If You Ask Me About Home Staging ... And You Did.

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/happy-dog-running-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/happy-dog-running-large.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">He may be your best friend, but ...</span></em>   </td></tr></tbody></table>These are some of the questions I've received lately from readers and others.<br /><br />You can ask me home staging questions and offer your own give advice on my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/100832113324140/" target="_blank">Facebook Group Page</a>.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Q: </span></b>Our fenced backyard is a wasteland. We let our dogs have the run of it, so we have basically no landscaping there. The front yard has good curb appeal. What can I do?<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">A:</span></b> There really isn't much you can do, is there? Fencing a portion of the yard would cost money, look less than satisfactory, and probably make your dogs unhappy.<br /><br />Replacing your fencing with invisible fencing would also cost money, and necessitate landscaping the backyard.   <br /><br />I'd make sure the landscaped areas around your home that are outside the "dog run" look really pretty.<br /><br />With luck, you'll find a buyer who wants a backyard that's low maintenance and dog-friendly. <br /><div><br /></div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Q: </span></b>Are twin beds okay in a guest bedroom, or should I <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/10/bedroom-staging-diy-headboard-and-make.html" target="_blank">stage it with a queen bed</a>?<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">A: </span></b>If you have only two bedrooms, I would stage both with a queen or double bed. But if you have three bedrooms, I'd stage the third with twin beds. If the third room is small, even a single or a sleeper would be fine.<br /><br />Also, let your budget be your guide. Don't go out and buy beds you don't want or need.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Q:</span></b> Should I change the <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/07/is-your-bathroom-staged-to-impress.html" target="_blank">bathroom</a> faucets in my home? They are gold. They work well but I know they aren't the latest style.</div><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">A:</span></b> In my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook</a>, I recommend changing faucets and other hardware like hinges and doorknobs so that  metals match. Matched hardware makes a home look more like a new home.<br /><br />The gold faucets will definitely date your home (unless they are actually sold brass and in an historic home). However, if you are on a tight budget, and the faucets are in great condition, and you're not replacing other outdated, fixed features such as 40-year old countertops and pink toilets, I'd let the gold faucets stay.<br /><br />In other words, it depends on your home, how you've priced it, and the type of buyer you expect to attract.     <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.decorpad.com/photos/2011/11/13/3c5fa01ac84e.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn.decorpad.com/photos/2011/11/13/3c5fa01ac84e.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Faucets don't have to be expensive. And installing one can <br />be a DIY project. Photo: Tiek Built Homes.  </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Q:</span></b> When we stage our home, do we need to convert our home office back into a bedroom?<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">A: </span></b>A home office is a definite perk. But homes for sale are listed according to how many bedrooms they have. So, if you reduce the number of bedrooms in your listing, you might as well reduce your price and the desirability of your home!<br /><br />A room is a bedroom if it has a closet. My advice would be to stage your home office as a bedroom, but keep its office status as well. It's all in <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-to-arrange-furniture-most-common.html" target="_blank">how you arrange the furniture</a>. Either squeeze the office space down to just a desk and chair. Or squeeze the sleeping space down to a convertible sofa or sleeper chair.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.meredith.com/content/dam/remodel/Images/2008/08/BHG133888.jpg.rendition.largest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://images.meredith.com/content/dam/remodel/Images/2008/08/BHG133888.jpg.rendition.largest.jpg" width="628" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Most bedrooms have space for a small office if you make the bed either a<br />day bed or sleeper sofa. Buyers see the flexibility of the space. Photo: BH&G.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Q:</span></b> I plan to paint all three bedrooms in our home. Is it important to paint inside closets, too?<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">A:</span></b> Good for you for giving your walls a facelift! Remember to keep those colors light and neutral.<br /><br />Even though the job may sound daunting, I recommend painting closets. You may have already decluttered your <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/07/eight-thrifty-ideas-to-help-you-stage.html" target="_blank">bedroom closets</a>. If not, painting is a great excuse to empty them, then discard or recycle or put into storage what's left.<br /><br />The good news is that when you paint a closet you don't have to get too fussy about wall imperfections and such. You just want it to look bright and clean. For this reason, I always paint closets white rather than the color of the bedroom. Give the ceiling a fresh coat of white as well, and you'll be surprised what a difference it makes.<br /><br />Do YOU have a question about staging your home for the real estate market? I'd like to hear it.

If You Ask Me About Home Staging ... And You Did.

He may be your best friend, but ...     These are some of the questions I've received lately from readers and others. You can ask me hom...

