Easy Home Upgrades for the Bank Holiday Weekend
Spend the long weekend refreshing your interior at minimal expense by simply tweaking, updating and enjoying the pieces you already own
Jo Simmons
26 April 2016
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several books on design and numerous features for glossy homes mags over the years. For Houzz, I cover decorating ideas and trends and interview designers and professionals for their insights. My favourite pieces to write, though, are Houzz Tours, as I love exploring and learning about real homes. Call me curious — or nosy!
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several... More
Giving your home an update doesn’t always need to involve spending lots of money. Sometimes, it’s more a matter of rethinking what you already own. A few simple tweaks can cleverly reinvent existing pieces, while spending a few hours getting creative with household items can repurpose them for a totally new use.
Pimp your small storage
Old jam jars and storage jars are useful for storing desk clutter or children’s art materials, but they can be made to look extra stylish with some bright colour. Try painting the lids and, for a child’s room, sticking small plastic animals or figures to them.
Strips of patterned washi tape can also be used on jam jars to great effect.
Old jam jars and storage jars are useful for storing desk clutter or children’s art materials, but they can be made to look extra stylish with some bright colour. Try painting the lids and, for a child’s room, sticking small plastic animals or figures to them.
Strips of patterned washi tape can also be used on jam jars to great effect.
Revamp a chair
Give an old or cheap chair a fresh new look for spring with some bright paint. First, rub it down, then add a coat or two of your chosen colour to transform even the humblest of seats.
If the idea of sanding fills you with dread, but you like this idea, find someone in your neighbourhood to do the painting for you.
Contact local painters through the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Give an old or cheap chair a fresh new look for spring with some bright paint. First, rub it down, then add a coat or two of your chosen colour to transform even the humblest of seats.
If the idea of sanding fills you with dread, but you like this idea, find someone in your neighbourhood to do the painting for you.
Contact local painters through the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Isolate a few key objects
Try creating a little pause point or tableau by grouping a few pieces together on a table or shelf. Isolating a handful of objects from a crowded setting and showing them off in an ordered space allows you to appreciate their beauty. Add some fresh flowers, too, for an injection of colour.
If you have the space, set up your tableau in the hallway or on a landing, or clear a shelf to show off your new display.
Try creating a little pause point or tableau by grouping a few pieces together on a table or shelf. Isolating a handful of objects from a crowded setting and showing them off in an ordered space allows you to appreciate their beauty. Add some fresh flowers, too, for an injection of colour.
If you have the space, set up your tableau in the hallway or on a landing, or clear a shelf to show off your new display.
Create a work of art
The colourful line art on the wall of this kitchen was actually made by sticking drinking straws to a board. The lesson? You can make your own art – and for very little money.
The colourful line art on the wall of this kitchen was actually made by sticking drinking straws to a board. The lesson? You can make your own art – and for very little money.
Colour coordinate your books
This is a fun project for a bank holiday afternoon. Arrange your books according to their cover colour. You might be surprised by how exciting and eye-catching your newly organised shelves will look, and what fun you’ll have rearranging them.
If you don’t have a wall of shelving like this, why not call in a carpenter to create a bookcase for you?
Contact local carpenters through the Houzz Professionals Directory.
This is a fun project for a bank holiday afternoon. Arrange your books according to their cover colour. You might be surprised by how exciting and eye-catching your newly organised shelves will look, and what fun you’ll have rearranging them.
If you don’t have a wall of shelving like this, why not call in a carpenter to create a bookcase for you?
Contact local carpenters through the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Make a feature of found objects
If you’ve been for a country walk in the woods or on the beach and found some pretty natural items, arrange them when you get home to show them at their best. From twigs in a vase to pebbles in a spiral, a little relaxed styling can help these natural treasures shine.
If you’ve been for a country walk in the woods or on the beach and found some pretty natural items, arrange them when you get home to show them at their best. From twigs in a vase to pebbles in a spiral, a little relaxed styling can help these natural treasures shine.
Frame it
If you have some old pictures you’re bored with, or which cost very little in the first place, reinvent them as art by saving the frame and popping a more meaningful image inside. Here, a postcard has simply been pegged to a wire, but you could use photos, drawings or invitations, hung up like this or simply taped or tacked to the wall.
If you have some old pictures you’re bored with, or which cost very little in the first place, reinvent them as art by saving the frame and popping a more meaningful image inside. Here, a postcard has simply been pegged to a wire, but you could use photos, drawings or invitations, hung up like this or simply taped or tacked to the wall.
Label your furniture
Turn a simple chest of drawers into a tower of fun that may also encourage your children to put their clothes away. Paint it with blackboard paint or any other dark, very matt paint, then chalk on the name of what goes in each place. Adding a drawing, as shown here, will help young children identify where their clothes go more easily.
Turn a simple chest of drawers into a tower of fun that may also encourage your children to put their clothes away. Paint it with blackboard paint or any other dark, very matt paint, then chalk on the name of what goes in each place. Adding a drawing, as shown here, will help young children identify where their clothes go more easily.
Construct a tree swing
Have fun in the garden. Strong rope and a simple wooden pallet are the ingredients of this simple swing. You’ll need a tree, too, obviously…
Have fun in the garden. Strong rope and a simple wooden pallet are the ingredients of this simple swing. You’ll need a tree, too, obviously…
Build a hanging rail
Simple wooden branches, gathered while on a walk in the woods, can be tucked inside shelf brackets, as seen here, slotted into cup hooks or suspended using clear fishing wire to create imaginative additional hanging space.
Tell us…
Do any of these ideas appeal to you? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Simple wooden branches, gathered while on a walk in the woods, can be tucked inside shelf brackets, as seen here, slotted into cup hooks or suspended using clear fishing wire to create imaginative additional hanging space.
Tell us…
Do any of these ideas appeal to you? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
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Wow these are really unique! Love the idea of using wooden branches as decoration or even as a hanging rail. Great (and cheap!) way to bring some of the outdoors inside. Also the colour coded books/objects hack is perfect! It's visually stunning. Really makes a statement.