We’ve all become DIY gurus over lockdown, and no one’s blaming us. Turns out all we needed was a little know-how and confidence. So, we’re here to share more. A little know-how is how you avoid small problems that can turn into bigger ones and keep you from panicking should one of these problems come your way. Read on for all the tips on how to avoid disaster while renovating your home.
You’ve found mould
It’s important to deal with mould and dampness quickly, as it can actually affect your health to ignore. They can trigger asthma attacks, allergic reactions, sinus infections, and more. And you might not even notice it. The concept of “going nose blind” isn’t just for air fresheners to sell you products. You might not even notice the smell of dampness when you are in your house. You might need someone to point it out. Or you might be in the process of stripping wallpaper or removing paint from your walls and find it streaking down the walls.
Don’t panic. If you’ve found mold on your baseboard, it doesn’t need to be a disaster. It’s actually quite easy to get rid of with a professional service. However, it might be an indicator of more water damage in the house, so you should look into it in case you have a leak.
You’ve run out of paint
Okay, so maybe this is more of a comment on the merits of accent walls, but this is definitely one of them: you’ll spend less money on paint. If you have got through three of the walls in a room and you’ve got one left over, wallpaper over it instead. There are a lot of stylish looks out there, with accent walls becoming the hottest interior design trend this decade. Plus, they allow for a middle ground. Going entirely beige or white is too dull, going for a bolder colour is too much, but a neutral with a bold accent wall is just right.
Besides, a small roll of wallpaper will have a lot of uses and save you from buying another massive tin of paint.
You’ve run out of budget
Have you ever gotten to the end of the DIY stuff and are admiring your handiwork only to realise that you don’t like all the furniture anymore? It’s too old, or a different style, or simply doesn’t suit anymore. When you love your home, it can be easy to see the flaws.
Luckily, there is a lot you can do with furniture. If your problem is that it’s falling to bits, you might want to invest in a new one. But don’t go to the furniture stores, instead head to the charity warehouse. There are a lot of hidden gems in there, discarded but not unloved. Some of them have old styles that you will fall in love with.
But if your furniture is in good shape, just pick up a sander and a tin of paint or varnish. Give it a new style though some creative juices flowing.
Provided by Chicago Real Estate Institute, offering real estate broker class
