10 of the Best DIY Projects for under $50

coffee-table-diy.jpg

10 Best DIY projects for under $50 There is nothing better than great DIY projects for the house. Here are a few of the best DIY projects for under $50.

1. DIY Macramé Curtain.  This easy curtain can be made with under $50 material and only a few hours’ time. This is perfect for sprucing up a closet that may be lacking a door, or a groovy entry way into a room.  Check out A Beautiful Mess for full instructions and tips on this Bohemian DIY Home décor.

http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2014/02/make-your-own-macrame-curtain.html

2. Chevron Lamp Makeover. Got an ugly lamp shade? There is nothing a little tape and paint can’t fix. Take any old lamp shade and add paint for a new updated look. Try using tape as a guide for chevron stripes or design. Coco 29 did a great yellow chevron rendition.

http://www.coco29.com/diy-home-decor-ideas-on-a-budget/

3. DIY Magnetic Knife Board. This space saver is great for those small kitchens that do not have ample counter space. By creating your very own magnetic knife board you get those knifes off the counter, and out of the reach of little hands. DIY Magnetic Knife Boards can be mounted anywhere, high or low, and can be tailored to any décor style.

http://hobbylesson.com/diy-magnetic-board-for-knife-with-tutorial/

4. DIY Closet Kit. I don’t know many people whom were born with the ability to keep their closet organized, but this DIY Closet Kit is perfect at helping those, and especially if you have kids. Find socks and underwear in little time, and possible even get rid of your old dresser that is taking up space. I personally love this idea and want one in the kids’ bedroom. Premade closet kits can cost you anywhere from $200+ dollars, make this one for $50.

http://www.hometalk.com/585492/diy-closet-kit-for-under-50

5. Concrete DIY Fire Pit. Perfect for those nights where a bon fire just is the right thing to do. The DIY Concrete Fire Pit can be made in only a few hours, and is ready to use when you are. Its sleek look will have every one asking where they can purchase one for themselves.

http://www.manmadediy.com/users/chris/posts/2618-how-to-make-a-diy-modern-concrete-fire-pit-from-scratch

6. Farmhouse Coffee Table DIY. Caution this table requires some pretty awesome power tools! It’s cool what a few scrap pieces of wood and some wheels can do for your living room. You can even skip the wheels if you have young kids that would turn this table into a sled, with or without the wheels it would make a great DIY Coffee Table.

http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2013/03/coffee-table-diy.html

7. Staircase DIY Update. Get rid of the old carpeted staircase and in with the new sleek look. Demo, stain and paint, and you have a whole new house. Ok, you don’t have a whole new house, but you created a grand staircase with little effort.

http://inmyownstyle.com/2011/01/my-foyer-staircase-reveal.html

8. DIY Industrial Tables. Sometimes time is money. In this case this day project may not be for you, but it looks so cool. You can make end tables, or even a coffee table to match. This is for those whom love exposed brick and HVAC ducts, the Industrial lovers table this is.

http://www.lowes.com/creative-ideas/other-areas/industrial-side-tables/project?cm_mmc=sm_pi-_-lci-_-project-_-industrialsidetables

9. DIY Wine Rack. This is super chic and adds a spark to any décor. The best part of this is DIY Wine Rack project is the fact that it looks expensive. Don’t purchase one from the store, build your own and have something to be proud of in your kitchen.

http://www.lowes.com/creative-ideas/kitchen-and-dining/fine-lines-wine-rack/project?cm_mmc=sm_pi-_-lci-_-project-_-finelineswinerack

10. Kids Room DIY Crate Seats. You can find these plastic baskets in most stores, and kids usually use them to stand on anyways. Why not turn them into cute seats for the kids room, heck possibly even the living room. Crates, foam, fabric and wood – there you have DIY Crate Seats.

http://tupelohoneycaro.blogspot.com/2011/08/crate-seats-my-way.html

We love to see your completed DIY remodel projects. Comment with your best DIY to date and pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

