The Home Know-It-All

Door and Window Security

Keeping your home safe this winter—and all year-round—starts with securing your doors and windows. The key is to keep intruders out while still ensuring that you and your family can easily open your doors and windows when needed.

Solid core or metal doors are your best bet for keeping burglars at bay. Make sure all entry doors have a strike plate to help door jambs resist an intruder’s force. Beef up your doors even more by installing an additional steel plate on the back of the jamb and further enhance your door security without sacrificing fire safety.

Did you know that you don’t have to change a whole lock if you lose your keys? Home security expert Frank Loeffert recommends simply removing the lock from the door and taking it to a hardware store to have it re-keyed. Loeffert also provides pointers on making your own tried-and-true doorstop and using a dowel to secure sliding glass doors.

Casement windows—the kind that operate with a crank—are the most security-friendly because you can’t open them from the outside as long as they’re closed and locked from the inside. But you can still make sliding and double-hung windows safe. Check out these recommendations from home improvement and DIY expert Don Vandervort.

While you’re at it, don’t forget to secure pet doors and garage doors too—even the most unexpected entryways can be prime targets for burglars. For more security tips, check out this slideshow from iVillage, which features helpful suggestions from the Burglary Prevention Council.

It’s best to keep window and door keys close at hand, but be sure to keep them of sight of intruders eyes—stash them in a place that can’t be seen from the outside looking in. Seasoned intruders know to check inside your mailbox or under your doormat for spare keys. Beat them at their own game by giving your spare home key to a reliable friend or neighbor. Have your neighbors keep an eye on your house while you’re away, and return the favor. The folks at Intermatic compiled a handy list of suggestions, such as installing a peephole, for seniors, but the tips can apply to anyone.

Until Monday,
The Home Know-It-All

Pet-Friendly Holiday

’Tis the season for large gatherings, tasty treats, elaborate decorations, and mountains of gift wrap … and while all these seasonal festivities put you in the holiday spirit, they can also wreak havoc on your pets’ health. Keep Fido and Tiger in mind (and your favorite hamster, rabbit, or bird too!) as you gear up for the holidays.

To ensure that your pet doesn’t tip the Christmas tree over, anchor it to the wall or ceiling with strong rope or cord. If you have a real tree, cover the water stand—the combination of pine sap and water can be poisonous.

Trim the tree with unbreakable, nontoxic ornaments—especially at the bottom. And keep anything that might pique a curious pets’ interest out of reach—if ingested, string, ribbon, and tinsel can cause intestinal damage.

What’s more, cats’ spiky tongues prevent them from spitting things out, so it’s best to take them to the vet rather than trying to remove foreign objects yourself. For other ways to keep your favorite feline safe holiday season, check out these tips from Doctors Foster and Smith.

And no bones about it, you can’t forget about Rover, either. The folks at Bark Busters USA offer up 10 dog-friendly holiday ideas.

A little mistletoe action might spice up your holidays, but keep it far away from your pet. Also avoid holly, amaryllis, and some Christmas greenery. Poinsettias have earned a bad rep over the years, but they’re actually not lethal—they’re just irritating. To learn more, read up on common holiday plants in this article from The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

During your holiday meal, avoid feeding your furry friends table scraps (even though it can be hard to resist!). Bones can become stuck in their bodies, and spicy or fatty foods can cause gastrointestinal problems. And, obviously, chocolate treats are toxic to most animals. Brush up on other holiday nutrition pointers.

Your turkey dinner isn’t the only thing that can make pets sick in the kitchen. Toothpicks and skewers can be accidentally ingested when you’re not looking. And nonstick coatings on pots and pans—which come in handy when you’re baking up a storm—can actually release lingering toxic fumes that are fatal for birds.

Finally, just as you need a little R&R during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, remember that your pet does too. A house full of unfamiliar faces might overwhelm your pet, so create a comfortable haven for Squeakers to escape to as needed to prevent unpredictable behavior.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Rug-Buying Smarts

When it comes to decorating, rugs are one of the hardest-working staples of any room—yet they rarely receive the kudos they deserve. Besides adding warmth to cold floors, they buffer noise and rejuvenate any space by providing an extra dose of color and texture. But not any old rug will do—that’s why finding the right rug for your space is essential.

If you’re a first-time rug buyer, brush up on these 10 tips before heading to the store. It’s OK to be picky when rug shopping—you don’t want one that’s too big or too small. The most common area rug sizes are 4x6 feet and 6x9 feet, but before you go shopping, carefully measure the size of the room you’re looking for to ensure a good fit. Read up on these other size considerations from Rugs Direct.

Also make sure the rug complements—not competes—with your other furnishings. Avoid bold colors and patterns in busy rooms and vice versa. Light-color rugs create the illusion of space, while darker colors evoke a cozier atmosphere. Textured rugs provide much-needed dimension. Need even more reasons to purchase a rug?

Trying to determine the best space in your bedroom or living room for your new rug? Check out these pointers from The Home Improvement Web. You’ll also find other considerations to guide your rug purchasing decisions.

