After spending pretty much the entire past year in lockdown, many people across the UK have turned their attention to their homes and used the time to catch up on DIY jobs and projects around the house. Whether you own or rent your home, there are plenty of simple DIY tasks that can help give your home an upgrade, or even have you falling in love with your space again. Some home improvement jobs can be quite a big undertaking, for example, laying a floor or plastering a wall, though there are lots of small, easy projects that don’t require a huge amount of time or much special equipment. The best small jobs for big results include repainting a room or a single statement wall, repairing or replacing any furniture or household items that are damaged, and using accessories such as framed prints, wall hangings, potted plants and textiles to create texture and express your personality around your home.
Upcycling
There is lots of inspiration to be found online when it comes to planning easy DIY projects to do at home. One of the cheapest and most satisfying tasks, however, is upcycling existing household items. Give old furniture a new lease of life with some chalk paint, for instance, or update your kitchen worktops with some custom vinyl paper. This is ideal for anyone who rents their home, as it provides a fresh new look, but can simply be removed when you are moving out. When fixing furniture, shoes and other items, it is quite likely that the item requires a special glue. There are various types of glue available that can be used to mend particular materials, for example, wood, leather, or metal. Upcycling, repairing, and repainting furniture not only saves you money, but can also give a perfectly good piece a second life. This is also much more environmentally friendly than buying new items, and allows you to learn new skills or flex some creative muscles. Before starting any upcycling project or DIY job we recommend the following steps:
- Find images and inspiration to help visualise the end result
- Plan the project step by step
- Be sure you have all the tools and equipment required
- Take furniture measurements beforehand
- Draw out a room plan before moving furniture around and try different layouts
- Be thoughtful with your use of lighting, as it is one of the easiest and most effective ways to transform a room
DIY Planning & Prep
For larger DIY tasks, it is important to be well-prepared before revving up the power screwdriver. Watching step-by-step videos online is a great way to ensure you are ready for each part of the process and will be able to finish the task. There are also some techniques that can help you achieve a professional finish on DIY jobs, though in some cases, it may be best to call in the actual professionals. This is especially important when it comes to more technical tasks such as wiring and plumbing, as well as structural jobs like laying a floor or tiling.
For small DIY jobs, keep things easy and straightforward. Tools such as glue and chalk paint are ideal for little jobs that have a big impact and can truly elevate a room. Finishing touches such as accessories and lighting are ideal for adding warmth, character and texture to a room. Overall, DIY projects can be fun, easy, and inexpensive, though it is always worth planning well, being resourceful, and working within your comfort zone to effectively transform any area or room in your home.
