5 ideas to inspire your next renovation or DIY project
In Spring, it's not rare to see an increase in home renovation projects, whether that's larger undertakings like home extensions or a small room refresh. It's the perfect season for renewal, and the nicer weather usually means that outdoor projects can be carried out smoothly.
If you're looking for inspiration on renovation projects you can complete this year, in this post, I'll share some of my favourite ideas, which hopefully help inspire your next project around the house or in the garden.
Install new decking
If you're lucky enough to have your own garden, you may want to be able to make the most of it when the warm summer days come. Feel like enjoying meals al fresco? Decking not only looks great, but it's perfect to set up your outdoor furniture set and spend more time outside.
If you're going to do this yourself, you'll need to carefully plan what you need so you don't waste any materials (or find yourself short!). It is possible to use an existing patio or concrete base or deck over a lawn area – there are plenty of useful tutorials online for either case, so make sure you read up on it before getting started. You don't want your garden to end up looking it's halfway through an episode of Ground Force.
Replace radiators
As the days get warmer and the heating is off, it is the perfect time to review your central heating system and radiators to make any repairs as needed and replace heaters that have seen better days. While plumbers can help with all installation and replacement jobs, it is something that you can do yourself with some preparation – electric radiators are particularly easy to install.
Make sure to check the dimensions that you need for your space. Online retailers often have more choice of sizes, so make sure to check specialist sites such as Trade Radiators (which also have great deals on at the moment).
Build a garden shed
If you love spending time outdoors and gardening, chances are you'll have an array of tools and accessories that you will need to store. If you don't have a garden shed, you'll know that it can be tricky to find a way to neatly store tools in a garage (or whatever space you have available).
You can opt for sheds ready to assemble or build your own, depending on what storage solutions you need and how big you need your shed to be. If you're quite crafty, building your own shed is a very satisfying project – and you often save money compared to purchasing a kit from a major retailer.
Re-tile your bathroom
Does your bathroom look like it hasn't been updated since the 80s? Whether you've bought a home with a previous owner with questionable taste or you've been living in the same house for decades, re-tiling your bathroom or toilet is a great way to make a room look fresher and more modern (if you have seen the trends from the 70s and 80s, you know what we mean).
Tiling can seem like a tedious job, but if you're methodical, it's much easier than you think. You'll need a few specialist tools that all DIY aficionados should have, but if you don't want to invest, you can always plan to rent the more expensive tools like circular saws.
Tile prices can vary wildly depending on what you choose, so make sure to check how many tiles you need and if the total price will fit in your budget, especially when accounting for corners!
Add a fresh coat of paint
If you don't feel ready for a major overhaul or are on a budget, a fresh coat of paint can go a long way. Whether that's just a little colour refresh or a complete change of atmosphere, paint can truly transform the look and feel of a room without requiring many tools or materials.
Make sure that you use paint that is suitable for your surface and that you'll have enough (you don't want to run out of paint halfway through!). Taking the time to prepare the surface and applying primer will be key to achieve a perfect finish – again, there are plenty of detailed tutorials you can follow online.
