A Guide to DIY: Handy Insights, Tips and Advice
From well-heeled urban townhouses, to cosy country cottages, to ultra-modern city apartments, Ireland is home to an array of property styles. And to make our pads as attractive and comfortable as possible, many of us like getting stuck into some DIY. At Chill Insurance, we wanted to explore this topic, so we polled 400 people across the country to delve into Irish attitudes and habits when it comes to home improvements. In this eBook, you’ll get the lowdown on everything from how much DIY we’re doing as a nation to our favourite projects. We also put top home improvement trends in the spotlight and offer tips on how to get DIY projects right.
TOP INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS IN IRELAND ROOM BY ROOM
Feel as though your home’s in need of some TLC? Maybe a particular room could do with a revamp. Here, we take a look at some of the hottest interior design trends in Ireland right now - giving you ideas for different areas of your home.
Sticking with the eco theme, natural materials like clay, wood and stone are big news in bedroom design at the moment. For the ultimate on point look, create handmade items using these earthy materials. Perhaps a cute wooden jewellery box would elevate the look of your boudoir, or maybe a glass vase filled with stones would make the perfect addition to your shelves. To complement the natural vibe, consider redecorating with colours such as dark green, burnt orange or teal.
It’s all about sustainability throughout the home, and the kitchen is no exception. Recycled materials are popular this year, and a number of furniture suppliers are offering cabinets, kitchenware and tables made from reclaimed and recycled wood. If your DIY skills are up to the task, you could get creative and make your own kitchen furniture by upcycling or recycling existing items. If not, you’ll be spoiled for choice in the shops.
kitchen
bedroom
TOP INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS IN IRELAND - ROOM BY ROOM
bathroom Marble is making waves in bathroom design currently. The perfect complement to minimalist dĂŠcor, it can be teamed up with a feature mirror and a couple of plants to create a spa-like effect. To really channel this look, you could retile your walls in marble or marble-effect porcelain. This is a great complement to a sleek, white bathroom suite. Keep things simple by sticking to muted hues when it comes to your towels and mats.
living room
While living room chic has been dominated by bright, open spaces for the last decade or so, we’re seeing a switch to a cosier look and feel in this part of the home. Think thick pile rugs and velvet couches, as well as plenty of layers with luxurious throws and cushions. To complete the look, you could introduce a selection of plants. When it comes to greenery this year, more is more.
OUR DIY FINDINGS Who does the DIY? Our respondents weren’t afraid to get stuck into DIY tasks themselves. Overall, 62% of the people we polled said they do DIY in their homes. Men were especially keen to work on these tasks, with 72% of them saying they were responsible for these projects, compared to 49% of women. Only around one in six (16%) respondents said they left DIY up to their partners, while 9% relied on family members who were living in the house.
72% 49%
We wanted to know what Irish DIYers are doing to improve their homes, from how much they’re spending on these projects to the sorts of changes they’re looking to make. Here’s what we found...
How much money are people spending? In terms of spending, the people we polled weren’t splashing out on particularly costly projects on the whole. Only 5% said they have spent over €2,000 within the last year on DIY. In contrast, 35% noted that they have spent between €100 and €500, while 22% said they had parted with under €100. Nearly one in five (19%) had spent between €500 and €1,000, while 12% had outlaid €1,000 to €2,000. A frugal 6% said they had spent nothing on DIY. Although nearly a third of DIYers said their projects usually last only two to four hours, 28% said they take more than a day to complete.
OUR DIY FINDINGS
How much time is devoted to DIY? While a keen 10% of respondents said they take on DIY tasks every week, 29% noted they work on these projects around once a month. Nearly a quarter (23%) of the people we polled said they tend to do DIY around once every three months, while 17% said every three to six months and 9% said every six to nine months. In total, nearly 10% revealed they do DIY once a year or less frequently than this, while 2% stated they don’t do these projects at all.
What are the most popular projects? The most popular DIY project was room redecoration, with 73% of the people we surveyed saying this was the task they were most interested in. This was followed by gardening at 66% and upscaling old furniture at 35%.
73%
66%
Where do people get their DIY skills from? Nearly half of respondents (46%) taught themselves their DIY skills online, with 29% saying they picked up their knowledge on the topic from friends or family members. More than one in 10 (11%) had gone as far as taking a professional course, while a foolhardy 14% revealed they simply guess and hope for the best when it comes to home improvements.
35%
Regardless of how people developed their DIY abilities, there are certain tasks that many simply won’t try. Nearly two-thirds of those we questioned (59%) said they would never try electrical work themselves and would instead always pay a professional to do this for them. A similar number (57%) said the same about plumbing, while 55% of respondents said they would leave heavy building to the pros.
DIY TIPS
HOW TO INCREASE THE VALUE OF YOUR PROPERTY
As well as helping to make your house more attractive and comfortable, DIY projects can add value when you come to sell up. But there are certain basic rules you should bear in mind if you’re working on home improvements with a view to making a profit when you put your property on the market.
For example, never spend more than you need to on home improvements, but do make sure the work is carried out to a high standard. Also, don’t be tempted to shell out more on improvements than you would be able to recoup in the selling price. It also pays to be tactical when deciding which improvements to make. Writing for RTÉ, John Lowe of financial advisory company Money Doctors highlighted the following changes that are effective ways to increase value:
DIY TIPS
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WHERE TO FIND INSPIRATION
There’s no denying that having vibrant plants dotted around your home can improve its overall look and feel. So, to bring an element of the outdoors in this summer, don’t be afraid to introduce some greenery. Especially if you don’t have a garden, houseplants are the perfect alternative if you’re after your own personal slice of nature to enjoy, regardless of whether you go for a large, leafy plant or two or a collection of petite, potted succulents.
