Over the years, I’ve tried a lot of different tools and supplies while tackling DIY projects, furniture makeovers, and home improvements. Some products are one-time purchases that end up collecting dust, while others become workshop staples that I reach for again and again.

Whether you’re just starting your DIY journey or you’ve been tackling projects for years, having the right tools and supplies can make a huge difference. The right sanding tools, finishes, paints, and accessories can help projects go more smoothly, save time, and give you better results.

I put together a list of my favorite DIY workshop essentials, including the tools and products I use most often for furniture flips, home projects, and creative builds. These are items I personally recommend because they have earned a permanent spot in my workspace.

From must-have DIY tools to finishing supplies and products that make furniture makeovers easier, these are the things I find myself reaching for over and over again.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

First up, I’ll keep it simple. Sanding sponges are used so frequently, especially when I paint furniture.

I don’t think I’d survive without my RYOBI shop vac! This thing is powerful and I use it constantly.

You know I’m a sucker for spray painting anything and everything gold! I’ve tried every metallic gold spray paint on the market and this Rust-Oleum gold spray paint is my favorite.

I’ve used Minwax Polycrylic for years, and I love the Satin finish as a topcoat for both painted and stained furniture.

Kreg came out with a line of power tools this last year and I was so happy that they included a 4 1/2″ circular saw. It comes in handy for so many projects.

I use pocket hole joinery for almost all of my builds, and the Kreg Jig 520PRO is one of my favorite pocket hole jigs because it’s super lightweight, portable, and user-friendly.

Kilz stain-blocking primer is a must-have for priming furniture before I paint.

I don’t know what I’d do without my RYOBI cordless compound sliding miter saw. It’s by far one of my very favorite tools I’ve ever owned.

Building a well-stocked DIY workshop doesn’t happen overnight, and you don’t need every tool or supply at once to start creating. Over time, you’ll figure out which products work best for the types of projects you love to tackle.

These DIY workshop essentials have become some of my most-used supplies because they help make projects easier, more efficient, and more enjoyable. Whether you’re painting furniture, building something new, updating your home, or simply trying a DIY project for the first time, having reliable tools can make all the difference.

I hope this list helps you find a few new favorites for your own workshop! If you have a DIY tool or product you swear by, I’d love to hear about it. Leave a comment and let me know what you always keep stocked for your projects.

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The post My Favorite DIY Workshop Essentials: Tools & Supplies I Use All the Time appeared first on Erin Spain.

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you know I usually share DIY projects, home decorating ideas, furniture makeovers, and creative inspiration. Today’s post is a little different, but I wanted to spread the word about something I’m really excited to be offering.

Over the past 14+ years, I’ve built this blog while creating content across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, and other social media platforms. Along the way, I’ve had the opportunity to work with brands, grow my own audience, and develop a passion for storytelling through photography and short-form video.

Recently, I’ve also been creating more Atlanta-focused content, highlighting local businesses, restaurants, events, and hidden gems throughout the metro area. That experience has inspired me to officially open up more availability to work directly with local businesses as a content creator.

Whether you need eye-catching photography, engaging Instagram Reels, TikTok videos, YouTube Shorts, or UGC-style content, I’d love to help showcase what makes your business unique.

Content Creation Services

I currently offer:

• Short-form video (Instagram Reels, TikTok & YouTube Shorts)
• Photography
• UGC (User-Generated Content)
• Creative direction and content planning
• Social media content for restaurants, retail, home services, attractions, events, and more

My goal is to create authentic, engaging content that helps businesses connect with their audience and stand out online.

Still Creating DIY & Home Content

Don’t worry, my DIY and home projects aren’t going anywhere! Creating content around home improvement, furniture makeovers, decorating, and creative projects is still my first love, and you’ll continue to see plenty of that here on the blog and across my social channels.

In addition to working with Atlanta businesses, I’m always interested in partnering with home improvement, DIY, home decor, tool, and lifestyle brands on sponsored content, UGC campaigns, product photography, and long-term collaborations. If you’re a brand looking for authentic content that inspires and educates, I’d love to connect.

Let’s Work Together

If you’re an Atlanta business looking for fresh social media content, or a brand interested in collaborating on a campaign, I’d love to hear from you.

Feel free to reach out through my contact page or send me an email at ErinSpainAtlanta@gmail.com to discuss your project. I can’t wait to create something amazing together!

Thanks, as always, for supporting my work and following along on this creative journey. I’m excited for this next chapter and can’t wait to share more projects, partnerships, and behind-the-scenes content with you! And if you know someone who might find this helpful, I’d love it if you’d pass this info along.

