Some months are remembered for major world events. May 2013, at least in the cheerful universe of DIY home improvement, deserves recognition for a different kind of history: the month when ordinary walls, forgotten furniture, empty corners, and slightly stubborn doors were all invited to become something better.
Remodelaholic in Review, May 2013 captured a lively stretch of home projects that still feels surprisingly relevant. The roundup was packed with ideas for board-and-batten walls, built-in bookshelves, painted doors, bedroom details, clever storage, and budget-friendly decorating. In other words, it was a full menu of projects for anyone who has ever looked around the house and thought, “This room needs help, but my wallet would prefer a gentle conversation.”
What makes this collection memorable is not just the finished rooms. It is the attitude behind them. The projects celebrated practical creativity: measuring carefully, building with available materials, reusing what you already own, and accepting that even the most beautiful room may temporarily look like a hardware store exploded in it.
A Snapshot of DIY Energy in May 2013
The May 2013 Remodelaholic review worked like a scrapbook for a busy month of home improvement. Instead of focusing on one massive renovation, it showed how multiple small and medium projects can gradually reshape a home. That approach is worth appreciating because not every homeowner has the time, budget, or emotional stamina to tear out a kitchen on Friday and host a dinner party on Sunday.
The projects ranged from decorative wall treatments to furniture transformations and room-specific upgrades. The result was a useful reminder that a home does not need a dramatic demolition montage to feel more personal. Sometimes a wall treatment, a better storage plan, or a refreshed piece of furniture can do more for a room than a shopping cart full of trendy decor.
Several themes ran through the month: architectural detail, custom storage, color experimentation, creative upcycling, and organization. Those ideas remain central to modern DIY home renovation because they improve both appearance and function. A beautiful room is wonderful, but a beautiful room that can also hide board games, backpacks, power cords, and the mysterious pile of mail is even better.
Board and Batten: The Wall Treatment That Refuses to Retire
One of the biggest stars of the May review was board and batten. This classic wall treatment uses horizontal trim and vertical battens to create structure, rhythm, and visual interest. It can make a plain hallway feel intentional, give a living room more character, or transform a bedroom wall from “builder beige holding pattern” into a finished design feature.
The key lesson from the original board-and-batten tutorials was spacing. Decorative wall trim is not very forgiving when the final gap is tiny, awkward, or clearly the result of someone measuring by optimism alone. Before cutting a single board, it helps to measure the full wall, account for the width of each batten, and calculate the spaces between them. Equal spacing gives the finished wall a calm, professional look.
Why Planning Matters Before the First Nail
A board-and-batten wall can be a manageable DIY project, but the planning stage matters more than the dramatic nail-gun stage. Consider outlets, light switches, baseboards, door trim, windows, and corners before installation. A design that looks symmetrical on a sketch can become complicated when it meets an outlet placed precisely where your favorite vertical batten wants to live.
For a modern update, use painter’s tape to mark the proposed battens directly on the wall. This low-cost preview helps you judge proportions before committing to wood, adhesive, caulk, and several hours of wondering whether the spacing is “artisanal” or simply incorrect.
Once the trim is installed, caulk and paint do a surprising amount of heavy lifting. Filling joints and nail holes makes individual pieces read as one finished architectural feature instead of a collection of boards that recently met each other. A soft neutral color can keep the treatment subtle, while a darker color can turn it into a bold accent wall.
Built-In Bookshelves: Storage With Main-Character Energy
The May 2013 review also highlighted built-in bookshelf plans, including options for standard walls and tricky corners. Built-ins are beloved because they solve two problems at once: they add storage and make a room feel more custom. They are the overachievers of home improvement.
A built-in bookshelf can frame a window, fill an unused wall, improve an awkward corner, or create a focal point around a fireplace. The original projects showed that a thoughtful design can make shelving look integrated rather than dropped into place at the last minute.
Measure the Room, Not Just the Shelf
Before building DIY built-in bookshelves, consider the room as a whole. Measure wall height, trim, windows, doors, electrical outlets, and furniture clearances. A bookshelf that looks perfect in isolation may block a door swing, crowd a seating area, or make a small room feel even smaller.