For the best quality, look for rugs with a denser pile and padding—they can handle a little wear and tear. Rugs made of natural materials are also more durable. How can you tell the difference? Machine-made rugs typically have stiffer fibers that run directly up and down. And to pinpoint a handmade rug from a machine-made rug, look at the corners: The edges of handmade rugs usually aren’t perfectly squared off. Basic machine-made area rugs won’t put a dent in your bank account, but expect to shell out quite a bit more money for an elaborate, high-quality Oriental rug.

Oriental rugs are usually made of wool, silk, a wool-silk combo, and even cotton. Wool is the easiest to clean. Avoid putting silk rugs in high-traffic areas. Oriental rugs should be labeled with the country of origin and the distributor’s business name. These are FTC requirements. “Tribal” rugs are woven by nomadic groups. Learn more about Oriental rug shopping from Landry & Arcari. And show dealers you truly know your stuff by enhancing your rug savvy.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Replacing/Installing a Toilet

Trading in your existing toilet for a more efficient model might not be the most thrilling item on your to-do list, but it’s definitely one of the most doable. By simply setting aside an afternoon, arming yourself with a few basic tools, and brushing up on basic know-how, you can tackle toilet installation on your own. Hint: If your plans involve relocating the toilet, you’ll need to extend supply pipes and drainpipes—it’s best to enlist a plumber’s expertise.

To avoid a watery mess when you remove the old toilet, shut off the water-supply valve, and flush the toilet to completely empty the bowl and tank. The folks at Chattanooga Real Estate Today explain how to replace your toilet in eight easy steps.

While you’re at it, check out this handy step-by-step installation slide show from This Old House, complete with pictures to guide you through the process. Or watch this video .

When it comes to removing your old toilet and replacing it with the new one, let “divide and conquer” become your mantra. Removing (and installing) the toilet in parts makes the job much more manageable (plus your back will thank you for it). Check out these tips for successful toilet removal and installation.

The bowl and tank are the two essential parts of any toilet; it’s best to install the bowl first—just be sure it fits precisely in place. When securing both parts, avoid over-tightening the nuts and bolts, or you risk cracking the toilet—the last thing you need. Learn even more about the nitty-gritty of toilet installation.

Once your new toilet is installed, turn on the main supply line, open the stop valve, and allow the tank to fill. Flush it and look for leaks. Ta-da—you can now add toilet installation to your list of notable accomplishments.

And if you still believe that toilet installation just isn’t your thing, you can always call the plumber. Just arm yourself with these installation tips before the plumber arrives.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Cleaning Grout

The grout between tiles—especially in high-use areas such as kitchens and baths—can get icky fast, particularly because it’s porous and usually light-colored, so it stains easily. (Plus it’s much easier to wipe spills off the tile than it is to clean off grout, so stains may remain there long after the tile looks clean.)

Ensure your grout stays clean longer by sealing it and reapplying the sealer every six months. Or use epoxy grout—which resists stains better than other kinds of grout—upon installation of your tiles.

BHG.com has handy pointers for cleaning and maintaining tile, which can ensure your grout stays clean longer.

Should your grout begin to look less than stellar (which it’s bound to at some point), there are a couple of options that can help you get it nice and bright again. Follow grout-cleaning tips from expert Don Vandervort, who recommends pouring a pH-neutral tile-cleaning solution on the surface, scrubbing grout lines and tile with a brush, and rinsing the surface with a sponge and water.

Tile USA recommends applying grout cleaner, vacuuming up dirty water, rinsing the grout with clean water, and vacuuming the clean water up too.

According to the DIY Network, grout surface stains can be cleaned with sandpaper. Fold the sandpaper into a crease and move it back and forth along the grout line. A pencil eraser also works. Read up on other easy solutions (with pictures) here.

Clean+istry offers a nice rundown on other options for cleaning and sealing grout if you’re still not sure what to try.

Whatever method you choose, avoid cleaning grout with oil- or wax-based cleaners. They can leave a residue on the grout. And be sure to rinse any cleaners you use so they don’t leave a sticky film, which may attract dirt (and put you back where you started!).

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Home Know-It-All is taking Thursday and Friday off from posting to celebrate turkey day with family and friends. Enjoy your holiday (and the Friday sales, of course). Then stay tuned—in coming weeks I’ll be posting on all sorts of fun stuff, from cleaning grout and fireplaces to decorating for the holidays.

Until Monday,
The Home Know-It-All

Plotting Your Furniture Arrangement

Download the Furniture Planning Kit

Rearranging furniture is one of the most budget-friendly ways to revive a tired room. But it can also require a lot of effort on your part. And really, who wants to wrestle with a gigantic sofa only to find that it looks less-than-stellar in its new location? Luckily, a handy planning kit can help put your fluid ideas into action without the headache (or sweat!)

Planning kits allow you to create a versatile floor plan—if you don’t like something, you can change it with minimal effort. Here’s how it works: Simply cut out the templates and arrange them on the grid paper (one square on the grid equals one square foot of floor space). If you have any items that aren’t included in the templates, draw them to scale on your grid. Mark obstructions—such as support posts—with a dotted line. As you play with the templates, consider traffic flow and the way the room relates to other rooms in the house. Also be sure to leave enough room for doors and drawers to open and close.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Kitchen Layouts

When it comes to designing a kitchen, the layout of your appliances and workstations can mean the difference between an incredibly functional space and one that’s less than stellar.

