DIY home décor: Transforming your hobby into a profitable venture

In recent years, the DIY movement has spread like wildfire, allowing individuals to unleash their creativity while giving their homes a personal touch. From handmade wall art to custom furniture pieces, crafting has become an enjoyable pastime for many. But what if your love for DIY home décor could also bring in some extra income? In this blog post, we’ll explore how you can transform your hobby into a profitable venture and turn your creative passion into a thriving business.

1. Identify your niche

Before diving into the world of DIY home décor entrepreneurship, it’s crucial to identify your niche. What type of décor resonates most with you? Are you drawn to rustic farmhouse designs, modern minimalism or Bohemian chic? Perhaps you have a talent for upcycling charity shop finds or creating personalised gifts. Defining your speciality will help you stand out in an increasingly saturated market and attract your ideal customers.

Tip: Research trends and analyse competitor offerings to find gaps in the market or unique twists to existing products.

2. Develop your skills

While you’re already a DIY enthusiast, refining your skills can make a significant difference in quality and appeal. Take workshops, follow online courses or watch tutorials to learn advanced techniques. Investing time in honing your craft will not only improve your products but also boost your confidence as you embark on this new venture.

Tip: Practice on projects that excite you; showcasing your best work is key to attracting customers.

3. Create a business plan

Every successful venture starts with a solid business plan. Outline your goals, target audience and marketing strategies. Determine the costs involved in materials, tools and potential overhead expenses. Additionally, consider how you’ll price your products – make sure to account for both material costs and labour to ensure profitability.

Tip: Include short-term and long-term goals in your business plan. This will help you stay focused and motivated as you grow.

4. Build an online presence

In today’s digital age, having an online presence is essential. Create social media accounts on platforms like Instagram, Pinterest or TikTok, where visual content thrives. Share your creative process through behind-the-scenes footage, tutorials or showcasing finished products.

Tip: Consider starting a blog or YouTube channel to share DIY tips, tutorials and home décor inspiration. This will help position you as an expert in your niche and attract future customers.

5. Set up an online shop

There are numerous platforms available to sell your creations, such as Etsy, Folksy, Amazon Handmade or your own website. Choose a platform that best suits your products and audience. Ensure your shop stands out with professional photos, engaging product descriptions and clear pricing.

Tip: Offer a mix of products at different price points to cater to a broader audience. Consider seasonal items or limited-edition pieces to create urgency among buyers.

6. Sell at local markets

While online selling is a great way to reach customers, don’t underestimate the power of in-person interactions. Look for local craft fairs, farmers’ markets and pop-up shops to showcase your work. These venues offer an opportunity to engage with customers directly, get real-time feedback and build a loyal local following.

Tip: Have an eye-catching, well-designed stall that reflects your brand aesthetic. Provide business cards and flyers with information on where to purchase your products online.

7. Embrace feedback and adapt

As you embark on your entrepreneurial journey, be open to feedback from customers and peers. Constructive criticism can be invaluable in improving your products and service. Monitor sales trends and adjust your offerings based on what resonates most with your audience.

Tip: Consider running polls or surveys via social media to gauge interest in potential new products or designs.

8. Scale and expand

Once you’ve established a steady stream of sales and built a customer base, consider ways to scale your business. This could mean expanding your product line, offering workshops or classes or collaborating with other local creatives. Explore wholesale opportunities or retail partnerships to reach an even larger audience.

Tip: Cross-promote with other DIYers or home décor businesses to combine audiences and boost visibility.

Conclusion

Transforming your DIY home décor hobby into a profitable venture is not only achievable but also incredibly rewarding. With passion, dedication and strategic planning, you can create a thriving business that lets you share your creativity with the world. So gather your tools, set your sights on your goals and start crafting your entrepreneurial journey today! Your dream of turning passion into profit is just a project away.

Price Points: Alternative Black Friday

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Prosecco & Rubies (@proseccoandrubies)

This week, for Price Points, we want to do something a bit different. Today is Black Friday – one of those US imports that can sometimes end up feeling like an ode to over-consumption and big business.

There’s a growing backlash against the day by micro-businesses and independent designers/makers/retailers. We’re drawing attention to the various alternative Black Friday campaigns. In addition to supporting small business, these traders often give a percentage of their sales today to in-need charities.

You’ll find a range of independent sellers and wares from the UK and around the globe on the likes of:

Crafter’s Market, Etsy, Folksy, HANDMADE in Britain, madebyhandonline, Not on the High Street, Pedddle, Redbubble, Small Market, Society6, Spoonflower, Trouva and Urban Makers.

If you’d like to do your bit for small, independent traders, have a scan of these alternative Black Friday hashtags: #GreenFriday, #IndieFriday and #ColourFriday. on Instagram and Twitter. You could really make the day of a little “one (wo)man band” battling to make a living.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by thriftify (@thriftify)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by JUST A CARD – Campaign (@justacard)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Holly Tucker MBE (@hollytucker)

Things to put in place when setting up your new small business

Setting up your own business

When starting up your own company, the work needed can be hard, but the end result is usually worth the struggle. Here at H is for Home we know what it’s like to be an independent business and we love to be able to bring individuality into homes, which is something we love to do when it comes to our vintage décor. Learning about your products and what you really want to achieve is a great place to start when setting up your new small business. Therefore, we decided to create some tips to help you if you’re planning on setting up your own small business.

A website

If you’re looking to start up a small business, a website can help to attract potential customers. A website is important as it offers a place for your products to be purchased, a way for potential customers to get in touch with you and so much more. Having a website also offers a sense of security for those who are looking to buy from you.

Packaging

Perfecting the art of packaging is key to making a good first impression as a new small business. By using packaging which can be recycled, like what Lil Packaging offers, allows the consumer to dispose of their packaging with ease. They offer a number of different types of packaging in different sizes, all of which are plastic free.

A marketing plan

Working out how you’re going to market your business is key, deciding how your marketing budget is going to be used to maximise the results before spending it. If you make a plan of what you’d like to achieve in terms of sales targets, follower numbers, unique users, clicks etc, it’s beneficial to set goals to work towards.

If you need help with creating a marketing plan there are plenty of people out there willing to offer advice on where to get started. Check out digitalspotlight to know more about digital marketing.

Social media

Social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter are free services that should always be utilised as a small business; not only does it allow you to promote your business and products online, but it also allows you to interact with potential customers and help them to get to know you and your business better. You can share customer reviews, respond to any queries and issues as well as distribute any news or updates.

Some other helpful tips:

Getting business cards can be useful for events and for sharing your contact information. Although these are not essential, they make a good, and lasting, first impression.
Prioritise your budget where it needs to be most, whether you can only put a small amount into marketing and more into product production, you know how and where your money needs to be split.
It’s OK to ask for help if you feel like you’re struggling, there are plenty of others who have been in the same boat as you and would be happy to lend a hand; that could be professionals in your sector or even free advice from places such as the Citizens Advice Bureau.

[disclosure*]

H is for Home Harbinger

Tag: indie business