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News: This Blog Wins a Spot on the Top 100 List

<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.meredith.com/bhg/images/2011/01/550_101414857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://images.meredith.com/bhg/images/2011/01/550_101414857.jpg" width="474" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Home Decorating and Staging, a site for DIY fanatics, writes about <br />easy ways to declutter, so you can end up with a look like this, <br />from Better Homes and Gardens.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>Don’t you love receiving an email that starts out, “We are pleased to inform you …”<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I mean one that’s not from <st1:country-region w:st="on">Nigeria</st1:country-region>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I won an award. An organization that’s a clearing house of information for people in the construction management field, named this blog one of the “Top 100 DIY Sites for Home Improvement Fanatics.” <br /><br />Fanatics? Whatever!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">It's always a perk to be given some recognition, and in this case, especially so. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m very flattered, because it’s obvious that the association <a href="http://www.constructionmanagementdegree.com/top-100/" target="_blank">Construction Management Degree </a>did exhaustive research for the benefit of their readers. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Not only</span></b> does the published list name the best sites, but it also gives a brief profile of the 100 prize-winners. Some sites will be familiar, but many will be eye-opening ones new to you! You’ll find listed the specialty of each, the author, how to connect through social media, and links to two notable posts. Sweet! Someone did all your homework for you!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Badge_ATop100DIYSite_small.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Badge_ATop100DIYSite_small.png" width="301" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">The list is in no particular order, but there are six categories: general remodeling; interior decorating; kitchens and baths; office and work spaces; landscaping and exterior (where I ended up for some reason); and basements, storage and closets.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">What this means</span></b> to you is that by visiting Construction Management Degree.com you can jump to all kinds of really instructive and inspiring sites for DIY projects.  You’ll find nuts-and-bolts-type advice and money-saving tips.   </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The site is designed to guide people towards the best schools offering degrees in construction management. The database includes both campus colleges and online schools. The site also steers folks in the direction of forums, message boards, organizations, websites, and blogs packed with helpful info for anyone in the construction business. I know you’ll find something special that hits the proverbial nail on the proverbial head! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">I love a website </span></b>that is loaded with links to fascinating sources, but is still easy to read and navigate. This one does just that. Whether you are a DIYer, a decorator, a renovator or remodeler, a builder or a homeseller, you're bound to found numerous links to bookmark.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Here is a typical blog post about <a href="http://www.home-decorating-and-staging.com/home-organization-tips-declutter-drawers.html" target="_blank">decluttering </a> from a site called Home Decorating and Staging. You'll discover a wealth of posts bound to educate you on Alex Hinst's site. </div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Another site that site that stood out for me, about décor and remodeling, is this one about a <a href="http://www.diywithadd.com/2010/07/27/a-bathroom-love-affair/" target="_blank">bath makeover</a>. Plenty of inspiration and ideas on this site.<br /><br />You can easily jump to a video of Danny Lipford showing <a href="http://www.dannylipford.com/video/how-to-remove-mold-on-the-outside-of-a-house/" target="_blank">how to remove mold </a>from a home's exterior. Or learn how to <a href="http://www.ikeahackers.net/" target="_blank">turn affordable IKEA furniture into genuine home improvements </a>that look custom.<br /><br />I'm a big fan of Family Handyman, the magazine, and I'm not surprised that the website made the list. It's a goldmine of well-illustrated step-by-steps that walk you through projects like how to <a href="http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Indoor-Projects/Bathrooms/Bathroom-Remodeling/how-to-remodel-your-bathroom-without-destroying-it" target="_blank">remodel a bath on a shoestring</a>, and the right way to <a href="http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Lighting/Wall-Lights/how-to-add-a-light" target="_blank">add a wall sconce</a>.<br /><br />You can fill up on eye candy at <a href="http://www.mixandchic.com/" target="_blank">Mix and Chic</a>, learn what to plant where at <a href="http://www.finegardening.com/" target="_blank">Fine Gardening</a>, and research a host of DIY tutorials for stylish decor projects at <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/" target="_blank">The House of Smiths.</a>  See, I've done even more of your homework for you!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">You don't have to</span></b> be a fanatic to have as much fun as I did learning about some new places to bring you up to speed on what’s new and clever in the world of DIY home improvement.<br /><br />And you don't have to be a fanatic to download your copy of my $5 <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. </i>Just someone who wants to make a home more marketable.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">   </div>

News: This Blog Wins a Spot on the Top 100 List

Home Decorating and Staging, a site for DIY fanatics, writes about easy ways to declutter, so you can end up with a look like this, from Bet...

