Photo: modern50.com

For the most part, free-standing coat racks are a thing of the past. They belong to a time when closets were only deep enough to hold a couple of suits or a few dresses. As the American home began to include closets of ever-increasing size, the coat rack went the way of the lunchtime martini.

Of course, it’s still possible to buy a new coat rack, but modern versions can be a bit bland. Hunting thrift stores and antique shops, however, you will find no shortage of architecturally interesting coat racks, often with attractive patinas.

In fact, some vintage coat racks are so eye-catching, the last thing you’ll want to do is hide their beauty under layers of clothing. If you are lucky enough to have a coat rack on hand, here are five unexpected ways you can use it:

1. In the Kitchen
It’s an all-too-common dance: the pot-and-pan shuffle. Limited cabinet space often prompts people to nest smaller cookware items within larger ones, making it more difficult to retrieve what you need later on. A good, sturdy cast-iron coat rack eliminates this difficulty, because you can hang your most frequently used skillets, woks, and steamers from the rack’s multiple arms. S-hooks facilitate hanging, and rubberized coating (like this from The Home Depot) protects both your coat rack and your kitchen equipment.

2. In the Kids’ Rooms
When your child has his heart set on playing with that one action figure, it’s always lost in the toy chest beneath a landslide of LEGOs, Hot Wheels, and Tonka trucks. Meanwhile, the closet floor is a colorful quicksand: Things disappear down there, never to be seen again. Here’s an idea: Keep your kids’ necessities neatly organized and easily accessible within heavy-duty mesh bags hung from the arms of a coat rack. Use bags of different colors to create a whimsical look or to establish a color-coded organizational scheme.

Related: 13 Easy Ways to Repurpose Antique Armoires

Photo: craftgossip.com

3. In the Bathroom
Instead of installing towel hooks or bars in the bathroom, simply stand a coat rack in the corner. Use one side for towels, the other for robes, and presto—you’ve engineered a distinctive alternative to wall storage. Because the coat rack will come into contact with moisture, consider painting or sealing the surface with a clear or colored enamel spray paint. For this purpose, try LeakSeal from Rust-Oleum. It produces a water-resistant rubberized coating that not only protects your coat rack from damage, but can also keep your towels from slipping.

4. In the Bedroom
After putting a coat rack in the bedroom, you might wonder how you ever managed to live without one. This is a great way to keep your comfy around-the-house clothes off the floor and close at hand. Perhaps the most visually appealing items to hang are men’s ties and women’s scarves. A coat rack lets you enjoy (and show off) these accessories’ rich patterns, colors, and textures, even as they’re tidily stored and kept wrinkle-free.

5. Outdoors
If properly sealed, a wooden or metal coat rack can be placed out in the garden, where a new world of possibilities opens up for it. Hang birdhouses from the rack’s various arms to create a mini condo development for your winged friends. Or string a series of solar lights for a unique outdoor floor lamp sure to make your visitors light up. 

For more on repurposing, consider:

10 Ingenious IKEA Hacks
5 Things to Do with… Vintage Ladders
10 Inspired DIY Planters to Dress Up Your Garden

5 Unexpected Ways to Use a Vintage Coat Rack Home Improvement, Home Remodeling & Home Repair - BobVila.com

Photo: hgtvremodels.com

We often choose colors we believe to be an expression of ourselves. But the science of color psychology suggests that we might successfully select paints based, not on who we actually are, but on who we want to be.

The practice of using color to influence health and moods dates back to ancient times, when it was thought that blue heals burns, yellow alleviates breathing problems, and red overcomes paralysis.

Though it doesn’t support the bold claims of our ancestors, modern research has proven that, indeed, color can have dramatic effects on our mind states. By applying color theory in each room of the house, you can ensure, not only that your colorful abode is visually appealing, but also that it makes you feel great!