Stuck for ideas on how best to improve your home? There are plenty of sources of inspiration out there that could come in handy.
Loft conversion
For example, you can: • Look online at image sharing sites such as Pinterest and Instagram
Adding a bedroom
• Read interior design magazines and blogs
(particularly one with an en-suite)
Upgrading a bathroom
There are also various small jobs that you may well be able to do yourself to increase the value of your home, such as replacing broken tiles, repainting rooms and clearing up your garden.
• Check out showrooms and shop displays • Visit family and friends who’ve recently made similar changes • Use augmented reality apps to see how specific alterations would look in your home
DIY TIPS
HOW TO STAY SAFE
One in 10 of the people we surveyed admitted to having made DIY blunders. In some cases, this may have put their safety at risk. To help you avoid accidents and injuries, bear the following pointers in mind.
Get the basics right Make sure you have all the right tools to hand, give yourself plenty of time to complete your projects, avoid wearing any jewellery or loose fitting clothing that could get caught in equipment, and when you’ve finished, put your tools away safely and securely.
Know your limits Never attempt DIY tasks that stretch you beyond your limits. If you’re not sure how to do something, get the professionals in - and this is always essential when it comes to jobs that involve dealing with electrics or gas.
Make sure your tools are up to scratch If you’re using specialist tools (particularly electrical tools), ensure you’re familiar with how they work before you get started. Also, keep any cutting blades sharp and if you’re cutting using a knife, do so away from your body.
Take extra care if you’re working at height Use suitable safety gear For instance, if there’s lots of dust around or you’re using spray paint, make sure you wear gloves, a dust mask and safety goggles - and always have a well-stocked first aid kit close by.
If you’re using an A-frame ladder, ensure it’s locked in the open position and placed on a level, stable surface. If you’re leaning a ladder against a wall or another surface, make sure there’s a foot spread at the base for every four feet of height. Also, don’t lean to one side when you’re on a ladder and never step onto the top two rungs.
HOW TO AVOID FINANCIAL PITFALLS When DIY goes wrong, it can end up hitting you in the pocket. Here are a couple of potential pitfalls to be aware of and to avoid.
Poorly finished DIY can devalue your home Three-quarters of the people we polled said they would offer less for a home if the previous owner had done poor DIY jobs. When asked which botched DIY projects they would be most put off by, the top answer was cracked or damaged walls, followed by faulty electricals, bad plumbing and poorly fitted flooring and doors.
DIY TIPS DIY accidents may not be covered by your insurance policy As well as potentially lowering the value of your home, a DIY project that goes wrong could land you in trouble with your home insurance. Before you start a project, check what is and isn’t covered by your policy if you accidentally cause damage while carrying out property repairs or improvements. Many people assume they’re automatically covered, whereas in fact this isn’t always the case.
Property alterations or additions Also, bear in mind that if you make significant changes to your property, you will need to update your home insurance provider to make sure you are still covered. If your house rises in value because of the work, your premiums may increase.
DIY TIPS
ECO CHIC YOUR HOME
Eco chic is the perfect interior style for the 21st century home, a contemporary design concept that includes hand crafted, locally purchased items, vintage furniture, fabric and accessories, professional upcycling and environmentally friendly, wellbeing positive decorating products.
Turning to the ‘sixth wall’ - here the floorboards have also been painted with eco paint too for a fresh modern look. The seating area has been softened with the addition of a colourful rug designed to emulate natural forms, embracing the concept of Biophilic design (a contemporary philosophy promoting connection to the natural environment to benefit physical and mental health). The cushions are made from striking 1950s and 60s fabrics (check with family elders in case they have any retro textile treasures stored away) however if sewing isn’t for you, why not support a local artisan and commission them to make the items instead? Whether you’re a purest preferring mid-century furniture as is or wanting a statement look with painted and decoupage surfaces and black hairpin legs (see featured sideboard), preexisting furniture offers so many options. It’s great fun to visit an auction whether in person or online or to investigate what’s being offered on Facebook Marketplace or trawl local charity shops - there are some incredible pieces of vintage furniture to be had often available at lower prices for a higher standard of craftsmanship and of a more individual design than anything to be found on the High Street or at Retail Parks.
Whatever your style choice, establishing positive eco chic credentials at the beginning of a makeover is key, beginning with how the walls and ceiling are decorated. Paints should be minimal or zero in VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds); VOC’s are chemicals, also to be found in carpets, cleaning products and fabric, that pollute the air where overexposure can lead to nose and throat problems as well as headaches. If you have children in your home, also ensure the paints you use are manufactured in accordance with Toy Safety Standard EN 71-3.
And of course there is always the magic of upcycling: the living room overhead light was once a washing machine drum, the hands artwork created from broken mannequins and the table light base made from a china Dalmatian dog figurine. If you are inspired to turn your hand to upcycling, many professionals are happy to teach their skills via workshops or online tutorials or if you’d like to buy from or commission a professional upcycler, visit the House of Upcycling website. www.thehouseofupcycling.com
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