Done in a day: 4 easy DIY projects

While there are huge amounts of proud DIYers hammering, sanding and painting each and every weekend, others are yet to pick up a roller or place down a drop cloth, despite having the very best of intentions. Never fear – for beginners and those short on time or motivation, we’ve got you covered with these fun and practical DIY projects that can be done in a day using Resene paint and stain.

These projects are for both interiors and exteriors and are simple enough for all skill levels. They’re also a great way to get the kids off the screens and involved during the holidays or over a weekend. Take them to your local Resene ColorShop to help choose colours with you! All you need is some basic equipment, tools and Resene paint, prep and stain products to get started.

Build a storage bench seat

This handy outdoor storage box is ideal for firewood or gumboots during winter and shoes, beach gear or gardening tools in summer. By adding a cushion on the top, it also doubles as a cool bench seat. All you need is some basic woodworking skills, a few tools and some timber. The design can be customised to fit your space, then finished with paint or stain. We used Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in Resene Edward.

Learn how to make your own storage bench seat.

The storage bench is a sturdy structure made by constructing two box frames and joining them together with central supports.

Storage bench painted in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in Resene Edward, weatherboards in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in Resene Grey Friars with trim in Resene Sea Fog, door in Resene Lustacryl in Resene Edward, hooks in Resene Enamacryl in Resene Milk White and deck in Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain in Resene English Walnut.

Paint your pavers

Freshen up your outdoor living or growing space for summer by painting your pavers. Customising these outdoor areas is a great way to make them a pleasure to be in, as well ensure that they look their best. Painting your pavers couldn’t be easier – the tough part is choosing with Resene colours to choose to tint with your durable Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen topcoat! In our video below, keen DIYer Jae Frew used Resene Resene Highland, Resene Dingley and Resene Clover. Mix Resene Anti-Slip Grip Additive into the paint beforehand to ensure they’re easy to walk on afterwards.

Top tip: Giving them a good clean first with Resene Moss & Mould Killer will create a good finish.

Pavers painted in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in Resene Clover mixed with Resene Anti-Slip Grip Additive.

Timber mantelpiece

Elevate your space by creating a custom mantelpiece from a piece of reclaimed timber – or you can create something with new timber cut to size to best suit your space and aesthetic. This is a simple project that involves preparing the wood properly before it is stained, then simply hanging with construction adhesive (or brackets) in your desired space. Sanding the timber before applying Resene Colorwood Whitewash and Resene Aquaclear will not only produce a professional looking finish, but also allows the natural beauty of the timber and its grain to shine through.

To find out how to create and finish your own custom mantelpiece with our step-by-step instructions and video.

Timber headboard

Making a piece of custom furniture and painting or staining it in Resene colours is another great way to personalise your room in a budget-friendly way. The practical design of this simple and stylish timber headboard means it can be easily moved around between bedrooms or shifted to suit a room reshuffle. It’s coated in Resene Colorwood Whitewash, which gives it a modern coastal feel, however the world is your oyster when it comes to deciding on your Resene hue. Use quality timber that’s not bowed and if it needs a wash, give it a clean with Resene Timber and Deck Wash before you begin. We made our headboard to fit a double bed which required 21 timber palings, but measure your bed before you begin to figure out how many you’ll need.

Follow our step-by-step instructions and video to make and finish your own timber headboard.

Mantelpiece stained in Resene Colorwood Whitewash and finished in Resene Aquaclear, tiles painted in Resene Sandtex Mediterranean effect and Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in Resene Cabbage Pont, wall in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in Resene Cabbage Pont, vases in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in Resene Quarter Parchment, Resene Biscotti and Resene Alabaster and picture frame in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in Resene Half Black White.

Timber headboard finished in Resene Colorwood Whitewash, back wall painted in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in Resene Dream Big, right wall in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in Resene Half Black White, trims in Resene Eighth Black White, side table and vase in Resene Rice Cake and lamp in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in Resene Turbo.