If you have discovered the interior world on social media then chances are you have come across some pretty amazing DIY projects. From little upcycling hacks that can completely transform a space to building items starting from scratch - there’s something for everyone at any level. Not only do you get the pride and satisfaction in ‘doing it yourself’,  most of the time you save yourself a pretty penny while having a unique bespoke piece! Be careful though, word is once you start you can’t stop! 

We’ve put together five of our favourite DIY projects below. 

1. IKEA Magazine Stand

We first saw this brilliant hack from Victoria from @thetrelissick who has a couple of DIY  projects in her resume. While admiring a stand that cost an arm and a leg, she came across a similar one from IKEA at a whopping price of £9! Knowing she had some spare fabric tucked away (DIY  life ay) , she upcycled the IKEA stand into something trendy and stylish. All at the final price of £15. This is definitely a must try! 

What you will need

• Hot glue gun
• Scissors 
• Fabric of your choice
• Ikea Magazine rack

Step by Step

1. Plug in your hot glue gun so it’s ready for usage 
2. Grab your fabric and wrap it around one entire side of the magazine rack. Once you have taken enough to cover the outside and inside, cut the fabric to size. It's important that both sides of the rack are covered in fabric so that the stand looks good even without any books in it.
3. Once you’ve cut your fabric, take the hot glue gun and start adding glue to the outside of the magazine rack and then pressing firmly  down the fabric to secure it. Be careful not to press too hard. 
4. Make your way around the magazine rack, securing all the fabric in place and cutting the corners so that you can then fold them over neatly and glue in place.
5. Repeat these steps for the other side of the rack and you have a newly covered magazine rack!

2. IKEA Malm Drawers 

DIY queen Shade from @_homeofshade strikes again with this beautiful IKEA Malm upcycle. She turned an average chest of drawers to a dreamy and elegant piece of furniture. You would hardly recognise where these drawers originated from once you see the final piece. If this doesn’t give you DIY fever, we don’t know what will! 

 

What you will need

IKEA malm drawers (or any of your choice)

180 grit sandpaper 

220-240 grit sandpaper (in between coats)

Sander (optional)

Sugar soap and cloth 

x4 Decorative pine reeder angle moulding (optional)

Primer 

Paint 

Sealant 

Paint brush 

Roller 

Mitre box 

Saw 

Laser level sander 

Door Handles ( of your choice)

Gorilla glue 

 

Step by Step

1. Sand down the surface layer using 180grit sandpaper of the drawers very lightly (especially if the furniture is made of veneer) unless you’re taking it back to the original wood - then go wild! 
2. Sugar soap the dust off. Don’t paint over dust, make sure to wipe it all clean!

(Steps 3-9 are Optional )

1. Measure the decorative moulding on each drawer and mark where they end.
2. Using a mitre box and saw, cut the corners of the mouldings at a 45° angle so that they fit into each other around the drawer making a rectangle shape overall. 
3. Using a sanding block (180 grit), sand the edges of each piece until smooth. 
4. Glue the mouldings on to the drawer using gorilla glue. Wipe off the excess glue that spilt over the edges.
5. Use grips/clamps to hold the mouldings in place while they dry. 
6. Once dry, sand off any dry glue using the sand block and then wipe with a damp cloth to pick up any excess dust.
7. Caulk between the trim and door front.
8. If you’re not using a paint that has a built in primer then paint your first primer coat and let it dry for the max suggested time. Once dry, paint your first layer of paint colour and let it dry FULLY. 
9. If your paint has primer, paint your first coat. Make sure your paint coats are thin by removing excess paint off your brush/roller (almost dry-brush it). This will extend longevity of the paint finish. Paint 3 to 4 coats making sure to sand in between using 220/240 grit sandpaper. 
10. If your paint has built in sealer then you are done! If not and you want extra protection, layer on some sealant. 
11. Make sure to let the paint cure before adding any styling pieces on top. 

