DIY experts are urging caution and patience to achieve top results in your projects. In the rush of new year’s rejuvenations, it’s easy to make blunders, but these helpful tips will ensure you dodge them.
Emma Bestley, co-founder and creative director of YesColours, is one of the design experts offering tips – especially when it comes to walls.
She said: “If the surface of your wall is uneven in any way, it may need sanding. It is also a wise idea to clean walls with sugar soap to clear away any dirt build-up. If you’re looking for a natural alternative to sugar soap, it’s simple enough to make your own.”
Bestley added her own blend for a homemade cleanse: “This can easily be achieved with water, white vinegar and a few drops of essential oils, which adds a beautiful scent, too.
“For those working with freshly plastered walls or any other absorbent surfaces that you may be painting on, priming is essential before applying your paint.”
Making good use of storage space is another key DIY tip
(
Image:
Getty Images)
With the walls sorted, DIY enthusiasts must watch out for another classic slip-up: forgetting storage space.
Olive and Barr’s very own Al Bruce advised: “Consider how much storage you truly need. Look at your existing kitchen to figure out what items you use regularly and give your kitchen a detox by clearing out those items, collecting dust at the back of the cupboard.
“By keeping units to an essential, it will help to cut costs while giving that designer style that feels open and airy.”
Alex Bridgman, the CEO of furniture company Bridgman, advised on how to craft a living space with enduring appeal, saying: “Curate a quiet luxury living room by investing in premium pieces with timeless appeal.
“Now, this isn’t about being lavish or showing off – it’s about honouring the understated.”
To highlight craftsmanship over fleeting fads, he suggested: “Celebrate subtlety by being restrained with your furniture choices, defying trends by instead focusing on the quality of the craftsmanship and the materials.”
Bridgman also underlined the value of durability in purchasing, stating: “You can’t put a price on longevity and the value of buying once and buying well, which is what the quiet luxury ideal celebrates.”
Moreover, he emphasised the importance of quality bedding for a perfect sleep set-up, noting that attention should be given to the mattress, pillows, and duvet.