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Habitat bright ideas - DIY projects

Tackle projects around your home with these step by step projects from Habitat magazine.

There's everything from cleaning your barbecue to creating a pretty posie. New projects will be added as each Habitat magazine is published. To view the PDF downloads of the step by step instructions, available on the project pages below, you will need Acrobat Reader.

View habitat projects with video instructions.   › View additional habitat brights ideas projects created in collaboration with Fleur Thorpe.

Your miniature eden

Your miniature eden
Repurposing a stained glass eden window makes all the difference...

Frame of mind

Frame of mind
Looking for a creative way to inject colour and pattern?...

Finding balance

Finding balance
This mindful craft project is a way to find peace...

Feathered friends

Feathered friends
These kākāpō, rainbow lorikeet and ruru birds will be a hoot for the kids...

Bench impress

Bench impress
Transform wooden pallets into a portable bench...

Create garden art with Resene FX Rust Effect

Give it a rust
Create garden art that's aged to perfection with Resene FX Faux Rust...

Kids under the sea crafts

Under the sea
Transforming terracotta pots into sensational sea creatures using paint...

Crafting - create wallpaper flowers

Be a wallflower
These blossoms made from Resene wallpaper will be blooming...

Turn your walls into a work of art

Good impressions
Transform your living room into a work of art with Resene Colorwood wood stains...

Make your own strawberry planter

Strawberry planter
A tiered planter is ideal for small spaces and can be used for strawberries, herbs...

Pegs 'n' pops

Pegs 'n' pops
Entertain kids - easy arts and crafts projects using pegs and ice block sticks...

Deep blue see

Deep blue see
Step into the wide blue yonder with a tonal colour palette...

Let's pretend

Let's pretend
Fire up your kids' imaginations and get creative with Resene paints...

Game on!

Game on!
Family young and old will be entertained with lawn games...

Make your own beach cart

Make your own beach cart
Load up this handy trolley for a fun day at the beach...

Puzzle table

Rollaway puzzle table
This clever table coasts on castors so that you can easily tuck it away...

Sculptural side table

Sculptural side table
Ombre tones help create a gallery-worthy table...

Playing up plywood

Playing up plywood
Simple shapes can become fun kid-friendly accessories...

A motorway for boundless play

A motorway
When you love playing with cars, the world is your motorway...

Courier box

Courier box
Keep daytime deliveries secure with this simple to build box...

Make an ottoman

Outdoor ottoman
An old tyre gets reimagined as functional furniture...

Painted shoe project

Foot fancy
Customise a fresh pair of footwear or fancy up some old favourites...

Painted stone dominoe project

Let the games begin
Recreate a classic game in an unconventional format...

Make your own modernist art

Make your own modernist art
Release your inner Matisse with these easy-to-create canvas artworks...

Outdoor storage

Outdoor storage
A handy and easy to make storage box for all those bits and pieces...

How to make your own pebble mat

Coloured pebble mat
This mat is painted with an ombre effect, filled with summery yellows...

How to make your own odd socks board

Odd socks board
If mismatched socks seem to be a thing in your household, here's a clever way...

How to make your own glow-in-the-dark garden

Glow in the dark pebble garden
Bring a glow to your garden with Resene FX Nightlight...

How to make your own giant Jenga game

Giant jenga game
It's the game that combines fun with strategic thinking...

A place for everything

A place for everything
There’s a place for everything when it comes to kids’ bits and pieces...

Painted wall bedhead

Painted headboard
This half-moon headboard uses Scandi-inspired blues to create a modern...

Write on wall planner

Write on wall planner
We’re always here for making our lives easier...

Make your own flower wall

Make a flower wall
Flower walls are perfect for baby showers, birthdays and hen's parties...

Make a rope basket

Make a pet rope basket
Handmade baskets hold a certain charm – make your own...

Make your own art masterpiece

How to create abstract art
The trick to this is being free with your brush strokes...

Print your own table linen

Print your own table linen
Bring style to your table with these DIY painted linens!...

Make a glow in the dark wall

Make a glow in the dark wall
Make a glow in the dark galaxy wall – the kids will love it!...

Paint drink coasters

Make drink coasters
Whether it’s summer or winter, throwing a cocktail party is always a good idea...

