15 DIY Home Projects That Will Be Big In 2026

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Whether or not Pantone's 2026 color of the year has you dancing on cloud nine, it's hard to deny the possibilities that such a neutral foundation paves the way for. It's chosen, per Pantone, to offer "a whisper of tranquility and peace in a noisy world," to encourage relaxation and creativity, and in the world of interior design, to help homeowners unplug from the matrix of modern stresses. This all sounds great, right? The problem is, if you're not an interior designer, then how do you begin to put it into practice?

Don't worry. You certainly don't need to gut your kitchen and bathroom in order to make good on Pantone's promise. In fact, there are lots of budget-friendly ways to DIY your way to a beautiful home. And in 2026, there are certain projects that are set to be especially popular, particularly those that help homeowners to imbibe the year's values of peace and relaxation.

For example, reading nooks and at-home spas are set to be popular this year, and both are surprisingly easy to achieve without the expense of hiring a contractor. For those who spend lots of time in the garden, climate-resilient gardening and the creation of spaces for quiet reflection are both sure to take priority. Underpinning them all is the goal to curate more restorative spaces for ourselves, and the ethos that our homes should be our sanctuaries — not merely another source of stress.

As we look to neutralize our wider interiors and embrace the feeling of calm and serenity that underpins Pantone's direction for 2026, painted shelving is likely to create a cost-effective outlet for DIY home designers this year. As Daniel Kocur, Interior Designer at InterRent REIT tells The Spruce, "Painting and refreshing existing shelves provides an affordable update, breathing new life into older storage areas or displays."

It's especially cost-effective since, if you decide in a few years' time to reverse the paintwork to something more neutral, you only have to worry about a few shelves as opposed to stripping (and replacing) an entire wall's worth of paint. It's also a fun DIY for adding a pop of color to any room, one that allows you to layer more neutral foundations with touches of your own personality.

Whether you're a regular at the local thrift store or you have some old furniture languishing in the garage, there are plenty of ways to repurpose an old dining table, and doing so could save you a fortune versus springing for an integrated kitchen island. A larger island or peninsula risks stealing more space than you actually need, whereas smaller tables, with their smaller footprints, provide versatility without cramping your space. Another major upside is that if you absolutely need the extra space, you can always pick them up and move them.

If this sounds good, then you're not the only one who thinks so. In fact, there are several interior designers who foresee this DIY trend being incredibly popular as we move into 2026. For example, Rosanna Bassford, Principal and Founder at Memmo Interiors, tells The Kitchn that upcycled tables are likely to be very popular in smaller kitchens, "where a large, blocky island disrupts the flow and may make it feel even smaller." Mia Hart, a London-based kitchen designer, agrees and is quoted by Globe Facilities saying, "For most real homes, a table-style workstation or peninsula simply works harder and feels kinder."

Another easy win for DIYers in 2026 is the replacement of traditional metal hardware with more daring and decorative pieces. As Clair Staszak, Principal Designer and owner of Centered by Design, tells Martha Stewart, certain pieces feel more like furniture hardware and can elevate kitchens with more "interesting shapes and designs" than more traditional choices.

What's more, since there's no one-size-fits-all way to achieve this cabinet hardware trend, this simple DIY offers the chance to get creative without the need to spend lots of money. And while it largely depends on your choice of replacement, many hardware pieces provide every bit as much in the way of form as they do function. The key is to search for pieces that complement your wider kitchen style in terms of both color and shape, and to not be afraid of experimenting with different colors and materials. Oversized bronze hardware, for example, would work well in more contemporary designs, creating a statement of style while remaining uber-practical and providing easy access to your cabinets. Leather hardware, like these brown leather drawer pulls, would be a superb replacement for more traditional metal fittings in shaker kitchens.

As our lifestyles become increasingly busy and our work lives more demanding, it's hard not to be tempted by the prospect of a day at a spa. Unfortunately, life is also becoming more expensive, and for some, the prohibitive cost of living altogether rules out the possibility of such an indulgent way to spend a day. One way around this is to curate a spa-like experience in your own home.

As we move into 2026, Daniel Kocur, Interior Designer at InterRent REIT, tells The Spruce, "Creating simple spa-like spaces in large bathrooms by adding calming décor, candles, and natural elements is a strong trend." This is a hot take, and you could be forgiven for thinking that achieving an at-home spa is beyond the means of most DIYers. But it doesn't have to be. A lick of paint (perhaps in Pantone's color of the year) can help to enliven and refresh your bathroom, while laying a neutral foundation for soft, calming touches. Layer in humidity-loving plants, hang a few steam-resilient textiles on the wall, and, as Daniel suggests, buy yourself some candles.

