Clever Solution for Fix the Most Annoying Home Problems : Fast and Easy

If you had a handyman for a day, what would you have repaired? That's what we asked our Facebook fans, and here are 18 solutions to their most common problems.

Is there any way to make my whole house smell fresh without cleaning it from top to bottom? 
Solution: Sprinkle a few drops of vanilla extract onto your furnace filter. A drop of your favorite essential oil works, too.

I love my old wood floors but hate the squeaks. 
Solution: For a quick fix, sweep talcum powder into the joints of the floorboards that are rubbing against each other. If that doesn't work, you'll need to secure the floorboards to the subfloor. It's easier than you think.

Please fix my running toilet. 
Solution: With a little toilet troubleshooting you can probably fix it yourself. An old rubber flapper the part that seals out water is the most common cause. To make sure, put a couple of drops of food coloring in the tank and wait 5 minutes. If the water in the bowl changes color, it’s your flapper. First rule out the flapper chain. Make sure it’s not too short (the flapper can’t close) or too long (the chain gets caught). If the chain is fine, you need a new flapper. Turn off the water supply, drain the tank, disconnect the chain, and remove. Take the old flapper with you to the store to make sure you get the right replacement.

My double-pane windows always get foggy. What can I do? 
Solution: Sorry, there’s no quick fix for this one. It happens because the original windows weren’t vacuum sealed properly, and moisture isn’t able to wick to the outside. Your best bet is to replace the glass not the entire window. Many local glass companies will remove and replace the glass for a reasonable cost.

I need help hanging pictures and artwork, but first I need to patch the holes from my previous attempts. 
Solution: To patch tiny holes, you'll need a putty knife and patching plaster. If you plan to repaint, look for a plaster and primer in one, like 3M Patch Plus Primer. The first rule when hanging pictures: Don't eyeball it. If you're going to hang multiple pictures, use newspaper to create true-to-size templates of your frames that you can arrange on the wall using painter's tape. Finally, don't align pictures with the ceiling or floor -- they might not be level. Instead, use a level to draw a faint line a few inches down from the ceiling and use that as your starting point.

My ex-boyfriend tried to fix my door, and now the screws are stripped! 
Solution: Stripped screws happen! An easy cure is to place a rubber band between the screw and the screwdriver. The rubber helps grip the stripped screw.

Is it possible to remove rust stains in a porcelain sink? 
Solution: Believe it or not, toothpaste might do the trick. Cover the stain with toothpaste and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Sprinkle with baking soda and rub it out with a clean, soft cloth.

There's a tiny tear in my window screen. Do I have to replace the whole screen? 
Solution: If it's a small tear (not a hole), clear fingernail polish will keep it closed.

What's the secret to a professional-looking caulk job? 
Solution: Like most housework, the secret to caulking is patience and dishwashing soap. Remove every trace of old caulk using a putty or utility knife. Clean thoroughly with denatured alcohol. Once the surface is clean and bone-dry, use painter's tape and tape off the gap, leaving 1⁄4 inch on either side. Squeeze an even bead of caulk along the gap, then use your finger to smooth out the caulk. Remove the tape. Wait for the caulk to skin over (a couple of minutes), then dip your finger in a solution of 1 part dishwashing soap and 1 part water for any final smoothing or shaping, just like the pros.

Is it possible to remove water marks from wood furniture? 
Solution: Cover the water mark with a dry cotton cloth and go over it with a medium-hot iron for several seconds. If that doesn't work, lightly wipe the mark with a cloth dampened with denatured alcohol.

I hate my popcorn ceiling. Is there an easy way to remove it? 
Solution: You're not alone. "How do I get rid of my popcorn ceiling?" is one of the most often heard questions at home improvement stores. The short answer: It's easy to remove a textured ceiling but super messy and tiresome. If your home was built before 1979, test it for asbestos. If asbestos is present, a professional can offer advice on whether to cover or remove it. If asbestos is not an issue, the basics are: Cover everything in plastic, soak small sections of the ceiling with a spray bottle of water, then scrape, scrape, scrape until it's gone.

My drain is clogged. 
Before you call the plumber, try one of these easy, chemical-free fixes.

Solution 1: Baking soda and vinegar. Pour 1⁄2 cup baking soda down the drain, followed by 1⁄2 cup white vinegar. Let sit for 30 minutes to an hour. Repeat if necessary.

Solution 2: If you suspect grease is the culprit, pour 1 cup baking soda and 1⁄2 cup salt down the drain, followed by 2 cups boiling water.

Solution 3: Use a plunger to unclog the pipe. If it's in a sink, cover the overflow hole with a towel. Coat the lip of the plunger with petroleum jelly (for a better seal) and cover the entire drain opening with the plunger. If there isn't enough standing water to cover the rubber part of the plunger, add more. Plunge away. The back-and-forth movement of the water should loosen the clog.

Solution 4: Use a wire coat hanger. Unbend the hanger and form a small hook at the end. Snake it down the drain to break or push through the clog.

