24-05-2025
44 DIY Home Products That Make You The Handyman
Cordless no-drill Roman shades that'll be a breeze to install (reviewers say it took less than 10 minutes)! Renters and homeowners alike love them because you don't have to drill into the wall for installation.
NoNo Brackets, aka curtain rod brackets that fit onto your existing blinds so that you don't have to fool with drilling any holes and having to spackle them later or (!!!) get charged when you move out of your rental. Now you can finally put up the curtains you've been eyeing for a minimal amount of work.
A special brush can keep your dryer's lint trap clear of debris and make drying cycles/the appliance more effective for longer. If you aren't already cleaning out the lint trap with every cycle, grab this before calling out a repair person.
Some dishwasher-cleaning tablets can get rid of residue that ends up creating odor and buildup on your dishes. You were lucky to score an apartment with a dishwasher but if it's not super effective, what's the use?! These are honestly so cheap that you'll wanna *add to cart* rather than texting your super to come by for a look.
A sturdy Pikk-It tool with sharp metal teeth that'll un-ensnare tangled hair from your vacuum cleaners, hairbrushes, and even your beloved round brush dryer. Raise your hand if you've ever broken a seam ripper cleaning a vacuum cleaner. (Meee.)
An oil stain remover capable of annihilating that grease stain that you thought made your garage or driveway a goner. No need for a professional assessment!
A foaming garbage disposal cleaner to throw in your sink (the whole packet!), turn on the water, and watch fizz up as it does the tough work below on all the gunk that OTHER PEOPLE have let build up in your disposal.
A jetted tub cleaner you simply run through in a bath cycle and just watch the filth (from previous tenants) EMERGE from the pipes. Then you simply wipe it away! It'll be equally horrifying and satisfying. Worth it.
A SnapPower GuideLight will optimize your regular old outlets instead of a night-light that you have to plug into an outlet that you always have to unplug the coffee grinder or do other tasks. No need to call in an electritian about adding lights!
A set of Snug Plugs if your hair dryer plug keeps falling out of the bathroom outlet and you're starting to wonder if you need to get a pro involved. These little contraptions make a snug fit between outlets and plugs to keep 'em where you want.
Washing machine-descaling tablets can work on both top- and front-loading machines to erase any lingering mildew smells — whether you've had this machine for ages and want to keep it running 'til the day you die. Or you got a steal on a used machine and now you know WHY.
Or if you prefer a liquid solution, a citrus-y Oh Yuk washing machine cleaner that'll work on all washers. Say buh-bye to random debris and nasty smells emanating from your machine.
The Pink Stuff Spray in case you're extremely into the OG cleaning paste and have wondered out loud, "Hm, I wonder what else they make." Well, THIS! Now you can sort out your icky oven situation before calling up a pro (and waiting around for the appointment).
A bottle of dog-spot repair if your puppy has a favorite pee spot and it shows... This stuff will get new grass growin' in no time so you can get back to hosting BBQs.
An under-$50 12-inch showerhead here for a little daily luxury. And if you've been blasted by a rainfall shower in a hotel before, no worries. This has an adjustable flow that'll give you that or some gentle precipitation. And yes, you can handle installation!
A carpet cleaning solution with results so impressive (just cast your eyes below this text!) that you may have to bleep out your own reaction. Get ready to break up with your carpet cleaner rental spot. Remember when your carpet was beige instead of greige?
Stain-lifting pads will tackle the icky pet stains on your wall-to-wall beige carpeting from when your poor dog didn't want to go use the bathroom outside when it was storming.
A standing weeder (without the chemicals!) to help improve your view of your yard. You're not the only one who has trouble enjoying weed-filled scenery. If you normally recruit someone to weed for you because you can't comfortably (or simply don't enjoy) bending down to do it, you'll ADORE this tool.
And a crack weeder tool that'll go where the larger weeder (and your hands!) can't if you're not opposed to getting down on the ground to weed, as long as the weeding is far more efficient!
Some interlocking teak tiles to cover up a hard surface that, tbh, is beyond visual help. They're great for rental properties because you can take them apart and take them with you when you move!
A weather-resistant cedar pathway you can roll out along garden beds or other paths where your family (including the members with paws) tends to tread and wear down the grass. There's really no "installation" here, so it's a beginner-friendly task!
Luigi's Sink and Drain Plunger — a mini plunger can find a spot under sinks around your home for when your roomie's meal-prepping routine wreaks havoc on your kitchen sink. Grab this and use it in the same amount of time it takes you to google a plumber.
And Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolver that'll do a far better job of clearing your bathroom or kitchen drains than the super well-known brand you usually grab. Because clogs never happen at convenient moments. And sometimes your landlord or super can't stop by to help out when you need it.
Solar lights you can stake along a walkway or pond right where you need 'em. Lighting is key for getting more use out of your outdoor space. Oh, and they look nice in the daylight too!
A roll of perma-mulch to use around your garden beds and *keep* there because this stuff (made of recycled tires) imitates wood mulch but won't need replacing. If you have trouble sitting still while there's yard work that needs doing, you'll especially appreciate this.
Some bleach-free outdoor cleaner to spiff up your walkways and other surfaces you can likely tackle before you break out the pressure washer. Its foamy formula is totally safe around your precious plants.
And if cleaner alone won't work, some concrete paint for a refreshed look that'll make a HUGE difference.
A six-outlet wall charger can comfortably fit all the chargers you require. Plus! it has two USB fast-charging ports *and* a night-light. So this could be a solid solution for realizing that you don't have enough outlets on the days you and your partner both work from home.
An expandable under-sink kit will fit around awkward pipes in the kitchen while giving some sturdy ground to those bottles of cleaner. No more cabinet avalanches! Also, permanent cabinet changes can be quite pricey.
A carpet cleaner to transform all sorts of soft surfaces in your home BESIDES your carpet (though it'll do amazing work there too). Turns out, you don't need to buy a new couch after that huge accident. OR rent out a pro carpet-cleaning machine for about half the cost of this beaut. (You'll def use it more than twice and get your money's worth.)
Some magnetic garage handles and faux windows that'll bring some serious curb appeal to your home for an EXTREMELY small fraction of the price of getting some carriage-style doors. They're pricey as heck. These magnets are not.
A rechargeable, stick-on LED wall light will move with you when you want, even if you've just changed your mind within the same apartment or got a rude surprise at a lease renewal. It has three color temperatures, is dimmable, has a sleep timer, and is controlled from an app.
A renter-friendly Tulip shade that'll easily pop over your boob light (or other similarly sized ceiling-flush light you detest). You simply mount a ring on the ceiling with double-sided tape and put on the magnetic shade.
An Angry Orange pet odor eliminator for erasing all the visual (and smelly) evidence of pet accidents on flooring and furniture. You don't need a new chair. You just need this.
A "stained glass" decal to position on front-door windows, transoms, possibilities are nearly endless! It'll obscure the view into your home a bit without going whole hog like a blurred window cling that obscures the view on both sides. Also, it just looks really nice!
A magnetic dishwasher cover can help you transform that magical appliance as a design focal point if no matter HOW much you clean your washer, it just doesn't shine like you want.
A roll of wood grain tape to slap on as a "frame" on your bathroom or wall mirror to make your space feel a bit more intentionally designed — even if you inherited a bunch of someone else's design choices.
Some pre-made wall panels that'll attach with a nail gun and glue (or Command strips). What's next? Your cover story for Arch Digest.
A USB-powered, stick-on LED light strip can help improve your TV-watching experience by bringing in a bit of ambient light to your personal theater. You've already got your TV and shelves just where they work, so no need to try and rearrange everything so your movie nights are more enjoyable. Reviewers say this makes quite the impact!
A wireless library light to put a spotlight on any new wall art, or to just really jazz up your existing gallery wall that needs a little something else.
A pack of cabinet pulls with some nice detailing that'll make them seem like you ordered them from RH for $30+ a pop instead of adding them to cart along with some toilet paper and mascara. Kitchen cabinets take up a WHOLE lot of visual space and cost a bunch of money to replace. Swapping out your pulls can make a big difference!
Some vinyl picnic table and bench covers will help your OG picnic table in your yard look more presentable while protecting you from splinters. No need to think about a swap or hiring someone to sand down the bench and paint the table.
A Scumbug to help keep your pool from getting too gross too quickly after you've done the FULL clean (or paid someone to do said full clean) and opened it up for the season. It soaks up sunscreen, oils, and other gross stuff enjoying your backyard retreat. When it gets discolored, simply wring it out, rinse it, and then put it back in its watery home.
And a grout pen you can use to work some *cheap magic* over a sweeping amount of visual space on floors and backsplashes with a huge impact for just a bit of your time. I should know. I've done it to my bathroom floor and find it lasts about a year!
