Habitat bright ideas - DIY projects

Tackle projects around your home with these step by step projects from Habitat magazine. There's everything from cleaning your barbecue to creating a pretty posie. New projects will be added as each Habitat magazine is published. To view the PDF downloads of the step by step instructions, available on the project pages below, you will need Acrobat Reader.

› View Habitat projects with video instructions. › View additional Habitat brights ideas projects created in collaboration with Fleur Thorpe here.

Finding balance
This mindful craft project is a way to find peace... more

Feathered friends
These kākāpō, rainbow lorikeet and ruru birds will be a hoot for the kids... more

Bench impress
Transform wooden pallets into a portable bench... more

Create garden art with Resene FX Rust Effect

Give it a rust
Create garden art that's aged to perfection with Resene FX Faux Rust Effect... more

Under the sea
Transforming terracotta pots into sensational sea creatures using Resene paint... more

Be a wallflower
These blossoms made from Resene wallpaper will be blooming... more

Good impressions
Transform your living room into a work of art with Resene Colorwood wood stains... more

Strawberry planter
A tiered planter is ideal for small spaces and can be used for strawberries, herbs... more

Pegs 'n' pops
Entertain kids - easy arts and crafts projects using pegs and ice block sticks... more

Deep blue see
Step into the wide blue yonder with a tonal colour palette... more

Let's pretend
Fire up your kids' imaginations and get creative with Resene paints... more

Game on!
Family young and old will be entertained with lawn games... more

Make your own beach cart
Load up this handy trolley for a fun day at the beach... more

Rollaway puzzle table
This clever table coasts on castors so that you can easily tuck it away... more

Sculptural side table
Ombre tones help create a gallery-worthy table... more

Playing up plywood
Simple shapes can become fun kid-friendly accessories... more

A motorway
When you love playing with cars, the world is your motorway... more

Courier box
Keep daytime deliveries secure with this simple to build box... more

Outdoor ottoman
An old tyre gets reimagined as functional furniture... more

Foot fancy
Customise a fresh pair of footwear or fancy up some old favourites... more

Let the games begin
Recreate a classic game in an unconventional format... more

Make your own modernist art
Release your inner Matisse with these easy-to-create canvas artworks... more

Outdoor storage
A handy and easy to make storage box for all those bits and pieces... more

Coloured pebble mat
This mat is painted with an ombre effect, filled with summery yellows... more

Odd socks board
If mismatched socks seem to be a thing in your household, here's a clever way... more

How to make your own glow-in-the-dark garden

Glow in the dark pebble garden
Bring a glow to your garden with Resene FX Nightlight... more

Giant jenga game
It's the game that combines fun with strategic thinking... more

A place for everything
There’s a place for everything when it comes to kids’ bits and pieces... more

Painted headboard
This half-moon headboard uses Scandi-inspired blues to create a modern, moody bedroom... more

Write on wall planner
We’re always here for making our lives easier... more

Make a flower wall
Flower walls are perfect for baby showers, birthdays and hen's parties... more

Make a pet rope basket
Handmade baskets hold a certain charm – make your own... more

How to create abstract art
The trick to this is being free with your brush strokes... more

Print your own table linen
Bring style to your table with these DIY painted linens!.. more

Make a glow in the dark wall
Make a glow in the dark galaxy wall – the kids will love it!.. more

Make drink coasters
Whether it’s summer or winter, throwing a cocktail party is always a good idea... more

Paint floating shelves
Floating shelves are a clever way to add flair to your wall... more

Make a hanging plant holder
Bring your home to life with a hanging plant holder... more

Make a kids wall flag
Get arty with the kids by creating this fun wall flag... more

Aged paint effect
Give new pieces a vintage distressed paint effect look... more

Paint a rainbow fan
Keep the home cool during the heat of summer, with this rainbow fan... more

How to create a marble paint effect
A marble finish always looks elegant whichever form it takes... more

How to build a magazine rack
Looking for a way to keep your collection of beloved magazines tidy?... more

How to create a autumn leaf print
With autumn’s falling leaves, now is the perfect time to get creative... more

Paint a glass vase
Bring the best of the 70s to your vase collection with this retro-inspired colour scheme... more

Paint a chopping board
What’s better than a chopping board that’s beautiful enough to use as a serving tray as well?... more

