Posted on Jan 12, 2023

Do-it-yourself is nothing new – we have always made things with our own hands – yet it is on-trend once again. There was a shift away from DIY when the mass production of items came into play and, subsequently, many of the skills involved in doing things, such furniture painting, woodwork and craft, were forgotten.

One of the reasons there has been a swing back towards DIY is that it makes us feel good. Not only can DIY save you cash at times, but it can help to save the planet through recycling and upcycling. Creating and making things yourself also gives you a sense of pride and defines your personal style – it allows you to stand out from the crowd and decorate a home that is not like everyone else’s. To top it off, new skills are often learned when you undertake a DIY project, and your time is spent in a ‘flow’, whereby you are focused on the task at hand, which is a form of mindfulness and so very important for a healthy mind, body, heart and soul. Here, I explore all these reasons and more, so that you can DIY with pride and a healthy dose of happiness.

It gives your home a personal touch

Do you have a personal style? It can be easy to just go with what is popular when decorating your home but, just like turning up at a party in the same dress as someone else, it is much more fun to create a signature style all your own! No two people will end up with exactly the same result when they undertake a DIY project. Your hands will produce something truly your own.Try adding your own twist to styles you love, such as looking around the salvage yards for unique doors you can upcycle into a feature bedhead, having fun with a wall stencil, or trying your hand at a distressed paint finish.

Upcycling old pieces gives you a sense of pride

Can you remember when you brought home a picture or piece of work from school you were really proud of? Maybe you were lucky to have a family member or someone in your life who was proud right along with you. You can evoke this same feeling when you take something that was unloved and left behind and make it new again. Before you know it, you’ll be stepping back and admiring your efforts in having created something with your own hands. One of the best things to upcycle in this way is something with a bit of family history. Maybe your nanna had an old dresser, or a great aunt was getting rid of a vintage sideboard – try giving this piece new life and pride of place in your home.

Rescuing something from the roadside stops it going into landfill

One of the easiest (and most fun!) ways to flex your DIY muscle is to rescue something destined for landfill. People often leave unwanted furniture and other items by the roadside. Check your local council rules first, but in many cases there is no reason why you can’t do a roadside rescue and save something from the tip. It is good for the planet and good for you. Look for solid timber pieces that just require cosmetic changes, and keep your eyes peeled for the occasional vintage gem. You may need to hop out and have a good look at the piece to be sure you have the skills needed to bring it back to life but, if not, you can always take a class and learn.

You can soothe your senses with some crafty touches

All of your senses are important in creating a happy home. We often focus on how our homes look, but how they smell, feel and sound is just as important. DIY is one way you can bring texture, scent and sound into your home. Try making your own candles – there are lots of tutorials online – and use a unique vessel, such as an old jar or vintage teacup, to pour your wax into. You could also make a wind chime to hang under your porch for a pretty sound using unusual items such as old spoons as part of the chime.

Texture is an important part of layering to create a beautiful and homely feel. So give macramé, knitting or crochet a try and bring some texture into your living areas with a hanging basket or hand-knitted throw, or some crocheted covers for the teapot or sofa cushions.

Quick and simple projects make you feel cheery and brighten up everyday areas

There are plenty of quick and easy DIY projects. Sometimes it’s the simple things that have the biggest impact. Try using rope, twine or crochet to create covers for old jars, and then use them as storage for pencils, scissors and bits and pieces; or as a lovely vase for flowers. Or grab some washi tape and use it to jazz up old bottles, boxes and photo frames. Also, replace cushions covers with some you have made yourself from vintage fabric. These simple DIY projects will bring colour and new life into your home without too much effort.