(Following steps are optional)

1. Using masking tape, mark where your handles will go and add one more tape piece in the middle.
2. Using a measuring tape, find the vertical mid-point across all three tape pieces. Then find the horizontal mid point which will be the dead centre of the drawer.
3. To find the points where you will drill your holes from the mid point mark, measure the distance between both of the holes on the handle and divide by two. Mark your new points on the drawer.
4. Using the crosspoints you just created, drill holes using a corresponding drill bit to the screws you’ll be attaching the handles with. Attach handles.
5. Repeat this step for the next two drawers. You can use a laser level to ensure all the vertical pieces are in line.

3. DIY RUSTIC VASE 

Jade from @behindno16 has become quite popular for her DIY vase upcycles. Dabbling with different paints and textures she has created a multitude of stunning looks for her vases - all at a bargain price! One of our favourites is this rustic Zara dupe. The finish is absolutely perfect in our eyes. 

 

What you will need

A vase of your choice 

Bicarbonate of soda 

Paint (colour of your choice) 

Primer (optional) 

Mud (dry)

Sponge

Sand 

Paintbrush 

Clear Sealant 

Step by Step

1. Pick your base colour. 
2. You can prime first but not essential
3. Mix your paint with bicarbonate of soda and apply a thick layer. 
4. Once dry, apply the smallest amount of almost dry mud to give a bit of colour depth in areas. 
5. Damp the edges of a sponge and dip it in to sand. 
6. Apply it on top of your paint and mud layer as you want the colour of the sand to remain visible. This is what creates the different neutral shades! Sparsely spread the sand grains and the tinted water in the desired areas. 
7. Once it’s dry, go back in with the remaining paint on the brush (only in sparse areas) to add more texture. Dab sand particles on top of the wet paint so that this layer blends the two a little more. 
8. Seal with a clear spray and you’re good to go!

 

4. DIY Side Table 

This beauty was made from scratch by Cheryl from @cb_loves_interiors_20. Yes, that’s also a Sorelo Stone candle sitting pretty on top! This side table absolutely blew us away and inspired us to create this shortlist. We can’t praise this table enough so we’ll jump straight into the how-to!

What you will need

200mm plastic ducting 

x2 200mm mdf discs 

x3 lengths of decorative moulding 

330mm marble cheeseboard 

x4 50mm corner brackets 

Gorilla glue

Primer

Paint

Small bag of sand (for weight)

Saw

Sander 

 

Step by Step

1. Cut the mouldings to 500mm lengths 
2. Use gorilla glue to stick them around the plastic ducting 
3. Sand the mdf circles down to sit inside the ducting. 
4. Screw the brackets into the mdf and glue them to the inside of the ducting.
5. Coat the wood in white primer 
6. Apply four coats of paint (Farrow and Ball Armonite was used to create this look)
7. Put the bag of sand inside the ducting to weigh it down. 
8. Sand the second mdf disc down and stick to the bottom of the cheeseboard using gorilla glue. 
9. Glue the edges of the mdf disc and stick it on top of the table base you have made, then you’re all done! 

 

5. IKEA Kallax Sideboard 

You wouldn’t believe that this stunning sideboard used to be a very simple IKEA Kallax shelf! It was created by the incredibly talented Alimah from @fourcornersinteriors. It’s fairly easy to make and can be customised to your taste. Follow the instructions below to create this exact piece!

What you will need

x4 15cm metal legs 

x10 gold T bar handles 

x6 Kallax door inserts

2 (x2) Kallax drawer inserts 

Kallax shelf unit

Drill

Lux Hax Styl-Panel kit #1121 for IKEA Kallax (optional). 

Step by Step

1. Follow the instructions provided to build the drawer inserts.
2. Clean your Kallax shelf unit 
3. Drill the legs at the bottom of the shelf unit (laying it down horizontally). You can drill directly into the unit as it’s made from MDF.
4. Follow the Kallax instructions for preparing the drawer inserts into the shelf. Once done, pop the drawers in.
5. Follow the Kallax instructions for preparing the door inserts. Once done, pop them in.
6. To get the final panelling effect you can add the Styl-Panel kit #1121 for IKEA Kallax from Lux Hax.