The truth about your small kitchen remodel

kitchen-1-culver.jpg

kitchen remodel, remodel los angeles, galley kitchen, kitchen revamp, 1940's style kitchen, kitchen update The truth about a small kitchen is that it will not be the jack of all trades. You will have to give up the idea of doing homework here, paying bills here, and recipe searching in your small kitchen. The design goal for your small kitchen must be to achieve an effective small kitchen, not multipurpose space. There is nothing wrong with a kitchen that is just that, a kitchen. The design factor is a lot tougher already when you have to fit a functioning kitchen into a small space, but small changes can make it even better than a large kitchen.  When designing a small kitchen think of: size, color, light and function.

So focus first on function, making sure you have the appliances and work areas you need. You may be able to save a bit of space by using scaled-down or innovative appliances, including refrigerator and freezer drawers and pint-sized microwaves, stoves (some with just two burners) and single sinks. The function is there, without all the square footage! If workspace is at a premium, consider a small-scale island or a counter-topped cart that can be rolled away into a closet when not in use. Now just because you need to really hone in on function of your small kitchen does not mean you have to lose any space to style. The color of walls, appliances, and counter tops, bar stools, and backsplash can change the mood of your pint sized kitchen. Going with more pale colors can help with light, but don’t be afraid to go bold and add color and mix your patterns. Using the same color and style of fixtures and cabinet knobs can unify a design when you are using different textures and patterns in your small kitchen.

Tiny kitchens can feel claustrophobic if there are upper cabinets towering over you in such a small space. Most of the time cooks can’t even reach those upper cabinets anyways, and in a small kitchen there isn’t much room for a stool or ladder. Skip the excessive cabinets and opt for a more spacious approach with open shelves. You can also use magnetic knife strips, pot racks and give your kitchen a designer way to show off your favorite dish sets and even artwork. And like any other room, your small kitchen needs great lighting that you can use for cooking and for atmosphere. Fluorescent lighting, which casts a bluish light impacting the colorization of objects in the room, including the food, is frequently found in kitchens. To counteract it, consider hanging pendant lights that bathe your eating area in a more appetizing color. Tip: Try using glass doors from the kitchen into the next room or to the outside, this will increase light in the kitchen and also give the illusion of more space.

Don’t let small spaces give you design block. No matter a small galley kitchen or small apartment kitchen – you can make your design amazing if you trim the fat and keep your design neat.

Avoid the WORST kitchen remodeling mistakes

remodel-disater.jpg

Avoid the WORST kitchen remodeling mistakes remodel disater

 

Photo Credit: Google

Everyone has heard the kitchen remodel horror stories about some contractor whom skips town with your money, or a contractor whom leaves your kitchen a huge, unworkable mess because a product is on back order. Let’s avoid those horror stories and get your kitchen remodel done the right way.

1. Don’t go with the first remodeling company you see online. This goes for the first company offering a big discount. Some companies can offer a savings if you sign up with them right on the spot. Avoid letting pushy tactics get you to sign a contract without much thought or research. Ask lots of questions, read reviews and ask for references. A remodel company’s work should speak for itself. If the reviews are reading the same thing over and over, describing poor quality and such forth, then you may need to pass on that company.

2. Don’t pay for the entire project until the entire project is completed. Most projects will require you to make a significant down payment. This is normal since the contractor has to place orders for products that are designed specifically for your kitchen. If you decided to withdraw from the project, the down payment is their financial safety net. However, you deserve a safety net too. It is good policy to always leave a portion outstanding until the kitchen is finished. 10% is pretty typical. If you have a problem giving your contractor a down payment, then you don’t trust them. If you feel your contractor is untrustworthy, it’s time for a new one. You should always be able to trust your contractor. They’re the one that will be in your home and making big changes.

3. Don’t stress yourself out if the project gets set back a few days. Think of the end result and how you will enjoy this kitchen remodel for a good amount of years, a few days off schedule will be OK. Projects will have draw backs and there will be things that come up and change plans. You will need to roll with the punches so to say, and trust your remodel team has everything under control.

