5 simple DIY projects to tackle with materials you already have at home

Whether you've recently been bingeing home makeover shows or you've always been a weekend project warrior, spending more time at home can make you take a closer look at your space and see room for improvement. If you're feeling creative and have a little extra time on your hands, there are plenty of projects you could tackle without even leaving your home to buy supplies. Here are just a few ideas for DIY tasks and projects you could try out using materials you may already have at home:

1. Use a leftover can of paint to add an accent wall in a different room. If you've recently painted one area in your home, you may still have some leftover paint on hand that you could use to paint an accent wall in another room. An accent wall can totally change the look and feel of a room, and using the same colour in two places can make your home's colour scheme feel more modern and cohesive.
2. Find a purpose for leftover wood. Extra wood left over from a deck or fencing project can be repurposed in a variety of ways, depending on your property's needs and your skill level. Here are a few things that can be made with scrap wood:
   • Birdhouses
   • Planter boxes
   • Raised garden beds
   • Coasters or trivets
   • Floating shelves
3. Do a thorough spring cleaning. This can include clearing out your "storage room," starting a bag of things to donate when donation centres open again, and giving your plants a good freshening up. Keep these seven spring cleaning tips in mind as you get started.
4. Prepare your yard and garden for spring and summer. If you haven't already, take some time to pick up litter, pet waste, and larger plant debris. Then rake your lawn, clean up your garden beds, and prune dead branches from shrubs and trees. Consider these yard and garden cleaning tips as you get your property ready for the warmer weather.
5. Create encouraging signs for your windows. You can use pretty much any kind of paper (e.g., construction paper, old magazines, wrapping paper), scissors, glue, markers, and any other craft supplies you have lying around to make signs with words of encouragement for your neighbours. Put them in an easily visible window to remind passersby that we're all in this together or to thank frontline workers for their service.

Prefer a major home reno project? It might be best to wait

While being at home more than usual may have inspired you to tackle a larger or more involved home renovation project, it's best to hold off until social distancing rules are lifted in your area if you have to shop for supplies or have tradespeople come into your home. Even if you're confident about trying your hand at more involved home renovation projects, there are certain things you should never try to tackle yourself. DIY plumbing, electrical work, and roofing repairs, for example, should all be left to qualified tradespeople. This is for your own safety and to protect your home, as mistakes could be costly and dangerous. If your home reno project isn't an emergency, it's probably best to hold off for now if it requires contact with others.

If you decide to tackle any of the DIY projects on this list, take a picture and tag @economical.insurance on Instagram This is an external link so we can see what you've been up to!

Share these ideas on Facebook This is an external link or Twitter This is an external link to get your friends and family into the DIY spirit, too.