20 easy DIY projects for a bank holiday weekend

Even if you're nearly at the end of your build, extension or renovation project there are always DIY jobs to tick off your list. The same can be said even if you think you're fully finished. A tweak here, a repair there and a quick burst of creativity can still make a difference.

And with around 68% of buyers stating that kerb appeal matters when it comes to purchasing a property, even if you aren't selling anytime soon, a well maintained home will still help to improve the reputation of the housing stock in your area - something that will benefit you if you ever decide to head to Plotfinder in the quest for a new project.

But with the pressure of the clock always ticking by, what can you realistically achieve during a long weekend? 

Easy DIY projects can take less than a few hours

According to recent research from B&Q, lack of time is the reason most projects are abandoned or delayed. Almost 40% of Brits would start a DIY project if they had more time, with a third (36%) of us stating we have at least one unfinished project on the go.

The good new is, the jobs at the top of the do list - painting or decorating walls and ceilings (51%), gardening and garden maintenance (43%), and ongoing repair and maintenance jobs (38%) - are all easy DIY projects you can tackle over a long weekend. 

So get your online shopping tabs open, your DIY kit to hand and let us help you welcome in some weekend improvements.

Outdoor & garden DIY

1. Spring clean your garden

When it comes to the outside of your home, Kristian Goodenough, co-founder of The Bespoke Sign House, brings years of insights into front-of-house upgrades.

"The one thing on everyone's list should be to give some TLC to their garden and give it a spring clean," he says. "This will help your garden come out of its winter hibernation while giving you a clean canvas to nurture your outdoor areas over the summer while most importantly, enjoying the space.

"Rake leaves, sweep paths, trim grass and remove weeds," suggests Kristian. "This freshens up the space and creates a tidy first impression. Wash and clean furniture, bird feeders, water features, and ornaments. Even a little attention makes your garden feel cared for and inviting."

Kristian Goodenough

Kristian Goodenough, co-founder of The Bespoke Sign House , brings years of expertise offering unique insights into property renovations especially with outdoor improvements and kerb appeal. His experience in crafting signage for residences has given him a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of how visual elements on the exterior of a home can significantly impact value and overall appeal.

2. Build planters for your garden

If you're researching garden screening ideas ready for the summer months, take a leaf out of Homebuilding editor, Amy Willis' book and allocate time to build some planters.

It's one of the many DIY jobs on her list for the bank holiday weekend and she explains why.

"I'll be finishing building a sleeper raised bed around my driveway over the bank holiday as I'm keen to get it done before planting season for hedging ends," says Amy. 

Planters are perfect for a vast number of plants and for growing vegetables, so if garden jobs are top of your list, get your gardening gloves at the ready, read how to build raised garden beds and you'll see why it's considered an easy DIY project.

3. Visit your garden centre and pull in some plant power

If you've already sorted your hedging and built planters, still head to your local garden centre, says Kristian Goodenough.

"Invest in colourful, lowmaintenance bedding plants and strategically placed potted shrubs. A splash of colour makes your garden feel vibrant and alive, while well-placed plants add depth and dimension to the space. 

"Focus on native plants that attract pollinators like butterflies and bees for an extra touch of beauty and eco-friendliness. 

"A well-maintained garden enhances the overall kerb appeal of your property," explains Kristian, "while a variety of colours and plants give the impression of abundance, adding value to any home."

4. Paint your front door a new colour

If first impressions matter to you, there's no better place to start than your front door. With sunshine on your side, whether you're painting a uPVC door or a wooden door, take a look at our suggestions for the best front door colours and get ready to inject some joy into your day. 

Wondering can you paint a composite door? The good news is you can.

Adding a touch of paint will breathe new life into any property," says Kristian. "Windows sills and doors would be the priority, and likely to make the biggest impact."

5. Prep your patio now to make it clean and safe

If you've been researching how to stop mould on outside walls and realised you have a problem with algae rather than mould, you'll likely have a similar issue on patios that have been abandoned over the winter months.

If this is the case, it's time to invest in a pressure washer, such as this Karcher K4 Power Control Pressure Washer from Amazon and following the instructions, use it to breathe new life into your patio and walls.