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A Dozen Rules for Organizing Your Home. Painlessly!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://common2.csnimages.com/lf/46/hash/7640/2773925/1/Windsor+Wardrobe+Valet+in+Mahogany.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-P1090025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-P1090025.jpg" width="403" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Get organized. Stay organized. Here's tips. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>An organized home is one that calls out to buyers. In a good way.<br /><br />Since January's buzz word is "organization," you'll find plenty of products and tools in stores right now to help you get organized. And you'll find plenty of advice in the media and online.<br /><br />Here are my twelve best tips for tackling organizing projects when your home is for sale.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. Location, Location.</b></span> If you don’t have a place to put it, you can’t keep it. <br />                                    <br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. Think!</b></span> Get rid of junk before you organize. Don’t waste time organizing what you don’t want to keep. Declutter first. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. Be Mean, and Mean It.</b></span> Declutter when you are in a serious, even nasty, frame of mind, not a leisurely, happy-go-lucky one. It's easier to get rid of things when you are mad, as in, "I'm sick and tired of this crap!" See my post on <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/10/tips-for-cleaning-and-organizing-closet.html">organizing a closet</a> for my plan of attack. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. Cluster by Function. </b></span>Think in terms of systems. Categorize by how and where you will use particular items. Examples: a shoe care kit in the closet, your bill paying box on the desk, a cabinet just for setting the table, a shoe box in the vanity for all first aid supplies, a tote in the bathroom with all bathroom cleaning supplies.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>5. Accessibility Counts.</b></span> Don’t waste prime real estate. Is the handiest space on your kitchen counter taken up with cookbooks you hardly use? Is the fancy china you use only for company on the most reachable cabinet shelf? Are your summer sandals front and center on your closet floor all winter? It's time to rotate seldom used or out of season items to less accessible places, and bring most-used items into prime spots. <br /><div style="text-align: right;"></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>6. Choose One Place Only.</b></span> Designate a central command spot in the house where one calendar is kept, and any notes to other family members, schedules, invitations, and important phone numbers, are posted. Remember to keep personal information invisible to people touring your home. <br /><div style="text-align: right;"></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>7. Break It Up.</b></span> When tackling a task you don’t enjoy, set a timer, and stop when time's up. Repeat the following day (or week) until the work is done.  <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>8. Tidy As You Go.</b></span> Make it easy to put things away when you are finished using them. Work to eliminate the habit of dropping clothes on the floor by keeping covered laundry baskets near dressing areas. And by having storage areas like closets, cabinets, dressers, and shelves uncrowded.  <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-P1080947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-P1080947.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A pretty closet will encourage you to keep it organized and ready for a showing. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>10. Give the Day Structure.</b></span> Have routines. Take care of certain tasks in the morning. Run regular errands on the same day of the week. Have an end of day routine. A structured day frees your mind for important decisions, and empowers you.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>11. Name One Spot.</b></span> Establish a holding zone in the house, where items that need to go elsewhere are placed. Clear this spot on a daily basis. This habit makes those spontaneous calls from your realtor less reason for rushing around.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.meredith.com/content/dam/bhg/Images/2010/11/101447243.jpg.rendition.largest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://images.meredith.com/content/dam/bhg/Images/2010/11/101447243.jpg.rendition.largest.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Make it easy for everyone to help </i></span><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">Photo: Better Homes and Gardens </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>12. Hide Stuff.</b></span> This tip breaks the rule most organizing experts tell you, but when your home is for sale, the rules change. Instead of storing small items in see-through containers, store in opaque containers, preferably all one color. You'll minimize the look of clutter, and cultivate a clean, seamless appearance.<br /><br />In the top photo, I've lined clear plastic shoe boxes with scrapbook paper to hide the contents and create a more uniform look. <br /><br />I wrote about <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/07/eight-thrifty-ideas-to-help-you-stage.html">thrifty fixes for closet organization</a>, and Alexis, the expert organizer and blogger at <a href="http://cleansmartsimple.blogspot.com/">Clean, Smart Simple</a>, guest-posted here about <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/11/you-can-make-your-closets-look-larger.html">how to make closets look larger</a>.<br /><br />Don't wait any longer to tackle the organizing projects your home needs to be the one buyers crave. With the right systems and the right attitude, you can have your entire home organized before February brings another buzz word.<br /><br />For more tips on making your home more desirable, download my $5 <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Make Your Home Sell Fast and For Top Dollar. </i>

A Dozen Rules for Organizing Your Home. Painlessly!

Get organized. Stay organized. Here's tips.  An organized home is one that calls out to buyers. In a good way. Since January's buzz ...

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Want Some Holiday Scents? Make a Citrus Pomander

