11 Easy At-Home DIY Projects to Try in Your Free Time
Here are some ideas to help you get busy!
Free time is an incredible resource, but deciding how to use it can be downright frustrating. If you've had your fill of rest and relaxation and want to use your downtime to be productive around the house, we've got some ideas for you. Read on for 11 at-home DIY projects that don't involve calling a contractor or decorator.
1. Declutter & Organize Your Living Areas
Free time at home can provide you with the perfect opportunity to slow down, take a breath, and take stock of what you really need in your home. Chances are, you're holding onto a lot of extra clutter that can be easily cleared once you set your mind to it. Working room by room so you don't get overwhelmed, clean out and organize your existing storage units, discarding all the stuff you no longer need. Before you toss everything out, do some research to learn what can be donated – though you might not need them, someone else could benefit from owning your unused books, toys, games, clothes, and more. Once you've sorted out what you'd like to toss, be sure to place all the items you are keeping back neatly so you can keep track of everything you're saving. If you don't have enough storage space or if your current storage units aren't the most efficient, consider refreshing them with new storage bins, shelving units, or wall hooks.
Free time at home is also the perfect opportunity to declutter your pantry, kitchen cabinets, and even your fridge. Take a deep dive into your food storage areas and toss everything that may have expired. If you don't have them yet, consider equipping your kitchen with utensil and spice organizers to keep everything neat and tidy. Utilize storage baskets, jars, and other containers to minimize the amount of space your food takes up in your pantry or fridge. If you're interested in improving your home's sustainability, think about replacing many of your disposable food containers with reusable ones and opt to buy certain foods package-free whenever possible. Read our guide Declutter Your Life: How to Organize Your Kitchen Cabinets for more help.
With the help of peel-and-stick backsplash tile, installing a new tile backsplash in your kitchen has never been easier. It's the perfect at-home DIY project for a rainy day and will totally transform the look of your kitchen. Whether you choose trendy white subway tile or stunning patterned tile, your kitchen will have never looked better.
Whether you're a seasoned artisan or a total crafting newbie, there's no better time than the present to pick up some tools and get crafting. Arts and crafts projects are some of the easiest, most creative, and most fun DIY projects you and your whole family can enjoy together. Many arts and crafts projects involve repurposing old clothes, fabrics, and other materials that you probably already have on hand. If you want to get serious about an art project or skill, consider setting up a crafting station equipped with all the tools and materials you'll need. Consider making collages out of old magazines or using panels of fabric and staples to reupholster chair cushions. Give old clothes new life by embroidering patterns or designs on them with embroidery floss, or try your hand at making friendship bracelets and fun jewelry.
It doesn't take a professional to hang miscellaneous wall art and decor in a fashionable, appealing way. Gallery walls, complete with mirrors, wall clocks, floating shelves, wall art, photographs, and more, are the perfect places to represent you and your family's unique style and personality. Anything and everything, from homemade finger paintings to expensive canvas art, has a home on an eclectic gallery wall. If you need a little inspiration to get started, check out our guide, Gallery Wall Ideas to Boost Your Decor.
Macrame art, created by strategically knotting fibers or ropes together, is the next trendiest thing in bohemian decor. Not only that, but it's totally DIY-able. Once you learn the fundamentals of making macrame art, you'll be able to use those techniques to create gorgeously unique wall hangings to fill empty space on your walls. Plus, macrame techniques can also be used to make hanging planters and other unique home accessories.
One of the simplest ways to refresh a space in your home is to replace the drawer or cabinet hardware. This at-home DIY project takes little to no time but will make a huge impact on the overall look of your space. For more information on how to replace your home's cabinet and drawer hardware, read our How to Install Cabinet Hardware guide.
Wallpaper doesn't have to look old-fashioned! In fact, installing accent wallpaper can take a room from basic to ultra-stylish. Think about turning one of your walls into a vibrant accent wall with eye-catching patterned wallpaper or transform a bookcase from tired to trendy by wallpapering the back panel. Learn how to wallpaper with the help of our Wallpapering 101: How to Wallpaper guide.
If you've been yearning to switch up the look of any room in your home, now is the time. There are so many things you can do to revitalize the areas of your home that are in need of facelifts. Replace old, worn furniture with new pieces that will set your space apart. Repaint the walls, replace your old rug, or install intriguing new light fixtures. Swap out the wall decor and refresh the coffee table ornaments. Even the smallest furniture and decor changes can have your space looking and feeling brand-new, no renovation required.
Plants can liven up any space, whether you're outdoors or indoors. Consider setting up a potting station in a shed, on your porch, in your garage, or in your backyard to give your green thumb a test run. Planted cozily in planters of all shapes and sizes, a fresh array of plants can give your outdoor or indoor space some much-needed life. Potting plants is a great activity for the whole family and can even have an arts and crafts component – terracotta pots are perfect for painting!
Replacing old bathroom fixtures such as towel bars, faucets, showerheads, and faucet handles with shiny, new versions is an at-home project for which you won't need to call a contractor. Revamping all of your bathroom's old fixtures and hardware can give it an entirely new, fresh look. Our guides How to Replace a Bathroom Faucet, How to Choose Shower Fixtures, and How to Change a Showerhead can give you some advice. If you don't want to start a complicated project, think about replacing just your old towel bars and toilet paper holders with a new matching hardware set.
