Do-it-yourself tips

Get things level

Putting up a shelf is an easy job if done properly. To avoid having to start again once all your books and ornaments start sliding down to one side, make sure you use a spirit level. Establish a level edge by ensuring the bubble sits exactly in the middle of the window then use a pencil to draw a guideline to work by.

Double check measurements

Whatever medium youre working in, be sure to double check measurements before cutting. Remember you can always cut more off but you cant put it back on if its too short. This will help you avoid wasting time, materials and money.

Prepare thoroughly

Hoover all areas to be painted, for example walls and skirting boards so that dust doesnt have a chance to get in the way of your hard work, it is also a good idea to leave dust sheets down until all paint has thoroughly dried, particularly when using gloss paint.

Protect surfaces beforehand

Dont cut corners during preparation, this will save you time in the long run, especially during the clean up. So take the time to use masking tape to protect your flooring and the adjoining wall when painting skirting boards

The cheapest option isnt always the best for your basic essentials

Buying really cheap paintbrushes can cause you trouble in the long run, as they will have fewer bristles that will result in an untidy finish and youll end up wasting time picking out the moulting bristles from your paint work.

Wallpapering

Be sure to work out exactly how many rolls of paper you will need especially when using a patterned design, as youll need to take into account the wastage as you cut the rolls to get the pattern to line up. When purchasing your paper, make sure the rolls you buy have matching batch and shade numbers.

Covering stains or watermarks

Water based marks can be tricky to cover up, so take the time to do it properly to stop it continuing to show through. Use oil based primer paint or spray to seal the stain, once thats dry you can cover it with any paint or colour of your choice.

Be prepared and think ahead

Think about your DIY in the long term. For example if youre panelling your bathroom remember that it is quite likely at some point a leak will occur and the pipes will need to be accessed. So consider having a removable panel or a concealed door for this reason.

Dont cut corners

Be sure to do a job properly to prevent it becoming a regular occurrence. For example, after wet weather a wooden door will swell and stick in its frame. So the quick fix is to plane the wood, but be sure to paint over the exposed edge with oil based primer, otherwise youll end up with having to deal with the same problem every time it rains.