Hot Home & Garden Posts

How To: Popcorn Ceiling Removal

You don't have to live with that unsightly popcorn ceiling anymore! If you want to get rid of the popcorn ceiling your home, you can do it with just a small amount of equipment and the willingness to deal with some hard work. This video will show you how to remove popcorn ceilings.

How To: Treat your furniture for bed bugs

Nothing is worse than bed bugs, right? Those pesky little creatures can make you seriously uncomfortable and cost you tons of money replacing furniture. But you can treat your furniture without spending money or having to throw it out. You will need to inspect everything thoroughly and make sure to to follow every step properly. This video will show you how to treat furniture for bed bugs.

How To: Install laminate countertops in your kitchen

If you're looking to replace your old, outdated countertops there's nothing wrong with choosing laminate ones. Although they may seem or look cheap, these can last a long time and can be a lot more inexpensive than other countertops, especially stone. So if you're interested in doing so, check out this video tutorial to find out how. Good luck and enjoy! Install laminate countertops in your kitchen.

How To: Install a kitchen tile backsplash

A kitchen is one of the most, if not the most, used areas of the house. Many people, young and old, venture here to find nourishment for their bodies. So, it's important to have a kitchen that not only works well, but looks great as well. Adding a tile backsplash is a great option and can help the inside of your kitchen tremendously. this video tutorial will show you just how to do it. Good luck and enjoy! Install a kitchen tile backsplash.

How To: Make a handmade jewelry box

Not sure what to get your sweetheart for her upcoming birthday? Make something handmade for her special day that she will remember for a lifetime! In this video, learn how to build a fabulous jewelry box, perfect to fit and organize her large jewelry box collection in.

How To: Install a retaining wall

Looking to do some work on your front or backyard? Installing a retaining wall is the easiest way to get a different look and make your landscaping look pro! In this video, learn everything you need to know about how to install a retaining wall.

How To: Make your detergent and your money last

If you have done hundreds of loads of laundry you might be in a habit of not measuring your detergent and just pouring it into your washing mashing. Although you may think you are taking a short cut, you might be causing more damage than you think. You could end up with too much detergent in your load and have residue on your clothes and even have detergent build-up in your machine, which can be more costly in the future. There are many ways to improve your laundry technique, some even have a...

How To: Get rid of pesky winter moths

Winter moths (operophtera brumata) can be a nuisance to your trees during early spring time. The biggest concern is the larva, which is a caterpillar/inch-worm feed on the budding leaves of deciduous trees and you won't really notice it until your leaves are at their full size. A good way to get rid of the moths is with a bacterium called, BT (bacillus thuringiensis)or Spinosad a derivative of a bacterium. If you have really big trees, you may need to get an arborist to treat your trees.

How To: Upgrade your flooring without spending a lot of money

There are various way to upgrade the flooring in your home yourself. There are tiles that you can purchase and save money by doing it yourself and it won't have you breaking your head on how to do it or your wallet. You can create a number of different designs even with carpet. Carpet tiles are available and you can stick them together to create a unique look for your home.

How To: Use a lavender twist as a foundation plant

Dave Epstein talks about adding a foundation plant to a home. He is planting a Lavender Twist, a weeping redbud also known as Cercis Canadensis 'Covey'. You will see how adding a foundation plant to your home can make a big impact. You will see a before view of a home to get an idea of what you can do with the space you have available. Also you will get a tip on carefully placing the plant on the side of your home as to not block any windows but also add depth to your home and make it seem bi...

How To: Calibrate your jointer

You will to learn set up and calibrate your jointer for optimal woodworking and creating a clean and straight edge on a rough board to later use as a reference. You will also learn a system on how to set up your knives to achieve the perfect cut using a jig and how to select the best jig to work with.

How To: Make a solar food dehydrator

Rick van Man of Container Gardening For Food details his techniques for making a solar-powered food dehydrator out of such household debris as scrap wood and old pint cans. The finished product looks amazingly professional! Truly a must-watch for any DIY-inclined gardening enthusiast.

How To: Make your own worm compost out of kitchen waste

Most people think of compost as something you make out of garden waste, but in this video we learn how a smaller amount of it can be made out of your daily kitchen waste. If you drink coffee and cook at least one thing a day using vegetables, than this video will help you turn that waste that stinks up your trash can into a helpful, eco-friendly gardening aide. And you get to have worms in your kitchen without feeling like you live in a fraternity house in the forest!

How To: Make compost for an organic garden

Watch this 2 part video tutorial on how to make your own garden compost. Garden Organic shows you the right way to make your compost, store it, and know when it's ready to use. Your plants will thank you for your efforts. Watch these videos in order to get your compost efforts just right.

How To: Make a compost tea maker

Watch this 3 part video tutorial series to learn from James Rowe, owner of Earth First Lawn Care on how to make your very own compost tea maker. Compost tea will help provide nutrients to your garden, and help it to grow healthy and strong. It also helps the environment because you're recycling organic waste.

How To: Fuse plastic bags into a laptop case

Recycle plastic bags! Watch this video to learn from Threadbanger how you can turn those wasteful and polluting plastic bags into something useful. Upcycle them into a laptop case. It's convenient and something you'll always have a need for. So why not? Watch this video and you can see how to turn this toxic product into something beautiful and utilitarian.

