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It’s a sure sign of independence when older kids want to have a say in how their bedroom is decorated. An easy way to satisfy that need is by making these modular wall cubbies, which can be customized to suit children’s changing tastes as they grow. You can make just one cubby or stack several to create more space for a kid’s imagination and creativity. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time The cubbies shown here are 12-inch cubes, but you can make them any size you like....

TAKE OUT THE RACKS and scrub with mild detergent. Use a toothbrush to remove any gunk on the utensil holder. If you see exposed metal or nicks in the vinyl when cleaning your dishwasher, patch with a rubber coating like Plasti Dip ReRACK ($8.99 for a 1-oz. bottle; Ace Hardware). REMOVE THE SPRAYER ARM Clean it using a cotton swab or toothpick to clear any buildup in the holes. Check the space under the arm for any food scraps....

Steps: Use the low-voltage perimeter wire provided to string around the working area of your yard. Put in a staple to hold it in place every three feet.2. When it comes to obstacles like trees and rocks, string a single line around those obstacles.3. When one strand of wire runs low, splice the next reel into the previous one by connecting it to the splicing attachment provided. Lock it into place by using pliers....

The years and the elements hadn’t been kind to the exterior of this 94-year-old, thick, cypress door. Flakes of varnish still clung to the wood in spots, while the rest of the surface was rough and dried out from the effects of water and sun. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Wood entry doors everywhere suffer from the same assaults, and many end up in the trash, replaced by low-maintenance, mass-produced metal and fiberglass surrogates....

Step 1: Bleach Mildew Stains Stir a teaspoon of powdered oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate) into a cup of hot water until it dissolves. Wearing a nitrile glove, dip a stiff, nylon-bristle scrub brush into the solution and scrub the wood for a couple of minutes. Redip as needed to keep the surface wet. The mix will foam slightly, then subside. Wait 10 minutes for the bleach to work, then rinse thoroughly with a sponge and cool water....

A Careful Deck Removal Kevin meets general contractor Tom Silva, carpenter Nathan Gilbert, builder Deliandro Dias, and finish carpenter Bill Gilbert in the backyard to discuss the plans with the deck. Deliandro got the building permit, so it’s time to tear down the deck. But, it’s not that simple. The deck stands over top of a split air conditioning unit. The unit has a series of wires and pipes running below the joists, and the team needs to be careful with these during demolition....

In this video, This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook explains how to lay a flagstone walkway. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Flagstone Walkway Step-By-Step Instructions Use a garden hose to lay out the shape and location of the 3-foot-wide walkway. Cut through the sod and roots along the hose using a flat-blade shovel or edger. Dig 3 to 4 inches of dirt from walkway. If you encounter a thick root, cut it out with loppers....

When Stefani Bachetti’s office relocated to Chicago’s River North neighborhood, the new address was only a couple of blocks away from the old office. But while the move wasn’t a big deal, she did lose something major—workshop access. The building where Stefani, who does research for an industrial-design firm, used to work had housed a large shop outfitted with a table saw, an assembly bench, and a drill press. So Stefani decided if she could no longer go to that shop, she’d bring one to her by converting her brick-walled one-car garage into a workspace for building small-scale furniture projects....

Whether you use your basement primarily for storage or as a recreational space, insulating this section of your home can yield significant financial benefits. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, insulating your basement walls can save up to $350 annually in some regions. This is especially true in “tight” homes with a strong seal around upstairs windows and doors, where a large portion of heat loss comes from an uninsulated basement....

In this video, This Old House tile contractor Joe Ferrante explains how to replace a wall tile. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Steps for replacing wall tile Protect work area with canvas drop cloth Use a utility knife to score grout joints around the cracked tiles Loosen cracked tile using cold chisel and hammer; remove loose tiles Use trowel to scrape the wall clean of loose debris Dry-fit the new tile to the wall If necessary, use tile nippers to remove spacer lugs from edge of tile Smooth edges of tile by rubbing it with a rubbing stone Mix thinset mortar with latex additive Apply thinset to wall with trowel Spread thinset on back of tile and press tile to wall; repeat for all replacement tiles Wait 30 minutes, then mix tile grout, following manufacturer’s directions Use a rubber float to force grout into the joints between the tiles Apply grout with fingertip to fill hard-to-reach areas Wait 10 minutes, then clean the grout from the tile using a damp sponge Wait overnight, then buff off haze from the tile using a clean, dry sponge Tools Tools & Materials Utility knife cold chisel - 1/2-inch Hammer Tile nippers Concrete rub stone Pointed trowel Rubber grout float Sponge Bucket Safety glasses