 

KITCHEN

Photo: Blackburn Architects, PC

As part of an experiment known as the cocktail party study, a group of designers and scientists developed a series of rooms, each with a different prevailing color. People gravitated toward the room painted yellow; here, they were more sociable than in the other two rooms. Being that the kitchen always tends to be a popular gathering spot, why not paint the room yellow to facilitate exchanges among friends and family?

Alternative: Red. In the same study, participants were also quite sociable in the red room, where they reported feeling hungrier and thirstier than participants in other rooms. That fact suggests that red may be the perfect color choice for revving up appetites prior to mealtime.

BEDROOM

Photo: virtualimaging360.com

Green has long been considered a symbol of fertility, so it’s an obvious choice for the bedroom, even if your baby-making days are in the past. Ever wonder why talk show guests hang out in the “green room” before appearing on live television? Because green helps with the jitters; it’s been shown to reduce stress. Green has also been associated with enhanced reading ability—a boon for anyone who likes to curl up with a good book before dozing off.

Alternative: According to studies, blue has soothing properties, as well.

DINING ROOM

Photo: shutterstock.com

For centuries, people held the belief that red gets the blood moving. Turns out they weren’t wrong: Red is, in fact, associated with increased heart rate. Another effect of red is that it stimulates appetite, making the color a natural candidate for use in the dining room. Red’s stimulating effects may lead to more lively dinner party conversation, but caution: Since red has been linked to aggression, too, steer clear of any topics that are especially contentious!

Alternative: Orange exerts a similar, less intense influence on appetite.

HOME OFFICE

Photo: westelm.com

We usually try to avoid “getting blue” in the office, but doing so may not be such a bad thing. If you work from home and frequently need to access the right side of your brain, then bear in mind that blue bolsters creativity. Another beneficial side effect of blue, particularly in the home office context, is that research indicates the color is calming.

Alternative: Red. Its stimulating qualities can help you avoid mid-day slumps, and its aggressive tinge might give you the edge you need. In addition, studies correlate the color with improved memory and accuracy in detail-oriented tasks.

LIVING ROOM

Photo: carolinadesignassociates.com

Because the living room hosts a variety of experiences, from rollicking Sunday football games to quiet candlelit nights, it’s best to go with a neutral color. Browns work well, because while fading easily into the background, they also create an overall sense of solidity, security, and warmth—perfect for a room at the heart of a home.

Alternative: Green, often as refreshing as it is soothing, remains supportive of the living room’s mood, even as that mood changes throughout the day.

For more on color, consider:

Take the COLOR QUIZ!
Boost Your Color Confidence
Bob Vila’s Guide to Historic Paint Colors

For Every Hue, a Mood: Use Color to Make the Most of Every Room Home Improvement, Home Remodeling & Home Repair - BobVila.com

Photo: backyardswimmingpools.net

Ah, pools. Whether humble aboveground 15-footers or elaborately designed in-ground beauties, swimming pools are refreshing oases in backyards everywhere. They can be exercise-inducers, playgrounds, or simply soothing surfaces on which you can float and soak up vitamin D.

Pools are even nice just to look at—except when they’re not. Perhaps more than any other landscaping feature, a neglected pool radiates an air of sadness. If yours has gotten rundown, you probably want to avoid it rather than dive right in.

Related: 10 “Dream Worthy” Swimming Pools

Fortunately, it’s possible to rejuvenate a pool. A new lining might be the simple solution for an aboveground pool that’s lost its luster. If you want to perk up a tired fiberglass or concrete in-ground pool, consider resurfacing.

Fiberglass
Thanks to its flexibility and resistance to shifts in the ground, fiberglass is a popular choice for resurfacing. To begin, your contractor will make things as smooth as possible by filling in, reinforcing, and sanding any cracks or chips.

After that begins a multi-layer application process. Resin and fiberglass coats are applied and then sanded. Finally, up to three top coats—available in a variety of colors and textures—seal the job.