Depth is another important decision. Standard bookshelves are often around 12 inches deep, which works well for books, baskets, and decor. Deeper shelves may be useful for large albums, storage bins, or media equipment, but they can make a narrow room feel bulky. The goal is to create storage that earns its footprint.
Safety is equally important. Tall shelving and built-in units should be securely fastened to wall studs. A finished project is not truly complete until it is stable, especially in homes where children may climb, pets may launch themselves dramatically, or someone may attempt to store a cast-iron Dutch oven on the top shelf.
A Color-Washed Barn Door and the Art of Controlled Imperfection
Another standout from the May 2013 Remodelaholic review was a color-washed Dutch barn door. The project embraced one of the most appealing ideas in DIY design: wood does not always need to be covered completely. A color wash can soften or alter the tone of a wood surface while still allowing grain and texture to show through.
This technique works especially well when a stained door feels too dark, too orange, too gray, or simply not quite right. Instead of replacing the piece, a translucent painted finish can shift the mood. The final look can feel weathered, rustic, coastal, farmhouse-inspired, or softly modern depending on the color and application method.
How to Approach a Color-Wash Finish
Start with a clean, dry surface and test the color on a hidden area or scrap piece of wood. Thin layers are usually safer than one heavy coat because they allow more control. Apply the wash in the direction of the grain, then wipe or brush until the finish looks balanced.
The goal is not perfection. In fact, the charm of color washing often comes from variation. A little unevenness can make the finish feel layered and organic. Too much variation, however, can make it look like the door survived a paintball tournament. Test first, step back often, and allow the wood’s natural character to remain part of the design.
From Card Table to Console Table: Upcycling With a Sense of Humor
One of the most fun ideas in the May review was the transformation of a basic card table into a console table. This kind of project represents the heart of furniture upcycling. Instead of asking, “What should I buy?” it asks, “What is already here, and could it become less embarrassing?”
Upcycled furniture projects are especially useful for entryways, hallways, bedrooms, and small living rooms. A narrow console table can provide a place for keys, mail, lamps, baskets, framed photos, or the decorative bowl that is supposed to hold keys but somehow contains six receipts and a grocery-store pen.
The secret to a successful furniture makeover is proportion. A transformed piece should fit the room and serve a real purpose. Add storage where it helps, choose a finish that works with the surrounding decor, and avoid adding decorative details simply because a tutorial made them look easy at 1:30 in the morning.
Easy DIY Art and Bedroom Details That Feel Personal
The May 2013 projects also included simple bedroom art and pink-and-navy decorating details for a daughter’s room. These smaller projects matter because bedrooms often benefit more from personality than from expensive renovation work.
DIY wall art can be as simple as framed prints, painted canvases, typography, maps, fabric panels, or color-blocked designs. The best projects are not necessarily the most complicated. They are the ones that fit the room’s mood and make the occupant feel at home.
Pink and navy may sound like a bold pairing, but it works because it balances softness with depth. The larger lesson is that color should have a job. A deep hue can ground a room, while a lighter color can add warmth, energy, or playfulness. A well-chosen palette does not need to shout from every wall. It simply needs to feel intentional.
Organization, Built-Ins, and the Real Meaning of a Functional Home
Home organization was another major part of the May review, including ideas for kids’ closets, beautiful built-ins, and budget-friendly storage. These projects speak to a universal truth: clutter does not disappear because you bought one decorative basket. It merely relocates until it can surprise you later.
Good organization starts by identifying the items that are actually used. In an entryway, that might mean shoes, bags, keys, mail, and outerwear. In a child’s closet, it could mean clothing, books, toys, sports gear, and school supplies. Storage becomes more effective when it matches daily routines rather than a fantasy version of life where everyone folds blankets into perfect rectangles.
Small Improvements That Make a Big Difference
Simple upgrades can have a major impact: labeled bins, low hooks for children, baskets for loose items, adjustable shelves, drawer dividers, and wall-mounted storage. Built-ins can make a home look polished, but even a basic storage system can create breathing room in a busy household.
For a more cohesive look, repeat materials or colors from elsewhere in the room. Painted baskets, matching hardware, coordinated labels, or a single accent color can make practical storage feel like part of the decor rather than an emergency response to household chaos.
