In Part 1 of my DIY budget built-in mudroom series, I’m walking you through the “before anything gets cut” stage—because this is where you can save the most money. I share exactly how I plan a custom-looking project without a custom price tag: I start with a simple sketch, get super clear on what the space needs to do for my family, and then I work backwards into a realistic budget. I also show you my mindset going into bigger DIYs—Pinterest-worthy is great, but functionality always wins in my house. I’m pulling from what we already own first (because reusing items is one of my favorite ways to keep a project affordable), and I’m making a plan for what actually needs to be purchased versus what can be DIY’d or repurposed. If you’ve been wanting a more organized entryway, a small-space mudroom setup, or built-ins on a budget, this video is all about setting yourself up for success before the first tool even comes out.