2014 Smart Storage Solutions for Small Kitchen Design

Smart planning and innovative kitchen design solutions transform these kitchens into storage packed spaces.

You'll love these ideas to try in 2014! I hope you find these ideas useful and inspiring to you .... Enjoy it !!!!

A new desk and banquette bench were added adjacent to the kitchen to provide more storage and a dedicated home office.

An extra row of drawers flanking the refrigerator adds the perfect amount of storage near the door. Cabinetry runs all the way to the countertop to make use of every inch of space.

Pullout racks and utensil organizers were added after installation creating smart storage without the custom-cabinetry price tag.

The island offers prep space, close to the range storage for pots and pans, and proximity to a pullout trash and recycling center. This drawer within a drawer in the island makes it easy to keep pots and lids separate and organized.

The homeowner was determined to infuse the kitchen with rich elements to give it distinction. The Calacatta marble tile backsplash, for example, runs up the wall to meet horizontally oriented beaded-board paneling, which also appears in the adjacent family room. Turning beaded board sideways creates strong horizontal lines that make walls appear longer.

A sink made of the same material as the countertops presents a sleek, clean look. A window ledge provides bonus display and storage space behind the integrated sink and traditional bridge faucet.

A firm believer in open storage, this homeowner uses shelves to keep everyday items easy to see and reach. Shelves next to the refrigerator hold the microwave and wine cooler; the latter frees up space in the fridge.

More open storage opposite the refrigerator wall is supported by shapely brackets. The dark metal complements similar tones in the floor, counters, doors, and window frames, and it adds pizzazz to simple open shelves that provide both display and storage space. The shelves keep items used every day in an easily accessible place, and a top shelf, which might be hard to reach, is used to showcase art and decorative objects rather than kitchen essentials.

The space around the range was smartly outfitted for cooking. A knife drawer on one side of the range features an integrated cutting board for quick chopping.

To the right of the range, a drawer stores spices neatly and out of the light, keeping them fresh and easy to grab when cooking at the range or doing prep work on the counter above.

The small peninsula serves as a bar area, complete with undercounter beverage chillers and a pullout liquor cabinet. A deep, cased archway provides a gracious transition from the dining room to the colorful kitchen.

Store Up High : There wasn't enough space for a walk-in pantry, so the custom-designed cabinetry extends to the ceiling to maximize storage. A library ladder that rolls along a rail provides access to the top row of cabinets. Cleverly concealed pullouts store spices, bottles, platters, and trays. The slim pullout shelf below the pantry cabinet serves as a temporary landing space for items without permanently intruding on the walkway.

A corner pullout unit stores large cookware and avoids wasting space in a corner cabinet. The pullout unit brings the cabinet contents into clear view, eliminating the likelihood of losing items in the recesses of a deep cabinet.

Appliances were also chosen with capacity in mind. Paired refrigerators with stacked freezer drawers blend in with the cabinetry and give the couple plenty of space to stock up on food for a house full of guests. A pullout cabinet beside the refrigerators makes use of an awkward space. The slender dimensions of the unit make it ideal for storing small containers and bottles.

The couple also opted for a trash compactor and two sink areas: one for preparing food and one for rallying dirty dishes. Two sets of dishwasher drawers between the sinks ease cleanup.

The rail above the pantry continues around the rest of the kitchen. Transom cabinets take the place of soffits and are within reach, thanks to the library ladder.

While they were going for a contemporary feel, the homeowners also wanted the kitchen to be a warm, comfortable place, so they opted for wood-look cabinetry. Zebrawood (named for its dark stripes on a light background) was their first choice, but it was also a budget buster, so they went with custom cabinetry finished with a faux-zebrawood laminate. To keep the look of the cabinetry simple, the couple used few door pulls, opting instead for push mechanisms, which make it easy to open the sleek cabinets and access their contents.

2014 Smart Storage Solutions for Small Bedrooms

Keep a small bedroom organized with these smart tricks for adding storage to even the tightest of sleeping quarters. Don't let small quarters limit your storage options .
Here are clever ideas for better small bedroom storage . Reclaim a suitcase for under bed storage . Paint the suitcase then attach casters to the underside for easy sliding under your bed. Store away.
Contain tiny treasures inside a hollowed out book. Glue the pages of an old book together then carve out a space to the needed depth. Recycled drawers create storage options on this headboard . Simply design the headboard to fit the shape of the drawers in your collection, paint a uniform color and attach to the wall. Old objects used in new ways helps maximize the usable space in a tiny bedroom .

 You'll love these ideas to try in 2014! I hope you find these ideas useful and inspiring to you .... Enjoy it !!!!

Sitting Space : A seating area of oversize sofas and a sprawling ottoman add a cozy space to this master bedroom, ideal for relaxing and gathering with the kids at the end of the day.

Preserving an Original : Weathered wood ceiling beams and a softly worn rug capture the salvaged character of this vintage home. When new additions were needed, such as storage bookshelves, they were designed and finished to look like had always been there.

