subject: Take On Some Home Decorating [print this page] When you are looking to reinvigorate your home, there is a vast array of options that you can consider. Whether it is changing the lighting and light fittings, or buying some new carpet, just a few small changes can often make a big impact and have the effect of giving a new lease of life to your house. Of course, if budget is your concern, then you will want to ensure that you stick to the smaller things and try to keep track of the cost. Even subtle changes like putting in new light switches can cost a lot when you have to utilise the services of a professional electrician. So keep costs down by doing as much as you can yourself.
Even if you are not confident undertaking a novel form of DIY, there are a wide number of internet forums where members will be happy to provide the neophyte with help and support. Equally useful are the many videos that people post online, giving you clear and lucid instructions on a wide variety of topics and having the added benefit of showing you how to do something whilst they are explaining it. Wallpapering is one such task that many people dread if they have not approached it before. Visions of flying paste, dog-eared paper and frayed tempers are particularly common, but the reality is that if you take your time and plan things out properly, you should achieve a quality finish that is worthy of the most experienced decorators.
The first step is to assess how best to approach the room you are going to decorate. Issues like coving, intricate plasterwork or strange angles might be off-putting to the uninitiated, but rest assured that if you approach the project from a logical and considered perspective, then all will be well. Make sure that all walls are completely smooth before you begin work. Any holes or cracks will need to be filled and any rough areas should be sanded down before you begin work. Although it is easy to imagine that such minor details will not show through once the paper is on the wall, you would be surprised at how easily certain things can be see in different lights. Getting things right means taking your time and adopting the "measure twice, cut once" attitude. Ensure you correctly mix the adhesive before you begin and give it the correct amount of time to stand before you begin to use it. Remember that haste makes waste and when it comes to such a time intensive job, you have little time or money to waste.
