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Keeping Racks Organized

The items that we often store in our pantries aren’t always conducive to keeping shelves neatly packed. Bagged foods such as potato chips and sauce mixes have a tendency to fall through wire rack units and otherwise fall all over each other. For this reason baskets are such a great idea for keeping pantries organized.

They allow you to keep smaller items that normally would have to be stuffed into an inconvenient spot in a cabinet organized and stored in a place that makes sense. Another great solution for keeping your racks organized is using plastic storage containers. The taller varieties meant for cereal leave more space in the pantry for other items than several cereal boxes stuffed together would allow and the smaller containers can be easily stacked on top of one another to conserve space.

Door Storage

An oft forgotten space in every room is the back of the doors. There are plenty of storage solutions made specifically to be hung over closet and pantry doors, offering you a vast array of new places to hang, stuff and store those little items that don’t seem to have a clear home. In pantries door storage offers a great place to store canned goods, items in jars, spices, etc.

Don’t feel you need the extra space for food? By hanging a cork or dry erase board or with a little chalk board paint you can turn your once unused pantry door into a small family scheduling space that’s easily accessible to all of the members of your family.

With just a few small changes you can turn the most disorganized and harried pantry into a proper (and much more peaceful) place to store your food. No matter how much or how little space you have available in your pantry disorganization can make it all seem cramped.

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Think Up!

We often get discouraged when we look at a small space in terms of it’s length or width. You begin looking around the room trying to figure out where you could stuff one more basket or storage container. An easy solution to small bathroom storage is tower organizers and shelving that can be hung on the wall. By utilizing not just your floor space but also your walls and the backs of doors you can easily organize all of your supplies without fear of tripping and breaking your neck every morning.

Going Under

Even the smallest vanities can be transformed into an oasis for hair care products and other supplies. A simple under-vanity two drawer unit can completely change your storage possibilities. And as long as you’re storing items under the vanity don’t forget to use the interior of the cabinet doors. There are a number of over-the-door racks that can be utilized beneath a vanity to offer an easy hiding place for straighteners, blow dryers, curling irons and other supplies that would normally wreak havoc on the top of your vanity. This will offer a neater solution for storing these items that keeps them off of the vanity top and out of your way when they’re not in use. 

With just a few storage units and the right supplies you can quickly and with relatively little expense enjoy a much neater and better organized bathroom.

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Nice, right?! With the right infusion of scents and colors you can bring that sense of fresh renewal into your home this season.

Bring on the Color

If you think about it each season has it’s own destinct color pattern, mostly inspired by Mother Nature herself. Winter is definitely blue, white and silvers. Spring would be greens, pinks, and other soft shades. But fall has arguably the most destinct and diverse color pallet of all the seasons.

Consider the changes in the trees alone. Reds, yellow, orange, brown, etc. In order to truly infuse your home with the feel of autumn you’ll need to bring these colors into play. Does that mean you should paint your living room a temporary burnt orange? Absolutely not. But adding a new table cloth and centerpiece to your dining room or putting out some aptly colored candles throughout your home is enough to invite Mother Nature right in for a visit.

Smell: The Essential

You can add all the color that you want, but until you really bring smell into the equation your fall transformation will never be complete. Consider the holidays of fall: Halloween, Thanksgiving, and finally (and somewhat arguably removed more toward winter in most climate zones) Christmas.

Imagine the smells that you associate with these holidays and you’ve got your aromatic targets for a fall home. Pumpkin, apples, spice, cinnamon, pine needles- these are all smells commonly associated with fall. Many of them are a homey, rich scent that should remind you of, essentially, food. Fortunately you don’t have to spend your days baking away in an effort to infuse your home with these smells, just check out the infamous Yankee Candle Company and see what they offer by way of fall scents.

Fall isn’t just a reprieve from the sweltering heat of summer right before the chilling frost of winter. It’s a season filled with holidays that invoke family gatherings and hopefully a feeling of warmth and comfort. What better nature-inspired concept to bring into your home could there be? 

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For those looking for an alternative to the expense of constructing a privacy fence, consider using shrubbery to create a natural barrier.

Before you spring for a landscaper and some expensive foliage there are a few things to consider, however. First you’ll want to think about what height and width you’d like for your barrier plants to be. For instance if you live in close quarters with your neighbours and some of them have elevated decks that overlook your backyard you’ll probably want some shrubbery that grows to be high enough to eliminate their view.

Second, consider what grows best in your climate. If you’re using a professional landscaper to help you install the shrubbery they’re sure to know what types of foliage do best in your climate and provide the best cover year round. If you live in a climate that allows for outdoor entertaining year round it would be best if you didn’t choose a tree or shrub that loses most of it’s foliage during the winter. On that note, if you’ll only be utilizing your outdoor spaces (and therefore need your privacy) during specific seasons of the year you might choose some more aromatic or aesthetically pleasing shrubbery to add some décor to your outdoor space.

