Everything Else
How To: Clean latex paint off your paintbrushes
Despite your best efforts, do your paintbrushes always end up too stiff to reuse? Keep them forever with these cleaning tips. You will need water, a clean rag, a paintbrush comb, a clean container, liquid fabric softener, a rubber band, and a ruler. Watch this video interior design tutorial and learn how to clean latex paint off paintbrushes.
How To: Arrange a dorm room for privacy
Don't let the prison cell dimensions discourage you. There are ways to carve out a little personal space. Curtains, space dividers, and even loft beds help. Watch this video interior design tutorial and learn how to arrange a dorm room for privacy.
How To: Caulk windows and doors
The doors and windows in your home need to be properly sealed to ensure your home is not wasting energy and, in turn, money. Learn how to choose the right caulk and tools for the job.
How To: Use interior paint basics
Learn how to choose the right paint for your next project. In particular, this DIY guide looks at the following topics:
How To: Craft a heart shaped lamp shade
Turn on your heart light!! Watch this instructional arts and crafts video to make a fabulous heart shaped lamp shade for Valentine's Day. You will need a heart shaped box of chocolates, a beaded curtain, duct tape, string, ribbon, and a lamp shade. So what are you waiting for? Craft this handmade heart light and impress the one you love.
How To: Make a mantel shelf
While mantel shelves provide a big visual impact, their installation is very low impact. The first piece of information you need before you can begin laying out the pieces and parts for a mantel (or "mantle" as it's sometimes misspelled) is to know exactly where you want the finished shelf to go: left, right, up and down—and what its proportions are. If it's working as a mantel, you'll want the shelf and corbels to extend proportionally past the left and right sides of your hearth. As a rule ...
How To: Cope, or cut, molding to fit your room
When installing baseboards, crown molding ("moulding") and chair rails, it's tempting to cut 45-degree miters at the corners and hope for a sure fit. The problem is that most walls aren't square. Joining two 45-cut molding pieces may give you a square joint, but a square joint may not work for your crazy corner. In fact, it seems like every wall is just a “hair” out of square. This problem could be due to a framing error or a buildup of drywall compound in the corner. But even a perfect miter...
How To: Use crown molding
If you're looking to dress up an ordinary room, think about installing crown molding (also spelled moulding). Very few additions make a visual impact like crown molding, which gives a subtle yet elegant design element to any space. And with the proper tools and set up, installation can be easy. While wood is a common choice for crown molding, urethane is also a popular material. For a recent project we installed Fypon urethane crown molding, which is lightweight, flexible and looks like solid...
How To: Install a door casing
The key to a great looking door casing, and a great looking door, is perfectly mitered corners. If you have just installed a new door that needs a casing around it or you have decided to replace the casing around an existing door, you can achieve professional results quite easily. This tutorial will help you get there by sharing a little secret - completely assemble your casing before you install it. You can also use this technique on window casings. For complete, step-by-step instructions fo...
How To: Install a chair rail
Installing a chair rail will create a dramatic addition to any room. A chair rail is basically a piece of molding that runs along the middle of your room's perimeter. Not only does a chair rail protect your walls from furniture, but it can be a creative addition to your interior design, as well.
How To: Install shoe molding
If you have hardwood floors in your house, take a look at your baseboards. Right in front of the baseboards there is usually a smaller, curved molding about ¾” tall. How does this short molding look? Is it painted over, chipped and/or just beat up in general? If so, you can easily replace this molding and make a huge difference in the overall appearance of your room. And, it is fairly easy to do.
How To: Install vinyl cove molding
Vinyl wall base molding is an easy-to-install substitute for wood baseboard molding. In areas that you have installed a vinyl or carpeted floor, vinyl wall base molding is a very decorative and functional option for surrounding the room perimeter. You have several color choices that can provide a nice accent to the colors and design of the entire room. Because it is pliable and resilient, it is easy to install and resistant to scuffs and scrapes that can occur over time. Ideal applications ar...
How To: Decorate a small room
A small living room doesn't have to feel cramped. There are lots of simple tips to make the most of the space available. Watch this video interior design tutorial and learn how to furnish a small room comfortably.
How To: Make a DIY whiteboard on a white wall
This is a short video that shows how to transform any white wall into a dry-erase whiteboard in less than five minutes. Whiteboards are handy to leave messages on, or to work out simple problems, that can be erased, so the surface can be used over and over again. Cut down on paper waste in your home. All you will need is clear plastic book covering paper. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to make a whiteboard on any white wall.
How To: Paint a room properly
This instructional painting video demonstrates how to prep and paint a room. First, go through the room and spackle any holes or dents in the wall. Sand it down after the joint compound dries. Paint the ceilings first. Follow these step by step instructions to paint a room; trim, window sills and all.
How To: Apply vinyl wall letters
This instructional interior design video demonstrates how to apply vinyl wall letters correctly. Always use a level to place the transfer tape. Use a smoothing tool to press the letters onto the wall and press out any air bubbles. Peel off the transfer tape of the vinyl wall letters at a diagonal angle.
How To: Make a mosaic counter top
Use a box of self adhesive vinyl tiles to make a mosaic counter top for a wet bar. This is a great way to spice up an old formica counter top without spending a lot of money. Each box of vinyl tiles comes with 225 tiles.
How To: Decorate a light switch cover plate with scrap paper
Sue at Paper Source demonstrates how to decorate a switch plate. Everyone has scrap paper and probably some ugly light switch covers too. Transform a plain cover and add a little bit of flair to your home. Watch this video interior design tutorial and learn how to decorate a light switch plate cover.
