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Appliances","slug":"general-home-improvement-appliances","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33961"},"image":{"src":"/img/background-image-1.daf74cf0.png","width":0,"height":0},"hasArticle":true,"hasBook":true,"articleCount":155,"bookCount":2},{"categoryId":34371,"title":"Remodeling","slug":"remodeling","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34371"},"image":{"src":"/img/background-image-2.fabfbd5c.png","width":0,"height":0},"hasArticle":true,"hasBook":false,"articleCount":22,"bookCount":0},{"categoryId":34384,"title":"Furnaces & Heating","slug":"furnaces-heating","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34384"},"image":{"src":"/img/background-image-1.daf74cf0.png","width":0,"height":0},"hasArticle":true,"hasBook":false,"articleCount":5,"bookCount":0}],"description":"Creating and maintaining an amazing home isn't easy — but it's definitely worth it! We'll walk you through everything from choosing the best vacuum to organizing your clutter.","relatedArticles":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles?category=33939&offset=0&size=5"},"hasArticle":true,"hasBook":true,"articleCount":521,"bookCount":10},"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33939"}},"relatedCategoriesLoadedStatus":"success"},"listState":{"list":{"count":10,"total":521,"items":[{"headers":{"creationTime":"2023-05-03T15:26:49+00:00","modifiedTime":"2023-05-03T15:26:49+00:00","timestamp":"2023-05-03T18:01:02+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Home Improvement & Appliances","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33939"},"slug":"home-improvement-appliances","categoryId":33939},{"name":"Swimming pools","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/35286"},"slug":"swimming-pools","categoryId":35286}],"title":"Pool Care For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"pool care for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"pool-care-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"This Cheat Sheet is a handy reference for pool owners, including how to calculate your pool's size and create a weekly maintenance schedule.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Swimming pool maintenance can be intimidating to someone who may be new to pool ownership, and it can be even more intimidating to go to a pool store seeking out help. To make your life a little easier, this Cheat Sheet offers some helpful tips so you can become a mindful pool owner.","description":"Swimming pool maintenance can be intimidating to someone who may be new to pool ownership, and it can be even more intimidating to go to a pool store seeking out help. To make your life a little easier, this Cheat Sheet offers some helpful tips so you can become a mindful pool owner.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":35285,"name":"Kristine Blanchard","slug":"kristine-blanchard","description":" <p><b>Kristine Blanchard</b> started working with swimming pools when she was just 5 years old. Her professional pool care career started when she was a teenager. Now over a decade into her career as a pool pro, she’s serviced pools in the field, performing pool openings, closings, weekly maintenance, and repairs on all types of pool equipment. She’s also worked in a pool supply store where she’s shared her knowledge in classes for new pool owners and employees. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/35285"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":35286,"title":"Swimming pools","slug":"swimming-pools","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/35286"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":298501,"slug":"pool-care-for-dummies","isbn":"9781394166114","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","swimming-pools"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1394166117/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1394166117/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1394166117-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1394166117/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1394166117/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/pool-care-for-dummies-cover-9781394166114-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Pool Care For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":true,"authorsInfo":"<p><p><b><b data-author-id=\"35285\">Kristine Blanchard</b></b> started working with swimming pools when she was just 5 years old. Her professional pool care career started when she was a teenager. Now over a decade into her career as a pool pro, she’s serviced pools in the field, performing pool openings, closings, weekly maintenance, and repairs on all types of pool equipment. She’s also worked in a pool supply store where she’s shared her knowledge in classes for new pool owners and employees.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":35285,"name":"Kristine Blanchard","slug":"kristine-blanchard","description":" <p><b>Kristine Blanchard</b> started working with swimming pools when she was just 5 years old. Her professional pool care career started when she was a teenager. Now over a decade into her career as a pool pro, she’s serviced pools in the field, performing pool openings, closings, weekly maintenance, and repairs on all types of pool equipment. She’s also worked in a pool supply store where she’s shared her knowledge in classes for new pool owners and employees. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/35285"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;home-improvement-appliances&quot;,&quot;swimming-pools&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781394166114&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6452a15ec3867\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;home-improvement-appliances&quot;,&quot;swimming-pools&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781394166114&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6452a15ec3f83\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":0,"title":"","slug":null,"categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/"}}],"content":[{"title":"Calculating your pool size","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Before you can go shopping or test your water, you need to know the amount of gallons that your pool can contain. Find your pool type in the following sections, and then use the associated formulas to help calculate your pool’s volume.</p>\n<h3>For square or rectangular pools that have a single depth</h3>\n<p>You use this simple formula to calculate the volume of a square or rectangular pool that has only one depth:</p>\n<p>Length x Width x Depth x 7.5 = Volume in Gallons</p>\n<p>For example, say you have a 12-foot-by-24-foot rectangular above ground pool that has a water depth of 4 feet. Here’s the calculation to determine its volume:</p>\n<p>24 feet x 12 feet x 4 feet x 7.5 = 8,640 gallons</p>\n<h3>For square or rectangular pools that have multiple depths</h3>\n<p>You can calculate the volume of a square or rectangular pool that has multiple depths in two ways, depending on how the depths are separated. Here&#8217;s how to do it for gradual-depth and drop-off separations:</p>\n<p><strong>A pool that has gradual depth change:</strong></p>\n<p>If your pool has a gradual decline to your deep end, you’ll want to use this equation:</p>\n<p>Length x Width x Average Depth x 7.5 = Volume in Gallons</p>\n<p>Use this formula to calculate the average depth of your pool:</p>\n<p>(Shallow End Depth + Deep End Depth)/2 = Average Depth</p>\n<p>Here’s an example: You have a 16-foot-by-32-foot inground pool that has a 3-foot shallow end and 8-foot deep end. First, you calculate the average depth:</p>\n<p>(3 feet + 8 feet)/2 = 5.5 feet</p>\n<p>Then, you plug your numbers into the volume equation:</p>\n<p>32 feet x 16 feet x 5.5 feet x 7.5 = 21,120 gallons</p>\n<p>So this pool can hold 21,120 gallons of water.</p>\n<p><strong>A pool with a drop-off:</strong></p>\n<p>If your pool has two distinct depths separated by a drop-off, then you treat the pool like two separate pools, using the formula for a pool that has only one depth (Length x Width x Depth x 7.5 = Volume in Gallons), and then add them together.</p>\n<p>For example, say you have a 15-foot-by-30-foot inground rectangular pool that has a shallow end on each side of the pool measuring 5 feet long by 15 feet wide by 3 feet, and a deep end measuring 5 feet long by 15 feet wide by 8 feet deep in the center of the pool.</p>\n<p>First, you calculate the volume for one of the shallow ends:</p>\n<p>5 feet x 15 feet x 3 feet x 7.5 = 1,687.5 gallons</p>\n<p>Then, you calculate the volume of the deep section in the middle of the pool:</p>\n<p>5 feet x 15 feet x 8 feet x 7.5 = 4,500 gallons</p>\n<p>Now, add together the two shallow ends and the deep section in the middle:</p>\n<p>1,687.5 gallons + 1,687.5 gallons + 4,500 gallons = 7,875 gallons</p>\n<p>This entire pool has a volume of 7,875 gallons of water.</p>\n<h3>For round pools</h3>\n<p>Calculating the volume for a round pool takes a little more math work. Here are the math concepts at play in this formula:</p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>Pi,</em> which is a number used in calculations involving circles, is rounded to 3.14 for this calculation.</li>\n<li><em>Radius</em> is defined as half the diameter (and the <em>diameter</em> is a straight line that passes through the middle of a circle).</li>\n<li>When a number is <em>squared,</em> it’s multiplied by itself.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Now that we have all that math stuff out of the way, here’s the formula you use to calculate the volume of a round pool:</p>\n<p>Pi x Radius Squared x Average Depth x 7.5 = Volume in Gallons</p>\n<p>Here’s an example: You have a round pool that’s 24 feet in diameter and has a 4-foot water depth.