Changing your surroundings is one of the quickest ways to shake off a stale, bored feeling, and making the change yourself adds satisfaction. These projects start simple and get more involved as you go.
Easy afternoon projects
- Build a gallery wall. Mix your own sketches, postcards, photos and fabric scraps in frames. Lay the arrangement out on the floor first, then trace each frame on paper and tape the templates to the wall before making any holes.
- Make embroidery hoop art. A hoop is a ready-made frame. Stitch a simple plant or word, or simply stretch a patterned fabric remnant in it and hang a cluster of different sizes.
- Press flowers and leaves. Place them between sheets of paper inside a heavy book for a week or two, then arrange them in a glass frame.
- Propagate plants. Many common houseplants, such as pothos and spider plants, root easily from cuttings in water. A row of mismatched glass jars on a windowsill makes a living display.
- Restyle a shelf. Take everything off, then put back only what you love. Group objects in odd numbers, vary heights, and leave some empty space.
- Change the lighting. Warm bulbs, a small lamp in a dark corner, or string lights can transform a room in minutes.
Weekend projects
- Upcycle a thrifted piece. A small side table, stool or frame is a good first project. Clean it, lightly sand if needed, then prime and paint. Swap the knobs or handles for a quick upgrade.
- Re-cover a chair seat. Many dining chair seats unscrew from underneath. Stretch new fabric over the pad and staple it to the base.
- Sew simple cushion covers. An envelope-style cover needs only straight seams and no zipper. Old curtains, shirts or tablecloths make good fabric.
- Paint a mural on a board. Instead of painting a wall, paint a large piece of plywood or canvas and lean it against the wall.
- Make a fabric or paper pendant garland. Cut triangles from scraps and stitch or glue them onto a length of cord or ribbon.
- Create a hobby corner. Clear a small table, add a good lamp and a box for supplies, and your new hobby suddenly has a home, which makes it far easier to start.
Renter-friendly tips
- Check your lease before drilling, painting or changing fixtures, and ask your landlord if unsure.
- Lean art on shelves or picture ledges instead of hanging every piece.
- Use removable hooks and strips rated for the weight, and follow the removal instructions to avoid peeling paint.
- Change textiles such as rugs, throws, curtains and cushion covers; they make a big difference and move with you.
- Keep original fixtures such as handles and shades in a labeled box so you can put them back.
Safety first
- Old paint may contain lead. In the US, homes built before 1978 may have lead-based paint, and furniture or frames of that era can too. Sanding or scraping it creates hazardous dust. Test first or leave it alone; the US EPA's lead pages explain how.
- Ventilate when painting, staining or using sprays and adhesives, and follow the label.
- Wear eye protection when sanding, drilling or using a staple gun, and keep tools away from children.
- Use wall anchors suited to your wall type for anything heavy, and avoid drilling where pipes or cables might run.
Looking for smaller ideas? Browse our list of creative things to do when bored.
Adapted from the earlier edition of The Bored Brand. Layout and publishing information have been updated; no independent expert review is claimed. Editorial policy · Corrections