Recent research from hipages found that nearly half (43%) of Aussie homeowners have experienced a renovation disaster in the last 12 months, which is equivalent to over 4.2 million households. From disasters during painting (43%) landscaping and gardening (33%) and plumbing-related jobs, and with the average cost of fixing our DIY mistakes around $500, it’s understandable why some would prefer a quick refresh over a full renovation.

There are loads of fun decorating projects you can do, from a simple cushion swap to replacing kitchen benchtops. Whatever room you want to make over, from your kitchen benchtops to your bathroom tiles, bring new life to your home with these easy, wallet-friendly updates.

Refresh your living room

Being one of the more high-traffic rooms in the home, it’s only natural that furniture would get a little worn. Marks on sofas and greying of light-coloured upholstery can often be fixed with a professional clean. Do an internet search for a company that services your area. Frayed fabrics and scratched leather may be unsalvageable, in which case you have two options: buy a new piece of furniture or refresh your old sofa with a slipcover. Otherwise, have a slipcover custom made by a furniture upholsterer – it will still cost a few hundred dollars, but what’s that in comparison to thousands for a new sofa?

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Unikko cushion
in Charcoal,
Marimekko 

$149

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Staccato rug in Olivine

$9800

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Derby floor lamp

$299

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Affordable kitchen updates

One of the biggest impacts you can make to update your home without a renovation is to update the cabinet doors. A fresh coat of paint may be all they need. Use sample pots to try colours before committing and make sure you prime the doors properly.

Another option is to replace the doors all together. Updating cabinet handles, too, will make a big improvement and can be done in an hour.If you’re happy with your cabinets, maybe your benchtops need attention. How about a gleaming new slab of marble? Or perhaps you prefer butcher’s-block wood. If replacing the benchtop really isn’t an option, you could always paint over it.

Renters, don’t despair – you can disguise the benchtop with huge breadboard. Have one custom made in wood or stone. Finally, finish off your kitchen with new tapware.

Dining room decor

A dining room facelift is more about the decorative than anything structural so if you move, you can take all the changes with you. The easiest update is with homewares – revamp your table with new tableware and table linen. Flowers, too, will do the trick.

Lighting is a key element in the dining room, but is often overlooked. It creates mood and ambiance – or a good spot for homework! A dramatic pendant light (or a cluster) over the table will create a focal point in the room.

Beautiful bedroom ideas

The quickest and easiest way to update your home without a renovation is with fresh bedlinen. If you’re sick of what you have, treat yourself to a new set. Choose something that you can work back with what you’ve got to create different looks.

Another big impact you can make in the bedroom is with rugs. A large area rug can be placed in the middle of the room or under the bed – position it three-quarters under the bed and one-quarter sticking out the foot-end of the bed. For smaller pops of colour or pattern, place floormats or runners either side of the bed.

To create ambiance, change your lighting. If you have high ceilings, hang a beautiful pendant or chandelier. If your ceilings are low, focus on your bedside lamps. A change of shade might be all that’s required.

The finishing touches on a room are often the most fun to do, and in the case of the bedroom this means accessories. You don’t have to undertake a major overhaul – rearrange a vignette on your dresser, change the cushions and throw on the bed or put new photos in your frames. After all, some of the best facelifts are the most subtle.

Budget bathroom updates

Lastly, pay some attention to the bathroom. Tiles are easy to transform with tile paint. As with the kitchen, replace vanity benchtops or update the tapware. Clear out the clutter in your medicine cabinet (be ruthless!) and put out a fresh set of fluffy towels – and a bathrobe to match.

A good scrub may suffice, but go a step further and regrout tiles for an as-new look – it’s easier than you think.

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Romee Bath Sheet,
Seed

$59.95

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Mango Wood Stool, Temple & Webster

$79.95

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Fresh Fig &
Cassis candle,
Jo Malone London

$208

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The post Here’s how to makeover every room in your home without a renovation appeared first on Homes To Love.