Decorate floating shelves

Paint floating shelves
Floating shelves are a clever way to add flair to your wall...

Hanging plant feature

Make a hanging plant holder
Bring your home to life with a hanging plant holder...

Make a kids wall flag

Make a kids wall flag
Get arty with the kids by creating this fun wall flag...

Paint an aged effect on new furniture

Aged paint effect
Give new pieces a vintage distressed paint effect look...

Paint a rainbow fan

Paint a rainbow fan
Keep the home cool during the heat of summer, with this rainbow fan...

How to marble a candle stick

How to create a marble paint effect
A marble finish always looks elegant whichever form it takes...

Build a magazine rack

How to build a magazine rack
Looking for a way to keep your collection of beloved magazines tidy?...

Make a leaf print

How to create a autumn leaf print
With autumn’s falling leaves, now is the perfect time to get creative...

Paint a glass vase

Paint a glass vase
Bring the best of the 70s to your vase collection...

Paint a chopping board - serving tray

Paint a chopping board
What’s better than a chopping board that’s beautiful enough to use as...

Make an hanging shelf

Make a hanging shelf
A hanging shelf is an elegant alternative to a night stand...

Build a loft dresser

Build a loft dresser
This loft-style dresser is both stylish and easy to make yourself...

Build a desk organiser

Build a desk organiser
Keep your desktop clutter free with this clever DIY desk organiser...

Kids day tent

Make a kids day tent
This day tent is a perfect fort for indoors or a place to retreat from the sun...

Make a concrete plant stand

Make a concrete planter
This concrete plant stand is a stylish addition to any home...

Make a childs toybox

Make a toy box
This toy box created out of a wooden crate is a clever idea for storing toys...

Print a potato stamped fabric

Print a potato stamped fabric
We love this printing idea, creating a geometric pattern...

Paint a teenager's bookshelf

Paint a teenager's bookshelf
Using just paint and wallpaper, transform boring shelves into something...

A diamond inspirded floor

Paint diamond flooring
Add personality to your floors with this simple diamond design...

Paint your old jars

Upcycling jars
If you’ve been holding onto a few hoping for an inspiring project...

Make leaf artwork

Paint a leaf picture
Leaves are big in art prints right now and are simple enough to create yourself...

Make a painted placemat

Make herringbone placemats
Herringbone is a look that will never go out of trend...

Make a moroccan stencil

Moroccan stencil pattern
ring a piece of Morocco into your home with this easy pattern DIY...

Paint a glass vase

Paint a vase
Turn this glass vase from plain to pretty with a lace effect...

Paint a wooden mat

Make a wooden mat
Create a mini city, using wood offcuts and Resene Blackboard Paint...

Make a blackboard city

Blackboard city
Create a mini city, using wood offcuts and Resene Blackboard Paint...

For the kids

For the kids
Three super fun project ideas for the little ones...

Create a wallpaper look with paint

Wallpaper hack
Check out this easy wallpaper hack. All it takes is a kitchen sponge...

Make a cat tree

Make this cube style cat tree
Your cat will love this easy-to make contemporary cat tree...

Make a fold-out bar

Fold-out bar
Make this nifty fold-out bar and cupboard for your outdoor living space...

Fun times

Fun times
A collection of fun paint ideas for younger ones...

Create a watercolour wall

Create a watercolour wall
This dreamy watercolour paint effect is surprisingly easy to do...

Make a side table

Make a side table
Learn how to make this easy rustic side table...

How to build a compost bin

Build a compost bin
Turn your scraps and cuttings into plant food with this compost bin...

Projects for kids

Bright ideas for the kids
Check out these cool project ideas for the kids...

How to build a pergola

How to build a pergola
Build a pergola in your backyard, and then sit back and enjoy it...

Create a swing seat for your backyard

Build a swing seat
Create a swing seat for your backyard, and then sit back and enjoy it...

Make a child's height measuring stick

Measure up
Create a personalised measuring stick to track your growth...

Join the circus

Join the circus
Create your own big top with this fun circus themed wall art...

Build a birdhouse

Build a birdhouse
How to build a birdhouse and support local bird life and gain...

