Daily Globe British Values, Global Perspective
As we emerge from the darkest depths of winter and look forward to spring, it is time to consider not just your imminent spring clean, but which DIY projects you are going to tackle to freshen up your house. Whether these are small-scale or grandiose, there are a variety of steps you can take to refresh your home in time for summer.
Before embarking on any DIY project, it is important to assess your ability realistically. By embarking on a project above your skill level, you may cause damage to the property and, in the worst case scenario, devalue it.
Paint Your Windows and Radiators
Sometimes the smallest, most simple changes can make a big difference to your home. If your budget is tight, but you want to experience a real freshness for your efforts, consider giving a fresh coat of paint to your window frames and radiators.
If painting window frames, first sand down the existing paint and wash with sugar soap. It is crucial you then use masking tape to line the insides of each pane of glass to ensure you get a crisp line finish on each frame. Now paint using a light coloured paint that will amplify light coming into the room. Be sure to wash your window panes both inside and out so your glass glistens as the sunshine pours in.
Painting exterior panes will also have a dramatic effect on the outside aesthetic of the house, but be certain to have someone hold the ladder while you are up it.
Recover Original Architectural Details
Many British homes hide beautiful, original architectural details. If your home was built in the Victorian or Edwardian period, more likely than not there will be fireplaces in each room. These can sometimes be hidden behind plasterboard, installed by past occupants. Look for tell-tale signs, such as alcoves around what would once have been a chimney breast.
Alternatively, your property may have hidden features beneath the carpet. Try lifting a corner of a carpet in hallways; by looking beneath the underlay you may discover beautiful parquet flooring, or original Victorian tiles. You may just find wooden floor beams, but even these can be sanded down and polished up to a high finish that dramatically alters your home.
Install a Dormer Window
At the slightly more grandiose end of the scale of DIY projects is something as ambitious as installing a dormer window to any room set into the eaves of the house. While this may seem like a costly project, you will reap the rewards threefold. By adding another window, you will dramatically increase the light coming into the room, making it feel more spacious. You will also gain a new vista from the house and, more likely than not, increase the value of your property.
Be conscious, however, that this will require planning permission and a high level of skill, so should not be undertaken by an amateur.
