We've all seen photos and video of the elaborate home theaters in multi-million dollar homes. They're furnished with plush theater-style seating, state-of-the-art projection equipment and high-end sound systems. While you might not have the budget to dump $50,000 to $100,000 into your own home theater, you can still enjoy a movie in style at home with these helpful hints.

First, figure out where you plan to set up your home theater. A finished basement is the ideal place — the less light, the better. A den, unused bedroom or even your formal living room can also easily be converted into your personal movie theater. Keep in mind that if you're using your living room you may need to add a door to keep the sound in the room.

Once you've decided on the room you plan to use, it's time to outfit your entertainment space. In addition to a nice big flat-screen TV (and maybe a wireless surround sound system), every fully functioning home theater needs the following features.

Room-darkening sha

...Read More »

Your bedroom should be an oasis away from the chaos of work, family and general everyday stress. But many homeowners find bedroom design overwhelming.

To give your personal hideaway some pizazz without a ton of work, dress up your windows with these easy DIY window treatments. Change fabric or designs to match your current décor, showcase a beautiful view (or hide a bad one) and reflect your personality.

With a coat of paint, some new throw pillows and one of these gorgeous window treatments, your bedroom will feel like a spa in no time. Once you've gotten these under your belt, try these DIY draperies in other rooms of your house.

Bring in natural elements. To make your room feel like a woodsy retreat, use natural elements like wood, leaves and grasses in your décor. Instead of using a plain curtain rod to hang your drapery, opt instead to hang panels from an old branch. Head out to your yard to find a medium sized branch, or purchase a decorative one at a home store. Try to find some

...Read More »

Laminate flooring has many advantages: It's quick to install, durable, and easy to clean. It is ideal for installation over old resilient flooring that may contain asbestos because it can be installed without disturbing the original floor.

Laminate floors mimic a variety of materials, including wood, stone, and tile. They can be glued or snapped together. This snap-together plank floor looks like its glue-together cousin, but takes a fraction of the time to install.

Tools and Materials

Metric tape measure	Level	Jigsaw
Trim saw	Circular saw or table saw	Rafter angle square
Hammer	Bucket	Installation strap clamps
Spacer	Tapping block	Pull bar
Foam underlayment	Flooring	Manufacturer´s recommended glue (for glued applications)
Sealant or mildew-resistant silicone caulk	Floor-leveling compound (if needed)

(Photos: The Home Depot)

Step 1. Install a moisture barrier over concrete by lining the floor with polyethylene sheeting. Most laminate requires a sheet 6 mil thick, but use whatev...Read More »

Age and exposure to the elements can leave your metal patio furniture with flaking paint and a rusted appearance. Relax and enjoy the outdoors once again when you use your Dremel rotary tool to give metal furniture a fresh look.

Tools and Materials:

• Dremel rotary tool
• Rust inhibitor paint
• Primer paint
• Eye protection
• Aluminum oxide grinding stone
• Carbon Steel Brush
• Emery impregnated polishing wheel
• Mandrel

Step 1.

Find the rusty spots. Corrosion can form on metal outdoor furniture in unseen areas. Check for rusted corners underneath cushions.

Step 2.

Remove the rust. Get rid of the rust from metal with the 428 carbon steel brush attachment for the Dremel rotary tool. Do not run in excess of 15,000 RPM. Get to all the rust. Grind deep corrosion and rust down to bare metal using a 952 aluminum oxide grinding stone.

Step 3.

Remove sharp burs. Sharp burs can be ground off using the 425 emery-impregnated polishing wheel. Your furniture is now ready to prime and paint.

Need some expert ass

...Read More »

Whether you're adventurous and ready to splash the walls with bold colors or you prefer the low-risk look of neutral tones, the basics of selecting colors for walls, furnishings, and accessories are the same. Begin by finding the best color scheme for your tastes, your rooms and your life.

Select colors that appeal to you

What colors catch your eye when you are shopping, selecting clothing from the closet, or looking at decorating magazines? Chances are your favorite colors are also the ones with which you're most comfortable, which means they're great options for your home. Once you've identified a favorite color, begin building color schemes and finding compatible accents.

Consider need

Some palettes infuse spaces and, by extension, their occupants with energy. Others calm or soothe. Why? Different colors are considered either active, passive or neutral and evoke varying responses in people. Active colors such as yellow and red tend to wake up a room, which may be ideal for offices or ki

...Read More »

Interior doors can update and accent your decor. You can change an existing door if you invest some time and muscle.

Installing a pre-hung door is easier and faster than starting from scratch, most of the more labor intensive work is already done.

