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3 Summer Safety Musts Before the First Sleepover

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With summer in full swing, now's a good time to take stock of just how safe your home is for guests, especially when little ones are involved. Whether it's the in-laws or the third playdate of the week, it's worth making sure everyone is safe. Here are a few tips and projects that can help get your home ready for little ones. Secure Firearms and Other Sensitive Items One of the most critical steps in home safety is locking up sensitive items. Gun safety isn't just for gun owners with kids; keeping firearms out of sight and secure is a smart move in any household. For this reason, a gun safe is vital. There are plenty of options available, with different security ratings. You can also find hidden safes. Additionally, a gun safe is handy for securing valuable and sometimes fragile items that you might not want kids to accidentally encounter. Tidy Up the Garage You never know where curious little feet will wander, especially in tool-heavy spaces like the gara...

4 Deceptively Easy Home Improvement Projects to Try

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There are plenty of challenging, time-consuming home improvement projects that might seem daunting. But there are also quite a few that are easier than you might think. For example, installing premium tool storage in your garage doesn’t need to be a huge project. It might take time to install a wall full of cabinets, but it can also be easy to get done. Here are a few deceptively simple projects to try. Installing Decorative Ceiling Tiles Installing decorative ceiling tiles doesn’t have to be a lengthy project. Simply measure out the number of tiles you need and prepare the surface so it’s clean and debris-free. Apply an adhesive to the back of a tile, press it firmly against the ceiling, and then repeat. You can create your own patterns or designs with the tiles. All that’s left is to trim the excess for a clean look. You can even use grid systems for a precise installation, ensuring it looks professional.  You can find tiles for ceilings for many rooms in your hom...

4 Easy Ways to Transform Your Front Door Entrance

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The front door entrance is often guests' first impression of your home. If your welcome mat has been holding down the fort, summer is the perfect time to transform this space. Whether you’re aiming for a charming country style or a bold, modern vibe, with some elbow grease, a few supplies and tools, and a weekend afternoon, you can personalize your entry area into something that fits your unique style.  Add a Pop of Color The front door is the focal point as people walk up to your home. One of the easiest ways to breathe new life into this area is with a fresh coat of paint. Opt for durable and long-lasting exterior paint, such as door and trim paint designed to withstand the elements and scuffs, stains, and chips that outdoor high-traffic areas often face. Whether you choose a bold color like cherry red or a more muted, classic brown color, a fresh coat of paint can quickly elevate your home's appearance. Upgrade Door Hardware Instead of replacing your front d...

5 Ways to Get Your Garage Ready for Summer

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Summer is the perfect time to use your garage, but first, your garage needs to be in good shape. Whether you plan to install cabinet garage storage or you want a better floor to protect it from your summer projects, now is the perfect time to prep. Here are a few projects that can make your garage cleaner, more practical, and organized, so you can enjoy it all summer long. Cabinet Garage Storage Clean Your Garage Your first task is to clean your garage. Get everything off the floor that you can, and blow or sweep out all of the leaves and debris that have built up over the winter and spring. Take the time to make sure any surfaces are clean, from your workbench to your shelves. If your garage feels like a cluttered mess, you’ll be less likely to work and hang out in there, so make a deep clean your top priority this weekend. Install New Storage Systems What does your tool storage situation look like? From mobile toolboxes that you can wheel around the garage to work on ...

4 Projects to Make Your Home Safer This Summer

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Making your home safer doesn’t have to be hard. Whether you’re expecting a baby, already have a toddler, have grandchildren, or just want to improve your home’s safety, there are projects you can do this summer. From using deck boards composite instead of wood for a deck to safely storing tools, try these DIY projects to keep yourself and guests safe.  A Deck with No Splinters Picture this: You’re walking around barefoot in the summer on your deck, getting ready to enjoy the sun, when you step on a splinter. It’s one of the disadvantages of a wooden deck. If you use composite deck boards instead, you get nearly all of the advantages of a wood deck without the disadvantages. Composite boards don’t rot, which can be another safety concern. They also don’t create splinters and don’t attract insects. It still weathers like wood, and is highly scratch-, fade-, and stain-resistant. Store Your Tools Safely Tools can be a hazard. Sharp saws, heavy hammers, and many other to...