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_1740-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_1740-1.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>You won't believe how easy it is to make a fragrant pomander!</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Citrus tops the list of fragrances sure to please everyone. So why not greet visitors to your home on the market with the scent of fresh lemons, limes and oranges?<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>For the holidays</b></span>, I like to mix citrus scents with the spicy aroma of cloves by making pomanders. They're pretty, they're easy to make, and the smell is natural so it won't offend anyone, even the chemically sensitive.<br /><br />These pomanders are exactly like the ones people used to put in closets and dressers to make things smell pretty in the time before Fabreeze or Lysol.<br /><br />Originally, pomanders were made and worn to ward off evil spirits and diseases, not to mention body odor in pre-deodorant days. Both men and women wore gold and silver containers as jewelry that held fragrant, stink-masking spices. As much as I love knights of bold in days of old, I'm glad I didn't live in those times.  <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Now that your home is for sale</b></span>, I am sure you have cleaned and decluttered, and made it smell fresh. To add a pleasant layer of fragrance, hang a pomander from a ribbon in a closet, set one on a kitchen window sill, leave one on a bedroom nightstand, or just pile some on a plate in the foyer.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_1803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_1803.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Oranges, tangerines, lemons, limes and clementines all make great pomanders.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Once you see how festive and fragrant these citrus pomanders are, you may want to add them to wreaths, cluster them into centerpieces, or attach them on gift-wrapped packages.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Remember high school </b></span>geography stories about European explorers sailing east to discover trade routes to parts of the world where spices grew? They needed exotic ingredients like cloves and cinnamon and pepper to preserve their meats, fruits and vegetables. Your inserted cloves will act as a preservative for your homemade pomanders. Unless you live in a very humid environment, the citrus rind will turn dark and leathery, and the fruit will be naturally preserved.<br /><br />If your fruits develop any signs of mold as they are drying, move them to a warmer, drier location with good air circulation.   <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_1744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_1744.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>These fruits are a week old, and show signs of drying. Eventually, the color will even out. </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>My version of citrus pomanders is simple. If you like being more elaborate or more precise, it's your call. You can completely cover the fruit, or make intricate designs, or write a person's name or a word like "Noel," or roll the fruit in spices like cinnamon when you're done.<br /><br />Rather than buy whole cloves in cute little bottles at your supermarket, buy them in bulk for much less money at an ethnic grocer or a natural foods store. <br />  <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_1746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_1746.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The supplies for this DIY project are ordinary and cheap.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What You Need</b></span><br />Fresh citrus fruit like lemons, tangerines, limes, kumquats, or oranges<br />Whole cloves<br />Skewer, ice pick, or fork<br />Small towel or rag <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>How to Do</b></span><br />Set yourself up by laying the towel or rag on your work area to provide an absorbent surface. Decide on your pattern, and begin by inserting the skewer, ice pick or fork to make holes. The fork will give you evenly spaced holes, but they will be in a straight line.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_1754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_1754.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Make good sized holes, so that you don't have to push hard on the cloves.  </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />After punching in ten or so holes, insert a clove in each. You can be as choosy as you want, using only those with seeds in the head, or ones without, or both. I use both. If you want to get fussy, you can sort by size, and use all large or all small cloves, or create a graduated design. Arrange them close together, or further apart. You're the artist!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_1757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_1757.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>You will find some cloves that are small or broken. Discard those, and use the best.  </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />In a few days your citrus rind will begin to darken slightly, but your pomander will still smell delightful and look attractive. Some people save their pomanders from year to year, because the fragrance never entirely dissipates.  <br /><br />When <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/12/tis-season-for-thievery.html">your house is for sale, and it's holiday time,</a> keeping <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/11/how-to-stage-home-for-holidays.html">seasonal decorations</a> to a minimum makes good sense. Scented pomanders are one decoration that is simple and effective, yet inexpensive.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_1799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="434" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_1799.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Who doesn't love the fresh scent of lime? And the color is perfect for Christmastime. </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Discover more tips to help sell your home in my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">ebook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar</i>.<br /><div align="center"><a href="http://everything-underthemoon.blogspot.com/" title="Everything Under the Moon"><img alt="Everything Under the Moon" src="http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i203/niquealodeon/EUTMbedazzle-s.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div><br /><center><a href="http://www.handymancraftywoman.com/"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v127/lars72/733blog%20design%20images/WAW_BUTTON.png" /></a></center>

Want Some Holiday Scents? Make a Citrus Pomander

You won't believe how easy it is to make a fragrant pomander! Citrus tops the list of fragrances sure to please everyone. So why not gre...

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Make Your Closets Memorable to Buyers with These Custom Hangers

