Category Archives: DIY

5 Options for Financing Your Home Improvement Project

home improvement project planning with a hammer, protractor, and small house over floorplans
Home renovations can be costly, but there are several ways to finance them.

Home improvement is often a costly expense, but it is often necessary, especially if there are damages in your home that need to be fixed. Improving your property does not only come when you want to update its appearance. Sometimes, you need to do it for maintenance purposes.

If you find yourself in a situation where work is needed but you do not have enough money to facilitate it, research and consider the following options for financing home improvement projects:

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Finding the perfect hammock for summer relaxation

With the right hammock, your outdoor space can become a relaxing retreat!

There is nothing like enjoying a summer breeze on a beautiful day. So, why not relax in a hammock? They do not require any special skills or tools to set up and come in a lot of different styles and colors. Plus, they are environmentally friendly. However, we have all seen the hammock disaster videos online, and you may find yourself apprehensive to try out this classic summer trend. Do not worry! Setting up and enjoying a hammock is a lot easier than it seems. Read on for tips to help you select and hang your perfect hammock for summer-long relaxation.

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Creating an easy-breezy backyard oasis

tropically decorated backyard patio with grass roof
A tropical oasis, right outside the back door.

Are you pumped for summer but not for the backyard prep? We have you covered! Embracing the season should be anything but stressful. Here are some ways to fast-track your backyard for summer poolside vibes and serious relaxation.

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Building Your Own High-Performance Gym on a Budget

Ever since the Covid-19 outbreak, home gyms are becoming increasingly popular. In fact, people are finding out that they like home gyms more. As per a study, nine out of 10 Americans who work out on a daily basis reported that they would continue exercising at home even after they feel comfortable about going back to a gym in the future.

But let’s be honest. Building a home gym can be quite costly. However, if you know when and what equipment to buy, you don’t need to pay a hefty $10,000 to buy your home gym equipment and stay strong and fit.

Here’s how to build a great home gym on a budget.

Purchase versatile equipment 

Unless you own a home with an extra large open space, you will be working with a limited area. Thus, buying versatile equipment will save you both money and space. For instance, you can buy folding squat racks. You can do a lot with the equipment, and it doesn’t take up much space.

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Creating Your Dream “She Shed”

Springtime is here, meaning more time spent outdoors and perfect weather for renovating or enhancing your backyard. During the last few years, homeowners have been getting creative, finding more ways to make their own personal oasis just right out their back door. One of these creative improvements is the “she” shed, a classic tools shed that is transformed into the homeowners own personalized shed meant for relaxation, girls night in or a space for hobbies and favorite activities. Let’s take a look at some tips for making the perfect “she” shed!

Renovating or Building

The first and most important decision you will have to make when making your shed is if you have a current building in place that can be renovated or if you will need to either order a shed “kit” that includes all the materials needed or hire a local builder. Each option will vary in effort and in price. Hiring a builder will most likely be the most spendy, but allows for customization at every part of the process. As for kits, there are lots of different sites that offer them but we recommend reading reviews before purchasing. Lastly, if you already have a shed you can save a lot of money by renovating it yourself! Putting in new flooring, purchasing new windows and a fresh coat of paint will have your shed looking brand new in no time.

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How to Change From Fall to Winter Decor

Looking to winterize your fall decor for the changing season? Here are a few tips to help you keep your personal style while adding some holiday cheer around the home!

Add Coziness

We all love to cozy up during the winter months whether it’s in the living room, den or your own bedroom. A great way to transition different rooms from summer to fall to winter is to add some layers for each season it gets a little colder. Quilted blankets and fluffy pillows give the room a cozy look and are great for chilly nights. Plus there are tons of fun holiday pillows that can add color and cheer to the furniture.

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Bountiful Fall Table Settings

Fall is full of beautiful colors, crisp air and bountiful tables, making it the perfect time to put together some fall table settings to enjoy the season.

Pumpkin Craze

We all know how pumpkins are the talk of the town when summer comes to an end. Not only are they great for cooking and carving, but they also make for great table decor. You can use real or fake pumpkins as a classic centerpiece that can also be made modern. Many people will buy small plastic pumpkins and paint them white, black or metallic, to match their own personality and give a unique twist on a traditional piece.