Finally you’ll want to consider how much maintenance you want to put into your shrubs. Some bushes might require more pruning than others not only to help them grow but throughout their lives. If you’re not looking to drastically increase your lawn workload you may want to choose shrubbery that requires little or no maintenance in order to thrive.

Naturally the best way to make these decisions would probably to consult with a professional landscaper. Any landscaper worth their salt should have a working knowledge of which plants will work best for your specific criteria. They’ll also be able to handle planting the shrubbery in the appropriate distance from one another and in instances where you’ll be installing more mature bushes they have the equipment and man power for the installation which you as a homeowner might lack. If you’d like to go it alone, however, check out the useful articles here and here.  Both contain a wealth of information regarding choosing and planting shrubbery for privacy purposes.

Using shrubbery to create a natural privacy barrier on your property is not only cheaper than installing a more traditional privacy fence or wall, it’s better for the environment and more aesthetically pleasing. By choosing the right shrubbery for your needs you can enjoy increased privacy from your neighbors with little maintenance and minimal financial investment.

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Consider the following DIY projects that can be completed in 1-2 days, leaving that third day for rest.

Tile

Adding tile to a bathroom or kitchen can completely change the feel of the space and often has a positive impact on your home’s value. Updating with tile is one improvement that can easily be completed by even the slightest of handymen and it’s a great project for a weekend renewal. For areas such as kitchen backsplashes you can often purchase a kit, which makes the project optimally manageable and DIY-capable.

Backyard Revitalization 

In some climates Labor Day weekend is one of the last opportunities to enjoy your backyard and outdoor spaces. So a quick backyard revitalization could offer you the chance to transform your space on Saturday and Sunday and entertain by Monday.

Larger projects such as installing a deck or pouring a patio are probably not the best suited for enjoying the fruits of your labor in the same long weekend, especially if you’re not utilizing professional help. Fortunately there are plenty of smaller items that can make a big impact in a short amount of time. Some of those projects include building a permanent firepit, flagstone patio, building a gazebo from a kit, installing some new landscaping or lighting, etc.

You can make big changes to your home in a small time period with just a little know-how and the right tools. With proper planning and motivation you can update on Saturday and Sunday and enjoy some quiet time in your new space on Monday!

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There are many commonly picked items for repurposing as the trend catches steam ranging from milk jugs to antique windows. One of the most popular trash items for repurposing circulating the channels of Pinterest and DIY blogs alike is shipping pallets.

Functional Storage Uses

I don’t know about you, but a shipping pallet would be the last item that I could ever envision creating a useful household fixture from. Despite it’s useless appearance, however, the shipping pallet has been modified by various DIY aficionados to serve a number of useful purposes around the house and garden. Some storage uses for repurposed pallets include garden tool storage, wine rack, china display, hanging shelving unit, and many others.

Furnishings

Of all of the potential uses of a shipping pallet furniture seems to be the most varied and common. Due to the sturdy and flat nature of the pallet it can easily be cut and manipulated to form a variety of basic furniture shapes, including but certainly not limited to coffee tables, daybeds, lounge chairs, bed frames, porch swings, kitchen islands, window seating, mud room benches, etc. With just a few hinges, nails, some paint and depending on your chosen function some cushions you can take a worthless and inexpensive piece of trash and create a rustic and functional home furnishing.

Repurposing offers a way for you to not only create unique and beautiful pieces for very little expense but also to help the environment by recycling items that would otherwise necessitate cutting down more trees or using other resources to supply the same result.

Stoke The Fires 

If your climate allows outdoor entertaining throughout the year you know that every season brings with it it’s own outdoor pleasures. In particularly the fall is a welcome cool down for most and the enthusiasm for being outdoors that wanes in the extreme heat of late summer is often renewed. Nothing makes a cool weather gathering like a nice fire. This is one improvement that you can bring to your patio or deck that requires only a small expense if done correctly, or you can opt for a more elaborate outdoor grill or fire pit that is a permanent addition and naturally necessitates a bit more cash. And because so many buyers are looking for a unique and outstanding outdoor entertaining space these days you can probably expect a good return on the investment. For outdoor grill or fire pit ideas visit HGTV.

Increase Your Lighting 

As the temperature drops the days grow shorter. This means that some of your late evening dinners that were once basked in a cool sunset glow will not enjoy the benefit of natural lighting. So increasing your outdoor lighting will help you to continue enjoying your patio late into the evenings without struggling to see your guests. This can be accomplished by installing either a simple string of outdoor lights or you can truly accessorize your space with trendy outdoor lighting that mimics that styles you might expect to see indoors. For more lighting ideas visit HGTV.

