Wanting to get stuck in to a DIY project, but non certain where to purchase everything you need? Here's the best hardware, craft shops and paint stores certain to stock it all.

While in that location's plenty to do in Hong Kong over a rainy weekend, sometimes staying in but tin't exist shell. For those of us who even so desire to keep ourselves decorated, DIY projects are a fantastic way to pass the fourth dimension while adding refreshing touches to our homes. The projects don't have to be fancy or challenging (unless yous want them to exist!), and you can even take the opportunity to host a crafting party for your friends and family. Go on reading to detect out where to purchase supplies, get inspired past our favourite projects, and stay smart with our DIY tips.

Read more: Best Homeware Stores in Hong Kong

Where to purchase everything you demand:

Your Guide to DIY: Where to Buy Everything You Need in Hong Kong

Sham Shui Po is a craft-a-holic's treasure trove. Stalls selling everything yous could ever demand to make annihilation you could ever want line the streets of this old but vibrant neighbourhood. Put your bargaining skills to the test on Apliu Street for the best bargain on electronics and hardware, so head towards Yu Chau Street for sewing supplies. Round off your crafty shopping trip at the textile market place on Ki Lung Street. No need to feel overwhelmed, this handy guide will show you exactly where some of our favourite stores are.

Tip: The flea markets at Sham Shui Po just take cash, then visit the ATM first! Try and go on a weekday afternoon (if possible!) as it gets pretty crowded.

Concatenation stores

  • Swedish furniture retailer, IKEA needs no further introduction. Not only can its minimalist furniture be "hacked" to your tastes, but it also has a range of essential tools and fittings available for all your maintenance needs.
  • AEON Living Plaza (you may think them equally Jusco $ten stores) sell a wide variety of dwelling house appurtenances, and you can purchase nigh craft supplies at this chain for just $12. Its flagship in Causeway Bay has a whole alley defended to yarn, and a dizzying array of washi record. Non only are the prices low, but the quality really isn't bad either!

Read more than: Our Favourite IKEA Hacks

Hardware stores

  • Human Fung Consumer Household Products has a location just down the road from Sassy HQ in Sheung Wan, and comes highly recommended by our friends in the neighbourhood. Nine out of ten product inquiries come back positively, and if you take the time to browse the aisles in its organised chaos, y'all are guaranteed to find the DIY tools you demand. The prices here are well-nigh unbelievably affordable, and the staff are always ready to aid (and happy to teach you a little Cantonese, also!)
  • Kanamono Hardware Store is a cozy little shop that redefines hardware. Stocked floor to ceiling with the best trinkets and hardware from effectually the world, Kanamono is devoted to showcasing the national aesthetics of its products. Each slice of hardware sold here has a story, and is well worth the reasonable price tag. Do-it-yourself… in style!

Man Fung Consumer Household Products , locations across Hong Kong

Kanamono Hardware Store, One thousand/F, 30B Wun Sha Street, Tai Hang, Hong Kong, Tel: 2865 6168, world wide web.kanamono.com.hk

Your Guide to DIY: Where to Buy Everything You Need in Hong Kong

Paint stores

  • 513 Pigment Shop believes that leading a sustainable lifestyle is a pick we should all make, and that starts with the pigment nosotros employ. Information technology stocks environmentally-friendly, non-toxic pigment from Republic of iceland and Sweden, while colour mixing is washed locally. You can besides find specialty products here like chalk wall paint, spray paint, and fifty-fifty concrete and metallic plasters. Check out its painting workshops and learn the basics before getting the brushes out yourself!
  • Yuen Fat Ho Paint Shop is a neighbourhood staple that stocks all your basic painting needs and more. The e'er-pop Nihon Paint has a "color creations eye" here, providing gratis consultation and color matching services. Shopkeeper, Fanny speaks excellent English and will get y'all kitted out with pigment, wall filler and those all-important dust sheets.
  • Located in the heart of newly minted "hipster" neighbourhood, Sai Ying Pun, Thorn and Couch is your Pinterest lath come alive. Selling funky, eco-friendly art and homeware sourced from artisans all over the world, it'southward also the sectional supplier of Annie Sloan'southward Chalk Paint™ in Hong Kong. Stock upward on any colour in the spectrum, attend ane of the introductory painting workshops that Thorn and Burrow hosts, and you'll be well on your way to a lively new home (sans the nauseating new paint smell!)

