Revepedia - DIY & Home Improvement

Plant Grass Seed Now for a Lush Lawn by Spring

Autumn is arriving with cooler air and vibrant colors, and although gardening may slip down your to-do list, fall is actually one of the best times to plan and start improving your lawn. The season lets you prepare now so you can enjoy a fuller, healthier yard in spring. Before you begin any lawn project, … Read more

2012 Flooring Trends Preview: What’s Coming in Floors

2011 is winding down, and with the new year approaching, 2012 flooring trends are beginning to emerge. If you’re planning a flooring purchase in the coming months, here’s an early look at what to expect, based on Shelley Pond’s report for the official SURFACES/StonExpo blog. A comprehensive view of 2012 trends will be available at … Read more

How Pets Are Shaping Home Renovations Nationwide

Pet owners are passionate and often treat their animals as full members of the household. The market for dog and cat products in the United States is worth about $58 billion, and pet needs are increasingly influencing home-buying and remodeling choices. A recent report from Houzz examines how dogs and cats are shaping the way … Read more

Going Green on a Budget: Simple Low-Cost Tips for Eco Living

On our green building site we’ve been featuring a helpful series by Tabatha Muntzinger titled “Going Green, Simple and Cheap.” The articles are full of practical, low-cost ideas you can apply room by room to make your home more eco-friendly without major expense or effort.
These posts provide clear, achievable tips and fresh reminders for anyone wanting to reduce their environmental footprint at home. Rather than large overhauls, the emphasis is on small changes that add up—many require little or no money and can be adopted gradually.
Below are the pieces in the series, organized by area so you can jump to the rooms most relevant to you:
How to Get Green Little by Little
Entryways, Hallways and Stairs
Living Rooms
Dining Rooms
Kitchens

A solid wood table transforms a room the moment you bring it in. You notice the grain, the weight, and the careful craftsmanship behind it. Heirloom furniture still fits beautifully in modern homes. People who prefer handcrafted pieces often want both warmth and clean design: items that carry history but also fit into spaces that … Read more

The Recovery Area Home Gyms Often Overlook — Why It Matters

Home gyms have evolved significantly in recent years. Once a practical alternative to crowded commercial gyms, they are now central to many people’s approach to health and fitness. Adjustable dumbbells, squat racks, cardio machines, and thoughtfully arranged workout rooms are common in homes where exercise is a priority. Despite the attention paid to equipment selection … Read more

Common DIY Mistakes First-Time Homeowners Should Avoid

When my husband and I bought our house, we imagined transforming it ourselves—fresh paint, small repairs, and a little elbow grease would make everything perfect. We had no renovation experience, but we were eager and optimistic.
What we didn’t anticipate were faulty plumbing systems, rotten plaster, a failing HVAC, hidden “repairs,” and both water and fire damage.
Three years after signing the mortgage, I want to share the mistakes we made in our first real DIY adventure so you can avoid wasting time, money, and stress on your own projects. Below are the biggest problems we encountered and practical ways to avoid them.

Applying a fresh coat of paint, refinishing hardwood floors, or installing built-in shelves—these kinds of DIY tasks are easy to complete inside your home. But when a project moves outdoors, to your house’s exterior or the surrounding property, different rules often apply. One Los Angeles homeowner discovered this the hard way. Barbara Black invited a … Read more

Portable Nomad Grill: Rediscover Real Charcoal Flavor Anywhere

Portable charcoal grills often carry a reputation for being hot, messy, and fragile. The NOMAD Grill and Smoker challenges that stereotype with a rugged briefcase-style grill designed to deliver authentic charcoal flavor whether you’re at home, camping, or on the road—while minimizing mess and improving results. I’ll admit I’d moved away from charcoal, favoring gas … Read more

Deconstruction vs Demolition: Which Method Saves More Materials and Money?

You’re planning a major renovation — a new kitchen, an updated bathroom, or perhaps an entire home remodel. Before installing the new finishes and fixtures, you must remove what’s already there. Traditionally, that meant demolition: smashing out walls, fixtures, and finishes, often with sledgehammers or heavy equipment handled by professionals. Today, as sustainability becomes a … Read more