We, of all people, know there are some spectacular scents on the market, but you’ll be pleased to know that it’s surprisingly easy and affordable to make candles at home. Plus, when you know how to make your own candles you get the added bonus of being able to create a bespoke fragrance that you might not necessarily find in store.

Once you get the basics down, you can even purchase candle moulds online and start making your own taper candles, or even more interesting sculptural shapes.

If you’re interested in learning how to make soy candles, we’ve put together a step-byb-step guide using just a few supplies bought online and things found around the home.

You will need:

• Containers made to withstand heat
• Candle wicks
• Thermometer
• Pouring jug
• Wick holder
• Fragrance oil
• Soy wax flakes

Once you have gathered all the necessary equipment you can start to make your own soy candles following the steps below.

Step 1: Melt the wax

Using the double-boiler method (just like chocolate), melt the wax over a simmering pot. A Pyrex jug works best for holding the wax to melt because it allows for easy handling.

To measure out the amount of wax needed use this formula:

Volume of the container (ml) x 0.77 = Soy Wax (g)

If you don’t have scales handy then you can quickly calculate the wax required by simply using the container to measure two full scoops of unmelted wax. When the wax melts down this should roughly fill the container.

Step 2: Prepare the container

Place the wick in the centre of the candle, make sure to keep it centred. You can opt to use a glue gun to hold the wick in place by putting a small amount of glue on the base of the wick. To hold the wick in the centre, stretch a piece of sticky-tape across the top of your container for it to lean against.

Step 3: Add the fragrance oil

Once the wax has reached 80 degrees Celsius, take the wax off the heat and transfer it into the pouring jug. After transferring the wax to a pouring jug, add the fragrance oil and stir for about 2 minutes. Add between 6-10% fragrance oil to grams of melted wax.

To calculate this follow this formula:

Soy Wax (g) x 0.08 = Fragrance Oil (ml)

If you do not know the volume of wax then calculate 8% of the volume of the container.

Container (ml) x 0.08 = Fragrance Oil (ml)

Step 4: Pour the candle

When the wax has cooled to 55 degrees Celsius, pour into the container. Be sure to check the wick is still centred after pouring as it can move sometimes.

Step 5: Let the candle set

Leave the candles to cool and set over 24 hours before burning it for the first time. When you finally do light it, remember to set your candle memory. Generally speaking, you need to burn every new candle for 1 hour per 2.4cm in diameter. This will ensure your candle burns all the way to the edge of your container each time you light it.

The benefits of soy wax

Soy wax is fast becoming the preferred wax used to make candles due to its many superior qualities including:

• Superior scent throw
• Longer burn time
• Little to no soot
• Burns evenly and clean
• No nasty chemicals

DIY candle making supplies

01

Openook Peony Rose soy candle refill

$12, Big W

Best for: a quick and easy top up

This pre-made soy candle refill pouch makes it easy to replenish your scented candles when you’ve burnt them to their end. Simply heat the pouch, center your wick and pour into your empty vessel – no need to mix in fragrances.

Scents: Peony Rose and Coconut & Lime

Shop now

02

Hey Hobby DIY soy candle making kit

$59.94, Hardtofind

Best for: beginners who need all the supplies

This Australian-owned small business offers a range of different craft kits, from crochet to candle making and everything in between. This kit comes with everything you need to make your own soy candles including premium soy wax, essential oils, labelled glass jars and wicks, all packaged up in a beautiful box which also makes it a beautiful gift.

Scents: Vanilla, Patchouli and Sandalwood or Crushed Lime and Sea Salt

Shop now

03

Glass candle jars with bamboo lids

$42.78 (for 15), Amazon

Best for: making candles in bulk

If you want to make a big batch of soy candles for gifts (or for yourself), this 15-pack of glass candle jars with airtight bamboo lids will save you from scouring your kitchen cupboards or waiting until you have enough empty jam jars to start your candle making session.

