FAQ
Questions and answers
Here are the questions that usually come up when someone decides to think through an apartment, a house or a plot on their own: who we are, where to start, what you can do yourself, and where it is time to stop and call a professional.
If you are not sure whether you can do it yourself, ask first and pick up the tool later.
About this reference
Is Mydiz connected with the previous website on this domain?
No. The domain was once used by a different website, and later unrelated spam pages appeared on it. Their content has not survived and we do not restore it; the name of this reference simply comes with the domain.
Do you take design commissions?
No. Mydiz is not a design studio or a firm. We do not take orders, visit sites or sell anything; we explain how to think through your home and garden on your own.
Why don't you recommend specific products?
We write about principles that apply to any home. Specific materials and furniture are best chosen based on your own plan, light and habits.
Can I suggest a topic?
Yes, readers' questions help us decide what to write about next. The topics already in progress are listed in the Materials section.
Designing your own home
Where do I start if I want to change everything?
With a measured plan and an honest description of how you use the room. Then a mood board and a layout on paper, with shopping at the very end.
How do I choose a wall color?
Put swatches on different walls of the room and look at them in the morning, afternoon and evening. The same shade looks different in a north-facing room and a south-facing one.
Can I move an outlet or a light fixture myself?
Electrical work is best left to an electrician. You can work out where you need outlets and lights and mark them on the plan, and a professional will run the wiring.
Why is fresh paint a concern?
Paints and varnishes give off odors and fumes while they dry. Follow the manufacturer's instructions, ventilate the room and do not leave children or pets in it.
The garden and safety
Do I need to check anything before digging?
Yes. Before any digging, find out where underground cables, pipes and drainage run. If there is no plan of them, ask a specialist.
How do I make a pond safe for children?
If you have small children, it is safer to skip open water or put up a sturdy fence. Children should be near water only under adult supervision.
Why do plants crowd each other out after a few years?
They were planted according to the size of the young plant. Choose plants with the light, the soil and their mature size in mind, and leave room for them to grow.
When do I need a landscape designer or a land surveyor?
When the plot has difficult terrain or damp spots, when you need an accurate boundary survey, or when you are planning major earthworks and retaining walls.
Read next
- How-to
How to draw a measured floor plan of a room, put together a mood board and lay out a garden path.
- Planning
Stages from idea to works: the plan, a rough budget, the order of works and agreements with a contractor.
- Plot planning
Archived address: how to plan your own plot, with zones, paths, flower beds, a rock garden and a pond.
What we rely on
- Manufacturers' instructions for materials and equipment
- Building management rules and local remodeling regulations
- Mydiz editorial materials
The advice in this reference is general and based on material manufacturers' instructions and widely accepted safety rules for the home and garden. Check paint composition, installation methods and work requirements in the instructions for the specific material and with your building management, and leave electrical work, remodeling and complex installation to professionals.