3 quick jobs for a rainy bank holiday

With bad weather upon us for the bank holiday, here are a few jobs that can fill those rainy days and give you an overwhelming sense of satisfaction that you haven't wasted the weekend

Heather Young
By Heather Young
last updated

Planning to spend the bank-holiday weekend barbecuing and
gardening? Bad news - I'm afraid. Rumour has it an Arctic chill is on
its way, bringing with it rain and sleet and a major dampener on
sun-filled plans. So don't pull the barbecue out of the shed yet - get
the toolbox out instead and tackle one of these quick and easy tasks, so your bank holiday indoors isn't time wasted.

bathroom with white tiles and tap

(Image credit: Dulux)

1 Get tough on grouting Want to give your bathroom or kitchen a cheap lift that will have maximum impact for minimal cost? Then it's time to take on your tiles. Make your old wall tiles look like new by regrouting them. Visit a local DIY store for a ready-filled silicone gun. Grind and scrape out the old grout, then regrout the tiles. Keep a cup of water nearby for you to dip your finger in, then wipe your wet finger along the silicone to smooth it to create a professional finish. Wipe of any excess grout and clean and polish the tile.

living room with wooden flooring and photo frame

(Image credit: TBC)

2 Put up family favourites In this age of instant digital presence, it's easy just flicking through pics on an iPad or phone, then confining them to your memory bank. Why not pick some of your favourites, put them in simple, matching frames and hang on your wall as a nostalgic arrangement? Or take time to sort through those shoe boxes of old prints that sit on the top of the wardrobe - you may find some corkers you've forgotten about.

room with wooden table and table lamp

(Image credit: TBC)

3 Go to work No - we don't mean that you should actually head out of the front door and put in extra hours at the office with your nose to the grindstone. However, time well spent on a dreary bank holiday Monday is transforming your home office or study area. Look at it with an objective eye. Clutter everywhere? Clear it, remembering to shred any paperwork you don't want others to see. Seat uncomfortable? Make a cushion for it or pad the seat with foam and some pretty fabric. Bored by a bland and uninspiring space? Paint the chair legs or shop for a colourful new light or some new pretty files and storage boxes.

If you like these ideas, find more at the bank holiday weekend DIY hub

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Heather Young
Heather Young
Editor

Heather Young has been Ideal Home’s Editor since late 2020, and Editor-In-Chief since 2023. She is an interiors journalist and editor who’s been working for some of the UK’s leading interiors magazines for over 20 years, both in-house and as a freelancer. 

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