Latest news with #DIY
The Sun
an hour ago
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
I couldn't afford a new patio so transformed my mismatched grey slabs for just £100 – now it's fresh & bright for summer
IF your patio is looking a bit grubby and you're desperate to get it sparkling for summer, fear not, we've got you covered. A savvy DIY fan has shared the quick and easy trick she swears by for making stained patio slabs look brand new - and it's super simple. 2 2 Hollie, a solo homeowner who is known online as 'The Durham Derwent', explained that she couldn't afford to get a new patio, so instead, gave hers a makeover on the cheap thanks to a lick of paint. Posting on social media, the content creator who is from the UK, gave her 20,600 followers a close-up look at her patio before and after its overhaul, leaving many totally stunned. Alongside her post, Hollie beamed: 'A whole new patio would be lovely but for now this budget makeover has made such a difference.' Hollie later explained that her patio glow up cost her just £100. She said goodbye to her 'mistmatched grey' slabs and hello to a 'fresh and bright' patio. As well as looking beautiful, we're sure it bound to leave her guests and any eagle-eyed neighbours gobsmacked. The DIY enthusiast later explained that she used the Sandtex Ultra Smooth Masonry Paint in the shade Sandblast, which you can nab from B&Q or Wickes for just £35. Hollie also confirmed: 'I used 10L for two/three coats across the whole patio, side paths and back steps.' As well as giving her patio a fresh lick of paint, she also bought a stunning set of garden furniture to further add style and a luxe feel to her patio. Not only was Hollie able to keep the costs down, but now she has a patio area that's perfect for summer days and balmy nights. Get your patio sparkling with a £1.49 Wilko buy - as shoppers rave the 'results speak for themselves' The Instagram clip, which was posted under the username @ the_durham_derwent, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 127,000 views. Social media users were impressed with the patio's mega makeover and many were in disbelief as they had 'actually thought' Hollie had had "porcelain tiles laid.' How to repair broken patio slabs THE paving specialists at Simply Paving told Fabulous how you can repair broken patio slabs, without the faff. The experts advised: 'If you have a loose paving slab, then it's unlikely it can be lifted straight by hand. Instead, you will probably need a hammer and chisel to prise the paver free of your patio. 'To remove loose paving slabs without damaging your flagstones, carefully chip away at the mortar around the paving slab with the plugging chisel and rubber mallet until the slab comes completely loose. 'Then, slide the spade into the gap left by the mortar and prise the paver free of the patio. "As you lift it up, place a short piece of timber underneath the spade to act as a lever, making it easier for you while protecting the slab underneath. 'When the paver starts to give, place the cylindrical wood underneath it and roll the slab out of the patio.' One person said: 'Oh my gosh I neeeeed to do this! I thought you'd had a new patio laid.' Another added: 'This is amazing!!' A third commented: 'Wow! That's an amazing glow up! They look great.' Meanwhile, someone else beamed: 'Wow what a difference!' At the same time, another DIY enthusiast chimed in: 'It looks so good, much better." Garden features that add the most value to a house A well-kept garden can add anywhere between 5-20% to the value of a property. carried out a study and consulted 36 estate agents, garden designers and property professionals from across the UK. And the experts revealed the garden feature which adds the most value to a property is a shed. Shed - 82% Patio or paving - 76% Secure fencing, walls or gates - 72% Outdoor lighting - 66% Sturdy decking - 62% Water features eg. fountain or pond - 58% Modern garden furniture - 54% Artificial lawn/grass - 40%
The Sun
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I gave my hallway a quick makeover with DIY panelling – but trolls say it's ‘aged' my house & call it a ‘dust collector'
A DIY enthusiast has given her hallway a super quick and cheap makeover without breaking the bank. So if you want to add style to your pad, then you've come to the right place and will need to listen up. 2 2 Betty, a content creator from the UK who is currently renovating her home, used dado rails to panel her hallway - and it left many open-mouthed. But while many were stunned and thought the DIY project was incredibly 'impressive', others thought it made Betty's home look 'dated'. Alongside her short social media clip, the brunette, who often shares beginner-friendly DIY tips and tricks online, beamed: 'This is your sign to panel your hallway.' She then added: 'If you're going to make one update to your hallway for maximum impact then let it be this! 