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While there are plenty of ways to keep it simple, like recycling old wrapping paper and sharing in the cost of the menu, there is one pocket-friendly hack that, in our minds, reigns supreme: the pool noodle table runner. We know what you’re thinking: ‘that ugly foam thing I used to pretend was a horse/sword/trumpet?’ Yes. One and the same.

In case you missed it, this humble foam cylinder has become something of a social media sensation of late — we’ve seen it used in banquette seating, to create a fluted table, an arched bedhead and even a chubby armchair. And now, it’s setting the most elegant of scenes on our Christmas tables.

So, grab that crumpled $20 from your wallet, set aside 30 minutes and do boujee on a budget this year with our Christmas pool noodle table runner how-to.

How to make a Christmas pool noodle table runner

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• One pool noodle

• Green tinsel/garland (approx 6 to 10 metres)

• A hot glue gun

• A Stanley knife

• Ornament hooks

• Taper candles

• Foraged greenery and branches (e.g. pine, olive tree — opt for something long-lasting, unless you’re going for a dried-out look)

• Ribbon

STEP 1

Lay your pool noodle out on the table and check it’s the right size, trim if need be.

STEP 2

Drape the green tinsel from side to side along the pool noodle, using the hot glue gun to set it in place on the sides as you go, until it’s completely covered from end-to-end.

STEP 3

Cut four cross shapes spaced out evenly along the pool noodle — these will act as the candle holders.

STEP 4

Tie ribbons to the candles (optional) and wedge them into the cross shapes you cut into your pool noodle.

STEP 5

Cut the foraged branches to smaller pieces and add into the tinsel, blending as you go, then bend the ornament hooks into U shapes and push them into the pool noodle to secure. Add as much foliage as you require to cover the entire pool noodle (our version used 3 x 60cm branches cut up).

STEP 6

Ta-da — you’re done. You can, of course, add other festive decorations to the pool noodle such as baubles, pine cones, more tinsel or ribbons — whatever your heart desires. Have fun!

The post The viral Christmas pool noodle table runner you can make for $20 appeared first on Homes To Love.

Thanks to social media (and the internet) we’re lucky to have a seemingly never-ending supply of design blogs, Pinterest and Instagram accounts to fuel our interior obsession but, with so many out there, it can be hard to hone in on one particular interior influencer that resonates with your interests and aesthetic.

To help you, we have pulled together a list of our favourite Australian home renovators, decorators and DIY enthusiasts, all with their own specialty. So, if you’re looking for home styling inspiration, DIY ideas and even expert renovating advice, hit ‘follow’ on these Instagram accounts ASAP.

1. Geneva Vanderzeil

Geneva Vanderzeil is the founder of the popular how-to website Collective Gen (formerly A Pair & A Spare): ‘a community for style, life and home makers’.

The renovation of her and her partner Ben’s dilapidated 19th-century worker’s cottage in Brisbane showcased Geneva’s knack for turning trash into treasure and finding budget-friendly alternatives for finishes and furniture. The renovation is pretty much finished now but Geneva continues to share room makeovers, DIY projects, style hacks and now, with a toddler in tow, great ideas for kids’ rooms and crafts.

Geneva can now add ‘author’ to her skillset after releasing her first book this year, Home Is Where You Make It. Inside you’ll find inspiring ideas and projects that you can easily try in your own home.

GENEVA’S DIY SCHOOL

If you’re keen to learn more about how to get hands on with your DIY projects, Geneva Vanderzeil has just launched her very own DIY School. The series of online courses includes access to over 40 video tutorials, more than 60 pages of course materials, access to an exclusive Facebook community and special partner discounts. The first course will focus on upcycling furniture, with plenty more to come. Learn about restoring timber, painting furniture, upholstery, tiling and more. The projects are all new and never-before seen! The course costs $220 and you can find our more and secure your place here.

2. Maddy Evennett (@hutchinson.house)

We’ve been following Maddy Evennett’s renovation journey for a while now and we have to say, this lady is a powerhouse! Along with updates of the renovation of her beachside home in Newcastle, Maddy is constantly sharing styling ideas, cleaning tips, DIY projects and even landscaping and garden inspiration. All her projects and ideas are affordable, achievable and super informative, and her relaxed, Australian coastal style is sure to resonate with many of you.

