For professional DIYer Ben Uyeda, every new project begins with a question that ultimately leads to an experiment: "I don’t try and work out things in my head—I test and learn as I make," says the founder of HomeMadeModern. The designer and entrepreneur has made waves on social media for his insanely innovative and unconventional DIYs; each design challenges the typical scope of most other homespun projects. He's made porch swings using old satellites, backsplashes out of LEGOs, guitars from trash, and beds out of plywood. And though these projects might sound difficult, they're actually refreshingly simple—and affordable.
Prior to cultivating an online presence, Uyeda studied architecture and sustainable design. His background ultimately led him to co-found the award-winning architecture firm ZeroEnergy Design, which he later left in favor of bringing his designs to the masses. "After years of designing for high-net-worth clients, I wanted to find a way to design for people who couldn’t afford to hire me," Uyeda says of his foray into serious DIYing. "By making things with my own two hands and sharing the process on YouTube, I can share ideas and hopefully empower people who don’t have the means to hire custom help."
Uyeda argues that anyone is capable of the kind of creativity he exudes each day. "I think about what stops people from trying to make things," he says. "We loved doing it as kids, so why did we stop drawing and building?" It's precisely this kind of childlike whimsy and fearlessness that has inspired some of his most unconventional DIY projects. And he encourages others to adopt a similar attitude in approaching their own creative experiments. "We all make mistakes at the beginning with anything that we do. We learn, we improve, and we get better and better each project," he advises.
See some of his most interesting and experimental projects below. (You never know, you might just get inspired.)
1. DIY Custom Backsplash
2. DIY Plywood Sofa
3. DIY Hot Tub
4. DIY Garden Writing Desk
5. DIY Bench Press
6. DIY Cloud Lamp
7. DIY Porch Swing
8. Recycled Trash Guitar
Have questions about your next renovation project? We’ve got answers.
Nathalie is the former Senior Editor of Content Strategy at House Beautiful where she covered everything from home decor to the latest news. She is a social media pro and is obsessed with all things travel.
