In the current market conditions many people are maintaining and improving their homes instead of moving elsewhere.
A clever way to invest and add value to your property, or simply lift the mood of your surroundings, is to tackle small projects in and around the home when you have time over the weekends.
Smaller, more affordable projects can bring about inspiring changes, allowing you to improve your home and alter the way you feel about your environment. Paint is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to make inspirational changes in and around the house. From a feature wall in the lounge to painting an old piece of furniture, paint allows you to change a dull wall, table or chair into a colourful masterpiece that you can proudly display for all to see.
Often the most affordable ways to transform a room or revamp a drab colour scheme is to paint a feature wall. Simply select a wall that grabs your attention, such as the wall behind the television, fireplace or bed for example. “If you’re not sure which colour to use, select a hue that’s already in the room, such as shades from a painting, an ornament, fabric, cushions and throws, and enhance these colours,” says Anne Roselt, colour manager at Plascon.
Do you have some old wooden furniture knocking about or a wooden garden shed with peeling paint and varnish? Give it new life with a lick of paint in a bright trendy colour or by applying a fresh coat of varnish. Perhaps you have a prized wooden piece that is in dire need of restoration. You can tackle these projects with ease, with a bit of help from the various ranges of wood restoration products currently on the market.
You can also effectively remove paint and varnish that is starting to look tatty or simply clean and brighten dull-looking wood surfaces. One of the most impressive features of this range is that all the products are environmentally aware, water-based, biodegradable, as well as safe and easy to use. “You will be amazed how painting or restoring wood gives it a totally different, improved look,” says Anne.
Alternatively, you can start with something a little more simple, like the front gate that you see every day when you leave and arrive back at your home. If your front gate has chipping and peeling paint, why not give it a fresh lick of paint and a new lease on life? Start off by removing all the paint from the front gate. If damaging rust is visible, simply remove the rust and treat the area with an anti-rust preparation product.
Painting projects can easily be accomplished over a weekend, and remain a fairly inexpensive and easy way of potentially transforming both to your interior and exterior living spaces. – Antonella Desi
Pictures courtesy of Plascon: www.plascon.co.za
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