DIY
No professionals needed
DIY stands for "do it yourself"—making, building, fixing, or creating things on your own rather than paying someone else.
The term covers everything from home repairs to crafts: a DIY kitchen renovation, DIY wedding decorations.
As an adjective, it describes projects, culture, or ethos: the DIY punk scene.
The abbreviation has become so familiar that it functions as a word itself: I'm going to DIY it.
Tool for striking nails
- screwdriverTool for turning fasteners
- drillHole-boring device
- sawPast of perceive
- wrenchTool for turning fasteners
pliers · sandpaper · paintbrush · level · clamps · ladder · workbench · toolbox
Depending on oneself alone
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
- self-sufficiencyIndependence from outside aid
- resourcefulnessAbility to solve problems creatively
- frugalityEconomical resource management
sustainability · upcycling · repurposing · thriftiness · independence · hands-on · trial-and-error · problem-solving
Study of circuits
- prototypingMaking preliminary models
- roboticsAutomaton design field
- CNCAutomated machining via code
- solderingLow-temp metal fusion
circuitry · coding · firmware · open-source · makerspace · tinkering · modding · hacking
Sawn wood for building
- plywoodEngineered layered wood panels
- drywallGypsum-core building panels
- concreteSolid building mixture
- tileFlat surface-covering piece
grout · caulk · primer · stain · varnish · adhesive · hardware · fasteners
Craft of shaping lumber
- carpentryWood construction trade
- knittingLoop-based textile making
- sewingCraft with needle and thread
- quiltingLayered fabric stitching
pottery · scrapbooking · macrame · embroidery · crochet · crocheting · leatherworking · leatherwork
Created manually, not mechanically
- homespunPlain and unpretentious
- rusticRural and unrefined
- upcycledCreatively remade from waste
- repurposedConverted to new use
one-of-a-kind · customized · personalized · artisanal · handcrafted · farmhouse · vintage · eclectic
Determining size or amount
- cuttingDividing via sharp edge
- levelingMaking flat or equal
- solderingLow-temp metal fusion
- wiringInstalled electrical conductors
plastering · mudding · taping · priming · staining · varnishing · clamping · anchoring
Instructional guides for beginners
- how-toPractical instruction format
- hackableSusceptible to unauthorized access
- beginner-friendlyEasy for newcomers
- step-by-stepIn sequential stages
hammer
Tool for striking nails
- screwdriverTool for turning fasteners
- drillHole-boring device
- sawPast of perceive
wrench · pliers · sandpaper · paintbrush · level · clamps · ladder · workbench · toolbox · jigsaw
self-reliance
Depending on oneself alone
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
- self-sufficiencyIndependence from outside aid
- resourcefulnessAbility to solve problems creatively
frugality · sustainability · upcycling · repurposing · thriftiness · independence · hands-on · trial-and-error · problem-solving · customization
electronics
Study of circuits
- prototypingMaking preliminary models
- roboticsAutomaton design field
- CNCAutomated machining via code
soldering · circuitry · coding · firmware · open-source · makerspace · tinkering · modding · hacking · fabrication
lumber
Sawn wood for building
- plywoodEngineered layered wood panels
- drywallGypsum-core building panels
- concreteSolid building mixture
tile · grout · caulk · primer · stain · varnish · adhesive · hardware · fasteners · brackets
woodworking
Craft of shaping lumber
quilting · pottery · scrapbooking · macrame · embroidery · crochet · crocheting · leatherworking · leatherwork · papercraft
handmade
Created manually, not mechanically
repurposed · one-of-a-kind · customized · personalized · artisanal · handcrafted · farmhouse · vintage · eclectic · bespoke
measuring
Determining size or amount
wiring · plastering · mudding · taping · priming · staining · varnishing · clamping · anchoring · shimming
tutorials
Instructional guides for beginners
- how-toPractical instruction format
- hackableSusceptible to unauthorized access
- beginner-friendlyEasy for newcomers
- life skillsreading, writing, cooking, cleaning, laundry
- Artisan-stylehomemade, handmade, artisanal, handcrafted, small-batch
- homesteadinghomesteading, self-sufficiency, off-grid living, off-grid, chicken coop
- Pinterestpins, boards, pinning, repins, saves
- practicalitypragmatism, sensible, realistic, down-to-earth, levelheaded
- Resourcefulnessresourcefulness, ingenuity, cleverness, inventiveness, problem-solving
DIYoutsource
Procure services externally
contract out · hire out · delegate · farm out · commissioned
DIYprofessional
Credentialed in one's field
professional-grade · licensed · certified · bespoke · artisanal
DIYstore-bought
Commercially produced, not homemade
ready-made · off-the-shelf · prefabricated · mass-produced · turnkey
- DIY kitSelf-assembly project package
- DIY craftsSelf-made artistic projects
- DIY projectsSelf-undertaken building tasks
- DIY guidesInstructions for homemade projects
- DIY videosInstructional clips for projects
- DIY cultureSelf-sufficiency as lifestyle