Irene Echeverría, DIY Expert, “Creating with your hands reduces stress and increases satisfaction”

Do It Yourself, or DIY, is a growing trend centered on the satisfaction and pride that come from creating and building objects with your own hands, sometimes even giving a second life to materials you already have at home. Becoming the creator of your own decorative pieces, or simply taking pride in being able to tackle small or large home improvement tasks, is now within everyone’s reach. All you need is confidence and the right tools.

In this context, Parkside, Lidl’s brand of tools and DIY accessories, hosted a workshop yesterday with DIY expert Irene Echeverría, known on social media as Blanco Metro. She encouraged attendees to take advantage of the arrival of spring to start small home projects, especially focused on balconies, terraces, and gardens.

“I’m passionate about helping people build their own small projects at home. DIY not only transforms spaces, it also changes how you feel in them. With the right PARKSIDE tools, any idea, no matter how big or small, can become reality. Creating with your hands reduces stress and boosts personal satisfaction. You don’t need to be an expert, you just need to start. This is the perfect time to get your terrace or balcony ready for spring,” the expert explained during the workshop. She also demonstrated how to attach wheels to a heavy planter so it can be moved easily when cleaning.

Echeverría also recommended putting together a basic toolkit for anyone getting started in DIY. “With a complete toolbox that includes the essentials, you’ll save time and money from day one. You’ll need simple but key items: a cordless power drill, flathead and Phillips screwdrivers, a set of interchangeable bits, and a hammer with a good grip. A measuring tape, a utility knife, and a bubble level are also essential.” All of these tools are available in the brand’s catalog, which features more than 400 DIY products.

Three project ideas

To help transform your balcony or terrace this season, Irene Echeverría shared three beginner-friendly DIY ideas.

The first is restoring an outdoor side table. If you have a worn balcony table, you can easily give it a second life. Start by disassembling it using a cordless hammer drill. Then sand all the parts with a multi-sander to remove old varnish and smooth the wood. Reassemble the table and paint it in the colors and style you prefer.

She also showed how to create a recycled wooden planter stand. You can reuse any leftover wooden slat by cutting it with a miter saw. Wrap the wood with a plastic sheet to make it waterproof. Drill small holes with a fine bit and attach four wheels, one at each corner. Glue them with silicone to a plastic pot, then cover the plastic sheet with fabric of your choice, securing it with a hot glue gun to form a cylinder that fits over the pot and hides it.

Finally, she explained how to build a birdhouse. Mark the measurements on the wood according to your desired size for the walls, base, and roof. Cut the pieces using a pendulum jigsaw and sand them with a multi-sander. Take the front panel, mark a point for the entrance, and drill a hole to create the opening. Then assemble all the pieces with screws using the same tool. Paint the birdhouse in your preferred colors, and it’s ready. You can also reuse wood you already have at home for this project.

For step-by-step instructions and more inspiration, you can check YouTube where you’ll find plenty of practical ideas, expert tips, and creative projects to help you make the most of every corner of your home with ease.

Tips for styling with plants

To make it easier to create a dream green space, the brand offers a selection of more than 290 home décor products under its Livarno label, including garden furniture sets, planters, decorative baskets, vases, lamps, and shelving. This selection is complemented by over 450 plants and flowers available from the company.

According to Esther Domínguez, Head of Plant and Flower Purchasing at Lidl Spain, “At Lidl, we want to make flowers and plants accessible to everyone, breaking the myth that they are luxury items. That’s why we offer a selection of more than 450 plants with excellent value for money, including both indoor and outdoor options depending on the season, as well as accessories like fertilizers, substrates, bulbs, and seeds, in addition to our popular bouquets.”

Domínguez also shared five essential tips for creating a green space with plants and flowers:

First, play with height. Use stands, stools, shelves, or hanging plants to create a dynamic look and avoid visual monotony.

Second, group plants in threes. Arranging them in odd numbers creates more natural and visually appealing compositions.

Third, choose the right planter. Use decorative pots to unify the overall look. For a natural style, go with terracotta or natural fibers. For a modern feel, choose metal, cement, or minimalist ceramic.

Fourth, make the most of light and space. Place larger plants in empty corners to bring them to life, always considering each plant’s light requirements.

Finally, create contrast and texture. Mix large, leafy plants with finer or trailing ones to add depth to your décor.