YOU MIGHT NOT have a toolbox full of wrenches and screwdrivers in the garden shed, but that doesn’t mean a day of DIY is out of your reach.
We’re showing you how to bring some colour and creativity into your living room just in time for summer, with three super-quick art projects, all using the most basic of supplies from B&Q.
Check out the video above to find out how to create ultra-modern wall art, DIY your own wooden poster hanging, and upcycle a tired table with a lick of paint.
Want to get started? Here are the products needed and the instructions in full for each:
Project #1: Liven up a white wall
This geometric wall design would look great on a patch of blank wall, but if you’re not ready for that commitment, try it on a blank canvas instead. It takes about 30 minutes including drying time, and you can get as creative as you like with the pattern.
You’ll need:
- B&Q GoodHome Matt Emulsion (choose two colours)
- Small paintbrush eg. 1.5″
- Durable masking tape like FrogTape, as the paint can seep through regular masking tape
What to do:
1. If using a patch of blank wall, use the tape to mark out the ‘frame’ you’ll be working in. If you’re using a canvas, you can skip this step.
2. Use the tape to create one large triangle. From there, create several smaller triangles extending inside and outside of the original one.
3. Start by filling in as many of the triangles as you like with your first paint colour. Don’t worry about being neat, as long as you don’t leave gaps.
4. Fill in remaining triangles with your second paint colour.
5. Gently peel the tape away.
Project #2: Upcycle a coffee table
Give your tired coffee table a facelift, or root out an old one in a charity shop and add a new piece of furniture to your home. If you can leave the table outside or near an open window to dry, you’ll have this project finished in just under the one hour mark.
You’ll need:
- An old wooden coffee table
- B&Q GoodHome Satin Furniture Paint
- White wood primer (the paint is self-priming, but if you’re painting onto dark wood, a separate primer will give you a cleaner finish)
- Small paintbrush
- Sugar soap
- Sandpaper
- Microfibre cloth or tack cloth
What to do:
1. Use the sugar soap to gently clean any dirt or grime. Wipe down with a damp cloth and dry off.
2. Using sandpaper, gently scuff all surfaces of the table so the paint holds better. Dust off with a cloth.
3. If using primer, apply a thin coat all over. Leave to dry, which won’t take more than ten minutes for a small table.
4. Once dry, paint the table all over, being sure not to put too much paint on your brush at one time.
5. Once dry, top up the paint in any areas that need it, and finish off any hard-to-reach parts like corners.
Project #3: Hang a poster like a pro
Make any old poster feel like a bespoke piece of art with this 20 minute project. If you’re feeling especially creative, spray paint the hooks in gold, black or rose gold. and allow them to dry before screwing them in.
You’ll need:
- A poster or wall print
- A pencil
- 2 x narrow timber pieces, cut about an inch wider than your poster on either side (avail of B&Q’s Timber Cutting Service at selected stores)
- Staple gun
- 2 x screw eyes
- String or thin natural fibre rope
- Wall hook
What to do:
1. Using a pencil, make two marks on the timber to indicate the width of the poster. Make two more marks about an inch in from these, so you’ll know where the hooks should go.
2. Screw the hooks in to the top of the timber (on the narrow edge). This can be done by hand, or using a drill.
3. Staple the top and bottom of the poster to the back of each strip of timber, so that the timber sits on the front.
4. Cut the strong or rope to your desired length, then knot the ends to the hooks. Use the rope/string to hang your wall hanging up
Tip: If your poster curls up at the ends when you hang it, use removable sticky-backed strips like these to hold it in place.
Ready to transform your living room? B&Q has everything you could possibly need for DIY projects big and small, including loads of handy how-tos to get you started. Have a look at what’s currently in stock, find your nearest store or arrange to chat to an expert.
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