As you begin determining what you want your new or remodeled kitchen to look like, these handy questions can help you determine the best layout for your needs and available space.

Then check out these descriptions of the most common kitchen layouts to figure out which one will work for you.

One-Wall
Also known as a single-line kitchen, this layout works well for small, narrow spaces. It’s not the most efficient option because all of the appliances are on one wall (as the name suggests), which means you may have to walk from one end of the room to the other several times. If you have expanses of smooth countertop surface between work areas, however, you may be able to slide heavy pots along the counter rather than carrying them—a plus for people with limited hand or arm strength. This type of layout works best with the fridge and cooktop flanking the sink—just be sure to allow 4 feet of counter space between each.

Galley
Another basic kitchen layout, a galley kitchen is typically built between parallel walls. Be sure to leave at least four feet between opposite counters so there’s room to move and sufficient space for drawers and doors on opposites sides to be open at the same time. For functionality, you may wish to place the sink and fridge on one wall and position the cooktop centered between them on the opposite wall.

U-Shape
A U-shape kitchen gives you the flexibility of three full walls for positioning your appliances—a plus in a kitchen with multiple cooks. Make sure your kitchen is at least 8x8 feet if you opt for this layout so there’s plenty of room for each workstation. An island is a nice ingredient to add to your layout as well, as it allows you to better integrate your appliances and provides more space for storage and food prep. Leave at least 42 inches of aisle space on all sides of the island; if you plan on having multiple cooks in the kitchen, 48 inches is even better.

L-Shape
This type of layout places workstations on two adjacent walls. Keeping the work zones near to the crook of the L ensures everything is in close proximity; add an island to accommodate multiple cooks and encourage in-kitchen dining.

G-Shape
A peninsula (an island-like feature anchored to a line of cabinets) is the functional highlight of this kitchen layout, which is otherwise similar to a U-shape setup. The peninsula may be used as a room divider, allowing family and friends to chat with the cook without crossing paths. It’s also ideal for larger families or frequent entertaining because of the additional countertop and cabinet space the peninsula provides.

Want to learn more about common kitchen layouts (completed with illustrations)? Ikea has a complete kitchen guide worth visiting. For more handy breakdowns on essential kitchen layouts, check out this rundown. House Flipping Talk offers a nice description of five functional kitchen designs as well. And The Room Space post on layouts and work triangles is worth a look too. For more handy illustrations, head over to My Fab Home.

Early in the planning process, bone up on the essential elements of kitchen layouts from “Planning Your Kitchen: Five Tools for Layout.” It’s an excerpt from Build Like a Pro: Remodeling a Kitchen by Sam Clark.

For even more help, request a copy of the NKBA Kitchen & Bath workbook, which will take you through every stage of the kitchen design process.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Speed Cleaning

The only type of cleaning I can possibly fit into my schedule right now is that of the speediest sort, yet even my idea of “speed cleaning” seems to take too long lately. So I decided it was time to bone up on some pointers to kick my limited cleaning time into high gear. Try these tips today or this weekend, and then use that extra time you save to something that’s all about you—a bubble bath or a trip to the bookstore? Yes, please.

• Cleaning’s a breeze when you give yourself a head start. Make a goal to pick up clutter every day. If you do the dishes soon after every meal and tidy up the living room before bed (it only takes a minute—promise!), you won’t have to spend an hour picking up the house before you even start the cleaning process. Learn more about cutting clutter (and get a list of speed-cleaning essentials) from this article written by Mary Findley, a professional cleaner.

• Try out these preventive cleaning tips from Laura Dellutri, author of Speed Cleaning 101, to drastically reduce your actual cleaning time.

• Limit distractions while you clean. Rather than trying to multitask (is simultaneously catching up on TV watching, talking on the phone, and dusting your MO?), focus on nothing but cleaning for 15 minutes. You’ll be amazed at how much you can get done.

• Take a cue from the pros at Organized Home and dress for cleaning success—wear comfortable shoes and washable clothing, and if you’re working with chemicals, don’t forget goggles and gloves.

• Use quality, tried-and-true cleaning tools. And of course, don’t forget the green cleaning supplies!

• Engage both hands while cleaning (which is easier now that I convinced you to put the cell phone down, right?). Spray a surface with one hand and wipe with the other and voila! you’re done in no time.

• Work from top to bottom (for instance, in the bathroom start with the mirror, then do the countertops, then clean the floor).

• If something isn’t dirty, don’t bother cleaning it. (And remember that vertical surfaces typically get less dirty than horizontal ones, so they probably don’t need to be cleaned as often.) Check out 12 more tips like this from The Clean Team.

What should you focus on if you only have 15 minutes to clean? Or even half an hour? Real Simple has the answers. Or whip your home into shape in 20 minutes or less with these tips from Linda Cobb, the Queen of Clean.