4 Reasons Tool Storage Is Important

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You reach for a tool, but it’s not on the shelf. Where did your orbital sander go? The saw isn’t supposed to be there! Storing your tools properly is important for a few reasons, not the least of which is being able to quickly find the right tool for the job. Whether you’re using rolling toolboxes or a cabinet garage storage system, there are a few reasons to properly store your tools. Protect Your Investment One of the major reasons to use storage is to protect your tools. Whether it’s a hammer or a cordless jigsaw, tools cost money. Properly storing them means they are far less likely to get damaged by you accidentally bumping the tool off a shelf or workbench. Properly storing your tools means they last longer and won’t collect as much rust, dust, or grease, assuming you keep them clean. This means they perform their jobs better for longer, and you won’t have to maintain them as often or replace damaged tools. Ensure Safety Leaving a saw on a workbench when you aren...

5 Reasons to Make DIY Home Upgrades

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Why should you bother doing your own home upgrades? Part of it is the upgrades themselves, and how they can add value to your home or improve your quality of life. Another part is complete control over the aesthetics, choosing the perfect tiles for ceilings in every room of your home. And, of course, if you do it yourself, you can save money, especially on easier jobs.  You Have Full Creative Freedom One of the biggest reasons to do home upgrades yourself is creative freedom. You are bound only by your imagination and how you want something to look. Using a contractor can work, but it can also be hard to convey exactly what you want. Even then, it might be done wrong. You might want to retile your shower, but the contractor turns the tiles the wrong way and changes the pattern you wanted. Now you either have to live with it or live with the time it takes to make it right. When you do things yourself, you’re in full control. Many Projects Are Easy Many smaller project...

5 Home Upgrades Worth the Investment

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While it’s okay to shop on a budget and cut corners for some home improvement projects, others are worth the extra investment. When upgrading things like electric hot water heaters or exterior decks, it’s worth spending a little extra on quality products, materials, and supplies so you can enjoy a more comfortable, efficient, and safer home. From more hot water on demand to a deck that holds up to Mother Nature, consider investing in these home upgrades. A Better Water Heater If you’re in the market for a new water heater, consider going with a premium option. An electric water heater with a large tank ensures you can take a bath while running the dishwasher, or not worry about family members who all want to take a hot shower on a cold day. Make sure you buy a size that fits your family’s needs, and consider going with a tankless install if you want a more efficient unit with hot water on demand. A Durable Composite Deck Another improvement that is worth the investmen...

4 Tips for the Ultimate Hobby Shed or Nook

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Whether you want a hobby shed, a corner of your office, or a workbench in your garage, the right tips can help you make your hobby space better. From home improvement and DIY to painting car models, tinkering with real cars, or tumbling rocks, having a space that lets you focus on your hobby is essential. Get some tool storage , turn on the lights, and try these tips. Carve Out a Workspace First, you need to make space for your hobby. It can be as small as a desk in a room to half your garage or a dedicated hobby shed in your backyard. Chances are, you need tools and space, such as a workbench, so making room to tinker and toy around with your hobby can help you get in the mindset of enjoying your hobby while separating it from a work area. Plus, you might work with chemicals, whether it’s paint or resin, that can be dangerous if not properly stored. Store Your Tools Properly Next, you need to store your tools properly so they stay safe, secure, and undamaged. You migh...

5 Garage Improvements for Car Lovers

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If you’re a car enthusiast, you know there are always improvements you can make to your garage. Whether you love a good restoration project or just like to change your oil yourself, the right garage improvements, like tool storage and better lighting, can make a huge difference. After all, you spend plenty of time in your garage, so why not make it a comfortable and practical space to work in? Here are a few upgrades to consider. Tool Storage Tool Storage One of the first improvements to consider making is tool storage. Whether it’s just a couple of cabinet garage storage options or a wall-wide system to hide away all of your tools and equipment, durable tool storage can hold your tools, cleaning supplies, and car parts and store them safely and securely. You will need sturdy shelving for your heavier tools. If your chosen tool storage system comes with a bench, all the better. Otherwise, consider building a bench in tandem with installing the cabinets and storage so you have a dedi...