Amid the flurry of new year’s renovations, making mistakes whilst swept up in DIY enthusiasm can be all too common.
Despite the boost of New Year energy, homeowners are being advised to exercise caution and patience. A group of design experts have shared the blunders to avoid when revamping your property.
From prepping paint to investing in furniture to last years, here’s what the experts had to say.
Painting walls
Emma Bestley, co-founder and creative director of YesColours, was one of the design experts providing advice – particularly when it comes to walls.
She stated: “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 shared her own recipe 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.”
Storage
An overlooked area for homeowners is improving storage space
(Image: Getty Images)
With the walls taken care of, DIY buffs must be wary of another common mistake: overlooking storage space.
Al Bruce from Olive and Barr had a few helpful pointers: “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.”
Living rooms
For Alex Bridgman, the CEO of furniture company Bridgman, designing a living space that possesses timeless elegance was key. He advised: “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 steer clear of transient trends and accentuate enduring style, Bridgman said: “Celebrate subtlety by being restrained with your furniture choices, defying trends by instead focusing on the quality of the craftsmanship and the materials.”
Further emphasising sustainable purchasing, Bridgman remarked: “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.”
In addition, he underscored the significance of high-quality bedding for the ultimate sleep experience, advising a careful selection of mattress, pillows and duvet.