Homeowners - DIY home renovation tips

South Africa's housing market remains in a constant state of fluctuation based on overall market sentiment. Although the Atlantic Seaboard and City Bowl have been fairly immune - as homes in the area remain a dependable wealth vehicle - renovations are still necessary. Younger buyers prefer the modern amenities and aesthetic present in newer homes, making it essential for homeowners with older properties to maintain or improve their property's worth through renovations. But expert renovations can be costly, costing tens of thousands before adding any value to your property. To help you navigate the process of renovating your home, we have listed home renovation DIY tips you can use to get the benefits of renovating without the tremendous cost. 

Paint Your Home in Neutral Shades

When you think of painting your home a neutral colour, white is the first colour to pop up. It reflects light which makes the space appear larger and cleaner. However, it's also a clinical colour that requires plenty of maintenance. Other neutral colours have similar benefits, without the maintenance. 

For the exterior, these colours are also far more welcoming colours. But before you find yourself in Builders or Laughton's with copious paint sample cards, take a look at your neighbours' exterior colours. If your street is full of brightly coloured houses, painting your home a neutral shade won't work, and vice versa.

If the neutral option works for your street, the season's most flattering colours include light mint, grey-brown, wheat, and blue-grey. These colours add charm to the exterior of your home but are likely to agree with your neighbours' facades. For the interior, pale orange or pale peach could do. These colours aren't distractingly bright but add warmth to a space while still making it appear larger.

Focus On Simple Maintenance

Regrouting tiles, caulking, and replacing cabinet handles are things even your teenagers can participate in doing. These renovations, while being affordable, are also cost-effective to perform. Once they're finished, you will immediately notice the difference.

Add Home Security

Unfortunately, home security is no longer nice-to-have; it's a must-have. Whether you want to protect your pot plants from "frugal" neighbours' or deter far more nefarious types, having a home security system is the peace of mind you need. You can install many of the newer systems without help from a professional. These kits include systems you connected to your smartphone or traditional digital options that link to a monitor. In cost, these systems range anywhere from a few thousand rands for an uncomplicated arrangement to tens of thousands for advanced security. Choose a suitable kit, depending on your skill and budget.

Purchase Easy To Install Built-In Cupboards

Unless you have construction or artisan experience, trying to build a cupboard or kitchen cabinets from scratch is a nightmare and a safety hazard. Not to mention, the project can cost you well into thousands but end up with cupboards that aren't what you envisioned. Flat-pack built-in solutions are the best alternative. You get all the parts in the box and only need to drill the assembled component to the wall.
Stores like Leroy Merlin and Builders are excellent options if you want to find easy-to-install storage solutions. You will also find a wide range of colour choices and styles that suit your preferences. Besides, if you ever decide to put your home on the market, having a modern option also means more buyers will be interested in your home. 

Give Yourself Time

Do not expect to complete a DIY project in a day. If you are unfamiliar with any DIY project, give yourself a weekend or two to complete it. This way, you can spend enough time on the project to get a quality result and - if necessary - travel back to the shop in case you forgot to purchase a specific part or you discover you have misplaced a tool you thought you had. 

Renovating doesn't mean you need to knock down walls or install new windows. There are renovations you can complete yourself or with help from friends. Besides, when you don't have to spend money on labour, you can reinvest it into other areas in your home that need TLC.