Are you spending more time at home these days? Here are some spring art projects to tackle while you shelter in place.
Due to shelter in place orders around the country, there are now millions of people who have had to forfeit the normalcy of their day-to-day schedule. If this sounds familiar, then you’ve probably realized that this extra time brings unique challenges and unique opportunities.
Why not consider some spring art projects? School is out indefinitely, and most workplaces have offered options for their employees to work from home. A global pandemic is not necessarily the time you need to pressure yourself to be productive. But this moment does present a prime opportunity to focus a bit deeper on your living space – and just maybe make a few small updates.
Small projects can be a great way to keep kids involved and occupied. In addition, you will get to check off some boxes from your Spring Cleaning to-do list!
Here are some excellent family-friendly spring art projects to tackle while you stay at home and help flatten the curve. They all have a creative element and will make your home more comfortable.
Freshen Up Your Walls
Wall updates are a simple task that can be completed in under a week. If you own your own home, you don’t have to answer to anybody! If you’re a renter, just make sure you get permission from your landlord first. Painting can be fun, creative, and fulfilling – the perfect spring art project! Most hardware stores have kept their doors open to the public during this pandemic, so you should be able to place orders for curbside pickup or home delivery.
We recommend that you compare color swatches online to figure out which color shade is best for you.
If you feel like you need a full interior design consultation before getting started, try booking a free design call with the designers at Furnishr. They look at your floor plan and recommend layouts, furnishing, and accessories to meet your needs.
- Select an appropriate paint color.
- Order the paint & supplies from your local supplier (delivery or curbside pickup).
- Protect your floors, tape it off, and get painting!
Painting the walls is a great opportunity to get the children involved. This is especially effective if you can give them some say in the decision-making process! One way to do this is select shades that match throughout, and then give the children the option to pick their colors within the scope of your design taste.
Let the child choose a brush and paint their own room. This can be a great activity for older children that will keep them busy and assist the time frame of your overall process for spring art projects.
Create Art Together with Spring Art Projects
If you do not own your home, arts and crafts can come into the picture. Spending time at home might give you a new perspective on the landscape of your walls. Maybe it’s time to replace those old picture frames or rearrange some paintings. You could also take this time to create art with your family and hang it up on the walls. The Internet is full of free and easy spring art projects to help you create gorgeous, abstract art. Just choose a color scheme that matches your home, and you’re good to go.
Need materials? Blank canvases and poster boards remain inexpensive from craft stores or dollar stores. Or you can buy them online and have them shipped or schedule for curbside pickup.
- Collect art materials from around the house (paints, markers, paper, tape, scissors, clay).
- Decide if you need other materials, and order online or from local art store.
- Choose a color palette that complements your home design.
- Look for an online tutorial – especially good at engaging elementary-aged children.
- Display your gorgeous, custom artwork.
Not only can this brighten up your home, but you’ll be investing in your child’s artistic skills by creating opportunities to be creative. Each of these activities can be completed within a limited time, and you can have new paint or new art on your walls in just a few days’ time.
Spruce Up Your Backyard
More and more research points to the benefits of green space. As a result, more people are investing in their everyday living spaces as opposed to taking lavish vacations to get their dose of greenery. Outdoor living space is definitely a red hot renovation idea, especially during a period of shelter-in-place when outdoor amenities like parks and playgrounds are closed!
Of all the spring art projects, this one might have the biggest impact on your daily life.
- Figure out what your yard is missing, and see what you already have that could be used.
- Decide on a budget and enlist help from the household.
- Tidy the yard first, then drop in furniture or decking.
- Accessorize to perfection.
- Enjoy your outdoor oasis!
If you have a yard, there are many things you could do to make it more appealing. Consider adding a deck or a concrete pad, or extending your existing patio slab. Creating an outdoor oasis is easier than you think, and it’s nice to think of the day when you can finally entertain guests again. You’d be surprised at how a few simple touches can totally transform the backyard appeal of your home.
The cost of decking is also flexible. A smaller, minimalistic deck averages around $1,200 for supplies and labor. If you’ve already got some type of space in your yard, the cost of adding some character to it is minimal. You can add some lighting accents, or mount some speakers, all for less than $100.
