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.
Appliances
Here you'll find the answers to your questions about household appliances -- including toilets, hot water heaters, central vacuum systems, washing machines & dryers, kitchen appliances, grills, and more. Our firsthand experiences and personal tips for buying (and fixing) common appliances in your home.
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.
Toilet Flush Ratings: Making Sense Of Maximum Performance (MaP) Toilet Ratings
Toilet flush ratings are no laughing matter. They really are important when choosing the best toilet that is energy-efficient and flushes (your business) like nobody’s business! Here’s what to look for in Maximum Performance (MaP) toilet flush ratings. I’ll explain how a MaP rating is verified and how they put toilets to the test.
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.
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.
How To Find Appliance Rebates & Home Energy Tax Incentives In Your Area
Finding out if a new appliance has a rebate from a government source is easier than ever. An Energy Star rating doesn’t mean it’s eligible for a rebate, but there is no sense in leaving money on the table, now is there?
Cheap Building Materials: How To Get Contractors Discounts On Building Materials For Your New Home Or Remodeling Project
Wondering how to get your hands on cheap building materials for your home remodel or new home? Construction materials are expensive, but I’ve got a few ways for you to save big bucks when remodeling or building a house on a budget. Hint: You don’t have to be a contractor to get the contractor discount!
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.
A Preventative Home Maintenance Checklist For Fall
Here is a preventative maintenance checklist (for inside your home AND outside your home) for the Fall season. Tips for saving money on your home heating bills, too!
Ceiling Fan Guide: 4 Things You Need To Know Before Buying Ceiling Fans For Your Home
Ceiling fans vs whole house fans – Here’s everything you need to know about ceiling fans & how to choose the right one for each room in your house.
7 Clever Home Remodeling Tips To Save Money
I asked family & friends for their cost-cutting home remodeling ideas. I combined those with my own tips to create this list of 7 money-saving remodeling tips.
DIY Kitchen Remodel: How I Remodeled My Kitchen For Less Than $2,000
I completed my own kitchen remodel on a tight budget using these easy,typically unknown, tips — and so can you. A $2,000 DIY kitchen remodel made easy!
Our Samsung Washing Machine Reviews
In the market for a new washing machine? There are a few good models out there, but the Samsung WA5451ANW/XAA stood out to us for several reasons. See why.
Energy Efficient Washers: How To Choose The Best Washing Machine
These days energy efficient washing machines are very popular. You can save some money and be mindful of the environment as well. Here’s what I’ve found out about my energy efficient washer — some have Energy Star-ratings and others have CEE Tier ratings. I’ve provided full explanations of these rating systems and simplified the info for you.
I’m Fed Up With My Kenmore Elite He3t Washing Machine Problems!
If you have a Kenmore Elite H3 Washer that sounds like rocks rolling around in the spin cycle, you need to read this. It’s a difficult & expensive repair! Mine also consistently had problems with the door lock. I will outline the repairs for these issues and share a lot of reviews of this particular Kenmore washing machine so if you’re making a buying decision, read this first!
How To Apply Liquid Stainless Steel Paint For DIY Stainless Steel Appliances
Update your old appliances with liquid stainless steel paint! It’s an excellent way to stretch your budget while giving your appliances a facelift.
Charcoal vs Gas Grills: Which Is The Best Grill To Buy?
Wondering about the best grill to buy? Your first decision needs to be whether you’ll buy a gas grill or a charcoal grill. Here are some of the unique differences between the two.
DIY Washing Machine Repair: How To Replace The Door Latch On A Washer
Washing machine repair is probably just a telephone call away for most homeowners but if you are the DIY type, like me, you’ll give it a shot to see if you can make the repair on your own. I replaced the door latch on my Kenmore Elite washing machine and pocketed the savings. Here are all of the steps I took and the step by step results… and some tips on how to avoid some common issues that sometimes arise during a washing machine repair.
Pros & Cons of Liquid Stainless Steel
There are lots of opinions about liquid stainless steel and this list is the only Pros & Cons list you’ll need. Updating your major kitchen appliances to stainless steel for a more modern look can drain your bank account… until now. Save thousands of dollars and paint your (working) old appliances with liquid stainless steel for $150 total on average. Maybe you can finally take that vacation to Tahiti with the money you’ll save.
Considerations Regarding Magnetic Induction Cooktops
Thinking about going all out and buying a magnetic induction cooktop. Things you should know before taking the plunge by buying the most innovative cooking appliance on the market (and the most expensive).
Ultra-High Tech Refrigerated Wall Oven is a Marvel of Engineering
Refrigerated wall ovens, by Connect IO, are one of the most intelligent kitchen appliances ever engineered. Operates via standard touchtone phone or internet browser from anywhere on planet Earth. it also has a user-friendly touch screen interface to get the ball rolling.
Kitchen Expert Paul Ryan Offers Practical Advice On Range Vent Hoods & Downdraft Ventilation
Paul Ryan of DIY’s Kitchen Renovations offers some advice to homeowners regarding getting the biggest bang for the buck when deciding what to do for a kitchen renovation.
Why We Chose A Natural Gas Range vs Electric
Why buy a natural gas stove versus electric? I have a few different reasons why we went with natural gas and my reasons just may surprise you. I’ve provided Iinks to some great sites to help you make your decision. Gas or Electric? Which brand to choose? You may have many questions to be answered before you decide.
Is It Time To Replace Any of The Major Components and/or Systems In Your Home?
The components and systems in your home have a definitive life expectancy. As you may have thought, sooner or later you will need to replace minor/major components and systems as the years go by. Noone ever said owning a home was inexpensive. Noone that had any intention of keeping his/her home in good running order anyway. I’ve selected quite a few great links to help you make wise decisions when the time comes to sink some cash into your personal fortress.
A Great Kitchen Featuring Jenn Air And A Walk-In Pantry
The kitchen in this home consists of all stainless steel JennAir appliances. The overall design is great as it includes a walk-in pantry, an island and a kitchen desk. It is also open to a keeping room with a fireplace and it looks onto the backyard. If you aren’t much of a cook, this kitchen may entice you to spend a little more time honing your culinary skills.
