Women are DIY Naturals

A growing number of women are taking charge and proving their DIY skills around the house.

Interior designers have argued that women are becoming more assertive around the home and have gained the confidence to take charge of DIY projects, which was previously the exclusive domain of men.

This claim comes after recent research revealed that nine out of 10 women now own a power tool and 67 per cent are confident in completing their own DIY task around the home instead of leaving it to their male partners.

Interior designer Julia Kendell said that women are better suited to performing DIY projects compared to their male counterparts because of their psychological approach to dealing with tasks.

The DIY SOS presenter said: "Women are natural DIYers due to their ability to multi-task and have a more patient and practical approach to problems than men. Not to mention that women are more likely to read instructions carefully and ask for help if it is required!

"The stereotypical line between home improvement ability and the type of tasks each sex traditionally would complete have become much more blurred and many projects now are more of collaboration between men and women."

Ms Kendell went onto say that women who are not that assertive at DIY can benefit from learning new skills on decorating courses, plastering courses and tiling courses.

"Take a course. There are a number of different courses offered by community centres and private companies," she added.

People who are usually adverse to DIY can learn how to approach their own personal project by taking practical courses and save money in the long term by not employing an expensive tradesman.

Ms Kendell also told people to buy tools that they felt comfortable using and mentioned that women can get tools which are specially designed for females in terms of both ergonomics and look.

The BBC personality warned novice DIYers to seek the advice of an expert or mentor before embarking on a potentially dangerous job such as plumbing or electrical work.

Homeowners should employ qualified tradesmen who have completed electrical courses and plumbing courses instead of performing complex work themselves as this could lead to injury and property damage.

Sian Berry, author of Mend It! and Green Party spokesperson, told The Ecologist that women who DIY are more likely to be environmentally aware and only chose materials that are renewable or can be recycled.