5 of my favourite interiors Instagrammers to follow for upcycling and DIY

Need some inspiration to upgrade your interiors? These five Instagram accounts are the perfect place to start

I like to think that we’ve all embraced a more sustainable approach to our home decorating this year. If lockdown has taught us anything, it’s that projects and hobbies are a Godsend in times of stress, and if you spot a corner of your home that may need some sprucing up, that doesn’t mean buying all new furniture and ornaments. Chances are you have all the materials you need already – a lick of paint and some creativity are all you need to finish it off.

I have to admit, I’ve become addicted to DIY and upcycling posts on Instagram. I love to see how creatives come up with their ideas to improve their home, especially when it doesn’t involve extra cash. These five Instagrammers are some of my favourites, and I’ve found so much inspiration from their DIY projects over the past six months. Simply use your imagination and your house can be completely transformed.

Katrina Carroll (@vintageirishkat)

Katrina has long-been a favourite of mine on Instagram, for fashion and lifestyle as well as interiors, but DIY and upcycling was how she first began building a following. I love how anything goes with Katrina’s projects – a hula hoop, some old bamboo and a coffee table from a neighbour’s skip are just some of the starting points for some of Katrina’s best DIY’s. She’s also hilarious and completely honest about the process – sometimes things can go totally wrong with an upcycle and that’s okay. The beauty of DIY is that you can always start again.

Jess Toole (@loftnq)

I think Jess and I may be kindred spirits, because I have never seen an interiors account where I’ve wanted to copy everything more. Jess runs her own company selling vinyl overlays for surfaces and furniture, and it’s easy to see that she’s a creative soul – she recently moved out of her dreamy Manchester apartment to a house in the countryside and seeing her decorate each room has been the highlight of my Instagram scrolling. Side note: Jess is also an amazing follow for body positivity and honesty – since having breast reduction surgery earlier this year, Jess has posted a lot about body confidence on social media, and it’s such a refreshing break from the rest of Instagram at the moment.

Tara Slinger (@ourlayeredhome)

If you’re looking for creative ways to use paint and wallpaper throughout your home, Tara’s your woman. Every eclectic room in Tara’s home is totally different, but when you look closely, it’s really simple and accessible to get similar results by just being smart with your decoration. My personal favourite project of hers has to be her garden space, complete with leopard mural, Buddhas and plenty of cosy seating.

Joanne Mooney (@aproudhome)

If you’ve taken up knitting or crocheting over lockdown, why not extend your newfound skills to interiors? Joanne loves a good woolen project, but that’s not all she gets up to in her colourful home. Wallpapering, gallery walls, paint tips and tricks and impeccable personal style are all reasons you should follow Joanne on the ‘gram – if I could steal her William Morris wallpaper, I would.

Darran Heaney (@oldvictoriannew)

Last but not least, Darran boasts perhaps one of the most enviable spaces on this list. His style is definitely more muted than our other ladies, but his upcycling tips and tricks can’t be beat. I love following him for ideas around colour and tonal matching around the house, how to make the most of small spaces, and some really brilliant tutorials on his highlights.

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