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Getting stuck into a home project can be a great way to learn new skills, unwind, and produce something you’re proud of. It can also add value to your home or put a smile on your loved ones’ faces.
Whether you’d like to grow a garden, make personal gifts, or use DIY to improve your home’s interior and value, there are all kinds of projects you can take on from home.
With all of this in mind, here are 12 ideas for practical projects to inspire you.
1. Build a window seat
A window seat is one of those small touches that can make any home cosier. They are the perfect place to get stuck into a good book, chat with friends and family, enjoy a glass of wine, or simply relax.
When decorated with cushions and blankets, window seats are just as appealing in winter as in summer – especially when the sun is streaming in through the window. Plus, many window seats come with built-in storage, so it’s ideal if you’re running out of space.
Once you’ve gathered all the right materials, building a window seat can be achieved in a day. It can also be an enjoyable weekend project if you’d prefer to take it slowly.
There are many ways to build a window seat, but if you don’t have much carpentry experience, we’d suggest making one from pre-built wall cabinets. This means you can spend more time decorating it rather than building it from scratch.
Howdens sells a good range of pre-built cabinets, as do The Cabinet Shop and Amazon. Or, if you’re looking for more of a challenge and fancy building a window seat from scratch, have a watch of the video below to see how it’s done.
2. Make jams and chutneys
If you’re happiest in the kitchen and want to take on a food-based project, why not have a go at making jams, marmalades, chutneys, and preserves? These can either be enjoyed by yourself or given away as presents.
Just like candles, giving friends and family members a jar of homemade preserves is always a special gift – and gifting a loved one a little hamper you’ve put together has got to be one of the loveliest Christmas or birthday gifts anyone can receive.
The good news is that you don’t have to be a particularly good cook to make delicious preserves, and you certainly don’t need any fancy equipment or ingredients.
Even better, homemade jams and preserves can sit happily in the cupboard for months, meaning you can whip up a big batch and give them out as and when occasions crop up.
Jamie Oliver has a good guide to making all kinds of jams. Or, if you prefer savoury treats, check out Delia’s article on making chutneys and pickles.
Spreading your homemade preserves over a slice of toast is one of life’s simple pleasures, and if it’s something you enjoy, you could even make some extra money by selling them at fêtes and food markets.
3. Declutter your home
Most of us plan on decluttering at some point, but it’s easy to keep putting it off. Our homes should be somewhere we can relax and feel comfortable, but clutter can easily add stress, mess, and frustration to our lives.
Keeping our homes organised and clutter-free is a great way to feel more in control and on top of things. And unless you already live in a very minimalistic way, most rooms in our homes could usually do with a bit of decluttering.
Desk drawers are sometimes stuffed with old papers and letters we won’t read again. Bedrooms, wardrobes, and dressers can be packed with clothes we no longer wear, and bookcases crammed with novels and old DVDs that we no longer reach for.
You could start with the easiest room to declutter or go straight into the most disorderly one. However you do it, decluttering feels like a serious achievement and can have a surprisingly powerful effect on your home’s overall ambience.
You can find more tips in our article: How to declutter and reorganise your home. Plus, there are plenty of ways to make money from your clutter – have a read of our guide to find out more.
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4. Make your own candles
Everyone loves a candle, particularly scented ones that fill your home with lovely seasonal smells. For example, fresh flowers and citrus scents in summer, and pine, berries, and cinnamon in winter.
Candles also add a cosy vibe to your home and make it feel a bit more welcoming. But good-quality candles can be expensive, which is why learning to make them is surprisingly useful. Not only will it save you money, but because candles are endlessly customisable, they can also make wonderfully thoughtful gifts.
You might be surprised at how easy it is to make candles from scratch. For basic, non-scented candles, all you need is wax, wicks, and a container. If you want to add scent and colour, you can also pick up a fragranced oil and some dye.
The process is simple: place your wick in an appropriate container (jars are handy for this, but you can also use old candle containers). Melt your wax in a pot on a hot stove (be careful here – spilling hot wax can be messy and painful). Once it’s melted, add your oils and dye. Then, simply pour it into your container and let it cool.
Once you know how to do this, your home will be smelling sweet – and you’ll always have lovely, personalised gifts to surprise loved ones with. For more detailed instructions, check out this article from The Spruce Crafts or watch the video below.
5. Build a doghouse (or birdhouse)
If you’re lucky enough to have a dog, why not give your furry friend a treat and build them a house?
