10 Easy Projects California DIYers Love To Tackle On Weekends Plus 3 You Shouldn’t Skip
Weekend warriors across the Golden State are rolling up their sleeves and transforming their homes one project at a time.
With California’s perfect weather nearly year-round, DIY enthusiasts have plenty of opportunities to tackle home improvements that boost both curb appeal and property value.
Whether you’re a seasoned handyperson or just starting out, these 13 projects will help you make the most of your California home while saving money and having fun along the way.
1. Repainting Front Doors
Nothing transforms your home’s curb appeal faster than a freshly painted front door. Many Californians choose bold colors like terracotta, sunny yellow, or sea blue to complement our state’s architectural styles and natural landscape.
The project typically takes just one weekend and requires minimal supplies: quality exterior paint, primer, sandpaper, and basic painting tools. Most DIYers find they can complete the job for under $100.
Pro tip: Remove all hardware before painting and work during morning hours to avoid the harsh afternoon sun that can cause paint to dry too quickly. Your neighbors will think you hired professionals when they see the stunning results!
2. Installing Peel-and-Stick Backsplash
Modern peel-and-stick backsplashes have revolutionized kitchen updates for California homeowners. These affordable tiles mimic expensive materials like subway tile, marble, or Mediterranean patterns that complement our state’s diverse architectural styles.
You’ll only need basic tools like scissors, a ruler, and possibly a utility knife. The application process involves measuring your space, cutting tiles to fit, peeling off the backing, and pressing firmly against a clean wall surface.
Renters especially love this project since most varieties remove cleanly without damaging walls. For around $50-150 depending on your kitchen size, you can completely transform your cooking space in just a few hours!
3. Refreshing Outdoor Planters
California’s climate is perfect for year-round container gardening, making planter refreshes a popular weekend project. Many DIYers repurpose old containers with weather-resistant spray paint in coastal blues, desert terracottas, or vibrant citrus hues.
The process is straightforward: clean your containers, apply primer if needed, then add two coats of quality outdoor paint. Once dry, fill with drought-tolerant succulents, native California plants, or seasonal flowers depending on your region.
This quick project costs between $30-75 depending on plant choices and container sizes. Grouping planters of varying heights creates visual interest and instantly boosts your outdoor living space, whether you have a tiny apartment balcony or sprawling patio.
4. Building Raised Garden Beds
With California’s extended growing season, raised garden beds offer the perfect weekend project for both novice and experienced DIYers. Cedar or redwood boards resist our state’s occasional rain while withstanding summer heat, making them ideal building materials.
Most beginners start with a simple 4’x8′ rectangular design using 2×6 or 2×8 boards screwed together at the corners. The beds can be placed directly on soil or lined with landscape fabric if dealing with persistent weeds or gophers—a common California gardening challenge.
Your investment of around $75-150 will quickly pay off with homegrown vegetables and herbs. Many California DIYers customize their beds with drip irrigation systems to conserve water during our frequent drought conditions.
5. Replacing Cabinet Hardware
Hardware swaps rank among the quickest kitchen transformations California DIYers tackle regularly. Coastal-inspired brushed nickel pulls, mid-century modern wooden knobs, or Spanish-influenced bronze handles can instantly update cabinets without major renovation costs.
All you’ll need is a screwdriver, measuring tape, and your new hardware pieces. If you’re switching from knobs to pulls (or changing the spacing), you might need to fill old holes with wood filler and drill new ones.
This project typically costs between $50-200 depending on the number of cabinets and quality of hardware selected. Many California homeowners find this refresh particularly satisfying in rental properties where full renovations aren’t possible. Within a couple hours, your kitchen or bathroom can look like it underwent a major upgrade!
6. Creating a Gallery Wall
Gallery walls have become a signature project for California DIYers looking to personalize their spaces with minimal tools. Many homeowners showcase local photography—from Yosemite landscapes to Santa Monica sunsets—alongside personal mementos and art finds from weekend trips to Palm Springs or San Francisco.
The process starts with laying out frames on the floor to experiment with arrangement before committing. Most DIYers use painter’s tape to mark wall positions and removable picture hanging strips or small nails for installation.
Where this project shines is its adaptability to any budget—from $30 using repurposed frames to several hundred for custom framing. California’s abundant natural light makes gallery walls especially striking, with shadows and brightness shifting throughout our sunny days.
7. Updating Light Switch Covers
Did you know swapping basic white plastic switch plates for decorative options creates instant character in California homes? This micro-project requires just a screwdriver and about 10 minutes per cover.
Homeowners across the state choose materials reflecting California’s diverse design aesthetics—brushed brass in mid-century modern homes, hand-painted ceramic in Spanish Colonial spaces, or sleek black in contemporary beach houses. Some creative DIYers even decoupage switch plates with maps of favorite California destinations or vintage postcards.
