diy Archives - Serendipity Mommy

6 DIY Tips For Stay At Home Moms

April 5, 2021 by Mandy

Have some spare time up your sleeves and want to get stuck into some DIY projects around the home?

Check out these 6 quick and simple DIY ideas to get you on your way.

1. Sparkling Dishwasher

Over time dishwasher’s collect a lot of grime and germs. It’s usually a good idea to clean them monthly to avoid the build up of germs and keep your dishwasher from smelling.

Have you ever noticed that little drain at the bottom of the disher getting blocked? It can happen quicker than you think. Check out how to unblock a drain here.

For a DIY alternative to using cleaning tablets you can add 1 cup of vinegar to an empty dishwasher cycle. Baking soda also works a treat on an empty cycle.

2. Clean Out Old Drains

Speaking of blocked drains, it might be a good idea to check up on all your drains around the home. The kitchen sink often gets clogged with food causing your drain to smell. You can find some simple tips on how to unblock a sink here.

It’s not just the kitchen sink that can clog, be sure to check your shower and bathroom drains. Typically they will get clogged with human hair and need to be cleaned regularly to avoid any hassle down the line.

3. Patch Holes In The Wall

We all know a coat of paint can transform a home or room but, before painting that wall you must make sure it’s prepped right.

That means getting comfortable with patching any holes or dents in the wall. You can do this by using a paint scraper to scrape any debris away. Cover the hole with a fast drying wall patch and aim to get it level with the wall.

Let it dry for 24 hours and sand smooth with a sanding block. You’re now ready to paint.

4. Painting Interior Walls

Painting shouldn’t be hard but that doesn’t mean it’s all that easy either. Planning your paint work does set you out on the right track.

Take the time to prep the wall the right way and then go and pick your color of choice. You’ll want to use the right tools for the job that are high quality. Use a good brush to cut in the edges then go ahead and roll the rest of the wall.

5. Maximize Corner Space

If you live in a smaller home or apartment you’re likely pressed for space. One area often overlooked is the corners of our home.

Most people will push their square couch into the corner and call it a day but you’re missing out on unused storage space if you leave it at that.

Take advantage of those corners and instal some DIY shelves. You can pick up some floating shelves from your local hardware store or IKEA.

6. Panel Your Walls

A huge trend is to instal DIY wall panelling. Another awesome DIY project to take on to really change the look of your home.

This one won’t break the bank either but will add a ton of value to your home. Wood panelling is available in most DIY stores or hardware stores.

If you’re up for a bit more of a challenge then have a go at a full DIY wall panel. Pick up some MDF strips of wood and start piecing together the measured strips. You’ll need a bit more woodworking knowledge here so make sure you’re confident in your abilities.

The crucial aspects of removable striped wallpaper convincing you to rely on them

March 15, 2021 by Mandy

One can wonder about the use or effectiveness of a removable wallpaper knowing that it can contribute to them saving themselves from a plethora of installing problems and hustle. Not only can it save the people from bad quality material with the adhesive residue sticking behind, but can also ensure to bring them a good-quality material made of vinyl with recommended adhesive backing. Through these removal temporary wallpaper, one can save themselves from messy and unnecessary time-consuming procedures of installing them.

Long-term and Short-term benefits:

Knowing that you can peel and stick the wallpaper without being restrained by long-term or short-term use has become a convenience for everyone. Not only can you acquire the desired look of your place as temporary as you want, but now can also change the wallpaper according to your changing preferences. For people living in rented spaces, this service and facilitating product is no less than a miracle for them as they can decorate their rented place without having to worry about its permanent impacts. This way, whether they move out or choose to stay, they can personalize and customize their room as they want.

Variety of colors, designs, texture, and patterns:

The cute striped wallpaper coming in various colors, textures, fabric, and style open for you a door of various possibilities and endless choices. Getting the favorite striped wallpaper that is removable as well makes the silent wish come true as they do speak to your soul. By saving your time, energy, and wealth on the installing and unnecessary processes of installing, this cost-effective solution is a reliable choice for many individuals as well. Through the availability of the real-time previews, one can have an insightful glance into their anticipated look of the place with their preferred wallpaper as well.

Availability of three types of striped wallpapers:

You can have three quality wallpaper types depending on your choice. First being the vinyl removable striped wallpaper, the second being the woven fabric wallpaper, and the third being the traditional wallpaper. These high-quality wallpaper types bring you a 100% authentic fabric with a smooth texture. Their strong adhesion to the walls and prevention from shrinking and curling by the ends give them the ability to be used for long-term plans.

Customization of the removable striped wallpapers:

Having your specific individualistic approach towards gaining the desired look of your house is encouraged here which is why you can now try the customized wallpapers as well. Through this facility and advanced feature, you can now customize your removable striped wallpaper with the attributes that you want to have in it without facing any failure or disappointment. This design will be uniquely yours and will be encouraged by providing you an exact copy of your imagination in 4-5 days. By delivering you your order within a few business days, it satiates your thirst for an aesthetic look of your house effectively. Hence, the package is well-packed and secured to ensure that your product is safe and sound during shipping as well.

