Here’s the thing: I want to be crafty, productive, and Pinterest-worthy, but I also want to binge-watch an entire season of a show without feeling like my brain is turning into pudding. The solution? DIY projects that don’t require 100% of your attention.
These are projects you can do while watching Netflix, half-paying attention to the plot, and pausing only when someone in the show yells “Wait, WHAT just happened?”
1. Customize Old Glass Jars into Storage Containers
If you have empty candle jars, pasta sauce jars, or any kind of glass container sitting around, you’ve basically got free home decor waiting to happen. While Netflix plays in the background, you can transform them into storage for cotton pads, makeup brushes, office supplies, or snacks.
How to do it:
- Wash and dry the jars.
- Remove labels with hot water and baking soda paste.
- Spray-paint the lids a matte black, gold, or whatever matches your style.
- Add labels if you want to look like you have your life together.
2. Create Your Own Textured Vase
Textured vases are everywhere right now. You’ve probably seen them on Pinterest: minimal, matte, slightly rough to the touch, and usually holding one lonely eucalyptus stem. The best part? You can make one from any old vase, bottle, or thrift store find — and you don’t need a pottery wheel.
The trick: baking soda mixed into regular acrylic paint. It creates that ceramic look without the actual clay.
Steps:
- Mix a couple of tablespoons of baking soda into a small cup of paint.
- Apply one coat to your vase and let it dry.
- Add a second coat for a more matte, chalky finish.
- Let it cure overnight before adding anything inside.
3. Make a No-Sew Blanket
This is for the nights you want to feel cozy and productive at the same time. No-sew blankets are usually made from two layers of fleece fabric, cut into strips along the edges, and tied together. The result is a chunky, warm throw that looks store-bought but is completely customizable.
How to do it:
- Buy two fleece fabrics — they can match or contrast.
- Layer them, cut strips about 6 inches long all around the edges.
- Tie the strips together in knots.
4. DIY Framed Fabric Wall Panels
If your walls feel empty and you don’t want to commit to painting, fabric panels are an underrated way to add texture and color to a room. And they’re ridiculously easy to make.
Here’s what you need:
- A piece of fabric you love (think bold patterns, linen, or even thrifted curtains)
- A simple wooden frame or canvas
- A staple gun or hot glue gun
Steps:
- Cut the fabric a few inches larger than the frame.
- Wrap the fabric around and secure it to the back of the frame with staples or glue.
- Hang it up.
This works with patterned fabric for a bold statement, or neutral linen for a subtle, minimalist look. It’s one of those “looks like art” projects that costs a fraction of what framed prints do.
5. Paint Your Own Abstract Wall Art
If you’ve ever seen a $300 “modern abstract” painting at a store and thought, “I could do that,” you’re right. You can. And you can do it while watching Stranger Things.
The beauty of abstract art is that it doesn’t require precision. You can literally dip a brush into a color you like and just make shapes, swirls, or blocks of color until it feels right.
Tips for success:
- Use acrylic paints. They dry fast, which means you can layer colors without smearing them everywhere.
- Choose a color palette that matches your room so it looks intentional once it’s hanging.
- Don’t overthink it. If it looks a little messy, congratulations — you’ve achieved the “gallery wall” aesthetic.
My Thoughts
DIY and Netflix are an oddly perfect combo. The screen keeps your brain entertained while your hands stay busy, and you get to finish the night with something tangible to show for it. Instead of just thinking, “Wow, I watched six episodes,” you get to think, “Wow, I watched six episodes and now I have a new vase.”
It’s productivity without the pressure. Creativity without the stress. And it makes your downtime feel like it’s building toward something — whether that’s a cozier home, prettier walls, or just the satisfaction of making something yourself.
So the next time you settle in for a binge session, don’t just grab the popcorn. Grab some paint, fabric, or fleece. By the time the credits roll, you might just have a new piece of decor, a blanket to snuggle under, or a jar that makes your bathroom look like a Pinterest board.
Because honestly, if you’re going to watch a whole season in one sitting, you might as well get a cute vase out of it.
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