We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.
If you’re looking for a creative escape but haven’t found the right medium (no offense to the knitting crowd), take things back to elementary school: Have you considered a coloring book?
A ton of our favorite retailers are launching some form of printable booklet (most recently, West Elm rolled one out on May 1). They’re largely free, need no previous skill set, and require basic tools you likely already have on hand; everyone has a rogue colored pencil or two. Plus they are proven to help you relax: A 2017 study from New Zealand’s University of Otango found that coloring eases anxiety. Since we can all use a break from Netflix binge-watching, here are five selections we’re currently downloading to help us unwind.
West Elm
The retailer tapped its community of global artists and makers to pull together its leaflet, including sketches from Shannon Newlin and Marcella Kriebel. Each page features a snippet about the designer, so you can discover new voices and look up their shops to support them with a purchase.
Haptic Lab
For $5 you can download a range of the brand’s quilt patterns to make your own. Pick from constellations and maps—the world is quite literally your oyster here.
IKEA
This coloring book also includes games. Flip through for a round of tic-tac-Kallax or fill in a maze to pass the time—though there’s a catch: The official printable comes from IKEA Israel. For an English version, try this one from IKEA Hackers or print out its 2016 iteration.
Zak + Fox
The black-and-white PDF features 10 scenes, each showing a different print from the company’s textile and wallpaper collections. Learn the story behind some of Z+F’s most iconic motifs while you color your stress away.
Fireclay Tile
Renovations might be on hold right now, but you can still plan your dream tile thanks to this collection. Print it (or use Fireclay’s online tool) to map out your ideal color palette for a kitchen backsplash or shower nook. It costs $0 to channel your inner product designer.
It’s hammer time: Follow @reno_notebook for easy rental updates, clever DIYs, and tips to nail your next project.