Get the lowdown on how to target each room in your house from The New Homemaker.

Or if you only have time to tackle the bathroom before guests arrive, follow the advice of Good Housekeeping to de-scum quickly.

If unannounced guests are knocking and there’s not a clean room in sight, steal ideas from real estate agents who’ve learned how to whisk messes away at the last minute. (Yes, you’ll have to deal with them later. But no one will be the wiser unless they open the oven!)

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Wiring for Surround Sound

So you’ve purchased the perfect sofa and your cool new flat-screen TV is mounted on the wall. Once you wire for surround sound, your home theater will be ready for its premiere.

I’m not even close to a know-it-all when it comes to things like wiring and electronics. (And I don’t expect to become an expert on these topics anytime soon.) So rather than wow you with my lack of knowledge, I’m going to present some basic guidelines for speaker placement, then let the pros tell you how to do the wiring.

You can create full surround sound with five speakers. Place one speaker on each side of the TV screen so it’s level with your ears when you’re seated. Then place two speakers behind the couch 6 to 8 feet off the floor and at least as far apart as the front pair. The fifth one goes on top of the TV to direct dialog. If you love action movies, you may want a subwoofer to intensify the bass. A subwoofer works best beneath the screen.

Learn more about speaker placement.

When it’s time to set up that home theater, this CNET tutorial gets down to all the details for how to connect speakers. And check out HGTV’s instructions for installing surround sound to ensure those darn wires are hidden from view.

If you want to learn even more, read Andy Dansby’s very thorough post on running cables for surround sound. And when it comes to figuring out what types of wire you need, this post from Home Theater Authority will help.

What exactly do speaker cables do? Learn all about it from Axiom Audio.

And if you’re building or remodeling, consider pre-wiring your media room for surround sound to ensure the wires remain out of sight.

Until Monday,
The Home Know-It-All

Outdoor Fall Decor

Thanksgiving is only a week away, so now’s the time to prepare your house to greet guests in style with festive fall décor. Try these ideas for exterior decorations—then share your favorite tricks with me!

• Fill a basket with pinecones, adorn the basket with warm autumn-hue ribbon, and place it on a table or bench by the front door.

• Dress your house up with door and railing decorations.

• Not particularly crafty? These easy-to-make Thanksgiving ideas are for you.

• If the weather’s still nice for sitting outside (even if it’s just around a festive fall campfire), spruce up wooden chairs by painting them in warm, fall-friendly hues. Learn more from the Paint Quality Institute.

• Let nature’s colorful bounty inspire a porch or outdoor tabletop scheme like these ones showcased by Sunset magazine.

• Create a display of fall color with a container garden full of autumn plants.

• Create a playful pumpkin version of a snowman to greet guests when they arrive.

• Try Country Home’s tips for outfitting your porch for autumn.

• Invite others over to enjoy (and even contribute to) your autumn decor with these Suite101.com ideas for decorating pumpkins, collecting colorful leaves, and starting bonfires.

Of course, fall is the perfect time to use elements from the outdoors to enhance your indoor decor too. Learn more about fall decorating—inside and out—from DoItYourself.com. Then check out this slideshow of colorful ideas perfect for indoors and out.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Cool Uses for Wallpaper

Who says wallpaper is reserved solely for walls? Not me. And not the creative designers who came up with these innovative uses for wallpaper.

Adorn cabinet or drawer fronts with patterned, textured, or even beaded paper. Using paint and wallpaper, this DIYer transformed her bathroom cabinets.

My Mom sent me a link to this HGTV how-to yesterday—she thinks covering the incredibly dated cabinets in my new kitchen with grasscloth wallpaper might be a temporary solution. The pictures of the project aren’t that great, but the idea is pretty cool.

Frame your favorite, funky wallpaper to create instant artwork. Or follow the suggestion of Style Court and frame wallpaper panels as an alternative to papering an entire dining room. At Kaboose, they’re making wallpaper-covered frames rather than framing wallpaper. Or Real Simple recommends forgoing frames altogether and hanging your paper scroll-like (ala Asian art).

Cover an old lampshade that’s still in good shape. And, just for inspiration, check out this vintage wallpaper-covered lampshade on Etsy—I love it!

How about a wallpaper headboard?

Or maybe you’re in the market for a folding screen. This one can be made using hollow-core doors, wallpaper, and hinges—how easy is that?!

Wallpaper also works for creating playful cornices above windows.

People are even starting to wallpaper their ceilings, according to Apartment Therapy LA.

Try Martha Stewart’s idea of using vintage wallpaper to make cool glass coasters.

You can also use wallpaper to add style to a plain door.

Feeling really brave? Check out Home Envy’s Q&A on wallpapering flooring. Yes, that’s right. Wallpaper on the floor.

Even Lowe’s has ideas on creative uses for wallpaper. I particularly like the one about buying an inexpensive plastic kitchen clock and replacing the face of the clock with wallpaper mounted on thin cardboard and cut to size.

