7 DIY Projects You Can Do in One Day

Aug 02, 2023

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Make the most of your weekend by tackling one of these budget home ideas

Looking for easy DIY projects you can complete in one day? From upcycling old shelves to changing cupboard handles, make the most of your weekend by tackling one of these easy-to-achieve home ideas.

According to Tapi Carpets, searches for #quickdiyproject have reached 1.8 million views on TikTok, as households hunt for ways to refresh their space.

Once you've decided on your project (ideas below), get prepared so you can avoid any surprises that might prolong the task. You should:

On that note, here are some tasks to consider...

If you're tired of your old flooring but don't want to spend a fortune, hard flooring can be given a new lease of life with peel-and-stick tiles or a coat of paint.

"Refreshing your floors is a great way to give a new look to your living space," Claire Douglas and Tim Warren, from Tapi Carpets, explain. "If you're looking to refresh your floors within a short period of time, peel-and-stick tiles are a great option as they can be easily fitted together by locking pieces into place and do not require an underlay."

Changing the look and feel of your kitchen is as easy as replacing cupboard handles. "This change instantly elevates your space by adding colour, texture and style," explains Claire.

If your current handles have more than one hole, Claire adds: "Measure the hole centres and only buy replacements with the same measurements to save having to drill new and fill any existing holes. Use an electric screwdriver or screwdriver drill-bit to ensure the speediest removal and installation."

If you need to drill new holes for your replacement handles, make a template from a card that gives the exact position of the required drill holes to save measuring each individual door or drawer. Tim says: "Hold the new handles or drawer pulls in place with painter's tape to keep your hands free to hold the screws and screwdriver."

Splashback tiles add colour and character to your kitchen while giving you an easy-care surface. Consider large tiles or peel-and-stick options.

"Tiling a small sink splashback is a great opportunity to go luxe with your tiles, as you won't need many. In fact, you might be able to get away with a single, very large tile, so you could opt for an expensive marble or stone," says Claire.

"Whilst the tiling itself can be done in under an hour, you'll need to grout them once the adhesive has set so will require a second session. The grouting process is very quick, so won't take long at all. Remember to seal natural tiles like marble and stone."

DIY slat radiator covers are super simple, beginner-friendly projects. "You can quickly make a slat radiator cover with wood strips from your local DIY store," continues Claire.

To do this, measure the height and depth needed to cover the radiator, and cut vertical and horizontal slats to size. Then, join each horizontal slat to a single perpendicular slat, the length of the radiator width. This piece anchors the individual pieces together and allows you to attach the completed cover to the wall.

Alternatively, consider making a radiator shelf from an old floorboard. Attach the wood to the wall with brackets and paint with a standout colour for a striking look.

Painting old shelves offers an affordable way to freshen up a room.

"Wood stain is a great way to change the colour of wooden shelves," says Claire. "Remove the shelves first and protect the area you are working in with dust sheets. Lightly sand the shelves first to ensure the stain adheres well. Use a clear varnish or wax afterwards to seal the stain."

If your shelves are in an alcove, try transforming the wall behind as part of the glow-up. "Wallpaper or contact paper are effective ways to do this. Add a lick of paint to the shelves to complement the palette in your chosen wallpaper and style with your favourite ornaments and vases."

Painting old furniture can breathe life into tired-looking pieces, but there are tricks to doing it well.

"You need to prep the surface before you start, and the preparation required will depend on the furniture you are painting. If you are painting bare or natural wood you'll need to sand lightly and, depending on the type of wood, check for knots. If present, apply a knotting solution first so the resin doesn't seep out and spoil your paint finish," continues Claire.

"Apply an undercoat first before a coat of your chosen wood paint. If you want to complete the project in under an hour, applying paint that contains an undercoat or is listed as an 'all surface' paint is the best option as it does not require priming."

Half-painted walls are a big home decor trend, adding visual impact to empty spaces. Taking no more than a few hours to complete, you'll need a pot of paint, some masking tape and a steady hand.

"Why settle for one colour on your walls, when you can combine two?" says a spokesperson for Craft.

"With a steady hand, a spirit level and plenty of wall-friendly tape, this design trend is easy to implement but makes a real statement in all room types – from bathrooms and kitchens to living rooms and bedrooms."

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