By Jane Sandwood
During times of confinement, more and more people are taking advantage of more time at home by completing DIY projects that have been left on the burner for months or even years.
As found in a survey by The DRUM, around 17% of homebuyers said they were planning on working on a home project themselves in the initial months of confinement, with a further 19% saying they would consider using an upcoming holiday for DIY activity. Another report by app analytics platform Sensor Tower, meanwhile, showed that home improvements companies like Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Menards saw a peak of 1.5 million downloads in April, 2020. If you are currently working from home and you wish to use time you might have spent commuting on something more productive, the following Apple apps will help you achieve your goals.
DIY home projects ideas
This app, designed specifically for use with the iPad, contains a plethora of DIY content – including project ideas, color and material suggestions, and step by step tutorials on basic and more advanced projects alike. The truth is that many DIYers are absolute beginners, with research conducted by Aspect showing that younger generations are generally less DIY-savvy than their parents and grandparents, and one of the reasons is that many rent rather than own their own home. Budding DIYers may need information on the types of screws that are necessary for a specific project. The length, texture, and strength of different screws and other tools vary greatly. So do the tools required to use them. Therefore, apps that take into account users of all levels can help make DIY projects more accessible and fun.
DIY Network GO
This is an ideal app for creators who find inspiration in the work of seasoned designers, architects and carpenters. It features episodes of revered shows such as Rehab Addict, Barnwood Builders, and Texas Flip N Move. You can watch both new episodes or binge on full seasons of the shows you find particularly useful. The app can be used equally well on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV.
Home Improvement Calcs
The main difference between DIY and professional projects often boils down to calculations (or miscalculations). This app will be extremely useful to those who need very precise measurements for projects such as paving (how many bricks are needed?) right through to flooring (how many panels are required for a room with a specific size and shape?), and filling up holes and gaps in construction (how much cement or concrete is required?). The app covers calculations for concrete and bricks, electrical equipment, framing, heating and air conditioning, lumber and materials, yards, interiors, and more. Thus, even if you are simply changing your carpet or painting a room, Home Improvement Calcs will ensure you don’t order more or less materials than you need.
iHandy Carpenter
This app converts your iPhone or iPad into a precise measuring device. Use it to measure the length of objects, as well as slopes, wall dimensions, and more. It can also help with small tasks such as straightening pictures on a wall or making small measurements in sewing or bookbinding projects. The app lends your devices the functionality of five tools – including a plumb bob, a steel protractor (to measure angles ranging from 0º to 180º), and a surface level (to level a flat surface). The convenience of having this app is that unlike a toolbox, your phone is always with you.
An increase in the amount of time spent at home in recent months means that many home dwellers are using their free time to complete DIY projects. There are a plethora of Apple apps that can help you achieve your aims – be they making accurate measurements and calculations or receiving inspiration from seasoned professionals. Some apps will also provide step-by-step tutorials, providing everything from information on basic tools to instructions on how to create specific home fixtures.
Image courtesy of Unsplash