6 Fabulous Ways to Make Your Space More Inviting

December 22, 2020 by Mandy

People are spending more time indoors. While they’re inside, they start to notice that their house needs a makeover. You also might have noticed the same thing about your home. Sometimes, you just need to fix up your interior because your décor is dated. You also might want to change things around just to have a new look. Here are 6 fabulous ways to make your space more inviting.

Change your Color Scheme

Your home’s colour scheme might need to be revitalized. You can improve the colours you have now by repainting the rooms. Repainting your rooms is a simple and easy way to make a change. You can pick out new colours for your home by matching them up with the furniture you have in each room. Your home’s colour scheme should blend with the furniture. It is also recommended to change furniture items in your home to transform its colour scheme.

Remember, your walls and flooring provide the background to your interior. Your furniture items are the objects that help to bring out the colours that are displayed around your home.

Add Greenery to Your Home’s Environment

Another way to uplift your home’s environment is by using plants. Real flowers and even artificial trees can make your home appear more relaxing and inviting. Greenery can also bring the outdoor atmosphere into your personal space. You can add hanging plants around the living room or use lots of flowers to add charm. Add plants along with the window seals of your home. House Beautiful advises people to set small plants along with the window seals or put them on shelving or stands.

Larger plants such as artificial trees or large potted plants should be positioned in the corner of a wall or behind pieces of furniture such as couches or chairs. You can use any type of plant that you desire. However, just make sure that the plant that you choose doesn’t require a lot of upkeep. Artificial plants are the easiest to use since they don’t require any type of care.

Utilize Special Lighting

Lighting is an important element of your home’s layout. Houses that have poor lighting tend to look dark and uninviting. Interiors that have too much light can be irritating to people. The trick is to find the right balance. You want just enough light to make your rooms pleasantly functional. To accomplish this feat, you must use light that allows people to adequately see when it’s dark or cloudy outside. Your lighting should also be dim enough to not interfere with activities such as watching TV or socializing.

Accent lights and indoor spotlights can be strategically used to provide light in dark areas of your home. You can add dimmer lights to your environment or hang above an art piece or personalised photo frame as well. They make great personalised gifts and can be used for most lighting situations. Automatic lighting should be another consideration since it can save money on your bills.

Renew Old Flooring

Retiling old flooring is a good idea for sprucing up any room. Homes that have worn down floors look old and uninviting. However, when you add new flooring to an environment, it changes the room’s appearance and gives it life. There are tons of flooring options available to use. You can retile your floors with laminate materials and you can also use interlocking wooding planks. Also, paint your wooden floors as well.

An affordable yet still beautiful way to accent flooring is to use statement rugs. From minimalist patterns to intricate designs, rugs can help bring life back to your floors. Themed rugs, such as coastal rugs, can bring some bold colors into your home. Also, aside from choosing the color and design, pick out a rug made out of a material that will compliment your flooring.

While painting your floors might not be the best option for heavy traffic homes, it does work where rooms are not frequently used. Some homeowners lay marble down on their floor and other property owners add new carpeting. There are a ton of different flooring options that can be used to transform the floors inside your house.

Use Mirrors to Improve your Interior

Adding mirrors to your home’s interior will give it more depth and make it look bigger. Mirrors create the illusion of added space. This can be a great feature to use in small rooms. A mirror can also add a special touch to a room. Having a mirror positioned in the right place at the right angle can give your room a unique look. Large wall mirrors are good for rooms that have little space. They will make the area look twice as large. Smaller mirrors that you can place on the wall will accent a room. The main thing to remember is that mirrors expand rooms and gives them more substance.

Rotate art and Get new pieces

Rotating art pieces inside of your home is suggested. Rotating the artwork in your home quickly changes up the living environment. Artwork provides a finishing touch to a room’s décor. The right pieces will make it stand out and look appealing. Rotating the art on your walls can help your home to have a new look. Sometimes, you should purchase new pieces whenever you can. You do not have to buy expensive pieces all the time unless you can afford to spend the money. Just remember that artwork makes your home’s interior a more pleasant place to live.

7 Things About Subway Kitchen Tiles We Bet You Didn’t Know

August 25, 2020 by Mandy

For all the wild ubiquity of subway tile, it turns out there’s still a long way to go. So what is a subway tile anyway? Where did it originate from? We did some legwork to help you know these seven interesting things about subway kitchen tiles we are sure you didn’t know yet.

1. It Began in Manhattan.

The primary subway tiles appeared subterranean—in New York City’s metro system. When it opened in 1904, planners Christopher Grand La Farge and George C. Heins were entrusted with a precarious task: design a surface that was handily cleaned yet would likewise feel recognizable, safe, and amicable to city-occupants using underground travel for the absolute first time. Their answer – tiles with marginally bent edges and a reflexive completion implied that the metro stations were clean, maintained, and brilliant.

