By Irah Marie Tan
More time spent at home plus online groups and social media have driven the popularity of do-it-yourself (DIY) home improvement projects.
When asked to stay in, Filipinos, apparently, like to make sure they like the place they’re staying in.
Filipino decorator Elle Uy, known for budget decorating tips she shares on her YouTube channel, has inspired many Filipinos to decorate their spaces without breaking the bank.
Ariane Lucencio, a member of an Elle Uy-inspired group, told Manila Standard that most of the items they used for their DIY projects at home came from scrap or recycled materials.
Lucencio usually goes to a wood shop to buy scrap wood at P45 a kilo, which her husband will then repair and turn into usable furniture.
Using the wood scraps and with the help of designs shared by Uy online, the DIYer couple already has a dining table, a rack, and a few macrame décor.
“These are great avenues for home decorators like me or even those who just want a tidy, clean living space. It makes you realize that a house doesn’t have to be that big to look nice. And that you can do something beautiful without spending a fortune,” shared Lucencio.
Pinterest and online communities like Home Buddies and Tipid Living on Facebook have become a treasure trove of home improvement ideas for DIYers both young and old, like students Patricia Kahanap and Samantha Santos.
Senior high school student Santos turns to Pinterest for room makeover ideas.
Her designs focus on structure, trendy, and cool using furnishings that are elegant, cute, and imaginative.
For college student Kahanap, renovating and redecorating her room is a coping mechanism – organizing and moving things around whenever she feels it is messy.
Before she makes a purchase, she goes to TikTok and YouTube to watch room décor haul videos. She then scours Facebook Marketplace for affordable finds as, according to her, the platform carries many options at cheaper prices.
