Menards®

Whether you’re known around the neighborhood for your fabulous block parties and legendary queso dip or plan on hosting a weekly book club, make sure your home is the perfect setting for any gathering! Stair Treads While entertaining is a great way to foster community, get to know your neighbors, and spend quality time with friends, hosting is about more than simply sending out invitations and preparing snacks. The environment of your home sets the tone for your entire event! To make your home the perfect space for hosting, prepare with these three practical renovations. Make a Good First Impression From a firm handshake to a friendly smile, first impressions are important. When inviting guests to your home, make sure your house makes a good impression! A warm and inviting front porch will put your guests at ease and set the tone for your event. Evaluate your front porch for signs of wear and tear, such as splintering handrails, creaky steps, or unstable beams. It’s essent...

We all know someone who loves taking on home improvement projects, repairing things themselves, and spending their weekends with a hammer in their hands. If you have a DIYer on your holiday shopping list, there are plenty of gift ideas they’ll love. From Flex Paste for all their repair needs to power tools they’ll use again and again, here are five gift ideas for the DIYer in your life.  Paint and Painting Supplies If there’s one thing DIY enthusiasts do time and time again, it’s paint. They’re painting their bedroom. They’re restaining the deck. They’re painting a birdhouse they just made. This is the perfect opportunity to get them a gift they’ll use almost immediately. Everyone could always use more paint supplies. Brushes, rollers, trays, tape, step stools, primers, sprayers, and anything else that will help their painting experience go smoother make for great gifts. Upgraded Power Tools Whether they’re making repairs or building something brand new, power tool...

Winter is cold and harsh. But, if you create a warm and cozy atmosphere inside your home, you can come in from the wind and snow to relax and wind down away from the weather. After a few home-improvement projects, you can build a space perfect for hot chocolate and a good book. From natural wood stair treads to warm lighting, here’s how to make your home look and feel a bit cozier. Use Cushioned Runners Over Hardwood Building a cozy atmosphere starts from the ground up. A cold floor underneath bare feet can have you running for your slippers. Instead, lay down cushioned runners throughout high-traffic areas. It can be in the kitchen, leading in from the front door, or in the hallway leading to your room. Wherever they are, these rugs help your entire home feel more comfortable and warm. Pick Warm Lighting in Living Areas The visual aesthetics of your home contribute to the coziness just as much as the physical feeling. Lighting plays a big part in this. If you use soft, warm, ye...

Whether you host family game nights, holiday dinners, or bring friends around once a month, you love to entertain. Your home is a critical part of your entertaining ability. From creating a space that flows with an open floor plan and new stair treads to an updated kitchen, there are plenty of ways you can maximize your party hosting space. Follow these tips for a home that’s get-together central. Seating Is King First and foremost, you want to ensure you have enough seating for everyone coming over. Nobody wants to be standing all night or sitting on the floor. Start with the classic couch and loveseat combo, then add additional seating options elsewhere. This can be barstools in the kitchen, a dining table with plenty of chairs, and rolling office chairs for those extra big get-togethers. Or you can use unconventional options like floor cushions and beanbags. If everyone has a place to sit, it’s a comfortable party for everyone. Entertainment Areas Should Flow Just like a good ...

Insulation is one of your home’s best defenses in the battle against the cold. And while winter isn’t here yet, summer is dying down, and it’s time to start strategizing. If you don’t keep your home properly insulated, you could face extra-cold nights and a heating bill that keeps rising. Thankfully, this is a project that DIYers everywhere can tackle in a weekend with rolls of batt insulation, Flex Paste , and weather strips. Here’s everything you need to know about insulating your home before winter. Benefits of a Properly Insulated Home There are plenty of different reasons you’ll want to spend some time ensuring your home is insulated. Firstly, it helps trap heat inside during the winter. That means the cold air stays outside, and you get to snuggle up on the couch in a warm home, even while the chilly winds blow. Secondly, you save money on heating costs. Instead of continually battling against the environment to keep your home at the set temperature, your HVAC system can...