Stuck indoors, looking for something productive to fill your time? Want to get creative and learn something new? Well have I got the post for you! Here's 30 of my craft projects and DIY tutorials, all designed to be anxiety-relieving projects perfect for beginners. And of course, all achievable on a tight budget. I hope there's something here for everyone, and you'll feel inspired to get crafty and escape into a creative happy place during these scary times - I've written lots before about how DIY and crafting has helped me tackle anxiety and mental health, and I truly believe in the power of a creative outlet.
I've split all the projects up into different sizes too, so you can easily choose a project that suits you best. Best of all, I've tried to choose projects for which you'll either have the materials lying about at home, or you should be able to order safely online.
Small scale projects
Got some plain plant pots that are currently just holding paintbrushes in a cupboard somewhere because they're super boring to look at? Why not grab a marker pen and jazz them up a bit - it takes five minutes, and will bring new life to something old. Want to do something with the pretty bits you've foraged on your daily walk? Why not add some woollen tassels to a twig to create a eye-catching wall hanging. And finally, brighten up your bath time with a slogan bath mat - made simply from an old mat, some fabric paint and leftover wool.
Got some plain plant pots that are currently just holding paintbrushes in a cupboard somewhere because they're super boring to look at? Why not grab a marker pen and jazz them up a bit - it takes five minutes, and will bring new life to something old. Want to do something with the pretty bits you've foraged on your daily walk? Why not add some woollen tassels to a twig to create a eye-catching wall hanging. And finally, brighten up your bath time with a slogan bath mat - made simply from an old mat, some fabric paint and leftover wool.
Top row: (left-right) 1. Face plant pot - how to transform pots with just a sharpie / 2. How to DIY rustic-style shelves from pine planks, when you can't easily get hold of scaffold planks / 3. Create pretty storage solutions with a easy to make pom pom garland / 4. Got a bit of rope hanging about? Why not craft it into some new placemats?
Middle row: 5. Paint a slogan onto an old bathmat / 6. Got some rope leftover from craft no.4? Turn it into a storage basket / 7. Create your own wall hanging from just a twig and wool / 8. How to make some pretty bunting for your home - no sewing needed!
Bottom row: 9. Transform the £1.50 IKEA Regolit tight shade into an expensive-looking hot air balloon decoration for your child's nursery / 10. Got a large tile sample laying around? Add some handles to create your own marble tray / 11. How to make your own boho-style cushions from cheap IKEA covers / 12. Use spray paint to DIY your own doormat with any pattern or slogan of your choice
Medium scale projects
Once you've tackled the quicker crafts, why not move onto something else? Why not transform your kids boring table and chairs into a stylish work-from-home station, complete with chalkboard top? I've used my daughters set from IKEA, but any wooden table and chairs will do.Lockdown is giving lots of people the chance to crack on with their DIY to-do list, so is now finally the time to get in and sort out that spare room? If you've got some leftover paint, a half-painted wall is the perfect way to transform a boring room in just an afternoon. What about all those tile samples you've got laying around in the shed leftover from that time you dreamt of replacing the kitchen floor? (Just me?!) Stick them together with some strong glue to make a brand new plant pot.
Finally, the ultimate craft for anyone wanting a throwback to their childhood days - a dollhouse renovation! Again, this is a hack of the cheap IKEA Flisat dollhouse, but the decorations I've created for inside are from leftover crafty bits and bobs (and even some household junk!), and makes the perfect project to dip in and out of.
Top row: 1. How to sew a curtain to hide appliances in your kitchen or laundry room / 2. Make your own lion cushion in this simple step-by-step DIY / 3. Love the sunburst mirror trend but can't stretch to expensive prices? Make your own with a candle plate and wooden dowells
Middle row: 4. Perfect for displaying in your window right now - DIY this rainbow wall hanging from wool and rope / 5. Create something new for each season, that will last for years to come. How to make this felt wreath is here / 6. Perfect for working from home - turn a table and chairs into a chalkboard drawing station for the kids
Bottom row: 7. Hack a £25 IKEA dollhouse into your dream mini home / 8. Make a plant stand from wood and paint / 9. Still got tile samples to use up? Create a plant pot from them
Larger scale projects
So you've done up the kids toys, decluttered the cupboards, and crafted yourself a few new bits. Now's definately the time to move onto the big projects! You obviously can't book a tradesman like a floor fitter during this time, however that doesn't mean your floors can't get a facelift! I fitted a new vinyl in our bathroom last summer - and I promise its not as tricky as it looks! Want to try something to get your garden in shape in tie for the summer? How about creating your very own outdoor bar from wooden crates? And finally, sick of looking at boring kids toys? Why not give them a makeover fit for your beautiful home? My IKEA Play Kitchen makeover post includes links to all the bits I used to create my dream kitchen, if only in miniature.
Top row: (left-right) 1. Finally get round to framing those photos you've been meaning to print with this DIY Gallery wall for £25 post - I've even included exact measurements and a printable template for you to recreate this look / 2. How to lay a vinyl floor in a bathroom - I promise this will completely transform any room / 3. Want to take on something a bit bigger? Why not add wall panelling to a room using pine planks
Middle row: 4. My DIY outdoor bar was made in an afternoon from just wooden crates and MDF / 5. Hack your kids' IKEA hack play kitchen into something a little more stylish / 6. Sick of looking at your tired old wardrobes or cupboards? Give melamine a makeover with this tutorial - seriously, you won't regret it
Bottom row: 7. New to upcycling? Here's how to transform your first piece of furniture. But be warned, you'll be hooked / 8. Want to add a touch of class to your bedroom? Try my upholstered headboard DIY / 9. Jump on the half-painted wall trend and revamp any room - how to get cracking is here
10. And finally: because is there anything you need more when stuck at home? Create your own glamourous looking bar cart from this £18 IKEA trolley
What projects are you working on at the moment? Have you used this lockdown time to get crafty?
Thanks for reading,
Sam Xx
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