</p>\n<p>First, calculate the radius:</p>\n<p>24 feet/2 = 12 feet</p>\n<p>Now, calculate the radius squared:</p>\n<p>12 feet x 12 feet = 144 feet</p>\n<p>Plug your numbers into the original equation:</p>\n<p>3.14 x 144 feet x 4 feet x 7.5 = 13,564.8 gallons</p>\n<p>This round pool can hold 13,564.8 gallons of water.</p>\n"},{"title":"Springtime shopping list","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Getting your seasonal supply of chemicals in the spring can save you time and, hopefully, money. Here’s a check list of things to remember to get:</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Sanitizer:</strong> Start with your sanitizer, whether that’s chlorine tablets, salt, bromine, or a biguanide sanitizer, depending on what you use.</li>\n<li><strong>Shock and algaecides:</strong> Get a season’s supply of your favorite oxidizing shock products and your algaecides.</li>\n<li><strong>Alkalinity increaser and calcium hardness increaser: </strong>You won’t know the exact amount of these products to get but start with about 1 pound of each product per 1,000 gallons of water in your pool. (For example, a 10,000-gallon pool would get 10 pounds of each.)</li>\n<li><strong>pH increaser and decreaser: </strong>Grab a small container of both pH increaser and decreaser.</li>\n<li><strong>CYA:</strong> Get at least 5 pounds of cyanuric acid (CYA) for any size pool. It is a good place to start!</li>\n<li><strong>Test strips and filter media: </strong>Don’t forget to pick up new test strips and filter media (depending on what type of filter you have, such as diatomaceous earth or sand).</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Creating a weekly maintenance schedule","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Keeping your pool in tip-top shape can seem overwhelming, so here’s a simple checklist of what you want to try to do weekly (or as needed):</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Test your water. </strong>Testing is key to keeping your pool clean, clear, and safe for bathers. At a minimum, a water test should be done weekly. Most people choose Sunday afternoon/evening because you’ll need to shock the pool after testing, and most people are done swimming for at least a few days by Sunday evening.</li>\n<li><strong>Add shock and algaecide.</strong> Add these chemicals to your pool weekly; you can add them in right after you test your water.</li>\n<li><strong>Vacuum your pool. </strong>Vacuuming will help prevent algae growth or staining from things left on the floor of the pool. A weekly vacuum session tends to be enough, and you can do this chore any day of the week.</li>\n<li><strong>Brush down the pool.</strong> This is an important part of maintenance and preventing algae growth. I’m aware that brushing isn’t the most fun task, but if you can do it right after vacuuming, you’re golden for the week.</li>\n<li><strong>Skim the surface of your pool as often as you want.</strong> Do this task more frequently if there’s a lot of tree debris falling into your pool so that your skimmer baskets don’t get clogged too quickly.</li>\n<li><strong>Don’t forget to clean your baskets. </strong>Your skimmer and pump basket accumulate quite a lot of debris over the week, so I recommend checking them as often as possible, but at least two times a week. This frequent checking (and emptying when they’re getting full) will prevent them from becoming clogged and possibly damaging the system.</li>\n<li><strong>Check your filter pressure.</strong> Pay special attention to your filter pressure if you have a diatomaceous earth (DE) filter. Those filters can clog quickly, and a 4 to 6 pounds per square inch (psi) increase on your gauge is enough of a change to warrant a backwash. Sand and cartridge filters typically must be cleaned less frequently, but still check them weekly.</li>\n</ul>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"Five years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2023-05-03T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":298671},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2023-04-19T15:55:25+00:00","modifiedTime":"2023-04-24T13:25:34+00:00","timestamp":"2023-04-24T15:01:02+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Home Improvement & Appliances","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33939"},"slug":"home-improvement-appliances","categoryId":33939},{"name":"Decorating","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33947"},"slug":"decorating","categoryId":33947}],"title":"How to Restore and Repair Wood Furniture","strippedTitle":"how to restore and repair wood furniture","slug":"restoring-basics-for-wood-and-antique-furniture","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"This article walks you through the basic steps of restoring and repairing solid wood furniture, including antique pieces.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Vintage solid-wood pieces that are 50 to 99 years old are ideal for restoring. These items are well made and feature quality artisanship that’s worth preserving.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298426\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298426\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/refinishing-chair-before-after.jpg\" alt=\"Photos of a chair before and after refinishing\" width=\"630\" height=\"392\" /> ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.<br />A refinished chair, before and after the work[/caption]\r\n\r\nBut before you do any restoration or refinishing, you need to determine whether the piece you’ve found is worth saving. The main factors to consider are:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Dovetail joints:</strong> A strong joinery technique of interlocking “pins” and “tails.\"</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Sturdy build:</strong> Solid wood and good bones are ideal.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Manufacturer’s stamps:</strong> A stamp is a sign of high quality that has been placed on the furniture by an artisan. A newer, factory-made piece won’t have a maker’s mark). The photo below shows a stamp on the piece.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298424\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298424\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/wood-furniture-manufacturer-stamp.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of a manufacturer's stamp on a piece of furniture\" width=\"630\" height=\"332\" /> ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.<br />A manufacturer's stamp on furniture indicates a high-quality piece made by an artisan.[/caption]\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">Do the “rickety test” and shake the piece back and forth to see how solid it is. You want a piece that’s structurally sound.</p>\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >Supplies for restoring</h2>\r\nAs with any project, you should make sure you have the supplies you need for the various stages of furniture restoring. These are the materials you’ll use:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Cleaning:</strong> Dish soap, warm water, buckets and bowls, clean rags and cloths, old toothbrush, mineral spirits, vacuum</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Stripping:</strong> Sandpaper (various grits), electric sander, sanding block, chemical stripper, putty knife</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Repairing:</strong> Epoxy putty, wood restorer, wood filler, wood glue, antique wax, oxalic acid, an iron, stir sticks, clamps</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Painting:</strong> Paint, stain, paintbrushes, drop cloth</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Sealant:</strong> Wood sealant, wax, poly</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Safety:</strong> Goggles, mask, gloves</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nEvery restoration starts with a solid cleaning. Vacuum the piece and then give it a proper scrub with a mix of dish soap and warm water. Old toothbrushes are great for getting into the nooks and crannies.\r\n\r\nWhen the piece is good and clean, assess the finish to determine your next steps. Wipe the piece with mineral spirits to temporarily reveal how it would look with clear finish. This won’t harm the piece, and you might discover that all it needs is a good coating of sealant.\r\n\r\nHere are some signs that you need to further restore the piece:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Water rings and blemishes are visible.</li>\r\n \t<li>The finish is peeling and flaking.</li>\r\n \t<li>Even after cleaning, the surface is sticky.</li>\r\n \t<li>Wood cracks are present.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" >Removing the old finish</h2>\r\nYou can strip the finish off the wood in three ways:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Scraping with a paint scraper if the finish is flaky</li>\r\n \t<li>Sanding with sandpaper if the finish has a light sheen</li>\r\n \t<li>Stripping with a chemical stripper if the finish is very glossy</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIf you need to scrape, follow these steps:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Scrape off the brittle finish with a paint scraper or putty knife.</li>\r\n \t<li>Sand any remaining bits of finish with fine-grit sandpaper.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nTo use sanding as your stripping method, follow these steps:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Start sanding with a medium-grit sandpaper. Sand until most of the finish is off.</li>\r\n \t<li>Switch to a fine-grit to remove the last bits of the former finish.