When preparing for a kitchen remodel, many homeowners struggle over the decision of whether to reface or replace their cabinets.

Refacing involves keeping the base structure of the cabinets but replacing all cabinet doors, drawer fronts and hardware. You’re giving the existing kitchen cabinets a makeover, instead of replacing them. Replacing, of course, involves ripping out the old cabinets and starting from scratch.

There are pros and cons to each option. What’s right for you depends on your individual needs and budget. Answering the questions below will help you decide whether it’s best to reface or replace. [Read more…]

Craigslist is a great way to furnish your new apartment. Many of the items you can find for sale on Craigslist have barely been used, and people are simply moving out of town and need to get rid of them.

There are some great finds on Craigslist, but you need to know a few things before you get started. These tips will help you get the most out of Craigslist so you can furnish your new apartment in style.

Negotiate

On Craigslist, many people will put up an asking price for what they’re trying to sell. In many cases, they won’t budge on the price, but many times, they will. You just have to ask.

If you see something interesting that you’d like to buy, but it’s more than what you’re willing to pay, call up the buyer and negotiate. You may be able to pay less than the listed price. [Read more…]

Paint removal is not only a difficult process, it’s a messy one as well. That’s why so many homeowners opt out to have the work professionally done by a licensed and insured painting contractor.

Whether you hire someone else to strip your old paint or you do the work yourself, doing it right and using specific materials can help to cut down on the mess and create a smooth surface ready for paint, stain or primer. Use this guide to no-mess paint removal and you can be sure your paint is going to be removed without the big mess and hassle.

Prep Work

Before starting your paint removal project prep the area. Plenty of contractors plastic, tarps or drop cloths can help to keep your paint mess at bay. [Read more…]

Cleaning the oven is often a much-hated household chore, not least because it always seems impossible to do. You scrub and scrub and the glass on the door is still black, so just how will you ever get it looking as good as new, you wonder?

However, with the right know how cleaning your oven is not as difficult as you may think. An unclean oven is very unhygienic and not safe to cook in, so you should clean your oven out at least once a month – once a week would be better. Here’s my easy guide to a gleaming, beautiful, perfectly hygienic oven:

1 – First, you should make sure you wipe your oven clean immediately after any spillages of food using water and dishwashing liquid. If you leave spillages there, they’ll burn on the next time you cook something in it and, over time, become almost impossible to remove. Use a baking tray wherever possible rather than putting foods straight onto the grill rack, to minimize how much food spills in the first place. [Read more…]

One sign of a good garden is that it attracts wildlife, whether it’s the smallest fly or the chirpiest bird. Nothing brings the ambiance of nature into your personal world like frequent visits from our animal friends!

If you want your garden to be a haven for wildlife, here are a few tips to help you turn it into one:

• The first thing to do is just relax. Your garden doesn’t have to be insanely tidy. Besides, some forms of wildlife love it.

• Avoid using pesticides. It helps to go organic, as the number of insects, birds and other forms of wildlife that come to your garden will come in their droves and will want to stay there for the duration of the summer. [Read more…]