Rack it up

Rack it up
Turn an old drawer front into a coat rack then paint it in soft desert sunset tones...

Kids project - a canvas mat

DIY kidz - mat time
Make a cool canvas mat to brighten up your room...

Make a raised vegetable garden

Raised garden
Join the grow-your-own movement and make this easy-to-use...

Painted clock

Painted clock
A painted slatted clock with quirky retro appeal...

Make a pizza oven

Make a pizza oven
They're the latest on-trend addition to our outdoor living spaces - pizza ovens...

Moroccan magic

Moroccan magic
Stencil a rainbow of delicious Resene colour onto a glass table...

Wheelie bin locker

Bin locker
A smart and practical way to hide those wheelie bins...

Decorated storage cubes

DIY kidz - boxed set
Give a plain set of storage cubes a lift with fun flag designs...

Build a barbecue bench

Barbecue bench
Outdoor kitchens are all the rage. This one has industrial chic...

Memory board

Memory board
Take one special image and use it to inspire a memory board...

Make a bird feeder

Diy kidz - one for the birds
Make an easy birdhouse with a couple of containers and a lick of paint...

Make a cool noticeboard and pen holders

Diy kidz - taking notice
Learn how to make a cool noticeboard and pen pots...

Dip your furniture in paint

Take a dip
This easy idea makes it look like your furniture has been dipped in paint...

Refurbishing a tired timber deck

Deck rescue
Give a tired deck a new look. Brought to you by the experts at Hirepool...

Outdoor storage box to make

Boxing clever
This cool multi-purpose trunk is finished in timber stains...

Diy kidz- cool plant labels

Diy kidz - cool plant labels
Use your own artistic skill for these funky vege labels...

Make a cool robot out of your old cardboard rolls and boxes

Diy kidz - recycle robot
Make a cool robot out of your old cardboard rolls and boxes...

French wash effect floor

French wash effect floor
Use a French wash effect and a simple pattern to beautify your floor...

Make a handy noticeboard

Taking notice
Use three clever Resene products to create this handy family noticeboard...

Cleaning gutters

Gutter buster
Learn how to clean and deal with your gunky gutters...

Create a rust effect

Create a rust effect
Jeff demonstrates the ‘incredibly simple’ art of a rust effect...

Paint a flag

Diy kidz - colourful bunting
Paint a mini mural and make your own colourful bunting...

Build a bird house

Caravan-style birdhouse
Make this quirky retro caravan-style birdhouse...

Diy kids - beaded lampshade

Diy kidz - beaded lampshade
Make the pretty lampshade from our winning room...

Sowing a new lawn

Sowing a new lawn
Autumn is the perfect time to sow a new lawn...

French-inspired paint effect desk

French-inspired paint effect desk
Ros de Coek transforms a tired piece of furniture...

Painted frame

Diy kidz - painted frame
Jazz up a plain picture or mirror frame with painted cut-outs...

Paint bedside cabinet

Diy kidz - bedside cabinet
Give your plain bedside cabinet a makeover using your favourite images...

Funky painted pots

Diy kidz - funky painted pots
Give old pots a new lease on life with funky colour...

A simple paling fence

A simple paling fence
There's nothing smarter than a simple paling fence...

Create a posie

Create a posie
With the fashion for flower arrangements tending towards more carefree styles...

Raised vegetable garden

Raised vegetable garden
Join the grow-your-own movement by making this easy-to-use vege garden...

Building a compost bin

Building a compost heap
Learn how to build this compost bin with these instructions...

Decorate a cardboard house

Decorate a cardboard house
Decorate a cardboard box house in your own unique style...

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Laying paving

Laying paving
Learn how to lay paving with these step-by-step instructions..

Personalised paper

Personalised paper
Learn how to make this personalised wrapping paper...

Paint a picture

Paint a picture
Learn how to paint a picture with these step-by-step instructions...

Cutting firewood

Cutting firewood
How to cut and stack firewood and make garden mulch from the leftovers...

Window decorations

Diy kidz - window decorations
Make your very own colourful window decorations...

Photo board

Diy kidz - photo board
Create a colourful photo board with your kids...

Cleaning the barbecue

Cleaning the barbecue
Learn how to clean the barbecue with these step-by-step instructions...