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nUsing a chemical stripper is a little more involved than the other two methods. Here’s what you need to do:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Set up your work area in a well-ventilated space. Wear gloves, a mask, and eye protection.</li>\r\n \t<li>Apply chemical stripper with a disposable brush.</li>\r\n \t<li>Allow the stripper time to work its magic.</li>\r\n \t<li>Scrape off the old finish with a putty knife.</li>\r\n \t<li>Use mineral spirits and steel wool to clean off the residue of the previous finish.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2 id=\"tab3\" >Removing black marks</h2>\r\nOxalic acid is brilliant for removing black stains from wood that has been exposed to metals and moisture. Use the following steps to apply oxalic acid to remove the black marks:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Buy oxalic acid in crystal form from an online retailer.</li>\r\n \t<li>Dissolve the oxalic acid in hot water according to the manufacturer’s directions.</li>\r\n \t<li>While wearing heavy-duty gloves and a mask, dip a rag into the mixture and wipe the whole wooden panel, not just the stained area. Wiping the full area ensures that the color removal is consistent across the whole surface.</li>\r\n \t<li>Let the wood dry fully.</li>\r\n \t<li>Assess whether the stain was fully removed or if it needs another application. Repeat steps 3 and 4 if needed until the stain has disappeared.</li>\r\n \t<li>Add baking soda to water and wash off the crystals to neutralize the acid. The basic baking soda neutralizes the acidic oxalic acid.</li>\r\n \t<li>Allow the furniture to dry fully before sealing.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<p class=\"article-tips warning\">Be aware that you’re handling an acid. Wear protection. Don’t brush the crystals into the air or onto the ground because doing so will cause you to cough. And never mix the oxalic acid with another chemical or bleach.</p>\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"tab4\" >Removing white rings</h2>\r\nWhite rings on furniture come from moisture that has soaked into the wood sealant and gotten trapped. The photo below shows the dreaded water rings.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298425\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298425\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/water-rings-stains-wood-furniture.jpg\" alt=\"Photo showing water ring stains in wood furniture\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" /> ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.<br />Water rings in wood[/caption]\r\n\r\nWater rings aren’t a total deal breaker. Here are a few different methods for removing them:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>An iron:</strong> Place a T-shirt over the stain and then iron over it on a low setting. <em>Avoid using the steam function</em> as this will make the stain worse. Try doing a spot test first. Check progress frequently.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>A hair dryer:</strong> Move the hair dryer side to side on a low setting over the affected area.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>An equal mixture of olive oil and white vinegar:</strong> Brush this mixture onto the wood in the direction of the grain. Wipe the whole surface of the wood. Follow by wiping with a clean, dry cloth.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Mayonnaise or petroleum jelly:</strong> Dab the mayonnaise or petroleum jelly onto the damaged area and allow it to sit for a few hours. Wipe it away with a clean, dry cloth.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h2 id=\"tab5\" >Repairing scratches, chips, and cracks</h2>\r\nTo remove scratches, lightly sand with fine-grit sandpaper <em>in the direction of the wood grain.</em> Smooth out the area by sanding once again with extra-fine sandpaper. Clean off the dust and refinish the wood with oil or wax.\r\n\r\nWood putty is perfect for repairing smaller cracks and chips in wood. Use epoxy putty for larger gaps. This is the process for filling chips, and cracks:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Look for wood putty in the same shade as your wood.</li>\r\n \t<li>Dab the putty on the crack using a putty knife.</li>\r\n \t<li>Smooth the putty with the putty knife.</li>\r\n \t<li>Let it dry fully.</li>\r\n \t<li>Sand the area with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth it out.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nIf there are cracks in the wood, fill it with wood glue. In order to get the wood glue in, insert a toothpick into the split to carefully prop it open and then apply wood glue to the area with a stir stick. Then remove the toothpick and use paint tape or clamps to hold the area together while it dries.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab6\" >Restoring missing color</h2>\r\nThere are a couple options for recoloring your furniture piece. You can use gel stain or wood stain.\r\n<h3>Gel stain</h3>\r\nGel stain is wonderful for restoring furniture color. It’s a bit of a miracle product, honestly, because you don’t even have to strip the finish first. You can apply gel stain by following these steps:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Wipe on the gel stain with a lint-free cloth.</li>\r\n \t<li>Wipe with a clean, dry cloth to remove the excess stain.</li>\r\n \t<li>Let it dry overnight.</li>\r\n \t<li>Seal it with finish.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">If you don’t like the result of the gel stain, you can use mineral spirits to wipe it away before it dries.</p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Wood stain</h3>\r\nWood stain is nice and easy to apply. You simply wipe it on as described here:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Sand the piece down.</li>\r\n \t<li>Use a tack cloth to remove the sanding dust.</li>\r\n \t<li>Stir the wood stain and apply it with a clean, dry rag.</li>\r\n \t<li>Wipe the area with a clean rag to remove the excess stain.</li>\r\n \t<li>Add more layers as necessary.</li>\r\n \t<li>Finish with sealant.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nIt’s hard to remove stain once it’s on (unless you sand it down again), so it’s best to start with light layers and build up to your desired color.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab7\" >Refinishing antique furniture</h2>\r\nSometimes hands-on experience is the best teacher. If you want to follow along with the process step by step, here’s an example of how to refinish a vintage dining room chair:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Find a piece to refinish. </strong>I found a vintage chair at a thrift shop. With its solid wood construction and a Made in Czechoslovakia stamp on the underside, this piece had great bones, but it was definitely ready for some TLC.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Clean the piece. </strong>After a solid cleaning, it was evident that this chair had significant water damage. The photo below shows the condition of the piece.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298433\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/water-damage-antique-chair.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of water damage on an antique chair\" width=\"630\" height=\"419\" />\r\n\r\n©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.\r\nCleaning revealed the water damage.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Sand the flaws away.</strong> Based on my assessment, it seemed most effective to sand the piece down to remove the damage. For a job like this, start with a medium-grit sandpaper and work down to a fine grit.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Clean up the dust. </strong>A tack cloth is perfect for removing the sanding dust so the debris doesn’t get stuck in your new finish. The photo below shows the tack cloth in action.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298435\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/restoring-antique-chair.jpg\" alt=\"Photo showing the use of tack cloth to remove dust from a chair after sanding\" width=\"630\" height=\"450\" />\r\n\r\n©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.\r\nUse a tack cloth to remove sanding dust.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Stain the wood. </strong>Pick a stain that matches the color of the wood. Wipe it on with a clean, dry cloth. Start with a light coat and build up to your desired color. The photo below shows the staining process.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298431\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/staining-antique-chair.jpg\" alt=\"Photo showing applying new stain on an antique chair\" width=\"630\" height=\"464\" />\r\n\r\n©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.\r\nStaining the wood brings it back to its former glory, without the damage.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>After the stain has dried, give it a light hand sand with a fine-grit sandpaper to smooth the piece and prepare it for finishing. </strong>Seal in all that magic with a finish of your choice. I used wipe-on poly here. See the finished frame stained, sealed and fabulous in the photo below.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Finish to perfection.</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nReassemble your piece and add the finishing touches. In this case, I reupholstered the seat.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">To learn how to reupholster, check out my book <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/book/home-auto-hobbies/home-improvement-appliances/decorating/upcycling-furniture-and-home-decor-for-dummies-298187/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Upcycling Furniture & Home Decor For Dummies</em></a>.</p>\r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298432\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298432\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/refinished-restored-antique-chair.