DIY projects

Murray Churchill transformed his outdoor area into something great for him and the local fauna

This side table has a wonderful home-crafted look to it like it has been cobbled together from odds and ends found lying around the garage. It’s precisely this Frankenstein feel that gives it such charm If you love the character and uniqueness that comes with handmade furniture, this DIY project is perfect for you. This […]

In an extract from her book A Handmade Cottage, thrifty Brit decorator Jodie May Seymour shares a crafty DIY project Rather than buying brand new ready-made lampshades, it can be cheaper to make your own using a DIY lampshade kit, which also means you can choose your own fabric and make something bespoke. All the […]

Using Resene wallpapers or murals as a framed print is a fantastic way to add drama Transforming a space into a personalised oasis often requires a touch of creativity and resourcefulness. In this project, we are taking wallpaper and reimagining it as a stunning framed print, adding a unique flair to any room. With just […]

This party starter is built for home entertaining

Whether it’s a playhouse, she shed or teenager’s sleepout, a stencil-painted floor will elevate it from meh to wow You will need For the stencilled floor • Pine sheet cut to fit the floor, if yours doesn’t have one • Pencil and paper to practise stencil patterns • Plastic sheet to make the stencil. I […]

Make your own wall art from leftover MDF. Nikki Kettle’s abstract piece was inspired by her local environment You will need • MDF off-cuts. I used what was left from the headboard I’d made more than a year ago • Primer, I used Resene Quick Dry undercoat • Marker pencil • Jigsaw or coping saw […]

Building framed bunk beds and finishing with curtains elevates the bach classic. Kids also love them at home You will need: • 90mm x 45mm H1.2 framing timber (I used 30 lineal metres) • 1 pack nails or screws • Skillsaw • Chisel • 6 x joist hangers (optional) • 5 x 12mm MDF sheets, […]

Turn an old home’s quirks into its perks with these easy and affordable DIY updates If the bones of your home are good and your decorating budget is slim to none, chances are that a full-scale renovation just isn’t at the top of your priority list. But the good news is that there are easy […]

Freshen up a child’s bedroom by painting a wall in checks – the hottest pattern around right now Checked wall painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Half Secrets, Resene Green Spring and Resene Paddock. Right hand wall in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Paddock with floor in Resene Walk-on in Resene Half Secrets.  Checks […]

Short on space? Why not make a slatted headboard and incorporate shelves that can be moved into position as a side table between the slats You will need: • Measuring tape • Pencil • 30mm x 30mm timber for the slats. I used dressed pine • 40mm x 19mm timber for the uprights • 250mm […]

Give plain old walls a touch of stately manor with panelled walls. Our DIY expert Nikki Kettle shows you how You will need • Washi tape or painting tape • Pencil • Measuring tape • Level • Timber (size and design of your choice) I used 30mm x12mm clear pine in the hallway and 60mm […]

Our DIY expert Nikki Kettle rustles up some display shelving You will need • Measuring tape • Timber. I’ve used 90mm x 10mm pine for my shelf base and the same for the back upstand. I bought this off the rack at 1200mm long. Then, 40mm x 10mm for my upstand at the front • […]

Keep your entrance chic and tidy with this simple, custom-coloured coat rack You will need 4 lengths of 35mm x 1800mm dowel Paint brush 4 testpots in colours of your choice 2m thin rope (ours was a metallic style from a $2 shop) Instructions Step 1. Paint dowels using a different test pot for each […]

Professional renovators and past The Block NZ winners Alice and Caleb Pearson share their five favourite DIY hacks for adding value and transforming spaces 1. Do your own wallpapering For a while wallpapering seemed almost a lost art. But with advances in digital printing making any design possible, modern wallpapers now come in an almost […]

We’ve taken these $3 wooden placemats from Kmart and turned them into four easy DIY projects. See how below 1. Key holder With luck, you will never lose your keys again with this simple key hanger. Take a round wooden placemat and drill 3 small holes, evenly spaced, across the top third of the mat; […]

Jute string, or twine, is a staple in every Arts and Crafts cupboard. We’ve pulled together four interesting ways to use it for your next DIY project 1. Display Board Paint a 76cm x 50cm canvas in a colour of your choice (we used a testpot of Resene ‘Gondwana’). Run a piece of string across […]

This DIY wall hanging is the easiest way to add instant style to your bedroom. Here’s how to make your own Project hang time The bohemian look is back in a big way and fabric wall hangings are key to this decor trend. Layers of floaty fabrics, soft bedding, flowers and candles all combine to […]

A gorgeously dressed table is a feast for the eyes before the eating begins. Give your Christmas table some serious style with these simple and cheap DIY projects Make your own felt crackers  To make the felt cracker you will need a piece of felt 30 x 30cm. Pop in your cracker gift and then […]

This curated Christmas gift guide by the Your Home and Garden team is for the DIYers in your life who love nothing more than to build and craft [related_articles post1=”77265″ post2=”77300″]