No pressure washer? No problem. Find out how to clean patio slabs and get them looking new again using other tried and tested techniques.

6. Spend time now to get lucious lawn results later

Even if your budget doesn't allow for a full garden landscape this year, nurturing what you do have for a lawn will still give you some joy. 

The good news is, March onwards is often considered the best time to sew grass seed, making this weekend the perfect time to reap what you sew later on in the year.

"Overseeding bare patches in your lawn in spring is a great way to thicken it up in time for summer, when it really matters," says Homebuilding & Renovating's deputy editor and gardening expert, Teresa Conway. 

"You can technically sow grass seed at any time of the year as long as temperatures exceed 10C. But spring and autumn are widely regarded as the best times.

Teresa's top techniques?

"Mow the lawn first and remove debris from the surface. It doesn’t hurt to aerate the surface before applying a good quality top dressing. You can mix seed into the top dressing before applying if you prefer," she says. "Try and calculate around 25g of seed per square metre. So scale up or down as required. 

"Rake them in lightly and add a small amount of water using a gentle spray setting on your garden hose, or watering can with a rose-head."

Teresa Conway

Teresa was part of a team that launched Easy Gardens in 2018 and worked as the Editor on this magazine. She has extensive experience writing and editing content on gardens and landscaping on brands such as Homes & Gardens, Country Homes & Interiors and Living Etc magazine. She has developed close working relationships with top landscape architects and leading industry experts, and has been exposed to an array of rich content and expertise.

7. Get your garage organised

If your garage is suffering an identity crisis and is expected to fulfil the role of shed, provide a home for your DIY kit, doubles up as a bike store and is generally crammed with everything from decorations to outgrown scooters, now is the perfect time to find some garage storage ideas that work for you and get organising. 

If the weather is fine, it's also a good idea to give the roof a good check. If you do come across a problem, find out your options when it comes to garage roof replacement costs.

8. Turn your leftover pallets into garden furniture or storage

Nothing beats the satisfaction of turning an item destined for landfill into something more purposeful.

Search pallet furniture ideas on Pinterest and you'll find pages of ideas ranging from potting shed tables to more ambitious plans for seating areas. 

To start with something simple, consider dismantling a pallet and using the timbers to create simple planters or a storage box for garden toys. Just make sure to sand it well and remove any stray nails or screws before you start.

9. Take advantage of the rain if the sun doesn't shine

Andy Simms, property expert from MyBuilder.com, says that while some home and garden jobs need good weather, grey cloudy skies and rain are perfect for completing others.

“It might not be the perfect weather to mow the lawn or wash the windows, but grey and rainy days can actually be really useful to get stuck into home improvements. 

"The cold and damp weather can also be a great time to identify any bigger issues with your home that need to be dealt with, such as blocked guttering, damp or mould issues, or leaky windows and drafts.

"Blocked gutters are a major cause of leaks, damp, and could cause mould in a house. They can also be a cause for your home insurance to be invalidated should any blockages cause a problem - so it’s vital you check they are working correctly. 

"While it’s raining, look out for any areas that are failing or showing signs of dripping. Often this will be on joints or ends. If you have any concerns, book a tradesperson to look at the problem areas."

The same goes for windows. "Wooden framed windows are particularly vulnerable when the weather has been so consistently wet," says Andy, "so check for leaks or any signs of damp or mould. Even plastic or UPVC windows are susceptible to leaks, so while the weather is damp take a close look at the frames for any signs of drips or window condensation.

"Wet and grey weather is also a good time to check for any damp patches on your walls that may need attention," adds Andy. "Look for any dark patches, spots of mould, or bubbling paint, as these are telltale signs of damp walls."

A wet weekend could also be the ideal time to head to your attic - not just to sort it out, but also to check for any potential roof damage.

"If you can see any water in your attic," explains Andy, "chances are you have a missing or broken roof tile, or the internal membrane underneath has failed. Once you have identified a problem (or suspect there is one), book in a professional to repair any damage."

Andy Simms

Skilled in a number of trades and with almost a decade of experience in property construction, Andy has a wealth of experience, advice and tips for maintaining your home.

