Dwell’s DIY Resolutions for 2023

Many resolutions are good, but most are aspirational at best. Yes, of course you want to walk 10,000 steps a day while only eating keto and definitely, sure, you should drink more water. Setting resolutions is not quite a way to set yourself up for failure, but something akin—if you resolve to do something big and abstract, and don’t, well, that’s fine, but maybe you feel badly about it. DIY resolutions, on the other hand, are a bit more immediate, and therefore easier to solve. (Or so we hope!)

The bar in the basement

This was on the roster for last winter, so this winter is really going to be the year, otherwise I’m a total failure: turn our downstairs half kitchen/kitchenette into a bar. Currently, it’s basically only used for the fridge, but the hope is, now that we’ve settled on an aesthetic—cleaner dive bar—that I can actually execute it. I WILL. And then we’ll actually use the space. -Kate Dries, Executive Editor

Turning my office into a closet

My apartment is wonderful in many ways, but it lacks in storage options; there’s a single tiny closet that houses all of my coats and otherwise, I’m out of luck. There’s a weird middle room between the bedroom and the rest of the living space that functions as office, closet, and occasional yoga studio, but I’m starting to tire of its transitory nature. (Also, there’s a garment rack in my bedroom that I’d rather not look at every morning when I wake up.) By hook or by crook, I’m going to reimagine the space in this room and turn it into the cloffice of my dreams. If I’m really ambitious, I’ll (hire someone to) install a clothing rack into the wall, I’ll become fastidious about folding my athleisure, and I’ll be forced to keep my clothing tidy. Not a bad goal, and I’m sure I’ll accomplish something akin to my dreams, even if it is just rolling the garment rack in here and trying to be better about hanging things up. –Megan Reynolds, Senior Home Guides Editor

Ceiling fans!

I'm one of those people who refuse to install and use an air conditioner during the summertime. On the one hand, I suffer. But on the other hand, I guess I’m conserving energy while building my tolerance for heat? I don’t know, I’m just trying to do my best. In 2023, what I’d really love to do is install ceiling fans in every room in my apartment. I love ceiling fans: They’re quiet, they produce a lovely breeze, and they seem like a much gentler option than an AC. I live in a rental so the idea of rewiring fixtures seems like a money-suck of a nightmare (I know my landlord would never pay for this endeavor)—but one thing I took away from my interview with DIY home queen Brigette Muller is that if you dream it, you can build it together with Task Rabbits. This is a project I would definitely hire pros for. –Jinnie Lee

A nook for the mind

Our second bedroom, now technically an office, is a haphazard amalgamation of boxes with books we still haven’t shelved, action figures, a desk, and two stacked Muji drawers that contain anything ranging from important paperwork to spare chargers. So far, we only painted it a matcha-like green, covering up the original drab mauve color. My goal, however, is to turn it into a space for the mind, conducive to productive work and what Cicero dubbed the pursuit of disciplines pertaining to our humanitas (aka erudition, cultivation).

The next step involves the purchase of a daybed, which will serve as a makeshift couch and a reclining-friendly workstation, and as a reading nook. I am also considering adding a coffee table to accommodate a teapot and a mug. A floor lamp will get rid of the blandand deeply inefficient overhead lighting. Scent-wise, candles redolent of rosemary, peppercorn, and peppermint will be part of my rotation to promote a state of peaceful alertness. I am aware this planning rests on the perhaps faulty idea that all the professional disappointments I endured this year will magically be fixed with a work-conducive physical space, but, speaking from experience I know that as long as I am able to concentrate, at least I won’t feel anxious or frustrated. -Angelica Frey

Drilling some holes

This DIY project is so simple it’s frankly embarrassing that I haven’t done it yet. A few months ago I got a new cabinet to house my records, intending to drill holes in the back panels on the far left and right sides to thread my speakers’ wires through. This is in order to give my apartment a seamless, thoughtful look, as if I am in my mid-30s. Instead, for months, the speakers have sat on the ground next to the cabinet with their wires messy and visible, as if I am in my early 20s. Why haven’t I drilled the holes? Why don’t I just do it right now? Umm … I’m, uh … busy. In 2023 I absolutely need to drill those damn holes. -Kelly Conaboy

Painting some lampshades

One of the best thrifting lessons I learned in 2021 was not to buy a lamp without a lampshade. It is impossible to thrift a suitable lampshade with the right size, color, and inner contraption. But—since I learned that it was possible to simply paint over lampshades—buying a lamp with an ugly or stained lampshade now feels like an option! And also, given the thrifting nature, it’s all relatively low stakes if I paint something hideous. -Maggie Lange

Painting some walls!

I have been living with three Backdrop paint swatches — Color of the Year, Pablo Honey, and Sicily Or Cyprus — on my bedroom wall for months now, so my Q1 goal is to actually paint. The golden yellow Pablo Honey is the winner. I plan to create a partial circle that stretches from the top corner of the wall to the floor so it looks like a big sun is peeking out behind my bed.-Jessica Dailey

Making a decision (about wallpaper)

I’ve always wanted to add wallpaper to a space and had planned on doing so in the hallway of my previous apartment, but I never got around to choosing one (I’m a Libra). But when I moved into my new spot earlier this year, I decided it must be done. My apartment has a sort-of walk-in closet (you can walk into it!) with high ceilings, and I can handle applying it myself, so it’s low-lift. Plus, I have an idea of what type of design I want (elaborate and floral with touches of gold). I’ve explored funky bougie options from Jungalow and Urban Outfitters, but it’s hard to narrow down, so I’ve kept putting it off, but my resolution for next year is to close my eyes and pick one. -Clover Hope

Dressing up the walls

New stains and smudges seem to appear on our too-cool matte white walls overnight, so much so that we blame it on a fictional character dubbed the Stinty Sock. (It’s a bit like a Christmas elf who only comes in at night, but to dirty up the walls.) I’m not sure if painting your apartment counts as DIY, but I’ve ordered swatch samples from Backdrop, actual paint from Lick (for the entryway only) and watched a dozen YouTube videos on how to make your own lime wash paint only to ponder just buying Portola Paints while lusting after Bauwerk Colour. Hopefully 2023 will be the year I paint my apartment with something lime wash-like and with color, and maybe even throw a little wallpapering into the mix. I might just need to use some vacation time in order to make it happen, especially in these working from home days. -Suzanne LaGasa, Creative Director

Photo by Mike Belleme; also appears in Made in America 2020: The Most Innovative Products and Makers Across the Country

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