Your house is probably the most valuable thing you own. It is your pride and joy, and the place where all the meaningful events in your life take place. It’s where you spend time with your loved ones, make memories, and relax after a stressful day at work.
But it takes a great deal of love and care to look after a home. If you neglect it, it will quite quickly fall into squalor and disrepair. That’s why it’s so essential to have someone around the house who knows how to keep it in good shape.
DIY is a skill that is rapidly becoming lost to future generations. In the past, homeowners often had no choice but to fix a leaky tap themselves or paint their own living rooms. But now, it is easier than ever to call up a plumbing company or a tradesperson to take the job off your hands.
But the cost of living is rising, and learning how to perform some simple repairs will save a great deal of money in the long run. Not to mention giving you the immense feeling of satisfaction and pride that comes with a job well done.
So to get you started on your self-improvement journey, here are five tips to make you more handy around the house.
Get the right tools
No DIY expert is complete without a good set of quality tools. For a beginner, it is best to start with the basics and then gradually acquire additional items as you become more advanced. You can purchase a reasonably-priced set of durable tools from any good hardware store. The most important things you will need are a screwdriver set, a hammer, a spirit level, and a tape measure.
Watch tutorials
The internet is full of expert knowledge on any topic you could possibly imagine. If you are faced with a daunting task like putting up a curtain rail, you can be sure that there are several videos on Youtube explaining how to do just that.
Ask an expert
There’s a good chance you know someone who is pretty handy around the house. Maybe an older relative or a close friend who works in manual labor. There is no shame in asking for help, as everybody has to learn somehow. See if they will show you how to perform certain jobs and eventually you will be able to do them without assistance.
Take a course
If you are really starting from scratch, taking a course in home improvement is an excellent way to build the fundamental knowledge you will need. There are so many different classes and workshops from online seminars to face-to-face tutorials.
Start a project
Once you have acquired some basic knowledge, the best way to put it to practice is to start a home project. This could be as ambitious as building a shed in the garden, or you may want to start with something small like putting a shelf. Either way, you will learn from your mistakes and hone your skills as you go.