At just $5-15 per cover, this affordable update packs surprising visual impact. The project works equally well for owners and renters since original covers can be stored and reinstalled later. Even children can help with this simple upgrade, making it a perfect family weekend activity.
8. Installing Floating Shelves
Floating shelves have become the go-to weekend project for California homeowners looking to maximize space while adding architectural interest. Their clean lines complement everything from Spanish Revival to Mid-Century Modern homes found throughout the state.
Most DIYers can handle this project with a stud finder, level, drill, and basic hardware. The trick is securing the hidden bracket firmly to wall studsMessential for California homes in earthquake zones.
Once installed, the shelves become perfect displays for drought-tolerant houseplants, collected beach treasures, or pottery from local artisans. Materials range from warm reclaimed wood that echoes California’s rustic heritage to sleek white or black finishes for contemporary spaces. Budget-conscious DIYers typically spend $30-100 per shelf depending on size and materials.
9. Refinishing Patio Furniture
California’s outdoor living culture makes patio furniture refinishing one of our state’s most practical DIY projects. The abundant sunshine and occasional coastal moisture can weather outdoor pieces quickly, but a weekend makeover extends their life by years.
Most DIYers start by cleaning thoroughly, then sanding wood surfaces or using a wire brush on metal pieces. Two coats of weather-resistant paint or stain often in colors inspired by our landscapes like sage green, sunset orange, or ocean blue transform tired furniture into showpieces.
This sustainable project typically costs $40-75 for supplies while saving hundreds on replacement furniture. Many California homeowners finish by adding locally-made outdoor cushions or pillows featuring drought-tolerant botanical prints or coastal motifs, creating outdoor rooms that feel like natural extensions of indoor living spaces.
10. Hanging String Lights Outdoors
String lights have transformed California outdoor spaces into magical evening retreats. From San Diego patios to Sacramento porches, these twinkling additions extend outdoor enjoyment well into our mild evenings.
The installation process is surprisingly straightforward: map your pattern, install hooks or poles for support, and secure lights with zip ties or guide wires if spanning longer distances. Solar-powered versions are particularly popular among eco-conscious California DIYers, eliminating the need for outlets.
Most homeowners spend between $50-150 depending on coverage area and light quality. The ambient glow creates perfect settings for outdoor dinner parties or quiet evenings enjoying our state’s famous sunset skies. Many Californians incorporate their string lights into drought-tolerant landscaping designs, weaving them through olive trees or along succulent garden perimeters.
11. Weatherproofing Windows (don’t skip)
Though California enjoys mild weather, our coastal fog, desert heat, and occasional rainstorms make window weatherproofing an essential project that too many homeowners overlook. This simple weekend task can significantly reduce energy bills in both summer and winter.
The process involves checking for drafts using a candle flame or incense stick, then applying appropriate weatherstripping, caulk, or window film depending on the issue. Most supplies cost under $50 total and require basic tools like scissors, a caulking gun, and measuring tape.
Beyond energy savings, proper weatherproofing protects against moisture damage and reduces outside noise particularly valuable in busy urban areas like Los Angeles or San Francisco. This invisible improvement pays dividends year-round while taking just a few hours to complete.
12. Sealing Driveway Cracks (don’t skip)
California’s temperature fluctuations and occasional seismic activity make driveway maintenance a must-do project that many homeowners regrettably postpone. Small cracks quickly expand when rainwater seeps in and freezes in cooler regions like Lake Tahoe or expands from intense heat in places like Palm Springs.
Addressing cracks early requires just crack filler, a putty knife, and a few hours on a dry weekend. The process involves cleaning the crack thoroughly, applying filler according to package directions, and allowing proper curing time.
This $25-40 investment prevents costly full driveway replacements down the road. Many California DIYers combine this practical task with more creative projects like adding borders of drought-resistant plants or solar-powered pathway lights to enhance curb appeal while completing essential maintenance.
13. Cleaning Out Dryer Vents (don’t skip)
Fire safety experts consistently rank dryer vent cleaning among the most crucial yet overlooked home maintenance tasks for California homeowners. Our state’s wildfire risks make this simple project particularly important, as lint buildup causes thousands of house fires annually.
The cleaning process typically takes under an hour using a dryer vent cleaning kit ($20-30) with flexible brushes that attach to a drill. Start by disconnecting the dryer, removing the exterior vent cover, then thoroughly brushing from both inside and outside access points.
Beyond fire prevention, this maintenance task improves energy efficiency and extends appliance life. Many California DIYers schedule this cleaning quarterly, especially in households with pets or during heavy fabric-shedding seasons. The immediate improvement in drying performance provides instant gratification for this essential safety project.