3. Roísín & Zac Tarrant (@geebungalow)

Roísín and Zac set up their Instagram account to document the renovation of their old worker’s cottage in Geebung, Brisbane. The young couple spent five years transforming the three-bedroom home into something completely unrecognisable, and mostly all by themselves. They shared the tips and tricks they learnt along the way with their 87,000 followers, before selling the home in early 2023 in order to find something bigger for their growing family (they have two dogs, Henry and Betty, and now baby Finn!)

That is definitely not the end of their story though! The ambitious pair have already purchased a retro brick cottage in Toowoomba, which they’re currently renovating and planning to rent out as a pet-friendly holiday stay soon. They’ve been sharing plenty of the renovation and their best advice online, including how they’re insulating the property for the cooler climate, where they’re splurging and saving during the renovation, and more.

4. Kas Wren (@wrenandwhippet)

Kas Wren is a former lawyer, who now lives and breathes the country dream in a small rural town in NSW. She has an absolute knack for designing and pulling together spaces with so much character and depth, that although they’re new, feel as if they’ve always been there. She’s already renovated a cottage in Leura, but more recently, she’s been tranforming a 1910s weatherboard cottage in Coolah, NSW (which happens to be the cover star of Country Style’s July 2023 issue).

Repurposing and re-loving is the name of her game, with antiques, recycled materials and nods to English country design (we see you sink skirt!) But what we love about her most is that she shares her home and renovations in such an honest and unfiltered way – mess, muddy paw prints and all. Her beautiful home regularly hosts workshops and gatherings of her nearest, dearest and newest friends.

5. Jaharn Quinn (@smorhome)

We’ve all got designer furniture and homewares pieces that we lust after, and Jaharn (a.k.a Smor Home) shows you how to get the look for much, much less. Not only is she a creative powerhouse, but she regularly proves that girls shouldn’t be afraid to jump on the tools. From creating desks out of plant pots, to staining old cabinets and even tranforming doorways in her home, there aren’t many creative projects around the home that Jaharn hasn’t tried.

She shares the full DIY process on her Instagram, and isn’t afraid to admit when she makes a mistake (after all, that’s where the biggest learnings come from). If upcycling in a sustainably conscious way if your thing, chuck her a follow for sure.

6. Bijour Jacqueline (@vanillapalmdesigns)

Bijour Jacqueline first came to our attention when we were scouring the internet for clever ways creators had used Kmart’s viral $29 travertine stone tiles. We don’t like to play favourites but, what Bijour did with hers…wow. She paved a pathway with them and created a Balinese-inspired bathhouse, and she did it all by herself!

Apart from that, she’s shown us how to update old window frames, DIY our dream sideboard, and generally style our home to look like we’re on holidays year-round.

7. Chloe Brookman (@70shousereno)

Chloe Brookman’s account started with her documenting the renovation of their 1970s-style bungalow, lovingly named “Hilda”, which is based in Bangalow near Byron. Since then, Chloe and her family purchased an old Federation home in South Coogee, NSW and set about updating it, filling it with plenty of personality and joie de vivre.

While she has since sold that home, her Instagram is still filled with her latest vintage or secondhand finds, and she’s even let us in on a scoop that she’s currently looking for her next design project, so we know her feed is going to be filled with more renovation goodness in the not-so-distant future!

8. Natalie Walton

Natalie Walton is an interior stylist, author and educator based in the Byron Bay hinterland. Natalie’s signature pared-back and organic aesthetic reflects her ethos of ‘living simply, living better’. Her Instagram feed is flooded with images of her own Queenslander-style home, projects she has worked on and her own homewares range. Natalie has also started a podcast where she reveals the tricks of her trade, as well as interviewing likeminded creatives.

