Power Tools Rater: Best of 2017: 12 Must-Read DIY Project Tutorials & Free Printables

2017 has gone by in a flash, but the calendar confirms that it’s nearly time to turn the page on this year and enter into 2018… wow! Speaking of which, if you need a new calendar for 2018, we highly recommend our new printable version — make a desktop or wall calendar since it’s available in 3 sizes! But back to the matter at hand… 2017 in review.

12 Best Must-Read DIY Projects & Free Printables

We had some really amazing posts and projects here on Remodelaholic, and a big THANK YOU to all of you for subscribing and following along. We’ve spent a lot of time working our video skills and we have some great projects lined up for 2018, so pretty please subscribe over on our YouTube channel and tell us what kinds of videos you find most useful and what you’d like to see more of.

And now, without further ado… the best projects of 2017. Each of these posts is so dear to us, and completely worth the few minutes to click over and read to add some new skills and ideas to your DIY repertoire. What projects do you have lined up for 2018?

#12: Make Bypass Closet Doors Look Like Sliding Barn Doors

We absolutely adore barn doors (this DIY barn door roundup is one of the most popular EVER on the site) but not every situation or home has a great spot for one. So this closet door hack from reader Laura is a brilliant way to get the look of a rolling barn door in a small space, in addition to brilliantly converting an awkward area into a functional closet.

Related Reading: Where to Buy Inexpensive Barn Door Hardware

#11: Turn Pallet Wood Scraps into Rustic Hearts for Easy and FREE Valentine’s Day Decor

Our amazing contributor Sarah from The Created Home shared these easy rustic wood hearts (including the free templates) and we can’t get enough of them. Whitewashed, dry-brushed with red paint or left au-naturale, they’re the perfect grown-up decor for Valentine’s Day and year-round.

#10: Update Furniture with No Sanding, No Priming, and No Sealer Required

This china cabinet has had quite the life already, being relocated from one end of our dining room to the other in our kitchen and dining renovation, and this year it got another new look — a fresh coat of a bold paint color! I love the new look, and I’m so thrilled about the fact that I didn’t have to sand or prime that big beautiful hutch.

#9: Create Your Own Modern Sunrise Mirror for a Bathroom or Entryway

Here’s your proof that often a DIY oops turns out even better than what you had originally planned! Contributor Shara from Woodshop Diaries intended to create a round frame for this mirror, but this sunrise mirror came about the long-way round and it’s completely stunning! Get the tutorial here.

Related Reading: Budget-Friendly Affordable Large Round Mirrors

#8: Add Modern Farmhouse Style with DIY Craftsman Door Casing and Corbels

Contributor Corey from Sawdust 2 Stitches has gorgeous modern farmhouse style and killer DIY skills — and those combined to make this gorgeous look for her home! No more builder-grade when you can DIY custom door casing on a budget.

Related Reading: Easy Craftsman Window Trim

#7: Organize Your Garage and Tools with this Easy PVC Pipe Trick

Heather and Dave from The Heathered Nest came up with this easy PVC hack to quickly, easily, and (most important of all) affordably organize all the tools in their garage. This custom tool storage area will make your garage cleaner, so you can find the right tool faster and get more done!

Related Reading: 16 Best Tools for Organizing Your Garage

#6: Get Affordable Custom Art for Your Walls with this FREE Birch Tree Printable Set

Yes, that’s right — FREE! Just head here to download and print this custom tree carving print set. It’s perfect for your own home, or for a gift for Christmas, birthdays, housewarmings, weddings… really, we think anyone would love it for any occasion! And pair it with a $3 DIY frame for the ultimate cheap but personal gift idea.

#5: Make a Memory with Free Customizable First Day of School Signs, Subway Art Style

The first day of school is such a big milestone, and it’s always such a busy start to a busy time of year — this free custom subway art style first day of school sign is an easy way to create a quick and easy memory in just one photo. Download this and 3 other styles here, and click here to be notified when the matching last day of school signs are published here on the site, and when we have a new printable.

#4: Become the next American Ninja Warrior with a DIY Training Course… Upcycled from a Play Set!

Have some fun, do some DIYing, AND get fit in 2018 with these DIY Ninja Warrior training course ideas from Lindsey of Girl Meets Carpenter. The kids can play too, so it’s fun for the whole family!

#3: Have a Great First Day of School with Another Easy Free Printable Photo Sign

For the 3rd year in a row, we worked with Michelle from Elegance and Enchantment to bring you an update on these adorable and easy printable first day of school signs. And never fear — we’ll have an update for 2018 as well! Download the last day of school signs here to be ready for summer and click here to be notified when the 2018 first day of school signs are available and when we have a new printable on the site.

#2: Gather Pine Cones and Turn Them Into an Amazing Winter Wreath!

Our contributor Ananda from A Piece of Rainbow shared this beautiful pine cone wreath and it very quickly shot to be one of our most popular posts for the year! It’s so easy to make, and the addition of greenery and fairy lights give it a nice modern update for decorating all winter long. Be sure to see Ananda’s quick trick for making a fast and easy fresh evergreen swag here, too.

and now… drumroll please…. the most popular post of 2017…

#1: Save Money with these Tips and Tricks for DIY Plywood Flooring

We had seen plywood floors all over but since we’d never tried it, we turned to our favorite DIYers: fellow bloggers and our readers over on Facebook! They shared their favorite tips and tricks, and this post has been so popular and so helpful to so many DIYers, so thank you to everyone who contributed! If you’ve made your own plywood floors, we’d love to see pictures and hear about your experience. Leave us a comment over on the post, or drop us a line here where you can send a photo as well.