It can be frustrating having to hire professionals to do simple jobs that you feel anyone could do.
Yet even though you’re more than capable of doing it yourself, DIY is a skill that take takes time and patience to develop – going in gung-ho can lead to expensive and even dangerous mistakes.
We’ve written this article to give you the perfect place to start. In this beginner’s guide to DIY, we’ll explain the benefits of DIY share our five best tips and list some common projects you could get started with.
What are the benefits of DIY?
It’s no wonder DIY has become so popular among people of all ages. Just consider the impressive range of benefits, which include:
- Save money – Instead of forking over your hard-earned cash to someone else, you’ll get the same job done yourself while spending less. Not only this but you’ll likely also be more satisfied with the finished job – as you’ll have more influence on the outcome.
- Learn new skills – There’s no doubt that you pick up plenty of new skills with each project. You’ll carry these learning from one project to the next. In the end, you’ll be surprised at how much more capable you are than when you started. And for this reason, DIY can help improve your mental health – leading into the next benefit.
- Better mood – With each completed job, you’ll feel a sense of pleasure and satisfaction that’s hard to replicate. Plus, you’ll have something tangible to show off to others and feel proud of.
Essential DIY tips
Before you start reaping the many benefits of DIY, there are a few common pitfalls it’s worth avoiding. Read our five top tips below to find our how you can avoid them.
- Stay safe
Wear protective gear and ensure you place all equipment in safe areas when you’re not using them. Make sure you’re paying attention to what you’re doing – accidents are more common than you’d think.
- Plan first
Completing a job takes proper planning. This means researching, getting the necessary equipment, and even drafting sketches of your desired outcome.
- Create a working environment
Keep a designated area that’s out of bounds to everyone else. This space is solely for DIY purposes. It’s where you keep all your tools and equipment safe and sound, as well as actually work on your projects.
- Invest in tools
Always buy quality tools. Ensure you make significant purchases like electric saws from renowned suppliers such as RS – remember, the work you do can only be as good as the tools you use.
- Tackle one project at a time
Regardless of how easy or hard a particular project is, make sure you see it through to the very end before moving on to another. If you’re struggling for motivation, try to break it up into smaller sections – tackling each at a time and making the whole project feel more manageable.
Common DIY projects
There are literally hundreds of DIY projects you could choose to get started with. Here’s a sample of some of the most common:
- Reupholstering furniture
- Painting the walls
- Setting up shelves
- Making tables, benches, or ornaments
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