Still don’t know what to do with your scrap wallpaper? Cover books or journals. Make your own greeting cards. Or try these 11 ideas on eHow, which range from creating hatboxes to covering switchplates. While you’re at it, check out 10 more possibilities for decorating with wallpaper. And there’s BHG.com’s ideas for making the most of textured wallcoverings.

Wow. I don’t know about you, but I have the urge to go shopping for wallpaper scraps right now!

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Floor Tiling Basics

We had new floor tile installed in our bathroom a couple of weeks ago, but since I’m not living in the same state as my house yet I didn’t get to do it myself—or watch the flooring installation. I have a pretty good idea of what went into it though (that’s what happens after you work on books about kitchens and baths and more kitchens and baths), so I thought it was a good time to share a few tiling pointers with you DIYers out there.

TILE BASICS
Tile comes in a slew of shapes, sizes, and textures. Large tiles (usually 12x12, 16x16, or 24x24) are popular for kitchen or bathroom floors because they reduce the number of grout lines and the number of tiles that have to be installed (a plus if you’re tackling installation yourself).

Because floor tile has to stand up to foot traffic, it’s a good idea to check manufacturer ratings to learn how tough the tile you’re selecting is. Tile rated in Group I is best for bathroom floors. Tile in Group II can be used anywhere except kitchens, entryways, and other high-traffic areas. And tile in Group III is rated for all residential environments.

For safety (slipping and falling on tile floors is dangerous!), look for tile with a coefficient of friction (COF) rating of at least 0.6, wet or dry.

And whatever you do, make sure you’re using floor tiles on the floor. You can also use floor tiles on walls, but wall tiles aren’t durable enough to withstand foot traffic, so they shouldn’t be used on the floor.

TILE TYPES
Ceramic tile is resistant to moisture, wear, and stains—and it’s incredibly durable. Clay-based ceramic tile is a particularly great choice for moisture-prone areas such as the bathroom. Be sure to seal all grout so it doesn’t stain as easily. Ceramic tile can be hard and cold underfoot, so you may wish to consider radiant coils underneath the floor to keep feet warm.

Stone tiles come in a variety of shapes and sizes too, although 12-inch squares are most common. Granite, marble, and slate are commonly used to create stone tiles. Manufactured stone made from hard quartz and countertop materials such as Silestone and Zodiaq are now available in tiles made for the floor too.

A bonus: some stone tiles, particularly granite, are practically indestructible. Stone requires sealing to guard against moisture, however. And because of the weight and cost of stone, you’re probably better off hiring a pro for installation. If you don’t have the budget to hire a contractor, read up on Janeybug’s advice for installing at slate floor at Refurber.

Want to learn more? Absolute Remodeling provides some great, in-depth info on tile.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Once you identify a tile you like, it’s a good idea to take a sample home and test it before you buy it. How does it look in your kitchen or bath? Does it work with the color and style of your room? How does it feel underfoot?

Learn how to calculate how much floor tile you need at 411HomeRepair.com. Or try the Tile Estimator.

Keep in mind that you may not have to install tile everywhere in your kitchen or bathroom—you can skip areas that will be covered by cabinet bases or other permanent fixtures. And consider whether you want to install tile beneath appliances too.

If you have doubts about the strength of your floor (tile can be heavy!), it’s a good idea to hire a contractor to inspect the floor before beginning. Learn all about the anatomy of a floor and how to prepare it for tile at BHG.com.

GETTING STARTED
Before you begin, it’s a good idea to bone up on the basics of floor tile installation. Lowe’s provides detailed, step-by-step info on installing a ceramic tile floor. Or learn about the basics of tiling a kitchen floor or a bathroom floor from BHG.com.

If you’re a visual learner like I am, check out the animated how-to tutorial on installing ceramic floor tile at easy2diy.com. Hometime provides handy how-to videos on the topic too.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Kid-Friendly Organization

When it comes to organization in the home, few places present quite as much of a challenge as kids’ rooms, with the plethora of clothes, toys, books, and odds and ends that accumulate there. How do you keep the mess under control—and get the kiddos in on the process? Try these ideas for kid-friendly storage and you’ll have your children’s rooms whipped into shape in no time. Then the challenge is keeping them that way!

• Begin by weeding through the room and making save, toss, or donate piles. If kids are old enough, you might want to ask their input in what they want to keep and what they’re willing to give away. And if you’re just starting to sort through your kids’ toys, this Real Simple article can help ease organization woes.

• Use the empty space under kids’ beds to store toys and clothes in clear plastic bins with wheels, so the items stashed there are easy to pull out for access.

• Make organization fun by having kids decorate their own storage bins.

• Try color-coding—purchase plastic bins in bright hues and designate different colors for different types of items. For instance, blocks might go in blue bins and dolls in yellow ones. Colorful fold-up mesh baskets work well too.

• Keep storage units at eye-level and within reach of kids (unless your children are very small or you’re storing something they shouldn’t get into). Installing low clothing rods and shelves in kids’ closets allows them to take responsibility for hanging their own clothing and organizing their own belongings. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by clothes, check out this real-life example of organizing a young child’s closet.

