At Home Cleanser & Big Spray – All Natural

I saw this and I just had to try it. Seems to simple to do much good. I followed the instructions carefully and came out with a large jar of a cleaner and bug spray that that a fresh clean aroma. But does it work? I cleaned the counters and microwave with it. It left the cleaned area with a shine and streak free. I was left without any residue. The ultimate test bugs. Im pretty good at keeping up with house cleaning and maintenance so haven’t had any bugs in the house. However, this time of year here in Salt Lake City we has ant hills that pop up over night. These ant are small and there are a lot of them when they appear. I poured a cup of the mixture and went to an area where there are reoccurring ants. I poured the amount on a small ant hill that was just started. I got some on some of the ants entering and exiting. Not much happened at first. Then I noticed the ants walking around erratically. They were also coming out of their hole. Soon, many started to fall and die. I am going to keep this in my arsenal to clean and kill bugs with. It is cheap and easy to make and then store in a spray bottle (which is eventually where what I made went).

8 Spring Renovations to Uplift Your Mood

Original image can be found at: https://pixabay.com/photos/bouquet-flowers-garden-3874595/

Spring is a time for new beginnings, and there’s no better way to feel like you’ve got a fresh start than a home renovation. Applying cosmetic and structural changes to your home can completely reinvent how you feel about and use a space. Whether you’re interested in getting more natural light or brightening the room with a splash of color, there are plenty of creative options in your price range to explore.

DIY projects aren’t always the most feasible approach to renovations, but they can be the most cost-effective. If any of these spring renovations sound like something you want to take on yourself, remember to follow our guide on steps to take before getting started on your first renovation. Be safe, and make sure you have an educational resource detailing how to operate and troubleshoot your tools for the task.

1.     Try A New Look with Interior and Exterior Painting

Most people incorporate pops of color into a living space through thoughtful furnishing, but if you’re looking to really switch up your decor, repainting the interior of your home is the next step. Consider an accent wall in your favorite color to add depth to a neutral room or unify the furniture with the rest of the decor. Repainting your home’s faded exterior or giving it a completely new look with a different color is also a great way to renovate your home this spring while also improving curbside appeal.

2.     Reinvent Your Backyard With a Deck

Just because it isn’t barbeque season doesn’t mean you can’t get started on summer backyard improvements like building a deck. Decks allow you to extend your living space and utilize your backyard. Adding light fixtures and outdoor furniture can further transform your deck into a great place for friends and family to gather during summer evenings.

Original image can be found at: https://pixabay.com/photos/wooden-wood-house-architecture-3346929/

3.     Improve the View With a Landscape Makeover

Creative landscaping around your home is about more than keeping your front and backyard looking sharp; it turns your yard into something you can enjoy. If winter has left your lawn looking worse for wear, spring is your chance to redesign your backyard. Planting a vegetable garden, growing unique flower beds, or creating a path with stepping stones are some of the simple landscaping renovations you can do for spring. Fountains and greenhouses require a little extra work, but having a focal point like a beautiful water feature can add a touch of style and class to any yard.

4.     Prepare for Pool Party Season

It may not be warm enough to swim, but that shouldn’t stop you from getting ready for pool party season. Installing a pool in spring gives you time to get everything ready for guests looking to cool off on the hot days to come. Homeowners who are willing to invest in a pool can not only increase the value of their home but also turn their backyards into a stylish paradise everyone can enjoy.

5.     Update Your Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home for many. It is arguably one of the most important spaces in your house, which means having a functional kitchen that meets your needs is essential. If your kitchen is too small, consider exploring new storage solutions or renovating it with an open floor plan. Custom lighting can personalize the space according to your needs and tastes, turning your kitchen from plain and practical to warm and welcoming.

Original image can be found at: https://pixabay.com/photos/solar-panel-array-roof-building-1794514/

6.     Save By Going Green

Many of our suggestions so far have come with sliding scales when it comes to costs, but what about a renovation that saves you money and helps the planet? It’s becoming more and more common to spot houses with solar panels on the roof as people learn about green energy. Other effective eco-friendly changes you can make for your home include water-efficient plumbing or energy-saving insulation and lighting. Even just switching the bulbs in your house to LEDs can reduce your electricity bill, keeping your house and future bright.

7.     Add Sunshine to Your Day With Skylights

Speaking of energy efficiency, opening up your home to more natural light can make you less reliant on interior fixtures. Skylights act like an additional window and can make any room feel cozier by filling it with sunshine. If you have a green thumb, your indoor plants will also love an additional light source as they grow.  Skylights are also great for those of us who enjoy rainy spring days. Nothing beats curling up on the couch with a book and being able to glance up to watch rain clouds as they pass overhead.

Original image can be found at: https://pixabay.com/photos/tools-workshop-equipment-690038/

8.     Take Back Your Garage

Garages are one of the first places we think of when odds and ends pile up and need somewhere else to go. Waking up one day and realizing your garage is a maze of boxes can happen to anyone without notice. Following popular spring cleaning tips and going through what we’ve managed to accumulate over the years may be intimidating at first, but it can also be just as rewarding.

