If you are keen to learn a little about DIY, then you are not alone. This is the kind of activity that many people all over the world decide to get into every day, and it’s for a very good reason. After all, learning a little DIY can radically transform the way you think about your home, and it can equip you with much more understanding of how to make use of the space you have. In this article, we are going to try and get you started with the process of learning DIy by taking a look at a few of the basic projects you can begin with. Learn these, and you will develop a set of skills which you can then use to carry out more complex DIY tasks in the future.

[Photo courtesy of Pixabay/pexels/com]

Make A Shelf

It doesn’t really get much simpler than this, and yet it will be a great way to learn some of the absolute basics of DIY. If you have never made a shelf before, you might actually be struck by how easy it is to do, and you might find yourself wondering why you have left it so long to begin learning some basic DIY. To build a normal shelf, you only need three pieces of wood, a decent set of glue gun spray adhesives or a similar adhesive, and sometimes – if you prefer – nails instead. You should find that putting a shelf together is relatively straightforward and simple, but if necessary don’t be afraid to look online for a little advice. It is a simple beginning, but one which will build your DIY confidence quickly.

Install Some Outdoor Lighting

We mention this particular project because it often appears to be an especially popular one. If you have often thought it would be good to have a little outdoor lighting – or a little more of it – then the good news is that this is pretty easy to do. The good news about this is that there are so many ways in which you can do it too, so you can really begin to use your own creativity with this one and so develop even more confidence and understanding with the practices of DIY. You can make candle lanterns, tiki torches from bottles, or anything that you think will be good for your own home. Use your imagination, and create whatever you think most appropriate. That is the joy of DIY.

[Photo courtesy of Skitterphoto/pexels/com]

 Fix A Tap

Of course, much of DIY is all about fixing the pre-existing, rather than creating the new. If you want to learn how to fix things, it is best to start with something relatively minor, where it won’t matter too much if you can’t do it. Fixing a leaky tap is a great one to start with for this very reason, and because it tends to be quite easy to do. Look online for an in-depth guide on how to do this and then get to work. You might find that it is much easier than you had ever thought, and it will mean you no longer have to rely on the plumber quite as often.

DIY doesn’t have to be left to the men. In fact, many women who have given it a go have enjoyed it and felt a huge sense of accomplishment. Yes, we may not be as strong as men, but with the know how we can certainly put a few shelves together. So, if you’re determined to show your man how it’s done, here’s what you’ll need to get started.

[Photo courtesy of foto fledgling /flickr.com]

Your Own Tools

Using your husbands drill to get started and practice is fine. However, most drills used by men are heavy and large so you may want to go shopping for your own. Finding the right tools will mean you’re one step closer to becoming a DIY Diva. Having the right size tools for you will make all of the jobs you do much easier to complete. You can find a list of perfect DIY tools for women here.

Safety Equipment

Again, there’s no point in wearing safety gloves that are three times the size of your hand. Firstly, it will your jobs much harder for you and secondly, it’s downright dangerous. Wearing safety equipment that doesn’t fit properly doesn’t make you any safer. In fact, it makes you more susceptible to injury. When you’re attempting a welding job, you’ll find the perfect Miller welding helmets from WeldingOutfitter.com.For anything else, try searching for women’s DIY safety equipment online. There’s a great variety.

[Photo courtesy of Ed Oliver/flickr.com]

Designate a Space

DIY can get messy and if you don’t designate yourself an area to work, that mess will spread quickly. It’s not just a pain to clean up after you’re done; it’s a hazard for anyone that has access to where you’re working. Find somewhere where you can set up your own table so anything that needs to be sawed, drilled or nailed can be carried to and from the working station. Don’t make the mistake of using your kitchen counter top as somewhere to do DIY. You’ll risk ruining your kitchen!

Know What You’re Doing

There are some jobs you can wing and have a go at, but there are others where it’s best to seek advice. Whether you ask your partner to give you a helping hand or you watch some tutorial videos online, it’s always best to know how to do the job properly before you start. You may fail the first time but DIY is often full of trial and error. Be as confident as you can be with what you’re doing. If you’re still squealing every time you use a power tool, you may need more practice.

Quality Over Bargains

You may be tempted to invest in a new tool because it’s on sale, but buying power tools isn’t the same as clothes shopping. You need to know the tools you’re using are safe and reliable. Before adding to your collection, do your research and look at reviews. You may find that the charge doesn’t last on battery powered drill or the plastic handles snap off of screwdrivers. Don’t waste your money on things that won’t last.

