Ten D.I.Y. projects to do in 10 days

Organise the garage

Trust us: your garage needs some love. It’s the first place clutter ends up, the last to be tidied, and before you know it, you can’t find your tools and a possum’s moved into that old wardrobe. Clever planning can turn your garage into a functional – even pretty! – multipurpose space that adds to your home’s versatility. Take inspiration from this easy step-by-step garage makeover, including tips to unlock space, upgrade flooring, and even create a home gym or mini mudroom. 

Clean your grout

Remember the days of white grout? They seem so long ago – which is why spending a long weekend deep-cleaning your grout (and giving your bathroom a facelift in the process) is a good idea. It’s not as difficult as you think it is, either – this guide shows you how to clean grout and get it white again, listing all the steps and tools you need (think cleaning gloves, sugar soap and – yes – a toothbrush). Our favourite tip? Getting rid of mould!

Paint a room

Feeling a bit bored with your space? A fresh lick of paint is one of the most effective ways to brighten a room. Besides, there’s nothing like a visit to the Bunnings paint department to get your creative juices flowing! It does take a bit of care and attention to make sure everything ends up looking professional – this guide to painting a room has handy tips and tricks to help you plan, prep and paint like a pro.

Upcycle furniture

That coffee table? Made from an old wooden chest found by the side of the road. Those chairs? Reupholstered them myself! Upcycling furniture takes ‘waste not, want not’ to the next level – it’s sustainable, fun, saves money, and - best of all - fills your home with unique, interesting pieces you won’t find anywhere else. This D.I.Y. guide to upcycling furniture takes you through the steps and tools you need to refresh old furniture, using a bedside table as an example.

Fix the hole

It’s been there so long you’ve forgotten where it came from. But it’s time: that hole in the wall needs to be fixed, and not just by hanging a painting over it. Whether you’re dealing with a small dent or a power point-sized cavity, find out how to fix a hole in the wall here. It’s much easier than expected, too. (Hint: repair patches and filler are your friends!)

Build a raised garden bed

Struggling with poor soil issues? Building a raised garden bed can be a great solution and is also a handy way to optimise growing space in smaller yards. This how-to guide takes you through the steps to build a raised garden bed using sleepers, and offers tips for choosing the right location for your garden bed and preventing water run-off. 

Prepare your lawn for winter

If your lawn’s lush emerald expanse is your pride and joy, autumn’s the time to prepare it for winter to make sure it thrives for many seasons to come. From general tidying and fixing bare patches to removing lawn weeds, aerating, fertilising and mowing it the right way, this guide gives you the lowdown on everything you need to know to keep your lawn happy.

Build a retaining wall

Timber retaining walls have uses both practical and decorative, like supporting soil beds, creating terraces in steep areas, or adding visual interest to a bland corner of your garden. Building one might sound daunting, but it can be done over a long weekend – this step-by-step guide to building a retaining wall will help you gather the tools you need, plan, choose your timber, and create a useful and beautiful landscaping feature in just a few days.

Pave an outdoor area

Feel like swapping your lawn for a whimsical garden path, or ready to pave over a barren backyard spot? Whether you’re adding visual interest or creating a dedicated space for outdoor entertaining, pavers are a versatile way to do it. But don’t go in unprepared: paving an outdoor area requires planning, careful measuring, and some patience – this guide lists everything you need to know and do, from getting your gear together and laying a base to sealing. 

Clean and oil the deck

Cleaning and oiling a wooden deck is an important step to make sure the wood stays in great shape for years to come. Besides, the satisfaction of sitting on a beautiful, glossy deck post-refresh is well worth the effort! Follow these tips to clean your deck first. Then, pivot to the oiling part – crucial to prolong your wooden deck’s lifespan and appearance.

Uncover even more D.I.Y. inspiration

All kitted out and ready for more projects to do around the home? Find more D.I.Y. ideas, inspiration and practical guidance in our Trending Projects section.