• Look for fun, unexpected items—try lunchboxes, tin pails, or colorful melamine bowls—for corralling clutter. Here are six more ways to tame clutter too, courtesy of Readers’ Digest.

• Assign a laundry basket for each child’s dirty clothing. To make the task of gathering dirty clothes more enjoyable for kids, consider turning clothes cleanup into a game. Create a basketball hoop using a plain mesh laundry bag and encourage kids to toss their dirty clothes into the hoop each night.

• Learn how to transform unused wall space into instant hanging storage for toys.

• Use these fun ideas for organizing kids’ desk areas.

Looking for even more ideas? BHG shows you some of the great dollar store gear you can find to outfit your child’s closet in orderly style—and check out the adult closet too! You’ll also find a great slide show of kids’ storage solutions on the BHG website.

Or try these eight great tips from Organized Home.

Along with answers to some commonly asked questions about organizing kids’ rooms, For Organizing looks at organizational tips for kids of different ages.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Get a Home Energy Audit

I’ve been lucky—I haven’t had to turn the heat on yet. But when I walk by my windows, I can feel the fall chill. Which reminds me that it’s a great time to do a home energy audit.

Essentially, a home energy audit looks at how much energy your home consumes and where you’re losing that energy, and then it helps you evaluate what can be done to make your home more energy efficient. Making the changes suggested by an energy audit—many of which could be done over a weekend—can save you big money on energy bills over time and keep your home warmer this winter and for many more to come.

Lucky you, there are a slew of resources available for getting an energy audit, whether you choose to tackle it yourself or by hiring a pro.

One of the easiest starting points is to examine your utility bills for the last 12 months. Use the ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick to compare your home’s energy efficiency to similar homes across the country. All you have to do is look at your bills and enter some basic information about your home (zip code, age, square footage, number of occupants) and you’ll get recommendations for energy-saving improvements you can make.

Similarly, you can complete a web-based DIY home energy audit using the Home Energy Saver, which quickly computes your home’s energy use online, helps you identify ways to save energy, and even helps you find resources to make it happen.

To actually identify where you’re losing that energy requires a bit more work though.

The U.S. Department of Energy provides a handy rundown on DIY energy audits as well as info on professional audits. Or check out this great info on doing your own audit from DIY Life.

And check with your local utility—some, such as MidAmerican Energy in my area—provide home energy audits free of charge.

BusinessWeek has a great article on energy audits you might want to check out for more information.

Then what do you do once you know where your home could use some work on the energy efficiency front? Stay tuned—soon I’ll have pointers on how get your home nice and energy efficient just in time for winter.

If you’ve done a home energy audit—either yourself or by hiring a pro—I want to know what your experiences were. Was it helpful? What did you do with all that info on where your home was wasting energy?

Until Monday,
The Home Know-It-All

Winter Care for Outdoor Furniture

Few things are as pretty as the first snowfall. But winter weather can wreak serious havoc on your outdoor furnishings—rust, mildew, and warping, anyone?

So when it comes to storing outdoor furniture, think hibernation—animals have the right idea. Bring it all—tables, chairs, cushions, umbrellas—indoors, if you have room. Even the most heavy-duty, durable aluminum and wrought iron pieces made to withstand the elements can benefit from a cozy winter nap.

It’s best to cover your furniture with a tarp and store it in your basement or another indoor spot. But if you don’t have space to spare, you’re not doomed to ruined furniture. Just be sure to cover it thoroughly with a tarp and secure it to the ground.

While your furniture is indoors, take advantage of the opportunity to spruce it up so it looks like new when spring rolls around. Inspect each piece to make sure it’s in good condition. Each type of furniture requires different care—for example, some wood pieces should be treated, while all-weather wicker just needs a little soap and water. And did you know that you can give PVC pieces a little extra shine with non-gel toothpaste? Check out these other handy tips to learn how to best care for your furniture.

And who says you have to hide your furniture in the basement? Just as indoor furniture can be used outdoors, try putting your outdoor furniture to good use indoors. What other creative solutions do you have for enhancing your indoor decor with alfresco pieces?

Until tomorrow,
The Home-Know-It-All

Green Dishware

A while ago, a friendly reader (sorry it took so long, Marc!) asked if I had any recommendations for eco-friendly manufacturers of tableware. Of course I do! So let’s get your kitchen and dining room outfitted in green style.

Bambu sells serving ware, utensils, cutting boards, and nesting baskets made from oh-so-renewable, organically grown bamboo. The funky serving spoons and colorful lacquerware bowls are particularly cool.

For beautiful (and dishwasher-safe!) dinnerware, check out Fire and Light. Their hand-poured glass tableware is made from crushed, recycled glass in pretty colors ranging from lavender to olive.

You’ll find even more recycled-glass dinnerware options from Natural Spaces.

Recycled Glassworks sells a beautiful selection of dishware and platters made by kiln-firing recycled window-type glass over molds. Plus you can buy red, orange, yellow, and blue dessert and dinner plates made from the glass used in traffic lights—how fun is that?!

