Aspiring renovators, rejoice: we have five easy home DIY projects to keep you busy and inspired during the pandemic. These projects are quick, cost-effective, and require little expense. Whether you prefer woodworking or fidgeting with fabric, these five ideas are sure to get your creative juices flowing.
First, why not spruce up the mantlepiece with a bit of paint and by adding a few tasteful decorations? Orlando-based Interior Designer and YouTuber Kristina Blaire recommends taping off sections of your fireplace’s ledge to create an ombre effect. She further suggests beginning with lighter shades of paint and then gradually layering darker shades. Such a decorative touch is sure to enliven your living space with an effortless chic.
Next, consider customizing your own planter box. It doesn’t have to be complicated either; just mix your favorite shapes, colors, and textures to give your plant collection a unique boost. Go nuts with paint swatches for the color, and reuse old doorknobs and drop pulls as delightful details. You can even enlist your family members for help; seek out their input to make a planter box design that’s truly special.
Thirdly, a little bedazzling is in order for your doorknobs. We’re talking adhesive gems, vinyl stickers, and whatever else your imagination dreams up. Personalize the doorknobs in each room to let your personal touches shine, and let each flourish add some sparkle to your day-to-day. Wedding planner and influencer Kelly Ammitschwaig advocates for using different colored gems to give each room a distinct personality.
What’s more? There’s nothing like a homemade mural to take your walls to the next level. Painted murals can serve as a way of marking meaningful moments, while also bringing a sense of depth and vibrancy to your living space. Get Stick. creates a product specifically designed to help assist in the mural-painting process. It’s easy to use and allows for accuracy and creativity.
Finally, have you ever thought about giving your furniture a facelift? Sanding and upholstering are worthwhile tasks that can make all the difference to your couch’s well-being. If you’d rather buy an entirely new set of furniture, repurposing old-style items is always a go-to. Vintage items exude a certain chic that never grows old.
Moreover, give your bed a much-needed upgrade by hanging fabric string lights from your headboard. This is not only an aesthetic perk but helpful too—the fabric will diffuse the light, thereby disguising its source. You can even match your light strands to the colors of your room.
Go ahead and get creative with a new coat of paint to match the season. Break up the monotony and inject pops of color all around your house to brighten up your day-to-day. Try marbling surfaces with rugs and table-cloths for funky texture, or instead, rotate out existing artwork with fresh pieces.
Do family photos make you feel all warm inside? Upcycle your favorite shots into custom canvas prints, personalized photo coasters, or even DIY scrapbooks! If exhibitions are more your style, why not create a collection of digital themed frames and add a few props to fill out the sequence?
If you’re a fan of glassware, there’s no better time than now to get crafty with glitter and decoupage. Find a GLUZLYy decoupage kit from Michael’s to get you started, or instead try dipping your glasses in food coloring and rubbing alcohol. Finally, this project can be fun for kids too, so let them pick their favorite designs to customize.
Looking for a more compact project? Transform ordinary mason jars into stunning and functional storage units. Use paint markers to trace designs, or if you want to go all out, momentary ink tattoos make for great colorful applications. The possibilities are endless.
It doesn’t stop there either. Use embroidery floss to customize t-shirts or even reimagine a stained glass window with tissue paper! If you’re feeling extra artistic, use a glass etching professional kit from Cricut to create a cohesive design along your window. As you can see, there’s no limit to DIY home fun!
Are you single-handedly saving the environment with recylced materials? Focus on repurposing everyday materials into something extraordinary. Why buy something expensive when you can make something economical? For instance, use old jeans to create a quilted throw pillow or if DIY driftwood ornaments are your thing, find the materials in your local woodlands.
Add a little variety to your dinner table with fun napkin rings. Wrap half of each ring in fabric for that vintage aesthetic, then complete your unique design by painting stripes or stenciling in a simple pattern. If you’re more inclined towards macrame, there’s plenty of room for that too!
Are you looking to take your DIY skills to the golden age? Why not try metal embossing? Use a brass embossing kit from Lavorama to customize jewellery, greeting cards, and even leather keychains. This time-honored craft is both detailed and rewarding, and is sure to impress all of your friends.
Revamp those dated furniture pieces with a burst of color. You don’t need to hire a professional to bring a fresh, modern look to your living space. You can apply wallpaper to walls, chairs, or tables. Either go with pre-pasted wallpaper, or mix up some glue and water for a more permanent application. Want to add texture to the mix? Try adding some lace or burlap on top for that texture-infused, shabby chic flair.
And why not upcycle those old sliding glass doors with a few yards of black satin cord? Simply attach your cord to each corner of the door, and tie a few knots along the way. In no time at all, you’ll have an Instagram-worthy accent piece that’ll look great in any modern or minimalist style home.
Finally, give the gift of art with your very own pottery. Finding clay can be as simple as a trip to your local community college, and you can begin the process with nothing more than a paintbrush and a bit of imagination. Start by tracing a design, build your own pottery wheel, or leave your handprint as a kind of personalized stamp. The thought and effort behind a lovingly handmade ceramic piece is sure to make anyone smile.
Looking for more ideas? Utilize old wooden or metal rods to create a fashionable clothing rack; have fun with paint samples by drawing shapes on your windows with wide-tip markers; attach twinkle lights to baskets and hang them up around your room; recycle those kitchen gadgets into a one-of-a-kind terrarium; and definitely don’t forget to repaint the door frames or make a pouf chair!
No matter what kind of creative juices you have flowing, these easy home DIY projects are sure to capture your attention, while adding a little spice to your home. So, go have fun, and remember, the creative process takes experimentation and a bit of patience. With a few unique designs, you too can make your home feel like an artwork.