About Home: Do-It-Yourself Home Repairs

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Home From Christina Donnelly, your About Home Editor Annoying, little home repairs are the bane of every homeowner's—and the pro-active renter's—existence. Knowing how to perform a few simple repairs will not only save you some dough, but it'll save a lot of time and frustration, too. Now stop searching for a repairman and read on for the fast fixes you can do yourself. DIY Plumbing Repairs Leaky faucet? Clogged drain? Virtually every home dweller has experienced plumbing issues at some point. Lucky for us, plumbing repairs don't have to be difficult ... or pricey. Whether your fix is as simple as snaking a drain or as complex as replacing a toilet, we've got step-by-step guides to fixing all of those common plumbing problems. How to Repair Your Water Heater The Basics of Plumbing Safety What to Do When the Dishwasher Won't Drain Search Related Topics:  plumbing basics  diy plumbing  slow drains DIY Electrical Repairs I admit, electrical repairs can be a little bit daunting—hello, electrocution. But as long as you follow the proper safety precautions and very carefully follow your instructions, many electrical repairs can be simple. Once you've mastered the electrical repair basics, resetting a tripped breaker or replacing a light fixture can be a total breeze. How to Replace a Ceiling Fan How to Remove a Broken Light Bulb How to Install an Outlet Search Related Topics:  diy repairs  diy electrical work  planning electrical work DIY Interior Repairs Performing routine (and inexpensive) updates to the interior of your home can keep it in tip-top shape and feeling fresh. Cleaning your grout—or even regrouting—makes your tile feel sparkly and new; finding the right interior paint can give a room a whole new vibe; and removing rust stains can make your bathroom and kitchen fixtures look brand new. How to Repair Drywall Engineered Flooring 101 How to Find a Stud in Your Wall Search Related Topics:  remodeling  home repair  seller DIY Exterior Repairs There are so many repairs the exterior of your home may need—from the roof, to the siding, to the gutters. Plus, keeping your home's exteriors in excellent shape enhances its curb appeal! It's important to stay on top of seasonal fixes, like cleaning leaves out of your gutters, as well as standard fixes, like removing water from crawl spaces or repairing the roof. How to Waterproof Your Basement Wall Framing 101 All About Vinyl Siding Related Searches DIY Wall Tiling Repair Plumbing Plumbing Cleaning House Plumbing DIY Install Tile Featured Articles Enter to Win a $500 Amazon Gift Card from About Home! The Best Pet-Proof Kitchen Floors Easy DIY: How to Make Plant Terrariums Chic Ways to Use Grey in the Bedroom How Much Does it Cost to Build a House? How to Make Your Kitchen Remodel Fast and Affordable   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2014 About.com   Advertisement

About Home: Starting a New Home Hobby

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Home From Christina Donnelly, your About Home Editor So, you've wanted to start a new hobby for a while, huh? Why not choose one that improves your home, too?! Luckily, the About.com Home Experts are some of the craftiest folks out there—and have tons of ideas that'll keep you entertained and keep your home feeling fresh. Start Quilting Express your creativity and get a comfy, cozy blanket out of it? Sign me up! Making a quilt can give your space a homey, comfy vibe and it's incredibly easy to design a quilt that matches your home's décor. Whether you're new to quilting or a pro, we've got tons of free patterns and step-by-step instructions to make your new quilting hobby a breeze. How to Calculate the Right Amount of Quilting Fabric The Best Tools for Beginner Quilters How to Cut Fabric on the Grain Search Related Topics:  easy quilts  quilt patterns  rotary cutting safety Start Making Candles and Soap Not only is making your own candles and soap super relaxing, but it can save you some dough, too! Once you've mastered the basic melt-and-pour soap making method, try making your own liquid soap or bath salts. You can use the same skills to make your own candles ... and totally impress your dinner guests when you tell them you handmade the lighting. How to Make Soap The Basics of Candle Making The Best Essential Oils to Use in Soaps Search Related Topics:  candle making  soap making  beginning projects Start Container Gardening Did you know you can grow an entire garden in a few containers? Container gardening is an awesome alternative for those of us who are currently stuck indoors (hey, it's cold out there!) or just have too little space for a large garden. All you need is a few containers, the right plants and a little creativity; we've got the tips, tricks and advice to help your container garden thrive! Growing Vegetables in Containers Pretty Flowers for Your Container Garden Avoid These 10 Seeding Mistakes Search Related Topics:  common mistakes  container garden gallery  fall container gardens Start Small Farming Even if you live in the city or suburbs, you can start a small farm! With a little bit of space (and some dedication), you can raise chickens or rabbits, learn how to make maple syrup from scratch or start keeping bees. How to Brew Your Own Kombucha How to Can, Freeze, Dehydrate and Store Foods Delicious Elderberry Recipes Search Related Topics:  farm planning  hobby farming  farming basics Related Searches Hobby Store Hobby Supplies Hobby Hobby House Container House Plants Featured Articles Does Your Bedroom Have Good Feng Shui? 5 Beneficial Garden Insects Follow About Home on Facebook! Are Crib Tents Safe? The Best Pet-Proof Kitchen Floors Bright and Bold Bedroom Wall Colors   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2014 About.com   Advertisement

