DIY Archives - Page 5 of 11 - CENTURY 21 MarketLink Realty

5 Creative DIY Projects You Can Do with Wallpaper

October 17, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Don’t throw out your extra wallpaper. Use it for creative DIY projects around your home. If you’ve never applied wallpaper before, it can be a daunting task but won’t be an issue if you follow these directions.

Here are five easy DIY wallpaper projects that will transform your home.

1. Colored closet: Wallpapering the inside of a closet will make it appear bigger and brighter, adding color to an otherwise ordinary space. The best wallpaper for closets and small spaces is foiled wallpaper to give off extra reflection and bring light to small, dark corners.

2. Dress up your drawers: Your drawers can be drab and boring. Give your dresser and cabinet drawers a little polish. Wallpaper the inside and outside of your drawers but you don’t need to stop there. Take the wallpaper outside the bedroom drawers and DIY your kitchen and bathroom drawers as well.

3. Wallpapered ceiling: Give any room a dramatic upgrade when you paste a patterned or colored wallpaper on the ceiling. If you have a low ceiling, this is a great time to try out dip-dyed wallpaper that fades from intense color to white or neutrals. This type of wallpaper gives the illusion of taller walls. Attention will immediately be drawn upward and can change the look and feel of the room.

4. Sized up staircases: Glue decorative wallpaper to each stair for a delightful new design. If you’re using patterned wallpaper, keep the placement consistent so there is a more symmetrical, even look.

5. Wallpaper Photos: Turn your leftover wallpaper into art!

What are you waiting for? Start decorating!

Recommended Reading:

-3 Things to Do With an Abundance of Autumn Leaves

-Just DIY It: 5 Natural Cleaning Products

-How to Style a Coffee Table

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Home Safety Tips for the Elderly

October 17, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Creating a safe home for the elderly people in your life is crucial. Household places and items that used to pose no problem may now be difficult or, worse, dangerous. These tips will help you ensure that your home is as safe as possible.

1. Fall-proof your home: Falls are the number one cause of injury among the elderly, so preventing falls should be the first priority. Install non-slip strips on floors, steps, and showers or tubs. Arrange your furniture in a way that will open up walkways, and make sure staircases have handrails on both sides.

2. Intercoms and alert systems: Having a medical alert system along and intercoms around the home will ensure a higher degree of safety. Having access to other forms of communication is valuable If there is an emergency and someone can’t get to the phone.

3. Double locked doors: Having doors that lock both from the inside and outside is very smart, especially on bathroom doors. If someone falls while in the bathroom or bedroom, and the door is locked, it can pose a dangerous situation. When you have a door that can be opened from the outside as well other people can come in to help.

4. Well-lit areas: It’s important to keep your home as well-lit as possible. Having light in areas such as staircases, hallways, and on the front porch is essential to safety. Being able to see exactly where you’re walking and what you’re doing can prevent falls and other injuries. Additionally, make sure bedrooms and bathrooms have automatic night lights.

5. Shower chairs: Install shower chairs, bath benches, and grab handles in the bathroom. Unfortunately, bathing increases the risk of slipping and falling but this precaution greatly minimizes the potential for injury.

6. Prevent accidental scalding: People over age 65 are four to five times greater to experience a fatal injury from a burn or scald. Turn back the water heater to 120 degrees F to help ensure that there is no way anyone can get burned.

These small changes can make a big difference in creating a safe and comfortable environment for elders.

Recommended Reading:

-What’s the Difference

-Small Changes, Big Differences: 5 Low-Cost Ways to Give Your Home a New Look

-How to Make a House a Home: Creating Memories

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Keeping Up with the Joneses How to Make the Most of Your Small Backyard

October 13, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Keep up with the Joneses. Make your backyard feel much larger and turn it into a place where you and your family want to spend time. From BBQs and family dinners to gardening and playing hide-and-go seek, you’ll love living large in your “bigger” backyard.

1. Decrease clutter: Decreasing clutter will make your backyard feel larger. One way to decrease clutter is to purchase pieces that serve multiple purposes. Keep toys, gardening tools, and more in a shed or in the garage instead of outside.

