.'
There are plenty of ways to upcycle leftover decorating materials, too, and, as usual, the simplest DIY projects you can do in your home are some easy paint updates. This is something that Lisbeth Parada, interior designer and color marketing manager for Minwax, Krylon, and Dutch Boy Paints recommends to breathe new life into spaces.
'DIYers are continuing the trend of repurposing materials and giving old furniture new life rather than discarding them, from transforming outdated cabinets with fresh finishes to refinishing salvaged wood into statement pieces,' she says.
For this, Lisbeth recommends the Krylon Fusion All-In-One Paint & Primer Spray Paint available at Amazon in a host of colors, as it is a durable, all-purpose spray paint that is 'perfect for breathing new life into furniture, decor, and salvaged materials.
'Its superior adhesion and built-in primer ensure a long-lasting, professional finish,' she adds.
Meet the experts
Beyond the realm of DIY, there are plenty of cringey interior design trends we are saying goodbye to in 2025. Swap wavy decor and cottagecore for dark neutrals and maritime style for a space that's bang up-to-date and in keeping with all the latest trends.
