D.I.Y. - DOES AND DON'TS

It is totally understandable that, when suddenly given all the free time in the world, people have jumped at the opportunity to do some home renovations, garden landscaping, general D.I.Y and decorating...

But how's that been going so far?

I have to admit that I'm guilty of jumping on the bandwagon with this one, using my time on Furlough leave to renovate the garage, redo the exterior, landscape the back garden and build a Pergola... all in the hopes that we'll be able to enjoy some family BBQ's in the summer if this pandemic finally lets up!

So, having tested my hand at some new D.I.Y tasks, and having tripped up a few times myself (not that I'll admit it!), I thought I'd share some funny stories I've come across and pass on a few helpful 'D.I.Y - DOES AND DON'TS'.

Whether it's:

• Trying to repaint your dining room and ruining your carpet,
• Removing your wallpaper and taking half the wall with it,
• Treating the floorboards and finding dark-brown paw prints all over your house,
• Or, removing the shower panel to end up with a toilet and sink filled with glass,

I think it's safe to say a few of us have been getting it wrong!

The question is... Why?

People have been posting their D.I.Y 'wrong-doings' online, and after studying the vast array of mistakes, I've concluded that they all fall into the following categories:

• The Just Plain Clumsy's: for those who lack the 'steady hand' and naturally 'knock things over',
• The Unfortunates: for those who build things just in time for a wind storm, or have a pet who 'refuses to play nice',
• The Stubborn Sally's: for those who have no clue what they're doing but refuse to take advice or use the dreaded Google Machine,
• The Lazy D.I.Y Shouldn'ts: who screw their cupboard doors on upside down and their curtain holders back-to-front because they can't be bothered to look what they're doing, and,
• The Measure-Me-Not's: for those who just can't seem to get those sizes and angles right no matter how hard they try!

If I had to pick, I'd say I'm a healthy cross between a 'Measure-Me-Not' and a 'Lazy D.I.Y Shouldn't'... Not because I can't measure, but because I'm just better at guessing!

Then you've got the problem of the D.I.Y 'HELPERS'.

There are categories for those too:

• The Backseat Drivers: who spend all day sunbathing but love to have an input,
• The Home Owners: who don't want to do much work themselves, but have to have the final say,
• The Try Too Hards: who... bless them!... just want to get involved, but only get in the way, and,
• The Credit Takers: who assist here and there with minor details, but still take half the credit at the end!

My partner Ric (being the D.I.Y mastermind that he is) has thankfully taken the helm on building the Pergola, and I wish I could say I haven't been 'Backseat Driving' a little, but... (the weather has been glorious!)

I think we all know where we sit when it comes to D.I.Y, but how can we improve and what can we learn?

The first step is understanding your categories and accepting your limitations! Whilst none of us like to admit that we 'can't', unfortunately sometimes we just 'shouldn't'.

Don't be afraid or embarrassed to take advice or admit you don't know what you're doing. Remember, not everyone can be as incredibly talented and diverse as me! It's more embarrassing to get things wrong than it is to get them right... no matter how you've done it!

Use the right equipment and good-quality materials. If the stuff looks 'naff' before you've even started, it's not likely to look great when you've done!

Don't be disheartened if the first store you go to doesn't have what you're looking for. I've spent a fair bit of time in 'home supply' shops recently... B&Q, Wickes, ScrewFix, The Range, Wilkos, Homebase (and every other home improvement store you can think of!), in Newark, Lincoln and Grantham... on the hunt for much needed D.I.Y essentials... and I've noticed a theme. With everyone out after the same stuff, the last place you visit is the only place you'll find what you need. So, if I were you, I'd skip to your last choice and head straight there. Save yourself a lot of time (and petrol!).

Side note: I actually bumped into 'Ponytail' - a family friend - in B&Q last week, then again in Wickes 2 days later and AGAIN the following day at Wilkos. We're all doing the rounds! I've seen him more in the last 2 weeks than I'd usually see him in a year.

For those of you who are a little more on the 'clumsy' side, put all spill-able items out of reach, or pick non-spill jobs! Stick to what you're good at and play to your strengths. Let someone else make the mess!

Most importantly, remember to have fun, enjoy what you're doing, and don't take yourselves too seriously. You don't have to be a PRO to do some D.I.Y, and sometimes the mistakes are better than the initial idea. They also make for a better story!

Lastly, don't be afraid to go 'off-pattern' or do something different. I couldn't find the paint I wanted so I mixed some myself. Looked a little bit like cat sick for a minute, but the end result was PURRFECT.

So on that note, with my head in my hands and my shoulders hung in shame, I'd love to hear about where you fit in all this, what you've been up to and how horribly you've messed up. I'd really feel a lot better!

Keep having a go, and remember, if it can be done, it can be undone.

If you can't laugh at yourself... who can?

Stay safe.