Wish you could wave a magic wand and change up your décor? Well, the wand trick may not work, but reimagining things you already own in fresh and exciting ways can breathe new life back into lackluster interior designs. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of switching things up. Chances are you already have what it takes to refresh your décor. So stop taking your once-coveted finds for granted and have them speak to you again. Start by reconsidering where decorative items and furniture can relocate within your home – big change begins by making simple yet strategic moves.

Picture This. How many times have you passed by that painting on the wall without taking a second look? Then it’s time to let it live somewhere else. Imagine your art, framed pictures and mirrors in different rooms of your home. Try them out in areas of the house with corresponding color palettes. Soon you’ll have a newfound appreciation for those familiar – now repurposed – favorite pieces that will once again engage your attention.

Presto Chango. A little to the left … now to the right. Play this game of musical chairs and sofa for a fresh new take on your furniture placement. By simply moving key objects around most any room, you’ll discover a brand new outlook on your interior design. A fresh perspective is sometimes all it takes to shake things up.

Pillow Talk. That cushy little bundle of comfort may not get much attention, but if you swap out your throw pillows for ones in a fresh pop of color or pattern, you’ll be amazed at the impact they can create. It’s an inexpensive way to introduce a renewed sense of aesthetics into a room and enliven all-too-familiar furniture. Accent pillows and throws can be the common thread that runs throughout an interior design to tie the color scheme together.

When it comes to design, not everything should stay the same forever. So be open to the possibility of change and start moving a few things around – you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how things take on a fresh new look when you switch them up.

Source: Coldwell Banker Blue Matter

The popularity of Do-It-Yourself home improvement projects has gone through the roof in recent years. You can find step-by-step instructions on YouTube for every conceivable DIY project – and they make it look so easy! Many DIYers discover it’s often not as easy as it looks and end up calling in professional help to finish the job.

Renovations and upgrades are crucial if you want to maintain or increase the value of your home. The key to successful DIY projects is being realistic about your skills, tools, time, and budget. Some DIY projects turn out just fine. Some turn into disasters. Let’s start with those that seem to work out well.

The Best:

These are projects where homeowners report a high degree of success and satisfaction. Most don’t require special skills or tools.

Painting

This is the most common home fix-up project because it’s relatively easy and inexpensive. But experts say doing it right involves prep work such as cleaning, edging, filling nail holes and cracks, and priming. Rolling on the paint is the easy part – but will usually require at least two coats. Homeowners report their greatest DIY successes involve painting projects.

Replacing fixtures

This can be a quick-fix update. Home improvement centers abound with fixtures in every style and price range. Putting up new light fixtures normally doesn’t require an electrician. Replacing faucets and showerheads requires minimal plumbing skills, and updating cabinet hardware usually involves nothing more than a screwdriver. Just be sure to measure for holes before you buy.

Making your home smart

This is a surging trend as more products hit the market. Smart lighting, security cameras, and voice-controlled gadgets continue to be the rage. These are normally easy installations. If you get into trouble, just call in a teenager.

Adding storage

Closet organization systems are easy tasks, as are rollout under-the-cabinet storage units. Many people are also paying more attention to the space in their garages by adding organizers and shelving. Usually, only basic household tools are required.

The Worst:

These are projects where homeowners report the least success and highest frustration.

Flooring projects

Installing floor tiles and wood floors, refinishing hardwood floors, and laying carpet can be exasperating. Most homeowners rank these as their least favorite DIY projects. Chalk up floor projects to those that look easy – but are not.

Replacing ceilings

A lot of homeowners admit frustration and disappointment with self-attempted ceiling replacement. Maybe this is because you spend so much time on a ladder with your arms above your head. The project is invariably messy and requires you to remove all the furniture from the room. Ceiling replacement may also require drywall skills. “Dropped” ceilings are popular because they are suspended on grids and wires below the original surface. They make for less mess and require less skill.

Refinishing cabinets

It seems refinishing is not as simple as wiping on stain and brushing on varnish. A large number of DIYers say they forgot to sand the doors and drawers first. Some report failing to remove all the sanding dust or staining against grain. Most report dissatisfaction with the results.

Installing baths or showers

The rule of thumb is measure twice, cut once, then call a plumber. Installing bathtubs and showers requires plumbing skills and often involves carpentry. You’ll need a full arsenal of power and hand tools for this undertaking.  Make one mistake and tubs and showers will leak around the edges. Install the tile incorrectly, and you could be dealing with mold for years to come.

Drains are also difficult to install. One wrong move, and you’ll have drainage problems throughout the house.

Installing a new roof

Roofing requires a little skill – and a lot of hard labor. Often that labor is done under a broiling sun. Roofing an entire house can take days. It’s better to leave such a critical project to the professionals.

Adding or expanding a room

This is a major project and can involve demolition work. In addition to carpentry and tearing down or building walls,  it may require the skills of an electrician and/or plumber.

To make DIY projects a rewarding experience, always check local codes and ordinances before undertaking major projects. This will help you avoid fines or costly makeovers.

DIY projects are an area where discretion is the better part of valor. Be honest with yourself about the time, skills, tools, and budget you can devote to your projects.

Source: Coldwell Banker Blue Matter

Help your kids get ready to make the grade by giving them all the tools they’ll need

It’s been a page-turner of a year and time once again to start hitting the books. With school being back, help your kids

get ready to make the grade by giving them all the tools they’ll need to rock their school days.

High-Demand Supplies. Stock up on all the essentials that will help them ace their classes – keep their focus on schoolwork instead of searching for paper, pens and pencils, pocket folders and printer ink. Create a school supplies station in a file cabinet, fill it with all the necessities for the new season and clearly label each drawer’s contents so your student will have easy access to all the tools they need to start out strong.

Carve Out a Niche. Set aside an area in the house exclusively devoted to concentration and contemplation. Whether that means a single desk in a solitary spot, or a remote corner of a room where traffic never treads, a place of quiet and calm will enhance their ability to learn and stay on task. Outfit the book nook with a comfy computer chair, second-screen monitor, wireless computer mouse and a power strip to avoid storm blips. Then sit back and watch the As roll in.

Ramp Up the Resources. Keep a list of invaluable learning sites on hand where students can get up-to-date information for specific classes, reference materials and resources to aid them in their studies and elevate their learning quotient.

Give your kids the opportunity to hit the ground running this school year. With a little preparation and outstanding support from you along with a good amount of determination from your student, success is only a report card away.

Source: Coldwell Banker Blue Matter