Given that Pantone's color of the year is off-white (it's technically called "Cloud Dancer"), pared-back interiors are sure to feature heavily in home updates around the country throughout 2026. The goal will be to achieve a backdrop that's both calm and clean — devoid of waste and reassuringly uncluttered — and we expect this to manifest itself in everything from interior paints and fixtures to soft furnishings.

Actionable DIY projects are likely to include seizing a fresh start with the walls of our living spaces, replacing heady colors and busy wallpapers with seamless, calming hues of grey and off-white. This, in tandem with a good, old-fashioned tidy, will deliver the same level of impact as more expensive, over-the-top aesthetic choices that may have tempted us in previous years.

Curating a quiet space for reading is a popular DIY project regardless of the year. However, with 2026's focus on a more minimalistic, quiet, and clutter-free lifestyle, homeowners are more likely than ever to want a place in their homes where they can go and de-clutter their minds. Now, as for how to create a reading nook in your home, it really depends on the space available. For example, you could line a cozy corner in your living room with plush soft furnishings, a reading chair, and perhaps a warm lamp.

Alternatively, if you have a large bay window, consider dressing it with a seat cushion, providing yourself with a place to perch, read, and enjoy the view between pages. Your reading sanctuary doesn't have to be in your living room, either. A corner of your bedroom would work just as well, or if you enjoy a good soak, then consider layering the lighting in your bathroom and creating a haven to which you can retreat, read, and reset your mind.

This DIY trend may come as a surprise in 2026, given the shift towards calmer tones. Coined by Benjamin Moore last year, the term "color capping" describes the method of painting your ceiling an actual color, as opposed to the usual set-and-forget tone of white that has become standard in most schemes. It's a great strategy for adding height and richness to your room, although how effective it is as a design strategy depends entirely on the colors you choose.

The trick, according to Moore, is to use multiple shades from the same family. For example, different shades of green or various hues of orange. You start by painting the ceiling with the deepest shade of your chosen color family, then gradually lighten as you work your way down the walls. To ensure you stay in tune with 2026's demand for seamless spaces, carry your chosen tones into your upholstery. And to keep it budget-friendly, match your paint to your existing furniture — and not the other way around.

As contemporary interior design moves away from perfect symmetry and more towards celebrating our individualism, Grazzi Wilson, Head of Creative at Ca'Pietra, tells Ideal Home that pattern splicing is set to be huge for DIYers in 2026, especially when it comes to tiles in the kitchen. It will, she says, help them to layer their interiors with story and interest. "By interspersing decorative tiles with plains, you introduce rhythm, surprise and personality."

Crucially, by blending patterned tiles with those more plain, it's much harder to overwhelm your space with pattern splicing than it is by going "all out" with patterned tiles. You don't need to tile your whole kitchen, either. Opting for a smaller area, like a creative new DIY kitchen backsplash, can add a dash of personal style to your kitchen without the expense of redoing the whole room.

As DIYers look for ways to reconnect their homes with nature, interior designers expect to see a resurgence this year in homemade textile artworks. Of course, if you have a priceless Pollock hanging on the wall, then you're unlikely to be persuaded to take it down. But if your walls are feeling sparse and you're looking for ways to adorn them that, at the same time, help you to tell your story, then homemade, tactile textiles will feel like an authentic alternative to works bought gratuitously from your local store.

Interior Designer Christian Bense tells British Vogue that he's noticed a surge of interest in more tactile forms of art lately. "Modern or antique, this medium feels at home in both traditional and contemporary interiors, and it really contributes to the layering of space." Such pieces, he says, offer "something authentic and organic" — attributes that are increasingly sought after in a modern, throw-away world.

As well as homemade textiles, naturally-textured wallpapers are set to gain steam this year as DIYers look for ways to soften their spaces. This is in antithesis to trends in recent years, and will help homeowners to replace sterile, flat surfaces with something that interests the eye while helping to ground the space. As for the type of wallpaper that'll be popular, that's hard to say with precision.

Given that the design world is trending more neutral this year, it's fair to say that bold, vibrant colors are unlikely to be the mainstay. Instead, wallpapers with neutral (but warm) patterns of wood, worn stone, and even the rusty patina of metal are likely to find their way into the hearts of DIY decorators. "There's a growing emphasis on natural, tactile materials such as handmade tile, unlacquered metals, and warm woods," Brad Ramsey of Brad Ramsey Interiors tells Style Blueprint. These, he says, "bring a sense of authenticity, warmth, and timelessness to interiors."

