7 Home DIY TikTokers Whose Projects Will Inspire You
Getting your dorm room assignment is so exciting because it means move-in day is fast approaching. There’s so much to plan for — like your Barbiecore color scheme or the coffee station you always dreamed of — but when you unlock the door to your new space and swing it open to find, well, not a whole lot, it can be a bit anticlimactic. Most colleges typically provide the basics — a bed, desk, dresser, and closet — but everything else is up to you (and your roommate or roommates, if you have any). While this may seem daunting, I like to think of it as a blank canvas — a place for you to express your personality. And what better way to do so than with creative DIY projects?
DIYs don’t just have to be for the dorms, either. If you’re moving into a house or an apartment, or revamping your bedroom at home, DIYs are a fun, budget-friendly way to ensure your space reflects your personality. If you’re sharing your space with roommates, DIYS are also a great way to merge styles or come up with a vibe that suits you both.
But DIYs can seem daunting, too. How much time will you need to complete them? What supplies should you get? Do you need to be artsy or handy to pull them off? Luckily, we all have a plethora of inspiration and education available to us right at our fingertips — literally. TikTok has become an incredible resource for viewing DIY ideas and tips. From adorable decor to practical refurbishing, creators on this app span a wide range of DIY content that will help you create a space you love.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or if you consider yourself a DIY project expert — check out seven DIY TikTokers who should be instant follows for any college student looking to do it themselves.
@meiralaryssa
Laryssa Meira (@meiralaryssa) is a recent Iowa State University grad and content creator across multiple platforms. On TikTok, she specializes in neutral home decor and DIYs. Her DIYs in particular are often low-cost, as she uses supplies from stores like the Dollar Tree and Goodwill. Even at this accessible price point, her creations end up looking super chic and more expensive than they really are.
@the_avantgarde
Julia Sousa (@the_avantgarde) is a Brazilian native who was raised in the Boston area. She’s a stylist, content creator, and blogger, and after building up an online following, she created her own interior styling firm, Avant Garde. On TikTok, Sousa showcases DIYs all over her home. With tons of renter-friendly DIY how-tos, this is a great account to find projects that won’t leave you with fines from your school’s housing office at the end of the year. Her style ranges from rustic contemporary to eclectic, giving anyone new to the design scene a place to start when it comes to finding their personal style.
@earth.to.mike
Michael Mazza (@earth.to.mike) is a twentysomething creator who specializes in low-cost DIYs that make a room look elevated. If you like a mix of high-low styles in your space, give him a follow to check out videos that range from a moody bathroom revamp recap to a how-to video on DIY Lego art.
@emilyrayna
Emily Shaw (@emilyrayna) is an Endicott College graduate with a BFA in interior design. The 25-year-old is now an interior designer and architect (and 2023 Apartment Therapy Design Changemaker!) who showcases her design tips and inspo on TikTok. She first went viral back in May 2020 when she started renovating her parents’ home on an extremely tight budget. Since then, Shaw has continued to share renter-friendly DIYs, design ideas, and so much more. Many of her projects include thrifted supplies, which is a great way to keep your DIYs financially conscious.
@vintageshowpony
Jonny Carmack (@vintageshowpony) has a page full of all the colorful, throwback vibes! The Danbury, Connecticut-based interior designer is known in the design world for his retro, Barbie-inspired home, and he shares his secrets to creating a fun space on his social channels. Come for the pink explosion; stay for his thrift flips and DIY decor inspo.
@imaniathome
Howard University alum Imani Keal (@imaniathome) somehow manages to be relatable and aspirational at the same time. Her stunning, elevated decor content is major goals, while her behind-the-scenes videos showcase the attainable and affordable DIY tricks she used to make her space look so good. As a renter herself, Keal is a great resource for projects that won’t leave you without your dorm room security deposit at the end of the school year.
@idoitmyself.be
Céline (@idoitmyself.be) is a 33-year-old Belgian creator whose videos are completely in French. But even with the language barrier, followers on this side of the pond can learn how she makes easy DIY creations by upcycling thrifted goods that completely transform a space. Many of the ideas she shares are super dorm-friendly; they help a space feel lively without spending a lot or making permanent changes.