Whether we rent or own a home it is often a joy to create a living environment filled with what makes us happy. Sometimes that means fixing up structures and items to be more functional, or bringing things together to create a pleasing space. Having rented for the first eleven years of my marriage and being a first time home buyer in late 2009, I've experienced many years learning how to fix things in both a home I own and one I don't. In either situation I have come to find online searches and social media a good tool to figure out how to make small repairs from those who have BTDT (been there done that), find affordable local help to do it for me if it's something I just don't want to tackle myself, and discover ways to improve the look and function of my home with tutorials for DIY (do it yourself) projects. There are a lot of opinions out there on the "right" way to do things, so take your time when you start planning your next project. It only took me a few failed attempts before I devoted a bit more thought and research prior to investing a lot of time and resources on whatever my latest "plan" to improve my home happened to be. There is a feeling of satisfaction as you learn how to repair, repurpose, and recreate the items and space in which you live.

Our time is precious and needs to be used well. Sometimes that means doing the work ourself, hiring the work out, or choosing not to invest in the project at all. There are the basics of comfortable living (electricity, running water, environmental controls, working appliances, shelter, etc...), and there are the extras that make living enjoyable (pleasing colors, comfortable furniture, decorative items, good flooring, functional organization, etc...) and deserve our attention as well. I've learned that any project, piece of furniture, decorative item, appliance, etc... that I bring into my home is something that should not add to my burden (clutter, extensive upkeep), but to my happiness of having a comfortable home that works for me and my family. Members of my family have a significant interest in computers, art, costume design, reading, gardening, and movies (to name a few). Our desire to design our living environment around these things dictate how I have used the space available in our home. I've needed to get quite creative at times to try and make room for our family of seven to be able to pursue our interests. When you look at your home and the family that lives there, it's important to find a way to make room for what allows them to create. Sometimes it means a sewing space in the master bedroom, a wall of computers in the front room of your home, bookshelves built above windows, and other unconventional uses of space. My home has more of a "lived in" look and would never make it in a magazine, but that's okay with me. Our family needs are met and we are able to learn and grow and create in this "lived in" home. (07-2023 - I have updated  links info).

DIY Resources....

... DIY Home Improvement Information - doityourself

... HGTV: How To

... HouseLogic: DIY Repair

... iFixit : The Free Repair Manual

... The Family Handyman

My Projects Pinterest Board

For the past several years I have saved a lot of project ideas on Pinterest. If you have an account you can browse through what has caught my eye and helped me to learn how to clean better.