While dogs have no problem curling up on a sofa or floor, they also love the outdoors. Having their own little home where they can stay warm and cosy but still enjoy some fresh air can make a dog really happy.
If you have a cat, you can make a home for them, too – but do bear in mind that most cats prefer a box.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t have much DIY experience, as this is a basic carpentry project that can be made using inexpensive materials and tools. Have a watch of this video below for inspiration.
If you don’t have a dog or cat but like the thought of building a home for an animal, why not make a birdhouse?
According to the RSPB, there aren’t enough suitable habitats in the UK where birds can shelter, and building a birdhouse can help small birds thrive. If you have grandchildren, they’ll enjoy feeding the birds and watching them come and go, too.
A birdhouse shouldn’t take too long to complete (unless you decide to make a super fancy one), and when the sun’s out, it’s a great way to spend the day. Plus, knowing you’re doing something nice for an animal always feels good.
If you’d like to build your own birdhouse, have a look at this guide by The Spruce, which features 32 different free DIY birdhouse plans – some simple, others more complex.
6. Make your own rug
If you’re more comfortable working with textiles than wood, why not have a go at making your own rug? Most people like a rug – they add cosiness, colour, and texture to a room, while keeping your feet warm in the cold winter months.
But like many beautiful things, they can be expensive. Making your own rug can be enjoyable, relaxing, and surprisingly therapeutic, and you don’t have to be an arts and crafts whizz to do it. There are projects for all abilities.
If you’re a beginner, why not try making a rag rug, which can be a great gift for any children in your life? All you need to get cracking is a non-slip rug mat and plenty of old fabric (if you have unwanted clothes after decluttering, this is a great way to put them to good use). If you’d like to make your own rag rug, check out this guide from Upcycle My Stuff.
While the rug-making process can be time-consuming, it’s very simple and can be done in front of the TV or while listening to the radio.
Alternatively, you could make this unusual wine cork bath mat from Sustain My Craft Habit, which might make a fun gift for a wine-loving friend. You’ll need plenty of corks, of course, but collecting them is part of the fun!
If you already have some arts and crafts skills, why not take a look at these more complex DIY rugs on Diys.com and see which one takes your fancy? You can also watch the video below for inspiration.
7. Grow your own herb garden
When it comes to cooking, herbs can make or break a dish. Growing your own herbs is satisfying, cheaper and better for the environment than buying from the shops, and means you’ll always have delicious, fresh flavours to add to your meals.
What’s more, herbs are one of the easiest things to grow – and you don’t need a garden for them to flourish. All you need is a windowsill and a few pots.
Herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, and lavender are all pretty hardy and will keep growing throughout winter, so these might be a good place to start. However, basil, marjoram, and mint are easy to grow, too.
If you fancy more of a challenge (and have a garden), you could go one step further and grow your own vegetable patch to go alongside your herb garden. You probably don’t need as much space as you think to do this, but how much light your garden gets is crucial.
For more information, you can read this guide to growing your own veg from Gardeners’ World, or check out this YouTube video on 10 things I wish I’d known before starting a vegetable garden.
If you like the idea of growing produce but don’t have a garden, you might be interested in our article: 10 things you can grow in a window box at home. Here, we explain how you can grow fruit and vegetables in containers in small spaces.
8. Upcycle
Upcycling simply means repurposing and breathing new life into old possessions. Since it’s a great way to pinch pennies and live more sustainably, upcycling has never been more popular.
Upcycling is the perfect project to dive into after you’ve decluttered your home. This is because, chances are, you’ll end up with dozens of bits and bobs you no longer want or need. You could take them to a second-hand shop (one person’s trash is another person’s treasure) or get creative and give them a new lease of life.
There are thousands of ways to repurpose and upcycle old items. For example, you could turn old jeans into a handy work apron, transform tin cans and jam jars into pretty plant pots, or use an old mirror as a stylish drinks tray…the options are endless.
Plus, unlike more complex, time-consuming methods of repurposing old items, like reupholstering furniture (see section 10), upcycling can be incredibly quick and easy – and is often completed in minutes. Have a look at our 16 creative upcycling ideas for more inspiration.
9. Knit some early Christmas presents
Knitting is hugely rewarding and very enjoyable. And once you’re able to do it, you can save yourself some serious money each year – not just by making your own clothes, but by giving friends and family lovely personalised gifts. After all, few people will complain when they open up a warm jumper or cosy hat on any occasion.