Once you’ve decluttered and freed up space in your garage, the possibilities are endless. It can become an additional space for your family to enjoy, an in-home gym, or the much-needed workspace you’ve been looking for. Turn your garage into a workshop haven for heirloom tools or a playground as an auto hobbyist.

Whether it’s a DIY affair or sitting back while the professionals get to work, these spring renovations can rejuvenate your house. Feel happier and more at ease when you turn any space into a home through renovations of any size, cost, and complexity.

Add Extra Storage To Your Shower Or Over Your Tub

Here is a great solution to give you more storage in your shower or tub space. Use a tension rod that is long enough to go across the width of your tub or shower. Add shower curtain rings that have clips at the end that are designed to clip the shower curtain. We had to buy them online because we could not find them in the store. This allows us to put various items in the clips and easily accessible to you when your need them.

Make Your Own Door Stop

We all have a door that that a door stop would work perfect with. I know we have several in our home that are on hinged springs that keep the door closed. So this will work out perfect when we are going in and out with groceries or when we want to let some fresh air in.

Start with a two liter bottle of soda and cut the top off. Add quick drying cement that you mix according to directions. Just add proper amount of water to the dry mix. When you have filled the soda bottle mold up about 3/4 of the way stop. Take a thick rope and make a loop and tie the ends with a knot. Sink the knotted end into the cement like this:

Allow the cement to dry  usually 24 hours. Cut the plastic soda bottle away and decorate to your liking. Acrylic paint or cheap spray paint can be used to make an art piece or make it blend in with your decor perfectly. A sturdy door stop that can hold a heavy door open.

5 Home Designs That Can Really Improve Your Life

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If you’re one of those people who feel their best when they’re at home, we can freely say that you aren’t the only one! This is completely natural and logical, as everyone is able to relax and unwind to the max in the comfort of their home, right? So, if you want to improve the quality of your life, you should start with upgrading your house! Here are five awesome home design ideas that can make it happen for you, so check them out and enjoy!

Opt for multifunctional rooms that feature indoor play area

If you have a big family with kids, you know that incorporating an indoor play area into your home can be a bit challenging. This is particularly true if you don’t have enough free space, which is what a lot of parents are dealing with nowadays. Well, this is exactly why you should opt for a concept of multifunctional rooms that feature indoor play areas within them! The majority of people choose to combine playroom with their kids’ bedroom simply because that’s the most practical solution, but you know what? You can also combine it with your living room or even a dining room, so get creative, bring the playground inside, and keep your kids entertained when the weather is bad!

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Bathtub in the bedroom? Why not!

Yes, we know that it seems a bit silly, but the fact is that a lot of people are deciding to put a bathtub in their bedroom these days. The reasons for that are more than good, and the first one is not having enough space to fit the tub in their bathrooms. Even though a bathtub isn’t an obligatory part of a bathroom, many people love to have it because it provides the ultimate spa experience in the comfort of their homes. Of course, designing your bedroom with a bathtub in mind is much easier when you’re building a new home, so make sure to contact new home builders if that’s the case and consult with them about everything you want. That’s the best way to make your wishes come true!

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Convertible bedrooms are all the rage these days

On the other hand, if your bedroom is a bit smaller than you hoped for and there’s nothing you can do to get more space, we must say that a convertible bedroom should be your first choice. This is the perfect time to get creative with your sleeping arrangements, too, as traditional beds tend to take up a lot of floor space. In order to utilize the space in the best possible way, you should take fold-down beds into consideration. Such beds are very popular because they are hinged against the wall at one end, which means that you can store them vertically inside a closet or cabinet. Just give it a fair shot and you’ll see how sleek and practical they actually are!

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Kitchen and dining room combo is a winning one

As mentioned above, multifunctional rooms are gaining momentum these days, and that’s because they are designed to maximize your space and make your life much easier. So, if you want to save some space and contribute to a warm family atmosphere in your home, you should certainly opt for a kitchen and dining room combo. We can freely claim that this is a winning combo – especially if you’re into open-floor plans, so don’t go for a separate dining room and you’ll see what we were talking about. Also, more and more people are very much into cooking and socializing at the same time, and this concept allows you to do that. Of course, it’s a great choice for smaller homes, too, so don’t waste your space unnecessarily and merge these two together!

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Integrated home office for a much easier living

If you’re one of those people who spend a lot of time working from home, you surely know that a home office isn’t a luxury, but a bare necessity. This is particularly true if you have small children who don’t understand that mommy or daddy can’t play because they have to work, so don’t wait any longer and design your own home office. This room doesn’t have to be big at all – in fact, the majority of people don’t have a separate room that can be turned into a home office, so work with what you have and you won’t go wrong. For example, if you have a large bedroom, you can choose one silent corner and add a desk and a chair to it. A cool room divider made from wood is a great idea if you want some privacy, and the best thing about it is the fact that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on it. Instead, put your crafting skills to good use and make one on your own!

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As you can tell, there are so many home designs that can truly improve your life, and these five are undoubtedly the best ones out there. So, if that’s your ultimate goal, all you need to do is to stick to our tips and you’ll surely accomplish it. That’s a promise!