Homeowner couldn’t afford hardwood floors—so they got creative with Sharpie

A homeowner who wanted hardwood floors but wasn’t in a financial position to install them took matters into their own hands and the results have left Reddit users stunned.

The DIY project was shared on Reddit by user Open_Consequence_923, who posted before, during and after images showing a dramatic transformation of their upstairs hallway floor.

What began as light brown flooring was turned into a darker, textured surface designed to resemble wooden planks.

The post’s title summed it up simply: “I couldn’t afford hardwood floors… so I faked them with a Sharpie.”

Turning Plywood Into ‘Planks’

In the post, the homeowner explained exactly how the look was achieved, revealing that the floor was plywood.

“I turned the sheets of plywood in our upstairs hall into ‘planks’ of wood with a sharpie and a ruler,” the user wrote. “Sanded down some of the paint splatters from previous owner and used the sharpie to make wood knots and grain on parts that I couldn’t hide with stain. Loving the outcome!”

The February 15 post shows the floor evolving step by step, from its original state to the finished design, complete with faux grain lines and knots carefully drawn in by hand.

Other posts shared by the same user offer a glimpse into their wider home aesthetic, which leans heavily toward maximalism. Bright pinks, yellows and purples appear throughout the space, alongside patterned wallpaper and even disco-inspired stairs.

DIY on the Rise As Budgets Tighten

The viral post comes at a time when more Americans are opting for do-it-yourself projects as a way to stretch their budgets.

A July 2025 survey conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Lemi Shine of 2,000 Americans found that 80 percent say DIY and household repairs help them feel more in control as finances become unpredictable.

With prices rising, more than half of respondents said they now choose repair over replacement, mainly to save money (61 percent) or because they can’t afford to replace items (33 percent).

The trend also aligns with shifting attitudes around home design and renovation.

A separate poll conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Realty ONE Group, surveying 2,000 American homeowners evenly split by generation, found that 83 percent agree it’s easy for a home to lose its original charm and feel outdated.

While many respondents said they still appreciate classic features such as original hardwood floors (56 percent) and ornate, old fashioned woodworking (37 percent), far fewer have nostalgia for elements like popcorn ceilings, root cellars and telephone nooks—each favored by just 8 percent.

Reddit Reacts

So far, the post has received around 1,800 upvotes, with commenters praising both the creativity and the final look.

“I think it’s beautiful,” one person wrote.

Another added: “Honestly, looks better than those gray planks people pay premium for. Nice work!”

Others celebrated the imperfect, handmade feel of the floor, with one commenter saying: “I love how they look so mismatched, like you found some random old boards and made a floor out of them. Quirky and fun and inventive.”

For many Reddit users, the project wasn’t just about saving money—it was proof that creativity can sometimes outshine costly renovations.

Newsweek reached out to u/Open_Consequence_923 for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.