513 Paint Store , S513, Block A, 35 Aberdeen Street, Cardinal, Hong Kong, 2155 2282, www.513paintshop.com

Yuen Fat Ho Paint Shop, 77 Hollywood Route, Central, Hong Kong, 2546 8931

Thorn and Burrow , i/F, thirty High Street, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, 2559 9338, thornandburrow.com

Read more:Where to Go Custom Article of furniture Made in Hong Kong

Arts and crafts stores

  • Hands Art & Craft is hardcore. From woods burners to mini pottery kilns to fine art glass grinders and wax casting kits, information technology's got you covered. No matter how obscure your crafting needs are, yous'll find it on the neat shelves of Hands Art & Craft. Don't worry if you're not an adept, it also sells educational books that might give you more than information on your adjacent DIY project than Google tin.
  • Down the road from Hands Art & Craft is the eclectic Craft Supplies Store. It'southward quite unassuming from the outside, so unless you go in for a browse you lot'd never know that in improver to regular arts and crafts supplies, it has dollhouse kits, sewing machines, and sometimes even discounted fabrics. It's likewise happy to accommodate delivery options for you if you've stuffed your shopping bags to their limits, and service is e'er with a smile.
  • Nosotros didn't know there was such an all-encompassing range of paper until nosotros visited Paper Art in Central. Since 1994 it has been promoting the appreciation of sustainable paper-related crafting and the fine art of prophylactic stamping. For those of the states who are into modern calligraphy, information technology as well carries a collection of calligraphy and embossing pens. You tin even cut your new newspaper collection into fun shapes with specialty dyes with help from the lovely staff.

Hands Art & Craft, 1A, Po Wah Commercial Center, 226 Hennessy Route, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2893 9721, www.hands1986.com

Craft Supplies Shop , Thousand/F, Sun Hey Mansion, 68-76 Hennessy Route, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2520 0234 & 1000/F, 173 Sai Yee Street, Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2392 0969, world wide web.craftsupplies.hk

Paper Art , ane/F, Hung Tak Building, 106-108 Des Voeux Road Central, Cardinal, Hong Kong, 2545 8985, world wide web.hkpaperart.com

Read more:Where to Buy Piece of furniture and Homeware in Shenzhen

Your Guide to DIY: Where to Buy Everything You Need in Hong Kong

Looking for some inspiration?

Don't know where to start and need some inspiration? We've collated our favourite projects for every part of the firm, all of which won't take you more a weekend to stop.

– A chalkboard wall is perfect for a habitation office, or if you just need a handy surface to jot down a grocery list. Don't want to do the whole wall? Utilise the chalkboard paint on the back of an former moving-picture show frame, and hang information technology up anywhere.

– Looking to refresh a room? Pigment an accent wall! This tutorial has helpful tips and piece of cake-to-follow instructions. Looking to update the piece of furniture? Why not try dip-dyeing a chair, or changing out the drawer pulls for a little homemade flair?

– Your presence tin light up a room, but so tin can turning on this neon letter light. Your wishes will come up true with this wire and lace lampshade, and you can even make a few smaller ones to plough into lantern string lights. If you prefer the nighttime side, find solace by cartoon these like shooting fish in a barrel no-stitch curtains closed.

– Your jewellery box even so overflowing later an accessory clear out? Display your favourites with a gilt frame display, or some faux ceramic ring cones. You tin can figure out which to wear for the day while sitting on this fake fur vanity stool made from the iconic IKEA sheepskin rug and a stool.

– Throw your keys into a cute geometric newspaper bowl, catch a book from the mid-century honeycomb shelves and unwind after work on a hand-stitched floor absorber. Rest your eyes by looking at greenery, held within adorable recycled coconut shell hanging planters.

Read more: seven Ways to Make the About of a Small Space

Pinnacle tips for DIY projects:

Painting:

  • Wrap brushes and rollers with cling film when in betwixt coats so they stay moist
  • Become paint residue off your skin hands with baby oil
  • Hang items inside a cardboard box to spray paint with ease
  • Use masking record to create stencils while painting, or but to cover up infinite that doesn't demand pigment
  • Put a paper plate under your pigment can to take hold of drips
  • Soak crusty old paint brushes in hot vinegar for xxx minutes and then wash them in hot, soapy water. Rinse, permit dry, and they'll be equally practiced as new!

Sewing:

  • Spray hairspray on anything you're trying to thread through your needle, it'll harden and make your job much easier
  • To cut directly through cotton wool or linen, tease a thread out from the fabric until it bunches and cut forth the line information technology creates.

Staining:

  • Spilled pigment on carpeting? Mix i 1/2 tsps vinegar, 1 i/2 tsps detergent, and two cups h2o in a spray bottle. Spray onto stain then rinse by dabbing with warm water. Vacuum when dry.
  • Cover scratches on wood with shoe polish, or make a paste with strong coffee grounds and mineral oil.

Helpful hints:

  • Stick a magnet on the bottom of a hammer to proceed nails out of your mouth
  • To preclude screws from coming loose, put a driblet or 2 of clear nail polish into the pigsty earlier you lot end tightening the spiral.
  • Utilize a comb to agree a nail in identify, it'll protect your fingers
  • Freshen up old tape past microwaving for 10 seconds. Estrus softens the adhesive for like shooting fish in a barrel release.
  • Wipe scissors with babe wipe for piece of cake cutting of duct tape.
  • Keep gum sticks in the freezer to foreclose long string bands when gluing.

While we're all independent ladies who don't mind getting our easily dirty, the nearly of import tip we tin can give is to remember that yeah, y'all can exercise it yourself, or you can get the tried and tested experts to do it for yous!

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