Need a little inspiration to dive into some spring cleaning? What if we told you, you could clean your entire house with cheap, effective cleaning products that only took simple, grocery store ingredients to make?! Not convinced? If you’re going to eventually clean regardless, we highly recommend tearing a little page from the DIY page and giving these safe, and inexpensive cleaning recipes a go. (P.S. Here are ten reasons people are switching over to natural cleaning products).

3 Ingredient All-Purpose Cleaner

• ½ cup distilled white vinegar, 2 cups water, 20 drops essential oil

Combine in a spray bottle, swirl to mix, and spray. Perfect for everything except granite or marble, as the vinegar will etch!

No Scrub Microwave Cleaner

Home improvement projects can feel daunting, and more than anything; time-consuming. However, setting aside even just one weekend can bring major improvements to your home. It’s amazing how much progress can be made in such a short period of time. Have an open weekend, or even just more free hours strung together than usual? Think about digging in and knocking off something on the “would be nice” list for your home!

For those that don’t even know where to start on that list, we’ve put together three weekend warrior projects that can take anywhere from just a few hours to a full 48 depending on how far you want to take. (P.S. Already nervous? We start with the easiest and go from there!)

Hardware Isn’t Hard

Hardware is something that often isn’t

Putting together last minute costumes doesn’t have to be scary.

Halloween is one of those classic moments as a parent, where at literally any point in the month leading up to the 31st, an “I need a costume” can be sprung on you with just minutes to spare. It’s as if kids think adults can create costumes out of thin air. As a parent, it’s our job to deliver. Gracefully? Not always. But prepared? You bet.

To help you through those inevitable last-minute Halloween party needs, here’s a list of cute and simple Halloween costumes we hope you’ll take comfort in while celebrating throughout the month!

Trader Joe’s Employee

It’s simple to be spot-on with this laugh-inducing Trader Joe’s Employee outfit consisting of just a Hawaiian shirt, khakis, and

Holiday decorating has such a warm, cozy, and festive allure to it. Think: Wearing your favorite sweater and fuzzy socks with a hot cocoa in hand while playfully hanging up decorations with the kids. Of course, there’s also that perfect holiday playlist in the background and heck, why not hope for gently falling snow outside, as well. 

The truth? Holiday decorating can be a major dread for some. Think: The world’s largest ball of tangled lights, not being able to find your kid’s handmade ornaments from last year and overspending on those latest Pinterest ideas.

Good news? With a little organizing, simplifying and planning, the process can be much more of a hot-cocoa-in-hand experience than a dread-inducing weekend project. Below are a few tips to

With winter just a few months away, it’s time vital to prioritize any lingering home improvement do-it-yourself projects owners have been meaning to get around to. Colder weather often means that outdoor jobs, in particular, become difficult or even impossible to start, let alone complete. Moreover, many of the DIY jobs homeowners may want to get around to have to do with winterizing their houses or properties in some way, so getting those efforts underway as soon as possible is crucial. 

One of the biggest goals homeowners are likely to have as they look to winterize their homes is trying to save money on their heating bills, according to the Family Handyman. The good news is this is not as intensive as most may expect.

Start Simple 

One very

Smart home technology has been something that we as a population have longed for; science fiction shows and movies have wowed audiences with ideas for home automation that most of us would really like to enjoy in our day-to-day lives.

With the cost of DIY smart technology being lower than ever before, smart homes are now in the realm of possibility for many homeowners. The question is, should you be an early adopter, or wait for safer, even more affordable options? Do you worry that a smart home upgrade would leave you fumbling to turn on your lights or adjust your thermostat, or are you chomping at the bit to get every one of your home’s electronic devices connected to your smart phone?

Whether you’re tech-savvy or a reluctant luddite, there are

Moving into a new home is an exciting time, but can be a complicated process. You may be done with the paperwork and have your keys in hand, but if you’re not organized and efficient in your packing and unpacking, your move may not be as smooth as you hoped. Use these tips to be sure the move to your new home is headache free!

MAKE A SUPPLIES LIST

You probably know everything that you’ll need for your move, but take the time to write it down before you head out to shop. During such a highly stressful time, an extra trip to the store can feel like a real inconvenience, so save yourself the aggravation and prepare a list.

Suggested Packing Supplies:

• Clean, strong boxes (in which case choosing used is okay)
• Plain packing paper (skip

Summer is here, and that means it’s time to get outside and grill. A successful backyard cookout depends largely on preparation and know-how, so here are our tips to ensure that your burgers are the best on the block.

CHOOSING A GRILL

If you’re choosing a grill for the first time, there are four popular types to choose from: charcoal, electric, gas, and gas-powered infrared. Each type has pros and cons.

Charcoal grills impart a smoky, full flavor to food; in fact, this flavor is what many people associate with an outdoor cookout. However, charcoal grills require a lot of space away from structures because they are a serious fire risk. You’ll need to start this type of grill well in advance of your intended grill time and have plenty of

DISCLOSURE: THIS IS A SPONSORED GUEST POST FOR HMS HOME WARRANTY.

Now that kids are home for the summer, getting their ideas – and help – with a bedroom remodel can be a great family activity. All it takes is a little elbow grease and a few hours to make any kid’s room look completely different, and better match their ever-evolving tastes.

One of the easiest ways to make a whole bedroom feel a little different is by putting more art on the walls, according to Country Living. Designing one wall like something out of an art gallery, with one large picture or poster centering a number of smaller ones, can help keep kids inspired. This is also likely to be true of any new, brightly colored paint job – as long as parents and kids can agree on a color –

If you are looking for new ways to improve your home this year, take note of what is IN this year. The 2017 home design trends have a lot to do with color, texture, shapes, simplified living spaces, and taking traditional designs and putting a modern spin on them.
 

Textured Furniture

Textured furniture is different and unique and is making its way into 2017 because of the way designers want their customers to be more in touch with textures. Anything from pleats, foldings, cotton, velvet, and wool will be making it’s way in homes this year. This is coming from a larger macro trend of comfort according to Patti Carpenter, the Global Trend Ambassador and Creative Director from Carpenter Co. She adds “you will continue to see faux fur, mohair, and