Long weekend jobs to do over Easter

The beauty of the Easter break is that you have a couple of extra days up your sleeve to get really stuck into some quality DIY projects. Before the long weekend, take some time to sit down and plan out what jobs you’d like to tackle, then head into your local Resene ColorShop to pick up your supplies.

Here are a few ideas to get you started, as well as some tips on home maintenance jobs that are worth doing in autumn.

Build floating shelves

Floating shelves provide a practical storage solution in terms of space and are a great way to elevate your room by displaying books, plants, photos and ornaments. They’re also a simple way to update your room affordably. When you’re deciding where to place your shelves on the wall, it’s recommended to have them at eye level, where they become a focal point of the room.

These two shelves are coated with Resene Aquaclear with Resene Colour Enhance Japan Black mixed into it. Resene Aquaclear is a waterborne interior varnish and comes in satin, semi-gloss and gloss finishes, and Resene Colour Enhance is a tint you can add yourself – think of this as tinted varnish. It is surface forming, so it can go over anything from bare timber on walls, ceilings, floors and furniture to already varnished surfaces.

Check out our video and step-by-step instructions to learn how to make your own floating shelves.

Build an outdoor storage box

A good storage box is worth its weight in gold when it comes to keeping your outdoor spaces tidy. You can keep tools, toys, cushions and towels organised and protected from the elements but still handy for whenever you need them – and you can reduce clutter in your garage or shed at the same time!

Artist and keen DIYer Jae Frew shows us how to build an outdoor storage box from plywood and decking timber. It’s sturdy enough to sit on and, thanks to its smart Resene Bokara Grey topcoat, it’s of a professional quality – if not better! Adding locking castors to the base makes it easy to move around, and gas struts on the lid prevent slamming and injuring fingers.

Check out our video and full instructions to learn how to make your own storage box.

Shelves coated in Resene Aquaclear with Resene Colour Enhance Japan Black, walls painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat in Resene Half Spanish White.

This storage box is the perfect spot to place any outdoor cushions or blankets over the colder months. Painted in Resene Lustacryl in Resene Bokara Grey.

Paint your tiles

Ripping up and replacing tiles can be a costly and time-consuming exercise, but did you know that you can update your bathroom instantly and affordably by simply painting them instead? Refreshing wall and floor tiles with a stylish modern Resene colour will transform and lift the space and, with the right hue, can even make it appear significantly bigger. We used Resene Walk-on in the cool and modern white shade Resene Alabaster, which opens up the room and completely reimagines the dated tiles, and we painted over the grout lines with Resene Jumbo. This is also a great makeover option if you’re planning a major bathroom renovation sometime in the future but can’t stand the look of your current tiles any longer!

You can also use the same technique to update your wall tiles by cleaning them, priming them in Resene Waterborne Sureseal and then applying topcoats of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen or Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen Kitchen & Bathroom.

Check out the video and full instructions here to learn how to refresh your bathroom floor tiles.

Paint your exterior balustrades

If your deck needs an update, painting it is the perfect way to do so, all you need is the right Resene products. While spring and summer are the most popular seasons for refreshing and rejuvenating your outdoor spaces, there are projects you can also tackle in autumn and even winter – when the weather permits! One of these is freshening up your exterior balustrades. Doing this not only visibly lifts the appearance of the timber but also protects it from the harsh effects of the weather that we experience in our part of the world.

On the topic of rain, should the weather gods not play ball on your designated day of painting, Resene Umbrella Additive is here to save the day. If the forecast is for light showers, don’t fret – Resene Umbrella Additive can be added to your paint. Once applied, a coating containing Resene Umbrella Additive quickly starts to build a protective shell that then extends throughout the whole coating. Water can evaporate from the topcoat allowing it to dry, while light showers simply roll off leaving the still-drying paint firmly attached to the substrate.

Check out the video and full instructions here to learn how to refresh your balustrades.

Tiles painted in Resene Walk-on paving and flooring paint in Resene Alabaster and Resene Jumbo and coated in Resene Concrete Wax waterborne satin glaze and walls and trims painted in Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel in Resene White.

Enjoy a special Easter brunch in front of your freshly painted balustrade. Balustrades painted in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in Resene Green White, rail in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in Resene Permanent Green and deck in Resene Walk-on in Resene Green White.

Home maintenance jobs to do in autumn

Clean your gutters and spouting in preparation for falling leaves.
Clean your windows to remove the dirt, pollen and salt that can build up over summer.
Clean your air conditioning units before using them to heat over winter.
Remove any existing mould from your pathways, patios and driveways with Resene Moss & Mould Killer and get a head start on the green stuff that builds up over winter by treating with Resene Deep Clean.
Apply Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path or Resene Walk-on mixed with Resene Anti-Slip Grip Additive to stair edges or paths that get slippery to reduce the risk of slipping in wet weather.