Tucked In : Wall recesses lend architectural interest to boxy spaces. Here, one wide recess creates the perfect place to tuck in a bed, while another recess was outfitted with shelves to create a convenient bedside storage nook. Bold blue beaded board surrounding the bed ensures the pretty quilted headboard functions as the bedroom's main focal point.

Airy Decor : All white walls keep this attic bedroom feeling open and airy. To ensure the lack of color doesn’t look stark and cold, the bedding features a variety of colors and patterns. A built in shelving system and desk make the most of an awkward angular corner.

Build to Suit : Built ins give this small bedroom plentiful storage and cozy seating without crowding the space with furniture. The window seat makes a focal point out of a scenic view. A combination of open shelves and closed cabinets expands storage options.

Stylish Headboard : A built-in bookcase headboard adds visual interest to this bedroom, plus practical storage and reading light.

Design with Purpose : Drawers built into a custom platform bed and a window seat crafted over a radiator work functional and aesthetic wonders in this small bedroom.

A Fresh Look : A refreshing aqua blue color scheme rejuvenates this bedroom in a 100 year old house, while furniture featuring simple lines and hints of cottage style reflects the home's Craftsman style architecture.

Double-Duty Bedroom : This clever dual-purpose room takes advantage of a do it yourself Murphy bed kit to create a charming guest bedroom that doubles as a crafts (or multipurpose) room when company departs.

2014 Clever Solutions for Small Bedroom Decorating

Expand your sleeping space with these smart small bedroom decorating ideas that will help you maximize your space and make use of every inch.

 Before you start your bedroom decorating tasks, examine the room (bare, if possible). Note the placement of doors and windows, as well as the room's dimensions. Determine how you want to arrange the furniture, which will help you lay out the rhythm of the room's decorative elements later on. In a small bedroom, you might need to be especially creative when arranging furniture. In this bedroom, placing the bed in front of windows makes it easier to maneuver around the space.

Choosing Furniture for a Small Bedroom : Enlarge Image Scale is the most important thing to consider when selecting furniture for a small bedroom. "Open" furniture, such as an iron bed frame or a sleek nightstand that's open below the tabletop, will help the room feel light and airy.

Double Duty for Small Bedrooms : Eliminate the need for extras in a small bedroom by selecting items that can do double duty. Consider using a short chest of drawers as both a nightstand and dresser. A bench with a lift-top can stow away extra linens and provide bedroom seating. The nightstand in this bedroom is a DIY nesting table: a smaller cube slips under the taller table and can be pulled out for an extra tabletop surface as needed.

Decorating a Small Bedroom : Enlarge Image Once you know how you are going to arrange your bedroom, determine where you want to place color, texture, and other decorative elements. Using lighter colors on the wall will make the room feel lighter. Rather than using rich colors to bring interest to walls, consider wainscoting or beaded board, which will give the walls dimension.


Colors for Small Bedrooms : Enlarge Image Whether you decide on a monochromatic color scheme or a multicolor palette, repeating colors is key in a small bedroom. Doing so will create visual rhythm and draw the eye around the room.

In this bedroom, a monochromatic palette of neuturals comes alive, thanks to variations in tones and intensities. The ocher pattern on the pillows reads as a color but is simply a more saturated version of the creamy linens on the bed and the wood tones used elsewhere in the room. A serene shade of lavender on the pillows and throw add color without disrupting the bedroom's relaxing vibe.

Texture Tips : In a small bedroom where large furniture and a wild use of pattern would dwarf the space, decorate with texture. Mix smooth surfaces with nubby fabrics and woven window treatments. Shiny surfaces will also illuminate the bedroom. Keep in mind that texture is tactile, but also visual. Vary textures in the things you will touch, such as the bed linens, and the things you will only look at, such as the light fixtures. The beaded light fixture in the bedroom shown above serves as a visual representation of texture, while the linens are a smooth respite.

2014 Small Bathrooms Storage Solutions Ideas

Add storage and organization to any small bathroom with these smart tricks and ideas to bring order to toiletries, linens, and bath necessities.
Use these ideas to expand your small bathroom storage . Fill an unused corner with a tall cabinet and stock it with efficient containers. Open shelves keep toiletries on display and easy to grab for prepping. Customize containers with stick on [unk] letters . Wear house bulk or unopened items in a low closed door cubby. Dedicate a drawer to the supplies that always seem to go missing and are constantly relocated.
Put the space beneath the window to work by installing a row of hooks for drying towels . Stitch a loop of cotton twil tape or ribbon to each towel for easy hanging. Choose a vanity with open shelving that you can out fit with baskets for extra towels or toilet paper. Convert up the tee bar cart into a beauty trolley you can wheel anywhere. Shop for a cart with multiple bands or shelves to maximize the sub vertical storage capacity in a tight space.
Even if your bathroom is small, a few smart storage pieces will help maximize every inch and help you stay organized.

You'll love these ideas to try in 2014! I hope you find these ideas useful and inspiring to you .... Enjoy it !!!!