12 Fun Late-Winter Projects
Pick a simple DIY idea to help get you through to spring
Erin Lang Norris
February 22, 2011
Houzz Contributor. My husband and I live in a 1950 ranch-style home a few miles west of Madison, Wisconsin. When I'm not working, I like to do projects around my house, get out in my solo canoe or go camping, read design and psychology blogs and work on mixed media art.
Houzz Contributor. My husband and I live in a 1950 ranch-style home a few miles west... More
We're in the homestretch — it's almost spring! Unfortunately, we're getting to that weird slushy gross stage where everything starts to look yucky and brown and we are still stuck inside, anxiously awaiting the presence of warmer temps. Sure, you can watch a movie or flip through magazines, but why not try your hand at something that will improve your space and lift your mood?
I've always had special a place in my heart for handmade or refinished home accessories and I really enjoy creating things for my own home. It's a very fulfilling process and a great way to change your current space. This ideabook is meant to get you thinking about simple things you can do with a few hours and a couple bucks. Be sure to share photos in the comment section if you decide to get creative!
I've always had special a place in my heart for handmade or refinished home accessories and I really enjoy creating things for my own home. It's a very fulfilling process and a great way to change your current space. This ideabook is meant to get you thinking about simple things you can do with a few hours and a couple bucks. Be sure to share photos in the comment section if you decide to get creative!
Pennant flag banner. I'm sure you've seen these whimsical flags gracing the front page of all your favorite blogs lately. A garland of flags is a quick and easy way to decorate for your upcoming parties and can be used over and over again. The best part is that you don't even have to sew anything: Just cut triangles out of fabric remnants, slit a couple holes to thread a long string or ribbon and hang. Fun.
Tip: Start with a long narrow piece of fabric and cut triangles with a rotary cutter. You will find that there is hardly any waste with this project because you can alternate the direction of the the triangles on your strip of fabric.
Tip: Start with a long narrow piece of fabric and cut triangles with a rotary cutter. You will find that there is hardly any waste with this project because you can alternate the direction of the the triangles on your strip of fabric.
Rack. A coat rack is so easy to make and it will do so much for your space. I made this rack one day when I didn't have much else to do. I used a piece of scrap barn wood that I had leftover from another project and a hook from Pier 1. The paint was leftover from the living room. I painted the design on top and a block of color across the bottom, added a sawtooth hanger on the back, screwed the hook to the front and called it a day. I've made a few other racks for the house — it's so nice to just hang my jacket on a hook rather than on a hanger in the closet. The other thing I like is that I can see my scarf collection rather leaving it stuffed in a drawer!
Tip: You can find hooks at the hardware store, but craft stores and home decorating shops generally have some unique hooks for just a couple dollars.
Tip: You can find hooks at the hardware store, but craft stores and home decorating shops generally have some unique hooks for just a couple dollars.
Spray paint. I love this yellow mirror frame. These days you can find spray paint that will stick to almost anything. I do most of my home-accessory shopping at thrift stores, so I am a spray-paint addict. You can change anything you wish. I have successfully painted frames, shelves, birdhouses, candelabras and more.
Tip: In a well ventilated area, spread newspaper and get the piece ready for priming. Primer will make the paint stick better. Be sure to pay attention to drying times and temperature ratings before you paint. Don't rush! Paint takes time to cure.
Tip: In a well ventilated area, spread newspaper and get the piece ready for priming. Primer will make the paint stick better. Be sure to pay attention to drying times and temperature ratings before you paint. Don't rush! Paint takes time to cure.
Make a clock. The options with this project are endless. Once you get a clock kit from the craft store or online, you are free to choose what will work best in your space. Some clock kits come with numbers, but you can use wooden ones if you prefer. This may take some time, but don't rush it and you'll be fine. Just be sure to measure everything out (eyeballing things goes a long way here!) and use tape to hang the numbers while you decide on the correct placement.
