WHAT TO DO THIS MONTH Our

What to do THIS MONTH

Get your home organised and looking its tip-top best with these easy cleaning and DIY hacks

Summer is finally here and with the start of June bringing us a mega long weekend of Jubilee celebrations, it’s a great time to get the garden spruced up ready for guests. Giving your decking and patio a good scrub now will mean it’s good to go for the rest of the year. But with all those garden soirées planned, your dishwasher will be going into overdrive, so it’s a great time to give it an MOT. And if the Great British weather does turn and the party retreats to the kitchen, ensure your space looks its best with a fab new splashback to dazzle guests.

Tile a splashback

A great way to inject interest to a kitchen by adding colour and pattern, plus it protects the wall behind a sink. First, prep your wall surface, then apply tile adhesive using a notch trowel. Start where the wall meets the worktop, and only apply what you need for the first line of tiles. Apply each one with firm pressure and use tile spacers to ensure perfect unity. Repeat to cover the rest of the space, leave to dry, then apply a grout of your choice.

Tackle this manageable DIY task and you can make a huge difference to a plain space

ALL SPRUCED UP

IF YOU HAVE PET CHOOSE A S ECIALISE NATURAL PATIO CLEANER TO AVOID ALLERGIC REACTIONS OR UPSET TUMMIES

CREATE A STYLING STATION

A panel of cork board fixed to the wall above a chest or vanity unit is a clever way to hang jewellery and prevent it from getting in a disorganised tangle. It also helps keep surfaces clear of clutter. Cut the cork to fit between the brackets of a wall shelf, and keep storage boxes and baskets on top. Loop necklaces over smart pins, while earrings can be pushed into the cork.

CLEAN YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE

1Clear out any debris using shears or secateurs to strip away any loose or dead branches and trim back overgrown plants or trees. Then take a rake or sweep up all those dead leaves and general detritus from your lawn, patio or decking. 2 For decking, apply a mild, all-purpose cleaner or decking-specific solution to the surface. 3 On patio areas or paths, use a diluted bleach or washing-up liquid solution. Once the cleaning solution is down, give the surface a good scrub, removing dirt and moss build-up using a hard-bristled brush. Use a paving brush to get in between flagstones to remove any weeds. 4 Wipe down wooden or plastic garden furniture with a dry cloth to remove any cobwebs or loose dirt. Then use a damp cloth and a multipurpose cleaning solution to wash all the surfaces. Treat wooden furniture with a lick of protective oil to keep it looking good all summer.

ORGANISE YOUR LIVING ROOM

1Target clutter hotspots by providing easy-access storage that will encourage even the youngest (and messiest) family members to put things away. Fix a few sturdy metal hooks on the wall at staggered heights and hook a handled basket on each. Willow baskets look attractive and are great for quick end-ofday tidy-ups for toys, books, magazines and other bits and bobs that tend to accumulate throughout the day. 2 Opt for stowaway storage so you can stash living room essentials out of sight. A roomy ottoman with a lift-up lid is brilliant for hiding away spare cushions, blankets or children’s toys. 3 Step up storage with ladder-style shelving. A leaning ladder shelf is a great way to add storage without overwhelming a living room. As well as being an interesting alternative to conventional shelving, they are perfect for rooms with limited space and can be used to display photos and knick-knacks, too.

CHOOSE SIDE TABLES WITH‘SECRET’ STORAGE - TO STASH AWAY REMOTE CONTROLS, COASTERS AND SO ON

DO A SH ASH MO

You might think this-hard working appliance is selfcleaning, but it will collect food and soap residue over time, so it’s best to give it a deep clean every month. Start with a hot wash on empty, then remove baskets and cutlery holders and soak them in hot, soapy water. Clear out the drain filters and spinning arms with a toothpick or a pair of tweezers, soak these in hot water too, then rinse. Check the dishwasher floor for any build-up and give both sides of the door a good clean with a damp cloth. Put everything back and run a short cycle to finish.

Make a bedside table

For an easy bedroom update combine two Ikea staples to make a bedside table. Start by attaching a Moppe chest to the legs of a Tenhult stool using wood glue. Paint the drawer fronts with leftover emulsion or tester pots, in an ombre formation, starting with the lightest shade at the top, with the darkest at the bottom. Leave to dry, then coat with a matt varnish.

EASY DIYJOB