2. Evaluate what you need: Think about how you want to use your backyard, and only buy what you will use. Don’t put something in your backyard because you feel like you should. If you know you won’t be entertaining outdoors, don’t buy a large table.

3. Add elevation: Create levels in your yard to give the illusion of a larger space. Add a few steps or platforms to create different sections. Go the extra mile and change the flooring on the different sections to create visual separation.

4. Create a focal point: Even the smallest of spaces needs a focal point. Whether it’s a sculpture, fire pit, or table, creating a focal point will bring the entire landscape together. Choose your focal point early in the design process so that you can decorate the rest of the yard around it.

5. Delight in the details: While it is best to keep small areas minimally cluttered, you can still have fun with the details! Add accessories like a chic lantern, outdoor lighting, and painted terra cotta flower pots.

Follow these tips to infuse personality into your yard, make it feel larger, and turn it into a place where you and your family want to relax, play, and entertain. Now just call the Joneses and invite them over for dinner!

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Fall Flowers: 5 Flowers to Plant this Fall

October 10, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Love gardening? Don’t put the shovel and gardening gloves away just yet. You’re in luck because there are beautiful flowers that will bloom in the fall.

1. Turtleheads: These perennial flowers are named for their shape which resembles the head of a snapping turtle. Turtleheads are low maintenance, grow up to three feet tall, and can blossom in blue, pink, or white. Learn more about how to care for turtleheads from Fine Gardening.

2. Aster: Asters are small, daisy like flowers that can grow up to three feet. Some are relatively smaller, only growing four inches. Depending on the kind of aster, they can be blue, red, white, or pink. Almanac has more information on how to properly care and grow asters.

3. Mums: Mums the word! Mums are a classic fall and winter plant that are seen in many gardens. They’re a perfect flower for planting in large batches and can be either perennial or annual. More information on planting mums can be found at HGTV Gardens.

4. Marigolds: Marigolds bloom any time of the year, including the fall. They can grow up to five feet tall and have daisy or carnation-like flower heads. Learn more about the proper care of marigolds from The Flower Expert.

5. Sneezeweed: These strangely named, large yellow flowers bear a striking resemblance to sunflowers. Best grown in moist, rich soil, they can sprout anywhere from three to five feet tall. Learn more about planting sneezeweed from About.com.

These perennials flowers will make your garden look beautiful during any season and they’ll give your garden some color during the fall. Get ready to fall for these gorgeous flowers!

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First Impressions: Door Decor for Fall

October 6, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Make a great first impression for trick-or-treaters and guests this season by decorating your door with festive flair. Incorporate wreaths, pumpkins, and other symbols of the season.

1. Wreaths: Buy or DIY a wreath made of leaves, fruit, and fall flowers. Hang your wreath on the front door to create a colorful, welcoming, and engaging entrance.

2. Pumpkins: Pumpkins are practically the mascots for fall. Aside from a classic wreath, there is no better way to decorate than using pumpkins. Carving or painting pumpkins can be a fun activity for you and your family. Gather together to decorate the pumpkins and place them on your steps. (Don’t forget to roast the seeds for a delicious snack.)

3. Fall flowers: Plant or display fall flowers such as perennial sunflowers and chrysanthemums. They’ll add a colorful and fragrant touch to your doorway.

4. Farm stand baskets: Place a farm stand basket filled with colorful fruit, leaves, and dried corn stalks on your front porch to show your love for fall. If you’re skeptical about leaving perishables such as pumpkins or gourds outside, this is a great alternative. You can use fake fruit and leaves that still give off a natural, autumn look.

5. Spooky elements: Delight neighborhood trick-or-treaters by transforming your door so that it looks like an entrance to a haunted house. Buy fake cobwebs, plastic spiders, witches hats, and other frightening finds.

Get into the fall spirit by adding color, texture, natural elements, and a spooky surprise to your front door. Now just grab a pumpkin spice latte, your favorite cozy sweater, and get started.

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3 Things to Do With an Abundance of Autumn Leaves

October 3, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Fall is officially here and that means the trees will be filled with brown, yellow, and red leaves. Although the leaves look beautiful in the trees they look less than beautiful scattered throughout your lawn. Luckily, there are beneficial things that you can do with your leaves (after you jump in the big pile).