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of chair after completing sanding, staining, and sealing\" width=\"630\" height=\"473\" /> ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.<br />Glorious and gleaming, the chair is sanded, stained, and sealed.[/caption]","description":"Vintage solid-wood pieces that are 50 to 99 years old are ideal for restoring. These items are well made and feature quality artisanship that’s worth preserving.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298426\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298426\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/refinishing-chair-before-after.jpg\" alt=\"Photos of a chair before and after refinishing\" width=\"630\" height=\"392\" /> ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.<br />A refinished chair, before and after the work[/caption]\r\n\r\nBut before you do any restoration or refinishing, you need to determine whether the piece you’ve found is worth saving. The main factors to consider are:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Dovetail joints:</strong> A strong joinery technique of interlocking “pins” and “tails.\"</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Sturdy build:</strong> Solid wood and good bones are ideal.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Manufacturer’s stamps:</strong> A stamp is a sign of high quality that has been placed on the furniture by an artisan. A newer, factory-made piece won’t have a maker’s mark). The photo below shows a stamp on the piece.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298424\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298424\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/wood-furniture-manufacturer-stamp.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of a manufacturer's stamp on a piece of furniture\" width=\"630\" height=\"332\" /> ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.<br />A manufacturer's stamp on furniture indicates a high-quality piece made by an artisan.[/caption]\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">Do the “rickety test” and shake the piece back and forth to see how solid it is. You want a piece that’s structurally sound.</p>\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >Supplies for restoring</h2>\r\nAs with any project, you should make sure you have the supplies you need for the various stages of furniture restoring. These are the materials you’ll use:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Cleaning:</strong> Dish soap, warm water, buckets and bowls, clean rags and cloths, old toothbrush, mineral spirits, vacuum</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Stripping:</strong> Sandpaper (various grits), electric sander, sanding block, chemical stripper, putty knife</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Repairing:</strong> Epoxy putty, wood restorer, wood filler, wood glue, antique wax, oxalic acid, an iron, stir sticks, clamps</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Painting:</strong> Paint, stain, paintbrushes, drop cloth</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Sealant:</strong> Wood sealant, wax, poly</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Safety:</strong> Goggles, mask, gloves</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nEvery restoration starts with a solid cleaning. Vacuum the piece and then give it a proper scrub with a mix of dish soap and warm water. Old toothbrushes are great for getting into the nooks and crannies.\r\n\r\nWhen the piece is good and clean, assess the finish to determine your next steps. Wipe the piece with mineral spirits to temporarily reveal how it would look with clear finish. This won’t harm the piece, and you might discover that all it needs is a good coating of sealant.\r\n\r\nHere are some signs that you need to further restore the piece:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Water rings and blemishes are visible.</li>\r\n \t<li>The finish is peeling and flaking.</li>\r\n \t<li>Even after cleaning, the surface is sticky.</li>\r\n \t<li>Wood cracks are present.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" >Removing the old finish</h2>\r\nYou can strip the finish off the wood in three ways:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Scraping with a paint scraper if the finish is flaky</li>\r\n \t<li>Sanding with sandpaper if the finish has a light sheen</li>\r\n \t<li>Stripping with a chemical stripper if the finish is very glossy</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIf you need to scrape, follow these steps:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Scrape off the brittle finish with a paint scraper or putty knife.</li>\r\n \t<li>Sand any remaining bits of finish with fine-grit sandpaper.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nTo use sanding as your stripping method, follow these steps:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Start sanding with a medium-grit sandpaper. Sand until most of the finish is off.</li>\r\n \t<li>Switch to a fine-grit to remove the last bits of the former finish.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nUsing a chemical stripper is a little more involved than the other two methods. Here’s what you need to do:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Set up your work area in a well-ventilated space. Wear gloves, a mask, and eye protection.</li>\r\n \t<li>Apply chemical stripper with a disposable brush.</li>\r\n \t<li>Allow the stripper time to work its magic.</li>\r\n \t<li>Scrape off the old finish with a putty knife.</li>\r\n \t<li>Use mineral spirits and steel wool to clean off the residue of the previous finish.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<h2 id=\"tab3\" >Removing black marks</h2>\r\nOxalic acid is brilliant for removing black stains from wood that has been exposed to metals and moisture. Use the following steps to apply oxalic acid to remove the black marks:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Buy oxalic acid in crystal form from an online retailer.</li>\r\n \t<li>Dissolve the oxalic acid in hot water according to the manufacturer’s directions.</li>\r\n \t<li>While wearing heavy-duty gloves and a mask, dip a rag into the mixture and wipe the whole wooden panel, not just the stained area. Wiping the full area ensures that the color removal is consistent across the whole surface.</li>\r\n \t<li>Let the wood dry fully.</li>\r\n \t<li>Assess whether the stain was fully removed or if it needs another application. Repeat steps 3 and 4 if needed until the stain has disappeared.</li>\r\n \t<li>Add baking soda to water and wash off the crystals to neutralize the acid. The basic baking soda neutralizes the acidic oxalic acid.</li>\r\n \t<li>Allow the furniture to dry fully before sealing.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<p class=\"article-tips warning\">Be aware that you’re handling an acid. Wear protection. Don’t brush the crystals into the air or onto the ground because doing so will cause you to cough. And never mix the oxalic acid with another chemical or bleach.</p>\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"tab4\" >Removing white rings</h2>\r\nWhite rings on furniture come from moisture that has soaked into the wood sealant and gotten trapped. The photo below shows the dreaded water rings.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298425\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298425\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/water-rings-stains-wood-furniture.jpg\" alt=\"Photo showing water ring stains in wood furniture\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" /> ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.<br />Water rings in wood[/caption]\r\n\r\nWater rings aren’t a total deal breaker. Here are a few different methods for removing them:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>An iron:</strong> Place a T-shirt over the stain and then iron over it on a low setting. <em>Avoid using the steam function</em> as this will make the stain worse. Try doing a spot test first. Check progress frequently.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>A hair dryer:</strong> Move the hair dryer side to side on a low setting over the affected area.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>An equal mixture of olive oil and white vinegar:</strong> Brush this mixture onto the wood in the direction of the grain. Wipe the whole surface of the wood. Follow by wiping with a clean, dry cloth.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Mayonnaise or petroleum jelly:</strong> Dab the mayonnaise or petroleum jelly onto the damaged area and allow it to sit for a few hours. Wipe it away with a clean, dry cloth.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h2 id=\"tab5\" >Repairing scratches, chips, and cracks</h2>\r\nTo remove scratches, lightly sand with fine-grit sandpaper <em>in the direction of the wood grain.</em> Smooth out the area by sanding once again with extra-fine sandpaper. Clean off the dust and refinish the wood with oil or wax.\r\n\r\nWood putty is perfect for repairing smaller cracks and chips in wood. Use epoxy putty for larger gaps. This is the process for filling chips, and cracks:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Look for wood putty in the same shade as your wood.</li>\r\n \t<li>Dab the putty on the crack using a putty knife.</li>\r\n \t<li>Smooth the putty with the putty knife.</li>\r\n \t<li>Let it dry fully.</li>\r\n \t<li>Sand the area with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth it out.