Complete your most procrastinated home projects

What's Possible
The second list should be decorative or moderately priced improvement projects you want to do in the near future. Projects on this list are ones that will take a little more time (the better part of a day or two) and money. I like to refer to this list as 'Weekend Projects.'

Weekend Projects:

• Makeover your bedroom
• Replace two wood panels in kitchen cabinet with decorative glass
• Install new sink/tap in bathroom
• Prime and paint bedroom
• Make cornices for guest room
• Organise hallway cupboard: install shelving/rods/drawer units

Projects on this list are usually more involved. Maybe you've never done them before and are a little intimidated. Tasks on the Weekend Projects list generally take the better part of a weekend and require some planning.

They may require some research. Libraries are full of books on most projects you can think of so check them out. Watch DIY television programmes, ask friends and relatives that have done the project for tips, or visit the DIY message boards.

Another way to make this process go more smoothly, instill confidence and develop your skills, is to practice before you start taking on some of these more difficult projects. For instance, before you start painting or tiling, practice on a piece of plywood to give yourself a feel for the project. Figure out the tools you need, set aside plenty of time and before you know it, you will be checking the projects off this list.

The biggest time-saver for any project is to make a shopping list of tools and products needed and have everything bought and gathered before even attempting the job. Getting started is the hardest part, especially if it requires a trip to the shops first.

Wish List
Projects on this list are things I would really like to do, however, because of price or time needed (a week or more) they may never happen, or might not happen for a long time.

Wish List Projects:

• Complete room makeovers
• New landscaping
• A remodelled bathroom
• Giving the kitchen a face lift

You get the idea. I think we all have a wish list of projects we dream about. But don't get bogged down or discouraged by your wish list. Whether it's money or time stopping you from these big projects, you shouldn't let it hold you back from tackling the smaller ones.

What makes the Wish List more realistic for me is breaking down the individual projects so that the impossible can become possible. For example, if you want to do a complete room makeover, start by jotting down all the things you want done in the room, then figure out the order in which the projects need to be done.

You'll end up with a few smaller projects instead of one huge project. And, smaller projects mean you won't have to pay out all the money at once. Eventually, all the smaller projects will be moved to the 'possible' lists and before you know it you will have accomplished the impossible!