I’m new to DIY and want to start improving my home without hiring professionals for every little thing. I know many people on this forum have started as beginners, so I’d love to hear about DIY projects that are simple, safe, and achievable with basic tools. What were the first few tasks you tackled when you started learning?

I’m thinking of things like painting rooms, installing shelves, changing light fixtures, fixing minor wall damage, or small décor upgrades. But I’m also interested in more practical repairs—like replacing taps, sealing windows, or updating door handles—if they’re beginner-friendly.

I’ve seen some basic guides and checklists on https://www.justaskgenie.co.uk/ which were helpful, but real experiences always make things easier to understand. What tools did you invest in first? Which mistakes should beginners absolutely avoid? And which projects give the most satisfying “before and after” results with minimal effort?

Any recommendations, tips, or simple tutorials would be great for someone just getting started.