There are many home improvement and repair tasks you can do by yourself if you are a homeowner or homemaker. Many of these tasks are easy to do and, in most cases, will cost you next to nothing. You don’t need to call in the professionals or pay for handyman services every time you wish to upgrade or renovate. In these modern times, DIY is the trend, so we all need to find ways to reduce our home maintenance expenses as much as possible.
If you think your kitchen or bathroom needs a new look but don't have the extra money to splash out on renovations, you can read about and learn many home improvement tasks. You will not only be saving good money, but you will also find a better use for your savings, perhaps for the proverbial "rainy day".
Repairs Around the Home
Occasionally, you will find that there are minor repairs needed around the house. Leaking pipes, dripping faucets, loose bolts and nuts, peeling paint, a loose floorboard, or a broken dining table leg. Have you ever had to unclog your sink’s drain? Do you feel exasperated when a nuisance nail keeps snagging your clothes every time you brush against a cabinet?
If your answers are yes, these repairs are tasks you should be able to carry out effortlessly. Save money. Go the DIY way.
Home Improvement Tasks
Every few years, we find that we desire some improvements or upgrades in our homes. For instance, the bathroom floor tiles may look drab and worn, and you wish to liven them up with a new colour, or in the spirit of the hot summer months, you desire a simple rustic bench and side stool to serve as your patio furniture. Or you want to make that niche more functional, and an integral part of the hallway, or you want to incorporate storage solutions into your living area zone.
These and many more are simple home improvement tasks that you can do. DIY home improvements are the order of the day, and now, many homeowners have woken up to the fact that it’s best to take care of minor faults and simple projects around the home by themselves. Remember, you will save loads of money this way.
Cheap Ways to Upgrade Your Home
There are three processes you can adopt to give your rooms, kitchen, and bathrooms an updated look.
- Cleaning
- Painting
- Lighting
Cleaning
Before you go out to purchase, first ascertain what your rooms, including kitchen or bathrooms, need as upgrades. Invest in good home cleaning agents and start with cleaning everything in sight. Clean grout lines, including wall and floor tiles, until they shine. Polish faucets, handles, sinks, tubs, basins, and other fixtures and fittings till they are lustrous. Thoroughly clean the windows, doors, and worktops.
Painting
If what you require needs more than cleaning, then invest in painting. This is a great way to make a room look brand new. You can paint over the tiles if you wish, sand down and paint the mouldings and other trims. You can touch up stained woodwork. You can also paint over wood panelling, kitchen cabinet doors, and splashbacks. Use beautiful shades of colour to create a themed look: shabby chic, mid-century contemporary, or modern minimalist.
Lighting
Replace your light fittings and fixtures. New light fixtures don’t have to cost much, but don’t skimp if you can. Replace old tungsten bulbs with LED bulbs. Use warm lights in the bedrooms and bathrooms. Warm white is more relaxing to the eyes and casts a tranquil light. For the kitchen and living areas, the more luminous cool white lights work best because these areas, especially the kitchen, require lighting that shows the true colour of food and objects.
Essential Tools You Need to Have at Home for DIY Tasks
Whether you are a first-time homeowner or someone who just joined the do-it-yourself trendsetters, having the right types of hand tools at home is essential. There are indeed many home improvement tools available on the market, and it can be hard deciding which ones you really need to buy. However, you don’t need a trunk full of tools to carry out home repair and upgrade works. All you need for simple home improvement projects are the essential tools listed below. These are the must-haves. With these tools, you can tackle just about any DIY project. And don’t forget to get a nice toolkit to store all your shiny new tools in one place.
- Power drill - The most frequently used power tool around the home. The best are cordless drills with multiple speed settings.
- Hammer – A great and handy tool to have at home that’s designed to manually drive nails, brads, and fasteners into materials like drywall, wood or plywood. The smooth-faced hammer is best because it won't mar surfaces.
- Screwdriver set – A set of hand-operated tools useful for turning screws with slotted heads.
- Orbital sanding machine - One of the most essential power tools for a DIYer. It is needed for refinishing, furniture making, and basic carpentry tasks.
- Circular saw - A versatile tool used to cut anything from framing lumber to plywood.
- Set of pliers – These hand tools are required to hold objects firmly and are also useful for bending and compressing a wide range of materials.
- Jigsaw - A type of saw that uses a reciprocating blade to cut irregular curves. Great for stencil-cuts and designs in wood, metal, and other materials.
- Mitre saw – This is an essential saw to have if you need to make precision crosscuts and mitres. Most mitre saws will also do bevel cuts.
- Paintbrushes and tray, OR a paint sprayer – If you can afford a paint sprayer, you will find painting cabinets, furniture items, and other small projects a breeze. It is incredibly convenient, and you don’t have to keep stopping to fill paint trays, and it beats messy and dripping paintbrushes.
- Work light – This allows you to see what you are doing, even in the tightest corners. Invest in a battery-operated hands-free light that can be pointed in any direction.
You will find all of these home improvement and repair tools at local home improvement stores. If you’d rather purchase them in the comfort of your home, you can always buy them online.
Where to Find Home Improvement and Repairs Tips Online
If you need professional advice, you can research online and learn. Many people have taught themselves home improvement skills through DIY video tutorials on YouTube. It’ll probably take you no more than 30 minutes to watch and learn.
You can also get help from your local home improvement store, where they won’t hesitate to give you simple instructions on how to get a repair or refurbishment done. They can teach you anything from learning how to use a hammer to how to spray paint your ceiling. You can also get useful tips from friends who are more skilled DIYers.
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