10 easy DIY tips for the home

You don’t always need to hire a professional for certain jobs around the home and if you feel up to the task it’s possible to save money and carry out the work yourself.

Of course, there are some projects that you shouldn’t tackle without the right qualifications and expertise such as boiler or roofing repairs. But here are some ways you can improve your home without picking up the phone and dialling for a tradesmen.

Repaint a room

Is there a room in your home that could do with little maintenance? Maybe there are quite a few, but don’t let this get on top of you. Just take it one step at a time, room by room, and your home will quickly start to look completely different. Remember that if you’re painting a kitchen or bathroom you’ll need paint that’s suitable in a wet and high humidity environment. There’ll be some preparation to the job which is key, such as ensuring any holes have been filled in before you start painting. Also make sure they’re dust free. Don’t forget to repaint the woodwork such as skirting boards and door frames to finish the job.

Paint the front door

First impression counts for a lot, and with your home you’ll want a brilliant kerb appeal. There are a few aspects to consider here, the garden, the driveway and the front door. If your front door has lost its shine over the years and doesn’t have the sparkle it once did, then why not give it a repaint? You could either coat the door in a similar colour or even opt for a new look – the choice is completely up to you. Even add house numbers to the door to finish off the effect.

Regrout the bathroom

Over the years your grouting will deteriorate so it’s important to give it some attention. Dirt and grease can be absorbed into the grout, so first of all try an old toothbrush and cleaner to tackle the grime. If this doesn’t work or you want to start over with the grouting, then it’s possible to purchase a grout remover. Then simply apply new grout between the tiles and it’ll look as good as new.

Wooden flooring

Over the last decade many homeowners have turned to wooden and laminate flooring as opposed to the traditional carpet. Wooden flooring looks brilliant and is particularly favoured in the living and dining room. Of course, carpet is still considered a must in the bedroom where comfort is a top priority. But how easy is it to lay wooden flooring? Ok, it’s not the easiest of tasks, but by following the manufacturer’s instructions there’s no reason why you can’t do the work yourself. Many wooden flooring packs use a simple locking mechanism and sometimes you’ll need to cut boards to fit. Once finished you’ll then need to add the skirting boards.

Put up a shelf

Storage is essential in every home and if you don’t have the space to keep your belongings the house can quickly start to look cluttered. One way to deal with this is with shelving. Shelves can be constructed from MDF, wood or even glass and you can purchase them ready-made. Make sure you know what type of walls you have, as brick walls will require heavy duty wall plugs and stud walls just a simple screw. Tighten the brackets to the wall and then put on the shelf, screwing this to the brackets for further rigidity.

Install coving

Coving is great at finishing a room’s look and the good news is there are a range of prices you can expect to pay. If you’re looking for the cheapest material, then polystyrene is the option for you. However, whilst it’s the easiest to fit it will require more painting and is easier to break because of its weak construction. Plaster coving is more durable and won’t require the same maintenance and you can even find a range of styles available.

Fit a new door

Fitting doors can be a difficult task for one person, so our first bit of advice would be to have a friend or family member on hand to help you out. Switching the internal doors of your home can instantly boost the aesthetic appeal of a room and with many styles on offer you can get something to suit your taste. First off you’ll need to remove the old door, then prepare the hinges and fittings for the new one. Now is when your helper will come in, as one person holds the new door whilst the other fixes it into place. Don’t forget to decorate if need be and consider your own handles to match the rest of the property.

Create a wallpapered feature wall

Wallpaper has lost its popularity over the last few years with many homeowners opting for the quick and easy application of paint. But wallpaper still has a place in the home and with a range of colours and designs to choose from, a feature wall can have a brilliant effect in your home. Remember to start in the top corner when wallpapering and follow the instructions in case a certain paste needs to be used.

Declutter the home

This advice to declutter your home is given when you’re looking to sell, but it’s also applicable for the rest of the time too. Because of our busy lifestyles it’s common for paperwork, old belongings and even shoes to find their way around the house. So why not set yourself a day to go through the house top to bottom and have a clear-out and tidy up. Even if you don’t have the motivation for a whole house task, break it down one room at a time. You’ll quickly see a difference and this can spur you onto to doing the rest of the home.

Hire a professional

If there’s a job that needs doing and you feel you don’t have the necessary skills, why not call a professional to use their services? This could be anything, from the electrics to the plumbing and even painting and decorating. You don’t have to go in blind either and can ask a neighbour or friend for a recommendation. Or you could compare quotes from up to four professionals using our quick and easy service. Whichever option you take, hiring a professional means you can sit back and relax, letting someone else take care of the hassle.