While the pandemic wasn’t a time one would have much to reminisce about, it did arguably have some silver linings, from mother nature getting a break from human activity to people discovering new hobbies and passions.
The latter often involved arts and crafts or DIY (do it yourself) projects of some sorts, which—let’s be honest—can’t all be equally great. A TikToker recently went viral for looking back at some DIY trends that flourished during the pandemic. An architecture and design enthusiast, Reeves Connelly, garnered millions of views with his commentary on certain wild DIY trends, some being better than others. Scroll down to find Reeves’s video below and see for yourself what trends might not have been worth the hype looking back at it now.
Starting a DIY project was one way to spend time while stuck between four walls
Image credits: Jo Szczepanska (not the actual photo)
All sorts of DIY trends spread like wildfire during the pandemic, Reeves discussed some wild ones in his video
“Remember that one trend where people lost their minds and put their beds inside their closets during lockdown?”
Image credits: reevcon
“And also, we can't forget the 2020 spray foam apocalypse, where people made this popcorn-looking furniture that was definitely corny but it did not pop off.”
Image credits: reevcon
Some trends that became popular during the pandemic weren’t all that bad
“And these DIY decor trends from the pandemic weren't all bad. Like for example, the trend where people stuck tiles to tables was so good.”
Image credits: reevcon
Some bad ones, though, were popular before covid hit
“But before COVID, the real pandemic was DIY crayon art. People just melt crayons with a hairdryer and ended up with this abstract representation of a pride parade on a rainy day.”
Image credits: reevcon
“These DIY cloud lamps made from polyfill were such a fire hazard. They were one short circuit away from becoming an indoor meteor shower.”
Image credits: reevcon
“That disco ball trend. I get that the clubs were closed and people wanted their fix, but it was like The Last of Us. Once people brought one of these mushrooms into their home everything would get infected with the disco.”
Image credits: reevcon
“I'm all for recycling, but these DIY vinyl record bowls just look like Tostitos Scoops to me. They really have no place in a home unless you're using it as a bowl for Tostitos.”
Image credits: reevcon
Using Clase Azul bottles was another trend Reeves approved of
“Using Clase Azul bottles as oil dispensers is a recent trend, but it's great because we love repurposing something that would otherwise collect dust in a bar cart.”
Image credits: reevcon
While the textured canvas trend seemed to be a hit or miss
“The textured canvas art is a hit or miss. It can either look like the surface of the moon, which is a vibe, or like cake icing that was spread by somebody that was blindfolded.”
Image credits: reevcon
Reeves’s video was watched nearly 9.5 million times on TikTok
Many people have tried their hand at a DIY project during the covid period
DIY projects are viewed positively by roughly half of society, according to YouGov’s data, which puts them right outside the top 10 of the most popular physical activities to take part in. (If you’re curious—traveling, walking, and cooking respectively comprise the top three.) And while it’s unlikely that everyone who views it positively has actually pulled through an entire project from start to finish, many people have, especially during the pandemic.
A survey carried out in the US during the pandemic found that more than half of respondents started a DIY project during the unsettling period. And as time went on, more and more people seemingly hopped on the DIY bandwagon; standing at 60% in the beginning of the pandemic, the share of individuals who had started a DIY project rose to 74% by May of 2020.
While the reasons to embark on a DIY journey differ from person to person, the recent boom of such projects is likely to have been boosted by not only the pandemic, but other factors as well, such as the state of the economy and the influence of social media.
“It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of the current DIY boom, perhaps it’s the inevitable impact of spending nearly two years at home, or perhaps current economic uncertainty means that we are attempting more interior tasks ourselves rather than paying the professionals,” a retail trends analyst, Michael Robinson, told Metro.
Robinson also pointed out that the internet is brimming with DIY tutorials and experts sharing their knowledge, both of which are great help for those eager to start a project. “We’re certainly seeing an increasing number of consumers making DIY-related online searches, whether they are hoping to buy DIY materials online or look for guides or tutorials, for most of us Google is the first place we turn to when we’re embarking on a new project,” he said.
Image credits: cetteup (not the actual photo)
DIY projects can help people lead a more eco-friendly lifestyle
Needless to say, when it comes to the types of DIY projects, the possibilities are endless; while some people focus on knitting, others tear their entire homes apart and re-do them with their own hands. While both of said options—in addition to millions of others—have fans, the majority of DIY enthusiasts seem to focus mostly on their dwellings. According to Ruby Home, the most popular DIY projects seem to be related to the interior of one’s home.
The DIY projects discussed by Reeves in his video were also focused on home interior, even though not all of them arguably made it look that much better. However, for many people, DIY projects have helped to upscale or refresh their homes, at the same time allowing them to minimize consumption and stop good items from ending up in a dumpster.
According to MarkWide Research, the DIY furniture market has been gaining momentum, mainly because it is an affordable and customizable option, which also brings a sense of accomplishment. In addition to that, the so-called flipped pieces, which entail repurposing materials and reducing waste, are a great alternative to mass-produced furniture.
While some trends are better than others both in terms of how beautiful or how eco-friendly they are, one great thing about them is that they encourage people to try and make something with their own hands. And while that might entail quite a few unsuccessful attempts, the feeling of eventually accomplishing a DIY project, as well as the skill and experience you gain, is likely worth it.
Image credits: Eugen Str (not the actual photo)
People in the comments added to the list of popular crazes during the pandemic
Netizens also discussed their personal views and experiences with DIY projects
