Most County residents have found themselves unexpectedly corralled at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Taking on some do-it-yourself home improvement projects can give homeowners fun, easy-to-complete distractions amidst the uncertainty.
While major home improvement efforts often require the help of a professional, there are plenty of smaller projects that people can finish with materials they already have at home. Other needed items from hardware and home design stores can be delivered for free or through curbside pick-up during this time.
Jamie McLaughlin, owner of Rathbun Lumber Company in Presque Isle, said spending more time at home might give folks the perfect time to touch up their walls with a new coat of paint.
After selecting the color of their choice, do-it-yourselfers should consider the size of their space to estimate paint needs. A gallon of paint will cover about 400 square feet.
Then, adding plastic sheeting to keep areas clean, some brushes and rollers, a putty knife and painter’s tape should equip them well for that project. If the walls are unpainted or undergoing a drastic color change, primer may be necessary to provide the best coverage.
Other home projects don’t require paint, but simple tools most people have on hand.
“Sometimes it’s the smaller projects that can help freshen up a home,” McLaughlin said.
If homeowners have screwdrivers handy, they could also replace old doorknobs, cabinet handles or a squeaky door hinge that they might not otherwise have had time for.
Spring is also a good time to give rooms a good cleaning and change the seasonal decor. Other small projects include rearranging furniture or changing a light fixture.
Those who are anxious to get outdoors have a variety of spring cleaning options at hand. Using products they already have at home, such as wheelbarrows, rakes, garbage bags and shovels, they can easily clean their yard of leaves and weeds and prepare their gardens for warmer months ahead.
Unless an emergency arises, McLaughlin recommends people postpone home improvement projects that require professional help until the pandemic situation has been deemed under control.
“People should stay at home right now and be safe,” he said.
Regardless of what DIY projects people choose, focusing on spring home improvement can be a welcome distraction from the current realities.
“It gives people an excuse to turn off the news and focus their mind on something else for a while,” McLaughlin said.