4. Don’t expect a working kitchen until the project’s done unless otherwise stated. Make arrangements so you won’t need one. Cabinet refacing does not shut down your kitchen, but new countertops in addition to refacing will. You will probably be without running water and a sink for a day or two. New kitchens are shut down on day one, as soon as the old cabinets are torn out. Depending on the countertop chosen, you’re typically looking at 2-4 weeks before you have a fully functional kitchen again.

5. Don’t start your remodel before you’ve chosen your appliances. Make sure you have the specs in the contractors’ hands prior to cabinets being ordered. That way they can arrange a better fit for the appliance into the cabinets. This applies especially to wall ovens, built in microwaves, cook tops, and large refrigerators.

Transform your home with the trends

15-dove-grey-living-room.jpg

Transform your home with the trends Keeping up with interior design trends is no easy task. When this requires a serious financial investment most of us prefer to ignore them. What if there were easy ways to transform the look of your home without having to replace the furniture? We offer you some simple home design transformations following recent trends in the world of interior design.

 

Contrasting Kitchen Cabinets

The kitchen is often the most expensive to redesign. Because of this kitchen cabinets are the oldest pieces of furniture in many homes. Don’t worry! You can transform your kitchen cabinets by just putting a fresh coat of paint in the colors that are on trend now. The biggest design hit these days is painting the lower and upper cabinets in two different colors. The most popular is grey  for the lower and white for the upper cabinets. You can pick from different shades of grey for the lower cabinets, ranging from very dark to very light. This stylish and timeless color scheme will add glamour to your kitchen.

kitchen 2 culver

Persian Rugs in the Bathroom

Opt for a colorful Persian rug instead of a bathroom mat. Bathrooms can feel somewhat sterile and adding a pop of color is a simple solution. Persian rugs are a hot trend at the moment. They are very graphic and colorful and they are often enough to transform the look of an entire room. They work well in the bathroom and make a perfect accent item.

interior design trends

 

Mixing Old and New

Mixing furniture and other design elements from different decades or even centuries is very on trend. For example you can mix ultra modern furniture with old vintage dressers and chairs. This brings an eclectic feel to living spaces. You would want to make your home to look like there are layers of history in it and this is easy to achieve by adding some antique pieces. Think again before you throw away old furniture!

living room 2 culver

Homier Bathroom

One of the hottest interior design trends of 2016 is bathrooms that feel like living spaces. There are several tips and tricks you can follow to achieve that cozy bathroom feel. Add a seating area in the bathroom or just a comfortable armchair. You can also add furniture with more shelving. Plants are also a good way to make the bathroom look more like your living room.

interior design trends

Source: www.persquare.com

Backsplash meant to catch your eye

Backsplash meant to catch your eye Every square inch of your kitchen should be used to improve the flow and design of your newly remodeled kitchen. Homeowners are no longer ignoring the space between the kitchen counter and the cabinets, and back splashes are no longer only 4 inches tall. Now colorful and eye catching backsplashes are being installed. Backsplashes are reaching new heights and design; even new materials are taking the kitchen remodel by storm. No longer are stone, subway tiles, and stainless steel the only “trend” when it comes to backsplashes.  Tile will remain in the number one spot for 2016 with stone falling shortly behind at number 2. Although the materials used for tiles and backsplashes are ever growing.

Subway-Tile-Backsplash-Pictures-5

If you do want to stick to the older trend, you can buy your subway tiles for cheaper than regular tiles, and natural stone will give your kitchen a durable edge. Though the latest rage in tile is now 3D tile and textured tile. Textured tile can add depth to your kitchen backsplash wall, and create a cool piece of art to look at. If you spend time in the kitchen you will more than likely look at your new backsplash, so make it something worth looking at.