Using leftover wallpaper, cards and wrapping for projects means less rubbish and a pretty home

If you think back over your life you can probably fill at least six boxes full of wrapping paper and cards from presents you have been given. Why not hold onto a selection and reuse them in clever ways? Even the beautiful wrapping used on gifted flowers can be reused. Keep a collection of cards and paper in a drawer and bring them out when you need to wrap a present for someone or do a crafty project with the kids. For example, cut figures and symbols from old Christmas cards and use them to design your own versions by sticking them onto blank card. Wallpaper can be used to line cupboards and dressers and look absolutely beautiful. Decoupage is a great way to use paper materials, too. You can use this technique on tabletops, cupboards, trays and more. There are classes and online tutorials if you have not done this before.

You can get into a flow and feel a sense of calm

Flow plays an important part of happiness and is simply a state of complete immersion in something. If you have ever been so involved in an activity that you didn’t even notice time passing, you’ve experienced flow.

Flow is something you can experience doing a wide range of activities, either physical or intellectual such as long-distance running or becoming immersed in a project. According to American psychologist Martin Seligman, flow requires the following.

• The task is challenging and requires skill.
• We concentrate.
• There are clear goals.
• We get immediate feedback.
• We have deep, effortless involvement.
• There is a sense of control.
• Our sense of self vanishes.
• Time seems to stop.
• It's The Little Things...
• You can save yourself some cash

Lots of people do things themselves because it saves money. However, be wary of presuming you can do everything yourself – there may be a time when calling in a professional is more beneficial, such as when tiling a tricky bathroom. This may be due to lack of skills, time or desire.

Balance out what you can do yourself, with what you want or need someone else to do for you. Most people can learn how to paint a wall, hang a door or shelf, patch a concrete drive, lay paving, paint furniture, or create a beautiful garden but it can pay to leave plumbing, building and electrical work to the experts.

Keeping on top of the outside will make you feel good about coming home

If you are able to finish jobs around the house yourself and keep it looking in tiptop shape, you will enjoy coming home. Many people say street appeal is very important in the overall value of your home. It is also important in how you and others appreciate your home when you walk in the front door. A well-dressed entrance creates the tone for what waits inside. Keep your front entrance clean and tidy, add plants, and pop a splash of colour onto your front door.

You can add a sense of history to a new piece of furniture

Sometimes genuine vintage pieces can be costly, but it isn’t hard to use your DIY skills to make a new piece look like it’s 100 years old and from the French countryside. For example, milk paint can be used to paint just about anything with little preparation other than a good clean.

Look at the furniture you already have and decide which pieces may gain new life with a coat or two of paint or a good wax. Learning how to distress the piece so it looks like it has been around forever is a key part of this DIY technique.

You will find new passions

As you grow older, life takes on many responsibilities and it can be hard to find time for yourself in between work and family commitments. Sometimes, too, it can feel like you have lost your passions along the way. Getting your hands dirty in a good DIY project allows you to explore forgotten passions and develop new ones. If you also take a class or connect with others online who share your passions, you may even make new friends.

Doing something with your hands connects you to human history

Human beings have a long history of making and creating. Before we had technology we had to do everything ourselves. In some ways, the smarter we become, the more we lose touch with the basic human skill of creating with our own hands from what is around us. Indigenous cultures across the world still use their natural surroundings to create many of the things they need. Try a basket weaving class and see how you can create beautiful and useful items for your home with leaves and grasses from your garden. Or try turning an old tree stump into a side table with a difference, with simply a good sand and a lick of paint or varnish.

It can bring a family together

There are many ways you can involve your children in DIY. Most kids love to paint, cut and glue things. Younger children can even help paint walls and other areas if you are patient and prepared to either go over their work or put up with a less than perfect result. This works really well when you are decorating their rooms or play areas. Perhaps you could get them to help you paint a chalkboard wall (then they can draw on the wall to their heart’s content), or you could teach them to sew or knit. Why not have a family craft day and create special pieces they can keep?

Learning new skills keeps your brain active

Research continues to show that learning new skills into your older years helps your brain stay healthy. Intellectual activities are important, and learning new DIY skills is a lovely way to keep an active and healthy mind. In particular, it is important to get out and do something that is unfamiliar and mentally challenging. Tasks that push you out of your comfort zone have been proven to help keep your mind sharp.

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