5 DIY jobs to keep you busy in June

June is the first month of winter in our part of the world, and the time when we all start to hunker down for the coldest months of the year. Heating bills can skyrocket during this time, so a great way to keep costs down is to draught-proof your home. Unfortunately, the long dark nights see a rise in burglaries, so installing a basic security system will give you peace of mind. Long weekends are a great time to tackle some indoor DIY or break your job into smaller pieces and do a little over a series of days. Here are five jobs to do at home this month.

Control draughts

Gaps in windows and doors can mean the heat gets out and the cold comes in. Use weather strips as a cost effective way to eliminate draughts and noise. They’re super simple to install, just make sure you wipe down your window or door frames first so the weather strips will adhere well.

When applying a seal to vertical door jambs, stick the seal to the flat part of the jamb so the back edge of the door closes firmly onto it. When applying on the horizontal part of the frame, stick the seal to the rebate on the jamb.

Paint a chalkboard fridge

Every DIYer needs a place to keep track of their upcoming projects, and what better place than your fridge! Transform your boring whiteware surfaces into an easily accessible chalkboard to write your to-dos or if you prefer a blackboard finish use Resene FX Blackboard Paint. This quick and easy project will bring order to a busy life. Click here for instructions.

Install security cameras

Give yourself and your family peace of mind by installing security cameras at your place. While professional camera systems can be very expensive, installing your own wireless, WiFi-controlled cameras are a far more cost-effective option. You’re usually able to check these from an app on your phone, even when you’re away from home.

Consumer NZ has some great advice for selecting the right one for your home, and they share this top tip: Try connecting the WiFi and using the app before you mount the camera. It’s much easier to fix problems when the camera isn’t two metres up a wall!

Fridge painted with Resene Chalkboard Paint in Resene Green Meets Blue.

Balustrade painted with Resene Lustacryl in Resene Dark Slate.

Planter box interior coated with Resene Water Lockout, exterior in Resene Waterborne Woodsman in Resene Uluru.

Paint your balustrades

A great way to give an instant lift to a multi-level home, whether it’s character or modern, is by refreshing the balustrades. Painting not only transforms the look and feel of your stairwell, but it also provides good protection, as balustrades are one of the most touched surfaces in your home and experience lots of daily wear and tear.

While professionals would generally spray balustrades (all those curves and angles can be fiddly!), this is a relatively straightforward and very satisfying DIY job you can do with a brush that shouldn’t take too long. All you need is around a litre of paint, crank up your favourite tunes and get painting. Learn how to paint your balustrades with tips and tricks from Resene Paint Expert Murdo Shaw here.

June in the garden

Tui Garden Products says that June “is a great time to plant fruit trees and winter veges for a continuous supply. It’s also time to begin thinking about the next season and the crops you might want to grow and harvest through spring and summer.”

When it comes to planting herbs and vegetables, think of all the warming and nutritious foods you love to eat when it’s cold – broccoli, cabbage, carrot, garlic, onion, parsley, parsnip, peas, radish, rhubarb, silverbeet, spinach, rosemary and thyme, to name a few.

Apple, feijoa and pear trees can be planted now, as can strawberries. Research shows that planting strawberries in our winter temperatures will produce a higher yield in summer. Remember, fruit requires full sun, and shelter from the wind is preferable. Now is also a good time to preserve the end of your summer harvests.