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You know what nobody wants?
A boring summer with nothing to show for it.
Because here’s the thing…
Summer goes fast.
Like, blink-and-it’s-September fast.
And the last thing you want is to look back and realize you spent the whole thing scrolling Pinterest instead of actually doing something.
That’s where summer DIY ideas come in.
They’re cheap.
They’re fun.
And honestly? Some of them turn out so good people will think you bought them.
Whether you’re a total beginner who’s never touched a glue gun, or a full-on craft girlie with a dedicated supply drawer there is something on this list for you.
So if you’re ready to actually DO something this summer…
BEST SUMMER DIY IDEAS
This list has a little bit of everything home decor, fashion, outdoor projects, and even a few ideas that make really cute gifts.
So grab your iced coffee, open a new Amazon tab, and let’s get into it.
1. DIY Pressed Flower Picture Frames
Okay this one is giving cottagecore summer and I am fully here for it.
All you need are some wildflowers or garden blooms, a heavy book to press them, and a simple frame.
Press your flowers for about a week, arrange them however feels right, and seal them under the glass.
That’s it.
The result looks like something you’d pay $40 for at an Anthropologie checkout line.
It’s such a great beginner project because there’s no special skill involved, just patience and a good eye for arrangement.
You can find simple wooden frames on Amazon for next to nothing, and the flowers? Free if you have a garden or a field nearby.
10/10 recommend this one for your bedroom, dorm room, or as a gift.
2. Tie-Dye Tote Bags
Tie-dye is never really going away, and honestly… good.
Because tie-dye tote bags are one of those summer DIY projects that are fun to make AND useful when you’re done.
Beach trips.
Farmer’s markets.
Grocery runs.
These go everywhere.
All you need is a plain canvas tote (you can grab a pack of them on Amazon for super cheap), rubber bands, and a tie-dye kit.
It’s also one of the best group DIYs out there. Do it with friends, roommates, or even younger siblings. Nobody walks away unhappy.
3. DIY Seashell Mirror
If you love that coastal, beachy aesthetic this one is going to make you so happy.
Grab a basic round mirror, some hot glue, and a bag of seashells (Amazon has huge packs for just a few dollars).
Start gluing shells around the edge of the mirror in whatever pattern you like.
Layered, spaced out, mixed sizes it all works.
The finished result looks seriously impressive for how little effort it actually takes.
Hang it in your bedroom or bathroom and watch how much it changes the whole vibe of the space.
4. Painted Terracotta Pots
These are ALL over Pinterest right now and for good reason.
Painted terracotta pots are one of the easiest summer DIY projects you can do, and the results are genuinely so cute.
You can go simple with solid colors and a sealant.
Or get creative with patterns, smiley faces, stripes, or even abstract shapes.
They look amazing on a windowsill, balcony, dorm room desk, or as part of an outdoor garden setup.
Use acrylic paint and seal with a clear coat so they hold up outside. That’s really the only tip you need.
Oh and dollar stores almost always carry plain terracotta pots if you want to keep costs low.
5. DIY Friendship Bracelets
Yes, we’re going there.
And no, they are not just for middle schoolers anymore.
Friendship bracelets had the biggest comeback and they are still going strong this summer.
The beaded ones especially.
All you need is some elastic cord and a bead kit Amazon has tons of options with letters, smiley faces, fruit shapes, and more.
They’re weirdly therapeutic to make, they look cute stacked on your wrist, and they make the sweetest little gifts.
Make a set for yourself, make one for your best friend, make fifty of them while watching a movie.
Zero regrets.
6. Rope Macramé Wall Hanging
A macramé wall hanging is one of those DIY projects that looks way harder than it actually is.
And once it’s up on your wall?
It makes the whole room look put together and intentional like you actually have a design aesthetic going on.
You only need macramé rope (super affordable on Amazon), a wooden dowel, and a basic knotting tutorial on YouTube.
There are beginner patterns that take under two hours and still look genuinely impressive.
Great for dorm rooms, bedrooms, or any space that needs something on a blank wall without spending a lot.
7. DIY Scrunchie Set
If you have any leftover fabric lying around this is what you do with it.
Scrunchies are fast, satisfying, and one of the easiest sewing DIYs out there.
You only need fabric, elastic, a needle and thread (or a sewing machine if you have one), and scissors.
The whole process takes maybe 20 minutes once you get the hang of it.
Make a matching set in different sizes.
Use fun summer fabrics florals, ginghams, satin for a fancier look.
They also make really cute little gifts when you tie a few together with ribbon.
8. Personalized Photo Bookmarks
This one is simple, sweet, and takes almost no time at all.
Print out small photos of your friends, your pets, your favorite aesthetic images cut them to bookmark size, and laminate them.
You can design them on Canva first to add text, borders, or a fun layout before printing.
They’re great for your own summer reading stack and honestly such a thoughtful little gift.
9. DIY Citronella Candles
Okay these are pretty AND practical.
Citronella candles keep mosquitoes away during outdoor hangouts, and making your own means you can actually make them look cute instead of using those ugly yellow ones from the hardware store.
All you need is soy wax, citronella essential oil, candle wicks, and any container you like mason jars, old teacups, small terracotta pots.
Melt the wax, add the oil, pour into your container, let it set.
That’s genuinely it.
They make great porch decor and an even better hostess gift for any summer get-together.
10. Pom-Pom Sandal Makeover
This one is for the girls who want to look like they went shopping without actually spending money.
Take any plain pair of sandals even an old beat-up pair you were about to throw out and hot glue some pom-poms or raffia onto the straps.
Colorful pom-poms give a fun, playful look.
Natural raffia gives more of a chic, resort vibe.
Either way, you end up with sandals that look like they cost three times what you paid for them.