The Green Glass Co. sells a striking collection of goblets, tumblers, and vases created from old glass wine and beer bottles. Just like the bottles they’re made from, these pieces come in a variety of colors—and some have even been frosted or engraved for added personality.

While you’re outfitting your table with environmentally friendly tableware, why not pick green table linens too? Tribal Fiber sells fair-trade napkins, table runners, and dishtowels made from hemp/cotton blends that are free of chemical dyes, pesticides, and synthetic fibers.

 

If you still haven’t found what you’re looking for, check out the variety of tableware, from funky bamboo plates to recycled glass champagne flutes, at Green Home Environmental Store. And there’s Max and Zane, which sells handmade, vintage, and fair trade goods. Or visit Gaiam for bamboo salad bowls and clay cookware. And Green Feet hawks everything from cookware and kitchen tools to lunchboxes and tableware, including products from many of the brands I mentioned above.

Of course, another way to go green with your tableware is to buy used. Head to the thrift store and score an inexpensive, random collection of plates, glasses, and the like for your table rather than forking over money for new products. Think how much you’re saving the environment then!

Now, before I go, I want to know: Where do you shop for green tableware (or other great green products for that matter) online?

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Refinishing Cabinets

If your kitchen cabinets are dated or less than stellar but you’re not ready to drop a chunk of money on new cabinetry, it might be time to consider refinishing.

Refinishing—which involves painting or staining your cabinets—is the most inexpensive option for reviving cabinetry in need of a facelift. In fact, according to This Old House, the materials needed for repainting will probably set you back around $200, compared to the cost of replacing cabinets (easily $5,000), refacing them ($3,500), or having a pro finish them for you ($1,000).

Still not sure whether to refinish, reface, or replace? DoItYourself.com can help you determine which is best. If you decide to reface, Rockler Woodworking and Hardware provides instructions on how to do it.

Should you choose to go the refinishing route, one caveat: If your cabinets are in poor condition, it’s worth your while to invest in new cabinets. Paint can add style to cabinetry, but it can’t completely transform them if they’re too banged up.

Before you undertake the refinishing process, remember that although it’s a terrific DIY task, it does take time and effort—and you may not be able to use your kitchen while you’re doing it, so be prepared to eat out!

The first step in refinishing cabinetry involves removing all drawers, doors, and hardware. Sanding, stripping, and thorough cleaning are key for ensuring the paint goes on smoothly, whether you choose to apply it with a brush or spray it on (which many experts recommend because you don’t have to worry about brush strokes).

Refinishing cabinets is a lot like refinishing furniture, according to Lowe’s. Figure out the sort of finish your cabinets are currently wearing before you pick a stripper—gel or semi-paste varieties work best, because they don’t drip as much. If you’re not sure what kind of finish your cabinets have, check out the handy chart Lowe’s includes in the link above.

After you strip the cabinets, patch holes, dings, and scratches with wood filler or nonshrinking putty and sand to smooth the blemishes. Then it’s time to paint or stain!

Be Jane provides easy-to-follow instructions on refinishing cabinets—with handy tips to help you out along the way.

Not sure which color to paint your cabinets? This BHG.com slideshow will have you dreaming of yellow or green with envy in no time.

Enjoy the refinishing process!

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Organize It: Laundry Rooms

In an ideal world, every laundry room would come equipped with a little laundry genie, who’s responsible for sorting, laundering, folding, ironing, and tidying. As great as that sounds (unless you’re afraid of genies, I guess), I haven’t heard of laundry genies being sold anywhere. So we’ll have to make do with organizing and tackling piles of dirty clothes ourselves.

Copyright 2007 California Closet Co. Inc. All Rights Reserved

Spend less time in the laundry room and more time doing enjoyable activities with these laundry room organization pointers:

• Create a laundry sorting system. This HGTV article recommends attaching light and dark pillowcases to the wall for sorting, while Martha Stewart recommends sorting whites, colors, delicates, and other items into bins or carts.

• Include a utility sink for rinsing, soaking, and spot-cleaning. Suspend a rod or line above the sink for drip-drying.

• Plan for a stretch of countertop so you have a spot to sort and fold clothes.

• If there’s not room (or the budget) for built-in countertops and cabinets, consider a portable cart. Use the storage below to stash laundry supplies; the surface atop the cart works for folding. Plus a cart on wheels means you can easily move it around to where you need it most (or shove it out of the way).

• Many new washer and dryer models even have storage add-ons, such as drawers that fit between the units and pedestals that raise your front-loading washer and dryer to accessible heights while providing a spot to stash laundry detergent and dryer sheets.

• Purchase a drying rack for delicate clothing.

Photo courtesy of ClosetMaid.com

• Install a rod in the laundry room for hanging clothes immediately after you remove them from the dryer to minimize wrinkles.

• To save space, get the ironing board off the floor and attach it to the wall. Or purchase a wall-mount storage unit that holds your iron and ironing board.

• Remember to include a garbage container for tossing dryer lint and random objects you fish from pockets.

• If there’s room, consider including a spot for mending as well. Set up a table or desk with your sewing machine and other mending supplies so you can tackle lost buttons and ripped seams right away.

