DIY-Shy? You’re Not Alone: Why Social Media is Our New Home Improvement Teacher
As more of us admit we’ve never been taught how to tackle basic DIY, a new generation is learning from TikTok tutorials and Instagram hacks, one project at a time.
If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a half-built bookshelf or wondering how on earth to hang a mirror straight, you’re in good company. A new study has revealed that many of us are quietly struggling with DIY and turning to social media for help. According to new research from 3M, more than a third of people in the UK (36%) say they’ve never been shown how to do basic home improvement tasks. A fifth (20%) even admit they’re too embarrassed to ask for help. Instead, they’re learning from short-form videos and creators online, where a little encouragement and a lot of hacks make even the trickiest jobs feel possible.
For younger homeowners and renters, TikTok and Instagram have become the new go-to guides for fixing, painting and styling their spaces. Over half of 25 to 34-year-olds (56%) say social media is their first stop for DIY inspiration. It seems the days of calling a parent or neighbour for advice are slowly being replaced by a new kind of digital mentorship.
The research also shows that while many people feel comfortable with smaller tasks like unblocking sinks (69%) or painting furniture (62%), others still feel hesitant when it comes to more complex projects. Almost half (46%) admit they wouldn’t know where to start with hanging a TV or speakers, and two in five (40%) say they struggle to fix cracks in walls. Even painting a room leaves a quarter (25%) feeling unsure. Bigger projects like laying laminate or vinyl flooring (59%) or putting up stud walls (62%) are even more daunting.
It’s not just confidence that’s missing, it’s experience. A fifth of respondents (19%) don’t own a toolbox, and just as many say they wouldn’t know where to buy the right materials in the first place. Yet despite the uncertainty, there’s a clear appetite to learn. Two in five people (43%) say they’d do more DIY if they simply knew they’d get it right the first time.
What’s encouraging is how social media has opened up the world of home improvement to those who might never have tried it before. From weekend paint transformations to budget-friendly makeovers, the online DIY community has made creativity, resourcefulness and trial and error feel not only normal, but fun.
Whether it’s hanging art, upcycling furniture or finally tackling that leaky tap, it seems we’re all rediscovering the joy of doing it ourselves, one tutorial at a time.