Improving your outdoor spaces in ways that encourage entertaining is like adding square footage to your home. With these and other tips you can enjoy these extra areas well into the fall.

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Kitchen and Bath Renovations

Although spending your Saturday and Sunday working away on your home after a long week of work probably doesn’t sound enticing just think of the joy of making coffee in a revived kitchen on Monday morning. Or taking your first shower of the week in a freshly tiled shower. It’s often possible to complete some kitchen and bathroom renovations such as tile work in a couple of days. You can easily install a nice tile backsplash or install a new vanity and mirror in the space of a Saturday. Check out this article on installing a tile backsplash.

Put the Great Back in Your Outdoors

You outdoor spaces are some of the easiest and fastest places to make a big impact. Some outdoor projects that take only a day or two to complete include making a raised flower bed, painting your front door or porch a new and trendy color, changing dated outdoor light fixtures, refinishing a deck or porch, building a deck or porch (if you’re fairly skilled in this type of work already or have the help of someone who is), adding an awning or pergola to your back patio, installing a fire pit or laying a stone patio or pathway and many others. In just a few hours you can enjoy a completely new feel to your outdoor spaces.

Other Interior Projects

Of course your kitchen and bathrooms aren’t the only places that you can make a big change in just a weekend. Tired of your tired living room? Give it a new paint job. Painting a whole room or even just an accent wall can easily be completed in two days from taping to re-hanging tapestries and can change the entire feel of your space. Need to revive your hardwood flooring? Refinishing a room or two can be done quickly and have you enjoying sparkling floors by Monday night football.

While making improvements to your property certainly is not the most relaxing way to spend a weekend it can be very rewarding. With a the right tools and a little know-how there are plenty of quick projects that you can complete in just a few hours that will leave your home with a whole new look and feel.

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One feature of rental life that most tenants do not find appealing, however, is the lack of ability to make your space your own. Fortunately with some temporary solutions you can at least bring more color to your rental property without endangering your deposit.

Temporary Wallpaper

One of my personal favorite recent introductions to the home improvement industry is temporary wallpaper. This removable and versatile wallpaper comes in a wide variety of trendy patterns, colors and designs that make the sky the limit with respect to decorating options. Simply choose a style that works for you, order online or in a local retailer if you should be so fortunate as to have one near you and prepare to personalize your space.

Installation is simple and this type of wallpaper can be used on any clean surface, even on the ceiling. Once you’re ready to move simply peel the temporary wallpaper off and wash the wall or surface where it had been hung.

Accentuate Lightly

If you’re looking for a more subtle color infusion you might consider painting a smaller space than the entire room, such as an accent wall or the ceiling. This way you bring in an infusion of color without having to commit to the task of repainting an entire room when you get ready to move. This not only saves you time but also money as well.

If you’re still not comfortable with the idea of painting at all you might consider letting your furniture and accent pieces do the work. Bringing in brightly colored pieces of furniture or shelving can add bursts of color throughout the room that you simply take with you when you go.

Just because you’re not ready to own a home of your own just yet doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy a personalized space that reflects your taste in the meantime. With these and other temporary, non-committal fixes you can infuse your space with personality without exposing yourself to the headache of repainting before you move. Because as all renters and homeowners alike know moving is headache enough.

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Making The Master Masterful

The master suite isn’t really sweet without an en-suite. In particularly for those who own an older home many master bedrooms weren’t originally designed with a bathroom, and those that were often got a measly half bath. For today’s homebuyer in many markets a half bath can be considered sufficient while in other markets this simply wouldn’t do.

Before making costly changes check with a local REALTOR® to see what master bathroom features are trending in your area. If it is customary for homes in your area to have an en-suite you may want to consider adding one if your home is lacking that feature as this can be a huge turnoff for buyers. Fortunately bathroom improvements often carry a good rate of return so you’ll not only increase your home’s appeal to buyers but also increase your value.

Small Changes with BIG Impact

Many bathrooms suffer from dating in two key ways: wallpaper and old fixtures. If your bathroom suffers from wallpaper circa 1992 coupled with some nice gold fixtures chances are that it won’t be a top selling feature with buyers. By simply stripping the wallpaper and repainting the walls in a more neutral color you’ll move mountains. Fixtures such as drawer/cabinet pulls, towel rods, water faucets and lighting implements can be purchased for just a few hundred dollars. Adding some storage to a smaller bathroom is also a great way to maximize the space and buyer appeal.

Just remember that bathrooms are an important room to homebuyers. Updating or increasing this space not only increases your home’s value, it also gives it an edge on competing properties on the market.