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nIf there are cracks in the wood, fill it with wood glue. In order to get the wood glue in, insert a toothpick into the split to carefully prop it open and then apply wood glue to the area with a stir stick. Then remove the toothpick and use paint tape or clamps to hold the area together while it dries.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab6\" >Restoring missing color</h2>\r\nThere are a couple options for recoloring your furniture piece. You can use gel stain or wood stain.\r\n<h3>Gel stain</h3>\r\nGel stain is wonderful for restoring furniture color. It’s a bit of a miracle product, honestly, because you don’t even have to strip the finish first. You can apply gel stain by following these steps:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Wipe on the gel stain with a lint-free cloth.</li>\r\n \t<li>Wipe with a clean, dry cloth to remove the excess stain.</li>\r\n \t<li>Let it dry overnight.</li>\r\n \t<li>Seal it with finish.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">If you don’t like the result of the gel stain, you can use mineral spirits to wipe it away before it dries.</p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Wood stain</h3>\r\nWood stain is nice and easy to apply. You simply wipe it on as described here:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Sand the piece down.</li>\r\n \t<li>Use a tack cloth to remove the sanding dust.</li>\r\n \t<li>Stir the wood stain and apply it with a clean, dry rag.</li>\r\n \t<li>Wipe the area with a clean rag to remove the excess stain.</li>\r\n \t<li>Add more layers as necessary.</li>\r\n \t<li>Finish with sealant.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nIt’s hard to remove stain once it’s on (unless you sand it down again), so it’s best to start with light layers and build up to your desired color.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab7\" >Refinishing antique furniture</h2>\r\nSometimes hands-on experience is the best teacher. If you want to follow along with the process step by step, here’s an example of how to refinish a vintage dining room chair:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Find a piece to refinish. </strong>I found a vintage chair at a thrift shop. With its solid wood construction and a Made in Czechoslovakia stamp on the underside, this piece had great bones, but it was definitely ready for some TLC.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Clean the piece. </strong>After a solid cleaning, it was evident that this chair had significant water damage. The photo below shows the condition of the piece.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298433\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/water-damage-antique-chair.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of water damage on an antique chair\" width=\"630\" height=\"419\" />\r\n\r\n©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.\r\nCleaning revealed the water damage.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Sand the flaws away.</strong> Based on my assessment, it seemed most effective to sand the piece down to remove the damage. For a job like this, start with a medium-grit sandpaper and work down to a fine grit.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Clean up the dust. </strong>A tack cloth is perfect for removing the sanding dust so the debris doesn’t get stuck in your new finish. The photo below shows the tack cloth in action.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298435\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/restoring-antique-chair.jpg\" alt=\"Photo showing the use of tack cloth to remove dust from a chair after sanding\" width=\"630\" height=\"450\" />\r\n\r\n©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.\r\nUse a tack cloth to remove sanding dust.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Stain the wood. </strong>Pick a stain that matches the color of the wood. Wipe it on with a clean, dry cloth. Start with a light coat and build up to your desired color. The photo below shows the staining process.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298431\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/staining-antique-chair.jpg\" alt=\"Photo showing applying new stain on an antique chair\" width=\"630\" height=\"464\" />\r\n\r\n©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.\r\nStaining the wood brings it back to its former glory, without the damage.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>After the stain has dried, give it a light hand sand with a fine-grit sandpaper to smooth the piece and prepare it for finishing. </strong>Seal in all that magic with a finish of your choice. I used wipe-on poly here. See the finished frame stained, sealed and fabulous in the photo below.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Finish to perfection.</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nReassemble your piece and add the finishing touches. In this case, I reupholstered the seat.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">To learn how to reupholster, check out my book <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/book/home-auto-hobbies/home-improvement-appliances/decorating/upcycling-furniture-and-home-decor-for-dummies-298187/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Upcycling Furniture & Home Decor For Dummies</em></a>.</p>\r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298432\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298432\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/refinished-restored-antique-chair.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of chair after completing sanding, staining, and sealing\" width=\"630\" height=\"473\" /> ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.<br />Glorious and gleaming, the chair is sanded, stained, and sealed.[/caption]","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":35271,"name":"Judy Rom","slug":"judy-rom","description":" <p><b>Judy Rom</b> runs <i>Upcycle That</i>, a website dedicated to everything upcycling. Judy aims to inspire readers to reuse items to enable a more beautiful, sustainable, and rich lifestyle. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/35271"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33947,"title":"Decorating","slug":"decorating","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33947"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[{"label":"Supplies for restoring","target":"#tab1"},{"label":"Removing the old finish","target":"#tab2"},{"label":"Removing black marks","target":"#tab3"},{"label":"Removing white rings","target":"#tab4"},{"label":"Repairing scratches, chips, and cracks","target":"#tab5"},{"label":"Restoring missing color","target":"#tab6"},{"label":"Refinishing antique furniture","target":"#tab7"}],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":298443,"title":"Finding Furniture and Home Decor for Upcycling","slug":"finding-furniture-and-home-decor-for-upcycling","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/298443"}},{"articleId":298389,"title":"Inspiration for Upcycling Furniture and Home Decor","slug":"whats-the-difference-between-upcycling-and-recycling","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/298389"}},{"articleId":298281,"title":"Upcycling Furniture & Home Decor For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"upcycling-furniture-home-decor-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/298281"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":298443,"title":"Finding Furniture and Home Decor for Upcycling","slug":"finding-furniture-and-home-decor-for-upcycling","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/298443"}},{"articleId":298389,"title":"Inspiration for Upcycling Furniture and Home Decor","slug":"whats-the-difference-between-upcycling-and-recycling","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/298389"}},{"articleId":298281,"title":"Upcycling Furniture & Home Decor For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"upcycling-furniture-home-decor-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/298281"}},{"articleId":265474,"title":"Infusing Hygge Into Your Home","slug":"infusing-hygge-into-your-home","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/265474"}},{"articleId":208940,"title":"Home Decorating For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"home-decorating-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/208940"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":298187,"slug":"upcycling-furniture-and-home-decor-for-dummies","isbn":"9781394150021","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1394150024/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1394150024/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1394150024-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1394150024/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1394150024/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/upcycling-furniture-and-home-decor-for-dummies-cover-1394150024-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Upcycling Furniture & Home Decor For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":true,"authorsInfo":"<p><p><b><b data-author-id=\"35271\">Judy Rom</b></b> runs <i>Upcycle That</i>, a website dedicated to everything upcycling. Judy aims to inspire readers to reuse items to enable a more beautiful, sustainable, and rich lifestyle.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":35271,"name":"Judy Rom","slug":"judy-rom","description":" <p><b>Judy Rom</b> runs <i>Upcycle That</i>, a website dedicated to everything upcycling. Judy aims to inspire readers to reuse items to enable a more beautiful, sustainable, and rich lifestyle. