DIY home décor is the next quarantine hobby—here are 7 kits to try
Decorate your home while you're stuck there
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Getty Images / faidzzainal
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It’s hard to believe that we’ve been living a quarantined life for nearly a year. In this time, we’ve made the famous whipped coffee, tie-dyed all of our clothes, became better plant parents, and so much more. While we may be closer to the end of quarantine than the beginning, we predict stay-at-home hobbies to be popular in 2021 and beyond.
For your next quarantine hobby, we suggest taking on a DIY home décor project. These projects are on the rise as homeowners and renters are looking for ways to spend their time while simultaneously sprucing up their homes.
Erika Popejoy, Vice President of Trends, Design, and Product Development at popular national craft chain, Michaels, says, “People are inspired to take old items from around the house and use them for a different purpose to give their space a fresh look.”
Here are seven DIY home décor project kits to try out for your next crafty endeavor.
1. Knit cushions
As part of the Sky cushion crochet kit, you get to choose your own yarn color, from gorgeous pastel to neutrals.
Last year, we tested We Are Knitters, the Instagrammable knitting company that guides you through your knitting process with all the tools and yarn you’ll need. While we loved their kit for knitting your own garments, we also recommend checking out their DIY home décor kits.
For DIY home décor ideas, there are plenty of knit kits to choose from, including throw blankets, storage baskets, wall hangings, and more.
For a unique and eclectic knit accessory, this Sky cushion kit allows you to knit a dreamy cloud pillow perfect for your couch, accent chair, or bed. If you’ve never knitted before, this simpler square Izamal cushion kit is a beginner’s level project that’ll leave you with a chic pom-pom style pillow for your home.
2. Macrame wall hanging
Try making your own macrame décor piece using a kit available on sites like Etsy.
Macrame décor has seen a massive spike in popularity within the last few years. From indoor plant holders to elaborate wall hangings, macrame adds a cozy, boho touch to any blank wall in the home.
For crafters who’d like to give this textile weaving a shot, Etsy seller The Hanging Cactus sells DIY macrame kits complete with sustainable materials and a step-by-step video tutorial to guide you along the process.
The DIY macrame wall hanging kit for beginners from the shop is a great starting point for first-time macrame users. You’ll learn 5 essential macrame knots in the accompanying video tutorial, giving you options to create your dream wall hanging.
3. Embroidery wall art
If you've ever sewn before, you'll be able to pick up embroidery quickly.
Did you spend last year’s quarantine trying your hand at sewing or embroidery? If not, there’s plenty of opportunities to get started in the needle-art space this year.
“Heritage crafts are definitely on the rise in 2021 compared to last year,” says Popejoy. “We’ve seen an increase in sewing and embroidery, mending, and needle arts, and we have added additional fabric and sewing machines to 200-plus stores nationwide.”
You can get your hands on an embroidery kit from several retailers online—not surprisingly, Amazon has an awesome collection of top-rated embroidery kits. I love this plant-inspired embroidery kit from Amazon, which comes with everything you need to create an adorable wall hanging as an inexpensive décor piece.
You can also get a starter kit featuring multiple patterns and frames to create a matching collection—this embroidery kit features three landscape patterns—including a rendition of Van Gogh’s Starry Night—that you can hang up around your house or prop up on your bedside table for a more personal touch.
4. Candle bending
While the twisted candle trend is a fun DIY project, you can also support small businesses and buy pre-made bendy candles from Etsy stores like Tadigoshop.
Rather than making something entirely new, Popejoy also recommends transforming décor items you already have. “People are inspired to take old items from around the house and use them for a different purpose to give their space a fresh look,” she says.
That’s why twisted, bendy candles are an exciting upgrade to candlesticks, made popular by eclectic online boutiques and TikTok DIYers.
All you’ll need for this DIY are a set of candlesticks and water—allow the candlesticks to soak in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. From there, begin to carefully bend or twist your candles into the shape you want. Use these newly-shaped candles as accents for the coffee table or your work-from-home desk.
5. Mosaic coasters
This sea glass coaster kit from MontetMosaics comes with a wooden template, a picture of the design, and step-by-step instructions to help construct your coasters.
If you’ve already exhausted the pillow and blanket craft route, you can expand into some kitchen-friendly items. For upgrading your coffee or cocktail hour, try making homemade mosaic coasters. This simple and relatively quick craft makes for unique kitchen accessories that are just as functional as they are beautiful to look at.
This kit sold by Montet Mosaics on Etsy includes four blank coasters and a collection of bright green and deep blue sea glass to glue on in whatever position or pattern you please.
6. Clay pottery
Air-dry clay pottery kits don't require a kiln or any baking.
Looking to add new pottery and vase creations to your living room? If you’re feeling creative, why not make them yourself? Due to the ongoing pandemic, you may not be able to make it out to an in-person pottery class—but you sure can order yourself an at-home pottery kit that’s just as cool.
This best-selling clay pottery kit from Etsy seller Jasmine Pottery Studio is the perfect way to create your own pottery when you don’t have access to a kiln. This particular kit has all the tools you need to create an adorable plant pot for your home, including a satin varnish that gives it a gorgeous sheen exterior.
7. Soap making
Skip generic and opt for a more aesthetically-pleasing homemade soap. You get to make the scent and color combinations you like best.
It’s obvious that the ultra-popular cottagecore aesthetic, or the aesthetically-pleasing trend of “idealized rural life,” isn’t going anywhere in 2021.
Popejoy tells us that soap making is among the homemade projects that are making a major comeback this year. If you’ve never made soap before, there are plenty of soap-making kits available for any and every scent and style.
This DIY shea butter soap-making kit from Etsy seller NaturesUniqueDeals includes a pound of shea butter soap, dried flowers like lavender, rose, and calendula, and all the tools needed to make a better-than-store-bought soap.
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