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How to build garage storage
Difficulty: Beginner You can never have too much storage - especially in your garage or workshop. We recently published a guide on How to build a workbench which required some intermediate D.I.Y. skills. This is a step-by-step guide to building some matching storage, which can be completed by a beginner. Inspiration for…
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How to renovate a caravan - Part 2
How to fix an old caravan Difficulty: Intermediate Don’t let a lack of confidence or experience stop you from taking the plunge and enjoying the freedom of owning your own caravan. It can be relatively easy and inexpensive to buy a retro van and renovate it yourself. This article shows you how to renovate the van. Don’t…
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How to renovate a caravan - Part 3
How to style a caravan Difficulty: Intermediate Once you have renovated the inside and outside of your van, the hard graft is done and your dream home on wheels is almost complete. Now it’s time to have fun and become an interior designer, putting the finishing touches to style your van. This article shows you how to…
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How to paint like a professional
Difficulty: Beginner Painting is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to transform your home. Whether you’re painting a room, reviving old furniture, or giving your house an external makeover, the principles for great painting are the same. Here are 10 tips to help you get a professional finish. Sponsored Post…
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How to build a Besser block bench seat
Difficulty: Beginner Besser blocks are a versatile building material that look terrific. They can be great for affordable D.I.Y. furniture designs. This Besser block outdoor bench is an easy project that can be completed in an afternoon with just a few materials. Many thanks to experienced Workshop member @sandy_d for the…
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Introducing 'Minty' - the latest caravan project
Here's the latest caravan renovation - took about 3 months worth of weekends and was great fun to do. Enjoy!
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How to renovate a caravan - Part 1
How to buy a retro caravan Difficulty: Intermediate A retro caravan can offer the freedom to relax and get away from it all, whether you tow it to a gorgeous holiday spot or leave it in the backyard. This article shows you how to ensure you buy the right van to renovate. Don’t miss Part 2: How to fix an old caravan and…
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How to build a pallet timber table
Difficulty: Intermediate This homemade pallet table looks wonderfully rustic and authentic. It’s cheap, quick and easy to make. It will also give you the confidence to build more pallet timber furniture. Sponsored Post Steps Step 1 Your first task is to find suitable pallets. The table is built from three pallets. You need…
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Essential hand tools for D.I.Y. beginners
Want to get started with D.I.Y. projects but don’t know where to start? Here’s a helpful list of every hand tool you should need. We explain what you need, why you need it, and provide tips from some of Bunnings Workshop’s most trusted community members. This helpful advice from @Tara86 is also worth keeping in mind: “My…
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How to build a workbench
Difficulty: Intermediate A solid workbench can make it much easier to construct your other D.I.Y. projects. This relatively simple workbench would be a great addition to your garage or shed. It’s on wheels for flexibility, has electrical plugs close at hand, some extra lighting, and plenty of storage. Inspiration for this…
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Vinnie - Viscount caravan renovation
Recent caravan renovation project - Vinnie the Viscount van. It included a window box and a bright and beautiful paint job.
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Viscount caravan converted into mobile office
This retro Viscount caravan has been fully refitted as a mobile office with kitchen and sleeps two. The project We wanted to refit this Viscount caravan as a mobile office or business. We paid about $1000 for the van, but it needed a lot of work. We spent about $5000 doing it up in the end. We completely gutted the van and…
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How to build a simple coffee table using pallet timber
Difficulty: Beginner This simple coffee table is a great first project for those just starting to work with recycled pallet wood. You could use it as a stepping stone before making a pallet dining table. The coffee table can be completed in just a few hours and can be easily converted into a desk if you prefer. Sponsored…
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Distressed portable shelves
Distressed Pine shelves painted in playful colours and made portable with caster wheels. The project Like most of my creations, this was a bit of an experiment. I used Pine lengths for the struts up the side and painted them white with a simple undercoat. I then sanded that back to make it look slightly older and…
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How to make a portable play table with storage
Difficulty: Beginner This play table has built-in storage so you can keep playtime tidy. It can be easily wheeled away at bedtime. You might like to get the kids involved with picking out bright colours and even helping to paint the table. Sponsored Post Steps Step 1 Cut one piece of plywood into three 40cm pieces. Two of…
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How to build a corrugated planter box
