Lauren Riihimaki

Lauren Riihimaki, widely recognized by her digital persona LaurDIY, is a prominent Canadian content creator, designer, and lifestyle influencer. Born on August 11, 1993, in St. Catharines, Ontario, she rose to fame on YouTube by sharing accessible do-it-yourself crafting tutorials, home decor ideas, and personal lifestyle vlogs. Over more than a decade in digital media, she has expanded her brand into licensing deals, merchandise lines, and podcasting, establishing herself as a leading voice in the online DIY community.

Early Life and Content Creation

Riihimaki grew up in Ontario and displayed a passion for arts and crafts from an early age. While attending Ryerson University, now known as Toronto Metropolitan University, for graphic communications management, she launched her blog, Desire and Inspire, in 2011 to share craft projects. She soon transitioned to video tutorials on YouTube under the handle LaurDIY, using step-by-step videos to demonstrate fashion hacks, room makeovers, and holiday crafts. Her engaging teaching style and relatable approach quickly attracted a large audience, turning her casual creative hobby into a full-time digital media career.

Television and Entrepreneurship

As her online popularity expanded, Riihimaki moved into mainstream entertainment and brand building. In 2020, she became the host and executive producer of the HBO Max crafting competition series Craftopia, which highlighted young crafters and ran for two seasons. Alongside her television work, she has created branded product lines, including sleepwear collections, craft supplies, and pet accessories, through partnerships with major retail brands. She has received multiple digital creator accolades, including a Streamy Award in the Lifestyle category and a Shorty Award in House & Home.

Podcasting and Personal Life

In addition to video production, Riihimaki co-hosts the comedy and relationship podcast Wild 'Til 9. Now based in Los Angeles, California, she maintains an active social media presence across platforms, particularly on Instagram under the handle @laurdiy, where she shares home renovation updates, fashion inspiration, and glimpses into her everyday life. In April 2024, she married entrepreneur and podcast co-host Jeremy Lewis in a California ceremony.