Her most recent project was converting a shed in her backyard into a beautiful studio and sleeping quarters. She shared the entire process with her 93,000 followers, including why she chose specific products and finishes, and how she chose to style the space.

9. Zoe Gilpin (DIY Decorator)

Zoe Gilpin is a Perth-based interior decorator with a knack for creating stunning spaces on a budget. From affordable homewares and furniture recommendations to clever upcycling projects, Zoe is a master at achieving a luxe look for less.

10. Katrina Chambers

A self-described “interior design, DIY & plant addict”, Katrina Chambers was a contestant on The Block in 2011 and has since built her own design blog and Instagram account with a focus on lifestyle, wellness, DIY and interior styling. As a mum of three teenage boys, Katrina is a fantastic source of inspiration for decorating teen or tween bedrooms, family-friendly interiors and eco-friendly cleaning tips.

The post 10 DIY home renovators and decorators to follow on Instagram appeared first on Homes To Love.

Design wise, these kinds of reflective doors are a bit of an ’80s throwback, and are also a big no-no in feng shui terms, as they’re said to sap your energy and spoil the nurturing atmosphere you need for a good night’s sleep.

Despite this, there is a positive side to mirrored sliding doors. First up, they reflect natural light and bring brightness and space into a room, making it feel more open and airy. They’re also versatile, working in contemporary spaces while also blending well with more classic or eclectic styles.

The fact that mirrored doors are sliding means they give you a lot more usable floor space. If you have doors that open outwards, you not only lose the space immediately in front of the wardrobe, but also the area behind where you stand. And it’s also pretty handy to have a full-length mirror in the bedroom.

Getting rid of mirrored doors altogether is a big task, not to mention an expensive one, so here are a few alternatives.

HOW TO COVER UP MIRRORED WARDROBES

Wallpaper

You can stick wallpaper onto the mirrored surface. There are some great self-adhesive options or you can simply use double-sided tape. Make sure you consider the whole room when choosing a design. As a rule of thumb, simple tends to work best.

Curtains

Install a ceiling track just in front of the doors and hang curtains.

Again, make sure whatever fabric you use works in context with the rest of the room. A sheer fabric will mean you can keep the advantages of the light, while softening the effect.

TOP TIP

Consider leaving one panel (the one that doesn’t reflect the bed, perhaps) as a mirror to enhance the amount of light in your room.

Frosting

This is done by applying an opaque window film. As with sheer fabric, it means you can work with the mirror rather than against it.

You can DIY if you’re confident but personally, I can’t cover a schoolbook without making ripples, so I’d recommend getting a glass repair company to do it for you. It’s not cheap, but done properly, it gives a great result.

THE BEST PRODUCTS TO COVER UP MIRRORED WARDROBES

Bardwell sheer s-fold curtain, $89.50, Freedom

This sheer s-fold curtain from Freedom is a stylish and practical home staple that’ll have you maximising the natural light that peeks through your mirrors, while keeping its larger reflections covered and chic.

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Sliding panel curtain, from $136.55, Etsy

With an abstract design splashed on the front, this gorgeous printed panel curtain is not for the faint-hearted. Use to cover your mirrors, make a bold statement, and add some art to your walls without the hefty price tag.

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Rope and peel stick wallpaper, $99, Temple & Webster

The classic self-adhesive wallpaper is the perfect solution for when you’ve gotten tired of your mirrored wardrobes. Better yet, this set is easy to install, washable and waterproof, having been made with an aqueous printable textile. Talk about a triple threat.

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The post How to cover up a mirrored wardrobe in 3 different ways appeared first on Homes To Love.

Whether it’s outdoor maintenance, spring cleaning or home decorating – there is always something that can be done around the house! Better still, once it’s finished you will feel proud as punch and be able to look over your handiwork with a sense of achievement.

So what are you waiting for? Get cracking on these easy home improvement projects and elevate your space with ease.

DIY home improvement ideas to try

Paint your front door a statement colour

Painting your front door is one of the easiest and most affordable DIY home improvement tasks to give your home exterior a fresh new look. You can experiment with bright colours or muted pastels, depending on how bold you want to go!