If you’ve never knitted before, it does take some time to master, but it’s cheap and easy to get started – all you need is some yarn and a pair of needles. For new knitters, we recommend starting with a hat, as it’s quicker and easier to make than a scarf.
If you have experience, you can knit all kinds of beautiful items that are perfect for giving as gifts. You’ll find plenty of knitting ideas on Yarnspirations, including sweater vests and dog coats. And if you’d like to read more on knitting, have a look at our in-depth guide on learning to knit.
10. Reupholster tired-looking fabric furniture
Do you have a favourite old chair that’s incredibly cosy despite being ripped, stained, or shabby? Or perhaps you have an old sofa that’s well-made and comfortable, but the pattern is an eyesore? If that’s the case, you don’t have to think about buying new furniture…just transform it by doing some reupholstering.
As long as the piece of furniture itself is in good condition, all you need to transform it is some fabric, a sewing machine, and some basic tools like a hammer, pliers, and staples.
Reupholstering can be time-consuming, but it can save you hundreds (or even thousands) of pounds and completely change the look of your soft furniture and home.
Being able to reupholster furniture also means you can start browsing antique shops knowing that if there’s a lovely vintage sofa or chair that’s a bargain, but it has an awful pattern, you can still snap it up and make it look the way you like.
If you want to learn how to reupholster a sofa, have a look at this guide from Lovely Etc. To see how to reupholster a chair, check out this guide from Better Homes & Gardens. Or, to find out more and see exactly how upholstering is done, check out the video below.
11. Paint your walls or floors
Giving your walls a lick of paint is one of the simplest and easiest ways to change up the look of your home. Painting doesn’t require any specialist skills, so anyone can get stuck in. You’ll often find that with the radio on and windows open, it can be an enjoyable and relaxing project, too.
Painting drab walls an attractive colour, or creating a bold feature wall or alcove, can even increase the value of your home – not bad for a project that can be completed in a few hours!
To get inspired with different paint colours, check out Dulux’s colour inspiration guide here, or head over to your nearest B&Q or Homebase and browse the different paints.
If you’re happy with the colour of your walls, why not consider painting the floors? If you have wooden floorboards, you can totally transform the look of your room. White floorboards lend a nice rustic look, while black ones are slick and stylish.
It’s advisable to prepare your floorboards before painting them, but this shouldn’t take long. Just give them a good sanding with medium-grade sandpaper to help the paint cling to them, then vacuum your floor and give it a quick wash with water. Once it’s dry, you can start painting.
12. Improve your old wooden furniture
If you like the idea of restoring old furniture but don’t fancy reupholstering, there are many ways to improve your old wooden items – whether you have a family heirloom that looks drab or you just fancy brightening up a dark dresser.
In many cases, all you need is some paint and a paintbrush, so this can be a good way to use up any leftover colour after painting your walls or floor. What’s especially enjoyable about this project is that whatever your style preferences are, there’ll be a way to upgrade old wooden furniture that’s in keeping with your taste.
If you like the French country look, you could try shabby chic. This involves building up layers of paint before rubbing and sanding it away in certain areas to create an artfully distressed finish. This is perfect if you have new furniture that needs a bit of character. You can find out how to shabby chic furniture on The Daily Bark’s website.
Alternatively, if you have old wooden cabinets or cupboards that look dull, you could give them a new lease on life by painting them or changing the handles. Or, why not give them a sleek new look by oiling or staining them – or even by stripping them down and starting from scratch?
Have a read of this guide from Hiatt Hardware to learn about how you can give your wooden furniture a smart (or intentionally shabby!) new look. Or, you might like to watch the video below to find out more about some of the best ways to restore wooden furniture.
Final thoughts…
Whether you’re already a bit of a DIY pro and looking for a new challenge, or you’re new to practical projects and want to start with something small, there’s something out there for everyone.
Building something yourself or creating something from scratch can provide an enormous sense of satisfaction. If you enjoy the process, you might find yourself with a brand-new hobby.
As a bonus, many of the projects above are things you can share with loved ones – whether it’s building a birdhouse for your grandchildren or giving your friends unique, handmade gifts.
If you have a natural talent for it, you could even sell some of the items you create as a side hustle to earn some extra money.
Have you got stuck into any practical projects at home recently? We’d love to hear about them in the comments below.
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