Do you ever find yourself watching home improvement shows and thinking, “I could do that”? Or maybe you’re the one always being called on to help out with home repairs and projects. Either way, being handy around the house is a useful skill to have. And it’s not as difficult as you might think. With a little practice, anyone can become handy around the house. Even when you feel as if you’ve tried your hand at it (and failed) in the past, it might just mean that you’re not taking the best approach. So, in this blog post, we’re going to take a look at ten simple tips to get you started.

1. Get to Know Your Tools

To start with, if you’re going to be working with tools, it’s important to know how to use them properly and safely. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the tools you’ll be using most often. Know what you need for what, watch online tutorials, or even take a class at your local hardware store. And when you’re using your tools, always take safety precautions.

2. Make a Plan

Before starting any project, it’s important to have a clear plan in mind. What exactly are you trying to accomplish? What steps do you need to take to get there? Having a plan will save you time and frustration in the long run. Again, knowing what tools you need to be using and when will really help you.

3. Read the Manual!

When it comes to DIY projects around the home, there is nothing more important than taking some time to read the manual thoroughly. Doing so will help ensure every step of the process is understood and can also act as a valuable reference point in case difficulties arise at any stage. And if you can’t find the manual — don’t panic. You’ll be glad to know that you can find anything online. From a basic manual for using your household tools to a specialist Chevrolet owner manual to help you work on the car. Working with the manual could make things much easier.

4. Measure Twice, Cut Once

This old saying is definitely true when it comes to home improvement projects. When measuring for things like shelves or window treatments, be sure to double-check your measurements before making any cuts. Otherwise, you might end up with pieces that are too big or too small—and no one wants that.

5. Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help

Home improvement projects can sometimes be overwhelming, especially if you’re tackling something new or complicated. If you find yourself getting in over your head, don’t be afraid to ask a friend or family member for help—or even hire a professional. You really don’t have to be able to do it all right away. You can learn over time and call in for help along the way.

6. Take your Time

Rushing through a project will only lead to mistakes being made. If you can, try to set aside some time each day (or at least each week) to work on your project so that it doesn’t feel like such a daunting task. And if something goes wrong along the way, don’t panic. Just take a deep breath and try to troubleshoot the problem calmly and methodically. It doesn’t have to be something that you master right away. If you get there eventually, that’s okay too.

7. Be Prepared for Surprises

No matter how well you plan or how much research you do, there’s always a chance that something unexpected will come up during a home improvement project—and that’s okay. The important thing is not to let surprises derail your entire project. Just roll with the punches and adjust your plan accordingly. Having alternate plans or being flexible can be just what you need in order to overcome any issues.

8. Keep Things Clean

One of the quickest ways to ruin a home improvement project is by making a mess and not cleaning up after yourself as you go along. Whenever possible, try to clean up as you work so that things stay neat and tidy. Not only will this make the whole process more enjoyable, but it’ll also save you time in the long run. You’ll find that it’s much less stressful this way and will allow you to work more effectively too.

9. Get Organized

This may seem like an obvious one, but it’s worth mentioning nonetheless — things will go much smoother if you stay organized throughout the entire process. Have a place for all of your tools and materials so that they’re easy to find when you need them. Plus, if everything has its own designated spot, cleanup will be a breeze. If you aren’t keeping things tidy, it’s easier to get in a pickle. So being a lot more organized with your workspace will be a savior for you.

10. Document Everything

Finally, make sure to document everything. This includes taking before-and-after pictures, keeping receipts for materials, and writing down any helpful tips or tricks you learn along the way. That way, if something goes wrong down the road, you’ll have all of the information you need right at your fingertips. And above all else, remember to enjoy it! At the end of the day, home improvement projects should be enjoyable. So, make the most of the experience.

Embracing Handiness Around the Home

And that’s all there is to it. As much as it can often feel like it’s all too hard to get handy around the home, it can be a lot easier than you think when you follow the right steps. That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to do it all in the set order. But simply applying some of these ideas will definitely help you. Just remember, take your time, be prepared, and enjoy it. After all, you’ll want to look back on your hard work and know that you enjoyed it.