30 Unusual DIY Projects for Your Home, Garden and Gifts

Looking for a DIY project that is a little different from the usual? The thirty ideas below go beyond painted mason jars and pallet tables: a wreath that feeds birds through the winter, a cheese made from a tub of yogurt, stepping-stones cast from rhubarb leaves, a camp stove made from a tin can. Most need only cheap or recycled materials and an afternoon, and many are suitable for doing with children.

We have grouped the projects by where you will use them: the garden, the kitchen and living room, furniture and storage, handmade gifts and practical household fixes. Each one comes with a short description of what you need, how it works and, where it matters, a safety note or a tip that makes the result last longer. The collection was first gathered by Catherine Winter for Lifehack, and the photos show versions made by the crafters and bloggers who popularised each idea.

Before you start, read through the whole project, gather everything you need and protect your work surface. With paints, glues and sprays, work in a well-ventilated room or outdoors.

Garden and outdoor projects

Bird feeder wreath

Mix birdseed with melted suet or a gelatine binder, press it into a ring-shaped mould such as a bundt tin, let it set and hang it from a wide ribbon. Birds get a high-energy meal at the time of year when natural food is scarce. Use it in cold weather only: suet softens and can go rancid in warm months.

Upside-down tomato planter

Cut the base off a large plastic drinks bottle, feed a tomato seedling through the neck so it hangs downwards, fill with compost and hang it somewhere sunny. The method saves ground space and keeps fruit off the soil. Bottles dry out quickly, so water daily in summer; herbs and small peppers also grow well this way.

Leafy stepping-stones

Lay a large leaf, such as rhubarb, vein side up on a mound of sand, cover it with a thick layer of concrete mix and smooth the back with a trowel. Once the concrete has cured, peel off the leaf to reveal a detailed imprint. Wear gloves, since wet cement irritates skin, and let stones cure for several days before walking on them.

Shoe organiser planter

An over-the-door shoe organiser becomes a vertical garden when each pocket is filled with compost and a plant. It is ideal for herbs near the kitchen door or for a bare balcony wall. Fabric organisers drain well; plastic ones need a few small holes poked in the bottom of each pocket. The idea was popularised by GreenUpgrader.

Hanging garden basket

Line a wire basket with moss or coir, fill it with compost and plant it with edibles instead of flowers. Lettuce, herbs, cherry tomatoes and strawberries all suit a basket, and slugs struggle to reach them. Hanging baskets dry out fast, so mixing water-retaining granules into the compost helps.

Painted garden stones

Smooth, flat stones make durable plant markers once painted with the name of each crop. Use outdoor acrylic or paint pens and finish with a clear exterior varnish so the lettering survives rain. They also make a good rainy-day activity for children.

Fairy garden

A miniature garden fits in an old bucket, drawer, washtub or shallow bowl: add compost, small plants such as moss, thyme or sedum, and a few dollhouse-sized pieces of furniture. It is a good project for small spaces and for introducing children to gardening. Make sure the container drains, or add a layer of gravel at the bottom.

Jar terrarium

Layer pebbles, a little activated charcoal, potting soil and moss in a large glass jar, then add small plants that like humidity, such as ferns or fittonia. A closed jar creates its own water cycle and needs little watering, while an open one suits succulents. Keep terrariums out of strong direct sun, which can cook the plants inside.

For the kitchen and living room

Yogurt cheese

Line a sieve with several layers of cheesecloth, pour in plain yogurt and leave it to drain in the fridge overnight. The whey runs off and leaves a thick, tangy spread, essentially the same as the labneh of the Middle East or the strained yogurt used for tzatziki in Greece. Stir in a pinch of salt, herbs or garlic and serve with crackers or bread.

Yarn-wrapped painted jars

Wrap string or yarn around a clean glass jar, spray or brush paint over it, and peel the yarn away once the paint is dry. The unpainted lines let light through, turning the jar into a lantern for a tea light. Use LED tea lights if the jars will be near curtains or children.

Tea or coffee cup with a message

Write a message or doodle on a plain ceramic mug, then bake it to set the design; the popular version uses about 30 minutes at 350°F (175°C). Ordinary permanent markers often wash off over time, so oil-based paint markers or porcelain pens give longer-lasting results. Put the mug into a cold oven and let it cool inside to avoid cracking, keep the writing away from the rim, and hand-wash.

Pebble placemat

Hot-glue flat, smooth beach pebbles onto a circle of felt, cork or thin wood. The result makes an attractive trivet for teapots and serving dishes and suits outdoor tables. Choose pebbles of similar height so pots sit level, and check local rules first, since collecting stones from some beaches is not allowed.

Waterless snow globe

Glue a small figure or dollhouse miniature to the inside of a jar lid, add a handful of artificial snow and screw the jar on upside down. With no water to leak or cloud, it is simpler and safer than a traditional snow globe. The version pictured was shared by the craft blog Salt Tree.

Cake stands

Glue a thrift-shop plate onto an upturned glass, candlestick or bowl with a strong industrial-strength adhesive to create cake stands and pedestal bowls. Mixing different glass patterns gives a charming vintage look. Let the glue cure fully, check that it is suitable for glass, and hand-wash to keep the join strong.

