A family that improves their home together stays together. At least, that’s what the wisdom and rule book of every Kapitbahay dictates. Don’t you agree? Whether it’s a weekend DIY building spree, a garden makeover, or a collaborative effort to decorate shared spaces, every member contributes a part of themselves to your home. Really, there’s no better way to show off your familial ties.

We do understand, though, that not all home projects are ideal for every family member. Lucky for you, we’ve got amazing ideas that are both fun and useful. Here are some DIY home improvement projects that everyone — yes, even the kiddos — can enjoy! 

Wall Art Wonders

Let’s start with the doable stuff that everyone’s encountered at least once in their lifetime: art projects. What better way to collaborate than to encourage everyone’s creativity? You can try simple techniques with younger household members, like handprint or footprint art in the kids’ room. More daring than that? Unleash your inner Picasso by painting a mural on an empty wall.

And if painting is too much of a commitment, don’t worry — there are other ways to do it. Something as simple as layouting a gallery wall with mixed media is already a thoughtful statement piece. Fill your walls with photos, drawings, clippings, or any other sentimental items for you or your family. That’s the kind of warm energy everyone needs in their household.

Grow a Garden

In the world of crazy adulthood — from mahal na bilihin to unsuspecting back pains — we forget to go out and touch some grass. Well, we’re here to remind you to do so. Even better: Why not engage in a fun outdoor project with the entire family? Seeing a once-empty land flourish into a garden (that you’ve nurtured yourselves, no less) is such a sweet, fulfilling feeling. 

You can opt to install mature plants instead of starting from seeds. This way, you’ll skip the lengthy wait for growth. Regardless of what you do, though, it’s still a commitment — plants are living things, after all. This is a great chance to teach the kiddos a thing or two about responsibility!

If you don’t have an outdoor space with fertile soil (we’re with you, condo dwellers), you can still grow your own garden. Just take a rack and fill it with potted plants. Remember, though, that indoor and outdoor plants cultivate differently, so be sure to be strategic about where you’ll be placing your makeshift garden.

Spring Cleaning Session

Now we’re onto the stuff that feels less like art and whimsy, and more like the real deal. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and get everyone’s hands dirty — literally. While not as glamorous as painting a mural, a spring cleaning session is the perfect way to show your house how much you care. It’s also a great way to get everyone some much-needed bonding time.

Now, the hardest, most challenging stage of the project will commence: getting people to participate. But here’s a secret — there are many ways to make cleaning feel like a blast! Take, for instance, the power of Spotify (or any streaming app) to set the vibe. Whether you have a Blend or a Kpop dance battle in your hands, a cleaning sesh will feel less like a chore if you turn it into a rave.

Time to Organize

Remember the early pandemic days when Miss Marie Kondo taught us how to appreciate life through super-effective tidying methods? Yep, she definitely taught us a few things. And now, we want to bring some of those back into our daily habits. Think about it — how long has it been since you’ve sorted out your stuff? We’re sure you wanna do it again, but there’s only one problem: nakakatamad.

But that’s why you have family — they can help you through life’s ups, downs, and taxing chores. Develop a system, like color-coding or sorting by size and shape, so may feeling of satisfaction after the task. Who knows, all of you might rediscover a thing or two that used to bring you joy. (Just make sure you don’t undo your progress and let it become kalat again.)

Room Makeover

Does a room in your home need a glow-up? Well, this might be an opportunity to get all hands on deck. From conceptualizing to creating, giving your interiors a makeover can be a fun bonding activity. You can sit together, figure out the layout, and plan the concept and color schemes. Then comes the fun part: budol-ing the decor! Even if it’s a quick trip to a furniture ukay, it’s still a great opportunity to bond with the fam.

Not keen on the idea of gastos? That’s fine — redecorating doesn’t warrant you buying new stuff. You can rearrange furniture, decor, add anik anik here and there. We’re sure your household members will be more than happy to help you out. Who knows — they might even have “donations” of their own! The more everyone has contributed, the more special the final product will become.

Find More Bonding Moments and Ideas with Home Buddies

When it comes to our family, walang panget ka-bonding. So we might as well level up the time we spend with them by turning it into something productive. At the end of the day, you’ll look proudly at your home and tell each other: We did that.

Have you DIY-ed a home improvement project with your family before? Share your experiences and suggestions on Facebook — we’re sure other Kapitbahays would like to try them out!