Decorating your home is a fun way to pass the time, improves your property, and could help you if you’re looking to sell.
Everyone does a few DIY decorating jobs here and there, from hanging a new picture frame to painting a wall. Some jobs are bigger than others, though, and they can be harder to handle.
If you’re thinking about tackling a large decor project, you could have a lot of work ahead of you. Even if you want to get started as soon as you can, there are some things you should consider before you begin.
A big project can take over your home and your life, so follow these tips to pull it off.
Plan, Plan, Plan
If you want any decor project to go well, you can’t just dive right in. You need to know what you want to do and how you’re going to carry out your plans.
Ideally, you should have a schedule to follow so that you have a rough idea of when you’re going to finish. If you love making lists and getting organized, this is your time to shine.
You can write down all the tools and materials you need and where to get them from. You can work out how much you need to spend and how you might be able to make some savings.
Think about any difficulties you might come up against, and choose the perfect time to do your project.
Have Extra in Your Budget
For many people, planning a budget for their home decor project is essential. If you’re about to take on something big, like painting the entire house, you definitely don’t want to end up spending too much.
When you’re trying to balance how much you have available to spend and the least amount you can feasibly get away with, remember to allow for going over your budget.
It’s very difficult to stick to an exact budget when you’re working on anything in your home, especially as there’s a chance of something unexpected happening.
Try to have a little bit of extra money, just in case you run into a problem, such as needing more of your materials than you thought.
Know Your Limits
You’re all ready to tackle your big decor project, and you’re getting everything together. But before you begin, you need to have a good think about what you’re capable of.
Of course, if you’ve never done something before, you have to learn at some point. However, there’s a difference between having a go at painting your living room and trying to install a whole new bathroom.
Think about your DIY experience and what you’ve been able to do before and you’ll be able to decide which parts of your project you can do yourself.
You might decide that, while you can do some of it, you need a professional to do some of the more complicated things. Remember that there are some things you shouldn’t and may not even be allowed to do yourself, like electrical work.
Get the Right Tools
When you’re taking on a big task, you might need some big tools. However, it’s not always the size that matters, but what you can do with your tools.
You need to choose the best tools for the job, that are capable of tackling your large project. For example, say you want to start painting every room in your home.
You could use paintbrushes and rollers to painstakingly do each room one by one. Or you could make everything faster and more consistent by using a Graco Magnum X5 or a similar paint sprayer.
You can cover huge areas with one of these tools, and you can make sure you spray paint on evenly.
There are various other tools and pieces of equipment you might consider for your decor job, from floor buffers to pressure washers. If you don’t think purchasing something is worth it, see if it’s possible to rent instead.
Clean & Clear Before You Start
Before you take on any big home decor project, you need to prepare the space. Most of the time that’s going to mean making sure everything in cleared so that it’s easier to do what you need.
For example, if you’re going to paint a room, you don’t want to have a cluttered room. In fact, it’s an excellent excuse to clear out some things and make your home less cluttered.
Instead of just temporarily moving things out of the way, why not think about whether you can get rid of some of them permanently?
Don’t Rush
There’s something to be said for the phrase “haste makes waste.” Even though you want to get your project done as soon as possible, going too fast could be a mistake.
If you try to do too much too quickly, you could end up unhappy with the results. And then you might have to do it all again to get what you wanted in the first place.
Having a large project in front of you can seem daunting, but you will get it done eventually, even if you go slowly but surely.
When you’re planning a schedule for your project, try to allow for more time than you think you might need. Once you get started, you might decide to adjust your schedule depending on how quickly you can work.
Remember to Be Safe
No matter what your project is, you need to put safety first. Even seemingly easy projects have potential dangers, especially when you’re doing them on a large scale.
If you’re planning to climb a ladder, pull anything apart, or use any machines, you need to make sure you do it all safely. Think about this when you’re gathering your tools and equipment.
You might need masks to wear when dust and fumes could get to you, or gloves if there’s a chance of injury to your hands.
Make sure rooms are well ventilated if you’re using anything you shouldn’t be breathing in, and be careful of any fire hazards.
Get Help (No really, you need it)
Some people like working alone, and would rather tackle a big project without anyone else to help. It takes longer, but it’s a good way to get some time to yourself.
However, there are times when it’s really best to have some other people to help you. If you want to get the work done quicker, don’t do it on your own.
With two or more people working at the same time, or even at different times, each person can have their own job and get everything done faster.
Ask for a helping hand from friends, neighbors or family members. It’s especially helpful if you know someone who knows what they’re doing.
Make Arrangements for When Work Is Ongoing
Doing a big DIY project in your home can mean that you can’t use the whole property for a while. Before you start, you should make sure you know what you’re going to do while you’re doing the work.
If you’re working in the kitchen, how are you going to cook or otherwise get your meals? If the living room is out of commission, where will you spend your evenings?
You might have to sacrifice the use of some of your space for a while, and it could take longer than you expect. So make sure the whole family is onboard first.
Taking on a larger DIY project can consume your life, but if you’re well-prepared, it will make things easier. Don’t underestimate how much work you have to do.