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8486.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>Closets are so important to home buyers that you can't ignore them if you're serious about selling your home. You've heard all the basics -- <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/10/tips-for-cleaning-and-organizing-closet.html">declutter them, clean them, organize them.</a><br /><br />How about making them look so stinkin' pretty, that buyers want to just move in? <br /><br />I know padded hangers conjure up images of pink crocheted covers for sale at the annual church bazaar. But hear me out!<br /><br />I'm talking about some padded hangers you make from remnants and scraps of funky fabrics. These fabrics could be designer samples you've purchased from the fabric store's discount bin. Or leftovers from sewing projects you finished. Or didn't finish. They could even be a skirt or shirt or pillowcase you want to recycle.<br /><br />These hangers will surely jazz up that tidy closet of yours, making your home the one buyers remember when they go home to compare notes after a day of home tours.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Find a Fun Fabric.</b></span> Here's a chance to inject something trendy, or something extra girly or masculine. Or just colorful. You need less than 1/4 yard for each hanger. A remnant as small as 24 inches by 7 inches will usually do.<br /><br />As for the hangers, I often find these wooden hangers at second hand stores. Or you may already have some. It seems like fancier hangers have replaced this simple style, but 10-inch long ones can be purchased as <a href="http://www.onlyhangers.com/Prod-31-1-33-25/Natural_10_Top_Hanger.htm">children's hangers</a>.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/bluegeo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/bluegeo2.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br />The hanger I used for my tutorial was about 17 inches long. But I have made smaller ones that look pretty in a closet or even hung in a bedroom, bathroom, guest room, coat closet, or laundry room.<br /><br />You may leave these hangers empty, or actually use them. You can hang mundane things like tank tops, or lovely little things like lingerie.<br /><br />They are ideal for staging an empty closet, where you might want to accompany them with other props like staged shopping bags from status stores on a high shelf, or pretty hat boxes that hold mysterious treasure (or nothing!). <br /><br />You can also use these hangers as a discrete way to add fragrance to a closet. Add fragrant herbs like lavender or rose petals to the filling or tied to the hook as a sachet.<br /><br />They also make fabulous gifts for the person who has everything. And the best part is that they are made practically from cast-offs. <br /><br />Quilters can use a "fat quarter" to make these  padded coat hangers. I've made covers from dish towels, silk scarves, and even a silk necktie.  <br /><br />I use plastic grocery-store bags for stuffing, but most crafters like to use cotton batting or polyester filling, the kind used for stuffing pillows or for quilting. Your choice. I always take the frugal, up-cycle route.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Here Are the Directions. </b></span>Lay your fabric out on a flat surface, and place your hanger on it to judge the lengths of fabric you need to cut. You'll be cutting one piece to cover the top of the hanger, and one for the bottom. The top piece gathers, so it needs to be longer.<br /><br />I like to allow at least 4 inches on either side of the hanger's end, but 3 1/2 inches will do. The bottom piece of fabric needs to be an inch longer on each end, to allow for seam allowances. <br /><br />Both top and bottom pieces should measure 3 1/2 inches wide. The photo says it all. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8446.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I chose scraps from a bed sheet that I had already cut up to make a round tablecloth.    </i></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8454.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>After cutting the strips, cut each one in half so you'll be able to slide them over the padding.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8456.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Run a row of basting stitches along both edges of the longer strips. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8462.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Gather the stitches so the longer strips are the same length as the shorter ones.  </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8466-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8466-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Pin and then stitch the top and bottom pieces together, leaving one end open on each set, </i><br /><i>and the other end rounded.  </i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8468.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>This is how the rounded end looks. You can remove the basting stitches now.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>  </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8474.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Wrap the wooden hanger with three plastic grocery bags. Make sure the end </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>of the hanger is well-padded and smooth.  And, yes, I know this looks obscene. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8476.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>Turn the stitched covers inside out, and slide one over the padding. Is this any less pornographic? </i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8478.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Slide the second half of the cover onto the hanger, and stitch the two together.  </i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8480.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>Add a bow to cover the hand-stitched seam and to decorate your padded hanger. </i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8424.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A set of padded hangers like this made from a sheer fabric over cotton batting would make an ideal wedding shower or baby shower gift. </i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8419.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Tulle makes an easy decoration for padded hangers. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/silk4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/silk4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>  </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Here is the hanger I made from a men's silk tie. I can visualize this in Don Draper's closet! </i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8440.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Remember to leave some space in your closets. Space for the imagination of buyers. </i></div><br />If you want to learn more decorating and staging tips, you can find them in my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar</i>. I give advice on closet cleaning, closet organizing, and closet staging as well as advice on staging every room of your home. <br /><br />You can receive a tip of the day about home staging when you join my Facebook Group. Just click on the Facebook button in the sidebar. This week I'll be giving tips all about staging closets.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Funky Junk's Saturday Nite Special" border="0" src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b243/signmakergirl/satnitenew150w-1.jpg" /></a></center>

Make Your Closets Memorable to Buyers with These Custom Hangers

Closets are so important to home buyers that you can't ignore them if you're serious about selling your home. You've heard all t...

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Eight Thrifty Ideas to Help You Stage Your Closets