General DIY

1. Transform your windows with tape or film

If you've researched the types of windows available, but replacing them isn't an option, or you've renovated your existing openings but still feel they could do with an extra something, now is the perfect time to work on them - especially as the longer nights mean you're more likely to have your curtains open for longer.

To add a leaded window effect, try this Self-Adhesive Window Lead Strip from Amazon, or for something more on trend, reeded glass is an increasingly popular finish. But, you don't have to replace your glass to achieve the desired effect.

Try this Reeded Glass Film from Purlfrost or this Lifetree Window Film from Amazon.  As well as adding a level of privacy to overlooked windows, it's also option if you're looking to give your kitchen or bathroom cupboard doors a new lease of life.

2. Create extra storage and display areas with shelving

When it comes to shelving, it's a DIY job that can turn any bare wall into something bigger. Whether it's narrow pictures ledges to display your family snaps, larger shelves that turn an alcove into a bespoke bookshelf or simply somewhere to house extra toiletries space with bathroom shelf ideas, the shelf is a humble but handy addition to any home.

Just make sure to measure twice to avoid mistakes and if you're screwing into plasterboard, make sure you use the right fittings.

3. Add skiffers to your skirting

I'll happily admit to having to search 'what is a skiffer' when I heard someone mention these a few weeks ago. And recalling the number of times I've sighed in dismay after damaging a newly painted skirting board with an over vigorous vacuum, I wished I'd discovered them years ago.

Nonetheless, now I have, I'm seriously considering investing in some. Usually slightly more ornate in stye, they'd be a great addition to a more traditionally designed home or listed building renovation. 

I've got these solid brass skiffers from Amazon which aren't too ornate and come in a range of finishes in black saved on my shopping list. Other ways of using them include putting them on the corners of furniture that also get knocked or damaged.

If on close inspection you realise your skirtings are more damaged than you think, now is also the best time for an interior woodwork update say the experts.

"April's mild temperatures and lower humidity levels also make it an ideal time to address any tired or worn interior woodwork, says Robert Quinton, DIY expert and owner of Construction Megastore. 

"Start by assessing the condition of skirting boards, door frames, and window sills, noting areas in need of repair or refinishing. 

"Sand down rough patches and apply a fresh coat of paint or wood stain to revive the natural beauty of the wood. This simple yet transformative task can breathe new life into your home's interior, enhancing its aesthetic appeal and creating a welcoming atmosphere for residents and guests alike."

4. Complete your hallway with a stair runner

I'm currently researching decor ideas for my entrance and have a stair runner  at the top of my shopping list - something that easily falls into my list of potential weekend easy DIY ideas.

Although can you can have a stair runner professionally installed, if, like me, you have a wooden stairs and are looking to extra detail and warmth, buying ready made runners and installing them yourself is achievable with some basic DIY kit and skills.

Dunelm have a practical Herringbone Border Jute Stair Runner and Stair Rod with Ball Finials available in a variety of colours and finishes that would be a great addition to any home. They also offer a handy measuring guide to help you know what length runner to buy.

5. Add a panelled wall feature

Wall panelling ideas continue to feature in the top list of trends for 2024 and can be as extravagant or as simple as you choose. 

From simple MDF wall panelling DIY kits from B&Q that you install and decorate yourself, to large feature walls made from more contemporary panels such as this SlatWall Mini in Charcoal from NatureWallboth are options that could transform a room in your home over the weekend.

Take inspiration from NatureWall and create a bespoke headboard wall, or perhaps concentrate on your hallway and before you add a runner to your stairs, use a DIY kit to panel the lower sections of your wall and finish with a few coats of paint.

Bathroom DIY

1. Replace your showerhead 

If you've already looked at water softener costs as you live in a hardwater area, the chances are your showerhead may be underperforming as it's clogged up with limescale.

Replacing your showerhead can be as simple as unscrewing it and switching it for a new version. What takes a little more time is figuring out which is the best shower head for you.

If softer and cleaner water is your goal, this Vehhe Shower Head from Amazon has been tried and tested by Joseph Mullane, Homebuilding's news editor. It comes highly recommended, with Joseph noticing an immediate difference to the softness of his water.