What are the advantages? For starters, fiberglass lasts longer than concrete or plaster. Also, fiberglass is smoother, so it absorbs fewer chemicals and less organic material. Fiberglass resists algae stains, too. When correctly done, you are left with a good-looking pool likely to last a good long time.

Plaster
If you want to resurface a concrete pool, your most economical choice is plaster. Certain products, such as Sider-Proof, actually make resurfacing in plaster easy enough for a do-it-yourselfer to tackle.

An experienced professional will either chip or sandblast the old plaster out, leaving the original concrete shell. Next, a bond coat is applied that is topped with one or two coats of new plaster tinted to your choice of color.

PebbleTec and PebbleSheen Pool Surfacing. Photo: tristatepoolrenovations.com

Unlike fiberglass, plaster will react with pool water over the course of its lifetime, so more chemicals may be necessary to maintain proper water chemistry. To counteract this issue, add a “filler” to your plaster mix.

Quartz and pebbles are common additives. Quartz is more stain-resistant than plaster; when the two are mixed together, you get an improved, durable surface that adds true sparkle to your pool water. QuartzScapes by NPT and DiamondBrite by SGM are popular quartz-plaster blends.

Pebble-plaster aggregates like Pebble Tec or Pebble Sheen are some of the most expensive options in this category, but they create a striking look as well as a smooth, river rock-like texture underfoot. Additionally, pebble blends are the most chemical- and stain-resistant of all plaster techniques.

Other Options
If your fiberglass or concrete pool is in decent shape, consider painting instead of resurfacing it. Water-blast the old paint off, then spray on a new coat of epoxy paint, such as Nu-Pool), which should last seven to 10 years. Rubber-based or acrylic paint may also be used, but neither is as durable as epoxy paint.

Still another option for bringing your pool back to life is retiling. Here, it’s the same as indoors: A scratch coat is applied, tiles are laid, and grout is put in between. Depending on the size of your pool, of course, tiling can be an extremely expensive and time-consuming process. But it will give you an elegant result.

For more on water features, consider:

12 Celebrity Pools to Envy
Swimming Pools: Pump Woes
Water, Water Everywhere: Installing a Small Backyard Pond

Perk Up Your Pool: Resurfacing in Fiberglass or Plaster Home Improvement, Home Remodeling & Home Repair - BobVila.com

"Fresh Air" Skylight from Velux

There once was a saying among contractors that went, “It’s not if your skylight will leak, it’s when it will leak.” Fortunately, advances in skylight design and installation practices have made this old saw as useless as… well… an old saw.

These new-and-improved skylights can benefit a home in several eco-friendly ways. For starters, they beam 100% free light into a room, and if vented, they improve air circulation. Additionally, skylights can help regulate a home’s climate. (Rising hot air escapes through them in the summer, and in the winter, they admit warming sun rays.) Not to mention, the natural light admitted by skylights ultimately promotes good health. Sunlight balances your circadian rhythms, wards off Seasonal Affective Disorder, and replenishes vitamin D levels.

Slideshow: Know Your Window Styles: 10 Popular Designs

Unlike the bubble-style skylights of old, today’s versions are made to the same standards as high-quality windows. Many are Energy Star-rated and feature dual-paned, argon-gas-injected low-e glass that not only insulates well, but also blocks UV rays that can bleach furniture and carpets.

One of the more technologically advanced skylights on the market is the solar-powered “Fresh Air” Skylight from Velux. An operable window-on-your-roof, it features solar cells built into the frame, so there is no need to hook up the skylight to your home’s electrical system. Using the preprogrammed remote control, you can either open and close the skylight at will or program it to lift and lower automatically throughout the day. Conveniently, a built-in rain sensor closes the window in wet weather.

