Renovate, Decorate, Innovate: 5 Easy jobs to do this half term

​Off for the half-term break? Need something to do while the kids keep themselves glued to their tablets? Then perhaps you should try your hand at some home improvements! No, not a full-on home renovation (it is a break, after all). Just a few quick jobs here and there that can really make a difference and make you feel less guilty for those days spent in front of the TV. Here are 5 easy jobs you can do this half term that won't take up all your time or cost much to do (and most importantly, won't interrupt the Halloween preparations).

1. Paint the walls

All in a hard day's work, pick a room and paint it to perfection. This task won't take long at all - especially if you're an experienced decorator - and is a great way to jazz up a tired-looking space. And if the kids are stuck at home, they can always grab a brush and help (unless this is your way of getting some peace and quiet). For a contemporary finish, we recommend soft colours or a dark accent wall.

​To reach those pesky top corners, we recommend the Krause 000712 Corda 3 Tread Aluminium Trade Platform Step Ladder. This handy ladder offers brilliant features: Compact: This aluminium step ladder by Krause won't take up much room at all. The ladder folds together for easy storage in your shed, garage or cupboard, for a wide range of indoor use Convenient safety top rail: The top rail offers a sturdy place to stand, since it is much larger than the steps. This enhances your safety and ensures you do not topple over or hurt yourself on the job Riveted hinge device: The step ladder's hinges are highly secure to ensure it is safe to use, and are riveted for added sturdiness. This means you can use the ladder for versatile tasks without a worry

Krause 000712 Corda 3 Tread Aluminium Trade Platform Step Ladder

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£51.84

Inc VAT each. Price subject to change.

• OR pay in 3 installments of £17.28* with Klarna

2. Regrout the bathroom

This might be a boring task, but if you want your bathroom to look as clean as the day you moved in, it is essential to keep on top of it. Why not take some time out of your half-term break to get it done? All you need is a sealant gun, an oscillating tool, new grout, mould cleaner and a sponge, and your tiles will look like new again. Just think: once it's done, you can finally enjoy a bath without the horrific sight of mildew growing on the walls. Lovely.

​Use the TM-CG232P TOUGH MASTER® Caulking Gun to fill in the gaps and re-fill any moulding sealant around the bath, shower, sink and tiles. It has some amazing benefits: Moulded high-strength magnets: This caulking gun is designed with strong magnets to hold a fully loaded cartridge to any steel surface at all different angles, so you won't lose your silicone gun again High thrust ratio: With a power transmission ratio of 20:1, you can squeeze the sealant with minimal effort and reduced fatigue. The professional caulking press is suitable for cartridge sizes up to 310ml Durable material: The professional sealant gun is made from high-grade engineering plastic for added durability. This will ensure the hand tool lasts without needing to be replaced or repaired

TOUGH MASTER® Caulking Gun Professional Sealant Gun Anti-Drip Adhesive Application Gun with 20:1 Thrust Ratio - 310 Millilitres (TM-CG232P)

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£11.99

Inc VAT each. Price subject to change.

• OR pay in 3 installments of £3.99* with Klarna

3. Refurbish the floors

Do your floors look worn and drawn? Is there something sticking out of the floorboards stabbing you in the foot as you walk (and you totally forget it's there, every. single. time.)? Then it's time to refurbish the floors. This quick and easy home improvement task can not only make any room look better but can increase the value of the property, too. Opt for modern hardwood floors in grey or oak for a design that goes with every piece of furniture.

​You'll want to sand off those prickly bits of wood with a quality orbital sander. The DBO180Z Makita 18v Random Orbital Sander is an excellent option. This machine is recommended for several reasons: Simple to operate: The Makita random orbital sander has an electronic push button switch with 3-speed settings, so you can increase the speed depending on the task at hand Connectable to dust extractor: You can attach a dust extractor to this electric detail sander to reduce the amount of debris produced after use, and also to improve the air quality as you work Compact design: This round polisher sander is very short in height and has a lower centre of gravity for better manoeuvrability. It is also lightweight, with most of the weight in the battery

Makita DBO180Z 18V li-ion Random Orbit Sander Bare Unit

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£94.93

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• OR pay in 3 installments of £31.64* with Klarna

4. Organise your tools

Do you find drill bits in places you shouldn't? No, not where you're thinking (you animals). We're talking on the floor, scattered across your desk, on the dining table...? Time to get organised, then! At UK Planet Tools, we offer a wide range of tool bags and tool boxes that are ideal for storing your tools and accessories, so you can keep everything together instead of making it a guessing game when you need a certain drill bit. So, what'll it be?

​Do you have your heart set on a toolbox or a tool bag? If you're organising your household tools, the UPT-4026 TOUGH MASTER® Tool Box / Tool Chest should do it. This tool chest has incredible features: Safe, secure design: Two strong metal latches flip open/clip shut to keep the box securely closed; add your own lock to any of the 4 lid's padlock eyes for extra security Easy transport: The Tool Box's light weight, extendable metal pull handle and 17cm-diameter wheels ensure easy movement, while the extendable metal pull handle has a rubberised grip Ample storage space: This toolbox is designed to have loads of space for all of your gear. And for all those little components, there's a handy tote tray that fits inside at the top of the tool chest

TOUGH MASTER® Tool Box / Tool Chest 28" on wheels with tool tote tray lockable

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£46.19

Inc VAT each. Price subject to change.

• OR pay in 3 installments of £15.39* with Klarna

5. Upcycle furniture

If you've ever seen your parents' hoarding stash, you'll know that over time, things just go out of fashion. Anything bought before this century is either extremely questionable or considered 'vintage' by the kids. This logic also applies to furniture. You might have a sofa that has seen its day or a set of chairs not seen in households since the '80s. But if you upcycle, you can turn your old furniture into something à la mode with a simple paint job. Try it!

​Bring your old bedside tables, chest of drawers, wardrobes and more back to life using the TOUGH MASTER® TM-PTS17 Paint Tool Set. This set has the whole package: Comprehensive set: This Paint Tool Set has 17 pieces in total, with paint rollers and a paint brush set to revamp your bedroom walls, touch up your old, chipping furniture, and so much more Professional quality: The roller brushes in this decorating set are made of foam and polyester sponge, which has a high tensile force, can absorb paint well, and gives an even coat Durable handles: The handles for the rollers in this professional paint roller and tray set come in 2 sizes: 4 and 9 inches, and are made from high-strength plastic that is scratch- and crack-proof

TOUGH MASTER® Paint Tool Set Professional Paint Roller and Tray Decorating Kit with Paint Brush Set, Paint Rollers for Walls and Ceilings - 17 Pieces (TM-PTS17)

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£7.69

Inc VAT each. Price subject to change.

• OR pay in 3 installments of £2.56* with Klarna