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Home Improvement Projects You Can Do in a Weekend

It seems there are always improvements to be made to our homes. You might be focused on the big picture, aiming for basement renovations, new windows, or a complete home remodel. Don’t forget though that you can make big changes in just one weekend. Here are some ideas.  1. Change your backsplash.  If you’re thinking that changing the backsplash of your kitchen is a project only fit for a home remodel, there’s good news. It can be done in a weekend, without tearing out your existing backsplash. You can easily change its look by adding a fresh coat of paint. If you like a more modern look, mirrored tiles often come in adhesive sheets that can be easily applied. You can even add wood or tin.  2. Install some interior wall paneling.  Similarly to the back splash project, this is actually easier than you think. Sometimes changing the color of a room doesn’t do the trick. Instead add texture by installing paneling. Often it’s as simple as nailing it to your wall. The hardest part might be choosing the right texture and cutting out space for outlets, etc.  3. Change the entrance of your home. Add window boxes, paint your...
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5 Summer DIY Project Ideas

Your home and outdoor spaces are full of untapped potential! As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, the opportunity to change up your space with a do-it-yourself project is even more at hand. The process is rewarding, and the end result is uniquely yours, naturally adding character. Here are some DIY projects you can try this season.  1. Build a Fire Pit  A fire pit is a great addition to any outdoor space. It adds ambiance and even promotes community. You can use it to grill too! Choose a pit that’s right for your style and the size of your space. Don’t forget to check your local laws for rules and restrictions on outdoor fires. 2. Make a Garden We recommend building a raised garden bed. Its simplicity and versatility make it a smart addition to any yard. Choose the size and style you want for your garden bed and gather materials. Don’t forget the soil! Your new garden will give a polished look while displaying pretty flowers or providing fresh herbs.   3. Create Fun Lighting  New lighting is one of the biggest contributors to a kitchen, bath, or home remodel, but even small changes can improve...
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How to Start a Garden

Your home is more than just your physical house. Adding and maintaining a garden can be a lovely addition to the exterior of your home, gracefully adding to the ambience and color of your environment. In addition to any flowers that might speckle your outdoor space, growing fresh fruits and vegetables can also help you cook healthier, tastier meals. Here are the basic steps to starting your garden. Decide What You’d Like to Grow It’s important to give this step some dedicated thought. After all, what you decide to plant will shape your gardening experience. Would you like some fresh vegetables or colorful flowers? How much work are you envisioning each week? Once you’ve got a firm idea of your vision, you can move towards implementing it. Plan Your Space Your garden will be the main focus and fixture of this area of the property – make sure you take the time to map out what shape and location you are envisioning. Keep in mind how much space your plants will need to grow, especially if they have deep root systems or bloom into large vegetables. Invest in the Right Tools Your local gardening outlet or cooperative will be an...
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Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Appliances

Spring cleaning – it’s that gritty process you’re thankful only occurs once a year. But giving your house a facelift is a great way to start off the fair-weather season the right way, even if it takes some effort and a few rolls of paper towels. However, when we freshen up our homes in the springtime, we normally neglect our appliances. In fact, there may be a couple that you only clean in the case of a spill, or have never cleaned at all. But how exactly do you go about cleaning your appliances? Is it possible to do it yourself? In short, there are some easy steps you can take to spruce up the cleanliness of your kitchen appliances without hiring a professional cleaner or shelling out for expensive chemicals. Keep reading to see our top tips for cleaning out each appliance this spring: Microwave Place a microwaveable container filled with water and a few lemon wedges in the mic, and nuke it for 3 minutes. The vapor and lemon will loosen any stains and smells living in your microwave. Let it cool down, and give it a wipe. Easy peasy! Oven Similar to your new microwave strategy, place...
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Ways to Prep Your Home for the Holidays

The holidays are upon us here in the Twin Cities and whether you are able to celebrate with family and friends this year or your holiday plans have been postponed, what better way to add some cheer to the season with some easy home upgrades and festive decor!  Here are 3 ways to prep your home for the holidays: Winter Cleaning Giving your home a deep clean prior to the arrival of guests goes a long way. Of course cleaning the main rooms of the house where guests will congregate first will allow you to feel more prepared, but doing a deep clean on corners and closets and other out-of-sight locations will help relax your mind so you can focus on spending quality time with your family, rather than worrying about what the guests think of your home. A clean home promotes a sense of well-being that will carry over into your holiday. Consider it your early spring cleaning.  Stock Up On Supplies To avoid the unwanted stress of holiday shopping, try stocking up on necessary items well in advance. Items ranging from food, to household supplies, to holiday gifts can be purchased before the holiday season so that when...
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3 Spring Updates For Your House

Spring is a time for renewal and rejuvenation. After months of a cold, dry, and dreary Minnesota Winter, we all feel ready to embrace the Spring weather. If you’re feeling the urge to update your home, here are three ways to embrace the Spring season in your home with style. 1. Flowers and Plants Brighten up your house with some freshly cut flowers or potted plants. Next grocery haul pick up some fresh flowers or plants from the grocery store or order online at marketplaces like Amazon for added convenience. Another way to welcome the Spring into your home is to plant an indoor garden which will make your house feel Spring-ready as it brings the outdoors indoors. You can build a beautiful Spring garden inside by installing a rack, hanging capabilities, or an indoor trellis. To make sure you choose the right plants for your house read The Spruce guide to indoor plants for your best indoor garden. If you’re worried about remembering to water your plants, there are many custom, self-watering systems available for installation. All the plants and flowers in your house will improve air quality; making the house feel healthier and happier. Between mini-cactus desk plants...
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How To Organize Your Closet

As we transition into the fall and back-to-school, it’s important to keep a tidy closet space to stay organized. Here’s some tips from House Lift to organize your closet: Design Your closet space should work for you and your family’s lifestyle. Consider if you want a walk-in, California, or hidden closet, ask yourself the following questions to see what kind of closet you need: What are your style needs? How do you plan to use your closet? How will your family use the closet? Is your family messy or organized? Do you value function or style more? Organize If you create places for all of the things in your closet it makes it easier to clean and creates a more tidy look. Try shelf dividers to keep your folded shirts, organize jewelry on a jewelry tree, install a pegboard on the wall for backpacks or raincoats, find a shoe rack to lift shoes off the floor, or buy matching storage boxes to hide sweatshirts, scarves, or sunglasses. Simplify The easiest way to streamline your closet is to invest in hangers that match. Matching hangers not only tie your closet together, but also highlight your wardrobe. If you or your kids...