How to freshen up your front door

front-door

First impressions count, and you can transform a tired entrance is with just a little imagination and elbow grease. Just follow our easy steps and youÔÇÖll be proud to shut the front door!

1. If possible, take the door of its hinges. If youÔÇÖre unable to do this, you can still prep and paint it in situ.

2. Remove the doorÔÇÖs hardware, such as the letterbox and handle, or use masking tape to cover them and any panels that you may want to paint a different colour.

3. Clean the door thoroughly with a damp cloth.

4. Apply two coats of primer ÔÇô an undercoat of paint that will protect your door and prevent the topcoat flaking and cracking.

5. Use a fine sandpaper to sand down the door, brushing away the dust with an old paintbrush.

6. Apply the first topcoat with a brush or a roller, painting with the grain of the wood. Always choose a quality paint for a beautiful finish and durability; cheaper paints can prove a false economy! RonsealÔÇÖs 10-year Weatherproof Wood Paint is drip resistant and comes in 15 classic colours such as Racing Green, Dark Oak and Chestnut, in either a gloss or satin finish.

7. Apply a second and further coats if necessary. The darker the paint, the more work needed!

8. Using a mini roller, paint the inside and top edges of the door.

9. If you have a panel door and want to paint the trims and grooves in an alternative colour, wait for the base coat to dry before masking around and inside the panels. Paint the trim with an angled brush, applying a second coat if needed.

10. Remove the masking tape and screw the letterbox, knocker, handle and doorbell back in place. Polish the fittings and voila ÔÇô your front door is ready and waiting for guests to make an entrance!

Image courtesy of Ronseal

 

 

home-improvement

Budget ways to boost your home

home-improvementIf your property is in need of a makeover, there are plenty of ways to do it without breaking the bank! Whether you want to spruce things up in order to sell or simply make your home a cosier place in which to curl up, here are some inexpensive improvement ideas!

First impressions

They really do count, so make sure the entrance to your property looks its best. Keep the lawn mown and the path well weeded, and place a few potted shrubs near the front door. If youÔÇÖre not particularly green-fingered, artificial topiary or plants can look smart and inviting without requiring maintenance! Try a specialist such as Evergreen or check out the range at High Street and home improvement stores.

Running theme

Fitting a new carpet throughout the hall and stairs can be expensive, but an eye-catching stair runner can have the same impact at a nicer price! Stair runners look fabulous over painted floorboards and can also rescue a tired, old carpet, covering the well-worn centre of each step and giving your hall a welcoming appeal.

Splashing out

kitchen-sinkA well-presented kitchen can clinch the deal for prospective buyers – but thereÔÇÖs no point spending thousands on new cabinets only to find your buyer plans to rip it straight out again. Instead, enhance an existing kitchen with a few added extras such as a splashback. Splashbacks can transform grimy or dated tiles around the cooker or sink and the choice of materials now available ÔÇô including glass, wood, gloss acrylic and tiles ÔÇô might be wider than you think. New worktops can also be bought and installed reasonably cheaply and they take the focus away from less-than-perfect kitchen cupboards underneath!

Loo-sen up

bathroomAs with a new kitchen, it can cost a lot to install a new bathroom suite, but there are plenty of ways to brighten up your bathroom on a budget! At the very least, buy a new loo seat, shower curtain and bathmat, as well as accessories such as toothbrush holders and soap dishes. Scrub the tiles and re-grout between them if needed, or buy a grout pen to disguise discoloured areas. Adding fresh bathroom sealant is an easy job, whilst most homeowners are able to fix new bathroom cabinets and shelves (and itÔÇÖs a good chance to re-paint the walls when the old units have been taken down!).

Light of your life

Lighting is an often-overlooked element of home improvement, yet the right lighting can transform a room. Accent lighting highlights focal points, drawing the eye towards features you want guests to see and creating mood. Spotlights are a brilliant way to light up corners and recesses, whilst a striking pendant light or chandelier can make a statement in a large room. A table lamp in the hall will create a welcoming atmosphere and a standing lamp next to your favourite armchair provides the perfect place to relax at the end of a busy day doing DIY!

dimmer-switch

How to install a dimmer switch

dimmer-switchItÔÇÖs high time we continue our ÔÇÿHow toÔǪÔÇÖ series, so here we go with a simple guide to fitting a dimmer switch!

A dimmer switch is a handy little switch that allows you to dim the lights in a room to create a different ambience, depending on what youÔÇÖre doing. Not so long ago, dimmer switches werenÔÇÖt compatible with LED bulbs, which, as we all know, are among the most economic and environmentally friendly lights you can buy. The good news, however, is that dimmer technology has moved on considerably and many dimmer switches are now suitable to use with LEDs – look out for trailing edge dimmers when looking for LED compatible versions.

To install a dimmer, youÔÇÖll need a screwdriver, an electric mains tester and, of course, your new dimmer switch!

  1. As with any electrical work, the first step is to isolate the circuit. If you are not sure which switch in the fuse box operates the circuit in question, play safe and flip the trip switch to ÔÇÿoffÔÇÖ to shut down everything.
  2. dimmer-switchRemove the screws on the face of the existing dimmer plate and pull it away from the wall.
  3. You will see a red and black wires or blue and brown wires (the live and neutral wires) and also green and yellow wire (the earth wire). Test the red and earth wires with your electric mains tester. If no red lights show up, itÔÇÖs safe.
  4. Disconnect the red cable, then the black cable. If thereÔÇÖs an earth wire, disconnect that too.
  5. On the back of your new dimmer plate, youÔÇÖll see three terminals ÔÇô C, L1 and L2. A metal plate will also have a terminal for the earth wire. Attach the red cable to terminal C and the black cable to either L1 or L2; it doesnÔÇÖt matter which!
  6. Attach the earth cable to its terminal if applicable, or just tuck into the wall recess if itÔÇÖs not needed.
  7. Screw your new dimmer switch into place.
  8. Re-connect the circuit or switch the fuse box on, and let there be light!

dimmer-switchDonÔÇÖt forget that any kind of electrical work can be dangerous. If youÔÇÖre not sure what youÔÇÖre doing, donÔÇÖt risk it ÔÇô call a professional!

Dimmer switches now come in all kinds of styles, including chrome, brass, copper, wood and bright colours that are ideal for nurseries or childrenÔÇÖs bedrooms. Take a look at this range of switches from Socket Store to see what would suit your home!