How To Prevent DIY Mistakes
While we all love the thrill of trying out new DIY projects and getting creative in our homes, it’s hard to deny that sometimes the results can fall short of your expectations.
One misplaced screw, a choice of quick-drying glue instead of lasting nails – even the most expertly executed home improvement project – isn’t usually salvageable after a DIY slip-up.
To save you from wasting time and money on those ill-fated technicalities, we’ve gathered together the most common DIY blunders and how to avoid them in our guide below:
• Always use a spirit level when placing pictures or shelves
If you haven’t invested in a spirit level yet, you should probably get one. They’re incredibly useful to have on hand for checking that shelves are leveled, that pictures are straight, and that windowsills are perfectly horizontal or vertical.
If picture frames seem crooked to the naked eye at first glance, you can use a level to double-check before marking their position with a pencil. Alternatively, if you’re hanging shelves, use the level to measure how high they should be to fit your décor.
Obviously, you can’t get a spirit level out to check if your windowsill is horizontal or vertical, but you can make sure that the area is clean and dry and mark it with a pencil before hammering in nails.
Once they’re in, it’s unlikely that they’ll be easy to move, so if your mark isn’t completely level, you might end up with wonky shelves.
• Measure out how much wallpaper paste, jointing compound, etc. you will need before buying
If you’re planning on applying wallpaper or coatings of any kind, don’t forget the most important part – your mixing container.
Unless you like the idea of spending hours decorating and then realizing that you’ve applied too much paste, or used up all your compound, etc., make sure to get a large enough receptacle for your mix, whether it is a bowl or bucket.
Then there’s also the amount itself to consider. Different types of wallpaper paste have different quantities needed per rolled-out meter, so make sure to do a bit of research before going in.
• Use the right equipment when decorating or renovating
The right tool for the job is another important part of staying on top in any DIY project.
If you’re cutting in the paint between skirting boards or around radiators, using a paint-trimmed all-round brush is the way to go. It’s designed specifically for this type of work and gives you a high-quality finish that doesn’t require touching up with a separate brush later on (which can get messy). However, if you plan on doing some DIY painting, don’t forget to pick up suitable brushes and rollers for the job.
• Be careful which wood filler you use for your project
There are a few different types of wood filler, each one with a specific purpose. For instance, some fillers have a higher sanding threshold than others – meaning they can be sanded down to a less obtrusive level – while some fillers dry out faster, which can save you time.
