Essential Skills for Your DIY Armoury

Over the last few years, Do-It-Yourself, or DIY, projects have increased in popularity. They are fantastic because you can bring your own vision and creativity to a project without having to worry about the cost or time wasted on a professional.

DIY projects range in difficulty level, with some of the more advanced DIY practitioners able to accomplish almost anything in the home. From unique Christmas decor to a knocked down wall and enlarged bedroom, DIY is the way to go. Even if your skill level is low in this area, there are a few things you can perfect so that you can save money and feel that sense of accomplishment of DIY home improvement.

Home Repairs

It is inevitable that your home will need a few basic repairs during the time you live there. Leaky pipes, wall cracks, and stripped screw holes are just a few things that are sure to cause you a headache if you don’t know how to fix them. The first step is having the right set of tools. A good set of second hand DIY tools will not cost a lot of money, but are a crucial investment in the upkeep of your home. Knowing how to fix small repairs, and having the right tool kit to do it will save you time and money in the long run. You can shop on Gumtree, eBay or go to a specialist tool shop like Machine Mart.

Painting

The ability to paint properly is something that seems so easy, but very few people actually know how to do so correctly. Every surface, paint type, and brush style will require a few tweaks in technique, but as long as you have a basic rhythm down, your projects will come out looking fantastic.

The trick is to use paint sparingly. If you glob on paint, your finished project will look uneven and cheap. You can always add on more coats of paint, but it’s difficult to remove once the paint has touched the surface you are painting. Use sparingly and with a light hand, and your finished project will be a work of art.

Sewing

Even if operating a sewing machine intimidates you, knowing some basic stitches will help you accomplish quite a bit! All you need is a needle and thread to take on some unique and helpful DIY projects. Practice a basic stitch (also called a basting stitch, it’s used simply to connect two pieces of fabric together but can be utilised in many projects) on a piece of fabric that you don’t need to save. Once you’re comfortable with your skills, use them to put together amazing, crafty pieces that are sure to wow your friends and family. Christmas gifts, anyone?

Cleaning It’s amazing how many times a project can be saved or reinvigorated just by simply cleaning it properly. Dyed grout, rust, grime, stains, and any other seemingly hopeless problem can all be fixed with the right cleaning regime. Try natural cleaners first, like white vinegar and baking soda, before moving on to expensive commercial cleaners. Obviously, different surfaces will require different cleaning techniques, but generally a little elbow grease can save something you would have otherwise thrown out. If you combine cleaning with the other skills in your arsenal, you will be a DIY machine!