Let’s face it, in a nation where home renovation long ago surpassed baseball as the Great American Pastime, kitchen nightmares are a dime a dozen — and anyone who’s ever traded Formica countertops and a Harvest Gold fridge for soapstone and a stainless steel side-by-side knows exactly what we’re talking about. To help you reach your ideal kitchen without the drama, we’ve compiled this handy guide to some common kitchen-remodeling disasters and offer expert strategies for steering clear of them....

How kitchen renovations can impact a renovation budget Kitchens are some of the most expensive rooms in the house to renovate, so if you’re planning on buying a house and renovating the kitchen, you should consider a few things to make sure that kitchen renovation will still fit in your budget before making an offer. A big thing to consider is the layout. If utilities, doors, or windows need to be moved around to make room for additional cabinets and counterspace, that will require a bigger investment....

Most Comprehensive: Backyard Discovery All-Cedar Wooden Swing Set Best for Toddlers: Simplay3 Climber and Activity Playset Best Swing Set: Swing-N-Slide Ranger Wooden Swing Set Best Budget Playscape: KidKraft Appleton Swing Set and Playset Best Portable Playset: Step2 Shaded Canopy Playset Most Comprehensive: Backyard Discovery All-Cedar Wooden Swing Set Pros and Cons ✔ Includes an acrobat bar and monkey bars along with the two heavy-duty belt swings✔ The slide is eight feet long✔ Is easy to assemble thanks to the manufacturer’s app, which provides step-by-step instructions...

More than problem-solvers, retaining walls also have a sculptural quality that adds definition to the landscape, and they can be made from various materials to evoke different styles. Stacked timbers or mortared stone, for instance, can impart a rustic look, while poured concrete is sleekly modern. Just keep in mind that when planning for a type of retaining wall meant to hold back tons of soil, there’s little room for error....

This story originally appeared in the Winter 2021 Issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. When it comes to preparing your home for the winter months, simple tasks can add up to big payoffs. Read on to learn more easy ways to safeguard your home in the winter. Degrease the range-hood fan and filter The dirt and grease that collect inside your vent hood decrease its efficiency, trap odors, and can even catch fire....

Melissa & Doug Solid Wood Project Workbench Kid-sized workbench includes a functioning vise, tool rack, wooden tools, and hardware. Includes inspirational project ideas. For ages 3 years and up. Base Coding Kit This STEM kit teaches kids real coding while they build fun projects! Free software compatible with Windows, Mac, and Chromebook computers are included. Kit contains 12 electronic pieces, carrying case, and reference cards for dozens of different circuits. For ages 9 and up....

This article appeared in the Fall 2021 issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. Why do we build? For me, the motivation is often practical: I see a piece of furniture that I love, but can’t abide the hefty price. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Take this console cabinet, for example. I spotted a similar one online for $400. I loved its striking black color and cane door and drawer-front details....

In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shares some basic pipe-joining techniques. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Steps: 1. Cut copper pipe using a tubing cutter. 2. Smooth the inside of the just-cut pipe end with a reaming tool. 3. Buff clean the outside of the pipe end with a strip of emery cloth. 4. Clean the inside of the pipe with pipe brush or rolled-up cylinder of emery cloth....

A wood wall planter adds the perfect pop of greenery and style to any space. For this project, all you need is a small planter pot, a 1 x 2 board, and Original Gorilla Glue. Steps for Making a DIY Hanging Planter: Step 1: Mark the cuts DIY Hanging Planter by House One Using the cut list above, mark the cut lines on the 1 x 2 board. Step 2: Cut the pieces...

Previous episode: S18 E20 | Next episode: S18 E22 In this episode: Mark McCullough helps an expecting couple install a concrete paver patio; Jenn Nawada discusses the common elements she includes in outdoor kitchen designs; Tom Silva and Kevin O’Connor build a combination bench/shoe rack out of fir decking. How to Install Concrete Pavers Mark McCullough helps an expecting couple install a concrete paver patio. Where to find it? Mark installed Andover Collection Stone Cleft pavers in the Richfield Blend color, which are manufactured by Ideal Concrete Block....