11. DIY Beaded Necklaces
Beaded jewelry is having a serious moment right now.
And making your own is so much more fun than buying them.
You can fully customize the colors, shapes, and length to match exactly what you want.
Pick up a bead assortment kit on Amazon they usually come with tons of variety grab some jewelry wire or elastic cord, and start stringing.
Great to do while watching TV.
Great to make in bulk as gifts.
Great for layering with other necklaces all summer long.
Related Post: Small Kandi Ideas That Are Actually Easy to Make
12. Painted Rock Garden Markers
If you have a little herb garden or even a few potted plants, these are SO cute and surprisingly easy to make.
Find smooth flat rocks outside (or grab a bag from the craft store), paint them with acrylic paint, write the name of each plant in a contrasting color, and seal with a clear coat.
Basil.
Mint.
Rosemary.
Even if you just use them as decorative outdoor decor with no plants involved they still look adorable.
13. DIY Woven Wall Basket
This one takes a little more time than some of the others but the result is genuinely so cool.
Woven baskets as wall decor are a huge trend right now and making your own means you get exactly the size and color you want.
You can find beginner weaving kits on Amazon or Etsy that come with everything you need and instructions included.
Hang it solo or group a few different sizes together for a full gallery wall moment.
Either way it gives your space that expensive, intentional boho look without the expensive price tag.
14. Lemon and Herb Infused Sugar Scrub
This is the kind of DIY that makes you feel like you have your life together.
A homemade sugar scrub takes about ten minutes to make, smells absolutely amazing, and works better than most store-bought versions.
Mix together white sugar, coconut oil, lemon zest, and a few drops of lemon essential oil.
Add fresh rosemary or lavender if you want to get fancy.
Spoon it into a cute jar, tie a ribbon around it, and you have the most thoughtful homemade gift for literally any occasion.
Or just keep it for yourself also valid.
15. Fabric Dye Curtains
Okay this one is a bit of a game changer for dorm rooms and rentals.
If you have plain white curtains that feel boring, fabric dye is your best friend.
You can dip-dye the bottom half for an ombré effect, tie-dye the whole panel for something more playful, or do a simple solid color refresh.
It transforms the whole look of a room for maybe $10 in supplies.
Way more personality than plain white.
And the best part totally reversible if you ever want to switch it up.
16. DIY Polaroid String Light Display
This is a classic for a reason.
String lights plus polaroids never gets old and it genuinely makes any wall look cozy, personal, and so much more alive.
Print your favorite photos as polaroids (Chatbooks and Walmart Photo both do this cheaply and quickly), grab a set of warm fairy lights, and use mini clothespins to attach your photos along the wire.
Above a desk.
Above a bed.
Along a window frame.
It works everywhere and it always looks good.
Related Post: 2000s Teen Bedroom Ideas That Are Giving MAJOR Nostalgia
17. Hand-Painted Summer Tumblers
Take a plain stainless steel or glass tumbler and turn it into something you actually want to carry everywhere.
Use oil-based paint markers to add whatever design you like — flowers, smiley faces, your name, abstract shapes, or a fun summer quote.
Seal it with a dishwasher-safe Mod Podge to protect the design.
These look SO good on a picnic blanket, at the beach, or just sitting on your desk.
And because you made it yourself, it genuinely feels more special than anything you’d buy.
18. DIY Pressed Flower Resin Jewelry
Okay, fair warning this one is a step up in difficulty compared to the others.
But the results?
Actually stunning.
Pressed flower resin jewelry involves pouring clear resin into molds, adding dried flowers, and letting it cure into wearable pieces.
Rings, pendants, earrings — you can make all of it.
Beginner resin kits on Amazon come with everything you need and cost around $20-30.
It takes some practice to get it right but once you do, you’ll have a whole collection of jewelry that genuinely looks handmade in the best possible way.
19. Washi Tape Laptop or Journal Decor
This is for the girls who want a cute project without any major time commitment.
Washi tape is one of the most underrated craft supplies out there.
You can use it to decorate the border of your laptop, create patterns on a plain journal cover, frame photos on your wall, or add detail to basically anything that feels too plain.
It’s removable, repositionable, and comes in literally hundreds of patterns and colors.
Zero mess.
Zero skill required.
Maximum aesthetic.
20. DIY Outdoor Lanterns with Mason Jars
There is nothing better than sitting outside on a summer night with soft warm lighting all around you.
And these mason jar lanterns make that happen for almost no money.
Fill mason jars with battery-powered fairy lights or tea light candles.
You can add sand, shells, or dried flowers inside for extra decoration.
Line them along a porch railing, scatter them across an outdoor table, or hang them from a tree branch with twine.
The whole setup takes maybe 30 minutes and the vibe it creates?
Completely worth it.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are easy summer DIY ideas for beginners?
If you’re just starting out, stick with projects that need minimal supplies and zero special skills. The best beginner-friendly picks from this list are painted terracotta pots, friendship bracelets, washi tape decor, the sugar scrub, and personalized photo bookmarks.
What DIY projects can I do with things I already have at home?
More than you’d think! Tie-dye works with old white t-shirts or tote bags you already own. The pom-pom sandal makeover uses an old pair you might have forgotten about. Washi tape projects use whatever you already have around the house.
What are some summer DIY gift ideas?
So many options here! The lemon sugar scrub is a beautiful and thoughtful handmade gift. Beaded necklaces are perfect for a best friend. Personalized photo bookmarks are sweet for anyone who loves to read.
Where do I find supplies for summer DIY projects?
Amazon is genuinely the easiest place to start; especially for things like bead kits, resin supplies, macramé rope, and paint markers. Etsy is great for starter kits that come with instructions. And don’t sleep on Dollar Tree and Michaels for basics like terracotta pots, frames, and candles.
