DIY skills are an important tool that every homeowner can benefit from learning, no matter where you live or the age of your house. They can also be challenging when you first begin, with so many avenues and approaches leaving us paralysed with choice. If you’ve found yourself in this position before, we want to examine where exactly the best place to begin can be, and why these skills can be so helpful in the years ahead.
Why Learn DIY Skills?
There are a huge number of personal reasons to learn DIY skills. Firstly, learning some basic DIY abilities can help you fix minor issues around your home. Even small issues can cost a lot and take a while to fix through a contractor, so avoiding this approach can be key.
The number of DIY upgrades or maintenance you perform on a home can also help increase its valuation. Many modern online systems take these approaches into account. If I wanted to value my house with Sold, for example, any new installs or repairs would be recognised. Sites like these can also offer no hidden fees and free cash offers. So, no matter how much or little work has been done to your house, you can still get a fair price for it with the right service, but more refurbishment can only ever be a good thing.
Finally, DIY skills can be a great way to connect with others or just gain more self-confidence. Working together or alone to build your skill base is rewarding and can continue to pay off years in the future. It can also be hugely beneficial to involve your children in lighter DIY tasks, as discussed in this article from Learning Liftoff.
Starting Easy
Like with any new skill, the more time you take, and the more gradual the steps, the gentler the learning curve, and the less mistakes will matter. Trying and failing to fix a drainage pipe is a lot different from failing to paint a decorative picture frame, so remember to exercise caution.
As for which projects you should begin with, it’s always good to find something that already appeals to you, and work from there. If you’re into decorating, then customising mugs, building picture frames, and making coasters are all strong choices. If you’d prefer to work with heavier tools, then create a space where you can practice with items not attached to your house, so early missteps won’t really matter.
The general idea is to gain as wide a range of skills as possible, while easing yourself into more complicated projects. While you’re working, consider watching tutorial videos from YouTube, and remember to build a glossary of all the technical terms you’re unfamiliar with until you understand them completely.
Our final piece of advice for anyone looking to start on DIY projects is to accept and embrace your mistakes. No DIY enthusiast has ever been perfect, and everyone has many stories of silly little things they overlooked. As discussed by the BBC, mistakes provide opportunities to learn and can eventually be things we look back on and laugh at when we compare how far we’ve come.
Accept the inevitable, don’t give up, and projects that seem impossible today could be simple tomorrow.
Holding a Master’s in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois, Josh Clarke has dedicated more than 15 years to managing and disseminating information across various platforms. His professional journey includes significant experience as a research librarian, where he developed an expertise in sourcing and providing accurate and comprehensive answers to diverse questions. In 2018, Josh brought his rich experience to our platform, quickly establishing himself as a reliable source for general FAQs. He has been overseeing our information curation since then, combining his research skills with a flair for engaging content delivery. When not involved in information management, Josh enjoys exploring digital photography and participating in local quiz competitions, hobbies that complement his inquisitive nature and love for learning.
