Good Lifestyle

Custom furniture. Upcycled Vintage Tchotchkes. Beautiful wall hangings. The world of DIY is really unlimited. The idea is to save money while expressing your unique character and your creativity - and the results can be quite spectacular, especially with the knowledge you have made something awesome with your own naked hands. But before getting out of painting and plywood, there are some points to keep in mind, especially if you want to avoid the most commonDo-it-yourself.

If you are new in the diameter, it's easy for projects to get out of hand. So, to get an idea of ​​the types of fake, you should avoid with yourDIY projects, we talked to our favorite DIY experts who know how to get done all themselvesandDo yourself look great. Here they share their best advice so you can start your project at the right foot and be delighted with the results. Read it and get ready to build, paint and create easily easily by avoiding these classic DIY errors.

All the material is not created equal, according to the team of the DIY site and craftsLia Griffith. Instead of entering your blindly project, be sure to search for your materials in case they need special love care.

For example, "on pancake paper, the two most common errors we see do not cut on the correct grain and not stretch the paper when formatting", they explain. And for some changing DIY tips for your home, check50 hacks from the easy DIY house that will improve your life.

Acrylic paint is not the same as watercolor painting or mural. "Do your research determine thebest painting for the surface you are paint, says Diy and Craft ExpertLynn Lilly ofCraft Box Girls. "There are specific paintings for raw wood, cabinets, plastics, outdoors, brick, etc." If you use the wrong type of paint, it may not stay on the surface or there is a chance that it can eclipse.

The paint chips are your best friend when it comes to DIY. Before youEngage to a painting color, Take some potato chips or paint samples for your project. "Painting chips are an excellent resource," says Lilly. "But the paint will always be slightly different on the wall or surface depending on the surface material and lighting." If in doubt,lighter that you think you might need. The ever darker dry paint, especially if you use multiple coats.

There is a time and a place for a good painted DIY of white. But according to the experts of Lia Griffith, too much white can be a problem. "Furniture and white walls can be dirty or dark quickly," they warn. Instead, examine the hues of unexpected paint, invest in test paints and try wallpaper options before you install for white.

If you are not too familiar with the wood, you may not realize that coloring or paint first requires sandpaper. This is a vital step, according to Lilly, because it drops the surface of its finish so that the paint or the stain can enter the wood. "The appropriate preparation will provide a more sustainable finish," she adds.

If you are afraid to start your project on the right foot, the Lia Griffith team suggests testing with DIY DIY remains. This means that you will not spoil the materials you've dedicated to valuable money, but you will get a feeling for the potential final product.

Sometimes DIY projects can become a little disordered and a little dangerous.Jessie Eckerof the DIY siteEye in detail encourages safety gear to the extent possible. "Facial masks, eye protection, tied hair, safety boots, all things," she says.

Not only everything that will protect the outside of your body, but also your lungs. "Did you know the sawdustneverLeave your lungs? "She warns.

"I am often a culprit for this error," Admits Ecker. "The projects I really put the work of preparation to always go so much smoother, faster and cheaper."

The best way to prevent you from making this mistake? Budget planning time in your project and keep a notebook so you can take notes on what you plan and what you will need before you start.

Just like with grocery stores, you will want to make a list before you go to hardware or craft store for your next DIY project. Wandering The aisles could make it possible to buy things you do not need - worse, forgetting things entirely. "Do not have the right tools and supplies could possibly double the time of completion of your project," saysBianca White, founder of theDiyher workshop. A clearly defined list of races will help prevent multiple trips to the store.

When you make a project for the first time, you may not know exactly how much you need hardware, especially if your tutorial does not break it. To avoid running, White suggests smarter purchases. "It's better to buy it more than not enough. You can always return the excess later as long as you keep your receipt," she says. And if you are particularly nervous to lose it, take a picture of your receipt as a backup.

"Measure, measure, measure! White says. Even before going to the store, take action, write them and, to be very careful, bring a tape to measure with you when you go shopping. " Measure your space or article twice you can make sure your finished product will be perfect, "says White. It only takes an extra minute or two when you really think about it!

This may seem like a sure bet to use your bed or a table to eat as a work surface, but it's not the best idea. According to white, the preparation of the work surface can not result in longer cleaning time. Even worse, there is also the potential you could cause damage. "If you do not have access to a large plastic roll, use old towels to protect your floors, walls and furniture," adds white.

Shortcuts can be simple misleaders; Do not fall for the call. "DIY saves you money, but take too many shortcuts or cutting corners never earn it in the long run," saysCara Newhart DIY's blogNever jump brunch. Understand that some measurements take longer than others, and all of this is part of the experience when you do something in hand.

"Take projects that extend you," says Newhart, but she warns it does not mean you should push you too far. It is correct to pause, gap and reassess if you are taking a project that you are not fully equipped for. This does not mean that you are leaving - it can simply mean that you give yourself the time to understand if you want to pivot in a new direction.

