At Home with Hannah - Easy DIY Home Hacks!
Our colleague Hannah has been making the most of her time at home by taking on some simple, easy-on-the-budget home improvements that provide plenty of personality without too much effort. They're almost all non-permanent too, which means they're perfect for personalising your rented accommodation, or trying out something new without committing to it forever. Over to Hannah…
Being a DIY enthusiast with plenty of time to spare, I have found myself experimenting and transforming everything in sight during lockdown, so I would love to share my top 5 simple DIY hacks with you! Whether you are a homeowner or you are living in a rental property, these hacks are ideal for if you're looking to rejuvenate your home on a budget and inject your own unique style into the place.
Hack one – Command strips
Why drill a hole in your wall if you don’t have to?! Instead of breaking out the power tools, use command strips, aka the ‘tenant’s best friend’. They can be used to hang wall art, picture frames or even mirrors around your home to create a beautiful gallery wall. Not only are Command strips hassle-free, the things you hang on them can completely transform the look and feel of any room.
Top tip – Before adding strips, hooks and picture frames on the wall, use masking tape to mark out the positioning first to check you're happy with the placement.
Hack two – The BoHo Lampshade!
It might be difficult to see potential in that old lampshade you have had for years, but some modest jute string could change all that. This hack simply consists of wrapping jute string around the shade until it is completely covered. That's all it takes to turn an old or even ugly shade into a beautiful, bohemian-inspired lamp or ceiling pendant that will sit proudly in your home.
Top tip – To get a neat finish, wrap the jute string around the lampshade tightly, leaving no gaps between each loop.
SHOP HABERDASHERY
Hack three – Self-adhesive Wallpaper
Whether you struggle to put your own stamp on your home as a tenant, love to follow the latest homeware trends or just simply can’t decide on which wallpaper pattern is your favourite – self-adhesive wallpaper is the solution! As quick as it is to put self-adhesive wallpaper up, it is equally as quick to take it down and the best part is… your walls will remain completely unmarked.
Top tip – Before applying the wallpaper, make sure the pattern will match across all panels by laying the pieces out on the floor first.
SHOP SELF ADHESIVE WALLPAPER
Hack four – Furniture Upcycle
Upcycling a vintage (or boring) piece of furniture that needs a bit (or a lot) of TLC is one of the most rewarding DIY transformations. Whilst it may take longer in comparison with the other hacks, I can promise you that it is totally worth your time! You can really inject your own style into any upcycle through your choice of paint colour, handles and even the use of self-adhesive wallpaper.
Top tip - You can use some leftover self-adhesive wallpaper from hack three to jazz up the back panel of bookshelves or the inside of drawers.
SHOP RUSTOLEUM
Hack five – Plant pot upcycle
With plenty of sunshine left to enjoy this year, why not get creative and paint some terracotta plant pots? Using simple yet funky patterns is a great way to bring colour to your greenery, patio and windowsills without breaking the bank. This is an easy and carefree way to get creative and switch off from the outside world, and is suitable for all ages.
Top tip – Use a fine paint brush to give your patterns more precision and accuracy.
SHOP DIY