Posts with tag 'Home Improvement'

The warmer weather is finally here and we have some ideas to help with spring gardening and planting. As a home owner, it's important to know that the outside can be just as important as the inside.

First step is protecting those hands. It is best to wear some type of gardening glove but when a task requires getting in there with your hands one secret is to sink your fingernails into a bar of soap. This will basically prevent dirt from collecting underneath the nails and then once complete take a brush and you can wash your nails clean.

What about your pots? Any of those made of clay and have salt buildup from the winter? An easy way to remove the deposits of salt is to combine equal parts white vinegar and rubbing alcohol and water in a spray bottle.  Spray and scrub and allow pots to dry before planting anything. Clay pots can also provide good protections for young plants from frosts and freezes. Another good use for clay pots are using them for hose guides. Simp...

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With all of this winter weather, it's a great time to think about spring and home projects to beat the snowy blues! But, let's take the ideas outside. With better weather on the way, here are some great ideas for outdoor projects around the home.

One of the most popular ideas is to turn a patio or deck into a comfortable outdoor living. With that being said, it's important to consider color outside. Neutral tones have a tendency to blend in with the outside and black can become very hot to sit or lay on when in direct sunlight. Think about brighter tones like reds, yellows and greens for chairs, cushions and tables that will bring a splash of fun to any outdoor area.  You can also add outdoor lights and paper lanterns in bright colors as well. 

Lights don't have to be added just because there is a special occasion – they can really bring character and warmth to an outdoor living area.  Also, it can make an outdoor area safer by providing lighting for any family,...

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Spring will be here soon and so will that list of looming home projects. Some of these may be do it yourself tasks but others may require the assistance of a professional. So, with that said, it may be time to select a contractor. This may seem like a pretty simple task but in reality, picking a contractor can be a big decision.

How do you pick a good contractor? Probably the best way to pick one is to pick one when you don't need them. That's right. When you don't. This way you have time to research, gather references and ask all of the right questions before being in an emergency situation where you really need one or you waited too late to start contacting.

DON'T pick someone out of the phonebook. DO take recommendations from friends, family and neighbors. It may be a good idea to talk to others who have done similar projects to their homes and ask who they used and what their overall opinion was of the contractor and the work performed.

DO interview the c...

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If you are on the Internet, chances are you are already on Pinterest or you at least have seen Pinterest.  It is one of the fastest growing sites and serves as an electronic bulletin board where users or "pinners" can organize ideas and information by subject. Everything from recipes, fashion, beauty and even information about books and movies is housed on this site. 

According to MSNBC, Home is the number one category of pins on Pinterest.  Many homeowners feel that this is a great source of information for home projects and research.  Much like looking through books and magazines, Pinterest serves as a valuable resource for planning home improvement and organization projects.

By pinning various ideas and making an electronic wish list of sorts, homeowners can communicate this to contractors and architects and even include the smallest details.  There is such a variety of information on Pinterest and it can even be broken down by home style and is searchable. A...

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It's a new year and this can mean lots of changes. For many of us, redecorating is a major project at the top of the to-do list. However, this can mean big money and not all of have the resources for a major remodel – which can cost on average close to $20,000. In addition, some owners might not want to spend the money simply because they don't want to invest in something that might not sell in the future. For many homeowners, simple is better.

These days, there are a lot of great ideas out there on how to improve kitchen space for minimal cost. Magazines, television and even home improvement stores offer lots of ideas and advice to making some changes. 

Here are some ideas that can help jump start your kitchen renovation and still leave some money in your pocket. 

• Painting is the most cost effective way to bring about change in a room. What color is best? Take a look around and evaluate what the primary colors are what is most likely to stay and h...

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