Summer Outdoor Living Ideas

Photo via Etsy.com/shop/Leonscreativememorie

Summer is around the corner. Are you ready to get the most out of the season? There are so many things—some little, some bigger—you can do to enhance your summer enjoyment at your home. What improvements can you make beyond the obvious things like increasing the time on the Slip ‘n Slide and eating popsicles every day? Here are some of the best summer-living ideas to get you thinking. Outdoor kitchens. Creating a proper outdoor cooking space complete with built-in grill is becoming increasingly popular. These spaces are usually centered on a patio entertaining space, meaning that everything about your meal, from the cooking to the eating, can … [More]

Top Gardening Ideas From Pinterest

Spring has sprung! Daffodils are blooming everywhere and the birds are starting to make a ruckus. Time to get out in the sunshine and get your hands in the dirt. Pinterest is a great place to look for gardening tips. I’ve picked out a few useful and appealing boards to offer you gardeners out there some great browsing material to get you ready for the great outdoors. For Beginners There are plenty of tips for those just starting out. The Learning To Grow page pins practical tips about making raised beds and how to build a rain-harvesting barrel. This page for gardening beginners features a lot of good … [More]

DIY Projects: 10 New Uses for Old Things

With a little imagination, you can breathe new life into some of the old things that are headed for the trashcan. There are a million ways to repurpose your would-be throwaways, many of which don’t require you to have a crafty bone in your body. Here are ten ideas I find particularly clever. Colander into an ice bucket. Since the ice in the colander melts into the bowl beneath, your party guests won’t be left fishing cubes out of a chilly bath. Tissue box into a plastic-bag holder. This is my personal favorite, since my laundry room is constantly engulfed in a puffball of grocery bags. Get those … [More]

5 Storage Containers You Can Make Yourself

Storage can be a dreary business, centered on boring cardboard boxes and garish plastic tubs. Of course you can find more stylish bins and boxes but the prettier they are, they more expensive they get. Luckily, with only a little effort and hardly any cost, you can make your own storage items in exactly the color, pattern, and style that suits your needs best. Here are five projects to brighten up your shelves. Fabric storage bin: Use your sewing skills to put together this cardboard-and-fabric container for all your odds and ends. Cereal box storage bins: Repurpose your old breakfast cereal boxes and add some colorful fabric … [More]

DIY in 10 Minutes or Less

You don’t need a lot of time or money to DIY. In fact, some very neat crafts can be whipped together in ten minutes or fewer. Are you fingers itching to get to work but you don’t have time to commit to a major project? Try a few of these mini DIY projects to get your crafty fix. Provide your kids hours of entertainment with this magnetic fridge quilt Use your sewing machine to brighten up a room with this colorful sewn-paper garland. Quit poker and instead use your deck to make this playing card jewelry display. Clean out your closet and take a minute to … [More]

Best DIY Blogs of the Blogosphere

“DIY” is more than knitting hats and making bookshelves out of old milk crates. It can refer to projects as small as cutting out paper snowflakes for your window or as large as remodeling your bathroom. There’s something for everyone! And thanks to a recent wave of enthusiasm for DIY, there are blogs for every flavor of inspiration-seeker. Check out these neat sites chock full of DIY creativity, some of the best the Web has to offer. A Beautiful Mess http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/ Following the credo that “the best things in life are homemade,” bloggers Elsie and Emma offer ideas on crafts, photography, recipes, décor, fashion, and beauty. Apartment Therapy … [More]

Pinterest Favorites: Cozy at Home

Now that Old Man Winter is knocking at the door, it’s time to plan some cozy days in. Next time the gales howl, check out Pinterest to find some wonderful ideas for puttering in your pajamas. Spend your time decorating, playing games, doing crafts, and enjoying some comforting snacks. Decorate Discover fun decorating ideas, such as tips for rented spaces and cute kitchens. This whimsical collection of projects will inspire you to make button-bedecked cards and knit lampshades. Find charming ideas on this fun page, from twinkling lanterns to Easter flower holders. Play games Playing cards can be just the thing to while away the hours; try … [More]

Alternate Uses for Closet Space

Most people need all the closets they’ve got to store clothes, coats, sheets, and piles of unused Christmas gifts. But if by some chance you happen to have an extra closet on your hands or are so organized you might not need all the storage you’re currently using, there are many other uses for those nooks and crannies. It turns out you can put closets to all sorts of creative uses, from creating a nursery to installing a mini kitchen. Photos from around the Web reveal how much these changes can enhance your living space. Check out these great ideas. Make your closet into an office. Convert … [More]

Closet Organization Tips

If you can afford a closet makeover, redesigning your organization approach will be easy and enjoyable. First, measure your closet and list your storage needs. Next, design a new closet system that involves hanging areas of various heights, a collection of small storage spaces, and a variety of shelving. If you’re not going for the full makeover, you can still do a lot to improve what you’ve already got. Some thoughtful organization and a few well-placed bins will go a long way toward keeping things orderly. Try on these tips for size. Organize your garments. Hang clothes according to category—for example, short- and long-sleeve, casual and dressy. If … [More]

Pinterest Favorites: Valentine’s

Love is in the air! Valentine’s Day is one of the year’s more festive and tasty holidays. So many bright, warm colors! So many tasty treats! Pinterest is the perfect place to find heart-studded inspiration, whether you’re looking for crafting ideas or just want to drool over red and pink cupcakes. Check out these fun pages for Valentine’s ideas. Will You Be My Valentine? Cards, cards, cards. Cut-paper collage is the most charming way to make a Valentine. The wonderful, intricate cards on this page range from Angry Birds-themed to hearts sporting handmade paper roses. A range of materials can be applied to Valentine’s cards, including scrap … [More]

Tag Archives: DIY