Set up for a new home hobby

Recent months have seen more of us rediscover our creative side, whether that’s baking bread in the kitchen, mixing up cocktails in the living room, learning a language online, or getting crafty in the spare room. And as our living spaces change from artist’s studio to sewing room to cocktail bar, we’ve never asked so much of them in such a short space of time. So why not take the time to make your newly found – or rediscovered – hobby extra-special, with the right kit and creative environment. 

With so much readily available to access online – from language courses to ebooks, digital magazines to self-development coaching – creating a space where you can join in a session, either at your own pace or at set call times, will help you get in the zone.

Even if you don’t have a desk, sitting in your favourite chair, with your tablet and a set of noise-cancelling headphones will help create a hobby bubble around you. This is your time, and you deserve not to be disturbed.

Start making plans for any decorating schemes or renovating ideas you want to do in the next six to twelve months. Think like an interior designer and create a home journal, using a spiral-bound notebook. Add any tear sheets from magazines or swatches you’ve collected, along with notes and sketches. This home blueprint will allow you to develop your thoughts, and see how colours and spaces flow from one room to the next. You can always discuss your plans with one of our Home Design Stylists on a virtual appointment.

Take some ‘before’ pictures, showing how you currently use the space – they are a great reminder of how you used to use a space and how much taste changes. Create flatlays of your favourite home pieces and colour ideas – these moodboards can be a great way to experiment with colours and textures as you can include 3D objects as well as swatches. Keep larger swatches in a dedicated ‘home styling’ box you can rumage through when you need a moment of calm or inspiration.

If you’ve been dabbling in at-home baking, trying out everything from nurturing a sourdough starter to mastering the perfect banana bread, then you need the right kit. Think about how much counter and cupboard space you have in your kitchen – a hand whisk can often do most jobs that a larger food mixer can – and ask yourself if this is a short-term hobby or one that you’re really keen to pursue.

Baking basics include a good set of mixing bowls, digital scales, measuring spoons, cups and jugs, utentsils such as a rolling pin, whisk, wooden spoons and spatulas, bakeware – such as a loaf tin – and a food mixer. For more advice, read our baking kit guide. Whether you choose a stand mixer or a hand-held one depends on what you plan to bake, so do your research first, reading through recipes to see what's needed.

Prepare your baking area first, setting up your recipe book, phone or tablet away from potential spills. New tea towels turn any bake day into a special day, as does a posh cake stand or cake tin to present your creations. Try to keep your new kit in one cupboard so it doesn't get used for day-to-day cooking, helping to make the most of baking moments, without having to find your rolling pin first.

Missing your flat white? Can't wait to have cocktails in a bar? Try learning the basics of your favourite drink at home. Start with your morning coffee – would it improve with frothy milk? Or served in a new mug? How about creating a coffee-shop counter at one end of your worktop or breakfast bar, where you can set up that coffee machine you’ve always wanted? Mastering a few simple barista-style techiniques will soon have your family queuing up for their favourite decaf, extra-hot, skinny Cappuccino with extra foam.

For cocktail nights in, kit out your bar in style, with a dedicated area to prep – this could be as glam as a bar trolley or cabinet, or as simple as clearing the top of your sideboard and popping down a few trays. Think of your favourite vessel for cocktails – is it a gin ballon or a martini glass? What else do you need? A shaker, strainer, measurer… set up your home bar and master your negroni this weekend.

While we aren’t able to pamper ourselves at spas, we can create wellbeing and beauty areas in our homes. Invite yourself to an ‘at home spa’ and check out our self-care beauty rituals if you need help on what to focus on.

Create mood with scent, soft lighting, candles and relaxing music. Take time to set out your beauty products, arranging on a tray so they are all to hand, and make sure you’ve a super-soft robe and stack of towels close by. If you need help planning a spa-style bathroom at home, read our top tips.

As the living room becomes the new gym or yoga studio, a few changes to layout will help you stick to that new workout routine more easily. Try moving your sofa forward into the room – does this create a workout area behind? Does your gym mat fit under the sofa when not in use – making it handy for your next session? You’ll be more likely to keep up with classes if there’s not a mad rush to find kit. 

Make sure you can open a window or door nearby to help cool down, while a diffuser or scented candle can help set the mood. Keep any weights in a basket – again, think ‘what would make this easier for me to do’, then find a stylish solution that you can live with.

Join the at-home crafting revolution, setting up a craft area or even taking over a spare room. A sewing basket or knitting bag will keep smaller bits under control in your living room, while still looking stylish when you’re not hard at it.

If you’ve more space to dedicate to your new hobby, set up a desk or table where you can spread out, as packing away mid project will make it hard to keep the motivation going. Use baskets, tubs and other storage essentials so you know exactly where to find the right piece of crafting kit.