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With the first May bank holiday weekend upon us, now’s as good a time as any to get any small DIY jobs sorted.
You might’ve been ignoring that tiny bit of paintwork that’s crumbling away, or neglected the peeling-away sealant in the bathroom.
Not every task needs to be massively time-consuming, though. In just a few hours, you can give your home a tiny refresh and add value to it, too.
If you’re in the mood for a project, Metro chatted to two interiors experts to decipher which DIY jobs are worth ticking off your list this weekend.
Fix up your front door
Before you worry about the inside of your home, you might want to start with the very first thing most people see: your front door.
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Charlotte St Paul is the founder and creative director of Sevunar Interiors. If you’ve got some spare time kicking around this weekend, she recommends zhuzhing things up with sandpaper and a lick of paint.
If you’ve got a wooden front door, that is. It won’t work on anything else.
She tells Metro: ‘When you come home, you want to feel proud every time you unlock your front door.
‘If it’s tired-looking and the paint is peeling, you’ll just be reminded of all the unfinished DIY jobs on the other side of the door. A fresh, smartly painted entrance can make you fall in love with your home again, and this is a project you can definitely get finished in a bank holiday weekend.’
Fear not: if you don’t have a wooden front door, you can still smarten things up a little bit. You can replace old house numbers, knockers, or letterboxes.
Or, if it’s made of UPVC, simply use a special cleaner (available in any DIY shop) to give it a good scrub. Any paint you apply afterwards will glide straight on, provided you opt for a mini roller.
Cost of materials: Less than £50
Value: Adds £2,000-£5,000
Add some sparkle to your space
Don’t be afraid to inject some personality into your home, either. One prime example of a way you can do that is to pay attention to your lighting.
Sure, we’re not a fan of the big light, either. It’s all about the tiny lamps.
Charlotte says: ‘Lighting is the jewellery of the home. Poor lighting makes a space feel small and dingy.
‘By simply swapping a plastic central fitting for a contemporary statement piece, you elevate the perceived “designer” status of the room.
‘Adding task lighting under kitchen units also makes the space feel more functional and high-spec.
‘Of course, a few table or floor lamps add to the mood, too.’
Cost of materials: As little as £20
Value: £1,000-£3,000
Don’t forget the garden
As the weather heats up, make sure you’re not neglecting any outdoor space, if you have it.
Why not turn your attention to fairly simple tasks, like jet-washing the patio or adding fresh bark to the flower beds?
If you don’t own a pressure washer, you can hire one from the likes of B&Q for between £140 and £210. Just remember to give it back at the end.
Charlotte views the garden as an ‘outdoor living room,’ and it’s important you treat it as such. She says: ‘If your patio is covered in moss and your fence is leaning, your whole garden looks scruffy and unloved.
‘A dark fence also makes greenery pop, making the garden look lusher and more private.’
Cost of materials: £20-£210
Value: £2,000-£5,000
Reseal kitchens and bathrooms
Becky Russell, founder of Surrey House DIY and DIY Her Way, suggests redirecting your attention towards details inside the kitchen and bathrooms. They might seem small, but their impact is mighty.
Becky tells Metro: ‘Bathrooms and kitchens are where buyers look the closest, and resealing around baths, showers and sinks is one of the most underrated quick fixes.
‘Over time, sealant discolours and cracks, which can make even a clean space feel tired.
‘It’s one of those details people don’t consciously notice when it’s done well, but they absolutely do when it isn’t, and it can quietly affect how they value the space.’
Need a top tip? Fill your bath up (bubbles optional) before you start any resealing jobs.
Becky says the weight of the water lowers the bath ever so slightly, so if you apply sealant at this point, it’ll help to prevent any later cracks.
Cost of materials: £10-£30
Value: £2,000-£4,000
Sweat the small stuff
It’s an age-old saying that in life, you shouldn’t sweat the small stuff. But when it comes to property, it’s worth looking at the finer details.
Becky suggests dedicating some time towards upgrading handles, switches, and small hardware, which, in her view, are the details that transport a home from just feeling ‘lived-in’ to ‘move-in ready.’
‘Swapping cupboard handles, door handles and even light switch plates is a quick job that doesn’t require specialist tools, but the impact is huge,’ she says.
‘You also don’t need to spend a fortune. I go to my local recycle and reuse shop at my local tip most weeks, and it’s a treasure trove for things like this. There are always old handles, and you can often pick up a big bundle for a few pounds and then spray paint them to match your space.’
The conclusion? If you’re looking to sell up soon, buyers always notice consistency. When the finishes not only match, but feel modern, you’re left with what Becky says is a ‘cohesive, considered look.’
She says: ‘In my experience, that’s exactly the kind of detail that helps push offers over the line.’
Cost of materials: £50-£250.
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