Just take the trim off the existing opening and remove the jambs.

Once the jambs are out, fit the new door in with shims and a few finishing nails to complete the job.



Tools and Materials:

• Stiff putty knife
• Small pry bar
• Large pry bar or crowbar
• Level
• Hammer
• Nail set
• Pre-hung door
• Shims
• #6 finishing nails
• #8 finishing nails
• 2 1/4" screws

Step 1. Remove the existing door. Start by loosening the trim with a stiff putty knife, then use a pry bar and a block of wood to remove the trim without damaging the wall. The head and inside jambs are usually nailed together. It's easier to remove them from the opening at the same time. Pry the side jambs away from the studs. Then pry down the head jamb.

Step 2. Slide the pre-hung door unit into the rough opening. Put

...Read More »

Lighting is one of the most important elements of interior design. Well-planned lighting designs improve a home’s functionality while creating a welcoming ambiance.

Yet different rooms have different lighting needs. Whether you’re looking for cutting-edge contemporary light fixtures, transitional modern light fixtures or something more traditional, you can find stylish and affordable lighting solutions for any room.

Kitchen

This busy high-traffic area is as much a cooking space as it is a gathering place for the family, so address varied needs with multiple kitchen lighting solutions. For overall room illumination, install a dimmer switch to instantly control brightness and ambiance. For more targeted lighting, opt for under-cabinet and recessed lighting fixtures over work areas. For both task and accenting lighting, choose a track light fixture. The flexible design of track lighting makes it easy to angle and spotlight specific areas of your kitchen.

Bathroom

Refresh your bathroom with a

...Read More »

Brighten up your favorite workspaces in your kitchen by placing fluorescent or halogen under-cabinet lights in strategic areas. They will illuminate common kitchen tasks like food preparation and dishwashing, but they won't shine into your eyes.

DIY tip: Before installing your under-cabinet lighting, you need to consider how far apart you space each light. Experts recommend positioning one light for every 30 inches of counter space, as you don't want any shadowy spots along your countertop. It's important to make sure you match the number of under-cabinet lights to the transformer. The more lights you plan to have, the bigger your transformer will have to be.

Tools and Materials:

• Multitester or voltage tester
• Lineman's pliers
• Side-cutting pliers
• Longnose pliers
• Drywall saw
• Screwdriver
• Drill
• Spade bits
• Utility knife
• Pry bar
• Fluorescent lighting
• Armored/NM cable
• Electrician's tape
• Wire nuts
• Cable clamps
• Cable staples
• Switch box

Step 1. Plan the wiring so as many holes as possible will be covered when you'r

...Read More »

Set your budding young artist free with chalkboard paint.

Perfect for playrooms and childhood bedrooms, this novel paint turns any wall into a writable and erasable chalkboard.

It's easy to apply to any smooth surface, including metal, plastic, wood or glass.

That spares your walls and inspires your child!

Make sure you follow our instructions here carefully (as well as the manufacturer's guidance), and season the finish by rubbing it with chalk.

Then stand back and watch the masterpieces unveiled one by one as your child enjoys artistic playtime.

Tools and Materials:

• Drop cloth
• Tack cloth
• 2 1/2" tapered trim brush
• 120-grit sandpaper
• Stir sticks
• 2" low-tack painter's tape
• Red semi gloss finish latex paint
• Deep base primer tinted to match Red

Step 1.

Whether the piece is finished or unfinished, sand it to bare wood with at least 120-grit sandpaper. Fill dings, dents and holes with wood filler. Spot-prime knots, pitch pockets or other discoloration. Then prime the entire cabinet with the Red t

...Read More »

Americans wash about 35 billion loads of laundry per year.

Make the regular chore of sorting and folding more pleasant and energy-efficient by investing in a laundry room facelift.

Smart laundry room design improvements include upgrading to high-efficiency appliances and maximizing laundry room storage.

Here's how to plan your laundry room makeover.

Tools and Materials:

• LED Light Bulbs
• Wire shelving
• Cabinetry
• Paint
• Tile
• Washer and dryer

Step 1. Plan your laundry room design. Most laundry rooms feature side-by-side washers and dryers, except when a tiny space dictates stacking. A handy laundry tub can be placed next to, between or across from the appliances. An important feature to consider in the laundry room is storage. If your needs are minimal, you’ll be fine with a set of easy-to-install wire shelves. However, most households benefit from additional storage, so map out on graph paper a rough room layout that includes laundry room cabinets. An added benefit of installing lower cab

...Read More »