2. You Can Get an Impression of the Original Subway Tile in an Abandoned Metro Station.

Investigators and structure obsessives who need to get a brief look at the main subway tile can go to the City Hall stop, New York City’s first-ever metro station which is presently deserted. The New York Transit Museum offers visits—yet New Yorkers have been known to secretly remain on the 6 train to get an impression, as well.

3. It Emerged from Hygiene Obsession.

Subway tiles emerged out of a Victorian-time obsession with hygiene. As a result of their polished, coated completion, they’re stain-safe, simple to clean, and reflect light. They immediately earned a notoriety for being utilitarian and sterile and turned into the wall covering of decision somewhere else, from showers and kitchen backsplash tile to butcher shops. These days, these equivalent properties settle on them the main decision for current kitchens, showers, and home renovation ventures.

4. The Exemplary Dimensions are Still Debatable.

What precisely is a subway tile? It’s somewhat hard to characterize particularly when you mean subway tile with a certain rectangular shape. While the great subway tile dimension is 3×6 inches, the definition is extending. These days, tiles that are twice the length and width are alluded to as subway tiles. What’s more, it turns out, they aren’t rectangular any longer: kitchen subway tiles can be square too!

5. It Comes in Glass and Stone, as well.

Also, in case you thought subway kitchen tiles could be characterized by how they are made, reconsider it. The official definition is a meager, low-terminated, coated earthenware tile. Yet those absolute first forms in the New York City subway were made of white glass. These days, “subway tile” is accessible in an assortment of materials, similar to glass, stone, and marble, just to give some examples. You can even find some unique patterns for your kitchen backsplash tile.

6. Subway Tile Can Cost Under $1.

Subway tiles vary fiercely in cost. The unfussy, home improvement store collections can ring in under $1 per tile or $8 per square foot. While handcrafted, craftsman translations can run upwards of $60 per square foot or more. For a collection of most popular kitchen tiles, you can surf for subway tiles in different materials.

7. Grout Matters.

After the idea and cost involved in buying and installing a tile, grout might be a bit of hindsight. However, it shouldn’t seem so. The grout you pick could totally change the look and style of your kitchen subway tile. You can get some inspiration from the numerous contemplations, ranging from dull to light and wherever in the middle at various tile stores.

So these are some interesting facts about subway tiles that we believed are new to you. Let us know if you knew or which ones were first-timer for you

Water Pipe Leaking FAQs: Plumbing Checks and Repairs

May 7, 2020 by Mandy

Plumbing problems can be a common occurrence in many homes, leaks and blockages in particular. A leak or blockage are issues most homeowners can expect to experience at least once. Whether it’s a blockage which you could fix yourself if you learn how to unblock a drain, or minor leaks like faucet leaks or major ones like slab leaks, it’s vital you address the leak as soon as you realize it’s there. Knowing a thing or two about leaks can be a great way to prepare yourself before it happens to you. Read on for some frequently asked questions to help get ready in case of a leak springs in your home.

How Do You Know You Have a Leak?

There are easy methods to locate leaks, especially if you’re trying to find them early and avoid water damage. Keep an eye out for these telltale signs.

Water Stains
Leaks in the walls can often cause visible signs of water damage (e.g. warped and discoloured walls and mould growth). Keep an eye out for stains and discolouration in the floorboards and walls, even if there aren’t any other signs of moisture. The stains can be signs that water is already pooling and causing damage, even if you can’t see water yet.
High Water Bills
Unexpectedly high water bills can point to a sudden leak. Water bills are generally consistent, so sudden spikes are usually an indicator of a problem. You can also compare your bills to your neighbours’; if there is a significant difference, it may help tell if there is a leak on your end.
Strange Noises
Strange sounds are often a clue that something is up with the house. Pay close attention to any hissing or dripping sounds near your fixtures (e.g. the toilet or sink). The sounds could mean that water is flowing where it shouldn’t.

Where Should You Look?

The usual locations for leaks in a house are the kitchen and bathroom. Check under the sinks for signs of water; those are very likely spots in case of a leak. You can also splash water around the shower door to see if it leaks outside. Inspect the caulking around your fixtures as well; cracks in the caulking can indicate the leak is coming from that area.

Why Are Repairs Important?

In case of a leak, it’s always vital you contact a plumber for a waterproofing service in Toronto. Leaks can cause severe damage to surrounding areas, making it vital you solve the problem before it has time to do too much harm. Leaks also tend to get bigger with age; get them looked at immediately to minimize the damage to your home. Too much water in the house can also present a health hazard in the form of mould growth.

How Much Do Repairs Cost?

The cost of repairs can depend on different factors (e.g. commercial or residential address, location of the leak, and how long it takes to locate). However, most plumbing companies like Plumbing Authority Inc. offer free estimates to give you an idea of what services for your home might cost for you.

In any case, regular maintenance is generally a more cost-effective option than waiting. Think of it as a way to keep your system running smoothly before any problems emerge. Consider getting an estimate for your system to identify potential problems early and avoid damage to your home.