Difficulty: Beginner Corrugated polycarbonate is strong enough to hold soil but can be easily cut with scissors, making the material perfect for a terrific planter project for D.I.Y. beginners without the need for many tools. Sponsored Post Steps Step 1 Measure and cut four pieces of corrugated polycarbonate to 330mm wide…
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How to build a train set activity station
Difficulty: Beginner Get the little ones to paint their own landscape for their train to ride through. Placing a timber panel on top turns the play table into a coffee table so you can keep it in the living area. Sponsored Post Steps Step 1 The first part of the project is fun – lay out the tracks for your toy train. It’s…
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How to build a mobile kitchen island
Difficulty: Intermediate Create this industrial-style mobile island for your kitchen or barbecue area in just a few hours. This guide shows you how to assemble this attractive and functional piece with limited cutting required. Sponsored Post Steps Step 1 Cut the Merbau timber into two lengths and two widths that are 2cm…
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How to build a simple planter box
Difficulty: Beginner Grow herbs, vegetables or your favourite ornamental plants in this simple yet stylish planter box. The planter can be built using hand tools, and doesn’t require many different materials. Following the guide should help to improve your measuring and cutting skills, giving you confidence to tackle more…
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Old Viscount caravan transformed into office
Created as a mobile office or business, this retro Viscount caravan also sleeps two and has a full kitchen. A new floor has been laid, a new kitchen has been purpose built, new blinds and lights fitted, and a unique decor created with white walls, dark wood and wallpaper features.
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Looking for desk and home office inspiration
Okay, so my working set-up at home isn't quite as bad as this, but I do need to sort myself out with a decent home office set-up. I think I thought the whole Working From Home thing would only last a few months - but it's coming up for a year and I still haven't really adjusted beyond the dining table. Anyone got some good…
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1970s Millard retro caravan renovation
A classic 70s Millard caravan was stylishly renovated with a distinctive Penguin Classics book theme. The project Renovated an old 70s Millard caravan from scratch with a Penguin Classics book theme. Hard work, but well worth the results. I've renovated four other caravans with a mate, but this is the first one I've done…
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Table made using four pallets
Reclaiming pallet timber is an affordable way to tackle a D.I.Y. project, and this rustic table is quick and easy to make. The project I took two pallets apart completely and inserted the strips of wood into the gaps on the other set of pallets to make the tabletop solid. I sanded for smoothness, but left some paint marks…
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Classic 1970s Millard caravan renovation
A classic 70s Millard caravan was given a stylish new look inside and out. The project Here's my latest caravan renovation. It's a 1971 Millard. The renovation took about three months' worth of weekends and was great fun. Before and after How to renovate a caravan Find step-by-step instructions for renovating your own…
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Franklin caravan renovation
This caravan was given a fresh look with new floors and blinds, a complete kitchen fit out, and a fold-out distressed timber table. The project Meet Frankie the Franklin Hunter caravan. A new floor has been laid, blinds installed, and a full fit out throughout. The kitchen has been upgraded with a new benchtop, sink, tap,…
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How to distress painted furniture
Difficulty: Beginner Creating a shabby chic look, or giving furniture a “distressed” painted appearance, is an easy and satisfying project. In little time and with very few materials you can create a piece that’s worthy of any trendy home. For this project we’ve used a solid wooden bedside cabinet, but exactly the same…
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Essential garden tools for beginners and beyond
Getting your hands dirty and transforming your garden can be incredibly enjoyable and rewarding. Best of all, it’s not difficult to help your garden to flourish, particularly if you have the right tools. With the help of Bunnings Workshop regulars, we’ve put together a list of the eighteen tools that should be in anyone’s…
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Essential power tools for D.I.Y. beginners and beyond
Hand tools can help you get started with your home improvement projects, but as you build your D.I.Y. confidence you will discover that power tools can often be quicker, easier and more powerful. If you don’t know where to start, here’s a helpful guide to every power tool you should need as your skills develop. We explain…
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What age did you get into DIY? And what was your first project?
It's funny, I didn't really get into DIY until I was in my late 40s - even though my Dad was brilliant at making anything and everything, and maintaining the garden. He had a garage - that he built himself - in which every inch was covered with tools or things 'that might come in handy later'. He had jam jars full of…
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Retro caravan renovation
Renovated an old 70s Millard caravan from scratch with a Penguin Classics book theme. Hard work, but well worth the results of a Xmas Holiday project!!