BeautifulRemodel-SVKitchen-backsplash-full

But if you want to liven up your kitchen and install eye catching backsplash, you will need to match your backsplash to your personality. Try mixing it up with White marble and a flashy wallpaper or river rocks. Our Advice: If you want something amazing and fit for your personal style – go with a material that complements your life. Green gurus and ecofriendly homeowners are reaching for the reclaimed wood and antique wood tiles for their kitchen backsplashes. Ever have left over wood from your homes’ flooring? Now you can put it to use by using it as backsplash. But your wood backsplash doesn’t have to match the color of your floors – opt for staining your left over pieces to your taste. Even concrete can be an ecofriendly option for backsplash. Embossed concrete will be seen on kitchen walls – and can be embossed to look like individual tiles – though with less work.

wood backsplash

Small kitchens are happy to get a backsplash made of tile mirrors! These mirrors come in any shape or size and can really reflect the light a small kitchen may be lacking. We first saw them in kitchens of the 80’s – but they are making a strong come back for 2016. The reflective power of a mirror can catch what small light you have in your kitchen and make it appear brighter and larger. Say good bye to dark and dingy – get yourself mirrored backsplash tiles.

As you can see there are so many more options rather than simple subway tile or natural stone for your kitchen backsplash and it doesn’t take much more than a creative idea to get a cool backsplash. Some installations take less work and time than others. If you have questions or need help with a remodel project don’t be afraid to reach out and contact us. 1.877.642.7772 Spazio LA

 

Backsplash meant to catch your eye

Backsplash meant to catch your eye Every square inch of your kitchen should be used to improve the flow and design of your newly remodeled kitchen. Homeowners are no longer ignoring the space between the kitchen counter and the cabinets, and back splashes are no longer only 4 inches tall. Now colorful and eye catching backsplashes are being installed. Backsplashes are reaching new heights and design; even new materials are taking the kitchen remodel by storm. No longer are stone, subway tiles, and stainless steel the only “trend” when it comes to backsplashes.  Tile will remain in the number one spot for 2016 with stone falling shortly behind at number 2. Although the materials used for tiles and backsplashes are ever growing.

Subway-Tile-Backsplash-Pictures-5

If you do want to stick to the older trend, you can buy your subway tiles for cheaper than regular tiles, and natural stone will give your kitchen a durable edge. Though the latest rage in tile is now 3D tile and textured tile. Textured tile can add depth to your kitchen backsplash wall, and create a cool piece of art to look at. If you spend time in the kitchen you will more than likely look at your new backsplash, so make it something worth looking at.

BeautifulRemodel-SVKitchen-backsplash-full

But if you want to liven up your kitchen and install eye catching backsplash, you will need to match your backsplash to your personality. Try mixing it up with White marble and a flashy wallpaper or river rocks. Our Advice: If you want something amazing and fit for your personal style – go with a material that complements your life. Green gurus and ecofriendly homeowners are reaching for the reclaimed wood and antique wood tiles for their kitchen backsplashes. Ever have left over wood from your homes’ flooring? Now you can put it to use by using it as backsplash. But your wood backsplash doesn’t have to match the color of your floors – opt for staining your left over pieces to your taste. Even concrete can be an ecofriendly option for backsplash. Embossed concrete will be seen on kitchen walls – and can be embossed to look like individual tiles – though with less work.

wood backsplash

Small kitchens are happy to get a backsplash made of tile mirrors! These mirrors come in any shape or size and can really reflect the light a small kitchen may be lacking. We first saw them in kitchens of the 80’s – but they are making a strong come back for 2016. The reflective power of a mirror can catch what small light you have in your kitchen and make it appear brighter and larger. Say good bye to dark and dingy – get yourself mirrored backsplash tiles.

As you can see there are so many more options rather than simple subway tile or natural stone for your kitchen backsplash and it doesn’t take much more than a creative idea to get a cool backsplash. Some installations take less work and time than others. If you have questions or need help with a remodel project don’t be afraid to reach out and contact us. 1.877.642.7772 Spazio LA