HomeMadeModern is a YouTube channel known for its contemporary, imaginative and minimalist do-it-yourself, DIY projects, which have helped it grab its own place in the spotlight of the design community. From basic house repairs to intricate constructions, it remains a reputable archive of ideas combining sheer expertise with utility and creativity, following the idea that has driven the content from the beginning – to make seemingly impossible projects that would often only exist in the mind of their inventor doable, and with affordable materials. The channel grew to a considerable size over the years, drawing in an impressed, committed audience that never fails to honor a brand-new upload with thousands of views. As of mid-2024, it commands the attention of more than 1.6 million subscribers, consistently dishing out ideas that for the most part were never before seen on the platform.
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What grabs everyone’s attention?
The majority of the channel’s content is tailored around contemporary DIY projects, forming an innovative, exciting image in the viewers’ minds, most of whom are completely unable to guess whatever will show up next. This is especially thrilling to those passionate about modern design, inventive materials, and sturdy construction, which is apparently a massive audience. The uploads mix practical counsel and creative concepts, as well as comprehensive project training, taking the viewers through each small step from the project’s start until its completion.
There’s also clear focus on making aesthetically pleasing practical items from moderately priced materials, which approaches every ambitious design adventure to most of the audience. His works shine with the ability to combine several components to end up with a consistent, sleek result that can’t be found elsewhere. Often employing concrete, wood, and metal, Ben has created custom furniture, accent home décor, and even creative lighting solutions, most of which easily stands out thanks to the simplicity of its idea and sheer elegance in its form.
Apart from detailed project walkthroughs, the channel comprises numerous tool reviews and recommendations throughout the footage, providing the viewers with a perceptive analysis of all the instruments and equipment employed in the content’s production. Ben’s frank and thorough evaluations help the audience members make good decisions about their own tool purchases, especially if they’re to emulate anything attempted on the channel.
That said, the landmark feature of HomeMadeModern is the sheer uniqueness of the ideas it presents, wherein Ben employs significant expertise in several fields to execute a truly one-of-a-kind project. Such ideas include but aren’t limited to: making tables out of rocks, dirt-formed concrete, real-life Minecraft cubes, glass furniture legs, rock benches, and LEGO beds. The channel thus offers something to watch for most YouTube users, as its sheer diversity covers an untold number of fandoms and tastes.
The most successful project
Ben’s most popular video has over seven million views, detailing how to create an outdoor sofa with only basic equipment and materials that are widely available. He first cuts 2×8 timber for the floor and back and 4×8 lumber into 32-inch (81-centimeter) sections for the sofa’s sides. He explains that a circular saw may also be used, but he works a compound miter saw for exact cuts. He cuts the pieces before resorting to an orbital sander to polish the surfaces, drilling big holes midway between the 4×8 pieces with sing lag screws to fasten them together, therefore guaranteeing durability against external conditions for the side panels.
The YouTuber then fasteners L-brackets to the side panels to secure the 2×8 pieces for the sofa’s rear and bottom, screwing the 2×8 pieces into position and lining the L-brackets with the seam of the 4×8 panels. He uses a speed square to gently tilt the rear rest such that the angle brackets are positioned exactly, which results in a comfortable seating position. He puts the sofa upright to see the finished look, although he also adds that building it upside down could be simpler.
He dyes the couch gray ahead of time to prevent deterioration of the wood, staining and letting it rest for 15 to 20 minutes, before employing a fresh rag to wipe off the extra. Once everything dries, Ben finishes the sofa with outside cushions from IKEA, testing it with his full weight at the end of the video, as is customary for most of his builds.
Who really is Ben Uyeda?
Benjamin Uyeda was brought up in a relatively low-income household, becoming fascinated with design and architecture very early on. His love of designing environments that are both useful and visually appealing started during his architectural studies at Cornell University, which ultimately provided him with a solid basis in design ideas and methods that now drive the magic behind his channel. He went on to further his education, graduating with a Master of Architecture degree in 2005.
In 2006 he co-founded ZeroEnergy Design – an award-winning architectural company focusing on environmentally friendly, energy-efficient buildings. Though the company was doing well, he wanted to make excellent design more easily available to a larger audience, which ultimately caused him to pursue new avenues combining his love of architecture with his need to impart knowledge to others. In 2008 he started up FreeGreen.com, which is a since-defunct website that used to distribute green home design solutions through virtual media. In 2009 it was recognized as the biggest supplier of house plans on the planet, according to several magazines and media companies. His efforts in this sphere were honored with an award by the US Green Building Council in 2010, for having created affordable, environmentally conscious designs for the rebuilding of the Broadmoor neighborhood in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
2013 saw Ben finally transition to YouTube and begin even more readily sharing his ideas with the world. HomeMadeModern has since amassed over 400 uploads, and the channel continues to dish out content at a rate of 25-45 videos per annum, as stated in the channel’s description. He also has a personal vlogging channel, which hosts videos depicting his private life and spreading his general philosophy on architecture. Finally, there’s also The Modern Home Project – an offshoot of the main channel with a laser focus on extremely affordable housing, which is in this case shipping container homes. It has a multitude of episodes on the topic of building such a house, with plans to eventually create an entire hotel out of these unconventional structures.
What is his net worth?
The most credible sources on the matter have estimated Ben Uyeda’s wealth at over $1 million, as of mid-2024, garnered through a multitude of sources, in great part thanks to his YouTube channel, which is said by Social Blade to rake in as much as $25,000 annually.
There’s also his business website, promoting all of the content he creates for YouTube, as well as designs made solely for the website’s visitors. He praises a multitude of tools and materials that are often employed in his work, with Amazon affiliate links attached. Last but not least, each of his episodes on YouTube has a distinct sponsor, and he often partners up with various brands to create unique designs, which is believed to comprise the majority of his earnings.
