10 DIY Jobs to Consider for the New Year

Wed, Jan 08, 2025 04:49 CET

2024 came and went in a flash, and most of us can hardly believe where the time has gone. We had so much planned for the year in terms of DIY and fixing up our homes… but did it all get done? Fear not; a new year is upon us, and now is the perfect time to start planning ahead!

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Here are ten great ideas from property and construction expert Thomas Goodman at MyJobQuote.co.uk for DIY jobs to complete this year to send your home into 2026 looking fresher than ever before.

Liven up the Garden

Spring is the perfect opportunity to start getting those jobs done in the garden that we may have been neglecting over the cold winter months. Now is the time to start investing in products such as tools, weed killers, and maybe even some new shrubs to start bringing life back into your precious outdoor space.

A lot of our fences have seen better days, too, after being pounded with wind and rain, so why not give them a fresh splash of paint, perhaps even in a new colour, to change the entire appearance of your garden for the new year?

Paint Walls and Cupboards

Speaking of paint, when was the last time you touched up the paintwork on the walls in your home? If it is another job that feels well overdue, the upcoming spring and summer months are going to be the ideal time to take action, as you can crack the windows open wide to let out any fumes.

You will be surprised at the difference a fresh lick of paint can make, and the same goes for your kitchen and bathroom cupboards. Investing in an entirely new set of cupboards sometimes feels tempting but can be extremely costly, so it is well worth giving them a fresh coat of paint and gloss before making any big decisions—this may be all it needs to restore their former glory!

Spruce Up Your Bathroom

Our bathrooms are always one of the first rooms to start looking a little shabby, which attracts mould and mildew due to the damp conditions. Therefore, they are definitely going to want that extra bit of care and attention in the new year.

Resealing your bath and adding new grout between tiles is a vital job to ensure that they remain waterproof, but there's no need to call a decorator—you can easily do this yourself over the course of a day or two!

Once you have got your bath and tiles back to full hygiene, it is time to deep clean your shower head and maybe even consider if it needs replacing, as what is supposed to leave us feeling fresh can actually become a breeding ground for mould and bacteria.

Bleed Radiators

We have had some harshly cold days so far this winter and likely have more to come, so the last thing you need is for your heating to be lacking.

If you notice that your radiators are taking longer than usual to heat up, it may be due to trapped air inside. That means the time has come to bleed your radiator, as this will improve the heating system and save you money on energy bills, as they will take less time to warm up.

This is an easy DIY task that anyone can do—simply locate the bleed valve, place a bowl underneath to catch any leaks, and turn it anticlockwise until you hear a hissing sound. Once the hissing has stopped and water starts dripping out, you can retighten the valve and look forward to a warmer and cheaper end to winter!

Clean Your Gutters

The gutters on our homes are a place that easily become forgotten and, therefore, neglected. It is incredibly important to keep them clean, however, and this is a DIY job you can complete in the new year by getting the step ladders out. Dirt, debris, and leaves all easily accumulate in gutters, and this can leave a foul smell that develops over time.

Even more importantly, if this sludge moves down into your drains, it can cause a range of problems, such as damp issues and blocked or even broken pipes. It is best to choose a dry spell to complete the job, as your gutters will be easier to clean out without the addition of recent rain and moisture.

Tidy Your Shed

Sheds are proven to be excellent spaces for storage, but whilst we start off keeping them well organised, over time, we often let that slip, and they can become dumping grounds for anything and everything we can't find a place for.

The warmer months are a great time to get everything out of the shed and decide what we actually need to keep and what can be disposed of. The fun part of this is that you are likely to come across items you had long forgotten about; it’s a great activity to get those waves of nostalgia going! Before putting the items you have chosen to keep back in, think carefully about how to utilise the space to keep everything accessible—perhaps this involves investing in some new storage boxes or shelves.

Hang Shelves

Putting up new shelves could become a valuable exercise for the new year. They also fill up empty spaces on walls, and they are a fantastic way of saving space and displaying accessories such as trinkets, books, plants, and photographs.

There are many different methods for putting up a shelf, and it is something you are going to want to research before you jump in and make purchases. Things to consider include how much space you have, which shelves will match your personal taste and style for your home, and what purpose you want them to serve.

Check Your Pipes

This is a task that needs to be done annually to make sure that there are no issues that need fixing, such as corrosion or leaks. The cost of buying pipe cleaning kits and solutions is far less than the cost of calling out a plumber when something goes wrong.

This is one of the simplest DIY jobs you can complete and is an essential preventative measure to prevent disasters from occurring later in the year!

Upcycle Furniture

If your furniture is starting to look tired and worn out, the prospect of another year of looking at it can be daunting. However, there are a number of upcycling projects that you can complete to restore your pieces to their former glory or give them an entirely new look before you think about heading out and spending your hard-earned money on new furniture.

The renovations you complete can be as simple or as complex as you choose, ranging from adding fresh new paint and handles to wardrobes and cupboards to reupholstering chairs and sofas with new fabrics. It is a great way of giving your home that fresh new look for the new year, all with your own personalised touch!

Hang Pictures

Hopefully, 2024 has been a year where, despite any turbulent times, you have made some wonderful memories to look back on. If you caught some of those memories from this or previous years on camera, why not get them framed and hung up so you can look back with a fond smile every time you enter the room?

This will add a unique personal touch to your living space and could be just what your bare walls are craving. Thankfully, it is a simple DIY task that involves very little effort or skill—once your pictures are framed, just hammer a nail into your chosen position on the wall, and you are ready to hang them up!

THOMAS GOODMAN

Thomas Goodman has worked as a property and construction expert for MyJobQuote for six years and has worked in the construction industry for over twenty years. Thomas continues to work on building projects while providing expert construction and property advice to industry professionals and DIY enthusiasts.

MyJobQuote is one of the UK's top trades matching sites that helps individuals find a reputable tradesperson in their local area.

MyJobQuote also has a wide range of experts with extensive knowledge in interior design, cleaning, gardening, property, construction and more. MyJobQuote's experts have been featured in over 700 publications, including Woman and Home, The Times, House Beautiful, BBC News and more.