Your DIY project success

This week, MJ has been working on a Caravan makeover with a quick turn around.  This was never an interior design project, she forseen, however it has given her the opportunity to become more flexible in her design choices and utilise and upskill in DIY.

In today's blog MJ is going to share the top tips from her current project and how it can help you in your next DIY project around the home. 

Top Tips 

1, Making lists: What is more satisfying than to be able to make a list and ticking off each element.  It spurs you on and helps to recognise progress. The same should apply with any DIY project, with so many choices to be made & tasks to be completed, for your own Wellbeing it's certainly a wise approach to make a list. And how does the song go? 🎼 "I'm making a list, I'm checking it twice ". It's true, lists can be the difference between DIY fail or DIY success and we love the latter. 

2, the commonly known 5Ps or more often used 7Ps.

Proper Planning/Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.

a)Think about the tools you need, are they in good working order, is there anything that can help the project go more smoothly or in fact save you time? Prime example, Using a screwdriver or a battery hand electric driver? Saves effort and energy. 

b)Seems a tad PC, however it's important & vital to give Health and Safety matters your consideration.  Do you need PPE; ie Gloves, goggles and suitable clothing.  The caravan makeover has required all of these H&S elements.  From removing a broken glass mirror; whereby safety goggles were required to gloves and a face mask because of the cleaning products and their toxidatity to ensure, she didn't breathe in the fumes.  

c)Skills; people are extremely adaptable and can always learn new skills, this is definitely a thing to consider when taking on any DIY project, it's okay to delegate to other experts when needed especially when you're working towards a tighter timeline or conversely if you have the time, learn a new skill or give it a try.  YouTube videos are a fantastic source of information in terms of "How to...", guides. 

Commencement 

Okay so you have your lists, you know what you have to do.  You just need to start.  Let us start by saying.  Positive mindset is a definite requisite of any DIY job, like life, not everything will be a success on your first attempt.  Just enjoy the process and if you need to adapt or tweak your original goal, that's okay.  DIY, can be fun to do and if you're not enjoying it: DELEGATE!!

That's why interior designers are here to serve you, just like the Caravan project.  MJ went into interior design with the hope of just designing classy, opulencent and charming homes, and the reality is that she has had to get stuck in with all aspects of the caravan makeover job. I think this shows, your open to learning new skills and tapping into your other skills based experience.  

Reward & Reflect 

Sit back and take it all in. Celebrate a job well done.  Reward & Reflect. Now your DIY project is complete, think about what went well, what you would do differently next time and has it inspired you in other ways ie learning new skills? 

Heres a few practical tips & hacks:

1, Sandwich bags are great to keep together small items like screws, curtain hooks etc

2, Clean as you go, keep your work area as clean as possible and allow time after each job to remove debris and put away tools once checked over.  For example charge your battery operated hand tools.  Then they will be ready for the next day. 

3, Have the right cleaning products for the right job.  Whether it's replacing a window unit to a replacement bathroom, every product you use will add that sparkle at the end of the job. 

4, If you're using a paint, put a sticker on the pot, as to what room you used it in & for what purpose.  Then in 12 months time when it comes to refreshing the room.  You'll be able to find the correct colour paint with ease. 

5, WD40 or a bar of soap can make your life easier.  If you have new tracks and/hinges then to help free them use a lubricant like WD, MJ swears by a bar of soap. For example the caravan awning track was stiff and unforgiving, to remove it, she rubbed it with a bar of soap and Taddar!! It glided along beautifully.  Making life easier. 

6, Caulk and Sealants.  Nothing says tidiness & completion more than a fresh whizz around with some caulk or sealant, it looks aesthetically pleasing and it has the functionality of stopping drafts etc.

7, Use old newspaper to clean windows and give them a shine.  Yes, it's true, once you have cleaned them, give a scrunched up piece of paper a gentle scrub over your window and it will have them gleaming. 

8, Elastic bands around your paint pots, gives you a place to rest your paint brushes when you go for a cuppa, without dripping paint on to other surfaces. 

9, Quick transformations. Is this full DIY project warranted or could you do a few quick wins to transform a room, saving you money & time, while adding style & splendour, ie replace door handles, change the accent colour soft furnishings or Art work and finally  replacement kitchen doors ( Like Dream Kitchens).

10, Think storage.  No DIY project is to big or small and by using storage solutions it can help your job go more efficiently. 

We hope you have found this blog useful & if you're interested in learning more about the Caravan makeover that MJ has been working on, go take a look at her Socials.  You can find her on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest:

 

Country Interior Design by MJ 

If you found this blog useful, next week we are going to do more of the same by way of providing you with practical checklist templates, you can then copy and use at your will. See you next time & good luck with your DIY project.  Your going to be splendid. 

#Countrylife #Interiordesign #interiordesigner