• Make sure you have good lighting in your laundry room. Natural light is ideal, but you’ll want to supplement it with bright, full-spectrum overhead lighting. You may want to include additional lighting for task areas too.

• Regardless of how you organize your laundry room, be sure to leave plenty of clearance between items so you can easily open and close washer, dryer, and cabinet doors and drawers.

Whip your laundry room into shape in no time with these DIY instructions from Reader’s Digest for installing a closet rod, shelf, cabinetry, and more in your laundry room. And BHG presents ideas for planning the perfect laundry room, whether it’s in a breezeway or a butler’s pantry.

Looking for storage products to outfit your laundry room? No big surprise here—Real Simple has just what you’re looking for. Lowe’s has some handy laundry organization ideas too. And once you’re finished reading about them, you can start shopping for everything you need to outfit your laundry room.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Wainscoting Basics

What is wainscot? you ask. Let me tell you. It’s quite simple, really, but it can instantly transform the look of a room—and has been a wall staple for centuries.

Wainscot is the paneling on the lower part of a wall—although in some cases it can reach as tall as three-quarters of the way up the wall. It can be installed all over the house—from bathrooms to stairways—and comes in a variety of prices depending on the materials you choose. Plywood sheeting and prefabricated kits allow you to create relatively inexpensive wainscoting, while luxurious raised panels made of hardwoods will set you back a pretty penny.

Originally, wainscoting was used to protect walls from chair damage. Now, however, it can be used just about anywhere in the home where you want to add architectural style. Atlanta Kitchen & Bath Makeovers shows some pretty wainscoting options.

WAINSCOT STYLE

The biggest challenge when it comes to wainscoting selection is to pick something that fits with the style of your room.

In a traditional room, try raised-panel wainscoting. For country-style homes, tongue and groove beaded board is a popular choice. And in Arts and Crafts or Mission-style homes, there’s a good chance you’ll find recessed flat panels. Want to know what these and other types of wainscoting look like? Check out this handy photo gallery, which includes a breakdown of all the parts of each wainscot style, courtesy of This Old House.

Your wainscoting might be topped with a chair rail, which was traditionally used to protect walls from chairs that hit the wall when people got up from the table, or a plate rail, which is found higher up the wall and is used to display plates or other decorative items.

WAINSCOT INSTALLATION

Want to install wainscoting yourself? Go for it! You can purchase precut wainscoting materials in a kit—which is perfect if you’re not an expert carpenter. All you have to do is trim the pieces to the right size with a saw and nail them into place. This type of wainscoting typically comes in interlocking strips or panels to make the job even easier. Learn more from this New York Times article.

Want easy installation tips? iVillage has them. Or check out this quick article from HGTV on installing pre-cut wainscoting panels.

If you know you want to install beaded board wainscoting, you’ll find the specifics of painting and installing it in this article from This Old House.

As if that weren’t enough links for wainscoting installation, here’s another. But this one (thanks again, This Old House) has great photos to accommodate the instructions. And it shows what to do to work around outlets and door casings, which can be tricky without a bit of guidance.

One can’t-miss installation tip courtesy of Lowe’s: Allow wainscot panels to sit in the room where they will be installed for 48 hours so they can adjust to their new environment—this helps minimize expansion and contraction once they’re on the walls.

Oh, and if you want the look of wainscoting without the installation, why not create the effect with wallpaper or paint? Use one color or pattern below the chair rail and another above and voila! Instant wainscoting.

About to start a DIY wainscoting installation? Check out this Builders Share post on the topic to read about some of the challenges one builder faced.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Caring for Garden Tools

Now is the time to clean your garden tools and get them ready for winter, just as we’ve already done with decks and patios, the lawn, and more. Making certain tools are in tip-top shape now ensures that they will survive a winter in storage, be ready to go when spring rolls around, and last for many season’s worth of wear and tear.

To care for hand tools, use a wire brush to remove any dirt and debris. Remove rust spots by sanding tools with fine sandpaper or steel wool. HGTV recommends spraying any metal parts with a lubricant oil spray to discourage rust; Mother Earth Living recommends coating metal with vegetable oil. A coat of linseed oil helps prevent wooden handles from cracking or splitting.

Before you store your tools, check for loose parts and tighten as needed. It’s also a good time to replace anything that’s broken, as Sandra Mason points out in The Homeowner’s Column.

When it is time to store tools for the winter, Better Homes & Gardens recommends plunging them into a pot filled with sandy mix. Learn what to do here.

Other tools and outdoor items could use your attention now too. Drain all hoses and store them in a dry location—preferably on hose supports or reels to prevent kinking. And if you have any spraying tools for controlling weeds or insects, thoroughly rinse the sprayer parts and hang them upside down so they drain.

While you’re at it, now’s the time to sharpen the blades on your lawnmower too. Try these step-by-step instructions from The Family Handyman.

And, as Demesne recommends, bring terracotta planters indoors for winter as well. They’re prone to cracking, so store them upside down in a garage or somewhere where they won’t fall victim to the freeze-thaw cycle. And avoid stacking them on top of each other if possible.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All