Go small in some aspects of your DIY project can be scalable, but do not let it be the only way to create something. "Immerse yourself in and DIY big," said Newhart. So, instead of small models, try a larger. Instead of a painting or a subtle spot, seek something more daring that corresponds to your personal aesthetics.

We all live fatigue to make the same DIY projects that have been successful in the past. But now, it's time to hit boring DIY at the edge of the border by changing things. "Try something outside your comfort zone and really go there," suggests Ecker. You never know what will happen! Do not forget to inquire first by reading tutorials and watching videos of your new project.

If you create your own vinyl lettering or felt decals, you probably use a cutting machine. But according to the experts of Lia Griffith, it's easy to ruin if you are not familiar with the technology. "When there are changes on the software, [IT] can lead to easily frustrated by technology even before doing a project," they say. So make sure to update your software and read your user manual before jumping.

Maybe you've already been in this situation: you have gathered all your materials toMake a Magistral DIYYou have read your tutorials, you have learned your new techniques, then you realize that you can not start because you do not have a circle saw. Instead of buying an expensive tool like this, Ecker suggests hitting your local hardware for renting it at the time or day.

"Do all fancy tools make it easier for the task? Occasionally. But they are certainly not necessary, "saysLeah Maria ofLeah Maria Designs. For smaller projects, Maria says you can simply use something simple like a screwdriver or a table saw. "This is how most of us start. Some tools and some creativity," she says.

DIY projects take time. After all, they are completely handmade. So, if you are new in the variation, you might need a few hours more than all your tutorial. "Always schedule the extra time so you do not have to rush as part of the project and compromise the results," says Lilly.

Speaking of timing with your DIY ", it can be difficult to stay motivated when you think your project will take you a day and it turns into a week," said Maria. Try to keep you on a chronology and remind you that it's good to take breaks if your arm is tired of painting. "You can bet that the end result will be much better because it has not been rushed," she says.

Sometimes you may be able to get away from inexpensive materials. But this can also result in errors. "When I started to diyser, I wanted to do it for the cheapest amount possible. After all, I did that to save money," says Maria. "I quickly learned that it was a mistake. Have quality materials will make your life so easier." And considering that this could only be a dollar more for a better quality paint brush, it's worth it.

You do not have to enter your DIY project alone. "Have two sets of hands on work can make life so easier," says Maria. Not only will friends will be able to make things quickly and smoothly, but they might be able to offer you advice you did not consider before.

Everyone needs a place to start. Free print videos and bloggers tutorials, Google can offer you information through the eye of experts, especially when you immerse yourself in a DIY project that you have never done before. "People do not realize Google's power and the teaching capacity it has," saysKelly BallardFrom the DIY design siteCity Girl meets the boy farm.

If you feel particularly inspired, head to social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram to view DIY expert projects for a brain boost. And do not be afraid to touch other creators for their words of wisdom, either. "Most people are surprisingly eager to talk about their DIY experiences, as well as bad," Maria said.

"It's great to create a DIY project with an inspiration in mind, but it's your unique customization that can totally take your room at the next level," artist and illustratorAllie folinoadvise. Think about your project as a way to really express your creativity - even if you are not the most artistic person there. "It is often the uniqueness of art and the fact that no one can reproduce this exact piece, it makes all the more convincing," she adds.

"People are always afraid to start," said Ballard. "They left the fear of uncertainty prevent them from starting." If you feel uncertain about how to start your DIY project, simply determine. Even if it's just planning or measuring the process process, it's better than nothing.

Tell it with us: it's good to start again! "People suppose they are the only ones to spoil a project. The best handsetters make mistakes," says Ballard. So, if you make a mistake or you are not satisfied with something you work, start again and remember that you have the ability to get it well this time.

"You do not always have to start from scratch with a blank canvas," says Folino. For a new catch on your DIY projects, head to the savings store to find unique objects to roll. "Bonus Points: It's sustainable and more conscious of the earth to make art this way," she adds.

Where to start? Enter vintage frames, old kitchen utensils and jewelry that can be reduced.

If you like an art style that you have never experienced, your next DIY project is your time to shine. "Say you like Picasso's work," says Folino. "Try to make pencil sketches emulating the forms of his work, make a pair of polymeric clay earrings with a sound pattern or catch a painting and a canvas and reproduce how he represented Faces in your own style. " You do not know if you do not attempt!

DIY projects should be pleasant. So, if your project does not go as you planned, do not give up right away. "It's a learning experience, so do not put too much pressure on yourself and do not forget to have fun," the Lia Griffith team.

The DiSys are not a place of frustration. "Do not be too stressed on a project! Have fun, take your time and really take the process," says Ecker. If you feel bored, are you going, get a snack and come back with a new perspective. He n ' There is no reason that your work of art should cause you pain.

As big as DIY projects are sometimes betterLeave it to the prosWhite admits. "Ask yourself," Is it really something I can do, or I bit more than I can chew? " In the case ofElectrical or plumbing workIt might be better to prepare a little money to make sure the job is well done, "she says.