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/35271"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;home-improvement-appliances&quot;,&quot;decorating&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781394150021&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-644699ae8fa8d\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;home-improvement-appliances&quot;,&quot;decorating&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781394150021&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-644699ae908b1\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Articles","articleList":null,"content":null,"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"Five years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2023-04-19T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":298421},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2023-04-18T19:18:07+00:00","modifiedTime":"2023-04-19T21:01:01+00:00","timestamp":"2023-04-19T21:01:02+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Home Improvement & Appliances","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33939"},"slug":"home-improvement-appliances","categoryId":33939},{"name":"Decorating","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33947"},"slug":"decorating","categoryId":33947}],"title":"Inspiration for Upcycling Furniture and Home Decor","strippedTitle":"inspiration for upcycling furniture and home decor","slug":"whats-the-difference-between-upcycling-and-recycling","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"There are lots of reasons to get excited about upcycling. To begin with, upcycling is like modern-day alchemy. It transforms unwanted items into highly prized p","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"There are lots of reasons to get excited about upcycling. To begin with, upcycling is like modern-day alchemy. It transforms unwanted items into highly prized pieces. It’s like turning trash into treasure!\r\n\r\nAnother reason to get into upcycling is that it’s eco-conscious. In a world experiencing a garbage crisis, upcycling is a part of the solution. It feels positively magnificent to rescue and reimagine items headed for the landfill. Also, it’s downright thrilling selling pieces for a profit. That’s right — upcycling is an environmentally-savvy hobby that can earn you cash.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298453\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298453\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/upcycling-desk.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of the before and after a desk was repainted\" width=\"630\" height=\"840\" /> ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.<br />A chevron-inspired design dressed up this old desk.[/caption]\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >Upcycling vs. recycling</h2>\r\nUpcycling and recycling aren’t the same because they have different processes. With recycling, items are broken down before they’re reused. For example, plastic is shredded and melted down into pellets.\r\n\r\nAs the material is recycled, its value degrades, so the process of recycling is sometimes referred to as downcycling. For instance, recycled plastic isn’t as valuable as virgin plastic, and can only be recycled a finite number of times.\r\n\r\nWhereas downcycling reduces the value of an item, upcycling increases it. The item is reimagined and reborn. It goes from being an unwanted discard to a highly sought-after and valued piece. It’s an inspiring journey!\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" >Discovering the benefits of upcycling</h2>\r\nThe benefits to upcycling are plentiful, including environmental, creative, and financial. Here are some of the top advantages:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Good for the environment:</strong> First and foremost, upcycling is great because it reduces the waste that ends up in a landfill. Beyond that, as items are reused, the demand decreases for raw materials to create new products. This in turn lowers air and water pollution. It’s like a snowball effect for environmental conservation.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Encourages creativity:</strong> Upcycling ignites your creativity. It’s an innovative process with no limits. Plus, getting crafty and doing it yourself is satisfying.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Saves money:</strong> Upcycling furniture instead of buying it new can save you thousands of dollars. It’s also an attainable way to get custom, one-of-a-kind pieces.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Generates value and income:</strong> Upcycling and reselling furniture and home decor is an awesome side hustle. It’s a smart way to make money by being creative.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Beautiful:</strong> Upcycled items are often bespoke. These items feature custom artisanship and are stylishly unique.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Fun and accessible:</strong> Anyone can be an upcycler. With a bit of passion and commitment, you too can learn how. The materials are just waiting to be discovered, and finding them is one of the best parts.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Inspiring:</strong> The flash of inspiration to upcycle can come from the most unexpected pieces. That’s part of the magic. Once you start creating, you won’t want to stop.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Meaningful:</strong> Upcycled pieces have a history and character to them that you just don’t find with “fast furniture” (low-quality, mass-produced furniture that’s being rapidly bought, used briefly, and quickly discarded). The item has already lived a life (or two), and that makes it special. In addition, upcycling supports local artisans.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h2 id=\"tab3\" >Starting with materials in hand</h2>\r\nWhen you already have the materials, there’s a great opportunity to use your imagination. Do you want to repaint and refinish the item, or do you want to repurpose it into something completely new?\r\n\r\nThink about what the item <em>could</em> become. For example, in Figure 1, on the left is a door that was converted into a table. On the right is an epic coffee table made from a dresser drawer.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">To learn how to make the coffee table below, check out my book, <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/book/home-auto-hobbies/home-improvement-appliances/general-home-improvement-appliances/upcycling-furniture-and-home-decor-for-dummies-298187/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Upcycling Furniture & Home Decor For Dummies</em></a>.</p>\r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298395\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298395\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/upcycling-door-table-coffee-table.jpg\" alt=\"Photos showing a table made from a door and a coffee table made from a dresser drawer\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" /> ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.<br />Figure 1: On the left, a door table by Curtis Smletzer of Handy Father LLC. On the right, a gorgeous coffee table by Judy Rom, which she made from a dresser drawer found in an alley.[/caption]\r\n<h2 id=\"tab4\" >Working toward an end-use vision</h2>\r\nAlternatively, you might have a piece of furniture or decor that you want to create, like a dramatic light fixture, and just need to find the supplies. You can repurpose glass plates and bowls into light shades, like in Figure 2. Charming glassware is waiting to be rescued at your local thrift shop.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298396\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298396\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/upcycling-pendant-lights.jpg\" alt=\"Photo showing a cluster of hanging, glass pendant lights\" width=\"630\" height=\"815\" /> ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.<br />Figure 2: Roos Kalff of Studio Kalff upcycled this stunning cluster of pendant lights.[/caption]\r\n<h2 id=\"tab5\" >Fun, yet functional furniture</h2>\r\nSometimes it takes removing part of the original item to repurpose it. On the left of Figure 3, there’s an awesome bathroom vanity made from a dresser. Charlotte Smith. of At Charlotte’s House, refinished this piece and used a jig to cut out a place for the bathroom sink and faucet.\r\n\r\nSmith also retrofitted the drawers so they’d still be functional. To finish the piece, she applied a heavy-duty sealant to the dresser to keep it from warping in the humidity of the bathroom.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298393\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298393\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/upcycling-vanity-cabinet.jpg\" alt=\"Photos of a bathroom vanity made from a dresser and a cabinet\" width=\"630\" height=\"315\" /> ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.<br />Figure 3: On the left, a bathroom vanity by Charlotte Smith, and at right, a reimagined cabinet by Teofi González.[/caption]\r\n\r\nSometimes the piece needs to be added to. On the right of Figure 3, there’s an IKEA cabinet that Teofi González, of The Kiyomi, transformed by adding a veneer cutout and gorgeous pastel hues. Trendy new legs complete the look.\r\n\r\nThe console on the left of Figure 4 appears perfectly worn and weathered. This stunning coastal look was achieved by painting it with multiple colors and layers, using salt wash for texture and then sanding it smooth.\r\n\r\nOn the right of Figure 4, you see a curvy, scalloped dresser that was completely transformed with a white, turquoise, teal, and deep blue ombre. The upcycler perfectly accented the piece with gold leaf to create a stunning geode design.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298394\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298394\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/upcycling-table-cabinet.jpg\" alt=\"Photos of a weathered console table and a reimagined cabinet made from a dresser\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" /> ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.