Homes are said to be one of the windows to one’s soul, and what better way to show it than to do the interior designing yourself? DIY renovation has been popular among individuals nowadays because having their own mark and style sets them apart from other houses. Here are the reasons why you should DIY and what things you need to know before delving into it.
Why DIY
When you outsource an interior designer, they will present you with a lot of fabulous designs to choose from, but these designs are more likely reflections of their style than yours. DIY home renovation helps you find your distinct style and distinguish you from others.
Besides, DIY is a good bonding time for you and your friends, should you have some people coming over to help you with your projects. However, doing it alone would take more time, but it feels relaxing to some extent.
Finally, DIY makes you feel more fulfilled and satisfied with the result as compared to having another interior designer do everything for you. There’s something about doing the renovation that feels more fulfilling.
What it Takes to DIY
Of course, the preliminaries of DIY is that you need to prepare for almost everything yourself. Here are some things to get you started:
- Prepare a budget. As with all kind of renovations, money is the main propeller of the whole project. It should be enough to cover everything you need, and sticking to this one is essential.
- Willingness. This is a no-brainer: you have to want to DIY your house and have the passion for it. It’s difficult if you’re not into it, and stopping midway and letting else handle the job would turn out to be a mess.
- Helping Hand (or Hands). You need help from at least one relative or friend, either with the designing or just a critique of your design. Even though you prefer working alone, help from someone close is always an excellent addition.
With that in check, you are almost good to go.
What You Need to Know Before DIY’ing
Here is a list of things that you must know before dabbing the first coat of paint, or before the sketching of your first plan.
The media is not showing accurate representations. You might have stumbled upon your great ideas from the TV, YouTube DIY vloggers, or your Instagram feed. These media might show you some pretty outcomes, easy sped-up finishes, or clean and smooth clean-ups; however, the opposite is quite more accurate: DIY is messy, tiring, and sometimes draining. It’s not as easy as it looks, so be prepared to test your patience and perseverance.
Tools are your best buddies. No house renovation would start without a basic set of tools. There is a recommended tool for each job, so visit your local Home Depot, Sears, or hardware store and ask the clerk for a useful start-up toolset for all of your home renovation needs. A typical toolbox would contain a hammer, electric wire cutters, pliers, nails, screwdrivers, among others. You might also want to add a floor drill press on your to-buy list; for tips in picking the best drill press, you can get details here.
Skill plays a significant role. We are all predisposed with our own sets of skills, and renovation requires skills such as firm hand grip for those hammers, arm strength, among others. It’s best to know what skills you have to assess what you can and can’t do.
An extra pair of hands would be better, if not best. Depending on the skill set you possess, your friend could offer their expertise. You might have a friend who is good a drill pressing tiles or a relative who’s good with woodworks. Either way, you can share a memorable experience with them, just remember to give them something to drink or eat while you’re at it.
There’s seldom enough money for it. No matter how much you want to stick with your limited budget, you would almost always go over budget. For example, you might spill a whole can of paint by accident, or you might have purchased the wrong set of screws. Nevertheless, there’s always room for error, so prepare extra money and budget for immediate purchases.
It takes so much time. Like with money, you should know that this takes a lot of time to finish. So unless you have extra time to spare, you might want to put off with your renovation.
You would work way beyond your deadline. Even with deadlines, they are almost always not adequately met. You might meet some and fail some. It’s a hit-and-miss, and deadlines are just there for you to put yourself at the right pace. Not meeting them does not mean the end of the world; it just means you need a little adjustment to finish them.
Changes are bound to come up. Expect some changes to come your way. Sometimes the color that we want for our staircase is not readily available in stores nearby, or that our design does not look as good as it did on paper.
It won’t always be how you envisioned it would be. Don’t expect your design to be how you pictured it to be, and that’s fine. What is important is that you be able to carry out your vision in the closes and most convenient way possible.
Moving in would mean checking in with dirt and dust. After having duly accomplished everything, the first few months of your stay would remain dusty and dirty. Tidying up your whole house and finishing everything does not mean that everything is set and done. Expect the initial weeks to be dusty and still crumbly, but it’s nothing a vacuum cleaner or broom can’t fix.
In the end, what matters most in the DIY renovation is your own style, skill, and willingness to finish it. At your disposal is all the available materials and information available on your smartphone, or lifestyle magazine. What’s left is for you to make plans and take a step towards your DIY home renovation goal, and maybe a little help from your loved ones.