1. Mulch: Use leaves to make mulch. Rake the leaves into a pile and spread them across and around your garden. This gives the garden more depth. The leaves also eventually break down and provide your garden with natural protection and nutrients, helping it stay healthy through the cold winter months.

2. Insulation: You may have not realized it, but fallen leaves are a great source of insulation. Pack the leaves into garbage bags and then place the bags around an exposed exterior, such as a crawlspace or basement window. The leaves provide natural insulation which may help decrease your heating bills this season.

3. Craft: There are countless crafts that you can do with leaves. Spend the day working on arts and crafts projects with your family. Make a decorative pillow by placing the leaves in ink then pressing them on the outside of a pillow. Spray paint the leaves and use them as name cards for a dinner party or make a festive fall wreath for your door. You can also make art for around your home. Make a collage or a rubbing then frame it and hang it up. The possibilities are endless!

There is no need to throw away all the fallen leaves in your yard. Get creative and upcycle them. Your garden, your home, and your family will thank you!

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Old to New: Tips for Rearranging Your Furniture

October 2, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Give your home a new look without buying anything. Rearrange your furniture to make your room feel brand new. Use these tips to try something new without spending a dime. Take some cues from our Friends and find a style that can last a day, a month, or maybe even a year.

1. Take measurements: Take measurements of the furniture and the space before you move anything. You don’t want to move something just to have to put it back again. Just ask our Friends: Ross, Rachel, and Chandler.

2. Position your biggest piece first: Start with the biggest piece of furniture because the placement will make the largest impact. Check your measurements first to make sure that everything will fit. As our Friends would say, just say no to pivoting.

3. Arrange your seating in a new way: Push your seating area away from walls, creating a more intimate and conversational space. Moving your sofas and chairs away from the walls creates a less boxy look while also making the room appear larger. Don’t be afraid to position your furniture so that it is better for communication. Contrary to Chandler’s opinion, the focal point doesn’t have to be a TV. It could be facing your neighbors windows or Central Perk, for example.

4. Combat clutter: In the same sense of not cluttering a room, make sure your major elements are reflecting each other. If you have a fireplace in your living room put the “vintage” apothecary table on the opposite side of the room to balance it out.

5. Create distinct areas: If you have an open floor plan like our Friends create separate areas by grouping your furniture in different sections. You may want a separate area for rehearsing Smelly Cat, making a trifle, and playing with ducklings.

These tips will help you to create a new look that your friends and family will love. What are you waiting for? Start moving!

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5 Ways to Make Your Home Cozy for Fall

September 29, 2014 By CENTURY 21

It’s officially fall! Break out your sweaters, boots, hot apple cider, and other fall essentials. Make your home cozy and comfortable so you can enjoy family game nights, carving pumpkins, and curling up with a good book.

Use these tips to make your home snug and homey.

1. Candles: Lighting a candle, especially one that gives off a fall scent, such as pumpkin or apple spice, will help you relax after a long day. Scented candles fill a room with a sweet or spicy aroma, give an extra bit of light, and add a calming effect to your house. They instantly make any fall night cozier. (For safety never leave burning candles unattended).

2. Plush throw blankets: Placing a fleece or knitted blanket on your couch will instantly add a warm feeling to your home. Curling up under a blanket on a cool night, while your scented candles are lit, makes all the difference. As an added bonus, this is a great way to add color and decoration to your furniture.

3. Switch your curtains: During the summer months, you keep your window treatments as light as possible to cool off your home. Now with a cold breeze in the air, warm up with a heavier material. This adds natural warmth and coziness to the room. Go the extra mile and make the curtains a deep, warm color like chocolate brown to really bring the season into your home.

4. Add a fabric table runner: Sitting down at your dining room table can sometimes feel too formal and bare tables don’t add anything extra to the room. Change the dynamic by adding a seasonal table runner. This brings a homely feel and makes any family dinner feel more festive.

5. Layer your area rugs: Putting more than one area rug in a room will give an added cushion, perfect for lounging on the floor and watching television on a chilly night. More than one rug also means more warmth so the chill that wooden floors bring won’t be an issue this season. Opt for a color like orange or brick red to tie the look together.