How To: Make a photo wall
Got a boring blank wall? Hate framing your photos, but still want to put them out on display? Why not build a photo wall. This impressive effect will showcase your loved ones and artistic attempts, and in any case, is something to look at. Watch this video interior design tutorial and learn how to build a photo wall in your own home.
How To: Install thin stone veneer walls in a boat
Thinking of redoing the inside or your boat? Then watch this quick excerpt from a DIY show. In this how to video Dean and Derek use a thin stone veneer on the walls of a houseboat. Its a great way to decorate any boat or wall. Watch and learn.
How To: Create a luxurious linen finish on a wall
Create a faux linen finish on your walls with the techniques shown in this how to video. Learn what a can of paint and a little imagination can do to completely change the look and feel of a room. This interior design video emphasizes ideas that turn even basic wall painting into something unique. Luxurious linen finishes will appeal to you if you're looking for something simple or dramatic that includes everything from walls to murals to painted furniture.
How To: Apply a negoro nuri lacquer finish
Negoro nuri is a technique using black lacquer topped with red lacquer. This how to video illustrates what a can of paint and a little imagination can do to completely change the look and feel of any furniture. This interior design video will appeal to you if you're looking for something simple or dramatic and includes everything from walls to murals to painted furniture. Keep watching to master the negoro nuri lacquer finish.
How To: Decorate bare walls with a terra fresco technique
Bring the Italian countryside into your home with this technique. Watch as our host shows you how to decorate your walls with terra fresco. Terra fresco simply involves using plaster and paint. Use two or three different colors of paint for optimum results. This interior design video will appeal to you if you're looking for something simple or dramatic and includes everything from walls to murals to painted furniture.
How To: Reglaze ceramic tile
Remodeling your bathroom can be expensive, unless you know how to do it yourself. Watch a professional tile reglazer work his magic on an outdated bathroom in this how to video. Reglazing tiles can last for up to 15 years and it completely changes the look of any old bathroom.
How To: Use an opaque projector to draw a wall mural
Check out this easy method for transferring images to wall art. Watch and learn how simple it is to use an opaque projector to transfer your favorite characters onto your bedroom wall. This is interior design made simple.
How To: Build an idea wall for an art studio
In this how to video Karl Champley makes an idea wall for a graphic designer's art studio.
How To: Makeover a laundry room
A makeover can make laundry day more enjoyable and boost a home's equity. This how to video is a quick excerpt from a DIY show. Watch as it demonstrates how to redo a laundry room by removing mold, painting the walls and floors, and installing a few gadgets that will help out with clothes washing.
How To: Make thermal curtains
This video is an instructional tutorial on how to make thermal curtains. Thermal curtains are a low cost method of reducing your heating bill by increasing the R value of your windows with an aesthetic, insulative curtain. Watch and learn how easy it is to keep the cold out and the warmth in with homemade thermal curtains.
How To: Re-cover a lampshade
Updating an old lampshade is a great way to brighten up a corner, freshen up a room, and lighten up your life. Learn how to re-cover your lampshade with this tutorial. All you need is fabric, spray adhesive, fabric glue, ribbon or cording to easily cover your lampshade at home.
How To: Reupholster a drop-in chair seat
Are your chairs still covered in that faded and threadbare chintz your great-grandmama picked out in 1936? She'd be the first to tell you—it's time for an update, dearie. This tutorial teaches you how to re-upholster a chair. It is easier than you think to replace the upholstery on your chairs. Watch this how to video and you can quickly reupholster your chairs at home.
How To: Hang a picture
Learn how to hang a picture, with expert tips on everything you need to know for picture hanging in this free interior design video series hanging pictures.
How To: Decorate a patio with a Texas theme on a budget
Learn how to turn your patio into a Texas themed hangout with the help of this free video on Texas style decorating and home decor.
How To: Make picture frames look old
Are you interested in creating an antique look for picture frames in your home? Learn how to make picture frames look old from a professional artist in this free crafts video series.
How To: Make a seashell craft mail organizer
Are you tired of the clutter on your desk or table from stacks of bills, letters and junk mail? How would you like to have a practical and attractive way to clean up that pile? Learn how to make a mail organizer with seashells in this free crafts video series.
How To: Make tile mosaics
Creating mosaic tile art with broken or cut tiles can be as simple or complicated as an artist chooses. Learn how to make broken tile mosaics in this free art video.
How To: Make a custom lamp shade
Have a room in the home that needs a little something more? Make a custom lamp shade with tips from a professional designer in this free video series on home decor.
How To: Feng shui a bedroom
Feng shui creates positive energy through colors, elements and directionals. Learn how to incorporate feng shui into the bedroom to increase love and strength in this free interior design video series from a leading feng shui practitioner.
How To: Make mosaic and decoupage bookends
Decoupage is a great arts and crafts technique. Learn how to create your own mosaic bookends in these free videos.
How To: Decorate the home with feng shui astrology
Create positive home energies with feng shui astrology. Learn how to incorporate ancient Chinese traditions with modern feng shui principles to decorate and design a comfortable living space with this free video series from a leading feng shui practitioner.
How To: Create feng shui designs for wealth
Increase wealth and prosperity with simple Feng Shui designs. Learn how to decorate your kitchen, entryway, and landscape with Feng Shui colors and elements in this free video series from a leading Feng Shui practitioner.