'This has to be the panelling project that I'm most proud of (mainly because I finally tackled those angles).' Betty claimed that 'preparation is key' when it comes to panelling, as she pre-marked each location to ensure it looked neat once complete. She later revealed that she got the dado rails as part of a traditional stair panelling kit from Roomix. As well as adding panelling to her hallway, which Betty coated in Dulux Egyptian Cotton paint, she also painted the top of her walls in the shade White Mist from Dulux. Thanks to Betty's panelling feature, we think her hallway looks fabulous. And it's clear that many others do too, as the Instagram clip, which was posted under the username @ at_home_with_betty, has quickly gone viral and amassed 1.7 million views. Not only this, but it's also amassed 28,300 likes and 215 comments. But social media users were left totally divided by Betty's DIY project - while some thought it looked 'amazing', not everyone was as complimentary. One person said: 'This is SO impressive! You should be so proud.' A third commented: 'Looks amazing.' However, at the same time, someone else sighed: ' Dust collector….' Most popular DIY jobs homeowners love to do Paint walls New carpet Paint fence Paint ceilings Wallpapering Paint skirting boards New light fitting Re-grout/replace bathroom tiles Hang curtains/blinds Paint/oil interior doors Paint a shed Paint stairs New plug sockets New hard flooring New front door Update kitchen sink Replace kitchen worktops Hang shelves Change/update doorknobs Paint/upcycle garden furniture To this, Betty responded and wrote: 'You're not wrong! But worth it though.' A second chimed in: 'This trend needs to die out already. Ages a house horribly.' Whilst someone else questioned: 'I mean each to their own, but doesn't it look a little bit like a hotel hallway or B&B?'
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
14 affordable outdoor and patio essentials that'll transform your backyard for summer: Side tables, patio lights and more
Giving your backyard a makeover doesn't have to be a major project — or a major expense, either. Sometimes, it's the small changes (or a good deep clean) that can make the biggest difference. The goal here isn't to completely overhaul the area — it's to create an outdoor space that feels welcoming without spending beyond your budget. With a few affordable upgrades, your backyard can go from "meh" to a fantastic hosting space for summer. Whether that means switching up the lighting, adding some extra shade or finally tidying up those corners you've been ignoring, we've rounded up 14 products to help you do just that. The best part? They're all under $200. A table and a cooler? Yes, please. This dual-function side table is the perfect addition to backyards that see plenty of summer BBQs and hang outs. All you have to do is fill it with ice (and your favourite beverages). Keep your pathways illuminated with this set of eight solar lights. They'll automatically turn on at dusk and off at dawn, so all you have to do is stake them into the ground. This chainsaw is compact, lightweight and cordless, which will make it a little easier to prune trees, cut firewood or get your next DIY project done. It comes with a pair of work gloves and safety goggles to keep dust and wood chips out of your eyes. Whether you want to hide unsightly trash bins, an AC unit or create an area for privacy, this slatted screen ought to do the trick. If you want to make it look even better, get some climbing plants like clematis or honeysuckle and have them grow up and along it. Keep your backyard in tip-top shape by plucking your weeds with this puller tool. It's extra long, so you won't have to bend over to get all the way to the root. Interlocking deck tiles are a great way to give your deck a mini makeover without busting out the power tools. Just snap the joints together and voilà! You've got yourself a brand new patio floor. They're waterproof and can be cut to cover curved edges or oddly-shaped areas. This set comes with 10 tiles. Keep your garden hose tangle-free with this hideaway pot. More affordable (and a lot cuter) than your typical hose box, you can keep your hose hidden, coiled up and ready for everyday use. Here's a set of four tabletop citronella torches to keep the mosquitos at bay, not to mention add a little romantic ambiance to your backyard in the evening. One reviewer says they're 'easy to fill,' while another appreciates that they 'hold enough fluid to last many hours.' Give your garden beds a refresh with this lawn edging tool. It'll help you create clean, crisp borders, which will make your yard look professionally maintained (even if it isn't). Whether your backyard is south-facing or not, it never hurts to have a designated area for shade in the summer months. It's also waterproof, so it can provide some rain coverage too. It comes with everything you need to set it up, including carabiners, ropes and a carrying bag to store it in. Sometimes, all it takes is a little elbow grease (or a pressure washer) to bring some life back to outdoor spaces. You can use this thing to blast away dirt, grime and mildew from patios, decks, fences and even some furniture sets. Turn your lawn into a lush, grassy oasis with this travelling sprinkler. With adjustable diameter coverage, automatic shut-off and three speeds, you'll never forget to water your garden again. Declutter your back patio with a stylish wood storage box. You can use it to stash pillows, toys, gardening tools — you name it. Throw a few outdoor pillows on top and it can be used as extra seating, too. Here's a pair of semi-sheer curtains that'll provide a little privacy (and romantic vibes) to your porch or deck. It'll change the entire feel of your space, as well as provide a little protection from the sun. Curtain rods are sold separately.