Make a hanging shelf
A hanging shelf is an elegant alternative to a night stand... more

Build a loft dresser
This loft-style dresser is both stylish and easy to make yourself... more

Build a desk organiser
Keep your desktop clutter free with this clever DIY desk organiser... more

Make a kids day tent
This concrete plant stand is a stylish addition to any home. And the best part? It’s really easy to make... more

Make a concrete planter
This concrete plant stand is a stylish addition to any home. And the best part? It’s really easy to make... more

Make a toy box
This toy box created out of a wooden crate is a clever idea for storing toys and books... more

Print a potato stamped fabric
Turns out it’s not just for the kids. We love this printing idea, creating a geometric pattern using the humble potato... more

Paint a teenager's bookshelf
Using just paint and wallpaper, transform boring shelves into something even your teen will love... more

Paint diamond flooring
Add personality to your floors with this simple diamond design... more

Upcycling jars
If you’ve been holding onto a few hoping for an inspiring project, you’ll love this super easy idea... more

Paint a leaf picture
Leaves are big in art prints right now and are simple enough to create yourself... more

Make herringbone placemats
Herringbone is a look that will never go out of trend... more

Moroccan stencil pattern
Bring a piece of Morocco into your home with this easy pattern DIY.... more

Paint a vase
Turn this glass vase from plain to pretty with a lace effect. ... more

Make a wooden mat
Create a mini city, using wood offcuts and Resene Blackboard Paint... more

Blackboard city
Create a mini city, using wood offcuts and Resene Blackboard Paint... more

For the kids
Three fun ideas for the little ones... more

Wallpaper hack
Check out this easy wallpaper hack. All it takes is a kitchen sponge... more

Make this cube style cat tree
Your cat will love this easy-to make contemporary cat tree... more

Fold-out bar
Make this nifty fold-out bar and cupboard for your outdoor living space... more

Fun times
Fun paint ideas for younger ones... more

Create a watercolour wall
This dreamy watercolour paint effect is surprisingly easy to do... more

Make a side table
Bit on side - make this easy rustic side table... view

Build a compost bin
Turn your scraps and cuttings into plant food with this compost bin... view

Bright ideas for the kids
Check out these cool ideas for the kids – ship shape, blackboard cities and keeping the chaos away… view

How to build a pergola
Build a pergola in your backyard, and then sit back and enjoy it... view

Build a swing seat
Create a swing seat for your backyard, and then sit back and enjoy it… view

Measure up
Create a personalised measuring stick to track your growth... view

Join the circus
Create your own big top with this fun wall art… view

Build a birdhouse
How to build a birdhouse and support local bird life and gain… view

Rack it up
Turn an old drawer front into a coat rack then paint it in soft desert sunset tones... view

DIY kidz - mat time
Make a cool canvas mat to brighten up your room... view

Raised garden
Join the grow-your-own movement and make this easy-to-use raised vege garden with built-in tomato rack... view

Painted clock
A painted slatted clock with quirky retro appeal is so easy for you or the kids to make... view

Make a pizza oven
They're the latest on-trend addition to our outdoor living spaces - pizza ovens... view

Moroccan magic
Stencil a rainbow of delicious Resene colour onto a glass table top for a mystical Moroccan look... view

Bin locker
A smart and practical way to hide those wheelie bins ... view

DIY kidz - boxed set
Give a plain set of storage cubes a lift with fun flag designs... view

Barbecue bench
Outdoor kitchens are all the rage. This one has industrial chic... view

Memory board
Take one special image and use it to inspire a memory board for your photos and memorabilia ... view

Diy kidz - one for the birds
Make an easy birdhouse with a couple of containers and a lick of paint... view

Diy kidz - taking notice
Make a cool noticeboard and pen pots... view

Take a dip
This easy idea makes it look like your furniture has been dipped in paint... view

Deck rescue
Give a tired deck a new look. Brought to you by the experts at Hirepool... view

Boxing clever
This cool multi-purpose trunk is finished in timber stains for a slightly weathered effect... view

Diy kidz - cool plant labels
Use Resene paint stirrers, and seed packets and your own artistic skill for these funky vege labels... view

Diy kidz - recycle robot
Make a cool robot out of your old cardboard rolls and boxes... view

French wash effect floor
Use a French wash effect and a simple pattern to beautify your floor... view

