Due to social-distancing regulations, you’re undoubtedly spending more time at home. We thought it might be a good opportunity for homeowners to use this time to roll up their sleeves and get into a few value adding DIY jobs. 

 Here are our 10 jobs to do during the Coronavirus period, that you can benefit from now, plus they may also help add value to your property in the long run.

1. Get inspired online 

Have you had thoughts about enhancing an area of your property but haven’t had time to work out what you want to do?  Perhaps you’re keen to update your kitchen, bathroom or bedroom? Or perhaps have always wanted to create an outdoor living space? Now is the ideal time to jump online and get ideas and inspiration for home improvement projects you can do post the COVID-19.   There are a number of great home design websites and apps offering free images and information that you can use to get inspiration including Pinterest, Houzz, Instagram are just a few to get you started.

2. eDecorating & Contactless Shopping

Whilst currently having an interior designer come out to your property may be difficult, you can still connect with designers online and work with them to create dream spaces for different rooms of your home.

All you need to do is:

• Work out what room/s you want to refresh

• Complete a simple online style brief

• Answer a few questions about your room/s 

• Select your favourite interior designer from the designers who pitch for your work

After you have selected your preferred designer, they will produce design concepts for you and in most cases a shopping list and instructions on how to make the design changes yourself. Many stores are still accepting online orders.

There are a number of Australian eDecorating services including MilrayPark, DesignBX, amongst others for you to choose from. Simply Google eDecorating services and find one you like.

In addition, download one of the popular home design apps such as colour911, magicplan, Room Planner by Ikea, Rooomy.com to help you get started.

Alternatively, with many interior designers also working from home you may be able to organise a virtual consult with a stylist. Our favourite design group is Coco Republic and you can connect with them here.

3. Plan your garden and outdoor entertaining space 

A well-maintained garden, with a functional outdoor living space with mature trees is very popular with buyers, but of course creating these spaces can take years. So, getting a start on this long before you want to sell can pay dividends down the track.  

Luckily there are a few online sites such as Gardena and Yates Virtual Garden Planner that enable you to plan your dream garden from home, so you are ready to create it once COVID-19 is over. 

Keep in mind when planning, popular outdoor living ideas that can help add appeal to your property down the track include:

• Well maintained, water efficient and easy to look after garden

• Mature trees

• A deck or patio

• In built BBQ

• Outside dining area

• Built in day beds

• A pergola 

Before you actually make any changes, contact your local council about any restrictions on what you can and cannot build, and importantly what you can cut down and remove in your local area. 

Alternatively, you could use this time to create a self-sufficient veggie garden and with many garden stores still open and others taking online orders, this is the perfect time to roll up the sleeves and get dirty. 

4. Improve your entrance and facade

Having a well-maintained front entrance and facade of your home, not only makes you feel better when you walk into your property, but it can also attract buyers and add value to your property down the track.  Here are some ideas to help you get started:

• Cut back overgrown planting that may block the views of the front door or spill over any pathways or public pavements

• Sweep the pathway outside the front of your property and if you have an on-street planter or grass verge in front of your property, make sure that it is tidy and free of weeds

• Trim any shrubs and bushes, mow the lawn and remove any dead or dying plants

• Ensure the number of your property is clearly visible from the street, trim any branches that might block it from view and if there is a light check the globe is working

• Get rid of dirt and cobwebs on the fence. If it’s looking really tired, consider painting the fence, letterbox and even the front door. Some hardware stores are currently still open so this may still be possible

• Clean all your windows and remove any cobwebs

 

5. Spring clean your entire property

Keeping your house clean extends the life of everything from the kitchen to the exterior paintwork.  This is the perfect time to pull out the cleaning gloves and go room-to-room, space to space, to dust and clean every surface and nook.  

• Remove everything from the kitchen, bathroom, laundry and storage cupboards, wipe them out and discard or donate anything you don’t want before putting items back in neatly

• Make sure all your windows and window frames are spotless

• Dust the walls and remove cobwebs high on the ceilings

• Make sure there are no stains, mould, or animal hair on any surface

• Clear out your clothes closets and sort each of your garments into one of three piles; keep, toss or donate.  Try to be ruthless

• Clear the clutter on all surfaces and within each room. This will dramatically increase your visual space and make your property feel bigger

• Water blast the grime off your external paint and pathways.  Currently hire stores such as Kennards Hire are still open.  You can hire a water blaster for a day and use it clean away dirt, mould and grime

 

6. Declutter and style your kitchen

Kitchens are the heart of the home and you’re probably feeling that even more now that you’re spending more time within your four walls. Creating a tidy, clutter free space here can transform this room.  Here’s some easy ways to make the most of your kitchen:

• Clear the clutter - create the feeling of space by removing anything that doesn’t absolutely need to be on the counter

• Only leave a couple of nice appliances on display

• Wipe down all benchtops

• Ensure the hot plate, oven and microwave are clean

• Remove everything from the fridge door and wipe it down

• Add some flowers or a bowl of fresh fruit on the kitchen bench

If decluttering doesn’t come easily to you, you may want to watch / learn how to effectively declutter with Marie Kondo and her ‘Tidying up with Marie Kondo’ series.  She is a tidying expert and offers simple tools and techniques to help get you take tidying up to a whole new level.

7. Sparkling bathroom 

We all love a fresh, clean bathroom. If you’ve been putting off the job of spring cleaning the bathroom, perhaps now is the time.  

• Spend time thoroughly cleaning, including the grout

• Remove all clutter from the top of the vanity

• Add some luxury items such as fresh plump towels, some handmade soaps, a candle, plant or fresh flowers and some boutique bath products.  If you don’t have these at the moment, consider buying one online from your favourite local homewares store

• Ensure you wipe down the shower screen after you use it to remove any soap scum on the walls and glass doors 

 

8. Convert a nook into a useable space

Rather than making structural changes, which is not advised without an expert alongside you, a fun way to add value to your home is to make use of space that is rarely used.  

If you have any unused areas perhaps under the staircase, in a hallway, an attic etc, consider turning it into a:

• Desk / workspace - now even more important with so many of us are working from home

• A storage area

• Shelving to display books and Knick knacks

• A reading nook or day bed

• Kids play / craft area

• Cubby house…really anything you can think of…
  
  

9. Inspect your property for faults you may not have noticed

Use this time to have a good look around your property for issues you may not have been aware of.  Check for leaking drainpipes, cracked roof tiles, leaking taps, termites, chipped paint, cracked bricks, loose pavers, broken fence paling etc.

Keep a list of all these issues so they can be addressed with an expert tradesperson post COVID-19.

10. Refresh tired and chipped paintwork

One of the simplest and most economical ways you can add value to a property is to update it with fresh paint.  A new coat of paint will make the space look bigger and more inviting.  

Keep in mind, if you are looking at selling in the short to medium term, consider keeping the colour scheme neutral. 

ARTICLE BY:

Sarah Lefebvre

21/04/2020 | 4 MIN READ