Incorporating these fun, cozy fall ideas into your home is a great way to change up your decor, while also creating the perfect atmosphere for you and your family. Now pour some hot chocolate or hot apple cider and gather around for game night.

Recommended Reading:

-Fall into Fall: 5 Ways to Make your Home Fall Ready

-How to Make your Home Summer Ready

-5 Ways to Take Your Living Room from Good to Great

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Ask Our Expert: First Things First

September 27, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Michael Beal of CENTURY 21 Beal, Inc., College Station, Texas, asks:

Many customers feel overwhelmed when they move into a new house. Is there an easy way to tackle it— and make a house feel like home?

So you’ve just moved into your new home. It’s a clean slate full of exciting possibilities. But for many people this euphoria can often dissolve into emotional overwhelm. Knowing where to start can help you move forward with more confidence.

Here’s what I advise my clients:

Start with the kitchen: Most of us have to eat at least three times a day. But really think about how your food prep might change from one house to the next. How much do you REALLY entertain? Did you buy the fish poacher or the meal sealer 10 years ago and only use it once? If so, don’t let it take up valuable space. Rule of thumb? You should work the hardest to reach things you only use once in a while, reserving closed storage areas at arms’ length for things you use every day.

Color your world: Before you go any further, think about paint color. It’s the cheapest and easiest way to completely customize your home to your new style. While things are still in boxes, and before you buy new furniture, let paint do all the heavy-decor-lifting first. It will also help crystallize your new design theme before you go shopping for your new pieces.

Next tackle your bedrooms: Because these are the vital spaces to our well-being and where we begin and end every day, don’t save them for last. Often simply out of ego we tend to get the entertaining spaces done first. They then sit there hardly used while the bedrooms remain in an upheaval.

Consider the closets: If you were fortunate enough to have a walk-in closet in your last house, but were still challenged with it filling up too fast, think about getting an armoire for the bedroom. It’s a great place for men to put their suits and business attire, leaving more space for “her” in the walk-in closet. No sense in you bumping into each other every morning, fighting to get dressed.

CHRISTOP HER LOWELL, an Emmy Award winning interior designer and TV host, is known for doable design advice and simple ideas that net stunning results. Log on to Christopherlowell.com to learn more.

Recommended Reading:

-Dressed for Success: Outdoor Improvements

-Ask Our Expert: Budget Friendly Bathroom Update

-Small Changes, Big Difference: 5 Low Cost Ways to Give Your Home a New Look

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Double Agents: New Uses for Everyday Things

September 23, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Who doesn’t love finding a new way to use a common household product? Look around your home, and you’ll find a lot of everyday household items that can be used in a new way.

Don’t dash out to the store, use these common items to clean and organize your home.

Baking Soda: Use baking soda to clean your carpets. Sprinkle it on your rug, leave it on for at least fifteen minutes, then vacuum. Baking soda can also be used to clean a toilet, deodorize a drain, unclog a drain, and shine tarnished silver. (All You)

White Vinegar: There are lots of ways to use white vinegar when cleaning your home. Use it to clean your fridge, disinfect your bathroom, clean a toilet, remove a carpet stain, or clean a dirty faucet. Who knew that a little bottle in your kitchen cabinet would have so many uses? (All You)

Lemon Juice: Lemons don’t just taste great in water or your favorite lemon bar recipe, they can also be used to clean common household items. Use it to clean your grout, microwave, toilet, and fridge. (Mother Nature Network)

Ice Cube Tray: Use an old ice cube tray to organize jewelry or desk items like thumbtacks, paper clips, and rubber bands. (Good Housekeeping)

Over the Door Shoe Rack: Make your cleaning supply closet neat and tidy. Put your cleaning products in an over the door shoe rack. An over the door shoe rack can also be used to organize toiletries in a small bathroom.

Finding creative uses for products will help you decrease the amount you spend on cleaning products, stay organized, and contribute to a cleaner planet. Start looking at items in your home in a new light.

Recommended Reading:

-Just DIY It: 5 Natural Cleaning Products

-Five Simple Chalkboard Paint Projects for the Home

-How to Decorate Your Home on a Budget

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