How To: Assemble an IKEA Kvarnö garden table

Looking for comprehensible instructions on how to assemble your IKEA Kvarnö garden table? You're in luck! This free video tutorial presents comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to put together a Kvarnö table. For detailed instructions and to get started setting up your own Swedish garden table, watch this helpful how-to.

How To: Use three way switches properly

Three way switches are a great way to control one set of lights or a light in two different areas of a home or room. They are great for hallways, enormous rooms, and even living rooms. So in this tutorial, you'll find out how three way switches work properly. It may help you install one in your own home. Enjoy!

How To: Wire a basic 3 way switch

In this video tutorial, you'll find out how to wire a 3 way basic switch. It's a good way to control one set of lights or light at two different locations. After watching this tutorial, if you still aren't sure of what you're doing, please don't hesitate to call a specialist. This can be dangerous and result in serious injury or death. Good luck and enjoy!

How To: Use four way switches easily at home

If you are in a situation where you need more than one switch to turn on and off a light, then this video may help. In this tutorial, you find out how to use four way swtiches easily at your home. The video shows the internal workings of a four way switch and how it can work with the three way swtich method. It's a great way to turn off one set of lights in multiple areas. Enjoy!

How To: Install a three way Lutron Diva dimmer switch

If you're looking to set a mood with your significant other or are trying to find a way to limit how much light you have, dimmer switches are the way to go. They're easy to use and are perfect for anybody who likes to have different lighting options available to them. This video will show you how to install a three way dimmer switch from scratch. When installing be aware that you need to turn off the electricity before doing so, otherwise you may be electrocuted. Be careful and good luck!

How To: Get rid of ants using safe methods

One of the most annoying insects out there would be ants. Not only are they small and tiny, but when you find one you'll more than likely find a great big colony. They're annoying to deal with and when not taken care of, can live inside your home for many years to come. So in this tutorial, find out some safe methods to getting rid of ants. Enjoy!

How To: Design a flower garden

Get your garden started by brainstorming and plannng out the lay-out. The trick to designing a great flower garden that will bloom all season is matching the plant to its preferred growing condition. Learn how to do this with help from expert, Melinda Myers, a world-renowned expert gardener with a critically acclaimed TV show, Melinda's Garden Moment, and a popular radio program, "The Plant Doctor".

How To: Fix a jammed garbage disposal without a plumber

If your garbage disposal is backed up and starting to smell, you will need to unclog it. In this tutorial, learn how to do this all on your own and avoid the hefty fee that comes with calling a plumber. Although this seems like a difficult task, it is really much easier than you would think. So, if you are having trouble getting food and water to flush smoothly down the disposal, follow this step by step lesson and clear up that clog!

How To: Fix a leaking toilet flapper valve

If you are having trouble with a leaky john, check out this helpful tutorial. In this video, you will receive step by step instructions for how to clean the mating surfaces on a toilet flapper valve to prevent unwanted water leaking from the tank into the bowl. So, if you are having this problem, you will have it fixed in no time with this video.

How To: Polish brass hardware

Whether you are moving or just cleaning up your home, consider polishing your brass hardware. Just by giving a quick polish to things like doorknobs and window frames, you can improve the look of your home. If the little things are shiny, they are what everyone will notice, giving your home an especially clean look down to the tiniest detail. So, before you sell your home or invite company to stay, check out this tutorial and learn some polishing secrets from successful real estate profession...

How To: Create an elegant kitchen backsplash

In today's edition of the DIY Network, you will learn how to create an elegant backsplash for your kitchen. This backsplash looks lovely and is made from recycled glass tile - so it's eco-friendly! In this renovation tutorial, hosted by Fuad Reveiz and Paul Ryan, you will learn how to fix up that old kitchen and make it shiny and new!

How To: Replace a sink trap

Instead of hiring a professional plumber, get free advice from one in this video presented by Fine Home Building. Follow a professional plumber as he shows you how to replace a kitchen sink trap. You'll learn how to layout, cut, and cement PVC pipe.

How To: Finish antique furniture to give a distressed look

Kathy Carroll of the Chicago Institute of Fine Finishes and Faux by Kathy demonstrates how to give a decorative distressed look to antique furniture pieces. Distressing is a great way to revive outdated or worn pieces, as well as achieve character and age newer pieces. Antiquing furniture techniques are easy to do and can be done by everyone from veteran decorative artisans to the beginning crafter.

How To: Stain your concrete driveway

Need to match your driveway to your new exterior home paint job? In this video, learn step-by-step how to stain and seal a concrete driveway. Listen up because this method can be used for any exterior concrete surface and can come in handy in the future!

How To: Organize Your Home with Kids

One of the most difficult things about owning a home is being consistent with how you organize things around the house. Some have perfected and see it as a science, others have a hard time putting things in the right place and that can lead to confusion. When you have kids, organizing your home is especially important since nobody wants a cluttered home with unsafe items laying about. This tutorial shows you how to organize your home with kids. Enjoy!