2. Glam up your grout with a deep clean or colour refresh

No-one likes looking at grimy grout. It's guaranteed to make your bathroom feel less than clean and quickly turn a room for relaxation into one you can't wait to get out of.

On the upside, it's also a DIY task that packs a punch and will instantly transform your walls and floors into looking fresh and new.

If you're happy with the current colour, then try one of the six techniques in our cleaning grout article from DIY expert, Steve Jenkins. I've personally used the baking soda and white vinegar technique before and found it works well. I've equally had great results with Dettol Mould & Mildew Remover from Amazon and found this freshens white grout up well, as well as removing black mould spores.

Or, if you think a colour change is on the cards, there are now a great variety of different coloured grouts available that can complement your bathroom colour scheme. The Baked Tile Co has an extensive range of grouts available. Either pick a shade that matches your tiles, or for a more striking look, add contrast with a different colour. 

Steve has more advice on how to achieve the best finish in his guide to regrouting tiles.

Kitchen & Utility DIY

1. Replace your cupboard and drawer handles

If painting kitchen cabinets isn't required, but you still feel you kitchen lacks a little something, replacing your cupboard and drawer handles can be a quick and easy DIY revamp that really doesn't take too long.

To avoid any extra DIY when it comes to replacing them, make sure any new handles fit the existing holes. As well as checking the base of the new handle covers any unpainted sections of the door or drawer, if it's a longer handle, make sure it's the same length as the one you remove or you could end up having to drill new holes and fill and paint old ones.

2. Renovate an upcycled dresser

If the weather doesn't allow for a garden blitz over the weekend, turn your hand to an upcycling project instead suggests chalk paint expert, Annie Sloan.

A dresser is the ideal project for a wet weekend and a chance to test out your creativity. Paint the inside a different colour to the outside or add a wow factor with some wallpaper or gold leaf.

It's also a technique you can use on new furniture. I added self-adhesive pink flamingo wallpaper to the inside of this Habitat blue Morillo Cabinet last year to create a more fun interior for my glasses and cocktail kit. It made something off-the shelf more suited to my own style.

3. Add some plug in wall lights for extra layered lighting

If your kitchen lighting scheme isn't quite making the grade, but it's too late to add some new wall lights to your electrical scheme, all is not lost.

Most stores now offer a range of plug in wall lights that can brighten up your home without needing to call upon an electrician. These Habitat Banquo Plug in Wall Lights from Argos look more expensive than their £20 price tag and would be a stylish addition to any kitchen diner idea, home office or bedroom lighting ideas.

Or, if you don't have a spare plug socket, another option is to safely remove the wiring from a standard wall light, fit the light to your wall and use a rechargeable bulb such as these Neporal MagicGlow Rechargeable lightbulbs from Amazon which also come with a handy remote.

4. Give your utility room a dual identity

If you've debated utility room vs laundry room and come to the conclusion that you actually need both but just don't have the space, some clever additions to your utility room could be just what the weekend calls for.

For extra drying room, look at wall mounted and ceiling drying racks such as this Chalford Wall Dryer from Garden Trading. Simple in design but practical in nature, it adds extra drying room but folds away meaning you can still access your worktop space easily when it's not in use.

Of course, as well as those easy DIY projects that add aesthetic and practical value, there are also those that should be avoided. We asked Kristian Goodenough what is the one DIY job that could devalue your home if you don't do it well? 

"As much as a fresh coat of paint painting can add value, a lacklustre effort can have the opposite effect," he says.

"From a poor choice of colours, mismatching shades and sloppy, uneven finishes, it's a job that if you start - you need to not only finish but do it right. Think about colours and how they would complement your home, be it soft pastel shades or sprucing up with a fresh white coat. 

"Consider the prep work needed before you start," he adds, "such as sanding down, adding a coat of primer if needed and just as importantly, check the weather forecast to avoid any untimely spring showers!"

For more quick and easy DIY ideas this weekend check out suggestions for covering radiator pipes and if wall panelling has piqued your interest, find out everything you need to know when it comes to DIY wall panelling.