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Original poster

Do you do your own decorating?

48 replies

MrBennOfFestiveRoad · 03/03/2018 18:42

After using two different decorators where we’ve had to touch up missed bits ourselves, I’m coming to the conclusion that it’s better to do it myself, as DH hates painting. Not sure if I’m just too fussy or we have been unlucky. I would prefer to use decorators as I work full time and have small children but not sure if it’s actually worth it.

OP posts:
TheQueenOfWands · 03/03/2018 18:43

Yes!

Very satisfying!

RandomMess · 03/03/2018 18:46

Me too after being disappointed with the decorator. I find it quite therapeutic- take time off work when the DC at work, Classic FM playing...

I would get a decorator to do the stair bit again though!

PlugUgly1980 · 03/03/2018 18:47

Not anymore...2 small children and both work full time so no chance. We've paid a local decorator who was great...but we had to wait ages as he's booked up months in advance - I take that as the sign of a good tradesman though, so happy to wait.

JoJoSM2 · 03/03/2018 19:00

I'd rather do other stuff with my time so we get someone in.

4yearsnosleep · 03/03/2018 19:00

Yes. We're planning on both taking a weeks leave to paint our extension to save money. We've painted and or wallpapered most of the house. It's very satisfying

Allthebestnamesareused · 03/03/2018 19:07

No but I found a great decorator with reasonable rates and have used him ever since.

buckeejit · 03/03/2018 19:09

I'd rather do it myself. Avoid getting people in the house if I can avoid it. Also couldn't afford anyone else to do it & feel more happy & fulfilled when it's a diy job!

Fairylea · 03/03/2018 19:10

I would never pay someone to decorate. It’s so easy to do it yourself - although I can understand for some people it’s the lack of time to do it! But really if you have the right brushes and extendable poles etc you can do anything. There are tons of videos on you tube about how to wallpaper etc and lay Lino and carpet. I’ve decorated every house we’ve lived in from top to bottom myself - including Lino in the bathroom and carpet in dds room. It’s very satisfying!

CanIBuffalo · 03/03/2018 19:10

Always. I'm fussy.

MacaroniPenguin · 03/03/2018 19:12

Yes, we are rubbish at getting people in whereas doing it ourselves we can just get on with it.

It does eat weekends though.

ShowOfHands · 03/03/2018 19:13

Yep. Today I painted two bedrooms (two coats in each), prepped some woodwork and sanded a wardrobe. I listened to many episodes of Chain Reaction whilst doing it. I quite enjoy it.

AnnabelleLecter · 03/03/2018 19:22

Yes I do it myself. I enjoy all aspects of interior design and decoration. Once you get going you can finish a room in no time.

MargotLovedTom1 · 03/03/2018 19:23

I quite enjoy painting walls but detest doing woodwork.

Original poster
MrBennOfFestiveRoad · 03/03/2018 19:24

Thanks for the replies. I have painted several rooms over the years, so think that I’m going to have to make time to do it myself in future - and maybe watch a few YouTube videos to improve first. Although the stairs are going to need scaffolding, so may need a professional!

OP posts:
LightastheBreeze · 03/03/2018 19:25

I don’t but DH enjoys decorating and says it is very satisfying when it is done. He wouldn’t ever get decorators in and says it would be inconvenient anyway.

blanikbalm · 03/03/2018 19:28

Where do you start?

I want to do my own!

Mamia15 · 03/03/2018 19:34

We do it ourselves - the only times we've hired decorators was when I was heavily pregnant and the hall/landing/stairs needed doing. The first time was a fab job and the second (in a different house, different people) was pretty poor.

Fairylea · 03/03/2018 19:35

Are you sure the stairs need scaffolding? We have a very high ceiling in our hallway and I managed to do it with a long extendable roller - you can buy extremely long poles from b and q and the rollers that fit them separately. Works a treat! Grin

MacaroniPenguin · 03/03/2018 19:41

Hallway is made much easier if you paint the ceiling and walls the same colour. No join line to worry about.

Original poster
MrBennOfFestiveRoad · 03/03/2018 19:41

How do you get a straight line between the ceiling and the wall with an extendable roller, as I would normally cut in with a brush? Although I’m not sure whether it would work as it isn’t a standard style staircase due to the age of the house.

OP posts:
Fairylea · 03/03/2018 19:42

I used masking tape to attach a very small brush to the end of the pole and use that. To be fair though I only use very light or white colours in a hallway though so you don’t have to worry too much.

Original poster
MrBennOfFestiveRoad · 03/03/2018 19:44

I want to paint the stairway wall a dark colour, so I’m not sure ceiling the same colour would work. Plus we have artex....

OP posts:
nancy75 · 03/03/2018 19:44

I don’t do my own because my dad owns a decorating company! They spend most of their time decorating 5 star hotels so the standard of their work is better than most as everything they do is inspected thoroughly after every job

Vitalogy · 03/03/2018 19:45

I'd keep the ceiling matt white.