6 Expert Tips to Deal With 'FOMU' (Fear Of Messing Up) During a DIY Project
The pros tell you how NOT to need them.
It's easy to get swept up in the excitement of a new DIY home project and rush the process. Then before you know it, you’re facing unexpected (and costly) issues—whether it’s realizing you bought the wrong fancy tool, spending a month on a step that was supposed to take a week, or discovering you only have enough wallpaper to cover half your room.
In a 2024 Better Homes and Gardens DIY trend report, 70% of respondents said they’d hired a professional rather than initiating their own projects “due to ‘FOMU’—the fear of messing up.” You might be more willing to take the leap if you remember that making mistakes is a natural part of the DIY process. Even the most seasoned DIYers have mishaps, so don’t be too hard on yourself if things don’t go as planned.
The best way to deal with them, says Kim Vargo of Yellow Brick Home, is “taking deep breaths" and treating blunders as "lessons for the next project.” Still, preparing well can help you avoid some of the most common errors—so keep reading for expert tips on how to anticipate and avoid them.
Curate Your (Budget-Friendly) Vision
Before buying anything, take time to think about your dream end-product. If you’re a visual thinker, try sketching out your ideas or creating a Pinterest board to help clarify your vision. Next, think practically about the steps you’ll need to take to realize it—how close can you get to your original idea without stretching your budget too thin? When you’re realistic about your budget from the start and amend your project to keep within its limits, you’ll be in less trouble if costs exceed expectations.
HGTV host and professional builder Jasmine Roth relies on a good old-fashioned list to track her expenses and remain within budget. At the start of each project, she makes a list of everything she’ll need, then adds a number to each line item to give her a grand total of what she thinks the DIY will cost. Finally, she adds 30-50% more as a contingency because she almost always runs into unexpected expenses. “While this strategy isn’t sexy, it’s real,” says Roth.
Do Your Research
Research can take many forms. Start by figuring out which tools and materials you’ll need (and of course, how much they’ll cost!). Vargo recommends tapping into the knowledge that is already out there—exploring blogs, social media creators’ accounts, and YouTube videos to see who else might have embarked on something similar. Vargo cites her husband and work partner Scott’s frequent refrain: “‘It’s probably already been done before, so why reinvent the wheel?’” Roth recommends researching supply costs online before going to the hardware store and getting completely overwhelmed.
And professional home renovator Janelle Payne suggests building a storehouse of knowledge for DIY efforts by taking copious notes whenever you hire a professional to do work in your home. As Payne puts it, “Become their best friend! Watch as they do the job; ask questions. You may be brushed aside, but you would be surprised at the things you can learn from a seasoned professional!”
Double– and Triple–Check Measurements
Designer and DIY-er Fariha Nasir and Vargo agree that one of the most common DIY mistakes is incorrectly measuring your space and/or the materials you're using. Case in point—Vargo says she recently “drilled through a custom cabinet front—on accident, of course—on the most prominent cabinet in our kitchen” because she hadn’t measured the length of her screws. Nasir also recommends jotting down measurements in one easy-to-remember place so you're not scrambling to find a random piece of paper.
Tips
Use a brightly colored notebook for measurements that is easy to spot in a chaotic construction zone.
Set a Reasonable Time Frame
Speed and successful DIY-ing do not usually go hand in hand. Good work takes time, and it’s not uncommon for unforeseen mistakes to set you back even further—so try not to underestimate how much time a project will take. Roth says one of her biggest mistakes is biting off more than she can chew. “I always find myself taking on a painting project only to forget how much work it is to move everything into the center of the room, cover it all with plastic, prep the walls and trim, then buy all the supplies, fix the areas that I've messed up, let the coats properly dry...I mean it's always a lot harder than it looks on social media,” she says.
Failing to meet self-imposed deadlines is apt to leave you feeling overwhelmed and insecure about your abilities, which is a sure-fire way to stop a DIY project in its tracks. So give yourself grace and remain realistic about your project's time frame.
Practice 'Til It's Perfect
It’s an old saying, but it rings true. Lifestyle expert Veena Crownholm recommends practicing your technique before you do it for real to build up your confidence and eliminate kinks. Even if it’s your fiftieth time painting a room, Crownholm suggests practicing your stroke on a piece of spare wood before you get anywhere near the walls. The difference between a good job and a great one often comes down to a little preparation.
Related: Paint It Yourself: Our Complete Guide to Home Painting Projects
Get Thrifty
No matter how carefully you prep, mistakes can and will happen, so cut whatever costs you can up front to give you a cushion later. Interior Designer Anita Yokota loves to repurpose materials she already has. In one instance, she combined old paint colors to make an ombre accent wall for her daughter’s bedroom. Payne also swears by reusing materials. This fall, she’s building her son a closet, and plans to use his existing dresser for drawers. She also keeps scrap wood for future projects. “It drives my husband crazy, but I always end up being able to use the pieces for something,” Payne says.
Another way to trim costs is to shop secondhand—both Payne and Crownholm recommend scouring Facebook Marketplace for materials. “So many people have overages from past projects that you can find fantastic supplies at such a good price,” Crownholm says. Bonus tip: If you end up with extra stuff, sell it on Facebook marketplace yourself. And to save even more, enlist the help of those near and dear to you. "Asking for help isn’t a bad thing, says Roth, and you can even make it fun." Bring on the painting party!
Related: Home Decor You Should Thrift Instead of Buy New, According to Experts
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