There is always something we need to do to our home to make it better. While we think about improving our home or making it more stylish, we very rarely think about the safety aspect of our homes. There are so many little problems that are potential fire hazards that it’s probably easier for most of us to not think about it. But there are some simple things to do that can cut down the chances of getting a fire at home…

[Photo courtesy of Skitterphoto/pexels.com]

Candles

Between 2009 and 2013, on average there were 25 candle fires per day in the US. Although that doesn’t sound like much, it totaled 86 deaths, 127 injuries, and $374 million in damaged property. So make sure you do the following:

1.    Keep candles 12 inches away from anything that could burn.
2.    Use candle holders that are sturdy.
3.    Blow out all the candles before leaving a room or going to bed.
4.    Don’t use candles in the bedroom.

Cooking

Hopefully, everyone has some common sense when it comes to cooking, but here are some tips.

1.    Wear close fitted clothing while cooking.
2.    Don’t leave food unattended.
3.    If you get a grease fire, smother the fire in a pan. DON’T put it out with water.

Dryers & Washing Machines

Washers and dryers catch fire because of a failure to clean them.

1.    Don’t overload the dryer.
2.    Clean the lint filter after every use, and don’t use the dryer without one.
3.    Don’t restrict the air exhaust pipe and make sure the outdoor vent flap is open while the dryer is on.

If You Have A Fire…

Firstly, don’t try and be a hero. Call the fire department as soon as you can, but make sure that you get to safety. As fires are such a common hazard, the best idea is to have a plan in mind should this ever occur. Know all your escape routes from your home blindfolded because you won’t be able to see when there is thick smoke. Stay low, and get out as quick as you can because you may only have seconds. Staying as low as possible means you will get the most oxygen out of the air.

After The Fire…

Once the fire has been put out, you will need to stay somewhere else. In the meantime, if you have updated your insurance policy, you will have to put in a claim for all the items damaged. If there are parts of the home that haven’t been damaged, you can hire a restoration company to start the cleanup. There are companies like Pro Restoration who specialize in clearing up homes after house fires and help to restore your property. Once your home is back to its former glory, it’s time to take notes of what potential hazards there are, and minimize them as much as you can.

Preventing a fire is very much about common sense as it is about safety, and in your home, you need to make sure that you are sensible by not obstructing doors, cooking safely, and generally being vigilant.

A new arrival is on the way and there is so much to do – decorating the nursery, choosing baby blankets and bedding along with a baby changing table, glider rocker and more. No matter how much you do before the bundle of joy arrives there’s inevitably something you will overlook, especially if this is your first child.

New parents may not realize how much the home décor will need to change throughout the entire house. The glass top coffee table that was once so stylish now represents a potential safety hazard while the sleek bathroom knobs and hardware that was so easy to use now poses a safety problem.

[Photo courtesy of ErikaWittlieb/pixabay.com]

Each room of your home will need to be childproofed and the bathroom is a good place to start. Any cabinets including the medicine chest should be secured with a childproof lock. The wastebasket should have a lid; a foot operated model is a good idea as kids will have a difficult time opening it. The toilet seat should be secured with a lid lock and all electrical outlets should be secured with protectors.

The bathtub should be made as child-friendly as possible – look for a bathtub faucet guard to protect baby’s head and be sure to invest in a bathtub temperature gauge to reduce the chance of scalding baby. A shampoo rinse cup will help to stop the tears when shampooing children’s hair.

If you do not already have a handheld showerhead you will find this to be one of the most useful modifications you can make in a bathroom. With a handheld shower head it’s easy to bathe children, shampoo hair and direct the water spray exactly where you want it; it also makes cleaning the tub and shower much easier.

A music room is about your love for music, and your family’s delight in the refined musical expressions can be an extraordinary motivation for planning the music room. It is imperative to pick fitting furniture for the music room, to upgrade the nature of the music and make listening a great deal more pleasurable. Here are five improving answers for your music room, in no particular order:

Seating

Seating is essential in your music room, as it offers an unwinding place for your family and visitors to appreciate the music introduced. Foot stools can be made out of old piano seats or comparable music-themed things, and these can likewise be an extraordinary friendly exchange or ice breaker after the music closes.

[Photo courtesy of unsplash.com/pexels.com]

Lighting

It is anything but difficult to be extremely innovative when you plan lighting for the music room. Unusable musical instruments, for example, woodwinds, clarinets, violins, guitars, trumpets, cornets, and even saxophones can be changed over into interesting lighting for the room.

Accessorizing

Beautifying the room can be as fun and intriguing as getting a charge out of the music, so don’t hesitate to get extremely imaginative with this angle. Awesome illustrations incorporate a piano, wardrobe containing guitar grimoire books with voicings and chords ever written guitar, maracas, bongos, and comparable musical instruments.