Word wall. As soon as I find the right quote, I am definitely jumping on this project. You can get a set of letter stencils at the hardware store for a few dollars, although you may want a couple of packs to make things easier. Draw straight lines and then make the words on the lines. You may have to play with spacing a bit in order to get it right. Lightly blot on the paint with a fairly dry brush to keep the color from seeping under the stencils.
Tip: If you don't have any leftover paint, you can purchase a sample jar while you are at the hardware store getting your stencils. The jars are small and will provide enough paint to get you through the project. Practice your blotting technique on a piece of paper first.
Tip: If you don't have any leftover paint, you can purchase a sample jar while you are at the hardware store getting your stencils. The jars are small and will provide enough paint to get you through the project. Practice your blotting technique on a piece of paper first.
Word art. If you are a little nervous about painting directly onto your wall, you can always go this route. This stencil project may be a little easier because you can do it at a table.
Framed bottle caps. I have a huge bottle cap collection, and I've been meaning to do this for some time. You can use a clear-drying adhesive directly on the bottle cap tops and press them against the glass. You don't have to put the back of the frame on and it will look like the caps are floating.
Tip: Since bottle caps are light and won't get rattled around, you should be able to use Elmers glue for this. If you want a more permanent solution, an adhesive such as E-6000 will do the trick. Just use a very small dab on the face of the cap, press into place and lay it flat until it's completely dry.
Tip: Since bottle caps are light and won't get rattled around, you should be able to use Elmers glue for this. If you want a more permanent solution, an adhesive such as E-6000 will do the trick. Just use a very small dab on the face of the cap, press into place and lay it flat until it's completely dry.
Painted tree. If you are like me and have cats, you may find it to be a little frustrating to go the branch route that I featured previously. You can make this painting project as simple or complex as you wish: If you want to just make a tree silhouette in one color, it will go faster than something that has more detail like this one.
The nice thing is that you don't even have to be good at drawing. Just get a yardstick and a pencil and start at the base. Lightly draw a trunk and go from there — it's just lines! Study trees like this one before you start. You can add paper leaves by pasting them to your wall, or you can just use paint.
Tip: It may help to make your tree on the wall with painters tape first. That way you can just move the tape around rather than erase pencil lines.
The nice thing is that you don't even have to be good at drawing. Just get a yardstick and a pencil and start at the base. Lightly draw a trunk and go from there — it's just lines! Study trees like this one before you start. You can add paper leaves by pasting them to your wall, or you can just use paint.
Tip: It may help to make your tree on the wall with painters tape first. That way you can just move the tape around rather than erase pencil lines.
Large-scale artwork. We all know that artwork can be pricey, especially when it's of the larger variety. This homeowner took it upon herself to use some leftover wood flooring that she had in order to create a large piece for their bedroom. She used a projector to trace the image onto the wood and then chose paint colors that she liked for the space. Doesn't it look great? See the how-to on her blog.
Branch decor. IIf the snow isn't too deep where you live, you may be able to find a fallen branch in your backyard. Find a pot you aren't using and fill it with dirt or florist foam. Top it off with some glass marbles or faux moss. Add old book pages to the branches if you want something similar to what is shown here.
Tip: It may help to have pruners on hand so you can shape the branch to your liking.
Tip: It may help to have pruners on hand so you can shape the branch to your liking.
More branch decor. This is a collection of vintage birds that this homeowner has been gathering for a little while now, but you can find new birds at your local craft store. Be sure to have a hot glue gun on hand for this one.
Pillows. Although I don't know how to sew, I really want to make some pillows. There are a few snowflake pillows that are currently gracing my couch and they need to go. I have had a lot of luck finding interesting pillow cases at thrift stores, and the fabric would be good for this. If you know how to crochet you can even make something like one of the pillows on the right. Aren't those sweet? Did you notice the pennant flag banner? I told you they were awesome.
Tell me: What projects have you done recently for your house?
More DIY ideas
Tell me: What projects have you done recently for your house?
More DIY ideas
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Love all of these simple DIY ideas & projects!