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14 Eye-Catching Options for Your Front Door
Exterior

14 Eye-Catching Options for Your Front Door

With all the emphasis on paint color and siding, a front door could easily get lost in the shuffle of exterior updates. But as the first and last part of your house a visitor sees, it’s the perfect place to make a design statement. Replacing an old or dated looking front door is actually one of the most popular curb appeal ideas, making the choice of your a front door for a new home hugely important. It's more than a decorative feature—it's an important investment. Both the security and style your front door provides impact your home’s worth. So, there are several practical matters to consider when selecting a new front door: namely material, cost, and style. Style-wise, your front door should fit in architecturally with the rest of your home, but don't let that hold you back and miss the opportunity to express your personality. A six-panel door is very traditional, while an arched door with stained glass has more whimsy and a single French door adds elegance (not to mention a great source of natural light). Even a nontraditional steel door has gained popularity in modern architecture, boasting in strength and affordability; the metal, however, does conduct temperature, so it’s always not the most efficient option in extreme climates. A solid wood front door will always endure as a classic, despite being a bit pricier and requiring a bit more TLC and repair as necessary due to its sensitivity to moisture and sun. Fiberglass doors hold a middle ground as both affordable and durable—not to mention available in many styles, including those that mimic wood. Finally, no matter the material underneath, color is key to evoking the exact emotions you want from guests who enter your home. Whether you're looking for the vibrancy of red or the cheeriness of yellow, let whatever color you choose be an expression of you. Not sure where to get started? Click through these great front door ideas we've scouted from around the web.

Homemade Fabric Softener - For Your Load of Laundry
DIY

How To: Make Your Own Fabric Softener

Stop worrying about the potential allergens and irritants in store-bought fabric softener—and save a little money—by switching to a homemade version of this laundry staple.

The Easiest Recipe for Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner
DIY

How To: Make Your Own All-Purpose Cleaner

Prep an all-natural, food-safe household cleanser for pennies per batch.

Laundry Symbols Meaning
Interior

The Complete Guide to Decoding Laundry Symbols

Learn how to decipher laundry care symbols and properly take care of your fabrics.

Makeover Your Patio with a Trellis, Cooler Table, and More
DIY

Backyard Makeover: DIY a Patio Table with a Built-In Cooler for Drinks

Beat the heat with an outdoor furniture that keeps your drinks on ice. Talk about refreshing!

Seat Yourself: 11 Ways to DIY Your Own Chair
DIY

Seat Yourself: 11 Ways to DIY Your Own Chair

A lot of our lives are spent sitting down, so you might as well do it in style! When the stores don’t have what you like—or what you can afford—use your DIY skills to build your own dining room chair, lounger, or a colorful perch for the kids. If you're looking for a a truly distinctive seat for any room in your house, check out these 11 ways to build a chair.

Rhododendrons: Keeping It Green All Winter Long
Lawn & Garden

Rhododendrons: Keeping It Green All Winter Long

Bursting with vibrant blooms in the spring and retaining their leaves through the colder months, rhododendrons are the perfect "evergreen" for your winter landscape.

Keep Your Cool with 10 DIY Ice Chests
DIY

Keep Your Cool with 10 DIY Ice Chests

At your next outdoor bash, don't keep going back into the house for drinks! Instead, grab yourself a cold one from one of these clever—and stylish—"ice chests."

13 Easy Ways to Repurpose Antique Armoires
DIY

13 Easy Ways to Repurpose Antique Armoires

With a little ingenuity, you can move your antique armoire into the 21st century without sacrificing any of the furniture's old-fashioned charm.

15 Doable Designs for DIY Outdoor Furniture
DIY

15 Doable Designs for DIY Outdoor Furniture

The weather is warm—it’s finally time to start making the most of your outdoor space. You can transform your yard, deck, or patio into a true extension of your home if you can create the right ambience—and furniture is key in establishing the mood. Unfortunately, outdoor furniture can cost a bundle. This year, DIY your own to save money and really customize your outdoor space. Check out these awesome DIY outdoor furniture projects that set the tone for a perfect summer oasis.