We already know that homeowners are looking for ways to replicate the vibes of their favorite spas at home. But Keeley Sutcliffe, Design Manager at BC Designs, believes that there's much more to be achieved by DIYers planning an upgrade to their bathrooms. As she explains to Ideal Home, she expects 2026 to see lots of homeowners dovetail their bathrooms more with the wider designs of their homes. "We are seeing bathrooms designed with seating areas, dressing zones and even fire or sauna features built in."

Like in other rooms, people are likely to start maximizing storage in their bathrooms in 2026, while decluttering them to achieve the calm, clutter-free vibe that seems to underpin so many of the year's interior trends. As Soma Pillay from Bathroom City explains to House Beautiful, "Visual clutter is one of the quickest ways for a bathroom to lose its sense of calm." With this in mind, she recommends that home improvers add some slim baskets beneath the sink, with small trays for skincare sundries and shelves on the wall for towels. Small touches like this can make a huge difference, and like so many of the ideas in this guide, represent a significant saving versus gutting the entire room and remodeling.

Heading outdoors, some of the DIY projects we expect to see this year are reflective of those taking place within the walls of the home. For example, like reading nooks, those with space in the garden will look to provide themselves with quiet outdoor corners in which to relax and reflect away from the bustle of the main house. Depending on the nature of their gardens, this particular DIY project may require landscaping tactics to create extra privacy, like the inclusion of stone walls or hedge fencing.

In order to be truly effective, it'll also require gardeners to pay special attention to comfortable seating and soft lighting. And while this will require extra work, it will also offer the chance to put your own personal stamp on your outdoor space. As Nate Fox from Foxterra Design explains to Martha Stewart, "Modern outdoor design is moving toward more eclectic, curated spaces that reflect personal style and creativity," as opposed to the "catalog perfection" of big-box furniture sets.

High-water usage gardens are very much on the way out for many reasons. Gardens that use less water are inherently more sustainable and environmentally friendly. They are also infinitely easier to maintain, and depending on where you live, there are plenty of beautiful plants that can grow with minimal watering requirements.

In fact, gardeners around the world are starting to realize that a low-water yard needn't mean sparse or ragged-looking landscapes. What's more, as we look to declutter our homes and rid them of things that are likely to cause stress or anxiety, a low-maintenance garden that's also devastatingly beautiful is sure to seem very attractive to anybody with an outdoor area to work with. If that's you, then you'll find an array of drought-resistant plants that are sure to thrive in your yard. Layer your borders with succulents, garden sculptures, and decorative mulches like gravel, and consider eco-friendly grass alternatives like clover, which will thrive in low-traffic areas of your lawn without the need for daily watering.

As DIYers look to add warmth to their interiors through 2026, several interior designers expect to see the use of dark wood furniture and furniture stains in place of lighter, paler tones. "Darker-toned woods are making their return after many years of paler varieties dominating," Kelly McGrath of Studio McGrath tells British Vogue. And while statement Brutalist furniture pieces are likely to be popular, so, too, are dark wood stains on existing, paler pieces, especially among DIYers hoping to keep costs down.

In case you're worried about darker tones quickly falling out of favor, then please, don't. As Richard Davonport tells Ideal Home, when you specify dark wood, "you are harnessing the grain, texture and depth of the timber as much as the color." Such material character, he says, delivers to a space an unrivalled sense of both calm and gravitas, which in turn helps the furniture to age with grace. This means you shouldn't be afraid to go dark with your furniture stains this year. Especially if you're adopting neutral off-whites per Pantone's advice to provide a neutral backdrop on the walls of your home, you'll find that this is one of the easiest ways to layer warmth into your home decor without springing for new furnishings.

As well as reducing their yard's reliance on water and thus making them more climate resilient, Farmer Gracy predicts many gardeners will adopt what she calls "purposeful planting" as we move into 2026. What this means is that, as well as making their yards more drought-tolerant, homeowners will look for ways to increase biodiversity, inviting an array of wildlife into their gardens with plants that offer maximum attraction while demanding as little maintenance and water as possible.

Get this right, and you could well find yourself welcoming an array of wild species into your yard, like butterflies, bees, and even hummingbirds. What's more, you'll find that purposefully planting for true biodiversity is one of the most eco-friendly ways to keep annoying bugs out of your garden. With the right plants, you'll naturally invite predators like birds and ladybugs, who'll help to manage populations of annoying pests like aphids, thus helping to restore balance to your garden and reduce the amount of horticultural headaches you have to deal with.