7 Best Hobbies

Equipping you with new creative interior design skills

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Studies show learning a new skill can help keep your brain healthy and strong,  your confidence can also grow while your skillset develops and you will benefit from mindfulness which will help your overall wellbeing.  At Millands Home we specialise in Interior design solutions and inspiration and have recommended 7 brilliant new skills or hobbies you could take up that benefit your brain, boost confidence, fortify mindfulness and also produce something meaningful for your home. 

Other benefits from learning new creative design skills are:

·      Saving money because you have taught yourself something new that you can now do yourself.

·      Created something personal and to your own taste which means a lot more than a shop bought item.

·      An opportunity to try something new which could develop a lifelong passion or potential new career.

·      Using your new craft you could produce more creative objects than you need and sell them on as a lucrative side hustle.

Below are the Millands Home top 7 bobby picks, you can do in your spare time, build up your skill level and create something special as a result of your hard work.  For additional resources, see out Resources Page where we have a number of great courses and workshops listed.

1.        Pottery and Ceramics

Skill gained: Working with clay, glazing and kiln work, decorative painting or pattern work.

Take a course or go it alone:  If you are taking up pottery and ceramics for the first time, we would recommend enrolling in a course or workshop in person so you can benefit from the equipment and seeing first hand how to work with the clay.  Have a look and see what courses or workshops are available locally to you, it might be worth checking local schools or colleges in case they have evening workshops.

Why it’s great:  Pottery allows you to create unique, handcrafted items such as vases, bowls, platters and many other decorative pieces that will look great displayed in your home.  Working with clay is well know for its sensory benefits too, promoting mindfulness and healing.

Getting started:  Join a local pottery class or find a studio that offers beginners’ sessions. You’ll need access to a pottery wheel, kiln, and basic tools. Starting with hand-building techniques before advancing to wheel throwing can help ease the learning curve.  If your new pottery and ceramics hobby really takes of you could invest in your own ’hobby’  kiln and produce items whenever you want.

2.        Painting and Art

Skill gained: Artistic painting and design, learning new painting techniques, understanding light and perspective.

Take a course or go it alone:  You can easily begin a painting hobby on your own with a few affordable supplies.  Art is subjective, you can create anything you like with paint and display it in your home bringing life, colour and joy to any space.  If you are keen to learn more in the way of techniques or try different mediums to see which suits you best, you would benefit more from a course or painting workshop.  You can often find painting classes where you ‘BYO’ Bring Your Own refreshments so your new hobby doubles up as a social gathering too, what’s not to like.

Why it’s great: Creating your own paintings or wall art allows you to fill your home with personal and meaningful artwork, tailored to your interior style and taste. 

Getting started: Invest in some basic supplies like canvases, paints, and brushes. Online tutorials and local art classes can help you develop your skills. Experiment with different styles and techniques to find what resonates with you.

3.        Weaving

Skill gained: Develops fine motor skills and an understanding of different weaving techniques.

Take a course or go it alone:  If you have a basic knowledge of waving you could go it alone with some basic equipment and supplies, but in order to learn the entire craft it would be well worth taking a course.

Why it's great:  You can choose your own colours, textures, and patterns to create pieces that perfectly match your home's interiors.  You don’t just have to make wall hangings, you could design and produce place mats, table runners, details for the front of cushions and many more ideas.  Also, you will benefit from the repetitive nature of weaving can be meditative and relaxing, providing a mental break from daily stresses.

Getting started:  There are plenty of free resources online such as video guides or you could see what courses you have running in your area. 

4.        Furniture Upcycling

Skill gained:  Woodworking, painting, a good eye. 

Take a course or go it alone:  This hobby can be self-taught although there are courses and tutorials readily available online.

Why it’s great: Finding a piece of furniture that needs updating gives you a unique opportunity to recraft it into to something better.  You can customise your chosen pieces to fit your space, design style and practical needs perfectly. Upcycling furniture involves taking old or discarded pieces and giving them new life, sometimes as something completely different. This hobby is perfect for those who love a good DIY project and want to create something truly unique for their home . Upcycling reduces waste and promotes environmentally thoughtful living by repurposing items that might otherwise end up in a landfill.  You can find pieces to upcycle for free or at a low cost, making it a budget-friendly way to furnish your home and start a new hobby.

