Decorating
11 Home Projects to Start Right Now
It’s time to come out of hibernation and enjoy kicking off some early spring interiors projects
If, like me, you’re just emerging from your winter cocoon, you may be throwing off your blankets and starting to think about tackling some new projects around the home. Spring is only a few weeks away, and winter’s worst is (hopefully) over.
Here, then, are 11 projects, ranging from the reasonably ambitious (knocking out a chimney breast) to the pleasingly achievable (mixing up your artworks), that you can start to tackle as we make the slow transition from the chilly, short days to warmth and renewal.
Here, then, are 11 projects, ranging from the reasonably ambitious (knocking out a chimney breast) to the pleasingly achievable (mixing up your artworks), that you can start to tackle as we make the slow transition from the chilly, short days to warmth and renewal.
Paint inside
It’s still too cold and damp to consider painting your exterior, but now could be a good time to spruce up your interior walls. The days are getting longer, which gives you a larger window of time to finish your woodwork before the light fades. And a lick of new paint feels just right for spring.
If you’re ready for something different on your walls, this year’s tipped shades are fresh forest greens and soft grey-blues, while inky blues and greys are still popular.
Try the trend for denim drift
It’s still too cold and damp to consider painting your exterior, but now could be a good time to spruce up your interior walls. The days are getting longer, which gives you a larger window of time to finish your woodwork before the light fades. And a lick of new paint feels just right for spring.
If you’re ready for something different on your walls, this year’s tipped shades are fresh forest greens and soft grey-blues, while inky blues and greys are still popular.
Try the trend for denim drift
Research a garden upgrade
It might feel too early to start thinking about your outdoor space, but the months have a habit of going quickly, and now is actually a brilliant time to seriously contemplate your garden plans. Is this the year you want to put down decking, or rethink your hard landscaping? What about new planting schemes?
Start researching and making decisions now, so you’re ready to take action once spring arrives. That way, your garden upgrades will be done in time for you to actually get some use out of them when late spring and summer are here. If you’re thinking of enlisting the help of a professional landscape gardener or architect, they can also get going on plans for you now.
Need some inspiration? Here are some ideas to kick-start your garden plans
It might feel too early to start thinking about your outdoor space, but the months have a habit of going quickly, and now is actually a brilliant time to seriously contemplate your garden plans. Is this the year you want to put down decking, or rethink your hard landscaping? What about new planting schemes?
Start researching and making decisions now, so you’re ready to take action once spring arrives. That way, your garden upgrades will be done in time for you to actually get some use out of them when late spring and summer are here. If you’re thinking of enlisting the help of a professional landscape gardener or architect, they can also get going on plans for you now.
Need some inspiration? Here are some ideas to kick-start your garden plans
Polish your windows (and skylights)
With the last frost hopefully soon gone, it could be time to book an appointment with your window cleaner. It’s amazing how simply having smear- and grime-free panes can make interiors seem lighter, fresher and more ‘done’.
Inside, grab a microfibre cloth and some window cleaning spray, or, if you prefer the old-school method, diluted white vinegar and newspaper. Invest in a window cleaning squeegee with a long handle for hard-to-reach skylights.
With the last frost hopefully soon gone, it could be time to book an appointment with your window cleaner. It’s amazing how simply having smear- and grime-free panes can make interiors seem lighter, fresher and more ‘done’.
Inside, grab a microfibre cloth and some window cleaning spray, or, if you prefer the old-school method, diluted white vinegar and newspaper. Invest in a window cleaning squeegee with a long handle for hard-to-reach skylights.
Clean your kitchen properly
Barely left the snug warmth of your kitchen this winter? You’re not alone. However, following December’s season of entertaining and cooking, and January’s cold-weather retreat, now’s the time to assess the damage. And I don’t just mean wiping down your worktops a little more scrupulously than usual.
Clean your oven, or get it professionally cleaned if you really can’t face it. Pull out appliances and look at the unsightly crimes that are hiding underneath the fridge or dishwasher. Wipe down the inside of cupboards by using a solution of baking soda and water to tackle greasy corners. Then, when spring arrives, you can feel smug you’re ahead of the game.
Barely left the snug warmth of your kitchen this winter? You’re not alone. However, following December’s season of entertaining and cooking, and January’s cold-weather retreat, now’s the time to assess the damage. And I don’t just mean wiping down your worktops a little more scrupulously than usual.
Clean your oven, or get it professionally cleaned if you really can’t face it. Pull out appliances and look at the unsightly crimes that are hiding underneath the fridge or dishwasher. Wipe down the inside of cupboards by using a solution of baking soda and water to tackle greasy corners. Then, when spring arrives, you can feel smug you’re ahead of the game.
Rearrange your artworks
Been gazing unseeingly at the same permutation of prints for the past five years? Then mix them up. Even a simple rehang of the same artworks in different rooms can have a huge effect. It can change the colour scheme of a space and even influence the room’s ambience.
Better still, swap them for one of the many (if you’re anything like me) posters and prints you’ve stashed away, but never actually framed. It takes moments to type in your artwork’s dimensions on one of the online made-to-measure framing sites.