The post Exciting News: I’m Now Offering Content Creation Services for Atlanta Businesses appeared first on Erin Spain.

Fun fact: I’ve been using RYOBI tools ever since I started building DIY projects more than 14 years ago. They actually believed in me before I fully believed in myself, sending me a few tools when I first launched this blog and I was just learning how to use power tools. Since then, I’ve used RYOBI tools for countless furniture builds, home improvement projects, room makeovers, and woodworking projects. Over the years, I’ve found a handful of tools that I reach for again and again, so today I’m sharing my favorite must-have RYOBI tools that I think every DIYer should own.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Whether you’re just getting started with DIY or you’re looking to add the best RYOBI tools to your workshop, these are the ones I personally use the most and recommend without hesitation.

I don’t think I’d survive without my RYOBI cordless sliding compound miter saw. I probably use this more than any of my other tools, and definitely more than any other saw.

Another absolute staple in my workshop is this cordless shop vac. It’s a great size, and the fact that it’s battery-powered makes it so convenient.

I definitely couldn’t live without my drill. I have a couple of their drill and driver kits actually.

Speaking of drivers, I love my impact drivers, including this compact impact driver.

I also love my brad nailer and crown stapler and have used both of them for many DIY projects.

As much as I hate sanding, my random orbit sander is a staple that I wouldn’t be able to do without, and I use it for almost every single woodworking project.

This might seem like a random addition since I don’t use it for woodworking, but I absolutely love this tire inflater! It makes it so easy to make sure your tires have the perfect amount of air pressure. It’s cordless and tells you your tire pressure and allows you to fill them to the exact PSI needed.

These tools have made so many DIY projects possible over the years, and I’m sure I will get a lot more use out of them in the future. I also love that they all run on the same 18 volt rechargeable batteries. If you’re just starting out and building a tool collection, you can’t go wrong with a RYOBI Combo Kit. It has basically everything you need to start building. What are your must-have tools? I’m always on the lookout for new ones to try!

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The post My Favorite Must-Have RYOBI Tools appeared first on Erin Spain.

I’m digging into the archives for this one! Here are 8 DIY projects that I’ve done over the years that are perfect for kids’ spaces. This was a fun walk down memory lane!

This DIY Rolling Lego Tray slides under the bed and helps prevent stepping on LEGO bits (iykyk). It’s one of the less fun parts of parenthood, but it’s highly likely to happen to all of us at some point.

Speaking of LEGO, this DIY LEGO table was an IKEA hack I did years ago! I transformed an IKEA baby changing table into this LEGO table for a fun challenge, and it was featured in Parents Magazine.

Next up is this cute little Mini Plywood Desk I built for my youngest son several years ago. It can grow with him by adding longer hairpin legs as he gets older. The panels on the front attach with magnets and conceal hidden storage compartments.

This Wood and Plexiglass Sign was a fun one! I used a Circuit Joy machine to cut out the vinyl decals. You could customize it with any saying or quote you choose.

This Rolling Toy Bin could be built to whatever dimensions you need. I had fun adding a little diagonal painted detail on the front.

I built this Book and Toy Rack to serve as multi-purpose storage for my boys’ shared bedroom. You could add any style legs and paint it any color you like.

This Kids’ Art Table was a fun thrift flip. I found an old dining table at a thrift store and cut the legs down to make it kid-height, then created a dipped leg effect with gold spray paint.

This Mini Daybed will forever be one of my favorite projects. I custom built this for the reading nook in our old playroom, and I upcycled our old crib mattress for it.

Thanks so much for checking out these projects! If we haven’t connected on Instagram, I’d love it if you’d find me over there @ErinSpainBlog.

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The post 8 DIY Projects For Kids’ Spaces appeared first on Erin Spain.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly version of a marble coffee table that looks surprisingly convincing, then this is the DIY project for you. I made this DIY faux marble coffee table using adhesive vinyl contact paper, and I love how it turned out.

Disclosure: (Affiliate links included. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)

Materials Needed:

• Vinyl Contact Paper
• Project Panel (or any 1″ thick lumber or plywood you choose)
• Hairpin Legs (I spray painted mine gold – this is my favorite gold spray paint)
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Utility Knife

Step 1: Attach Legs to Wood

I spray painted mine first, but then just attached my hairpin legs (found them on Amazon and spray painted them gold) to the project panel I was using for the tabletop.

Step 2: Cut Vinyl to Size

I laid the vinyl across the table and cut it to size, leaving a bit of excess.