Getting started: Begin with basic projects like a coffee table or bookshelf. Follow online DIY or upcycling videos for information and practical advice. Invest in some essential tools such as a saw, hammer, and drill to get started.  Over time you may collect up sample pots or smaller pots of paint which can be reused on many other projects.  Keeping your eyes open for hardware or other detail items at thrift shops, boot sales, brocantes etc, this is a great way to keep your new hobby thriving. 

5.        Sewing

Skill gained: Sewing, use of a sewing machine and fabric crafting. 

Take a course or go it alone:  This hobby can be self-taught there are many videos on YouTube on how to use specific sewing machines.  If you plan to move straight into curtain or blind making, you may prefer to take a course.  Very often you can find them locally where you take your own machine along or they provide one for you.  There are also many online courses too.

Why it’s great: Sewing will enable you to create custom curtains, blinds, cushion covers etc, saving you money by doing it yourself.  Once you develop your sewing skills as a hobby you can progress on to other related hobbies such as quilting or embroidery, all of which could make beautiful additional interior accessories for your home. 

Getting started:  If you don’t have a sewing machine and would like one, there are many options available to you whether you buy new,  refurbished or preloved.  Read lots of reviews first to see which option fits your needs best.

To get you started with your new hobby we recommend begining with a cushion cover, its very straight forward and could easily be done by hand if you don’t have a machine.  There are many patterns available online, all you have to do is choose your favourite fabric.  You could also make a set of napkins, there is no set size for a napkin although 45 or 50cm is the average, the key is to make sure they are all the same size as each other (:  Once you’ve nailed this you will be making them as gifts for all your friends.

6.         Floral Arrangement

Skill gained: A knowledge of plants and flowers, floral design and arrangement.

Take a course or go it alone:  This is a hobby you can easily get started without a course.  You could look for floral arrangement books as a guide or inspiration to get started.  For special occasion arrangements or new ideas you could attend a flower arranging workshop.

Why it’s great: Learning the art of floral arrangement can enhance your home with beautiful, fresh or dried floral displays, adding a touch of nature, colour, elegance and style to any room.

Getting started: If you have a garden of any size you could start sewing seeds or planting bulbs so you have your own stock of your favourite blooms.  Don’t forget the greenery too, all beautiful floral arrangements require filler foliage such as eucalyptus or ferns. Start with seasonal flowers and simple arrangements, and gradually experiment with more complex designs as your confidence grows.

7.        Mosaic Making

Skill gained: Mosaic art and tile Work

Take a course or go it alone:  We would suggest taking a course if you can find one locally that’s great, but an online course would work too.  The important element about starting this hobby is that you have the correct equipment and materials to begin.

Why it’s great:  Creating mosaics allows you to craft stunning tabletops, backsplashes, or decorative wall art that adds a unique and colourful touch to your home or garden.  Once you have mastered mosaics, you are not far off developing general tile laying skill, which if done well could save a great deal of money in labour next time you want to over hall your bathroom or kitchen.

Getting started:  Begin with small projects like coasters,  picture frames or a piece of art for your garden, to learn basic techniques. You’ll need materials like tiles, glass pieces, adhesive, and grout as well as a decent tile cutting tool. There may be courses or workshops available locally to you but also read books on the craft and follow You Tube creators for how to video.

Practical Tips for Starting a New Hobby

Set up a workspace: Designate a specific area in your home for your hobby to keep materials organized and make it easier to work on projects.  You could also designate a cupboard or storage space to keep everything organised.

Start small: Choose simple projects to build your confidence and skills before tackling more complex tasks.

Join a community: Find local groups or online communities where you can share your progress, get feedback, and find inspiration.

Stay consistent:  Dedicate regular time to your hobby to continually improve your skills and complete projects, perhaps practise further by making items as gifts for your loved ones as they will appreciate the sentiment even if you don’t feel you have perfected your skill completely.

Taking up a creative hobby not only enriches your personal life and boosts brain health but leaves you with numerous practical and aesthetically pleasing interior accessories to embellish your home. Whatever you decide to take up please let us know how you got on, we would love to see pictures of your first creations and hear about your new hobby’s progress.  Don’t forget to take a look at our Resources Page where se list links and information to some great online courses you might find useful.