About Home: Refresh Your Home in 30 Minutes or Less

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Home From Christina Donnelly, your About Home Editor Even if you have a jam-packed schedule, taking a few minutes each day to spiffy up your abode can make a huge difference. When I moved into my first place, I reserved Saturday mornings for hours-long clean-fests. Since then, I've found it's easier (and more effective) to clean throughout the week and reserve my Saturday mornings for bagels and—believe it or not—sleeping in. Check out our ideas and simply adjust them to your family's needs ... and the amount of stuff you have. Now, set your timer for 30 minutes and get busy! 30 Minutes in the Kitchen The kitchen is basically the center of the universe in my house, so it makes sense that everyone's stuff accumulates there. I'm not talking about food, either: textbooks, paperwork, electronics, clothes—you name it! Lucky for me (and for you), it only takes 15 minutes to transform your kitchen from grimy to spic 'n' span. Keeping the kitchen organized and smelling fresh is half the battle! 10 Small Kitchen Storage Ideas Kitchen Cleaning Quick Tips How to Keep Your Cabinets Organized Search Related Topics:  kitchens  organize your kitchen  30 minutes 30 Minutes in the Living Room Does your living room look like a toy store exploded? Whether your kids' toys are literally everywhere or there's a layer of paper clutter, pet hair and clothing on your couch, we have everything you need to get your living room clean, organized and efficient. (Psst, these inspirational photos of gorgeous living rooms definitely help!) Clean Your Living Room in 15 Minutes 5 Must-Have Appliances for People with Allergies How to Organize Your Book Collection Search Related Topics:  living rooms  30 minutes  30 Minutes in the Bedroom Your bedroom is supposed to be a calming, soothing oasis—not a home office/dining room/storage space! Transforming your bedroom is easy: take 15 minutes to clean up any clutter, keep your storage spaces organized and regularly wash your bedding. Do you feel relaxed yet? How to Clean Your Mattress Creative Storage Solutions for the Bedroom 10 Clever Toy Storage Ideas Search Related Topics:  bedrooms  projects  30 Minutes in the Bathroom No one likes cleaning the bathroom—it's gross! But dedicating a few minutes each day to cleaning the commode can make the job much less painful. Clean your bathroom's surfaces daily; freshen up the space with new towels or scented candles; and make sure you have ample storage for all of those half-empty hair products. (Hey, I don't judge—I have an entire basket of almost-empty products!) How to Deep Clean Your Bathroom Our Users' Favorite Natural Cleaning Products 10 Creative Storage Ideas for the Bathroom Search Related Topics:  declutter  clutter  Related Searches Get Home Kitchen Clean Room Designs Cleaning Home Clean Up Kitchen Cleaning Clothes Featured Articles 3 All-Natural Cleansers from Your Pantry 32 Amazing Kids' Playhouses Follow About Home on Facebook! 8 Gorgeous Home Offices 6 Adorable Ways to Decorate with Candy Hearts 5 Decorating Trends We Need to Retire   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2014 About.com   Advertisement

About Home: Make This Valentine's Day Memorable

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Home From Christina Donnelly, your About Home Editor It's almost Valentine's Day! Whether you're planning a romantic night with your honey or just hanging out with friends (and a large bottle of wine), we've got everything you need to make this Valentine's Day memorable—from sweet crafts to quirky decor to romantic flowers. Color Psychology 101: Decorating with Red Did you know the color of a room affects your mood, health and behavior? I suggest reading up on color psychology; it's super interesting and just might dictate the way you decorate your home! The color red is passionate and high-energy, and has been shown to increase blood pressure and heart rate—which makes it the perfect color for a racy Valentine's Day! Decorating with a Warm Color Scheme How to Decorate with Pink Using Pink Accents in Your Decor Search Related Topics:  decorating with color  color temperature  creating a comfortable home Sweet Valentine's Day DIYs Valentine's Day presents so many opportunities to make some pretty dang cute crafts! And let's not forget, making your own crafts and decorations will help you save money for more important things—like chocolate and wine. From different ways to say "I love you", to candy heart decorations to festive garlands, we've got lots of ways to get your home into the Valentine's Day spirit. Now, grab your glue gun and get crafting! Memorable Valentine's Day Gift Ideas How to Decorate for Valentine's Day Thoughtful Personalized Gifts Setting the Mood in the Boudoir Planning on, ahem, getting busy this Valentine's Day? You gotta set the mood! Try incorporating romantic style in your bedroom with silks, satins, floral patterns and soft color palettes. Check out these beautifully decorated romantic bedrooms for a little inspiration! And don't forget to deck out your bed with a romantic, DIY canopy and luxurious sheets and blankets. Or, if you're feeling really ambitious, use feng shui to make your bedroom more harmonious. Check Out Our Feng Shui Love Shop 9 Gorgeous Pink Bedrooms How to Apply Feng Shui to the Bedroom Search Related Topics:  romantic bedrooms  romance  how to set the mood Romantic Floral Arrangements Valentine's Day and flowers go together peas and carrots! Try putting together a pretty floral centerpiece for your V-Day celebration or mix things up a bit and give your valentine lavender instead of roses—it smells amazing and has a sweet, vintage vibe. How to Arrange Roses 14 Fun Facts About Valentine's Day Flowers The Meanings of Different Colored Roses Search Related Topics:  flower gifts  cut flowers  flowering houseplants Related Searches DIY Wedding Flowers Romantic Gift Ideas Romantic Restaurants Valentine Ideas Romantic Flowers Featured Articles The Right Way to Hand Wash Clothing How to Light Your Bathroom Like a Pro Adding Vintage Charm to a New Home How to Protect Your Plants from Winter Weather 10 Trees for Small Spaces Easy DIY: Homemade Bath Salts   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2014 About.com   Advertisement