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_8443.jpg" width="356" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Hangers are cheap at discount stores.  </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>If you ask a realtor whether people open closet doors when they inspect homes on the market, she's likely to say something like, "Well, duh!" At least my realtor would, because she's that direct.  <br /><br />Here are my favorite ways to make closets inviting.<br /><br />And when I say closets, I am lumping together cabinets and vanities as well.<br /><br />Only furniture is off-limits when buyers snoop!<br /><br />And remember that usually refrigerators and dishwashers get looked into.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>White Rules.</b></span> There's no substitute for a can of white paint. I like to use semi gloss in closets and cabinets.<br /><br />True, it shows off bumps and dents, but it also reflects light and is easier to keep clean. I know you don't want to empty closets to paint them, but it's not as big deal as it sounds. Look on it as a chance to deep clean and get rid of the junk you really don't need anymore.<br /><br />Don't skip painting the ceiling a pure white. It will brighten the entire closet. Painting inside vanities makes a big difference.  <br /><br />If you don't paint, put down white shelf liner where you can, like under the sinks and on wooden closet shelves.  <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Get Up High.</b></span> It's time to invest some cash (not a big bundle) on some closet hangers. Cull the ones that don't match and replace them with some spiffy ones from the discount store. Today's styles are actually more economical than you think. Hang or place in drawers, baskets or boxes whatever is on the floor. Think hanging shoe organizer. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Condense Air.</b></span> I recommend <a href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/1/3/space-bags" target="_blank">Space Bags</a><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null">.</a> You can compress down to a few inches all those quilts, extra sheets, pillows, and sleeping bags that you need a few times a year when your sister and her brood show up. My experience is that sometimes even the best ones begin to leak air after months on the shelf, but that doesn't mean they are useless. Simply attach the vacuum, suck the air out again, and put them back on the shelf.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-P1080947-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/1-P1080947-21.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Every closet looks better when it's not crowded and it's prettied up.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Gussy Up.</b></span> People like clean and people like pretty. Even men. You don't need to go down the girly road to make a bathroom vanity cabinet look inviting.<br /><br />Put the little things in matching baskets, especially toiletries like feminine hygiene produces, laxatives, dandruff remedies, hair removal products, odor eater foot pads, denture adhesives, pet shampoos, wart removers, and disinfectants. You get the idea. You'll make giant steps towards impressing buyers with what a problem-free home you live in.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Go Opaque.</b></span> My vote goes towards boxes that are not see-through. I realize that clear plastic shoe boxes are handy because the contents are visible, but that's my point. The less visual clutter, the better when it's time to sell your home. You can easily cover cardboard boxes to make them uniform, even if they are different sizes. Use fabric, <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2011/05/make-your-own-decorative-vases-for-free.html">wallpaper</a>, or contact paper.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Reflections.</b></span> Most closets have little or no wall space remaining, because most of us like to keep accessories within sight to make getting dressed easier. Those ties and belts and necklaces and scarves can eat up wall space. But if you can find a place to add a mirror to your bedroom, closet, do it. Even a small mirror will reflect light and confuse the eye about the boundaries of the closet. Ideally, you'd be able to add a full length mirror.  <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Aromatherapy.</b></span> Smells matter to buyers. Keep your closet dry and freshly scented. If air circulation is a problem, reducing the amount of stored items will help. Keep anything that would mold or give off musty scents out of cabinets and closets. Sachets or <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2013/12/how-scents-are-messing-with-your-health.html#.VBXqdNgtCM8" target="_blank">scent diffusers</a> can add a layer of fragrance, but they are no substitute for fresh air.<br />  <br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Little Lights. </b><span style="font-size: small;">A small battery-operated, motion-sensitive light makes a statement in a closet or cabinet. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;">For about $12, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WEPJF0/ref=asc_df_B000WEPJF01587449?smid=A281ICWJBRZ31L&tag=nextagusmp0425748-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395105&creativeASIN=B000WEPJF0">this one</a> will stay on for 40 seconds, enough to impress house hunters. Well-lighted </span>spaces build confidence because they look cleaner, bigger, and aren't hiding surprises.<br /><br />If you are just beginning to declutter closets, follow my 9-step approach I describe <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/10/tips-for-cleaning-and-organizing-closet.html">here</a>. <br /><br />Are you <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-to-help-your-realtor-sell-your-home.html">working closely with your realtor</a> to get your home sold? She'll not only tell you to spruce up those closets, she'll give other advice. I give the same kind of advice in a handy, downladable form when you buy my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook</a><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null">, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar</i>.</a>

Eight Thrifty Ideas to Help You Stage Your Closets

Hangers are cheap at discount stores.  If you ask a realtor whether people open closet doors when they inspect homes on the market, she'...

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Tips for Cleaning and Organizing a Closet