Name plates

Diy kidz - name plates
Create these colourful and fun name plates for your kids...

Building a dog kennel

Building a dog kennel
Learn how to build a dog kennel with these step-by-step instructions...

Making mosaics

Making mosaics
Create a mosaic by decorating a polystyrene ball with coloured tiles...

Diy kidz - marble run

Diy kidz - marble run
Make a decorative marble run with your kids...

How to tile a bathroom

Tiling a bathroom
Learn how to tile a bathroom with these step-by-step instructions...

Planting a lawn

Planting a lawn
Learn how to prepare an area for your new lawn...

Hanging wallpaper

Hanging wallpaper
Learn how to hang wallpaper with these step-by-step instructions...

Creating a wood-effect paint finish

A wood-effect paint finish
Learn how to create a wood-effect paint finish...

Virtual painting with Resene EzyPaint

Virtual painting EzyPaint
Get cracking on virtual painting with Resene EzyPaint...

Recovering a sofa

Re-covering a sofa
Discover how to re-cover a sofa with these step-by-step instructions...

Diy kidz - cars and puppets

Diy kidz - cars and puppets
Learn how to make a car out of a supermarket box...

Redemption Blue Headboard

Redemption Blue Headboard
Indigo blue and dark teal are both having a moment...

Hanging rack

Hanging rack
Upcycle an old cooling tray, by giving it a light sanding and brush...

Sturdy bookends

Sturdy bookends
These colourful bookends will look beautiful in any home...

Note perfect

Note perfect
Personalise your study by painting chalkboard paint triangles...

Magnetic colour

Magnetic colour
Another way to hang your paintings and photographs...

Kids toy boxes

Kids toy boxes
Breathe new life into nail boxes with the Resene KidzColour range...

Paper tear effect

Paper tear effect
Zigzags and stripes step aside, there's a cool new paint technique in town...

Update your old bakeware

Update your old bakeware
Upcycle your old bakeware into planters and plant holders...

Box it up

Box it up
Turn scrap wood into box frames to store small treasures and indoor plants...

Winter vases

Winter vases
Brighten up your days with these pretty vases...

Make a kid's blackboard

Kid's mini blackboard
This mini blackboard is a nice feature for the desk...

Paint your own notebook

Painted geo notebook
This brightly-patterned cover proves that geometry can be fun...

Rainbow inspired pen holder

Rainbow inspired pen holder
Keep your stationery organised with this cool pen holder...

Painted book covers

School book covers
Make a DIY book cover with a watermelon pattern...

DIY leaf print

Easy DIY pretty leaf print
Enjoy the colours of autumn all year round with a leaf print...

Blackboard message tray

Blackboard message tray
A fun message board to share messages of the days plans...

DIY beauty jars

DIY beauty jars
Make pretty jars to store your beauty products...

Drippy vases

Drippy vases
Upcycle some old vases with an on–trend dripped effect...

DIY pinnable mood board

DIY pinnable mood board
Stylish and practical, this pinnable mood board is exactly what you need...

Geometric painted wall hanging

DIY pinnable mood board
Brighten up a dull wall space by making your own wall hanger...

DIY ombre storage basket

DIY ombre storage basket
Autumn colours have inspired this easy ombre basket...

Painted breakfast tray

Painted breakfast tray
Give someone breakfast in bed, served on this painted tray...

Painted old mirror

Painted old mirror
Upcycle vintage mirror to reflect your colour personality...

Pretty pink bookends

Home sweet home bookshelves
Keep your books in order and add colour to your home...

Painted coasters

Cane mat artworks
Add a touch of colour to your walls by painting cane mats...

Paper flag bunting

Make paper flag bunting
Learn how to make painted paper flag bunting...

Painted jewellery bowl

Pretty jewellery bowl
Old wooden bowls are perfect for storing your jewellery...

Painted spice jars

Stylish spice jars
Spice up your kitchen bench with these stylish labelled jars...

Christmas snowflakes

Christmas snowflakes
Create snowflakes by arranging craft sticks painted with testpots...

Christmas wrapping paper

Christmas wrapping paper
How to paint and personalise your Christmas wrapping paper...

