Today – The benefits of DIY when it comes to interior decorating

The interior décor of your home speaks volumes about you and your family. It is a great way to express your personality, and give your artistic flair a chance to shine through. That being the case, why do so many of us settle for magnolia-painted walls and anonymous soft furnishings?

 

 

 

The benefits of DIY when it comes to interior decorating

Often, we delegate the task to others, simply calling in a team of interior decorators, either through lack of time, ideas or confidence in doing the job ourselves. Yet this is a shame, as there is nothing quite like the feeling of achievement in putting your own identity on your home.

It is also far more cost-effective to go the DIY route – so even if you think you are “not the DIY type,” here are some tips for adding that personal touch to your home décor.

 

Painting

Mention interior decorating, and the first image likely to spring to mind is that of being up a step ladder in overalls, a paint brush in one hand and paint all over your clothes, face, furniture, the dog and perhaps a little bit on the walls where it is supposed to be.

If you want to master interior decorating, you will have to get to grips with painting. It is the simplest thing that you can do to make the greatest impact at the lowest cost, and a fresh coat of paint is a great way to make rooms, furnishings and woodwork look like new.

If you are nervous that you will make a mess of it, don’t be – by following some step by step guidelines, anybody can learn to paint, and once you are confident with the brushes, there are all sorts of ways to get artistic and create a unique look. For example, how about using a can of sparkly spray paint to bring new life to an old rocking chair, or removing the knobs and handles from cabinets and painting them a different colour to the main body?

 

 

Windows and doors

While you have the paint brushes out, don’t forget the internal doors. Painting doors is something that tends to strike fear into the heart of the DIYer, and it is true that it is easy to get wrong. However, those who make a mess of the job invariably do so because they failed to prepare, and therefore prepared to fail – while Benjamin Franklin was not specifically talking about interior decorating at the time, his famous quote is nevertheless appropriate, because this job really is all in the preparation.

To properly paint a door, you need to take it down, lay it flat and remove handles and other accessories, before gently sanding it to provide a smooth key on which to paint. All of this might sound like hard work, but it is well worth it. Trying to paint round the handle of a door while it is still hanging is the sort of shortcut that results in a poor-quality job.

So much for doors, how about your windows? When you are revitalising these, pay attention to the dressings. Most of us have curtains that have sat there for years and bring little benefit aside from their basic functionality. If you are looking for a fresher, more contemporary look, some affordable shutters can make a great alternative to curtains. They are far easier to keep clean than curtains and also provide effective insulation from sounds and winter draughts.

 

Furniture and accessories

When it comes to filling your room with articles and accessories, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve for very little money by going down the DIY route. Old furniture can be purchased for next to nothing and given a new lease of life with your new-found painting skills and a little imagination.

How about going even more imaginative and making something from scratch using base materials such as wooden pallets? It might sound crazy, but as you can see from these ideas, pallets are extremely versatile, so creating your own wine rack or coffee table is something that anyone can try.

 

Unleash your creative side

None of us would want to describe our personality as “magnolia,” so get creative and have a go at your own interior decorating. Not only will it add that stamp of personality to your home, but it will also make it far more eye-catching for potential buyers if you should decide to sell in the future – and all at a price that is far cheaper than calling in the professionals!

 

The benefits of DIY when it comes to interior decorating is a feature post – you might also like my post on how to save money with DIY