4 indoor DIY projects to tackle this winter

As Christmas approaches and you start getting the house ready for Christmas, it’s also the perfect time to get a few indoor DIY jobs done. Whether you’re sprucing up your home for the big day, fixing up the odd jobs you’ve been putting off, or just keeping busy during the quiet days between Christmas and New Year, there’s plenty to do inside to get your home ready for the new year ahead.

At Smiths Hire, we love helping you tackle home improvement projects. Our tool hire range offers a variety of handy tools and equipment, making it easy to get everything you need whenever you need it. So, whether you’re fixing things up, adding a fresh coat of paint, or diving into a larger DIY project. So, here are a few ideas to keep you busy!

Add some character to your home with wall panelling

Things tend to slow down at this time of year, so if you have a spare day or two, now is the perfect time to add some character to your space with wall panelling. Wall panelling can transform any room by adding texture, depth, and a touch of elegance (plus, it’s a lot simpler than it looks, so it’s a win-win!). Whether you prefer the look of classic wainscoting or modern Shaker-style panels, there are plenty of styles to choose from. These days, you can even buy kits online or from the big DIY stores that’ll give you everything you need to get the job done.

If you plan on getting stuck and creating your feature wall from scratch, you’ll need to measure and cut the wood to size, then secure it to the wall, finishing with paint or stain for a polished look. Wall panelling is a great way to refresh your space and can also help improve insulation, keeping your room warmer during the colder months.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Measuring tape
• Saw (mitre or circular saw)
• Hammer or nail gun
• Nails or screws
• Wood adhesive
• Spirit level
• Paint or stain for finishing
• Panelling boards or timber for panelling
• Caulk or filler for gaps

Touch up any paint that needs a refresh

Winter is a great time to do touch-up work on walls and trim that may have been chipped or scratched throughout the year – it’s nice to start fresh in January. With less natural light and more time indoors, it’s the perfect opportunity to get those jobs done you’ve maybe been putting off for a rainy day, and painting is definitely one of them. You can tackle minor touch-ups if that’s all that’s needed, or even repaint entire rooms to give your space a fresh, clean look for the year ahead. It’s a simple and cost-effective way to give your space an instant face-lift, even if you’re painting the walls the same colour.

Here’s what you need:

• Painter’s tape
• Paintbrush or roller
• Paint tray
• Touch-up paint (matching your existing paint colour)
• Drop cloths or protective sheets
• Putty knife (for repairing holes or cracks – optional)
• Spackling or filler (optional)
• Sandpaper for smoothing over any rough patches (optional)

Insulate any exposed pipes

If you haven’t already, it’s time to insulate any exposed pipes you have in the garage, basement, or other colder areas of your home to prevent them from freezing. It’s inconvenient enough when you can’t get the water you need because of frozen pipes, but it’s even more stressful and costly when they burst, so it’s important to get this sorted. Insulating your pipes is an easy DIY project that can save you from major headaches and leaks over the Christmas period and into early next year. You can use foam pipe insulation or heat tape to protect your pipes from freezing, and it’s often a job you won’t spend a massive amount of time on, so they definitely justify the means.

You’ll need:

• Foam pipe insulation or heat tape
• Measuring tape
• Scissors or a utility knife
• Ladder (if pipes are up high – optional)
• Duct tape (for securing insulation – optional)

Build a home bar

Since it’s Christmas, we’re going to end this DIY list with a fun one – a home bar! A home bar can be a fun and rewarding project, not to mention it’ll be a real hit among your guests over the festive period. Whether you want a small space-saving bar just for the odd occasion or your very own pub, this project allows you to get creative. If you have a cosy corner or space in the house you can spare, you can repurpose old furniture, install shelving, or even add a wine cooler or mini fridge to make it more functional. Why not take it one step further and christen your new bar pub with its very own name and sign?

Here’s what you need:

• Wood (plywood, MDF, or reclaimed wood)
• Saw (mitre or circular saw)
• Measuring tape
• Hammer or nail gun
• Screws or nails
• Wood glue
• Paint or stain
• Shelf brackets or shelves
• Cordless drill for making holes
• Mini fridge or wine cooler (optional)
• 

These are just a few suggestions to get you started. It’s all about assessing what your home needs to look its best, and then you can move on to the fun stuff! If you liked these ideas, we’ve got plenty more where that came from, along with all the equipment you’ll need to get the job done quickly!

We’ve been supplying quality equipment and tool hire services to the DIY and trade sectors for more than 50 years here at Smiths Hire from our 18 tool hire depots across the North West and Yorkshire. You can find us in several major cities, including Manchester, Liverpool, and Leeds, so if you need any help or advice or you’d like to pop in and speak to us in person, we’re never too far away! Or if you’d prefer, you can give our friendly team a call on 0333 323 2100!