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Fifteen dollars can buy you lunch or transform a bathroom. TikTok is filled with DIY hacks suitable for every budget, but some projects are too good to pass up—especially because they will barely cost you anything. When it comes to DIY hacks, working smarter and not harder is always a win.
To save you from falling into the rabbit hole that is TikTok, we tapped creators who prove that you can transform a space in $15 or less. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your living room with window panes that look as sleek as those black steel frames in posh homes, want to dress up a bedroom with an accent wall, or can’t wait to unleash your inner biophiliac with a verdant sconce display, here are nine fantastic DIY hacks you can do on a budget, courtesy of these TikTok creators.
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Even though there’s a trend of taking black tape and creating window panes with it for $1, TikTok user @everythingeryn found a different approach for just $12. All you need is a one-inch piece of wood, electric tape, Gorilla tape (or a staple gun), and black spray paint. She lines the border of the window with black tape and cuts the wood to her window dimensions, then she creates a grid, staples it together, and sticks it on the taped borders to hold it all in place. And just like that, window panes.
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If you live in a home with a ceiling fan that just bugs you, you don’t have to replace it entirely. Instead, TikTok user @houseon610th uses black spray paint on the base and then adds a wood-grain peel-and-stick wallpaper to each blade for added contrast. If you’re wondering how it looks after some time, Ashley says this ceiling fan “held up wonderfully” after two years.
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Aluminum shower trim can get a little gross after a while—after all, it’s constantly coming in contact with water, so it’s likely to get worn down—but you don’t have to replace it. Instead, TikToker @diyhomeimprovements has a simple solution. All he does is scrape off the aluminum and then use a Rust-Oleum Primer and a coat of Rust-Oleum Spray Paint, transforming this chipping shower door into a beautiful matte black frame. But, fair warning, he says that “90% of the work here is prepping your surface.”
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This accent wall is an easy project for a budding at-home carpenter. This focal point is achievable for under $15. In fact, TikTok user @thenavagepatch calls it “a big impact project that anyone can do on any budget.” After painting the walls Sea-Serpent (SW 7615) by Shermin-Williams, he cut wood furring strips (each costs only $1.48) in sizes ranging from 10 to 30 inches. After sanding each slat and applying the Minwax Red Oak Stain to them, he put them on the wall using nails and construction adhesive.
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Gigi Rodriguez, or @theavantgarde on TikTok, wanted to make a too-small sconce a bit more dramatic. Instead of buying an expensive lamp, she made a picture frame with narrow wood pieces, added a cardboard backing, and finished off the look with preserved moss. Once she added the sconce back into the biophilic frame, she hung it up with adhesive command strips. And there you have it, a beautiful lighting feature.
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Compared to blanket ladders that range up to and over $100, TikTok user @inspiredby natalia was able to make one for just $10. She says that all you need is two 2x3’s and an eight-foot dowel for cutting into rungs. Simplify the DIY by asking someone at the hardware store to cut the rungs for you. From there, Natalia stained the wood, drilled holes for the rungs, and popped them in. If you can put together IKEA furniture, you can certainly do this project.
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Whether you have an electrical panel that needs to be covered up or have been wanting large-scale art, this tapestry frame is just the thing. To hang the tapestry without veering into dorm vibes, @graceful_designs_diy relies on crown molding. Once she locks in the measurements, she sprays the molding gold, glues it together, and then lays the tapestry over the frame. Using a stapler, she secures the tapestry to the frame, making sure it’s tight. The finished product looks as if it could grace the walls of a museum.
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Instead of cutting and measuring molding to create wainscotting on the doors, @vannie_the _home_slayer uses picture frames for a similar effect. After measuring and ensuring the frames are level on the doors, she uses a nail gun to attach them to the door before applying paint to match the door color.
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A kitchen backsplash can truly transform the heart of the home, but if the remodel isn’t in your future, consider a peel-and-stick option from the Dollar Store. TikToker @shopthriftyhipster did and it completely rejuvenated her kitchen. For a pop of color on a budget, all you have to do is apply the peel-and-stick tiles, no grout necessary.
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