Taking notice
Use three clever Resene products to create this handy family noticeboard... view

Gutter buster
Here’s how to deal to your gunky gutters... view

Create a rust effect
Jeff demonstrates the ‘incredibly simple’ art of a rust effect ... view

Diy kidz - colourful bunting
Paint a mini mural and make your own colourful bunting... view

Caravan-style birdhouse
Make this quirky retro caravan-style birdhouse... view

Diy kidz - beaded lampshade
Make the pretty lampshade from our winning room... view

Sowing a new lawn
Autumn is the perfect time to sow a new lawn... view

French-inspired paint effect desk
Ros de Coek transforms a tired piece of furniture with this French-inspired paint effect ... view

Diy kidz - painted frame
Jazz up a plain picture or mirror frame with painted cut-outs... view

Diy kidz - bedside cabinet
Give a plain bedside cabinet a makeover bedside magic using your favourite images... view

Diy kidz - funky painted pots
Give old pots a new lease on life with funky colour. Fill them with herbs to add zest to your family’s meals... view

A simple paling fence
There's nothing smarter than a simple paling fence, especially when you've built it yourself... view

Create a posie
With the fashion for flower arrangements tending towards more carefree styles, creating a posie... view

Raised vegetable garden
Join the grow-your-own movement by making this easy-to-use raised vege garden... view

Building a compost heap
Build this compost bin... view

Decorate a cardboard house
Decorate a cardboard box house in your own unique style... view

Laying paving
How to lay paving... view

Personalised paper
Make this personalised paper... view

Paint a picture
Step by step instructions to paint a picture... view

Cutting firewood
Put another log on the fire... view

Diy kidz - window decorations
Make your very own window decorations... view

Diy kidz - photo board
Create a photo board... view

Cleaning the barbecue
How to clean the barbecue... view

Diy kidz - name plates
Create this zany name plate for your door... view

Building a dog kennel
How to build a dog kennel... view

Making mosaics
Decorate a polystyrene ball with coloured tiles... view

Diy kidz - marble run
Make a decorative marble run... view

Tiling a bathroom
How to tile a bathroom... view

Planting a lawn
Prepare an area for a new lawn... view

Hanging wallpaper
How to hang wallpaper... view

A wood-effect paint finish
Learn how to create a wood-effect paint finish... view

Virtual painting EzyPaint
Get cracking on virtual painting with Resene EzyPaint... view

Re-covering a sofa
Discover how to re-cover a sofa... view

Diy kidz - cars and puppets
Learn how to make a car out of a supermarket box... view

Redemption Blue Headboard
Indigo blue and dark teal are both having a moment... view

Hanging rack
Upcycle an old cooling tray, by giving it a light sanding and brush.. view

Sturdy bookends
These colourful bookends will look beautiful... view

Note perfect
Personalise your study by painting chalkboard paint triangles... view

Magnetic colour
Another way to hang your paintings and photographs... view

Kids toy boxes
Breathe new life into nail boxes with the Resene KidzColour range... view

Paper tear effect
Zigzags and stripes step aside, there's a cool new paint technique in town... view

Update your old bakeware
Upcycle your old bakeware into planters and plant holders... view

Box it up
Turn scrap wood into box frames to store small treasures and indoor plants... view

Winter vases
Brighten up your days with these pretty vases... view

Kid's mini blackboard
This mini blackboard is a nice feature for the desk... view

Painted geo notebook
This brightly-patterned cover proves that geometry can be fun... view

Rainbow inspired pen holder
Keep your stationery organised with this cool pen holder... view

School book covers
Make a DIY book cover with a watermelon pattern... view

Easy DIY pretty leaf print
Enjoy the colours of autumn all year round with a leaf print... view

Blackboard message tray
A fun message board to share messages of the days plans... view

DIY beauty jars
Make pretty jars to store your beauty products... view

Drippy vases
Upcycle some old vases with an on–trend dripped effect... view

DIY pinnable mood board
Stylish and practical, this pinnable mood board is exactly what you need... view

DIY pinnable mood board
Brighten up a dull wall space by making your own wall hanger... view

DIY ombre storage basket
Autumn colours have inspired this easy ombre basket... view

Painted breakfast tray
Give someone breakfast in bed, served on this painted tray... view