<div style="text-align: left;">Oh, the irony of it! Pink Overalls writing about decluttering when her own utility closet looks like this.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="goog_673102454"></span><span id="goog_673102455"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/withdoor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/withdoor.jpg" width="356" /></a></div>     <br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>BUT </b></span>what better way to get some clarity on an issue than by digging in and doing? My closet may not look all that nasty, but locating and retrieving necessities was getting difficult, and I knew there was junk in there that I didn't want or need anymore. So, here's what I did:</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Hauled everything out of the closet.  </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Okay</b></span>, that was the easy part. Organization comes easy to me, but throwing things out doesn't.  I look at a collection of lamp parts and think, "Lamps are expensive. I could make or fix a lamp from these."<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/lampparts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/lampparts.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="goog_503452093"></span><span id="goog_503452094"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">But really, I should be thinking, "What chain of events would make me need these?" Then, it becomes apparent that unless I really need another lamp (unlikely), or a valuable lamp needs a part (unlikely), or I have no money to go buy even a second hand lamp (unlikely), I have no need for the lamp parts.  </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>AND THAT </b></span>is how I spent the next two hours.   </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />The result looks like this.  </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="goog_1518930363"></span><span id="goog_1518930364"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/closetmakeoverhallcloset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/closetmakeoverhallcloset.jpg" width="337" /></a></div>I now have room for my vacuum cleaner in the cleaning closet. Order has replaced chaos, and I was so pleased that I had to stop myself from going on to do another closet. Sort of.    <br /><br />If someone like me who doesn't enjoy purging (I even hate the word) can toss things, you can too. Here are some pointers for making it a little easier to get a closet cleaned and organized: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">PROBE.</span></b> Ask these questions of everything you take out of the closet. Do I like it? Do I need it? Would it be difficult to replace? The answer to at least one of these questions should be, "Yes." Ideally, the answer to all three would be, "Yes!"  </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>MOTIVATE.</b></span> Tackle this project when you are feeling clear-headed and energetic, but not necessarily happy.  Being a little annoyed at your clutter makes getting rid of it easier. Don't get sentimental or nostalgic, as these emotions will slow you down and cloud your rationality. Just keep envisioning how righteous your closet will look and how well it will function for you. And how impressed house hunters will be. Yes, impressed, because most people have messes in hidden places, and <i>you</i> won't.  <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>STRATEGIZE. </b></span>Give yourself room. You may have to clear a space outside the closet as a landing platform. A big bed nearby is a boon. I had to spread my closet contents out along the adjacent hallway, but it worked fine.  Keeping a wastebasket or garbage bag handy saves steps.   <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">REWARD.</span></b> Promise yourself something you like once you're done. I told myself I could have a blueberry yogurt smoothie. Staying hungry helped move the project along. What's your perk?  <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>CATEGORIZE.</b></span>  I found it efficient to sort as I emptied. I clustered cleaning supplies, vacuum cleaner accessories, batteries, candles, picture hanging supplies, tools, and so forth, as I took them off the shelves.  <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/closetshelves-hallcloset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/closetshelves-hallcloset.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">CONSOLIDATE.</span></b> I discovered I had three separate spray bottles of window cleaner, and that all the liquid fit into just one bottle. Cleaning cloths were in three different places, leftover hinges and cabinet knobs were hither and thither, and lamp parts were everywhere. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>RELOCATE. </b></span>Whenever I came upon an item that belonged in another place, I took it there, including a pile in the living room for Goodwill. I knew I risked distraction by "leaving the work site," but dealing with strays kept the area around me from getting too congested. "Focus. focus," I told myself.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>CONFIDE. </b></span>You can create your own accountability factor, even a contrived one like I did. I knew I'd be blogging about my closet re-set. I had someone to impress: you, my reader. I didn't want to look like a slob blogger. Maybe you have an open house coming up that could serve as your accountability push.        <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>DISCOVER. </b></span>You're bound to unearth some treasures. My favorite tiny screwdriver that I thought I'd lost showed up. A box of Magic Erasers I didn't know I had was hidden under a bag of sponges. A generous  stash of grocery bags that we need for when we, ahem, walk our beagle, occupied a back corner. Enough old hinges, cabinet knobs, and lamp parts (pat on back!) manifested to net me enough cash from the scrap metal place to take a friend and myself to lunch.        <br /><br />When house hunters tour homes on the market, they usually look in closets. Closets are important to buyers, and a tidy closet speaks well of you and your staged home. So, dig in! The hardest part is getting started. Honest.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>GET HELP.</b></span> For more encouraging tips and techniques that make house staging easy, download my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and for Top Dollar. </i></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.handymancraftywoman.com/"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v127/lars72/733blog%20design%20images/WAW_BUTTON.png" /></a></center>

Tips for Cleaning and Organizing a Closet

Oh, the irony of it! Pink Overalls writing about decluttering when her own utility closet looks like this.      BUT what better way to get s...

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Where to Stash Un-Sexy Stuff in a Staged Home

