13 January 2020
By portermathewsblog
via domain.com.au
The summer break is a perfect time to tackle those neglected DIY tasks. Photo: iStock
There’s no time like the summer break to get around to all those tasks you’ve been meaning to do. Without the busyness of work and general life, focusing on some of those neglected areas of the home means you’ll start the year fresh, updated and accomplished.
It’s key to decide which home DIY projects you’ll invest your time and money into. Are there any that have really been on your mind? What will add value to your home?
Between beach trips and pool-side relaxation, here are some ideas for home DIY that are easy enough to complete over your summer break and won’t break the bank.
Freshen up your interior painting
Anyone can work some magic with the right colours and a paintbrush. With warm weather on the agenda, your coats will dry fairly fast, making it an easy summer fix.
If you’ve got wallpaper to remove, holes or dints to patch, make sure you do that before you start on the painting.
Typically, prep and painting take anywhere from three to six hours per room, depending on the size and direction to the sun.
It doesn’t take long to give the walls a fresh coat. Photo: iStock
Planting and landscaping
Who doesn’t enjoy a sunny afternoon in the garden or stroll through the nursery choosing new flowers? Your garden refresh could be as simple as replacing furniture or as complex as constructing an entertainment area.
For the budget-conscious, planting cuttings from friends and family is a great way to get your garden started and add in some new species.
While it can be difficult to estimate the time frame of a landscaping job, small jobs such as replacing furniture or planting could all be knocked over in a day. For larger tasks such as laying pavers or grass, allow a few days.
Who doesn’t love an afternoon in the garden? Photo: iStock
Re-tiling kitchen splashback
Make sure to weigh up your experience here. Nobody wants to end up with an uneven, less than perfect splashback in their kitchen.
Another thing to pay attention to is the type of tiles you are going to use before you dive straight in. Some tiles are harder to both lay and align.
If you’re unsure but keen to give it a go yourself, YouTube is a great place to gather info, get tips and watch how the professionals do it.
Before you start, make sure you consider the knock-on effect, so it doesn’t turn into a mountain of a job. For example, if your tiles sit behind your benchtops, it will become a much more complicated task. If the colour is quite polarising, will it mean eventually replacing all the tiles throughout the home?
Curtains are an easy way to transform a room. Photo: Stocksy
Updating the blinds
Blinds have the power to transform the whole room, adding colour, light or texture with minimal effort or costs involved. If you’ve already got tracks in place, then it’s just a case of replacing the curtains, which can be done in half a day.
When it comes to choosing your curtains and the hooks, make sure to seek advice from staff in-store. The different styles of hooks can be confusing, but with the right advice, you’ll be set for an easy DIY task.
Lighting changes
Just like curtains, lighting also has the power to change a room entirely. Lighting can be a statement piece, add ambience and is an economical way of sprucing up the home. Be sure to call on a licensed electrician for any installation that needs to be done.
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18 May 2018
By portermathewsblog
via popsugar.com.au
Image Source: A Beautiful Mess
Have you ever come home from a long day of work, stepped through your door, and noticed that your home smells a little musty? Between lingering food smells from the kitchen, damp towels in the bathroom, and other day-to-day activities, there are lots of things that contribute to your home smelling a little less than fresh. It happens to the best of us, but luckily it’s an easy fix! DIY air fresheners, houseplants aplenty, and some essential cleaning tips are some of our favourite ways to get a fresh home that smells amazing.
Burn a Candle
Image Source: Francois et Moi
Scented candles add a whole lot of cosiness to your room and can make your entire home smell fresh or festive, depending on the scent you choose! Try this DIY soy candle to get a fresh scent while skipping the harsh chemicals.
DIY an Essential Oil Diffuser
Image Source: A Beautiful Mess
Candles should never be left unattended, so if you want something that you don’t have to pay much attention to, DIY an essential oil diffuser instead. They can make your home smell great for months and you can choose your own scents.
Deep-Clean Your Bathroom
Image Source: Studio McGee
How often do you actually deep-clean your bathroom? You should really try to get behind all those nooks and crannies that you don’t always pay attention to once a week. Without a good, regular deep clean, your bathroom will eventually start to smell.