What May 2013 Still Teaches DIYers Today
The biggest takeaway from this Remodelaholic review is that meaningful home improvement does not require a giant budget or a television crew waiting outside with a dramatic reveal soundtrack. It requires observation, planning, creativity, and a willingness to improve one area at a time.
Board and batten adds architectural depth. Built-in bookshelves create useful storage. Color washing refreshes wood without hiding it. Upcycled furniture extends the life of ordinary pieces. DIY art adds personality. Organization makes rooms easier to live in. Together, these projects show how a home can evolve gradually without losing the people who live there in a cloud of drywall dust.
There is also a practical safety lesson in any DIY home renovation. Ventilate spaces when sanding, painting, or applying finishes. Keep dust contained. Use appropriate protective gear. Confirm that shelves, bookcases, and heavy furniture are anchored securely. Know when a project is within your skill level and when it is time to bring in a qualified professional. Confidence is useful; overconfidence is how someone ends up explaining a mysterious hole in the wall to their spouse.
Extended DIY Experience: Living With the May 2013 Remodelaholic Mindset
Revisiting the projects from Remodelaholic in Review, May 2013 feels a little like opening a time capsule from the golden age of Pinterest boards, chalk paint experiments, and people bravely declaring that they could absolutely build a custom piece of furniture after watching one tutorial. Yet the projects hold up because the underlying ideas are not tied to one trend cycle.
I have learned that the most satisfying home projects are rarely the ones that begin with a giant shopping list. They usually begin with a small annoyance. A blank wall feels unfinished. A hallway collects clutter. A cheap piece of furniture performs its job but looks as if it gave up emotionally in 2008. A corner sits unused because no one can decide what belongs there.
That is where the May 2013 spirit becomes practical. Instead of waiting for the perfect renovation budget, start by asking what one improvement would make everyday life easier. A board-and-batten wall can make an entry feel more welcoming. A shelf can clear a countertop. A painted door can create a focal point. A simple console table can become the landing zone for keys, bags, and the endless parade of objects that otherwise migrate across the kitchen.
The biggest lesson from DIY work is that preparation is not glamorous, but it is what separates a project from a weekend regret. Measuring twice is helpful. Measuring three times is sometimes necessary. Making a cardboard template may feel excessive until it prevents you from cutting an expensive board one inch too short. There is no trophy for “fastest person to discover the wall is not square.”
Painting and finishing projects have taught me another useful truth: patience often looks like doing nothing. Waiting for primer to dry, allowing caulk to cure, sanding between coats, and giving paint enough time to harden can feel painfully slow. But rushed finishes are the home-improvement equivalent of microwaving a frozen dinner for 45 seconds and being shocked that the center is still arctic.
Built-ins and shelving projects have also changed how I think about storage. The best storage is not hidden just because clutter is inconvenient. It is designed around how people actually use a room. Frequently used items should be accessible. Heavy items should be stored low. Children need storage they can reach. Decorative pieces should not occupy every available surface simply because they looked adorable in a staged photo.
The May 2013 Remodelaholic projects also remind DIYers to leave room for personality. A home should not look like every decision was made by an algorithm with access to beige paint samples. Add color where it feels joyful. Use art that means something. Keep a slightly quirky piece of furniture if it makes you smile. Let the room reflect real life, not just a trend forecast.
Most importantly, remember that a home is never truly finished. There will always be another shelf to build, another drawer to organize, another wall that needs paint, and another project that begins with the sentence, “This should be easy.” That is not a failure. That is the fun part.
Final Thoughts
Remodelaholic in Review, May 2013 remains a charming reminder that DIY home improvement is not only about dramatic before-and-after photos. It is about solving problems creatively, improving everyday spaces, and building a home that feels more useful, more personal, and more enjoyable over time.
Whether you are planning a board-and-batten accent wall, sketching built-in bookshelf plans, refreshing a wooden door with a color wash, or rescuing an old table from retirement, the best place to start is with one thoughtful project. Just keep your tape measure nearby, your expectations realistic, and your sense of humor fully charged.