Telegraph
a day ago
- General
- Telegraph
Marriage Diaries: I love doing DIY but it's making my husband feel emasculated
My husband has never been very practical. Nor, I thought, was I. When we met, in our late 30s, we each had our own house. We also had busy jobs with little spare time. Consequently, we had both been used to employing other people to do DIY jobs. When we got married, I sold my house and used the money to buy a holiday cottage in the Lakes. We put both properties in our joint names. I'm glad to say our marriage is a great success, apart from one thing. I have become addicted to DIY and it's making him feel emasculated. It started when I began to work from home. Without my long commute, I had more time. So, prompted by a magazine article, I signed up for a DIY class at the local college. To my surprise, I loved it! It felt like a real achievement to drill a nail in the wall without making a hash of it or painting a door. My latest achievement is making a small bookcase. At first, my husband seemed quite impressed. But then some friends came to dinner and asked if I'd make them a bookcase too. One of the husbands made a snide comment to mine along the lines of 'Isn't this men's work?' I staunchly defended him by saying that nowadays, DIY is for everyone. However, my husband went very quiet. Not long afterwards, one of the bath tap washers went. I knew exactly what to do from my course. However, he insisted on doing it himself. Frankly, he made a bodge job, and the tap is still leaking. When I suggested redoing it, he went into a sulk and said it was 'fine as it is'. As a result, I restricted my DIY passion to our holiday cottage, which I often go to on my own. I even replaced the kitchen cupboard doors! But when he joined me for the weekend, he didn't even comment on the makeover, even though I'm sure he must have noticed. Then he announced he wanted to join my class! Our project was to put a hinge on a door. My husband was paired with the tutor who gave him, what I thought, was good advice. However, my husband took it as criticism. On the way home, he said he never wanted to go again and that he was surprised I still bothered since I was now a 'pro'. I pointed out that you could never learn enough, to which he retorted that perhaps I should become a professional 'odd job' woman. I know this makes him sound jealous, but he isn't like this in other aspects of our marriage. I love him and I know he loves me. But I've got a feeling that I'm going to have to stop what has become quite a passion. Otherwise, I fear I might lose his passion in another department…
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Marriage Diaries: I love doing DIY but it's making my husband feel emasculated
My husband has never been very practical. Nor, I thought, was I. When we met, in our late 30s, we each had our own house. We also had busy jobs with little spare time. Consequently, we had both been used to employing other people to do DIY jobs. When we got married, I sold my house and used the money to buy a holiday cottage in the Lakes. We put both properties in our joint names. I'm glad to say our marriage is a great success, apart from one thing. I have become addicted to DIY and it's making him feel emasculated. It started when I began to work from home. Without my long commute, I had more time. So, prompted by a magazine article, I signed up for a DIY class at the local college. To my surprise, I loved it! It felt like a real achievement to drill a nail in the wall without making a hash of it or painting a door. My latest achievement is making a small bookcase. At first, my husband seemed quite impressed. But then some friends came to dinner and asked if I'd make them a bookcase too. One of the husbands made a snide comment to mine along the lines of 'Isn't this men's work?' I staunchly defended him by saying that nowadays, DIY is for everyone. However, my husband went very quiet. Not long afterwards, one of the bath tap washers went. I knew exactly what to do from my course. However, he insisted on doing it himself. Frankly, he made a bodge job, and the tap is still leaking. When I suggested redoing it, he went into a sulk and said it was 'fine as it is'. As a result, I restricted my DIY passion to our holiday cottage, which I often go to on my own. I even replaced the kitchen cupboard doors! But when he joined me for the weekend, he didn't even comment on the makeover, even though I'm sure he must have noticed. Then he announced he wanted to join my class! Our project was to put a hinge on a door. My husband was paired with the tutor who gave him, what I thought, was good advice. However, my husband took it as criticism. On the way home, he said he never wanted to go again and that he was surprised I still bothered since I was now a 'pro'. I pointed out that you could never learn enough, to which he retorted that perhaps I should become a professional 'odd job' woman. I know this makes him sound jealous, but he isn't like this in other aspects of our marriage. I love him and I know he loves me. But I've got a feeling that I'm going to have to stop what has become quite a passion. Otherwise, I fear I might lose his passion in another department… Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