Update the front garden

Create a home that turns heads by transforming your front garden to boost the kerb appeal of your home. This simple garden has been created using sculptural, low-maintenance plants and white pebbles.

Create a productive home office

If you work from home and currently use the dining table as your desk, create the ultimate home office and watch your productivity skyrocket.

Get your pantry in order

Cooking can be a relaxing, fulfilling activity, but if you feel more anxious than inspired in the kitchen, the reason could be lurking behind your pantry doors. Reacquaint yourself with the spices and staples you already own by cleaning out your pantry and putting everything in its place.

Rid your bathroom of mould, naturally

Mould making your fairly new bathroom look worse for wear? Mix up an all-natural mould busting solution using white vinegar. If that doesn’t improve things, consider re-grouting your bathroom.

Make your home sparkle

A deep clean will have your home looking and feeling fresh. Tackle a full house clean with our room-by-room cleaning checklist.

Refresh your home with a fresh coat of paint

An easy home improvement tasks that makes your home feel brand new is a fresh coat of paint. Painting is something you can easily tackle yourself, but don’t attempt it before reading these tips on painting like a pro.

For colour inspiration, check out the best white paint shades from Dulux and 10 of the best neutral paint colours that aren’t white.

Make your home smell amazing

To see your home in a new light, sometimes all you need to do is set the mood. Fragrance is a powerful thing and can make you feel energised, relaxed or inspired. There are so many ways to make your home smell amazing, from DIY room sprays to aromatic candles.

Clean those spots you’ve been overlooking

Breezed through our home cleaning checklist already? Delve into the dark places you’ve been forgetting to clean, like the oven, the washing machine, the dishwasher and the grout between the bathroom tiles.

Once everything inside is spick and span, turn your gaze to the great outdoors. Is it time to clean your wheelie bin? Does the barbecue need a scrub?

Organise your wardrobe

We’re all reaching for more relaxed clothing these days, but maybe your wardrobe hasn’t quite got the memo. Organise your wardrobe by putting your most-worn clothing within easy reach and neatly store away the rest.

Treat yourself to new bedsheets

You don’t need power tools to update the look and feel of your bedroom. Investing in a quality set of bed sheets is one of the easiest ways to create a space that truly feels like a sanctuary. And don’t stop at sheets – do you find yourself waking up in pain most mornings? A new pillow or mattress could make you feel brand new too!

Hang some artwork

Learn how to hang artwork and create an inexpensive gallery wall that has instant wow-factor. Great art will add colour and personality to a room – so long as you get it right.

Organise the shed

Get your garage organised with simple storage solutions, like shelving and pegboard, that will enable you to use the space to its full potential.

Paint your kitchen cabinets

Give your dated and daggy kitchen a fresh and contemporary new look with a budget DIY renovation. Painting your kitchen cabinets is an easy and affordable way to breathe new life into the heart of your home.

Start a vegie patch

More people than ever are wanting to start a vegetable garden at home and grow their own vegies. If soil conditions at your place are less-than-ideal, opt for raised garden beds which will thrive almost anywhere.

Create an outdoor entertaining zone

Transform your neglected balcony into an outdoor entertaining zone. All you need is an outdoor setting, potted plants and lighting to create a comfortable alfresco space.

Build or buy a firepit

There’s nothing better than gathering around a fire pit in the heart of winter. If you have a backyard or courtyard, why not build your own firepit or buy one and create a designation zone where friends and family can sit comfortably and enjoy the warmth and company.

Read more budget-friendly home ideas

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And while our sense of play may have wained as we entered adulthood, those endless uses for pool noodles certainly did not. Many new parents use pool noodles as DIY furniture and crib bumpers, while the fashion-forward slip them into their boots to store them upright. Some nifty cleaners have even used pool noodles to help clean their homes by attaching them to their vacuum cleaners to reach high corners.

