Explore 7 unique DIY projects to refresh your home this year, from reviving old appliances to creating a gallery wall with found objects.
The new year symbolizes renewal, so it’s the perfect time to update your home’s look. Improvements don’t have to be expensive, lengthy and disruptive. Consider these eight do-it-yourself projects to enhance your space in no time.
Give Old Appliances a Facelift
Are your aging machines looking dull? Cover them with contact paper to revitalize their appearance. Peel-and-stick paper is suitable for non-paintable surfaces and you can choose a color or pattern that matches your home’s aesthetic. It’s painlessly removable, so you can change it out anytime you want. Consider adding a pop of color to your refrigerator or dishwasher to brighten up your kitchen.
Create a Gallery Wall With Found Objects
Gallery walls have been a popular design idea for a while, so you may be getting bored of the usual arrangement of picture frames. However, you don’t have to take them all down and start fresh. Instead, remove just a few pieces and replace them with objects you may not usually hang on the wall.
Some examples could include:
- Uniquely shaped cutting boards
- Vintage plates or serving trays
- Dried flowers
- Brooches or pendants from broken jewelry
- Patterned fabric, which could be put in a frame or attached to a dowel to hang like a tapestry
- These ideas are easy to thrift or find in your home.
Add Vertical Storage
Maximizing your wall for storage can work wonders to keep your home organized. The best part is you can do so without building cabinets — construct DIY pegboards to create modular wall storage solutions.
This project involves cutting, sanding, and drilling holes in plywood and screwing braces into the wall, so you must have the tools and know your way around them to do the tasks safely. If you’re not up to it, explore other simpler avenues. Alternative ideas include turning a piece of wood into a hanging key holder, affixing hooks behind doors and attaching baskets to the bathroom wall to make DIY linen closets.
Make Your Doors Pop
Repainting your entry door is a cheap way to reinvigorate your curb appeal. All you need are cans of paint and primer, painter’s tape, paintbrushes, a foam roller with a handle, and a drop cloth. A scraper and sanding sheets are optional materials.
What paint color should you choose? It depends on your exterior’s overall appearance and how you want the visuals to harmonize to finalize your color scheme. If dark hues dominate the color palette, go with a lighter tint. If neutrals or bright hues set the tone, select a darker shade. If you have a vibrant landscape, factor your plants and flowers into your decision.
Modernize Your Exposed Brick
Brick has old-world charm, but it pays to revamp it if your home emphasizes contemporary aesthetics. Whitewashing can do the trick.
You need latex paint, water, a bucket, a paint stirrer, rags and brushes, painter’s tape, and a drop cloth. Prepare the area by lying the drop cloth down and taping off the areas surrounding the brick wall. Remove dirt with a damp cloth and start painting until it dries completely.
Create a mix of equal parts paint and water. Brush it along the grout lines in small sections. Dip the rag in the finish and dab it on the other wall surfaces to increase the brick’s opacity. Apply the finish lightly and add more layers until you’re satisfied with the look.
Reupholster Dated Furniture
Changing your chair’s seats is easier than it sounds. You only need upholstery-weight fabric and a thin dust cover to refresh its appearance.
If you have a staple gun, a screwdriver and scissors, you can swap out the old seat without breaking a sweat. The old fabric makes a solid template, so use it to cut the new one accordingly.
Be sure to choose the right textile for your project. For example, outdoor furniture would need more durable materials, like coir, while indoor pieces could use cotton or linen.
Make a Collapsible Drying Rack
Building a drying rack is practical for many reasons. It can help you finish more laundry when your mechanical dryer is at capacity. Air-drying your clothes is free and reduces your climate impact by 67% — a winning prospect if you’re an eco-warrior. Some garments are unsuitable for tumble dryers, so a foldable rack can be handy.
This project involves sawing wood, gluing pieces together, screwing hinges, and making knots with ropes and mounting the rack on the wall. It can be challenging but doable in a day.
Refresh Your Home This Year
If you want to give your home a new look this year, there are many DIY ideas you can try. From adding pops of color and unique wall decor to building storage solutions, find what works for your home and style.
Cora’s passion is to inspire others to live a happy, healthful, and mindful life through her words on Revivalist – wholeheartedly convincing them that everyday moments are worth celebrating. Cora has spent 5+ years writing for numerous lifestyle sites – hence her sincere love for both life and the beauty of style in all things. Keep up with Cora on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook.
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