Lace clay pots

Decorative lace clay pots
They make the prettiest planters, perfect to use indoor or outdoor use...

Twig bowl

Twig bowl
A stylish nod to nature and the perfect place to keep knick knacks...

Paint easter bunny jars for your easter treats

Easter jars
Paint decorative jars for your children to keep their Easter goodies...

Paint fluro panels on your geometric vase

Geo fluoro pots
Take the geo look to the next level with this paint effect...

Make a wooden multi coloured key holder

Colourful key holder
Get organised with this DIY key holder, designed to look stylish...

Make your earring stand display

Statement earring stand
Create your own DIY earring stand so you can enjoy them...

Paint your vases in a stylish retro theme

Striped vases
Bring the best of the 70s to your vase collection with this colour scheme...

Raindrop painted vase

Raindrop vase
Update a vase with this gorgeous raindrop pattern...

Paint letters to make a sign for your home

Make a statement
Add a fun statement to your home or use this project to paint...

Paint a geometric canvas artwork

Art deco artwork
Add colour to your walls with your own painted artwork...

Paint bowls with a mandela pattern

Mandala–dot bowls
Give old bowls a lift of colour with this mandala-dot style effect...

Paint your toolbox with a triangle pattern

Freshen up your toolbox with paint
Hit the snooze button on boring old toolboxes and trick yours up...

Paint your wooden bowls in a paint dipped effect

Colour dipped bowls
Add spice to your kitchen/dining room decor with these bowls...

Star wall hanging

Star wall hanging
Encourage your kids to get creative with this easy star wall hanging idea...

Paint your own hex shaped noticeboard

Hex noticeboard
Turn a piece of cork into a handy and colourful noticeboard...

Upcycle glass bottles to painted vases

Glass bottle vases
Upcycle old bottles into quirky vases and give them a new lease of life...

Upcycle crumpled cans into arty vases

Crumpled vases
Use your recycling and turn old cans into handy and colourful vases...

Make iceblock stick arrows for your kids room

Colourful arrow art
Grab some popsicle sticks and make this trendy arrow art...

Print a potato stamped canvas artwork

Mother-of-pearl artwork
It’s hard to believe artwork was created using potato printing...

Paint stripes on a glass vase

Paint your own square vase
Add colour to a tall square vase so it looks colourful...

Paint stripes for a artwork canvas

Paint your own artwork
Why not create your own statement piece using colours...

Make cans into handy herb holders

Colourful display for your herbs
Reuse empty cans as handy herb holders. Paint them in your...

Makeover your fruit bowl

Makeover your fruit bowl
Is your fruit bowl looking a bit drab? Do you love that timber look...

Paint two tone candlesticks

Duo-colour candlesticks
Painted in dusky pink and grey white and filled with gold candles...

Create pretty frames for your mantlepiece

Colourful frames
Frame your photographs with something that pops...

Make painted coasters and placemats

Geometric coasters and placemats
Geometric colour blocking is an easy technique...

Decorate a terracotta pot

Perk up your terracotta planters
Even if you're not a DIY connoisseur, these planter projects...

Paint wooden salad servers

Jazz up your salad servers
Rejuvenate old wooden salad servers with fresh colours...

Paint a striped tray

Painted striped tray
Wooden serving trays can look a little old over time...

Paint a glass jar and transform into a vase

Beautify an old glass jar
Paint up a jar or two and use it to brighten up your home...

Update a clipboard with wallpaper for a makeover

Clipboards makeover
Give your clipboard an update with stylish wallpaper...

Update your bookcovers with a new look with wallpaper

How to jazz up your books
Take the hum drum out of office work & style up your books with wallpaper...

Wallper tins for storage of pens on your desk

Pretty pen pots
Here’s a quick way to turn them into something pretty – pen pots...

Upcycle a tray to make a colourful frame for your keepsakes

Keepsake photo tray
Paint an old tray to use as an unusual photo or art frame...

Upcycle a tray to make a summer inspired drinks tray

Summer drinks tray
Summer is for entertaining and it's nice to serve your guests...

Fleur Thorpe projects

View more projects...
Habitat bright ideas projects created in collaboration with Fleur Thorpe...

 

DIY project ideas and inspo

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