America’s home improvement sweetheart and host of Trading Spaces – Paige Davis highlighted the following mistakes to avoid when doing home D-I-Y projects:
1. NOT PREPPING BEFORE YOU PAINT.
According to Davis, the best rooms she’s ever painted were “prepped to perfection.” She cleaned the walls, used painter’s tape to prevent paint seepage, and applied primer to cover up the old paint. Davis says she got the best results whenever she followed these three prepping steps.
2. NOT MEASURING OR MEASURING INCORRECTLY.
Incorrect measurements are not only inconvenient, but they’re also embarrassing. For example, imagine carpentry not fitting through your door just when you bought them from the shop!
Davis also cautions furniture which makes it through your door doesn’t automatically mean it will fit your space. She says buying apartment-sized furniture should help prevent that scenario.
3. NOT MAKING USE OF WHAT YOU HAVE AVAILABLE.
For Davis, D-I-Y is all about improvisation. For instance, you can upgrade your old cabinetry with a fresh paint job or a change in hardware. You can also reface the cabinet front instead of building a new set.
Do you have old tables at home? Simply sand them down and add a bit of a restaining touch so you can bring them back to life. It’s these simple modifications which allow homeowners to improve their D-I-Y skills significantly.
4.GOING OVERBOARD WITH A THEME.
Going all out on your favourite D-I-Y themes may ultimately backfire because they may not mesh well together. While they’re all eye-catching, a mid-century modern couch, a French country coffee table, and a modern lamp don’t add up in Davis’ eyes.
Avoid the temptation to go overboard. Davis says adding subtle elements of a theme and sticking to just one style should work in the long run. For example, if French elements attract you the most, stick to them.
5. FAILURE TO STICK TO A TIMELINE.
Many homeowners’ inability to stick to a timeline ultimately results in their downfall: they don’t finish what they started! Create a timeline, stick to it at all costs, and you’ll get the long-term results you want. Not only that, but you will also hold yourself accountable for your D-I-Y projects’ success or failure.
One simple home improvement project that no Australian homeowner should go without is having your doors and windows covered with insect screens.