Sometimes a small project can make a big difference. From barn doors to giant checker games, here are 17 home projects that you can finish in a weekend.
Y’all.
We are in the middle of it.
“IT” as in A GIANT PROJECT.
“IT” is my early Christmas present. It’s something that I have wanted to do ever since we moved into the house, but it requires A LOT of maneuvering and furniture moving and logistics and sleeping on a mattress on the floor.
Because we are COMPLETELY redoing the master bedroom.
We are painting the ceiling and painting the walls and ripping out the carpet and painting the floors and adding these shutters to the windows that I found in the attic that used to be in my dad’s study.
The floors need to be painted because the room was added on to the house in the 1950s and the floors are plywood. We’ve painted plywood before in farmhouse in a land far away and I loved them for 10 years. You can see how we painted those floors here.
I’m so happy with the project and I can’t wait to show you the before and after, but all this projecting made me think.
Every project doesn’t have to be as overwhelming as this one. Some projects are simple. Some projects can be finished in a weekend. Some projects can make a big difference in a small amount of time.
Here are 17 home projects you can finish in a weekend.
(total aside: you can see all the behind the scenes of this bedroom project and follow along on my Instagram stories here).
17 projects you can finish in a weekend
1. Mini barn door
This is one of the easiest projects you can finish in a weekend—the mini barn door that we have in our laundry room.
It slides over to hide the trash and all the nonsense.
You can see how we made it here.
2. paint a room
If you want big changes in a little amount of time?
Paint is your friend.
See what this room looks like now with its new paint color.
And here’s how to pick paint colors for your entire house.
3. paint a porch
This is one of my favorite DIY’s we did at the house.
It makes me smile every day.
See what this porch looks like now and how we did it.
4. paint a piece of furniture
Like this table.
Here’s the before and I crackled the top to create a vintage, farmhouse finish.
See the after here.
5. Rescue a piece of furniture
Like this hutch.
We completely transformed it into something that looks like it came out of an old farmhouse.
See the before and after here.
6. Turn bookcases into built-ins
These are simple wood bookcases that we built into the media room upstairs.
And now?
They look like they came with the house.
7. build a plate rack
This won’t even take you a weekend.
Just a couple of hours.
8. Add a recipe to your plate rack
This is the project that started the blog.
And the best part?
The recipe is super yummy.
9. add transoms made from windows
Here’s the after of the kitchen with the original floors (super budget-friendly to use the original flooring underneath layers of carpet and linoleum).
And you can see one of my favorite projects at the top of the picture.
It’s a transom we added to the opening between the living room and kitchen.
You can see the project here.
10. peel and stick tile
This is such an affordable flooring option.
It’s simple and can easily be finished in a weekend.
Here’s the 411 (total aside: does anyone even say that anymore) on how we installed the tile.
11. make a wood planter box
Why pay for expensive wood planter boxes when you can make your own.
And add a monogram, too.
12. Make lined curtains
Add curtains to your windows before the holidays.
It’s easy to make them with this simple tip.
Here’s the easiest, simplest tip to line curtains.
13. Paint the back of a bookcase
This is an afternoon project.
And it makes SUCH a difference.
See the before and after and bookcase painting how-to’s here.
14. Add tile to the back of a bookcase
If you are looking for a project for your leftover tile?
This is the one for you.
See how we added tile to the back of a bookcase here.
15. Paint a floor cloth
Looking for an inexpensive alternative to a rug?
Paint an 8′ x 10′ floorcloth for under $25.
16. Make an over-sized checkerboard
This checkerboard hangs on the wall.
It’s such a fun project for a game room.
17. Create an instant guest bedroom
If you are having guests for the holidays, this project is perfect.
It might take you a little longer than a weekend, but I had to include it for anyone who needs extra space.
See how to create an instant guest bedroom here.
May your day be happy.
May your October be bright.
And may your weekend?
Be full of projects. 🙂
Wow!!!!!! I remember all those projects, but all put together they are amazing!!!!!!!!! Can’t wait to see the master bedroom!!!!!!!!
I love all of these projects!!! My Papaw made game boards for people one Christmas, and it is one of my most treasured things I have that he made, because I remember sitting with him at the game board and playing Parcheesi and Checkers (it was dual-sided and he wood-burned and then handpainted each one) . He even made and painted the game pieces and thoughtfully added an edge to the Parcheesi board side to contain the dice-rolling. The leather strap at the top is how you hang it. It currently hangs in my daughter's game/study room.
These are all great projects....what do people do on the weekend without projects?
Wait, Karianne! You forgot "paint your front or back door a new color"!!!! And remember to always put down a drop cloth before you start, even if it seems like such a quick and easy project, lol.
Love the projects and am so excited to see your Early Christmas Present.....can you drop a hint? As in, will NAVY BLUE be included?? ha ha
Can't wait to see it....and do you even have time to sleep, Girl?!!!
I just reread your hutch post. I purchased a huge Ethan Allen pine hutch over 30 years ago from a gal who had to downsize due to a divorce. I bought it for $200. We used it in one house in our dining room. We moved to this house 25 years ago, and we have a huge kitchen where the hutch sat for all these years. We are planning to downsize in the next couple of years so we have been eliminating a lot of BIG pieces of furniture, etc. I decided to eliminate the top of the hutch, but keep the buffet bottom. I have been wanting to paint it blue for about 2 years now, and it just sits there. I think I'm about ready to tackle painting it. Wish me luck!
Super excited to hear more about and see the new room!!!
KariAnne, your Master Bedroom will be so beautiful once you are all finished! In the meantime, enjoy sleeping on the floor! It will be worth it in the end! So happy for you that you are renovating your Master Bedroom! Have a blessed day!
KariAnne, I feel your pain. We are sleeping in the guest bedroom because our closet, bathroom, and masterbedroom are getting a complete remodel. It will be sometime and quite a project as we are doing most of the work ourselves. I love your project ideas, but with all this going on, I think the extent of my weekend projects is making muffins 😁. Can't wait to see your transformation!
I am so happy for the master bedroom! Can't wait to see the reveal!! Happy October KariAnne!!! xoxo
So many great projects. Can't wait to see the Master bedroom.
Oh, friend. Looking forward to your new master bedroom. . . but all these projects in one place?? This is the WINNER post, if you ask me! Pinned it to my "DIY Projects" board for easy reference. . . because you know I want to try some of these! Love you!
I love me a KariAnne do-it-in-a-weekend project! And I especially love when you link up to Tuesday Turn About! But what I love the most is what an amazing friend, and godly sister you are!
I'm not much of a DIYer, and your making me think I can be!! Love all these projects!!
These are such great ideas! I love all projects but quick sure are nice!