Not sure how or what kind of lights to add to a room in your rental? Consider making your own pendant lamps from materials you can recycle from your closet and kitchen. This is a do it yourself lighting project on a budget that’s perfect for renters and
Are you desperate for more counter space in the kitchen? If you don’t tend to use more than 2-3 burners on your electric stove at one time, try reconfiguring your stovetop: take out one or two of the heating elements along with the aluminum plate and use inexpensive glass cutting boards to cover the holes. You’ll gain precious counter space and if the sudden urge to cook a large meal hits you,...
If you’re thinking of adding some plants and flowers to your outdoor space, consider using inexpensive plastic storage bins (opaque ones are best for this project) to make raised garden planters: drill holes and add rocks on the bottom for drainage and place on a base with wheels - this will also help with drainage and make them easy to move around. To make the bins more attractive, you can...
Wish your lamp had a dimmer? All you need is a dimmer switch - no need to touch electrical wiring. You plug the lamp into the switch, plug the switch into an outlet and you’re done! Dimmer switches are available in models for both incandescent and LED light bulbs and cost about $15. I used them on pendant lamps that didn’t come with a switch – perfect solution!
Want to add some comfy lounge-type seating to your balcony or outdoor space like this? Make a bench using plastic storage bins as the base. Add ½ inch water-sealed plywood on top of the bins and hide the sides with panels made from reed fencing or lattice, attached to the plywood. Finish the edges with corner molding, throw on a few cushions and you’ll be lounging in style in no time....
If you have recessed can lights for regular incandescent bulbs, you can easily convert them into an outlet with an adapter (less than $2) and plug in a pendant lamp. Just make sure the pendant lamp doesn't hang directly from the outlet. It’s a great budget-friendly way to change up your lighting, especially if you’re a renter and can’t make any permanent changes.
Looking to freshen up your space this spring? Try moving your furniture around - you’ll be surprised at how different your space looks with your furniture, lamps and accessories in different spots. It’s a great way to give a whole new look to a room, without spending a dime! Using furniture sliders makes the whole process really easy, especially if you’re doing this solo (you can find them...
Next time you want hang something from the ceiling, like a pendant lamp, use a plumb bob or plumb line. It's essentially a pointy weight hung at the end of a string: you mark the floor or table with masking tape where you want the item to hang, let the plumb bob hang from the ceiling until the tip is right over the spot, then mark the ceiling where the string is. Now you know where to put in...
Would you like more room in your closet? Try using these thin velvet hangers: they don’t take up as much room as regular hangers so you can fit in more clothes in the same amount of space, plus the velvet fabric keeps your clothes from falling off. I just love them!
Try This! Thursday: With Valentine’s day around the corner, are you stuck wondering what to give that special lady in your life? Why not forgo some of the more traditional options and make her something instead! This beautiful hanging picture frame/jewelry box is easy to make by following this how-to video and it's a great gift that's easy to personalize with a meaningful picture. And of course,...
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