LED Tubular Skylight from Solatube

If an attic takes up most of the space beneath your roof, a skylight may seem impractical. Fortunately, you can still let the sun shine in through tubular solar lighting. These systems, some of which are simple enough to install yourself, consist of a skylight on the roof and a fixed or flexible tube that channels the light to wherever you need it. The resulting installation indoors often looks like a recessed ceiling light fixture.

A leader in this area is Solatube. The company manufactures a tube-lighting system that features a roof-mounted dome, which collects sunlight from different angles. That light is then filtered down through a tube lined in Spectralight Infinity, a highly reflective material (the most reflective on earth, Solatube claims). Finally, the light is released through your choice of fixture; some impart special effects like warming, softening, or sharpening sunlight that passes through.

In the past few years, one of the brightest advances in skylights has come, not from a research facility, but from the federal government. The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 allows homeowners to claim a 10% tax credit—up to $500—on certain components of skylight installation, so if you do install any of these systems, be sure to check with your accountant! That way, you’ll not only save on electric, heating, and cooling costs, but on your taxes as well.

For more on windows, consider:

 Replacement Windows 101
It’s All in the Details—Stained Glass
Affordable Window Inserts Promote Energy Efficiency

Seeing the Light: New (and Improved) Skylights Home Improvement, Home Remodeling & Home Repair - BobVila.com

Belkin Conserve Socket

1. Conserve. According to the EPA’s Energy Star program, vampire power accounts for more than $10 billion per year in energy costs. While “vampire power” might sound like the latest anemic thriller from Hollywood, the term actually refers to the energy some devices use, when they are switched off but still plugged in. Belkin’s Conserve Socket helps battle the electricity-suckers in a simple and easy-to-use way (that doesn’t involve garlic). Simply plug one of these $10 devices into the wall, set the switch to one-half, three, or six hours, and press the start button. The socket shuts off all power after the programmed time. In addition to vanquishing vampire power drain, Conserve works great for an air conditioner or fan you don’t need to run all night, or for a curling iron or coffeemaker you’re afraid you might forget to turn off in the morning. In other words, both energy and stress are saved.

 

SafePlug

2. SafePlug. Though it’s a more costly and labor-intensive option, SafePlug has additional features that make it worth a look. Initially, the product developers were driven to create a power outlet that would stop fires caused by appliances and other electrical devices. Their research showed that the circuit-breaker systems in most homes do little to prevent fires triggered by overloaded outlets. Thus, the SafePlug system moves the protection of a breaker directly to the wall. Most home DIYers can probably handle its installation. Setup involves replacing the wall outlet, plus installing a small “tag” in the plug of any device plugged into that outlet. SafePlug instantly cuts power if something goes wrong, and it also prevents kids from getting shocks and burns if they insert something like a paper clip or metal toy.

Smart Strip 7-Outlet Energy-Saving Surge Protector

3. Smart Strip. This well-named power strip delivers a unique approach to saving energy. Plug a main device, such as a TV or computer, into the blue outlet on the strip, then plug peripheral devices like printers, speakers, and receivers into the strip’s “switched outlets.” When you turn off the main device, the strip automatically cuts power to the peripherals. The Smart Strip includes three “hot” outlets for plugging in devices you want continuously powered. In addition, a substantial 2,225 joules of surge protection are provided.

360 Electrical 4-Outlet Rotating Surge Protector

4. 360 Electrical Rotating Surge Protector. If you’ve ever faced the frustration of not being able to fit two bulky plugs into a standard outlet at once, this is the device for you. Simply plug it into any wall outlet and it provides four grounded (three-prong) outlets that swivel a full 360 degrees. That means you can rotate a plug until it plays nicely with the other plugs around it. The outlet also acts as a surge protector. Do you travel a lot? Be sure to check out the company’s Mobile Surge Protector, which turns typical hotel-room outlets into “revolutionary” wonders with two sockets and two USB-charging slots.

