Britain is famously a nation of DIY enthusiasts. Most people have memories of their dad with a spirit level behind his ear, drawing on the walls, spending a whole weekend erecting a single shelf. Luckily, the DIY market has become adept at empowering DIYers to undertake as many tasks as possible themselves. Obviously there are particular jobs that require a qualified specialist by law (electricians and gas engineers etc) but there are many tasks that a novice can now bravely undertake themselves with a little guidance.

Tackling the bathroom is a famously difficult job and also an expensive one. However by investing in better quality products the task if often simplified and therefore you can save money on tradesmen and complete the job yourself. Many DIY shops now offer free lessons to teach the skills necessary for completing the trickier aspects of redecorating.

Shower
Shower

Tiling is one skill that is not easy to master. Although completing a small section of decorative tiles might not be too hard, ensuring a whole bathroom has been tiled in alignment can prove more tiresome. It takes practise to get it right and often there aren’t many chances to have a go before starting the real job itself. This is where costs can creep up as those lovely tiles you bought, handmade in Morocco, at best look a bit like a Picasso installation with their jaunty positioning, and at worst have to be broken off of the wall so a new set can be put up again.

The new generation of wall cladding solutions offer a stylish alternative to the tiling dilemma, and most DIY enthusiasts can have a go at fitting the sheets themselves. The misery of grouting stuck in your hair and finding lumps of it in the bottom of your cup of tea may finally have gone for good. It’s also easier to calculate how many sheets you’ll need and measuring them to fit the space, no messy tile cutting involved.

Unlike our dads of years gone by, we now have the luxury of the internet to help us all become DIY kings. Supplies and instructions can all now be sourced online, and there isn’t much you can’t find the answer to. So when planning a new bathroom, think about what you can attempt yourself: the pride in putting your own stamp on your house just can’t be beaten.