Filed under: Your Home, Projects, Fun Stuff
Maybe your husband has DIY phobia...or maybe it's just apathy. Either way, Carter Oosterhouse is here to get him into gear.Growing up, your dad could fix anything. Broken toilet? With a wrench, a string of curse words and a few hours, dad could make it good as new. So when you started living with a man, you expected him to have the same penchant for do-it-yourself repairs, right? Not so much. "It's amazing today how many guys -- even my friends -- don't know how to do things around the house," says Carter Oosterhouse, the television carpenter (and total hottie) best known for his HGTV series Carter Can. " I always find myself saying, 'You really you don't' know how to do that?' And all because they're so used to picking up the phone and calling somebody."
But all hope is not lost. If you want your lazy husband to be more handy around the house, follow these easy tips.
No, this article doesn't tell you how to get your husband to look like Carter. Sorry. Photo: Ketchum.
Lazy Husband-to-Handyman Step 1: Buy Him a Hammer
"Guys love tools," says Oosterhouse. "Giving tools as gifts is a great way to get them interested in working with their hands. But work slow. Start out with a tape measure and maybe a hammer... then work your way up to a power drill or a saw. "
"Guys love tools," says Oosterhouse. "Giving tools as gifts is a great way to get them interested in working with their hands. But work slow. Start out with a tape measure and maybe a hammer... then work your way up to a power drill or a saw. "
Lazy Husband-to-Handyman Step 2: Watch DIY Shows Together
They're not only inspirational, but they make home repair look fun, and take the intimidation aspect out of it. "I've been watching Bob Vila forever," he says. "It's such a simple way to learn different tips and tricks -- and so fast, too."
Lazy Husband-to-Handyman Step Step 3: Bribe Him
Cook his favorite meal or offer up a back rub for when he's done working. "lf my girlfriend's cooking me food, it goes a long way," says Oosterhouse. Reciprocation is everything.
Lazy Husband-to-Handyman Step 4: Do It Yourself
Women are just as capable as guys of home improvement. "It's fun to empower a woman to take on a project that she may have not done otherwise," he says. Not to mention there are a ton of tools on the market that are ergonomically correct and better form-fitting for females than males. "They're easier to use because they're typically lightweight, and not as big and bulky," he says. So grab your hammer and demo a wall, while your man cooks you dinner.
Now: For all the men out there, check out what Carter has to say about
For more great home repair and do-it-yourself tips, check out Carter's latest Green-It-Yourself webisodes.
And for more DIY stories check out:
Looking for Cheap Tools? A New Way to Get a Bargain
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DIY Solar Projects You Can Do Today
Renewing Butcher Block Countertop