SwitchLinc Remote Control Dimmer from Insteon

5. Insteon Remote Control Dimmer. Insteon manufactures two outlets that create instant mood lighting. One is a plug-in module, and the other is a replacement outlet you wire directly into the wall. Both let you plug in any lamp with a load up to 300 watts, which you can then dim to 32 different brightness levels using any Insteon remote control. It’ll let you see your surroundings in a whole new light!

For more on electrical, consider:

Bob Vila Radio: Extra Outlets
12 Ways to Put Your Home on an Energy Diet—TODAY!
Bob Vila Radio: Electrical Outlet Inspection

Creative Outlets: 5 “Energy Smart” Options Home Improvement, Home Remodeling & Home Repair - BobVila.com

Photo: lawnshelp.com

NASA satellite imagery shows that in America, lawns occupy about fifty thousand square miles, an area roughly the size of New York State. All that green requires many homeowners to shell out “green” for maintenance. That’s because many yards are planted with non-native grass species in need of extensive upkeep, from mowing and fertilizing to weed-killing and watering. In fact, it’s estimated that one-third of all water usage in the U.S. goes toward landscaping.

So if you’re ready to turn your resource-stealing suburban savannah into a low-maintenance oasis filled with color, texture, and fragrance, consider planting one of these five grass alternatives:

1. Microclover

Microclover Lawn. Photo: ohio.com

For years, grass seed has benefited from the addition of clover, which fertilizes soil by drawing in nitrogen, resulting in a healthier and greener lawn. Microclover, a relatively new variety, makes an ideal companion to grass, in that it’s low-growing and doesn’t flower often (bye-bye, bees), and the shade it provides to the soil reduces water evaporation. Clover may also be used on its own for a non-traditional lawn with no grass at all. For this purpose, choose white, or Dutch, clover. It can stand up to occasional mowing, doesn’t grow tall, tends to crowd out weeds and is virtually impervious to pet urine.

2. Fescue Grass

Fescue Grass. Photo: brumfieldsodfarm.com

Technically a grass, fescue has one distinct advantage over species traditionally planted in yards—you barely have to mow it. With growth, fescue blades fold over on themselves, creating a lovely sea of green that actually ripples in the wind. For a shorter lawn, mowing once per month is sufficient (normal grass often needs weekly mowing). Fescue is shade- and drought-tolerant and can stay green throughout the entire year. Though it can tend to grow in clumps, a specially engineered mix by High Country Gardens eliminates this issue.

3. Creeping Thyme

Creeping Thyme. Photo: mnn.com

This common herb may be used, not only in the kitchen, but outside of the home as well— to brighten landscaping. Popular varieties worthy of consideration are spicy orange thyme and creeping lemon thyme. Neither usually exceeds four inches in height, and both produce pink blossoms that, when crushed underfoot, emit a wonderful smell. If bare feet will be on the lawn, wooly thyme is recommended for its delightful, soft texture. Hardy and undemanding, thyme varieties grow well even in poor soil, so as it’s well-drained and gets good sun.

4.  Corsican Mint

Corsican Mint. Photo: loghouseplants.com

The lowest-growing of all mints, mentha requienii prefers dry to moist soil and medium to full sun. It tolerates foot traffic well and when trampled, gives off a pleasant creme de menthe aroma. Corsican mint can even be used to make a tasty peppermint-like tea.

5.  Artificial Turf

Artificial Turf. Photo: ingrass.com

Turf doesn’t necessitate water, chemicals, or a gas-powered mower; that makes it an unlikely eco-friendly option. If synthetic grass reminds you of those bristly doormats, think again. A number of manufacturers like SYNLawn and ForeverLawn have developed versions that aren’t easy to distinguish from the real thing.

For more on lawns, consider:

To Fertilize or Not to Fertilize?
How To: Mow the Lawn Properly
Bob Vila Radio: Spring Lawn Preparation

Keep Off the Grass: 5 Traditional Lawn Alternatives Home Improvement, Home Remodeling & Home Repair - BobVila.com