If the winter weather has you cooped up inside for another weekend, why not make it enjoyable! Because whether you’re a natural at crafting, or not (yet), we’ve got a few ideas up our sleeves for some fun, easy winter DIY home projects you can get stuck into.
It’s up to you to decide if you want to involve the whole family, or go it alone. But you also might like to know that there’s plenty of benefits that come from getting your ‘craft on’. Many brain research studies have shown that from improved mental health, to increased cognition and mindfulness, indulging in creativity can help reduce stress by reducing cortisol levels. So in other words, it’s a win-win!
Fabric and wool crafts
Winter calls for snuggly blankets, and what if you could make your own? A DIY arm knit blanket is made with chunky wool and can easily be achieved by lunchtime.
These quilted coasters are super cute too! And you can make them to suit your own interior decor/colours you like. You could also use the same fabric to make some matching tableware – like a runner or place mats.
For the kids, why not brighten up their rooms with a personalised felt banner – you could incorporate their name and their favourite colours too! Easy.
For all your local supply needs, Creatively Sewn is a wonderful patchwork/fabric shop in town.
And if you’d like some moral support, friendly advice or just to meet a bunch of like-minded folk, check out the Crochet Club at the Mount Gambier Library who meet Monday’s and Fridays. Or you could head along to a more personalised class at Inside Story.
Upcycling furniture for a vintage look
Everyone loves a good upcycling project, and it’s a cost-effective way to incorporate a new piece of furniture in your home. The Mount Gambier ReUse Market is the best place to find furniture or other items ready for a new lease on life (and you’re likely to find some great inspiration there too).
Not sure where to start? Here’s some really cool ideas, and what’s often key is to think outside the square a little, especially when it comes to thinking about how an item could be used. It doesn’t always have to be the same thing it originated as.
And Youtube is ideal for any step-by-step instructions for your restoration project, from sanding back a table to reupholstering chairs.
Restyle your home interior
If you’re looking to really change things up, why not do a complete refresh of your home’s interior (focusing on one space at a time of course)? Winter is the perfect time to embark on this kind of project, giving you one step ahead on your spring cleaning.
An amazing resource for this is the Create Academy, which offers lessons from leading designers and creatives across a whole raft of topics, including interior design, floristry and decorative arts and crafts. They’re sure to help you absolutely love the home you live in, by guiding you with some simple, easy changes to make over a few weekends.
Create your own artwork
Put paint to paper and create some bespoke art for your home. It’s such a cost-effective way to add colour to a bare wall, and it’s not as hard as you may think, especially with the power of the internet to help guide you. Check out Pinterest for all sorts of fun, unique and interesting ways to create your own artwork.
But if you’d like more of an expert eye to guide you, the Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre offers monthly life-drawing classes or there is a Mindful Creations event coming to Mount Gambier this August.
DIY Storage
We could all use more storage and organisation in our homes, right? From cluttered benchtops, to shoes piled up in the entryway and bathroom cabinets full of, well, everything. So check out these 60 DIY creative storage ideas that will help you ensure everything has a perfect place to call home. There’s definitely a few the kids can get in on too, which will hopefully encourage them to help out with keeping everything more organised.
And here’s one for the diary
Put Craft Alive in your calendar. It’s on from the 4th to the 6th of November, 2022, at the Mount Gambier Showgrounds. You’re sure to come away with plenty of inspiration for your next home project.
Thinking of selling?
If you’re looking to put your home on the market soon, and would like some advice from the best real estate agency in Mount Gambier, please give us a call!
