10 DIY home renovation ideas to do when you’re self-isolating

As many prepare themselves for a new way-of-life by social distancing amidst the coronavirus pandemic, now is a better time than ever to hack into those house renos that you’ve been putting off for so long.

It’s fair to assume that many homes around the globe are in for a makeover, as people find things to do with their new stay-at-home lives.

Here are 10 DIY renovation ideas that will keep you busy while not turning your home into a construction site.

1. Rearrange your furniture

This is the easiest way to update your home and is the perfect starting point for a fresh look. Create a blank canvas in your head and explore different layout possibilities.

You may find that you will easily get bored and sick of your home after doing looking at the same thing every day, but a simple re-shuffle of furniture will have it looking like a brand new space again. You may even open up some room you never knew you had.

2. Give a fresh coat of paint

When it comes to sprucing up your home, a fresh coat of paint is an affordable go-to option that is guaranteed to liven up your home. While you’re at it, don’t forget to re-paint doors, skirtings and the roof.

Go for a lighter natural colour if you’re looking to create the illusion of space. Alternatively, if you’re feeling spontaneous, choose one wall either in your bedroom or the living room to be a feature wall, which you can paint any colour you want.

3. Get into gardening

Renovating your garden is just as important as renovating your home and it’s a great way to occupy the mind and pass time. It’s also one of those jobs that can be easily put off and now with more time spent at home, you have more time to look after your plants and ensure they get the attention and care they need to thrive.

Start by doing the basics if you need to, which includes mowing the lawn, pulling out all the weeds, raking leaves etc. Then, depending on what kind of outdoor space you have to work with, you can decide how you want to layout your new garden.

Have you ever considered starting your own herb and vegetable garden? This is a great way to be self-sustainable and wouldn’t go astray at a time like this.

4. Replace door handles and fittings

This is a small change which goes a long way. Bathroom taps, doorknobs, light switches and cupboard handles can become outdated and used overtime so, use this opportunity to modernise your fixtures.

While this odd job may require some tools and seem a bit tricky, there are plenty of online tutorials available to assist with your specific door handle or fitting type.

You don’t need to worry about leaving your house either, as most of this can be ordered and delivered online right to your doorstep!

5. Refresh your decor

You could use this time to do some online shopping and give your interior a makeover. Anything from new cushions, bedding and rugs to indoor plants, candles and ornaments.

These things go a long way to adding to the style of your home and give it character, making it feel more homely and trendy. Choose things that you like to look at it, as you will be seeing it for a long time.

Hang some art or print out some photos of you and your family and put them around the place. For those that are renting, the are some great sites that print out your desired print or photos, which allow you to stick to the walls and then remove (with no marks) when you decide to leave the property.

6. Varnish

Pull together some sandpaper and varnish and you have yourself a DIY renovation project. If you have wooden furniture like cabinets or wooden floors that need a little TLC, varnishing is the perfect way to make something old look new.

But, be careful as different timbers require different processes so if you are not sure, check you are using the right materials before you begin.

If you don’t have these products lying around your house, but want to get stuck into this project, you can now get things delivered straight to your door from Bunnings. They also provide a range of tutorials and give advice on if you are using the right materials for the job.

7. Make curtains

If you are into sewing, then making your own curtains is a great way to keep you busy and it also brings life to your windows. You can make this project and big or small as you like by exploring patterns, colours and textures that complement the rest of your interior.

8. Paint your bathroom tiles

Another fun and creative one that will get your hands dirty! Have bathroom tiles? Why not decorate them. Maybe you want to pull up your tiles and get new ones all together or maybe you want to spark your inner artist and paint them with a pattern or colour you like. Either way, this will brighten up your bathroom from floor to ceiling.

9. Do some carpentry

If you are after more of a challenge, then this is for you. Grab some wood from your nearest hardware store (remember to keep 1.5m away from others) and build something! There’s so much you can do with a few planks of wood – make a coffee table, a bedside table, a chair or even a shelf.

10. Replace your flooring

If your floorboards are looking run-down or your carpet is stained, use this time to lay down some fresh floor. This is more of a bigger task and requires some know-how but it is achievable to do on your own.

New floors will complete your DIY home renos and leave it feeling like you are in a brand new house…for now anyway.

* information provided by reiwa.com.au.