Step 3: Attach the Vinyl

Starting at one end, and leaving a bit of excess at the end and on each side, lay the vinyl down and slowly start pulling the backing away as you adhere it to the table, smoothing it with a ruler as you go along. You’ll want to start in the center and push the air bubbles to the edges with the ruler.

Continue until the top of the table is covered, and then smooth the sides down, cutting away excess as you go. Use a ruler to press the edges and make them look sharper.

For the ends, you’ll want to use a technique similar to wrapping a present. Fold the sides in and then the top over, cutting away any bulkiness with a utility knife as you go.

I used this same technique on this welded coffee table I made many years ago, so I wanted to try it again and I still love it. Especially for those of us who have marble taste on a plywood budget!

If you’re not already following me on Instagram, I’d love to connect there!

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The post DIY Faux Marble Coffee Table appeared first on Erin Spain.

I’ve been experimenting with some new tools lately, and I’m excited to share this cute little DIY cocktail table I built!

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Kreg. All opinions are my own.

For this project, I used my Kreg Trim Router and my Trim Router Edge Guide to create perfect circles for the top and bottom of the table.

The edge guide makes it effortless to cut circles from 3 1/2″ to 15″ in diameter, and they make a circle guide too if you want larger circles than the edge guide allows.

I added a flat marble tray that I found on Amazon for the tabletop, which I attached using construction adhesive. I love the look of wood and marble together.

For an added design detail, I used peel and stick metal trim around each end of the table base. The adhesive wasn’t strong enough so I added construction adhesive and then reinforced it with my crown stapler at the seam. It’s visible if you look close, but I just use that as the back of the table and you can’t see it from the front.

This was such a fun project and I can’t wait to play around with the edge guide even more!

Head over to the Kreg website for the full build plans and tutorial!

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The post DIY Cocktail Table appeared first on Erin Spain.

I love beginner woodworking projects, and this one is totally doable in a weekend. I made this DIY wood and marble plant stand, and I love that it can double as a side table too.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Kreg. All opinions are my own.

I used my new Kreg power tools for this project, which I am loving! They’re lightweight and easy to use but great quality too.

For this plant stand I used my 4 1/2″ circular saw, drill, Kreg Jig 520 PRO, and my random orbit sander.

I added 12″ marble tiles (found on Amazon) because I love the contrast with the wood, plus it makes for easy cleanup with plants and water drips, etc. I used a Provincial stain but you could customize the finish however you choose.

Head over to the Kreg website for the full tutorial and build plans!

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The post DIY Wood + Marble Plant Stand appeared first on Erin Spain.

It’s been a while since I’ve built some new furniture so I was overdue! I’m sharing this DIY entryway table I built for my home.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Kreg. All opinions are my own.

I used my new Kreg power tools for this project, and I’ve really been loving them so far.

First, I used my 4 1/2 inch circular saw to cut my wood.

I used my Kreg Jig 520PRO and my new Kreg drill to drill pocket holes. This jig is still my favorite because of how portable and user-friendly it is.

I used my random orbit sander to sand everything smooth.

I added prefabricated legs that I got from Amazon. I painted the table Behr Marquee in Mountain Olive to match my record player table.

Head over to the Kreg website for the build plans and full tutorial!

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The post DIY Entryway Table appeared first on Erin Spain.

I’ve been having fun in my workshop lately playing with some new tools, and I decided to make some Halloween decor. I teamed up with Kreg to share this DIY wooden black cat!

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Kreg. All opinions are my own.

As for the template, I created this one in Photoshop using AI, but I didn’t trace the tail all the way to the bottom because I realized it would be too flimsy and could break off easily, so keep that in mind.

I used my new Kreg Jig Saw for this project, as well as their random orbit sander, compact drill, and Kreg Jig 520PRO.

I had a lot of fun embellishing it after I painted it too. This is the part where you can add a personal touch and hot glue whatever fun things you want! I also added flat gold bead for eyes.

You can head over to the Kreg website for the full build plans and tutorial! There’s also a video reel on Instagram and TikTok.

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The post DIY Wooden Black Cat Halloween Decor appeared first on Erin Spain.

It’s been a while, but I’m back! Here are 6 small-scale DIY projects you can do in a weekend. Whether you’re just getting into woodworking or looking for some simple project ideas that can be completed quickly, I’ve got you covered! Click each photo for more info on each project.

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The post 6 Small-Scale DIY Projects You Can Do in a Weekend appeared first on Erin Spain.