5 Simple Home DIY Projects to Upgrade Your Space
The pandemic has caused the world to spend a lot of time in our homes. It’s also given us time to try new projects, surf Pinterest, TikTok and Instagram and find ways to spruce up our space while learning new skills. Here are five simple home DIY projects to upgrade your space without breaking the bank.
1. Create a Simple Hanging Planter
Everything old is new again, and macrame and plants, in particular, have both come back around. But don’t panic, this craft doesn’t require advanced knot tying.
What You’ll Need
- Macrame cord: There are lots of choices. If you are making this to use indoors, go with natural materials such as cotton, linen or a blend. There are different thicknesses, and your local craft store will have a good selection. If you are making this to use outside, you should choose a synthetic, but they can be harder to work with. Any well-stocked hardware store has a good selection. You might want to practice with natural materials first since they are easier to work with. Here’s a handy reference article to get you started.
- A base: This can be a tile, a square piece of wood, a log round, a small cutting board, a cork (make sure it’s thick enough not to bend), metal trivet or any other base you have sitting around.
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- Optional) O-ring: These come in various sizes and any hardware store or craft store will have them.
What To Do
- Choose where you want to place the finished plant hanger.
- Measure the width of the base.
- Decide how long you want the finished hanger to be, and measure it. Now, before you cut anything, add the width of the base to the measurement. Why? Because when you put the base into the hanger, it will shorten the overall length because it will pull out the sides. Make note of the total length.
- Cut four or eight pieces of cord. Each piece needs to be the total length you measured in Step 2 (length from ceiling plus base). If your base or plant isn’t very big, four pieces will be sturdy enough. If you are using a larger pot or heavier plant, more is better, so use eight pieces.
- Hold the cords together, and tie them together in an overhand knot 5 to 6 inches from the ends. Pull it tight.
- Center the base so the knot is right in the middle underneath the base. Bring the cords up each side of the base, and center each cord in the middle of each side so the base sits flat on top of the knot. (It’s easier if you have an extra set of hands -- one to hold the base while you bring the cords up and around.) If you use eight cords, you will have two on each side.
- Hold the ends of the cords together and fold them over to form a loop and tie another knot. If you are using an O-ring, thread the ends through before you tie the knot. Pull all the knots tight.
- Hang it, add a plant and admire your clever DIY project.
Here’s a handy article for more inspiration.
2. Repurpose Plastic Pants Hangers
We all have them—those plastic pants hangers with claws on each end. Does anyone ever use them for clothes again?
Here’s a better idea: If you have wire or plastic shelving, hang your chips, cereal or snack bags under the shelving with the hangers. You’ll be able to see what you have, plus free up space on the actual shelf.
It will also be more of a challenge for creepy critters to get into your snacks if the bags are hanging, plus they will stay fresh longer because the claws will keep them closed.