DIY guides and advice
Give your home an upgrade with helpful step-by-steps, and the tools to achieve it.
Are you a DIY newbie? Fear not, we've collected all of our best guides and ideas for creating a home you'll be proud of, from simply putting up a shelf to giving your walls and furniture a total makeover.
Tackle projects big and small
Give your home the refresh it deserves with our huge range of DIY products from big brands. Find everything you need to take on your new project - whether that's finally putting up those shelves, giving a room a new lease of life or creating your own garden sanctuary.
Step-by-step DIY guides
How to put up a shelf
Our helpful how-to on safely and easily adding floating or wall-mounted shelves.
How to put up a curtain pole or track
Tips on measuring for a curtain pole or track, and the tools you need to fit it safely and securely.
How to fit a toilet seat
Fitting a new toilet seat is easier than you might think. Here's a quick and easy guide to help.
Beginner's kit
Painting and decorating
A lick of paint can transform a room in an instant. Not sure where to start? From prepping to painting, here's some helpful how-tos to get you started.
How to prep a room
Before you start anything, it’s a good idea to prepare your walls as any holes, bumps or uneven surfaces can affect your final finish. Take some time with these first steps…
Clean your walls
With a sponge and soapy water, remove any dust, dirt or marks. They can affect the quality of your paint and leave stains that could show through.
Remove old wallpaper
A steamer or scraper will make it easier to remove old wallpaper, or flaky paint that’s too thick or too bright to paint straight over.
Smooth your surfaces
An even surface is the perfect canvas for painting. Use enough filler to fill any holes or cracks until they’re level with the wall. Then sand down any rough areas.
Apply a damp seal
Clean up any damp or mould before you start. Then opt for specially created paint as a basecoat – this’ll help prevent the causes of damp and reduce visibility.
How to paint a room
Once you’ve prepped the walls, you’re ready to go. Not sure which order to paint a room? Our step-by-step guide will walk you through…
Step 1 - cover up
Start by moving or covering up any furniture with dust sheets, as well as the floor where you’re painting. Use masking tape around skirting boards, door frames, windows and light switches – any fixtures you don't want to be painted!
Step 2 - start with the ceiling
Grab a ladder (to reduce neck and arm ache), a paintbrush and roller. Paint a 2-inch border from where the wall meets the ceiling. Pick a corner and use a roller for larger areas. If you have artex ceiling, paint in different directions to ensure full coverage.
Step 3 - cutting in
This helps achieve those crisp lines where walls meet, and rollers can’t quite reach. An angled brush is best to paint a 2-inch border around the edges of your walls. Don’t have too much paint on your brush and move smoothly from top to bottom.
Step 4 - the walls
Ensure your walls are dry before you start. If you’re covering a strong colour, use a basecoat first. Use a roller for an even finish and work from ceiling to floor. Paint in squares, overlapping them slightly to keep track of where you’ve painted.
Step 5 - skirting boards
A white gloss or satin finish are popular choices for skirting boards as they hide imperfections, are easy to clean and give a shiny finish. With a narrow paint brush, apply small amounts of gloss and take smaller strokes for a cleaner look.
Step 6 - windows, doors & radiators
Again, use a smaller brush for these areas. For the main surface of the door, you can use a gloss roller. Paint from top to bottom, using minimal gloss and smaller strokes to avoid paint drops. Allow to dry fully before applying a second coat (if needed).
Decorating checklist..
Top tips for painting and decorating...
Paint like a pro...
- Mix the paint – before you start, give your paint a good stir for the best consistency.
- Don’t saturate your roller – too much paint and it’ll spray as you roll.
- Don’t press too hard or roll to fast – this'll create an uneven finish.
- Clean your tools – wash and dry them thoroughly so they’ll last longer.
- Reseal your paint – ensure leftover paint is sealed securely so it doesn’t dry out.
- Don’t leave masking tape on too long – it’ll be harder to remove.
- Have a damp cloth nearby – for any little spillages.
How to hang wallpaper
Not sure where to start?
From preparing and measuring, to cutting and wallpapering around tricky fixtures. This quick 5 minute video, will show you how easy wallpapering can be.
Easy upcycling ideas
Paint a piece of furniture
Probably the easiest entry route into upcycling as it doesn't require much equipment or DIY know-how, and can be tailored to your creativity and painting ability. Here're some simple step-by-steps and the tools to get you started...
Prepare your surface
If you're working with wood use sandpaper or a sander to remove layers of paint, varnish or dirt and wipe down the surface. Chalk furniture paints don't usually require primer, but check the tin of the specific paint you're using before moving on.
Mask out a pattern
Use masking tape to cover areas that you don't want painted, or that you want filled with a different colour later - it's great for getting a sharp straight line. You could create a stencil or hand draw in pencil a more intricate design.
Paint by hand
Paint onto your prepped piece with furniture paint and paint brushes. Keep your brush strokes in one direction, horizontal or vertical, for a smooth finish. Usually two coats is enough, but if you might need three if you are painting over dark woods.
Or spray larger areas
If you're working with larger furniture or just want a single block colour, a paint sprayer could be quicker and easier than a paint brush, and creates a really smooth finish. You'll need to protect the surrounding area with a dust sheet (or any old fabric sheet you have).
DIY buying guides
Drill buying guide
Get the right tool for the job. Find the drill type you need for the task at hand with our jargon-busting guide.
