Want to get better at DIY? Here’s how!

Learn the skills needed for the best DIY kitchens with our top tips…

How good are your DIY skills? Perhaps you are a willing trier, but find most tasks beyond your capabilities. Or you sit on the sidelines wishing you could be one of those people who can do DIY but simply not knowing where to start.

If either of the above describes you, don’t despair. There are ways that you can learn and improve your DIY skills. And before long you could even be confident enough to have a go at a wide variety of tasks around your home – perhaps even installing a DIY kitchen!

In our recent article Top Five DIY Kitchen Improvements in 2024 we looked at some of the most popular ways to transform your kitchen using DIY skills. These included:

• Changing the colour of the walls;
• Replacing kitchen cabinets;
• Replacing kitchen cabinet doors;
• Updating kitchen worktops;
• Changing handles and knobs on cabinets and drawers.

By putting a little effort into improving your DIY skills you may be able to do some, if not all, the above. So in this article we look at a four step process to improve your DIY skills.

Step 1 : Preparation

Before you think about starting any DIY job, spend time researching what exactly needs to be done, what materials you will need and what is the best way to do it. Even a job that looks relatively straightforward may have hidden complications and things can go wrong very quickly.

So always make sure that you:

• Do thorough research, for example DIY experts, manufacturer guidelines, YouTube or TikTok videos;
• Have a list of all the resources you will need to do the job, for example tools and materials;
• Don’t skimp on advance preparation such as checking and preparing surfaces properly.

Only when you are thoroughly prepared should you begin the job.

Step 2 : Get the best tools and resources you can

There’s a well known saying that a bad workman blames his tools. And of course any kind of tool can achieve poor results in the hands of someone who doesn’t know what they are doing. 

But there is also a lot of truth in the fact that the better quality tools you use, the better job you are likely to do. Cheaper tools are likely to be made of poorer quality plastic parts that can cause them to fail and prevent the job being done properly.

This doesn’t mean that you have to spend a fortune on tools. But a general rule is to go for mid-range prices rather than the very cheapest. A useful tool kit for you to start building up yourself could include:

• Measuring tape
• Screwdrivers
• Allen keys
• Spirit level
• Claw hammer
• Scraper tool
• Paint brushes and roller
• Goggles

For tools that you only need occasionally, for example electric drills, another option is to borrow, either from family or friends, or if there are any tool libraries near you. Tool libraries enable people to hire or borrow tools for a few days either at a low cost or for free.

Step 3 : Take courses in DIY

We’ve already mentioned online videos – for example DIY websites, manufacturers, YouTube and TikTok – and these are a great place to start building up your DIY knowledge.

But if you want to take things further there are a wide variety of online courses available covering all forms of DIY. The advantage of an online course is that you can do them at your own pace in your own home, and are not committed to a regular timeslot.

However, if you prefer a face to face course, look around for what might be available in your area. A good place to start is the evening class section of the Find Courses website which holds details of all evening classes in your area. Also check out local notice boards and social media for other relevant groups and activities in your area.

Step 4 : Pace yourself

The final step in our process is to keep on top of what you are doing. Some DIY tasks will drag on for longer than expected and, after a while, it can be tempting to leave them “for now” and start something else. This is a slippery slope and could gradually result in your home being like a building site for months on end. And is particularly inconvenient for everyone if it involves any DIY kitchen activities.

So make it a golden rule to finish one job completely before you start another. And if you are completely stuck, sometimes you may need to call on help from family or friends or professionals. 

Also make it an absolute rule never to tackle anything electrical. There are two reasons for this. The first is that there is the capacity for immense damage and harm if anything goes wrong. And the second is that home electrical work must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations, which automatically means it must be carried out by a registered electrician. 

So when planning home DIY projects, particularly DIY kitchens, be realistic about what you can do yourself and where you need to get additional – and sometimes professional – help.

We hope that this article provides some helpful ideas about how to improve your DIY skills and get started with your DIY kitchen improvements. 

For further ideas and inspiration, why not take a browse through DIY Homefit’s gallery of kitchen pictures to see just how good a DIY Homefit kitchen can look.

And remember to visit us again soon here at DIY Homefit for more home and lifestyle tips.