From Paint To Planter Boxes 13 Top Weekend DIY Projects In Cincinnati
Looking to spruce up your Cincinnati home without breaking the bank? Weekend DIY projects offer the perfect solution for homeowners wanting to add personal touches while saving money.
Whether you’re a novice handyman or a seasoned DIY enthusiast, our Queen City provides inspiration and resources for transforming your living space.
These 13 weekend projects range from simple afternoon tasks to more involved makeovers that will give your home that custom Cincinnati charm.
1. Front Door Repaint
Nothing transforms your home’s curb appeal faster than a freshly painted front door. Cincinnati’s weather can be tough on exterior paint, making this an ideal spring or fall project when temperatures are mild.
Local hardware stores like Ace Hardware in Hyde Park or Lowe’s in Western Hills carry weather-resistant paints perfect for our climate. Bold blues and reds are trending in neighborhoods like Mt. Adams and Oakley.
This project typically takes just a few hours but delivers major impact. For best results, remove the door from its hinges, sand it down, and apply two coats. Your neighbors will think you hired a professional!
2. Peel-and-Stick Backsplash
Wish you could update your kitchen without the mess of traditional tile work? Peel-and-stick backsplash offers an affordable weekend solution that’s gaining popularity across Cincinnati neighborhoods from Pleasant Ridge to Delhi.
These adhesive tiles come in countless patterns and textures that mimic ceramic, subway tile, and even Rookwood pottery designs a nod to our city’s artistic heritage. Installation requires just basic measuring tools, scissors, and a utility knife.
Most Cincinnati homeowners complete this transformation in under 4 hours. The result? A kitchen that looks completely refreshed without the hassle of mortar, grout, or professional installation fees. Perfect for renters too!
3. Floating Shelves Installation
Are your Cincinnati home’s walls looking bare? Floating shelves add storage and style while showcasing your Reds memorabilia, local artwork, or family photos. The clean, bracket-free look works beautifully in everything from Camp Washington industrial lofts to Mariemont Tudor homes.
When shopping locally, check out Woodcraft in West Chester for quality materials or IKEA in West Chester for budget-friendly options. You’ll need a stud finder, level, drill, and screwdriver for this project.
Most DIYers complete installation in under two hours per shelf. For a Cincinnati-specific touch, consider using reclaimed wood from Building Value in Northside their salvaged materials add character while supporting local sustainability efforts.
4. Updating Cabinet Hardware
If your kitchen feels stuck in another decade, swapping out cabinet hardware delivers maximum impact with minimal effort. This weekend project transforms outdated Cincinnati kitchens for less than $100 in most cases.
Hardware stores like Keidel Supply in Norwood offer countless styles from sleek modern pulls to vintage-inspired knobs that complement Cincinnati’s mix of contemporary and historic homes. All you’ll need is a screwdriver and measuring tape to ensure consistent placement.
Many Cincinnati homeowners complete this update in just 1-2 hours. Pro tip: bring an existing handle with you when shopping to ensure the new hardware fits your cabinet’s existing holes. The transformation will make you wonder why you waited so long!
5. Building Planter Boxes
Cincinnati’s growing season makes custom planter boxes a rewarding weekend project. Whether for your OTR rooftop garden or Anderson Township backyard, these boxes provide the perfect home for vegetables, herbs, or native Ohio plants.
Cedar is ideal for our climate, resisting rot even during humid Cincinnati summers. You can find materials at McCabe Lumber in Loveland or Home Depot in Oakley. Basic construction requires just a saw, drill, and weather-resistant screws.
Most DIYers complete a planter in 2-3 hours. For inspiration, visit Findlay Market’s container gardens or the Civic Garden Center in Avondale. Your homegrown tomatoes and peppers will taste even better knowing you built their container yourself!
6. Installing New Light Fixtures
Outdated light fixtures can make even the nicest Cincinnati homes feel stuck in the past. Replacing them is surprisingly simple and transforms any room instantly. Local lighting showrooms like Switch Lighting & Design in OTR offer unique options you won’t find at big box stores.
Before starting, turn off power at the breaker box safety first! Most fixture swaps require just basic tools: screwdriver, wire stripper, and electrical tape. Look for fixtures that complement Cincinnati’s architectural styles, from Victorian in Clifton to mid-century in Amberley Village.
This project typically takes 30-60 minutes per fixture. Remember to photograph existing wiring connections before disconnecting anything. Your rooms will literally shine with this relatively simple upgrade!
7. Laying Vinyl Plank Flooring
Vinyl plank flooring has become the go-to solution for Cincinnati homeowners dealing with our humidity and temperature swings. This floating floor system installs without glue or nails, making it perfect for a weekend warrior project.
