About Home: Money-Saving DIYs for the Home

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Home From Christina Donnelly, your About Home Editor It's no secret that maintaining and updating your home can cost a fortune. From minor changes like a few new home accessories to major changes like a bathroom renovation, costs can add up pretty darn quickly. We've rounded up tons of easy, affordable DIY ideas, so you can channel your inner-Martha—or Tim "the Toolman" Taylor—and take home updates into your own crafty hands. Home Accessory DIYs Home accessories are the quickest, easiest way to change up your home decor. And like all things design-oriented, trends in home accessories come and go, and can be super pricey. Fortunately, you don't have to spend the big bucks on trendy home items because—wait for it—you can make them yourself! Refresh your sofa with DIY, low-sew pillows made from fabric you already own, make an amazing sunburst mirror with a few wooden dowels or create a pretty flower arrangement to give your home decor an instant—and affordable—update. And let's not forget: a can of spray paint can be a budget decorator's best friend. 11 Clever DIY Jewelry Displays 4 Gorgeous Concrete DIYs for the Home How to Refresh a Room for Free Earth-Friendly DIYs Updating your home or style while being kind to Mother Earth is always a win-win. Try looking at your old, worn-down stuff in a different way—you'll be amazed at the creations you can dream up! Whether your old IKEA furniture needs a facelift or your rusty bar cart needs a fab Mad Men-style makeover, the trash-to-treasure options are endless. And don't limit yourself to only upcycling home décor and accessories: how amazing is this necklace made from recycled gift cards?! Using Recycled Materials in Paper Crafts How to Make a Quilt with Scrap Fabric How to Use Color to Upcycle Old Furniture Search Related Topics:  recycling crafts  frugal crafts  parenting help Outdoor and Garden DIYs Surprise: you don't have to spend your life savings to have an amazing outdoor space. If you're feeling ambitious, channel your inner-Ron Swanson and build a DIY deck or gazebo. Or, stick to simpler projects like making succulent planters from old bricks, starting a budget-friendly herb garden or DIY-ing cute outdoor decorations. Starting an Affordable Organic Garden 5 Ways to Landscape on a Budget Make a Cute, Quirky Shoe Planter Search Related Topics:  diy projects  raised beds  rock gardens Home Repair and Renovation DIYs Minor, annoying home repairs and renovations are the bane of every homeowner's—or pro-active renter's—existence. But knowing how to perform a few simple repairs and home updates can save you time, frustration and a lot of dough! Whether it's simply updating your kitchen or bedroom wall colors, building new cabinetry or repairing a wonky furnace, mastering a few fast fixes around the house makes everyone—your wallet included—happy. An Affordable Laundry Room Makeover How to Renovate the Kitchen on a Budget Easy Bathroom Renovations Related Searches Money Advice Saving Money Money Tips Money Invest How to Budget Money Featured Articles Follow About Home on Pinterest! How to Attract Bluebirds to Your Yard Finding the Right Apartment for You 10 Tips for Growing Terrific Tomatoes Why We Love Colorful Dining Tables 9 Yard Sale Finds You Shouldn't Pass Up   More from About.com Sign-up for Shareables! An every-morning rundown of the day in history, headlines and trends produced by your pals at About.com. Please sign up it's free (of course), we think you will like it! Want More From About.com Check out our social page tailored to your interest!   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. If you would like to unsubscribe from all newsletters sent from About.com, please send an email to optout@about.com with "Unsubscribe" as the subject line. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2014 About.com   Advertisement

About Home: Prepping Outdoor Spaces for Summer Entertaining

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Home From Christina Donnelly, your About Home Editor It's finally warm enough to spend more than 4 minutes outside ... without a giant coat. You know what that means: it's al fresco dining and entertaining season! Get ready for three months of dining outdoors every night, pool parties and consuming more barbecue than you thought was humanly possible. We've got easy, affordable ways to prepare your backyard for an awesome summer of outdoor entertaining, so grab your favorite Hawaiian shirt and get grilling! Outdoor Dining & Entertaining There are few things better than sitting on your deck and eating a giant burger—or black bean burger—and sipping a margarita with your family and friends. Whether you're hosting an outdoor party, shopping for cute, durable outdoor tableware or prepping your backyard for a get-together, we've got smart ways to make entertaining al fresco a total breeze. Stylish Drinkware for the Patio Table The Top 10 Gas Grills Under $250 How to Keep Bugs Away During Outdoor Parties Search Related Topics:  outdoor parties  bbq and grilling recipes  party themes Outdoor Decorating & Accessories During the spring and summer, your outdoor space becomes a true extension of your home. Unless, of course, you're lucky enough to live in a warm climate and you're always enjoying your outdoor spaces! So, why not make your deck, patio or pool look just as stylish and put-together as your interiors? Hanging chairs can give your space a cool, mid-century vibe, pretty light fixtures can create a dramatic focal point and finishing touches—like DIY throw pillows—make the great outdoors just as comfy and cozy as your living room. How to Create a Stylish Outdoor Space Decorating with Outdoor Lights Buying a Patio Umbrella? Read This! Landscaping & Yard Features Warmer weather provides the opportunity to make your neighbors even more jealous of your awesomely designed, perfectly groomed backyard. And luckily, creating and maintaining a beautiful outdoor space isn't as difficult as they—or you!—may think. Planting a few easy-to-grow plants, adding simple features like a DIY garden bench or water fountain and building a totally impressive, DIY deck can turn your outdoor space into the best backyard on the block. Identifying Poison Ivy in the Yard How to Landscape Around Your Pool Are You Overwatering Your Lawn? Search Related Topics:  outdoor patio furniture  dining outdoors  patio and deck accessories Pool Maintenance & Care During the summer, I basically live in my in-laws pool—and if you're lucky enough to have your own pool, I bet you do, too! It's important to keep your pool in tip-top shape by properly cleaning it and checking the water quality because—duh—there's nothing worse than diving headfirst into pool sludge. When you don't have to worry about gross pool scum, you can consider the more important things, like choosing the best pool toys or deciding which swimsuit you're going to wear. How to Open the Pool for Summer The Great Debate: In-Ground Versus Above-Ground Pools Cleaning Your Pool Filter Related Searches Outdoor Patio Ideas Outdoor Slate Tile Outdoor Pavers Concrete Patio Steps Garden Patio Designs Featured Articles An Amazing Laundry Room Update for Under $200 Easy DIY Floral Arrangements for Summer How to Attract Bluebirds to Your Backyard Finding the Right Apartment for You 10 Terrific Tomato Growing Tips Follow About Home on Pinterest!   More from About.com Sign-up for Shareables! An every-morning rundown of the day in history, headlines and trends produced by your pals at About.com. Please sign up it's free (of course), we think you will like it! Want More From About.com Check out our social page tailored to your interest!   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. If you would like to unsubscribe from all newsletters sent from About.com, please send an email to optout@about.com with "Unsubscribe" as the subject line. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2014 About.com   Advertisement

