DIY Tips for Beginners

This is a guest post.

Putting your own stamp on a property is one of the biggest joys of home-owning, yet for many people the thought of actually picking up a paintbrush or stepping foot onto a ladder can strike fear into their hearts as they just don’t know where to begin.  They instead prefer to pay for someone else to make the alterations to their interior for them, but by doing so take away some of the most fun and fulfilling parts of owning your own home.

The thrill of picking a colour scheme you love, choosing accessories and putting in the time and work required to turn your home from dull to dazzling is well worth it.  You will get a huge sense of achievement, and can be sure any work carried out will be exactly to the standard you expect and deserve – no shoddy workmen trying to cut corners or charge you the earth.

As with most things, the secret to successful DIY is preparation and research.  Knowing how to do the job properly and investing in the right tools will help you save both time and money. Budgeting is a huge part of the job. Finding cordless drills for under $100.

Here are three top DIY tips to help make sure you really can do it yourself:

Research and Preparation

There are a huge number of resources available to help any budding DIY expert.  A great place to start is the Internet, but you could also quiz helpful family members, neighbours or staff at the local hardware store.

Avoid a home improvement nightmare by thoroughly planning your project. Major considerations include:

• Budget – how far are you going to go? Are you just repainting or replacing flooring, curtains and furniture as well? For example, could Spiral Staircase DIY be an option or is this something you will leave for a later date.
• Start a mood board – Start collecting paint colour charts, samples of wallpaper and fabric and read home improvement magazines for inspiration and style ideas.
• Tools and Materials – For every job you are tackling, make sure you have the correct tools and the right amount of materials.
• Timings – Work out what job you are going to do first.  If repainting a room, always start at the ceiling and work downwards.  Remember to cut in the edges and don’t forget woodwork that may need brightening up.

Safety

Before embarking on a DIY project, it’s essential to remember to take the correct safety precautions. Around 35,000 people end up in the emergency room each year with DIY related injuries, which range from minor cuts and bruises to fatalities.  Don’t become one of these statistics:

• Always wear protective clothing including safety goggles and dust masks if working with potentially hazardous materials.
• Keep rooms well ventilated when painting or varnishing
• Always use the correct tools for the job
• Keep tools in a safe place away from children
• Ladders are one of the biggest causes of DIY accidents. Refer to the manufacturers instructions before using one, and never lean over to one side when on one to avoid tipping over.

With just a little bit of planning, an eye for detail and a big imagination you could soon be reaping the financial and personal benefits of tackling home projects yourself.

Debbie Fletcher is an enthusiastic, experienced writer who has written for a range of difference magazines and news publications. Follow her here: @Debbie_Fletch18

Photo credit: ooh_food / Foter.com / CC BY-NC

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

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