Remodeling, Maintenance & Home Decor

Before you grab your toolbox and start making DIY repairs around the house -- stop. You need to see these home maintenance & remodeling ideas from fellow homeowners first! In addition to time- and money-saving home renovation ideas, this is where we're talking about 'optional items' that you might want to add to the house before or after you move in -- including home decor. See step-by-step instructions for all kinds of DIY home repairs, cool tools that would be nice to have when remodeling a home, reviews of clever new home gadgets, and interior & exterior home decorating ideas.

Jack And Jill Bathroom Doors Require Space

A word of advice to all DIY home builders, contractors, and home architects… be sure to make enough room so both of the Jack and Jill bathroom doors can be opened at the same time without banging into one another.

Before & After Photos Of My DIY Laundry Room Makeover With Lots Of Added Storage Space And Organization Cubbies

One of our first to-do projects in our new house was to create a happy laundry room. Yes, a laundry room which inspires one to want to “happily” do laundry. My new laundry room is 5×9.5 feet, has a great washer/dryer configuration, lots of storage for household cleaning items, a place to hang freshly laundered clothes, a big table area to fold clothes, and some music! See before & after photos + the details of how we tackled this DIY laundry room makeover.

10 Reasons You’ll Probably Want To Get A Central Vacuum System

Portable vacuum cleaners are better than ever these days, but a central vacuum system has the winning edge! See why… Here’s what I’ve learned about central vacs, including the cost and DIY installation info too.

Thinking Of Putting A Hot Tub Inside Your House? Pros & Cons Of Indoor Hot Tub Installation

Thinking of installing an indoor hot tub? At the very least, don’t do it yourself! Although an indoor hot tub gives you more privacy and fewer maintenance issues, you have to think about mold inside, weight capacities on your flooring, and the multitude of electrical and plumbing issues that could arise. Here are the pros and cons of indoor hot tub installation.

Sealing Granite Countertops 101: How To Tell If Granite Has Been Sealed, How To Remove Granite Stains, And How To Seal Granite

Wondering if you should use a granite sealer on your countertops? The short answer is: Yes! I’ll help you determine if your countertops need sealed right now or if you can wait awhile, whether to use a topical sealer or an impregnator sealer, how to seal granite countertops yourself, and how to remove stains from granite.

Choosing A Farmhouse Sink: 5 Important Things To Think About Before You Buy An Apron Front Sink

Buying a new kitchen sink? If you have a little bit of flexibility in the dimensions, capacity, and cost, then you might want to consider a farmhouse sink (aka an apron front sink). But before you do, here are the 5 most important things to think about when choosing a farmhouse kitchen sink.

How To Keep Your Condensate Line Flowing Freely: Easy Steps To Clean & Clear A Clogged Condensate Drain Line

Save money by reading this before you call an HVAC professional — because keeping your condensate drain line clean and clog-free is easier than you think! Follow these simple steps to maintain your HVAC system’s condensate line — whether you have a gravity flow line (like most people do – including myself) or an a/c condensate pump (like I recently installed).

Installing A Gas Range Where An Electric Range Once Stood Can Be Challenging! (Trust Me… I Did It)

Converting a 220V hardwired connection into a 110V standard plug when you install a gas stove is best left to a trained professional, but you can see here how it’s done first. Here’s my gas stove installation story — including 3 setbacks that I encountered while installing a gas range in my kitchen.

Using A Sanding Sponge For DIY Home Projects – Here’s How & When To Use A Sandpaper Sponge

If you typically tackle DIY projects around the house such as painting and woodwork, I’ll show you why you should make a (really) small investment in a sanding sponge. It’s an invaluable little tool that lives up to its reputation as a “can’t do without” item that a DIY homeowner shouldn’t be without. See how to use a sandpaper sponge for sanding wood, paint, metal, and drywall.

How To Cover A Concrete Cinder Block Wall

Concrete cinder block walls are sturdy and easy to build, but can often be unattractive when compared with the rest of your home. By covering a cinder block wall with surface bonding cement, you can increase the water resistance of the wall as well as the durability while creating a uniform surface that will blend with most architectural styles.