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0YkM8003I6PHjAYvf3en9-kx6TnXQqhCXwKuY3giQfUSae6xG1-4ffMBxmHF1AFonFRSrtDGebWBE01LTE2hbITSTe9mMxbqwrd1Jfgu7ao6DfYrxnt9h3EYD8_mndBqzHXIJdlzhp69E/s400/closet_SFD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0YkM8003I6PHjAYvf3en9-kx6TnXQqhCXwKuY3giQfUSae6xG1-4ffMBxmHF1AFonFRSrtDGebWBE01LTE2hbITSTe9mMxbqwrd1Jfgu7ao6DfYrxnt9h3EYD8_mndBqzHXIJdlzhp69E/s400/closet_SFD.jpg" width="377" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Do I have to hide my toothbrush?"</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">"What can I do about wet towels when I leave in the morning?"</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">"I can't ask the kids to not play with their toys."</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Who hid the remote?"  </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Nobody lives like this!"  </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">These are the kinds </span></b>of things people living in staged homes utter. Are you one of them? Are you taking it in stride, enjoying an uncluttered, clean, and prettied home? Or do you hate having to keep your closets and counters picture perfect?      </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I want you to love your staged home and enjoy living there. Maybe these tips from people who have lived in staged homes, waiting for the days when they can leave their bed unmade once in a while, will help.</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Under a bed is one of the few places people touring a home don't look. Slide some plastic storage boxes under there to hold magazines, hobbies, and other ordinary things.</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Box up the little stuff.  Rather than have stacks of clothing or purses on closet shelves, line up some matching baskets and fill them up. So much better! And still easy for you to find and replace things.</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">There's always the car trunk. That's where all the last minute clutter goes when your realtor calls and asks if she can bring some buyers over. It's big enough to accommodate baskets of unfolded laundry.</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rearrange your dresser drawers so that one of them is empty. You can throw the non-glamorous things into it every day before you leave the house. </span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Get some routines going. Polish the faucet when you brush your teeth. Dry down the shower stall with a microfiber cloth when you're done showering. Store your magazines under the couch cushions. Get in the habit of putting the toilet seat and lid down. </span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Use hampers, wastebaskets and recycle bins with lids.</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can do this! Remind yourself that staged homes sell faster for more money. Repeat.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Read more about the problems that home sellers face, such as old furniture, no budget, no time, mismatched furniture, and an uncooperative spouse! I offer helpful advice for all these situations and others, in my <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and for Top Dollar.</i></span>

Where to Stash Un-Sexy Stuff in a Staged Home

"Do I have to hide my toothbrush?" "What can I do about wet towels when I leave in the morning?" "I can't ask t...

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Kitchen Rehab on a Shoestring

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Kitchen6-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Kitchen6-1.jpg" width="356" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Painted cabinets, with new hinges and handles. </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>One of the least attractive aspects to the  condo we're rehabbing was the look of the kitchen.<br /><br />We knew that kitchens are important to buyers, and we knew this kitchen wasn't getting a passing grade.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>An explosion says it all.</b></span> While there was nothing inherently wrong with the layout, it looked like a somewhat controlled explosion of cabinet doors, knobs, and hinges.<br /><br />It was Mr. Carpenter who came up with the idea of replacing a vertical stack of three small cabinet doors with one long door, and hanging them with concealed hinges.  The look will be clean and streamlined, an upgrade for sure. He’s taken measurements and will be working on those top-grade plywood doors back at his shop.<br /><br /><b>Update: The photo at the left shows what the cabinets looked like when we finished with the makeover.  </b><br /><br />With doors off the kitchen cabinets, I’m able to go to work on the insides.  They were nasty with a capital N. It always blows me away to see how some people put a home on the market.<br /><br />Would it have killed these sellers to take 15 minutes to spray and wipe inside the cabinets? Or paid someone to do it?<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dirty cabinet</b></span> interiors are just one more reason this property sat on the market for two years.<br /><br />Disgusting details like that are the subtle turn-offs for people out househunting. Buyers subconsciously assume other problems lurk unseen.   <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Meanwhile,</b></span> Mr. Lucky has removed all wooden shelving from all closets, so that I can fly in on those. I’m sanding them, then giving them all two coats of bright white semi gloss paint. I want those closets to glow!  I taped contractor’s paper to the floor of every closet, and Mr. Lucky came behind me with the airless paint sprayer and gave every closet a fresh coat of paint from top to bottom.<br />    <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Kit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Kit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>This is how the cabinets looked when the seller put the property on the market. Hard to believe. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>We always like to do closets with white semi gloss paint. The semi gloss is easier to wipe clean, and the white reflects light better.  Also, should a homeowner later decide to change the wall color of a room, the white closet doesn’t have to be painted to match, which isn’t the case when a closet in a pink room gets painted pink to match the room.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Kitsixcabinets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/Kitsixcabinets.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>These are the same cabinets pictured above, before we painted them. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The dark hinges and knobs were distracting and dated.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>If you are dressing up</b></span> a home for market, consider painting your closets after you have decluttered them. It’s not necessary to have a paint sprayer, just faster. If your closets have wooden shelves, either paint them in place, or remove and paint both sides. If you have vinyl shelving, just paint around the supports and shelves.<br /><br />Do a closet each day to make it painless. If they are small enough, you can brush them and save roller cleanup time. Painting the ceilings will make the closet look bigger and brighter, but painting their popcorn ceilings is messy.<br /><br />To learn other staging and kitchen makeover tips, <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebook_02.html">check out my eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar.   </i>

Kitchen Rehab on a Shoestring

Painted cabinets, with new hinges and handles. One of the least attractive aspects to the  condo we're rehabbing was the look of the kit...

Read more »