Crimson and Florals

We often see orange, red, brown or cream when it comes to fall, but the season is much more colorful than that! Try adding crimson floral pieces or crimson place settings to your table in order to give a richer feeling and stand out from the crowd. Crimson is also a great option because it can be paired with neutral and bright colors, depending on the atmosphere you are trying to create.

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Top 5 Dorm Decorating Tips

Your first year at college is one of the most exciting times in your life! Whether you are moving into the dorms at a nearby campus or moving across the country to try a new city, it’s important that you try to make your new home fit you and your new adventure. Of course, we all know dorms can be pretty tiny, plus you most likely will be sharing the space with another classmate. To be able to make the most of the room while staying comfy and productive, follow some of these tips for dorm decorating.

Color Theme

Just like with any space in a traditional home, you will want to think of a color scheme for your dorm. This will help you pick bedding, lamps, desk furniture and more. If you want a more simple look you can go with more neutral colors. If you have a more outgoing style, maybe a brighter color is better for you to liven up the space, such as yellow or bright blue. Can’t pick just one or two colors? Patterns are always a fun way to bring more personality into the room and can bring in several cohesive colors at once.

The Right Work Space

As much fun as it is to focus on the social aspect college life brings, it’s also important to remember…you’re there to learn! To make that easier and more efficient, you want to make sure you have a nice, neat work space in the dorm. Most dorms will provide you with a desk so don’t worry about having to buy one. But keep in mind, you will have to go out and find a comfy chair and a good lighting set up if that is not provided. Remember, you might be having to work with the lights off if your roommate is sleeping but you still have work to do, so lighting is very important.

Wall Mirror

A must-have accessory for dorm living is a wall mirror! There are plenty of affordable versions at any retail store that you can easily hang up on your door or hide in your closet and just take it out when needed. Most dorms only have shorter mirrors and most likely will be used by multiple people, so it can be difficult to get ready and be on time. With a wall mirror you can have a better view of your whole outfit and not have to worry about others’ schedules.

Photo Wall

Even if you go to a college closer to home, it’s easy to get home sick when you first move out and have to adjust to a new environment, all while meeting tons of new people and keeping up with coursework. A good way to bring some pieces of home with you and to remind you of the great support you have during stressful times is a photo wall. You can print out memorable moments with family and friends in different sizes or colors and hang them on one of your walls. This is also a much more affordable option when it comes to finding wall decor.

Hidden Storage

As mentioned before, dorms are small- no way getting around it. But there are so many options to make the most of small space and utilize hidden storage areas. The best option is always under your bed. There are different sized containers that are made to easily slide out from under the bed frame while keeping everything clean and organized. If your bed doesn’t allow for storage underneath, look to your closet and see if there’s anyway to reduce the amount of space your clothes use up, which will make room for more belongings.

Although you might not realize it now, that small dorm will become your home away from home and oasis. So no matter how you choose to decorate, just make sure you feel comfortable and it will all come together.

Creating A Movie Night Right at Home

Are you missing going to the movie theater? During a time when most of us are trying to stay home, you may be missing out on your favorite past times! You may not be able to go grab snacks and sit down in the theaters, but you can make your favorite snacks and binge classic films right in the comfort of your own home. Here’s some ways to make a backyard cinema you can enjoy with the whole family.

Large Backdrop

The first step to creating a great movie night is having the right place to watch your makeshift “big screen”. If you have a shed in your yard that may be the best backdrop since most do not have windows on the side walls. No shed? No worries! You can always use the backside of your own home. Just make sure there are no windows that could ruin the image of the movie due to lights turning on and off in the home or from the reflection.

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10 Matching Color Ideas to Brighten Your Home

Color is an essential tool when crafting any kind of interior design plan. Every room in the home should have at least two colors that offer something unexpected, interesting or harmonious. Modern interior decorators have come with lots of wonderful matching color ideas for home decoration throughout the seasons. Whether you are designing a new home or refreshing your current home, these color combos will make your rooms pop!

1. Magenta and Turquoise

This is one option for the homeowner who likes bold looks and isn’t afraid to make that clear. Magenta and turquoise both draw on the same side of the cool color wheel. Yet, they’re different shades and tones. When combined, the result is electric. This is a good choice for a room that needs lots of zing.

2. Cream and Terracotta

Soft cream and light terracotta orange are two colors that make any room feel soothing. Consider this one in your dining room to help guests relax and promote conversation. This is a good idea when you want something with a fresh feel yet comfortable.

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