Get an Air Purifier
Image Source: Love Grows Wild
There are lots of things to love about air purifiers, from getting rid of harmful pollutants in your home to making your home less dusty. They also help contribute to a crisp, fresh smell in your home.
Make a DIY Air Freshener
Image Source: A Beautiful Mess
When it’s not really possible to crack a window for fresh air, try a DIY air freshener instead. You can also use them to freshen up fabrics and get rid of musty smells.
Bake Some Bread
Image Source: Damn Delicious
What can make your home smell better than baking a fresh loaf of bread? There are plenty of simple bread recipes out there, like this no-knead rosemary bread recipe that will instantly make your home smell amazing.
Rid Your Kitchen of Grease
Image Source: A Beautiful Mess
If you cook often, grease can really start to build up, even in places you never expected. Citrus-based cleaners work wonders for cleaning up grease on your counters, range hood, microwave, and more, leaving your kitchen smelling fresh.
Create Lavender Sachets
Image Source: House*Tweaking
These DIY lavender sachets are a great option if you have specific rooms or areas in your home that need freshening up. Just hang one wherever you want your home to smell good!
Simmer Your Favourite Scents
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts
One of the best air fresheners you can make is one on your stove. Combine your favourite scents, like citrus, cinnamon, cloves, or anything else you like, and simmer it on the stove in some water for as long as you like.
Use Houseplants
Image Source: Sarah Hearts
It’s no secret that houseplants are one of the best natural air purifiers on the market! Many houseplants help to produce more oxygen in your home while ridding the air of toxic chemicals and carbon monoxide, giving your home a fresher scent.
Make Dryer Balls
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography
DIY dryer balls are a great, less toxic alternative to dryer sheets, but you can use them in similar ways. Put them strategically around your home, like in your linen closet or in your drawers, to keep things smelling super fresh!
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25 May 2017
By portermathewsblog
via domain.com.au
The bathroom is one of the most expensive rooms to remodel. So if you’re on a budget, a bathroom renovation might be out of reach. The good news is you don’t have to live with the ugly – all you need is a little DIY elbow grease.
Try these easy projects to give your bathroom an upgrade, and the best part is, you can do any of these in one weekend.
Update the vanity
Transform the vanity with new paint and hardware. Photo: Jason Frank Rothenberg / Domino
Painting the vanity is one of the cheapest ways to upgrade your bathroom and still make a big impact. Sand your existing vanity, and patch any imperfections with wood putty. Then, start with a good oil-based bonding primer before applying the final coats of paint. Finish the look with new hardware
Upgrade the toilet lever
Photo: The Makerista
Something as small as the flusher handle can make a big difference. Upgrade the white plastic version for something in shiny chrome. Don’t be intimidated by the plumbing aspect of this project; it’s actually super easy.
Replace the towel bar with hooks
Photo: House Tweaking
Using hooks in place of a towel bar is not only more stylish but also easier to use. You don’t have to worry about perfectly folded towels hung evenly on a bar.
Add a bold accent wall
Photo: Jessica Antola for Domino
Another way to add a wow factor to your bathroom is to go bold with paint. Choose one wall and go wild with a colour you might be scared to use anywhere else.
Paint your own wallpaper
Photo: May Richer Fuller Be
Wallpaper can be pricey, so why not paint your own pattern? You don’t have to be an artist to get beautiful results. Use a stencil, or go freehand like this project from May Richer Fuller Be. She created a stunning basket-weave pattern with simple brushstrokes.
Change the light fixture
Photo: A Beautiful Mess
Changing the light fixture in your bathroom can actually be easier and more affordable than you think. Use an inexpensive LED light, then amp up the style by using a decorative ceiling medallion.
Line the medicine cabinet with decorative paper
Photo: Sarah Hearts
The medicine cabinet can be a neglected space, full of dusty shelves and expired products. Sprucing it up is the perfect weekend project. Get it organised, and then add a bit of flair with decorative contact paper. It’s a nice little surprise every time you reach for the toothpaste.
Add art work with a photo collage
Photo: Little Green Notebook
Every room needs art work, and the bathroom is no exception. Make a collage with your favourite photos by mounting them on fabric-covered cardboard and plopping it in a frame.
– popsugar.com.au
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