About Home: Moving Into a New Apartment

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Home From Christina Donnelly, your About Home Editor It's finally spring and you know what that means—it's time to find a new apartment! Historically, New York City's Moving Day—the day when every lease in the city expired and renters had to pack up and ship out—was on the first of May. (I'm sure you can imagine the chaos of thousands of NYC residents dragging their stuff through the streets.) These days, many leases end during the summer months, when competition for apartments is high and moving into a new place is even less fun than usual. Thanks a lot, 90-degree weather. We can't keep you from sweating as you drag your sofa up a high-floor walk-up, but we can offer plenty of tips, tricks and advice to make your apartment hunt and move a little bit easier on your sanity ... and your back. Finding the Right Apartment As someone who has changed apartments five times in four years—and in NYC, no less—I can say this with complete confidence: apartment hunting can be an utter nightmare. Not only does it raise soul-searching questions like, Which neighborhood do I want to live in? Do I need one bathroom or two? How much rent can I afford? Does my cat really love me?, but it's totally stressful, too. Fear not, my fellow renters! We've got plenty of tips and tricks to make your apartment search a breeze. As for your cat's affection ... you're on your own, sister. Should I Get a Studio or One Bedroom? Apartment Searching for Pet Owners How to Break a Lease Search Related Topics:  finding an apartment  lowering stress  leasing issues Furnishing Your New Apartment So, you've found the perfect apartment in the perfect location, with an awesome landlord who allows your pets. And, just FYI, you are now a legend among renters. Now you need to furnish the place! Check out apartment-sized sofas and stylish accent furniture for space-saving seating options; define spaces with area rugs or creative room dividers; and look for furniture with sneaky storage, like coffee tables, ottomans or bedframes with drawers. How to Make a Room Feel Bigger Smart Furniture Arrangement Why We Love IKEA's PS 2014 Collection Creative Home Accessories I've said it before and I'll say it again: home accessories are the absolute easiest way to dress up your space. Plus, they're completely reversible, so you can ensure you'll get your security deposit back at the end of your lease. Toss some bold, DIY throw pillows on your sofa, blend antique treasures with modern accents on your mantle or amazing, DIY coffee table or mix different fabrics for an eclectic, homey vibe. And hey, if you're not in love with the results, remember: you can undo your decor in mere seconds. How Style Open Shelving like a Pro Mixing His and Her Style How to Choose Patterns Renter-Friendly Wall Decor Whether your landlord doesn't allow painting or you just don't feel like painting (hey, I hear you—it's a lot of work!), there are plenty of ways for renters to add color to their walls. Try arranging a huge gallery wall with your favorite artwork and photos or, if you're feeling really ambitious, hang temporary wallpaper. I personally love these colorful, abstract art DIYs How to Make Three-Dimensional Wall Art Turn a Greeting Card into Wall Art Simple Ways to Dress Up Boring Walls Search Related Topics:  diy projects  decorating with color  flea market decorating Related Searches Apartment Search NYC My Apartment Apartment Rentals In Apartment Painting Find Apartment Featured Articles 6 Alternatives to Marble Countertops Learn the Mathematics of Home Decor DIY Floral Arrangements for Spring Follow Us on Pinterest! 7 Tools Every Woodworker Needs 5 Ways to Go Green Right Now   More from About.com Sign-up for Shareables! An every-morning rundown of the day in history, headlines and trends produced by your pals at About.com. Please sign up it's free (of course), we think you will like it! Want More From About.com Check out our social page tailored to your interest!   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. If you would like to unsubscribe from all newsletters sent from About.com, please send an email to optout@about.com with "Unsubscribe" as the subject line. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2014 About.com   Advertisement