It’s a scene all too common during the chilly months of winter: the weather outside is frightful, and your boredom is far from delightful. While your chair covers are doing their jobs outside, you’re stuck indoors avoiding the worst of the winter weather. There’s only so many hours of TV you can watch before restlessness sets in, so why not put that energy to use with an indoor DIY project? When the snow is falling, you may not be able to toast s’mores on the fire but there are plenty of ways to keep yourself entertained and productive while huddled up inside the comfort of your home.
Pet Projects
Your pets are part of the family, so why not treat them to some pampering courtesy of your DIY skills? Save some cash and a trip to the store for pet necessities by going down the handmade route. If you happen to have a sewing machine handy, simple cloth toys are a cinch to stitch up, and you can even add a special hidden pocket for treats or catnip. Are you more of a woodworking person than a sewing wizard? Then a DIY dog bowl stand may be the perfect pet project for you. No matter what your homemade style is, there are plenty of crafts that will keep you occupied on a snowy afternoon and give your furry friend something to bark or meow about.
Kitchen Organization
Kitchen organization projects might seem daunting or even overwhelming. A home is not happy, however, without the confines of an orderly kitchen. Kitchens are high traffic areas in the living space, requiring them to be readily available for whatever comes their way. From decluttering cupboard spaces to maximizing the brimming potential of pantry cabinets, here are a few simple ways to maintain kitchen order.
- Empty cabinets and regroup items based on similar utility. Kitchen clutter can often stem from too many dissimilar things being put in together without rhyme or reason.
- Label makers are your new best friend in the kitchen. Define and designate an exact space for each and every item in your kitchen arsenal with a label, making it impossible to place something where it doesn’t belong.
- Get rid of items of little or no use to you. Recycling or donating your unused and unwanted items helps to get rid of extraneous clutter in the kitchen. Your trash may very well be someone else’s treasure.
Paint Party
Is your furniture starting to feel a little… blah? Turning boring into breathtaking is easier than you think, and all you need is a fresh coat of paint. Desks, bookshelves, and even accent tables can be given new life with a pop of brightly colored paint. Head out to the garage or down to the basement with the furniture in question and use these tips for perfecting your paint project:
- Sanding and priming your furniture is an absolute necessity when it comes to painting. This first step ensures that the paint will adhere to the surface and will not be prone to scratching off in the future. An electric sander can be used for smoothing the surface, or sheets of sandpaper for smaller projects.
- Choosing the right paint color can make all the difference in the world. Bright, punchy hues work great for smaller accent pieces when they’re not under the protection of an accent cover. Stick with more muted colors to avoid overwhelming the room.
- It’s crucial to add a coat of protection to your painted project. Protective finishes come in spray or brush-on form and keep your furniture safe from scratches, stains, and other types of damage.
Green Thumb Goodness
You don’t have to have a huge backyard garden to bring some green in your life. Indoor plants are a great way to spruce up your living space without having to even step outside. Spider plants, asparagus ferns, and aloe are just a few of the many low maintenance plants that thrive indoors. Many indoor plants can be ordered online and delivered right to your doorstep, meaning you don’t even have to venture into the cold to make your purchase. If the skies are grey and the temperature is low, you can stay cozy in your home painting pots and holders for your new greenery, and arranging your indoor garden to decorative perfection. And if you’re wanting to keep things even more low maintenance, artificial plants look just as charming and are well suited for those with pets at home who may be prone to chewing on leaves. Regardless of which type of plant you choose, your living space will thank you for the greenery.
Recent Comments