Been gazing unseeingly at the same permutation of prints for the past five years? Then mix them up. Even a simple rehang of the same artworks in different rooms can have a huge effect. It can change the colour scheme of a space and even influence the room’s ambience.
Better still, swap them for one of the many (if you’re anything like me) posters and prints you’ve stashed away, but never actually framed. It takes moments to type in your artwork’s dimensions on one of the online made-to-measure framing sites.
Consider knocking through
Major extensions and loft conversions ideally require warmer, drier weather, especially if your builders are going to be spending long hours outside. But getting rid of an internal wall can make a huge impact on your home without the need for venturing outdoors just yet.
The classic solution is knocking through the dining and living rooms in Victorian terraces, or alternatively creating an open-plan kitchen-diner. Also consider the modern trend for broken-plan living. In this room, glazed folding doors add a sense of space and are flexible, retaining the feel of two smaller, more private rooms when required.
Explore the trend for broken-plan living
Major extensions and loft conversions ideally require warmer, drier weather, especially if your builders are going to be spending long hours outside. But getting rid of an internal wall can make a huge impact on your home without the need for venturing outdoors just yet.
The classic solution is knocking through the dining and living rooms in Victorian terraces, or alternatively creating an open-plan kitchen-diner. Also consider the modern trend for broken-plan living. In this room, glazed folding doors add a sense of space and are flexible, retaining the feel of two smaller, more private rooms when required.
Explore the trend for broken-plan living
Lose the stack
Similarly, consider removing a chimney breast. While this doesn’t necessarily free up a huge amount of floor space, the removal of a protruding wall can make a room more practical to use. For example, it might allow a double bed to be placed right against a wall.
Worried about losing a period feature? This room shows how you can add character in other ways, such as with a feature wall of wallpaper and retro-style furniture.
As with removing any internal walls, always get professional advice regarding what the structural impact will be. For example, if there will still be a chimney stack on the floor above, you’ll need extra supports put in place.
Similarly, consider removing a chimney breast. While this doesn’t necessarily free up a huge amount of floor space, the removal of a protruding wall can make a room more practical to use. For example, it might allow a double bed to be placed right against a wall.
Worried about losing a period feature? This room shows how you can add character in other ways, such as with a feature wall of wallpaper and retro-style furniture.
As with removing any internal walls, always get professional advice regarding what the structural impact will be. For example, if there will still be a chimney stack on the floor above, you’ll need extra supports put in place.
Makeover your stairs
Is your stair carpet looking tired, or is the paintwork chipped? Consider giving your staircase a lift this early spring by transforming your coverings. It can help to turn your hallway into an ‘event’, rather than a functional corridor.
A stripy runner is a classic, or if you really want to express yourself, go for a DIY colourful painted finish, as seen here.
Is your stair carpet looking tired, or is the paintwork chipped? Consider giving your staircase a lift this early spring by transforming your coverings. It can help to turn your hallway into an ‘event’, rather than a functional corridor.
A stripy runner is a classic, or if you really want to express yourself, go for a DIY colourful painted finish, as seen here.
Put up some shelves
It might feel too early in the year to get going on a bigger project, such as a new kitchen or bathroom, or an extension or loft conversion, but there’s never a bad time to put up shelving.
One simple, solo shelf can provide a place to display objects and subtly change the feel of a room. Or think inside the box and look at the trend for hanging cube-style wall shelves, as in this living space. They make a real statement. You can also be creative and use items such as vintage crates.
It might feel too early in the year to get going on a bigger project, such as a new kitchen or bathroom, or an extension or loft conversion, but there’s never a bad time to put up shelving.
One simple, solo shelf can provide a place to display objects and subtly change the feel of a room. Or think inside the box and look at the trend for hanging cube-style wall shelves, as in this living space. They make a real statement. You can also be creative and use items such as vintage crates.
Buy a plant
If you’re looking for a big payback with minimal effort, rather than a big project involving disruption and/or money, then treat yourself to a new houseplant. They’re having something of a hipster moment, and they’ll cheer you up and reconnect you with nature after being cooped up all winter.
Choose something hardy, like a cheese plant or an assortment of cacti, or have a go with an easy-care air plant.
What projects are you planning at the moment? Tell us in the Comments below.
If you’re looking for a big payback with minimal effort, rather than a big project involving disruption and/or money, then treat yourself to a new houseplant. They’re having something of a hipster moment, and they’ll cheer you up and reconnect you with nature after being cooped up all winter.
Choose something hardy, like a cheese plant or an assortment of cacti, or have a go with an easy-care air plant.
What projects are you planning at the moment? Tell us in the Comments below.
With the raft of decluttering bibles published in recent times, it’s tempting to focus on clearing out the small stuff. But, while you definitely should set free some of those 27 candle holders you’re hoarding, don’t forget to look at the bigger picture, too. If your home is looking crowded, pare back and give away or recycle larger items.
Be honest: has you sofa had its day? Is that old kitchen table still working for your family, or is it ready for someone else to give it some love? Was the sideboard a bad idea after all?
Take photos of your rooms and furniture on your phone and look at them outside the house to help provide some distance. Then ask yourself – do I love it, or just live with it, and can I afford to replace it? If you can’t stretch to something new, consider upcycling your own possessions by painting, personalising or customising them.