Local flooring specialists like Cincinnati Floor & Window in Fairfax offer quality options that mimic hardwood at a fraction of the cost. The click-lock installation requires minimal tools just a utility knife, rubber mallet, and spacers.
A determined DIYer can transform a medium-sized room in a single weekend. The waterproof nature makes it ideal for Cincinnati basements that might experience moisture issues during our rainy seasons. Your friends will never believe you installed it yourself!
8. Adding Entryway Hooks
Cincinnati weather demands a functional entryway for coats, umbrellas, and Bengals gear. Installing custom hooks creates organized storage while adding personality to your foyer or mudroom.
Hardware stores like Ace Hardware in Clifton carry everything from simple utility hooks to decorative options. For a true Cincinnati touch, visit local makers at City Flea in Washington Park who craft custom wood and metal pieces.
This project requires just a drill, level, stud finder, and screwdriver. Most homeowners complete installation in under an hour. For maximum function in minimal space, consider a combination of hooks at different heights to accommodate adults and children. You’ll wonder how you lived without this simple organization solution!
9. Refreshing Bathroom Grout
Dingy grout lines can make even the cleanest Cincinnati bathroom look tired and dated. Refreshing them delivers dramatic results without the cost of retiling. This weekend project works wonders in our city’s many vintage homes with original tile.
Stores like Hyde Park Lumber & Design or Home Depot in Springdale carry specialized grout cleaners, whiteners, and sealants. You’ll need a grout brush, cleaning solution, and optional colorant if you want to change the grout color entirely.
The process typically takes 3-4 hours for an average bathroom. Many Cincinnati homeowners in neighborhoods like Northside and College Hill are opting for darker grout colors that hide stains better in our hard water areas. Your bathroom will look brand new!
10. Installing Dimmer Switches
Imagine controlling the mood in your Cincinnati home with the twist of a dial. Dimmer switches offer flexibility for everything from movie nights to dinner parties, and they’re surprisingly easy to install.
Local electrical supply stores like Wiseway Supply in Florence or Crescent Electric in Sharonville carry quality options compatible with various bulb types. Make sure to choose dimmers designed for your specific lights – LED bulbs require special dimmers.
This project takes about 30 minutes per switch. Remember to turn off power at the breaker before starting! Cincinnati’s older homes sometimes have unexpected wiring, so take photos before disconnecting anything. The ability to adjust lighting intensity will transform how you experience your space year-round.
11. Creating Herb Garden Planters
Fresh herbs elevate any meal, and Cincinnati’s growing season is perfect for creating your own culinary garden. Whether for your Price Hill balcony or Madeira backyard, custom herb planters bring farm-to-table freshness home.
Repurpose containers from Findlay Market vendors or visit Natorp’s Garden Center in Mason for supplies. You’ll need containers with drainage holes, quality potting soil, and herb seedlings basil, rosemary, and mint thrive in our climate.
This project takes about 2 hours and delivers months of fresh flavors. For a Cincinnati twist, include bourbon barrel planters that nod to our distilling heritage. Local chefs from restaurants like Boca and Sotto use similar setups to grow fresh herbs for their kitchens!
12. Hanging Floating Mirrors
Strategic mirror placement can make Cincinnati’s charming but sometimes compact spaces feel larger and brighter. Floating mirrors – hung without visible hardware create a sleek, contemporary look in any room.
Local glass shops like Cincinnati Glass & Mirror in Reading can cut custom mirrors to your specifications. You’ll need special mirror mounting hardware, a stud finder, level, drill, and measuring tape for this project.
Most installations take 1-2 hours depending on mirror size. For maximum impact in Cincinnati’s often limited natural light, position mirrors opposite windows to bounce light throughout the room. This trick works wonders in narrow Hyde Park apartments and Mt. Adams homes with limited windows on shared walls.
13. Adding Open Under-Cabinet Lighting
Dark kitchen countertops plague many Cincinnati homes, especially in older buildings with limited overhead lighting. Under-cabinet LED strips solve this problem while adding ambiance and making food prep safer.
Stores like Lowe’s in Western Hills or Keidel Supply in Norwood offer easy-to-install peel-and-stick LED options that connect to existing outlets or battery-operated versions requiring no wiring. Installation needs just basic tools like scissors and possibly a drill.
Most Cincinnati DIYers complete this project in under 2 hours. The difference is remarkable suddenly you can see what you’re chopping! As a bonus, these lights create a warm glow perfect for evening entertaining, highlighting kitchen features like local Rookwood tile backsplashes common in Cincinnati’s historic homes.