Painted old mirror
Upcycle vintage mirror to reflect your colour personality... view

Home sweet home bookshelves
Keep your books in order and add colour to your home... view

Cane mat artworks
Add a touch of colour to your walls by painting cane mats... view

Make paper flag bunting
Make painted paper flag bunting... view

Pretty jewellery bowl
Old wooden bowls are perfect for storing your jewellery... view

Stylish spice jars
Spice up your kitchen bench with these stylish labelled jars... view

Christmas snowflakes
Create snowflakes by arranging craft sticks painted with testpots... view

Christmas wrapping paper
How to paint and personalise your Christmas wrapping paper... view

Decorative lace clay pots
They make the prettiest planters, perfect to use indoor or outdoor use... view

Twig bowl
A stylish nod to nature and the perfect place to keep knick knacks... view

Paint easter bunny jars for your easter treats

Easter jars
Paint decorative jars for your children to keep their Easter goodies!... more

Paint fluro panels on your geometric vase

Geo fluoro pots
Take the geo look to the next level with this paint effect... more

Colourful key holder
Get organised with this DIY key holder, designed to look stylish... more

Statement earring stand
Create your own DIY earring stand so you can enjoy them... more

Paint your vases in a stylish retro theme

Striped vases
Bring the best of the 70s to your vase collection with this colour scheme... more

Raindrop vase
Update a vase with gorgeous raindrop pattern... more

Paint letters to make a sign for your home

Make a statement
Add a fun statement to your home or use this project to paint... more

Art deco artwork
Add colour to your walls with your own painted artwork... more

Mandala–dot bowls
Give old bowls a lift of colour with this mandala-dot style effect... more

Paint your toolbox with a triangle pattern

Freshen up your toolbox with paint
Trick up your toolbox with this cool DIY... more

Paint your wooden bowls in a paint dipped effect

Colour dipped bowls
Add spice to your kitchen/dining room decor... more

Star wall hanging
Encourage your kids to get creative with this easy star wall hanging idea... more

Hex noticeboard
Turn a piece of cork into a handy and colourful noticeboard... more

Glass bottle vases
Upcycle old bottles into quirky vases and give them a new lease of life... more

Crumpled vases
Use your recycling and turn old cans into handy and colourful vases... more

Make iceblock stick arrows for your kids room

Colourful arrow art
Grab some popsicle sticks and make this trendy arrow art... more

Mother-of-pearl artwork
it’s hard to believe artwork was created using potato printing... more

Paint your own square vase
Add colour to a tall square vase so it looks colourful... more

Paint your own artwork
Why not create your own statement piece using colours... more

Colourful display for your herbs
Reuse empty cans as handy herb holders. Paint them in your favourite colours... more

Makeover your fruit bowl
Is your fruit bowl looking a bit drab? Do you love that timber look... more

Duo-colour candlesticks
Painted in dusky pink and grey white and filled with gold candles... more

Create pretty frames for your mantlepiece

Colourful frames
If you've been meaning to frame a beautiful print or photograph, why not do it with something that pops... more

Geometric coasters and placemats
Geometric colour blocking is an easy technique... more

Perk up your terracotta planters
Even if you're not a DIY connoisseur, these planter projects will take no time at all... more

Jazz up your salad servers
Rejuvenate old wooden salad servers with fresh colours... more

Painted striped tray
Wooden serving trays can look a little old over time... more

Paint a glass jar and transform into a vase

Beautify an old glass jar
Paint up a jar or two and use it to brighten up your home... more

Update a clipboard with wallpaper for a makeover

Clipboards makeover
Give yours an update with stylish wallpaper... more

Update your bookcovers with a new look with wallpaper

How to jazz up your books
Take the hum drum out of office work & style up your books with wallpaper... more

Wallper tins for storage of pens on your desk

Pretty pen pots
Here’s a quick way to turn them into something pretty – pen pots... more

Upcycle a tray to make a colourful frame for your keepsakes

Keepsake photo tray
Paint an old tray to use as an unusual photo or art frame... more

Upcycle a tray to make a summer inspired drinks tray

Summer drinks tray
Summer is for entertaining and it's nice to serve your guests... more

View more projects...
Habitat bright ideas projects created in collaboration with Fleur Thorpe... more

Resene Paints Ltd – www.resene.com