Holy Hobby! Houzzers Put Their Favourite Pastimes on Display
Whether you stitch, strum or sail, use your home as a blank canvas to showcase your favourite recreational pastimes
Kate McKee
23 July 2014
Houzz contributor, freelance writer and home design enthusiast. I write on a diverse range of topics ranging from health and beauty to landscape architecture and interior design. I have a very inquisitive nature and love to share my findings with others.
Houzz contributor, freelance writer and home design enthusiast. I write on a diverse... More
The Macquarie Dictionary defines a hobby as “a spare-time activity or pastime, etc., pursued for pleasure or recreation”. ‘Spare time’ can almost seem like a myth in today’s ‘churn and burn’ age, but that’s just because most of us don’t make the effort to factor it into our schedule.
So after you have finished the working week, and the household chores, then spent some time socialising, take up your favourite ‘spare time’ activity. And, if you incorporate your hobby into the aesthetics of your home – as can be seen in the glorious examples below – we think you’ll be more inclined to find some more of that spare time to enjoy your hobbies.
So after you have finished the working week, and the household chores, then spent some time socialising, take up your favourite ‘spare time’ activity. And, if you incorporate your hobby into the aesthetics of your home – as can be seen in the glorious examples below – we think you’ll be more inclined to find some more of that spare time to enjoy your hobbies.
Crocheting
The great thing about crocheting, or knitting, is that you can incorporate many projects into your interiors scheme with ease. Crochet cushions, for example, allow for such an inviting and homely touch to any aesthetic.
The great thing about crocheting, or knitting, is that you can incorporate many projects into your interiors scheme with ease. Crochet cushions, for example, allow for such an inviting and homely touch to any aesthetic.
Playing guitar
Guitars are such a think of beauty – the shape, colour and design all deserve to be displayed and not stored away in a case. Grouping guitars together can make an eye-catching wall feature.
Guitars are such a think of beauty – the shape, colour and design all deserve to be displayed and not stored away in a case. Grouping guitars together can make an eye-catching wall feature.
Like the previous guitars, these string instruments are an woodwork form of art. This music mashup room is equipped with a range of instruments, including a piano, and just beckons a jam session.
Stamp collecting
Stamp collecting will never go out of style in terms of hobbies. If you’re not sure what to do with your many stamp books, professionally frame your most prized stamps and showcase your collection.
Stamp collecting will never go out of style in terms of hobbies. If you’re not sure what to do with your many stamp books, professionally frame your most prized stamps and showcase your collection.
Horseriding
Love to spend your available hours at the stables with your majestical four-legged friends? Have a local welder turn all of those used horseshoes into an artful hat or coat rack.
Love to spend your available hours at the stables with your majestical four-legged friends? Have a local welder turn all of those used horseshoes into an artful hat or coat rack.
Surfing
Once you can draw your eyes away from this brilliant aqua feature wall – feast your eyes on the simple benchtop in this hut – it’s actually a surfboard. So rather than toss out your old surfboard (filled with memories of waves conquered), why not use to create a beach-hut style bar for yourself at home?
Once you can draw your eyes away from this brilliant aqua feature wall – feast your eyes on the simple benchtop in this hut – it’s actually a surfboard. So rather than toss out your old surfboard (filled with memories of waves conquered), why not use to create a beach-hut style bar for yourself at home?
Cycling
Can’t bring yourself to get rid of you favourite bike? Just like the surfboard above, when you’ve had so many adventures together, it can be hard to let go. So turn it into something else you can still enjoy. This quirky bike sink is a great idea.
Can’t bring yourself to get rid of you favourite bike? Just like the surfboard above, when you’ve had so many adventures together, it can be hard to let go. So turn it into something else you can still enjoy. This quirky bike sink is a great idea.
Striking to look at, this handy wall bike storage doubles as art in this otherwise plain office.
Sailing
Incorporate a love of sailing the high seas into your home office with a replica antique and wallpaper that echoes the sea maps of yesteryear. It’s a sophisticated look that you don’t have to get wet for.
Incorporate a love of sailing the high seas into your home office with a replica antique and wallpaper that echoes the sea maps of yesteryear. It’s a sophisticated look that you don’t have to get wet for.
Rowing
As you can see here, oars, particularly vintage ones, can make for great wall features due to their length. Now check out the canoe on the roof! It’s the perfect position to row yourself into dreamland at night…
As you can see here, oars, particularly vintage ones, can make for great wall features due to their length. Now check out the canoe on the roof! It’s the perfect position to row yourself into dreamland at night…
Golfing
Nothing quite builds up in a golfers home like assorted golf balls. Keeping your golf balls in a large display jar is not only a practical storage idea, but looks attractive, too. Those old woods also make ideal curtain rods!
Nothing quite builds up in a golfers home like assorted golf balls. Keeping your golf balls in a large display jar is not only a practical storage idea, but looks attractive, too. Those old woods also make ideal curtain rods!
