Hello World! Welcome Friends! If the arrival of a new year has inspired you to refresh and revamp your home, it’s wise to plan ahead. Before you start choosing new tiles or selecting colors for your bedroom wall, read this simple step by step guide to minimize stress and ensure brilliant results.
DIY Projects
Many of us like to think of ourselves as keen amateurs when it comes to DIY. If you’re toying with the idea of taking on a few projects at home, it’s best to get organized in advance.
DIY versus Professional Jobs
The first thing to do if you’re considering pulling your sleeves up and getting your hands dirty is figure out which jobs and projects are suitable for DIY enthusiasts, rather than professionals. There are many tasks you can tackle around the house without any qualifications or expertise, but there are certain jobs that are best left to the experts. Draw up a list of everything you want to do and work your way through it, determining whether you need professional guidance or assistance. Bear legal requirements and safety in mind when deciding which jobs to take on. With electrical jobs, for example, you may need to ensure that the work is carried out by an approved, registered electrician. It’s also a good idea to avoid anything related to gas and to steer clear of scaling roofs.
Guidance and Advice
Even the most experienced DIYers can come up against jobs that pose a new challenge or stretch their skill set. The good news is that there is a vast amount of help and useful resources available online. Whether you’re putting up shelves or embracing the upcycling trend and turning an old chest of drawers into a new piece of furniture, it’s beneficial to watch videos and read guides and tutorials to make the job easier.
Tools and Equipment
There’s nothing more frustrating than getting half-way through a DIY mission and realizing you don’t have the right tools to finish the job. Before you approach any task, make sure you’ve got the equipment you need. Check your tool kit. If you’re missing items, you could consider hiring tools or buying new products for your collection. If you need a saw or a new cordless drill, for example, have a look around, compare prices, read user comments and check out reviews like those on consumerjar.com. You can filter the results of online searches based on your budget and the kinds of features you’re looking for. If you need a specific tool or having access to machinery would be beneficial, it’s wise to explore the possibility of hiring, as this could save you money.
Decorating
Do you fancy a change, or have you seen interior touches you love in a magazine or online? Making cosmetic changes like painting walls, switching up your accessories and introducing new colorways is a very simple and affordable way to update your interiors and freshen up the decor. If you are planning to redecorate, follow these steps:
Look for Inspiration
You might already know exactly what you want, but if you don’t, it’s helpful to look around for ideas and inspiration. Flick through magazines and search online. Look at what other people have done in their homes and get ideas from interior designers. Think about the space you have available and how you want to use the room. If you see images you like, or you spot themes or specific accessories or pieces of furniture you’d like to buy, take screenshots and cut out magazine photographs and create your own mood board. You can mix and match styles and looks to create a unique space that looks amazing, but also delivers on functionality.
Preparation
If you’re planning to paint at home, or you’re thinking of stripping or hanging wallpaper, you’ll need to prepare in advance. Before you paint any walls, clean them and sand them to ensure a smooth finish. Invest in dust sheets or protective covers for floors and furniture, wear old clothes or an overall, and make sure you have the utensils you need. Brushes are brilliant for edges, while rollers work well for larger spaces. When you put the paint on, don’t use too much and avoid going over the same patch time and time again. Give yourself time to do two or three coats and leave time for drying in between. If you’re removing wallpaper, the best thing to do is use a steamer to gently prise the paper off. Once the surface is moist, you can use a scraper to peel it off. When you’ve finished, sand the wall to eliminate any tiny fragments that may be left. For more tips, take a look at this article https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/secrets-pro-painters.
Final Touches
When you’re decorating, it’s crucial to pay attention to the finer details. If you’re painting, use tape around window and door frames and skirting boards to prevent splashing and make sure you have a small brush for going around the edges once you’ve finished painting the rest of the wall. Take your time.
Renovations and Remodeling
If you have more extensive renovation work in mind, or you’re considering remodeling your home in the months to come, planning is key.
Figuring out Plans
Before you go any further, think about what you want to do and what you want to achieve at the end. Are you looking into extending your home, or are you exploring ideas like knocking walls through to create a large, open kitchen-diner? Have you got an attic that would make a perfect bedroom, or is your basement destined to become a games room or a self-contained guest suite? If you’ve got a rough idea, look at galleries online, read interior magazines and get inspiration for your project.
Get some Quotes
Renovation and remodeling work requires professional expertise. If you’ve decided to go ahead, the next step is to make some calls and arrange for building firms to visit and provide you with a quote. It’s worth getting a few different quotes before you make a decision. Once you’ve got the figures in front of you, you can compare the different offers. Always look for value for money, rather than automatically opting for the lowest price. One company might offer you more than another, or they may be able to do the work sooner or faster, for example.
Choosing the Right Contractors
Putting your home in somebody else’s hands is a big step, and it’s natural to want to enjoy peace of mind that you can trust the contractors you hire. Before you sign any agreements or contracts or pay any money, read reviews and make sure the companies you are considering are reputable. Agree a price in advance, make sure you have written quotes and invoices, and be wary of any offers that seem too good to be true. It’s always a good idea to ask friends and neighbors for recommendations, especially if you know they have had work done recently. You can also use websites that rate local contractors and enable you to read testimonials.
Are you planning to start 2020 in style with a bright, beautiful home? Whether you’re finally getting around to tackling those half-finished DIY jobs, you’re hoping to freshen up the interiors, or you have grand plans for an attic conversion or a new extension, it’s always beneficial to make plans in advance. Hopefully, this step by step guide will eliminate stress and ensure you’re able to relax and enjoy your new and improved home in no time.
Click the links below for some Christmas Inspiration:
Breakfast Nook Christmas Decor
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