DIY Projects & Tutorials

Build a Cedar Raised Garden Bed

I still remember my first raised bed. I “eyeballed” the screws, skipped pre-drilling, and split more boards than I care to admit. The good news is a cedar raised bed is a perfect beginner woodworking project because it is forgiving, useful, and you do not need fancy joinery to build something...

How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets Like a Pro

If you want your painted cabinets to look like they came from a cabinet shop and not like a weekend craft project, the secret is not a magical paint. It is the boring stuff: cleaning, sanding, dust control, and giving your finish enough time to cure before you start slamming drawers. I learned this...

Install Board and Batten Wainscoting in Your Dining Room

Board and batten wainscoting is one of my favorite “why didn’t we do this sooner?” upgrades. It adds structure to a plain wall, can help protect it from chair bumps (material choice matters here), and makes a builder-basic dining room feel finished. The best part is you do not need fancy...

Convert Your Garage Into a Home Gym

I have a soft spot for garage gyms because they are the perfect kind of DIY win: you take a space that is usually cold, cluttered, and half-forgotten and you turn it into something your family actually uses. You do not need a showroom build. You need a space that is comfortable enough to show up...

DIY IKEA Hack Built-In Bookshelves

If you have ever priced out true custom built-ins, you know they can hit “new car” territory fast. The good news is you can get that floor-to-ceiling, made-for-the-room look by starting with affordable flat-pack bookcases and doing the part that actually makes them look custom: the trim, the...

7 Clever DIY Garage Storage Projects

My garage used to be the place where good intentions went to die. Half-finished projects, mystery cords, paint cans from three owners ago, and a shovel that somehow always landed handle-down right where you walk. The good news is you don't need a bigger garage. You need a storage plan that uses...

10 Budget-Friendly DIY Kitchen Upgrades in a Weekend

If your kitchen feels a little tired but a full remodel is not in the cards, you are in my favorite territory: small, smart upgrades that punch way above their price tag. Over the years of rehabbing our 1970s ranch, I have learned that the fastest way to make a kitchen feel new is to tackle what...

How to Refinish a Wooden Dining Table

I have a soft spot for dining tables. They take a beating year after year, and most of the time the wood underneath is still solid. If you are staring at water rings, sticky spots, and a finish that looks tired, refinishing is one of the most satisfying projects you can do. It is dusty, yes, but it...

How to Tile a Kitchen Backsplash

If you have ever stared at your kitchen wall and thought, “I could do that,” you are in the right place. A backsplash is one of the best beginner tile projects because the area is small, the impact is huge, and you can take your time without living in a construction zone for weeks. I learned...

Install LVP Over Tile

I have a soft spot for “install over what you’ve got” projects because they can save a pile of money and a whole lot of mess. Tile demolition is loud, heavy, and dusty. If your existing tile is well bonded and reasonably flat, click-lock luxury vinyl plank (LVP) can be a great overlay floor....

Chalk Paint vs. Latex Paint for Cabinets

If you have ever stood in the paint aisle staring at “chalk paint” on one side and “cabinet enamel” on the other, you are not alone. Cabinets are one of the highest touch surfaces in your home. They get grabbed with greasy hands, wiped down with cleaners, and bumped with plates and vacuum...

Budget Faux Shiplap Accent Wall

Real shiplap is great. Real shiplap is also pricey, heavy, and surprisingly unforgiving if your walls are even a little wavy. The workaround I keep coming back to in my own 1970s ranch is faux shiplap made from thin plywood strips . You get the same clean horizontal lines, you control the reveal,...

About Marcus Vance

Hey, I’m Marcus Vance, and I’m glad you’re here. If you’ve ever stood in the tool aisle holding two different boxes of screws and wondering if either one will wreck your weekend, you’re in the right place. Grit & Home exists for regular homeowners who want to fix things, build things,...