Tips to make a DIY storage task easier

You have it in mind, the next project that will improve your home and give you more storage room. Whether it is shelving in the kitchen or garage storage, whatever your plans are, there are always tips and tricks to help make the job run smoother.

Before you start, check your tools are in good working order. Tidying out the tool box is not such a bad idea. Have a magnet handy to pick up dropped small screws and pins that might be otherwise very difficult to see, especially on a carpeted surface.

If taking measurements is going to be part of the job, keep a small pad of sticky back notes, write the measurement on the note then stick it to the matching section of wood or door frame.

Talking of measurements, if you think a room is square but you are not certain, think back to those good days at school. Rather than measuring along all four walls just measure the two at right angles to each other. Make a note of the figures, then measure from one corner to the other. If, for example, you took measurements of three feet and four feet along the adjacent walls, the diagonal line across the room should measure five feet. If it does not then you will need to mark some points in a square before carrying on.

If you have decided to put up tiling in the kitchen or the bathroom, never tile over wallpaper, always remove the paper first.