But they’re not just best used for practical purposes, either. With a bit of know-how, you can ‘DIY’ your pool noodle into something you’d be proud to show off in your home.

Designer Jono Fleming recently shared a clever pool noodle hack over on his Instagram account. “I was so set on getting a high-end designer look to this banquette situation when designing this house but in the most budget friendly way,” he shared. Insert a few pool noodles, some wadding, fabric, a couple of staples and dash of glue and voila(!) you’ve now got the most stylish banquette seating backrest. “Materials all up cost under $100 and this project can be done in under an hour,” he adds.

But that’s just the beginning. We’ve searched, scrounged and scoured the internet to bring you the best DIY projects you can create using pool noodles.

WHERE TO BUY POOL NOODLES

Pool noodles can be sourced relatively cheaply from your local discount store, but if you’re short on time, you can also shop them online from BIG W, Temple & Webster and Amazon.

THE BEST POOL NOODLE FURNITURE HACKS

1. CHUBBY ARMCHAIR

DIY guru @genevavanderzeil surprised even herself with this chubby armchair she created using pool noodles. She picked the chair up off the side of the road (as she regularly does #nochairleftbedhind) and knew that with a little nip, tuck, reshape and reupholster it would be good as new. And if you ask us, it absolutely is, and fits in perfectly with the colour palette and aesthetic of her Brisbane home.

2. ARCHED BEDHEAD

Inspired by the tufted bedheads you often find in five-star hotels, @margaret.wright from South Carolina, USA, went viral on social media after she shared her DIY bedhead using humble pool noodles. Covered in a rich green velvet fabric, all up the project cost her a measly $300 — an absolute steal compared to similar designs found in stores.

3. BANQUETTE SEATING BACKREST

Designer @jono.fleming was sitting in a restaurant when he ideated the banquette seating backrest in the home he was renovating for Bunnings’ online series: Make It Happen: The House Project. The solution? Pool noodles stuck to a board and wrapped in fabric. It’s genius if you ask us. Plus, we think this method would be another great way to make a pool noodle bedhead.

4. FLUTED TABLE

Jaharn Quinn of @smorhome has enmassed an army of followers by sharing how she is thrifting, upcycling and DIYing her way to her dream home, so it’s not surprising that her friends often ask for her help. When one requested a fluted table for her entranceway, Jaharn came up with a clever and affordable solution using a box of pool noodles she scored from her local charity store for just $5.

5. TUFTED STOOL

Youtube, TikTok and Instagram star @annikamarieee loves to get thrifty with her home decor. When she saw a cute tufted stool in store for $474, she knew there had to be a clever (and cheaper) way to recreate it, and yes, she did it with pool noodles for just $30. You can see her in-depth tutorial here.

The post 5 nifty pool noodle DIY projects that make a splash appeared first on Homes To Love.

There’s a number of different factors that can affect your quality of sleep, from the suitability of your mattress, to the quality of your pillow, and the bed linen you choose. But, did you know that scent can also impact your sleep? In addition to ambient light and sound, scent can play a major role in lulling you to sleep, while also improving the quality of your rest.

For obvious reasons, burning a beautifully scented candle throughout the night isn’t the answer – but spritzing your pillows and bedlinen with a lavender sleep spray could be the solution to those restless nights. Luckily, its pretty easy to make your very own sleep spray – all you need is a mix of essential oils blend together.

“Essential oils slow down activity in the nervous system with their proven sedative action, reduce stress levels and promote relaxation,” explains Pat-Princi Jones, In Essence Aromatherapy Expert and Author of A Scented Life. “A few drops of lavender on your pillow, indulging in a scented bath or applying soothing oils to the body before going to bed help improve sleep quality.”

how to make a DIY sleep spray

YOU’LL NEED…

• 100ml spray bottle

• Water

• 3 drops lavender essential oil

• 3 drops chamomile essential oil

• 3 drops of mandarin essential oil

method

1. Add the drops to the spray bottle

2. Top with cool water

3. Shake vigorously before each use

4. Spray away from the eye area

why lavender?