<br />Figure 4: At left, a weathered console table by Michelle Dickson and Stephanie Hofer of Sunny Side Design. On the right, geode-design cabinet by Kate Anderson of KT Designs.[/caption]\r\n<h2 id=\"tab6\" >Eye-catching home decor</h2>\r\nHome decor is important because it sets the tone for your home. Style is completely subjective, and you can express yourself in unlimited ways.\r\n\r\nVinyl records will always have that cool factor. Unfortunately, they’re often scratched beyond use. Turning them into home decor is a great way to keep the music alive. The top left of Figure 5 shows a record turned into a bowl.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298400\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298400\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/upcycling-record-bowl-denim-bins.jpg\" alt=\"Photos showing upcycled items\" width=\"630\" height=\"840\" /> ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.<br />Figure 5: Record bowl by Judy Rom of Upcycle That (top left). Skate decks suspended by aircraft cables by Judy Rom of Upcycle That (bottom left). Denim home decor upcycles by Claire Armstrong of Pillar Box Blue (top and bottom right).[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe skateboard decks–turned–shelves shown in the bottom left of Figure 5 are ideal for a skater.\r\n\r\nDenim upcycles are classic. You can turn ripped jeans into multiple creative home furnishings, like those shown in the top right and bottom right in Figure 5.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab7\" >Lamps that light the way</h2>\r\nUpcycled lighting will really brighten up your life. There are lots of inventive ways to reimagine items into lights. Repurposing an item as a lamp shade for a pendant light is one of the most effective ways to create a light source.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">You can buy a pendant light cord from your local hardware store or online.</p>\r\nAt the top of Figure 6, Heinz Beanz cans have been turned into funky pendant lights by Willem Heeffer, a Dutch designer.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298401\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298401\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/upcycling-cans-suitcase-jar-light.jpg\" alt=\"Photos showing examples of upcycled items\" width=\"630\" height=\"1050\" /> ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.<br />Figure 6[/caption]\r\n\r\nIt’s also possible to make lamps out of electrical wire, light sockets, and a lamp switch wire and plug. The phone lamp in the middle left of Figure 6 was DIY-ed by Judy Rom and Bart Taylor with those items, a bit of imagination, and an old rotary phone.\r\n\r\nA Sputnik-style light on the middle right of Figure 6 is a modern take on upcycled lighting. Sputnik lamps have multiple arms that each have a bulb. This kind of fixture became popular in the Atomic Age (1940–1960s) when the first satellite orbited Earth. This stunning Sputnik chandelier with Depression glass used as shades was designed by Jeff Risinger and Mark Winn of BootsNGus.com.\r\n\r\nMultiple items look gorgeous grouped together as a chandelier. The bottom of Figure 6 features a stunning rainbow chandelier by Jeff Risinger and Mark Winn of BootsNGus.com made with painted mason jars. The center ring used here is made from solid wood. Additionally, the lids have been drilled to allow heat to escape so that the jars won’t overheat.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab8\" >Gorgeous garden upcycles</h2>\r\nYou won’t believe the extent of what you can upcycle into planters. The top left of Figure 7 shows an incredible TV-turned terrarium.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298402\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298402\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/upcycling-tv-terrarium-garden-markers.jpg\" alt=\"Photos showing examples of upcycled items\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" /> ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.<br />Figure 7[/caption]\r\n\r\nCovering plant pots with a burlap coffee bean bag is a delightful way to dress them up! The bottom left of Figure 7 shows the look.\r\n\r\nUpcycling is a fabulous way to embellish your garden. The right side of Figure 7 shows some lovely garden markers made with vintage silverware. The names of the herbs have been hand stamped onto each one. They’re positively delightful!\r\n<h2 id=\"tab9\" >Smart storage solutions</h2>\r\nThere are scads of ways to upcycle for organization. Crates are particularly practical. You can repurpose vintage fruit or wine crates to hold shoes, toys, books, towels — you name it!\r\n\r\nFigure 8 shows an example of how to stack and style crates in a foyer.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298403\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298403\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/upcycling-wooden-crates.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of wooden crates being used as shelves\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" /> ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.<br />Figure 8: Wooden crates are both functional and decorative[/caption]","description":"There are lots of reasons to get excited about upcycling. To begin with, upcycling is like modern-day alchemy. It transforms unwanted items into highly prized pieces. It’s like turning trash into treasure!\r\n\r\nAnother reason to get into upcycling is that it’s eco-conscious. In a world experiencing a garbage crisis, upcycling is a part of the solution. It feels positively magnificent to rescue and reimagine items headed for the landfill. Also, it’s downright thrilling selling pieces for a profit. That’s right — upcycling is an environmentally-savvy hobby that can earn you cash.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298453\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298453\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/upcycling-desk.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of the before and after a desk was repainted\" width=\"630\" height=\"840\" /> ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.<br />A chevron-inspired design dressed up this old desk.[/caption]\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >Upcycling vs. recycling</h2>\r\nUpcycling and recycling aren’t the same because they have different processes. With recycling, items are broken down before they’re reused. For example, plastic is shredded and melted down into pellets.\r\n\r\nAs the material is recycled, its value degrades, so the process of recycling is sometimes referred to as downcycling. For instance, recycled plastic isn’t as valuable as virgin plastic, and can only be recycled a finite number of times.\r\n\r\nWhereas downcycling reduces the value of an item, upcycling increases it. The item is reimagined and reborn. It goes from being an unwanted discard to a highly sought-after and valued piece. It’s an inspiring journey!\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" >Discovering the benefits of upcycling</h2>\r\nThe benefits to upcycling are plentiful, including environmental, creative, and financial. Here are some of the top advantages:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Good for the environment:</strong> First and foremost, upcycling is great because it reduces the waste that ends up in a landfill. Beyond that, as items are reused, the demand decreases for raw materials to create new products. This in turn lowers air and water pollution. It’s like a snowball effect for environmental conservation.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Encourages creativity:</strong> Upcycling ignites your creativity. It’s an innovative process with no limits. Plus, getting crafty and doing it yourself is satisfying.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Saves money:</strong> Upcycling furniture instead of buying it new can save you thousands of dollars. It’s also an attainable way to get custom, one-of-a-kind pieces.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Generates value and income:</strong> Upcycling and reselling furniture and home decor is an awesome side hustle. It’s a smart way to make money by being creative.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Beautiful:</strong> Upcycled items are often bespoke. These items feature custom artisanship and are stylishly unique.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Fun and accessible:</strong> Anyone can be an upcycler. With a bit of passion and commitment, you too can learn how. The materials are just waiting to be discovered, and finding them is one of the best parts.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Inspiring:</strong> The flash of inspiration to upcycle can come from the most unexpected pieces. That’s part of the magic. Once you start creating, you won’t want to stop.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Meaningful:</strong> Upcycled pieces have a history and character to them that you just don’t find with “fast furniture” (low-quality, mass-produced furniture that’s being rapidly bought, used briefly, and quickly discarded). The item has already lived a life (or two), and that makes it special. In addition, upcycling supports local artisans.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h2 id=\"tab3\" >Starting with materials in hand</h2>\r\nWhen you already have the materials, there’s a great opportunity to use your imagination. Do you want to repaint and refinish the item, or do you want to repurpose it into something completely new?\r\n\r\nThink about what the item <em>could</em> become. For example, in Figure 1, on the left is a door that was converted into a table. On the right is an epic coffee table made from a dresser drawer.