Popularized by TikTok and gaining traction this summer, the DIY trend is deeply influenced by sustainability and technology.
Whereas DIY projects once were limited to painting or ripping up carpeting to refinish the hardwood floors below, homeowners and renters alike are now much more inclined to invest in home improvements that will make their lives easier, save money, and be more energy efficient.
We spoke to interior design and real estate experts to find out about current DIY trends and how you can improve your home yourself.
5 DIY trends experts predict will be popular in summer 2024
Summer is the perfect time to dive into trendy DIY projects and enjoy interior design trends without breaking the bank. As the weather gets warmer, we have more opportunities to spend more time gardening, completing projects outdoors, and opening windows to help painted projects dry faster. Or simply because it's the season when you have more free time to tackle fun home improvement projects.
1. Creative wall decor
“One of the biggest trends that has come back with a bang is feature walls,” says Sean Green, senior interior designer and founder of The Furniture Shack. “This includes wall decals, decorated with custom mural designs using stencils and panels, and painted with contrasting colors and textured paint.”
Why not try out different patterns and color schemes to create a statement wall that adds personality to your space? This could be by adding colors and designs synonymous with your summer theme, or adding warmer tones and textures to plan for winter.
In particular, wall paneling, a design trend popular in the '70s, is making a comeback in 2024. “The idea of wall paneling can provide warmth, texture, and depth, as well as help keep a room quiet,” says Kelly Sherin of Ownerly, a home appraisal company. “Originally used as a decorative accent or insulation, they are now being incorporated throughout walls and ceilings to provide coziness, warmth, texture, and an attractive focal point.”
2. Smart technology integration
“We're definitely seeing an increase in the integration of technology into home DIY,” says Intrabuild founder and CEO Nick Chatzigeorgios. “These smart home essential tools are becoming increasingly popular not only for their ability to improve home efficiency and energy efficiency, but also for their potential to increase the value of a home.”
As smart home technology evolves, it's becoming increasingly easier to set up a smart home yourself. Some of these projects include installing:
Many of these can be controlled remotely using timers, voice activation, and learning routines.
ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Pro Smart Lock
This smart lock is Alexa and Google voice assistant. You can install these on your door or mailbox to make your home more secure. These can be used in conjunction with video doorbells, security cameras, and motion sensor lights.
Brands like Nest and Ecobee are leaders in programmable thermostats, offering features that contribute to overall home sustainability. They can be used to control your home's temperature through an application on your phone, learning your preferences over time and automatically adjusting heating and cooling, resulting in significant energy savings.
Voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri allow you to centralize control of your smart devices, allowing you to fully automate your home system.
3. Multifunctional space
The trend of creating flexible, multi-functional spaces is growing, and experts predict that DIYers will use the summer opportunity to customise their rooms to increase their utility, efficiency and make the most of their space.
With many people continuing to work from home, DIY projects that allow spaces to become multifunctional, such as turning an office into a living room or bedroom, are becoming increasingly important. Creating a hidden desk or a creative room divider is a practical way for DIY enthusiasts to increase the versatility of their living space without sacrificing style. Even something as simple as combining a pantry and laundry room or incorporating some clever storage ideas are great ways to save space and increase functionality.
Additionally, real estate developer Michael Kootchick of OneStop ADU says, “One of the emerging trends we'll see big in summer 2024 is the incorporation of ADU-specific elements into residential projects. This can include converting garages into tiny homes or apartments or adding a shed as an office in the backyard. Homeowners aren't just adding floor space, they're doing it in a way that maximizes the value of their existing property and increases functionality. These projects reflect a growing interest in mixed-use spaces.”
4. Green Technology
An important trend that is predicted to become prominent in the summer of 2024 is the integration of eco-friendly gadgets and green technology into DIY projects.
There are many ways to live more sustainably at home, or more precisely in your garden. You can reduce your water consumption, lower your water bills and ultimately reduce your carbon footprint.
Steve Schumacher, owner and operator of Boston Landscape Co. explains, “DIYers are starting to use smart gardening tools that manage watering schedules and monitor plant health through apps.
“In addition, homeowners may adopt xeriscaping, which uses drought-tolerant landscaping ideas and plants to minimise water use, or install simple water-harvesting systems to irrigate their yards, reflecting a wider push towards environmentally friendly living practices.”
DIY enthusiasts can help by implementing smart irrigation and rainwater harvesting systems, such as creating rainwater tanks and gutters to collect rainwater, as well as simple and sustainable DIY tricks to reduce surface water runoff. You can participate.
“This technology makes efficient gardening accessible to everyone and greatly increases the functionality and enjoyment of maintaining a home garden,” explains Steve. “These trends not only improve the usability of outdoor spaces, but also contribute to a more sustainable and personalized home environment.”
5. Designing a comfortable and inclusive space
Homes are increasingly being upgraded with DIY additions that improve health, accessibility, comfort, and productivity, including creating inclusive and caring environments for sensitive and diverse populations. And this isn't just a trend, it's an advancement that will continue to be integrated as part of our homes and design plans.
Whether you're designing your home to be more relaxing, sensory-friendly, or making your home more accessible, such as making it ADHD-friendly, these improvements are the perfect way to make your home last for years to come. It's a method.
These DIY projects could include strategically painting spaces in contrasting colors to make it easier for someone with a visual impairment to navigate the home, installing smart devices like smart blinds to assist those with limited mobility with daily tasks, or creating a motion chair for someone with ADHD to help them focus better while working from home.
Finally, while not a new trend, upcycling is becoming more and more sophisticated. “It's not just about repainting an old chair. It's about transforming unexpected items into functional home decor,” says Pam Hutter, principal of Hutter Architects.
“In our practice, we have repurposed old shipping containers into stylish modular housing. Similarly, DIYers are getting creative, turning old ladders into bookshelves and wooden pallets into garden furniture. Masu.
“These DIY trends not only improve the beauty and functionality of the home, but also signal a shift towards resource utilization and sustainability efforts in 2024.”