String lanterns

Soak twine in a mix of glue, cornstarch and water, wrap it around an inflated balloon and leave it to dry hard. Pop and remove the balloon, then spray-paint the globe if you like. Hang the lanterns over a table or use them as shades for LED fairy lights; avoid hot bulbs, as the twine can scorch.

Paint swatch wall

Free paint sample cards from a DIY store can be pinned to a wall in a colour gradient to make a striking mosaic. It costs almost nothing and is a good solution for renters, since it comes down without damage. Pins leave tiny holes; removable adhesive putty is an alternative.

Furniture, floors and storage

Floor stencils

Instead of a rug, paint a stencilled pattern onto old wooden or concrete floors. Lace-like or tile-style designs can hide wear and give a room a focal point. Clean and sand the floor first, use floor paint, and seal with several coats of a durable varnish so the design survives foot traffic.

Suitcase dog bed

A sturdy vintage suitcase becomes a cosy pet bed when the lid is removed or fixed open, legs are added and a soft cushion fits inside. It suits small dogs and cats who like a snug space. Check that the hinges and clasps cannot pinch paws, and choose a washable cushion cover.

Wallpaper dresser

Paint an old chest of drawers and decorate the drawer fronts with wallpaper offcuts in a contrasting pattern. It is a cheap way to refresh tired furniture. Seal the paper with clear varnish or decoupage medium so it resists knocks and cleaning.

Clothes hanger jewellery storage

Screw small hooks or eyelet screws along a wooden coat hanger and hang necklaces, bracelets and earrings from it. It keeps chains from tangling and fits neatly inside a wardrobe or on a wall. Drilling small pilot holes first stops the wood from splitting.

Leather and wood shelves

Two old leather belts and some reclaimed boards make simple hanging shelves: loop each belt around the ends of the boards and fix the belts to the wall. They look rustic and suit light items such as plants, books and ornaments. Fix the belts into wall studs or proper wall plugs, since loose nails will not hold much weight.

Handmade gifts

Baked salt dough tags

Mix flour, salt and water into a dough, cut out shapes, press in patterns with lace or stamps, make a hole for ribbon and bake slowly until hard. The tags make lovely gift labels, wedding favours or ornaments. Keep them away from dogs and cats: eating salt dough can cause dangerous salt poisoning in pets.

Needle-felted toys

Needle felting turns loose wool roving into firm shapes by repeatedly stabbing it with a special barbed needle, which tangles the fibres together. Gnomes and small animals in the Waldorf style are a classic first project. The needles are very sharp, so this is a craft for teens and adults or for closely supervised older children, and finished toys with small parts are not for babies.

Cassette tape wallet

An old audio cassette can be turned into a retro coin purse or card holder by gutting the case and adding a zip or fabric pocket. It is an eye-catching gift for anyone who grew up with mixtapes. Search for a tutorial, since there are both sewn and glued versions.

Lip balm

Melt beeswax, or carnauba wax for a vegan version, with a carrier oil such as olive, almond or coconut, pour it into small tins and let it set. A small amount of cosmetic-grade flavouring or essential oil adds scent. Some essential oils, especially citrus and cinnamon, can irritate lips, so use them sparingly and test a small amount first.

Bath salts

Combine Epsom salts or coarse sea salt with a few drops of essential oil and, if you want colour, dried flowers or a tiny amount of colouring. Pack the mix into jars for a simple gift. Food colouring can stain bathtubs and grout, so use very little or skip it, and keep strong oils well diluted.

Practical household fixes

Reusable sweeper pads

If you can knit or crochet, you can make washable covers for a Swiffer-style floor sweeper. Cotton or microfibre yarn works best, and the covers can go in the washing machine with your towels. It cuts down on disposable pads and their cost.

Homemade laundry soap

The usual recipe combines grated bar soap with washing soda and borax. It is cheap and lets you choose your own scent. Strictly speaking it is soap rather than detergent, and in hard water it can leave residue on clothes and inside machines, so check your washer manufacturer's advice before using it regularly, especially with high-efficiency models.

Nail polish key labels

Paint the head of each key a different colour of nail polish so you can find the right one at a glance. A clear top coat helps the colour last. Keep a note of which colour opens which door until you have memorised it.

Wood-burning camp stove

A large tin can, a drill and a few metal tent pegs can be turned into a small stove that burns twigs and pine cones, a design shared on the Jurey Studio penny stove pages. It is light enough for camping and uses free fuel. Use it outdoors only, on a non-flammable surface and away from dry grass, never inside a tent, and follow local fire restrictions.

Tips for getting started

• Start small. The cup, key labels and yogurt cheese take minutes and build confidence before bigger jobs like floors or furniture.
• Look for free materials. Jars, bottles, belts, suitcases and scrap wood are easy to find at home, in charity shops or from neighbours.
• Use the right glue and paint. Many failures come from using indoor products outdoors or general glue on glass and ceramics.
• Think about safety. Ventilate when spraying, wear gloves with cement, keep sharp felting needles and salt dough away from small children and pets, and handle fire with care.

Find your next project

Most of these ideas can be adapted to whatever you have on hand, and that is half the fun. Once one project works, a search on Pinterest or a crafting site for the technique you enjoyed will turn up dozens of variations to try next.

Sources: Project list compiled by Catherine Winter, Lifehack: 30 Awesome DIY Projects that You've Never Heard Of, with photos from the original project creators; Wikipedia: Strained yogurt; Wikipedia: Salt dough.

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