DIY from a woman’s point of view

Welcome to Dawn’s DIY

To be totally honest, and I do try to be honest, when I first conceived the idea of this website I envisaged talking about how to apply paint and wallpaper, how to design the room that you really want, and how to use some of the tools that you might need.

However, as I’ve spoken to people about my ideas, it has been impressed upon me that the real knowledge gap for many women is in knowing more about which tools to use for which job and, more importantly, how to use them.  Despite the apparently liberated age that we live in, power tools particularly are still seen as a male preserve - and there’s no reason why they should be!

For this reason I have decided, initially, to concentrate on tools and the maintenance tasks and projects in which you might be required to use them.

I shall still be working on the other areas; they are intended to be wide ranging and to address issues faced by women in particular.  I intend to make them useful for the absolute beginner as well as the woman who has experience.

I don’t even mind if men visit the site! The information that I provide should be useful to anyone who wants an answer to a DIY question.

When deciding on the look and style of the home, it is often women who are the driving force.  So why wait around for a man to do the work?

There is no reason why a woman can’t complete most of the basic maintenance and decorating needed inside and outside the home - it’s not rocket science girls!

Unsure what materials you need? The  Painting and Decorating page will help you to choose and apply paints, wall coverings and wood finishes.

Stuck for ideas? Click through to the Homestyling page for simple projects that you can complete for the finishing touch that really makes a difference!

The Design page has guidelines that will help you carry out a little cosmetic surgery on your home.  How to choose colours, carpets, soft furnishings and accessories to create the look that you dream of.

Stop waiting around, choose the tools needed for the job and turn your ideas into reality. Take the fear out of power tools by looking at what you need for those basic jobs and at how to choose the best tools for you!

Just a few hours each week really can make a world of difference to the look and feel of your home so turn off the telly, stop watching and start doing!

And what’s more, it can be FUN!!!

Additional Benefits

Apart from the savings in cost and time, and the feeling of achievement for a job well done, there are additional benefits to be gained from DIY.

All the bending, stretching and lifting involved is a great way to keep in shape, as long as you do it safely. Climbing up and down stepladders is great for toning up the legs and bottom - take a look at your window cleaner the next time you see him!

Look at the section on Health and Safety for tips on how to make the most of your activity while staying safe.