7 Creative Guest Houses You Can Actually Afford
Design

7 Creative Guest Houses You Can Actually Afford

Having guests home to visit is often a reason to celebrate. But after a day or two, we might wish for a little more—well—personal space. It turns out that the answer just might be in your own backyard. An additional "tiny home" situated on your property (but separate from your house), creates a warm welcome for those just passing through, or perhaps a special getaway you can keep to yourself. If you thought you'd never be able to afford your own guest house, think again. These seven unique ideas bring guest accommodations within reach for many of us.

Just Floored! 15 Totally Unexpected DIY Flooring Alternatives
Interior

Just Floored! 15 Totally Unexpected DIY Flooring Alternatives

Bottle caps, leather belts, and pennies are just a few of the unusual materials that creative do-it-yourselfers have incorporated in these cheap flooring ideas. Click through for 15 finished projects prove that—for very little money—you can add a lot of beauty and interest underfoot!

10 Easy Ways to Build Your Own TV Stand
DIY

10 Easy Ways to Build Your Own TV Stand

For many, there's nothing more relaxing than curling up in the living room with a great TV show or movie. But are you tired of having to crane your neck to see that wall-mounted flat-screen, or are you looking to replace that standard-issue melamine console? Here are 10 easy, fun, and inexpensive DIY TV stand projects to make winding down with your favorite shows even more enjoyable.

Sweet Dreams: 15 Inventive Beds You Can Make Yourself
Interior

Sweet Dreams: 15 Inventive Beds You Can Make Yourself

You spend nearly one-third of your life sleeping, so ideally your bed should feel comfortable and special. Here are fifteen “dreamy” and easy designs for DIY beds.

18 Hidden Costs of Moving
Real Estate

18 Hidden Costs of Moving

Packing up and moving is expensive, costing an average of $1,200 to $6,000, depending on the distance to your new home and whether you move your own possessions or hire a moving company. While you’ve probably budgeted for the move, you may not know that a number of unforeseen factors can increase your overall cost. Things like add-on charges from the moving company, problems you leave behind or snags you encounter after you arrive at your new home can sap your budget. To be prepared for any little surprises along the way, scroll through our list of hidden moving costs.

11 Super Simple Ways to Make Your House Smell Fresh
Interior

11 Super Simple Ways to Make Your House Smell Fresh

Right up there with other factors like style and cleanliness, your home's scent makes a huge first impression to guests. While the smell of freshly baked bread or fresh laundry is heavenly, sometimes we just want the place to smell nice without going through all of that effort. Before you resort to spraying store-bought air fresheners or lighting a scented candle, try these just-as-easy DIY tricks to freshen your home.

14 Easy Ways to Make Your Own Headboard
Interior

14 Easy Ways to Make Your Own Headboard

Headboards can make a strong statement in a bedroom, adding color, pattern, and texture to the space above your pillows. But they can also cost a pretty penny, which can be a major blow to your redecorating budget. Instead of overspending on a store-bought model, consider one of these DIY headboards that are as stylish and functional as they are easy and inexpensive.

18 New Uses for Old Shoeboxes
DIY

18 New Uses for Old Shoeboxes

Whether or not you have a slight shoe obsession, it seems that everyone has an abundance of old shoeboxes taking up space in the closet. Put those sturdy cardboard containers to good use with these 18 ideas for recycling shoeboxes into fun and functional objects for your home.

16 New Things You Can Do with Old Furniture
DIY

16 New Things You Can Do with Old Furniture

Before you drag those mismatched shelves, broken chairs, worn-out sofas, or just plain ugly eyesores to the curb, check out these creative examples of repurposed furniture that prove you can give outdated furnishings a second life as useful, even stylish items for your home.

10 Things You Didn’t Know Super Glue Can Do
DIY

10 Things You Didn’t Know Super Glue Can Do

Everyone has reached for the Krazy Glue at least once when fixing a broken object. Its sheer versatility makes this accidental invention one of the most ubiquitous—and useful—staples of DIY home repair. Some of its more obscure uses may be news to you, though. Get the most out of this small but mighty adhesive, and check out some amazing additional uses for this ultra-sticky glue.