“Lavender is effective in improving symptoms including restlessness, disturbed sleep, and somatic complaints as well as having a beneficial influence on general well-being and quality of life, and there is scientific research to back this up,” explains Dr Carmel Harrington from Sleep For Health.

“From its positive psychological effects, it is thought to be therapeutically effective due to physiological effects of the inhaled lavender volatile compounds which act via the limbic system, particularly the amygdala and hippocampus, calming and reducing feelings of stress,” explains Dr Harrington.

How to achieve a good night’s sleep

There’s a number of different factors that can impact your quality of sleep, and the best way to ensure you achieve a good night’s sleep is to be more mindful of these factors.

Not only does ensuring you have the most suitable mattress and pillow have a major impact on your rest, but so does your home environment and overall lifestyle.

“Practising a relaxation or meditation exercise, or using some aromatherapy is a great way to prepare the body and mind for sleep and will often assist with initiating and maintaining sleep,” says Dr Harrington. “Restorative yoga can also work well to calm the mind and put us in a good place for sleeping well.”

what affects sleep quality?

• Alcohol consumption Alcohol is a sleep stealer, for the best sleep, refrain

• Exercise Exercise helps us sleep, but refrain from exercising after about 7pm, as this effectively delays out body clock.

• Diet Eating too close to bedtime can affect sleep, as the digestion keeps us from entering deep sleep

• Routine A solid daily routine improves sleep, the time we wake in the morning determines the time we go to sleep that night.

try using…

In Essence Lavender Pure Essential Oil, $22.95, Myer.

Lavender oil is the foundation of many sleep sprays and is also a versatile oil to be used in the home. Pour several drops in your oil diffuser to enjoy this relaxing scent at home whenever you like.

Oil Garden Sleep Assist Essential Oil Blend, $12.99, Catch.

If you aren’t keen on the idea of making your own aromatic sleep blend, why not try this premade blend from Oil Garden instead? With dreamy lavender, pops of sweet orange and chamomile, this blend will have you drifting off to sleep in no time.

In Essence Sleep Roll On, $24.95, Myer.

If you’re looking for something more portable, In Essence’s Sleep Roll-on is a handbag sized tube that will follow wherever you go. With a dreamy mix of lavender, chamomile and mandarin, simply apply to ensure a beautiful night of sleep.

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Looking for a way to reduce the amount of plastic you use at home? These DIY beeswax wraps are a simple solution.

Materials

• Thin cotton cloth of various sizes

• A hand grater

• Beeswax

• Metal oven trays

• Jojoba oil

• A wide paintbrush

• Pegs and a drying line

Step by step

Cut the cotton cloth of choice into squares of your preferred size – we make them from 15 cm (6 inches) wide to about 40 cm (16 inches) wide.

Preheat the oven to 100°C (200°F). While it’s warming up, grate the beeswax.

Place a cotton square on an oven tray and sprinkle it with some drops of jojoba oil, then sparsely sprinkle the grated beeswax over the top, all the way to the edges. Less is more – if the wax is too thick, the cloth won’t be able to absorb it all.

Place the tray in your warm oven and watch closely – remove it as soon as the grated wax has melted, about 5 minutes at most. Use the paintbrush to ensure the whole cloth is covered with the melted wax, all the way to the edges.

Pick up the wax-covered wrap and peg it on a line until cool and dry. Repeat, repeat and repeat until you’ve used all your wax. If there’s excess wax on the oven tray, just press the next cloth into it to absorb it, and reduce the amount of grated wax you add.

TIPS

• Use scraps of cotton fabric, old skirts or pillowcases.

• Choose a paintbrush that you’re happy to get wax on, because you won’t get it off again!

• The jojoba oil helps the wax to spread evenly throughout the cloth. An eye dropper is useful for adding the oil.

• When you’ve finished making wraps, scrape any excess wax from your oven trays and add it to your spare wax supply.

The post How to make beeswax wraps (and say goodbye to plastic wrap) appeared first on Homes To Love.