Spend five minutes perusing Pinterest and you will find a DIY project. Transforming antique finds or Ikea shelves into the furniture of your dreams with a little paint and elbow grease seems like a no brainer. However, don’t be fooled by the before and after pictures. Some things in your home are worth the investment of a professional and quality material:
1. Flooring is one of the most important aspects of your home. Everyday exposure to heavy foot traffic makes your flooring’s quality a must. DIY’s make refinishing your wood floors or laying new carpet look like a breeze, however flooring (wood, tile, or carpet) require special tools and know-how. DIY floors may result in an uneven surface, mismatched seams, and even cracks and splits that appear over time.
2. Dining tables are a piece, if purchased with a little foresight, which can last for generations. Quality made tables are timeless, durable, and functional. DIY dining tables are fine if you aren’t looking to have it for more than a few years. This same rule applies to chairs.
3. Dressers today are made with drawer stops as a safety precaution. However, if you are looking to refinish an antique dresser, be careful of a safety hazard presented by a poorly manufactured dresser. In addition, a lot of DIY’s involve “Ikea hacks” or taking cheap furniture and upgrading it to look more expensive. This is a great solution for young kids or a temporary space, but in an adult’s bedroom a well-constructed dresser is the way to go.
A good rule of thumb for knowing when to DIY is, “Is this a cheap, fun piece that I don’t mind having for only a few years?” If the answer is yes then craft away, but if the answer is no (such as when purchasing a bed) then trust a professional to give you a quality piece of furniture. Don’t be afraid to add DIY touches to your investment pieces. Having one or two nice pieces of nice art surround by handmade frames is a great way to marry the two.
ความคิดเห็น