More small ball sports
Softball, baseball or cricket fan? Display your balls in a glass display dome for fun, like shown here. This is also a novel way to store any balls that have been autographed by sporting greats – it will keep them on show and dust free.
Softball, baseball or cricket fan? Display your balls in a glass display dome for fun, like shown here. This is also a novel way to store any balls that have been autographed by sporting greats – it will keep them on show and dust free.
Big machine tinkering
Bit of a rev head but not ‘allowed’ to bring the bike or car your working on into the main house? Incorporate it into a modern showpiece as depicted here with this stylish glass coffee table.
Bit of a rev head but not ‘allowed’ to bring the bike or car your working on into the main house? Incorporate it into a modern showpiece as depicted here with this stylish glass coffee table.
Miniature car collecting
Wow. This is an amazing way to showcase your car collecting hobby in a way that can be enjoyed for yourself and appreciated by others.
Wow. This is an amazing way to showcase your car collecting hobby in a way that can be enjoyed for yourself and appreciated by others.
Fishing
A subtle fishing theme can be worked in to many different styles. This antique fly fishing rod and fish basket paired with the themed windowsill embellishments doesn’t overly dominate, but accentuate.
A subtle fishing theme can be worked in to many different styles. This antique fly fishing rod and fish basket paired with the themed windowsill embellishments doesn’t overly dominate, but accentuate.
Bowling
Why go out for indoor bowling when you can stay in? An indoor bowls lane and an accompanying bar means that everyone is always wants to go to your place.
Why go out for indoor bowling when you can stay in? An indoor bowls lane and an accompanying bar means that everyone is always wants to go to your place.
Playing with racquets
Showcase your love of tennis with simple racket wall art. These three rackets hung together looks fantastic against the tones of the timber wall.
Showcase your love of tennis with simple racket wall art. These three rackets hung together looks fantastic against the tones of the timber wall.
Badminton racquets and a shuttlecock show off the love of this sport in this blue bathroom. Dust off that collection that has been in storage and make them into wall decor.
Scrapbooking
Can’t get enough of scrapbooking? Turn your paper crafting into art. The materials are pretty, the colours are fun – so why not? Floating shelves, strings and pegs can all be used for an attractive display, and are all at hand when inspiration strikes.
Can’t get enough of scrapbooking? Turn your paper crafting into art. The materials are pretty, the colours are fun – so why not? Floating shelves, strings and pegs can all be used for an attractive display, and are all at hand when inspiration strikes.
Skateboarding
One of the downsides about awesome skateboard designs is that you can’t see them when the boards are in use. But hang the skateboards on the wall in between rides and you have an instant distinctive wall feature.
One of the downsides about awesome skateboard designs is that you can’t see them when the boards are in use. But hang the skateboards on the wall in between rides and you have an instant distinctive wall feature.
Related Stories
Trends
Virtual Houzz: A Home Made of the Most-Saved Photos This Year
Using the most-saved photos, room by room, we've pieced together the dream home as imagined by Australian readers
Full Story
Entertaining
Cooking With a Side of Cussing: 3 Recipes From Nat's New Cookbook
Get a taste of the YouTube comedian's new cooking book with these delicious recipes (great to try over Christmas)
Full Story
Lifestyle
Nat's What I Reckon: How a Metalhead YouTube Star Does Christmas
Comedian, mental health advocate and home cook Nat shares his plans for Christmas and thoughts on this crazy year
Full Story
Architecture
This is What Happens When Architects Build a Gingerbread City
Read how designers built load-bearing cookie-and-sugar walls for London’s 2019 Museum of Architecture's Gingerbread City
Full Story
Fun Houzz
Houzz Voters Pick a Moody Bathroom to Update Cluedo Board Game
The votes are in. The Cluedo board game’s mansion will feature a new space inspired by designer Ann Lowengart’s work
Full Story
Fun Houzz
Vote on a New Room to Update the Iconic Cluedo Board
Choose a stylish new potential crime scene for Cluedo, the classic whodunit game, inspired by a Houzz designer photo
Full Story
Decorating
Straighten, Plump, Stack: How Details Focused Are You at Home?
Some people call you obsessive, but we know you're just focused on getting things right. Which of these sounds like you?
Full Story
Fun Houzz
Houzz Call: Ask Us Any Burning Questions You Have About Ikea
Ikea is opening up its knowledge vaults, and has agreed to answer 10 'random' questions. What do you want to know?
Full Story
Seasonal
Scared Stiff: Your Guide to Last-Minute Halloween Prep
Here are some new uses for the stuff in your Halloween stash, and a few things you can pick up at the shops
Full Story
Lifestyle
Lighten Up and Take a Load Off These School Holidays
By Joanna Tovia
A less-is-more approach to upcoming school holidays allows the family to enjoy a well-earned – and beneficial – break
Full Story
I love how something that had a former life is reinvented and then becomes an art form within the home. Some purely as an object of beauty to be admired, others which serve a utilitarian purpose. It screams 'individuality' and is also great for the environment!!