With a whole new year stretching ahead of you, instead of making resolutions and not sticking to them, why not pick a fresh interest which will not only hold your attention, stimulate your creativity and keep your mind active, but improve your home, too.

Maybe learn how to sculpt or paint, creating a unique piece of art to enhance your living space. Or pick up the basics of home improvements and enjoy the satisfaction of getting the job done yourself instead of relying on other people, while also saving a bit of cash.

There are a host of venues offering courses in and around north London, to help boost your skills. Here we pick out five of our favourites.

The Interior Design School

Whether you’re looking to change career or you want to learn how to style your own house properly, why not try an interior design course? The Interior Design School in Queen’s Park offers a range of courses from one day taster sessions, to evening classes where participants can achieve a professional certificate. The school is located at 22 Lonsdale Road, NW6 6RD. Call 0207 372 2811 or go to idschool.co.uk.

Tom Trimmins Woodwork

Tom Trimmins runs short courses in woodwork and furniture making at his professional workshop in Islington. Join the beginners woodworking classes in joinery, or improve your skills and knowledge by making a specific project. One-one tuition is also available.

The workshop is located at Freightliners City Farm, Sheringham Road, N7 8PF. Call 07915 999138 or visit tomtrimmins.co.uk for more information.

Camden College

Choose from part-time adult courses including sculpture, drawing, painting, pottery, ceramics, glass art, woodcarving, picture framing, weaving, macramé, Shibori textiles and embroidery.

You can enrol online now at wmcollege.ac.uk, and some of these start on the first day of the new term, Monday, January 8. WMC’s main centre is at 44 Crowndale Road, NW1 1TR, telephone 020 7255 4700/4759.

The Goodlife Centre

This is a fantastic place to pick up some DIY skills. They run loads of courses lasting from three hours to two days, including basic electrics, basic plumbing and painting. There’s even a course on how to build your own solar charger! In addition the centre offers courses in woodwork and carpentry, upholstery, furniture restoration and more.

Although not in north London, it’s situated a 5-10 minute walk from Borough station (49/55 Great Guildford Street, SE1 0ES) so easily reachable on the Tube. For more information visit thegoodlifecentre.co.uk.

Burgh House

Why not let gardens from the past inspire your green fingered efforts? Garden Historians offer 10-week courses that run on Thursdays, where they’ll discuss different themes and eras each term. Visit thegardenhistorians.co.uk

Also on Thursdays at 2pm Rea Stavropoulos takes drawing and watercolour classes. Email reastavropolous@gmail.com for more information. On Wednesdays at 1pm, former Academy of Arts tutor Mike Biddulph runs drawing and painting classes, £15 per class. For more details email info@burghhouse.org.uk

Burgh House is at New End Square, NW3 1L. For more call 020 7431 0144 or go to burghhouse.org.uk