Rejuvenate Your Balcony
If you have a patio or balcony, now is a good time to look for some potted plants. You could also grow some from seed by ordering from your local hardware store. A little greenery goes a long way on a patio or balcony, and it’s even better if you grow edible plants!
Now that the weather is warming up, you might want to recreate the layout of your outside space. Look for an outdoor rug that can handle the elements. You’ll also want a small table and place to sit. Mood lighting, like twinkle lights or standing lanterns, create ambiance that can make any small outdoor space feel special. If you need ideas for using natural elements to make your home feel more cozy, start here. Spring art projects should be fun, so get creative!
- Clean your patio thoroughly to rid it of dirt and leaves.
- Figure out where the sun comes from, and design a layout accordingly.
- Find lighting, seating, and plants to make your space feel cozy.
- Enjoy fresh air from the comfort of your own newly styled balcony.
Think about your daily routine and look for an activity that could be made better by doing it outdoors. You could turn your outdoor space into a meditative morning yoga lounge with room for a yoga mat and a small table for your laptop. Or maybe you’re an extrovert and you’re having an especially hard time with quarantine. So make your balcony a happy hour spot, with bright pennants hung up as a nice backdrop for Facetiming with your friends and family.
Organization Projects
During this time, the whole family has probably been home a lot more than usual. So, it’s likely that there are some piles of clothing, an accumulation of random toys, and lots of other things that remain out of place. Despite what the younger members of your household might think, organization time is an activity that all family members can (and should) partake in.
This is another great opportunity for children to service the needs of their own room or playrooms. Plus, they can sort out their favorite toys from unused items as they organize. This means less clutter, and they just might discover a new excitement for a forgotten item found under the bed. A great method for keeping playtime fresh is to batch your kids’ toys into several baskets, and then rotating them every few days or once a week. This way, you have less clutter out at once, and the kids are excited to see new items and be inspired to new creativity.
What kind of organizational strategies and materials can you use? We recommend storage totes for this activity because they allow children the opportunity to store the things that they are not using, gifting additional space. Something stackable is even better.
- Gather up some sorting containers and organizing boxes.
- Decide on categories (keep, store, giveaway).
- Go through one room at a time and sort everything.
- Celebrate and mark your progress – especially important for children.
- Set aside items to donate when thrift stores reopen, or post for free online.
The adults can do some sorting, too! Go through your dresser drawers and your closets and you might find some extra space. Sort through your kitchen and garage and look for items that no longer serve you. Maybe you’ll find some things that could be used for spring art projects.
Unfortunately, thrift stores aren’t accepting donations right now due to public health concerns. But you can still set aside items you wish to donate. You may even post them for free to your neighborhood exchange group, since there might be someone nearby who could use those items. Just make sure you have a sanitization process in place if anyone in your house has been sick.
Hour-Long Bursts of Productivity
This is a classic technique promoted by lots of entrepreneurs and busy people. Setting a timer for just one hour can help you overcome procrastination and start to see some visual progress on any of these tasks. You can fight cabin fever by starting with a few small projects.
Plus, you probably don’t have hours at a time to spend on spring art projects. Most people are still working from home, and now they’re balancing childcare with housework and their employment. So, it’s okay if you don’t feel any desire to improve your home right now. You need to look out for your mental health, and that’s should be your number one priority.
But, if you’re starting to feel stir crazy, just look around you. Finding smaller house projects can help you make a major dent in your overall home redesign plans. And investing in your home right now, during this time of global crisis, is a great way to stay connected to gratitude and what’s important.
- Set a timer for a short period of time, maybe 25 minutes.
- Start a task that you’ve been procrastinating on.
- Stop when the timer rings and take a break.
- Congratulate yourself on making progress and breaking the ice!
Finally, if you’re exhausted, it’s totally okay rest. We all need time to recuperate and take care of ourselves right now. But if you find yourself feeling bored, then you may want to tackle one of these projects!
By doing any one of these spring projects, you (and your children, if you have them) will be even more thankful for your home when the work is finally done.
So whether you are focused on making your home more enjoyable for yourself, or whether you’re preparing your space for entertaining guests when all this is over, we hope you find joy in your home. And remember, if you need help we’re here for you.