[Photo courtesy of ponce_photography/pixabay.com]

Instruments

At long last, it’s a given that you will need to have the absolute best instruments in plain view for your picked musical instrument. Take uncommon consideration to have fitting sheet music or going with soundtracks available, so you can enthrall visitors. Set aside time for practice, and keep your instrument perfect and prepared for use at whatever point you wish to stimulate companions or build up your aptitudes. All things considered, the playing of the instrument is the thing that drove you to make the music room so you can celebrate the music.

Our homes are definitely our castles. Somewhere to spend time with family and relax so we’re ready to face the world, whatever it throws at us. A home that you feel happy and comfortable in is so important. Are you making the most out of yours? Is the space being used to it’s maximum potential, and does it make you feel happy and inspired? If not, it’s time to fix that.

One option could be a complete refit from a company such as MillionDollarMakeovers.net.au. Alternatively you could pick and choose areas of your home which you want to upgrade. This will make the space functional and beautiful, and will allow you to fully enjoy your home. Here are some of the ways you can make the most of your property.

[Photo courtesy of Mike Birdy/pexels.com]

Add Extra Space

This could be in the form of an extension, a conservatory, a garden room or a loft conversion. If you need more usable space this could be the ideal choice. It could be for a home office, a guest bedroom or studio. Why not make the most of the space on your property and turn it into an additional usable and functional room.

Tackle Repairs

This could be niggly things like a wobbly toilet seat or a leaking tap, or be a case of finishing up half-done projects. Make sure everything works well and looks finished. This will make your home functional and aesthetically pleasing, making it enjoyable to spend time in.

Make The Layout Work For You

If you love hosting dinner parties for friends and family but constantly find yourself running to and from the kitchen all evening, then your current layout isn’t working for you. Consider transforming the space into an open plan area, or changing the doorway to a large arch. The same applies to things like bathrooms. If you have to traipse down long hallways or even up/down stairs to the bathroom during the night, you could consider having an en-suite fitted. Don’t adapt your lifestyle to fit your home. Instead, make your home fit the way you live.

Make it Cozy and Comfortable

Beds, living room furniture, and even garden furniture should all be chosen with the utmost comfort in mind. Having comfortable areas to relax gives you the opportunity to fully enjoy your home. Choose good quality mattresses for beds, and sofas with large, deep seats that you can sit back and lounge on. In the garden, instead of flimsy plastic chairs how about a garden three piece suite or a comfortable swing seat? Since your home is the place to relax, the right furniture will enable you to do this.

Make it Reflect You

Bring in your taste and personality to make it into a space that you really enjoy spending time in. Choose colors that you love, if you’re unsure you could go with neutral decor and bring in color with accessories. Hang artwork that you find beautiful on the walls to inspire you. Find places to display the things you love. Grouping smaller items onto trays is a good way to prevent the space becoming cluttered.

It’s a dilemma many of us have faced before. Should we do it ourselves? Or should we let someone else do it? There’s no simple answer to this question. There are many positive things about DIY, and there are many reasons why we should stay away from it. It’s time to weigh up both side of the argument.

For DIY

There is always something really satisfying about completing a DIY project. This is undeniable. Knowing that you’ve been able to make something with your own two hands is a fantastic feeling. And you will be reminded of your achievement whenever you see the finished product in your home. If you’re the kind of person that really likes to challenge yourself, then it’s understandable that you want to take on each and every DIY task.

You can sometimes save money by doing a DIY job too. Of course, it’s important to remember that this is not always the case. Sometimes, people spend so much money on tools and materials that it might have been cheaper just to hire someone to do the work. But in some cases when you already have the right tools, and the materials can be found cheaply, you could save a lot of cash. Many people who have a small budget to work with decide to take on DIY projects all by themselves.

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Against DIY

One of the main reasons not to DIY is your lack of skills. Sure, I don’t know what your exact skill level is. But I’m guessing it’s not up to a professional standard. This is the problem for most of us. We’re never going to be able to do the job as well as a real professional could do it. We might be able to scrape through and do a semi-decent job if we spend enough time and money on a job. But is it worth it when you can simply hire someone who could do that work in half the time? The finished product is always going to be better and more secure if it has been done by a pro.

The health and safety argument also has to come into it. Every year many people are injured, and some are even killed as a result of DIY jobs gone wrong. Before you go ahead with any task, you should be aware of the dangers of DIY. Every task is different, so every task presents different dangers and hazards that need to be confronted. If you’re not sure what you’re doing and are worried that you could hurt yourself, it’s probably best to call in the professionals.

Conclusion

The best advice I can give you is to use your common sense. If you make sure that you know what you’re doing and don’t take any unnecessary risks, you might be able to get a good outcome. But if you want the job done to the highest standard and you don’t want to take up your time, letting someone else do it is for the best.