House Siding 101: Why I Chose Fiber Cement Siding + Some Things You Probably Don’t Know About Cement Fiber Siding

As a siding contractor, I help homeowners choose the best siding for their homes on a daily basis. But I first became a fan of fiber cement siding as a homeowner myself researching house siding options. Here’s a list of the pros & cons of cement fiber siding, and some things you probably didn’t know about this type of siding. See why it’s so popular.

Smart Home DIY: How To Install A Keyless Door Lock Yourself + 5 Reasons Your Family Is Going To Love Smart Door Locks

I installed a Kevo smart door lock in my home, and I can tell you it’s been a real game changer for my family! Here are some of the features of smart door locks that could be useful for your family, how to install a smart door lock yourself, and the many ways to unlock a smart lock that you and your kids are going to love.

DIY Garage Door Repair vs. Professional Garage Door Repair: 6 Reasons Why You Probably Won’t Be Able To DIY It

Have a broken garage door? Should you try DIY garage door repair or call a professional? Here are the 10 most common reasons your garage door isn’t working, which ones you can tackle yourself, and when it’s time to call for professional garage door repair. Find out here if you have the right tools, the time, or the knowledge to take on this repair project yourself.

Need A New Water Heater? (Us, Too.) See The Hot Water Heater Rental Cost vs. The Cost Of Buying A New One

Did you know that you can rent a water heater, as opposed to paying full price for the installation of a brand new one? See if renting a water heater is better than buying one – based on the hot water heater rental cost compared to the cost of buying a new water heater. See the pros & cons of each, as well.

3 Ways To Cut Cast Iron Pipe For DIY Plumbing Repair Projects

Knowing how to cut cast iron pipe is essential for do it yourself plumbing repair projects. There are basically 3 ways to get the job done: a hacksaw, a cold chisel, or a snap cutter. See which one is BEST for cutting cast iron pipe.

Using Tin Ceiling Tiles vs. Tin Roofing Inside Your Home: Tips For Installing Tin Ceiling Tiles Yourself + Tin Ceiling Cost Factors

What you put on the ceiling is just as important as what you put on the walls. Used in the right room with the right accents, things like vinyl, aluminum, Styrofoam, and tin ceiling tiles can add a stunning punch that’s different from the other rooms in your home! Here’s what real ceiling tiles and faux ceiling tiles are like, how much tin ceiling tiles cost, and the steps for installing tin ceiling tiles yourself.

Thinking Of Installing A Pocket Door? Here Are The Pros And Cons Of Pocket Doors + Simple Pocket Door Installation Tips

Before installing a pocket door, read these helpful tips. Pocket doors are great, but they have their limitations too. We’re putting some in our home, but we were unable to use a pocket door in the bathroom like we wanted to.

How To Give Your Old Appliances A Sharp, New Look Using Stainless Steel Paint

You can use stainless steel paint to update an old appliance and make it look like a brand new (stainless steel) model! We tried it. Here’s our review of the process and how it turned out. It was actually fun and easy to do and I’ve shared a ton of pics, tips, and tricks to make your experience even easier.

How To Spackle And Sand Walls For A Smooth Finish: DIY Drywall Repair

Ready for some DIY drywall repair? Drywall spackle and sanding tools are important to get the job done and I’ve included my best tips to do it yourself!

5 Eco-Friendly Ways To Remove Paint With Non Toxic Paint Removers & Paint Stripping Techniques

Don’t want to harm yourself or the environment when painting? Consider these non toxic paint remover ideas if you’re concerned about using eco friendly ways to remove paint. Soy gels, boiling water with baking soda and 3 other eco friendly paint removers.

How To Remove Paint From Windows Quick And Easy: 3 DIY Steps To Remove Paint From Glass

DIY paint project leave you wanting to know how to remove paint from glass windows? 3 easy-to-follow and fast ways for stripping paint from your windows. Quick and easy instructions to remove paint from windows yourself.

How To Repair Screeching Faucet Problems: My DIY Kitchen Faucet Repair Tips

Got screeching faucet problems? Here are the 5 main causes of faucet problems, plus photos and the steps I used to do my own kitchen faucet repair. You can too – It’s DIY time! Still think you need a plumber? I’ve got tips before you hire a plumber for more serious issues as well.