Clearing up:

Once you have finished painting, you must clean all your tools correctly to ensure they can be used again. For brushes the best thing to do is to use a brush cleaner, making sure that they are perfectly clean, then stored either flat or on their handles so that the bristles do not get damaged while drying.

With the paint, it is better not to have to store any at the end of a project. But if you must, then clean the rim of the tin and replace the lid and close it tightly. To create an airtight seal, turn the tin upside down and back again quickly, this will help keep the paint fresh for longer.

Never pour left over paint or white spirit down the drain as this can damage the pipes and also contaminate the water supply in your area. It is better to leave the paint in the tin and dispose of it rather than to pour it out anywhere. With white spirit, allow it to sand till the sediment has settled at the bottom then keep the clean spirit for further use.

A few tips on health and safety:

Always read the instructions and warning information of the products before starting on a project.

Wear gloves, eye protection and a mask where necessary, if you have been instructed to do so it s imperative that you do.

When painting make sure that the area is well ventilated, particularly if using solvent-based paints.

Before delving into DIY, it is important to be properly kitted out. Having the right tools allows you to complete your project to the standards of a professional decorator. Here is a guide to the basic tools you will require.

There are two types of screwdriver that would be needed, a flat-head one and a cross-head. These come in different sizes so it is sometimes worthwhile ensuring that you have the correct one. If you are likely to take on more projects in the future, it is very useful to be equipped with an electronic power screwdriver. These come with many interchangeable heads, allowing for all sizes and type that you will need.

A hammer is also essential in these projects. Depending on the size and type of task undertaken you can choose the relevant one. It is always more useful to have a claw hammer because the forked side takes out nails too.

Next on the list are pliers. These are multi-tasking tools which can squeeze, hold in place, cut or pull the material as required. Mostly pliers are used in wirework. There are again many to choose from, and if you are unsure it is worth asking for a recommendation from a hardware store.

A craft or art knife is also worth having. A good Stanley knife can cut anything from paper to carpet, so it is worth having one with a safety cover and replaceable blades. When undertaking a task that is either too precise or hard for scissors to handle, then a Stanley knife would be the perfect solution.

As decorating projects tend to demand a large degree of precision. Therefore it is useful to have a tape measure or long length ruler. A taper measure is more versatile to have as it is longer and is flexible but if you require something to mark out lines with, then a long ruler is best.

Depending on the project you are undertaking it might be useful to have some sandpaper. These come in packs of different of different levels of coarseness. When using the sandpaper, wrap it in either a small block of wood or something similar to create an eraser type article. This makes it easier to use.

For projects that involves wood, plastic or pipes, a hacksaw might be handy to have. Again like most types of tools there is a wide range available, but for the basic home decorator, a small hacksaw is enough.

There are many other tools out there which maybe required for your specific project, but the ones above should give you a head start. Check each project before you embark on it to make sure you have everything you need, including the tools.