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">To learn how to make the coffee table below, check out my book, <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/book/home-auto-hobbies/home-improvement-appliances/general-home-improvement-appliances/upcycling-furniture-and-home-decor-for-dummies-298187/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Upcycling Furniture & Home Decor For Dummies</em></a>.</p>\r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298395\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298395\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/upcycling-door-table-coffee-table.jpg\" alt=\"Photos showing a table made from a door and a coffee table made from a dresser drawer\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" /> ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.<br />Figure 1: On the left, a door table by Curtis Smletzer of Handy Father LLC. On the right, a gorgeous coffee table by Judy Rom, which she made from a dresser drawer found in an alley.[/caption]\r\n<h2 id=\"tab4\" >Working toward an end-use vision</h2>\r\nAlternatively, you might have a piece of furniture or decor that you want to create, like a dramatic light fixture, and just need to find the supplies. You can repurpose glass plates and bowls into light shades, like in Figure 2. Charming glassware is waiting to be rescued at your local thrift shop.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298396\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298396\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/upcycling-pendant-lights.jpg\" alt=\"Photo showing a cluster of hanging, glass pendant lights\" width=\"630\" height=\"815\" /> ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.<br />Figure 2: Roos Kalff of Studio Kalff upcycled this stunning cluster of pendant lights.[/caption]\r\n<h2 id=\"tab5\" >Fun, yet functional furniture</h2>\r\nSometimes it takes removing part of the original item to repurpose it. On the left of Figure 3, there’s an awesome bathroom vanity made from a dresser. Charlotte Smith. of At Charlotte’s House, refinished this piece and used a jig to cut out a place for the bathroom sink and faucet.\r\n\r\nSmith also retrofitted the drawers so they’d still be functional. To finish the piece, she applied a heavy-duty sealant to the dresser to keep it from warping in the humidity of the bathroom.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298393\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298393\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/upcycling-vanity-cabinet.jpg\" alt=\"Photos of a bathroom vanity made from a dresser and a cabinet\" width=\"630\" height=\"315\" /> ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.<br />Figure 3: On the left, a bathroom vanity by Charlotte Smith, and at right, a reimagined cabinet by Teofi González.[/caption]\r\n\r\nSometimes the piece needs to be added to. On the right of Figure 3, there’s an IKEA cabinet that Teofi González, of The Kiyomi, transformed by adding a veneer cutout and gorgeous pastel hues. Trendy new legs complete the look.\r\n\r\nThe console on the left of Figure 4 appears perfectly worn and weathered. This stunning coastal look was achieved by painting it with multiple colors and layers, using salt wash for texture and then sanding it smooth.\r\n\r\nOn the right of Figure 4, you see a curvy, scalloped dresser that was completely transformed with a white, turquoise, teal, and deep blue ombre. The upcycler perfectly accented the piece with gold leaf to create a stunning geode design.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298394\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298394\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/upcycling-table-cabinet.jpg\" alt=\"Photos of a weathered console table and a reimagined cabinet made from a dresser\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" /> ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.<br />Figure 4: At left, a weathered console table by Michelle Dickson and Stephanie Hofer of Sunny Side Design. On the right, geode-design cabinet by Kate Anderson of KT Designs.[/caption]\r\n<h2 id=\"tab6\" >Eye-catching home decor</h2>\r\nHome decor is important because it sets the tone for your home. Style is completely subjective, and you can express yourself in unlimited ways.\r\n\r\nVinyl records will always have that cool factor. Unfortunately, they’re often scratched beyond use. Turning them into home decor is a great way to keep the music alive. The top left of Figure 5 shows a record turned into a bowl.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298400\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298400\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/upcycling-record-bowl-denim-bins.jpg\" alt=\"Photos showing upcycled items\" width=\"630\" height=\"840\" /> ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.<br />Figure 5: Record bowl by Judy Rom of Upcycle That (top left). Skate decks suspended by aircraft cables by Judy Rom of Upcycle That (bottom left). Denim home decor upcycles by Claire Armstrong of Pillar Box Blue (top and bottom right).[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe skateboard decks–turned–shelves shown in the bottom left of Figure 5 are ideal for a skater.\r\n\r\nDenim upcycles are classic. You can turn ripped jeans into multiple creative home furnishings, like those shown in the top right and bottom right in Figure 5.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab7\" >Lamps that light the way</h2>\r\nUpcycled lighting will really brighten up your life. There are lots of inventive ways to reimagine items into lights. Repurposing an item as a lamp shade for a pendant light is one of the most effective ways to create a light source.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">You can buy a pendant light cord from your local hardware store or online.</p>\r\nAt the top of Figure 6, Heinz Beanz cans have been turned into funky pendant lights by Willem Heeffer, a Dutch designer.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298401\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298401\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/upcycling-cans-suitcase-jar-light.jpg\" alt=\"Photos showing examples of upcycled items\" width=\"630\" height=\"1050\" /> ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.<br />Figure 6[/caption]\r\n\r\nIt’s also possible to make lamps out of electrical wire, light sockets, and a lamp switch wire and plug. The phone lamp in the middle left of Figure 6 was DIY-ed by Judy Rom and Bart Taylor with those items, a bit of imagination, and an old rotary phone.\r\n\r\nA Sputnik-style light on the middle right of Figure 6 is a modern take on upcycled lighting. Sputnik lamps have multiple arms that each have a bulb. This kind of fixture became popular in the Atomic Age (1940–1960s) when the first satellite orbited Earth. This stunning Sputnik chandelier with Depression glass used as shades was designed by Jeff Risinger and Mark Winn of BootsNGus.com.\r\n\r\nMultiple items look gorgeous grouped together as a chandelier. The bottom of Figure 6 features a stunning rainbow chandelier by Jeff Risinger and Mark Winn of BootsNGus.com made with painted mason jars. The center ring used here is made from solid wood. Additionally, the lids have been drilled to allow heat to escape so that the jars won’t overheat.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab8\" >Gorgeous garden upcycles</h2>\r\nYou won’t believe the extent of what you can upcycle into planters. The top left of Figure 7 shows an incredible TV-turned terrarium.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298402\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298402\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/upcycling-tv-terrarium-garden-markers.jpg\" alt=\"Photos showing examples of upcycled items\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" /> ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.<br />Figure 7[/caption]\r\n\r\nCovering plant pots with a burlap coffee bean bag is a delightful way to dress them up! The bottom left of Figure 7 shows the look.\r\n\r\nUpcycling is a fabulous way to embellish your garden. The right side of Figure 7 shows some lovely garden markers made with vintage silverware. The names of the herbs have been hand stamped onto each one. They’re positively delightful!\r\n<h2 id=\"tab9\" >Smart storage solutions</h2>\r\nThere are scads of ways to upcycle for organization. Crates are particularly practical. You can repurpose vintage fruit or wine crates to hold shoes, toys, books, towels — you name it!\r\n\r\nFigure 8 shows an example of how to stack and style crates in a foyer.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298403\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298403\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/upcycling-wooden-crates.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of wooden crates being used as shelves\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" /> ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.<br />Figure 8: Wooden crates are both functional and decorative[/caption]","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":35271,"name":"Judy Rom","slug":"judy-rom","description":" <p><b>Judy Rom</b> runs <i>Upcycle That</i>, a website dedicated to everything upcycling. Judy aims to inspire readers to reuse items to enable a more beautiful, sustainable, and rich lifestyle. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/35271"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33947,"title":"Decorating","slug":"decorating","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33947"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[{"label":"Upcycling vs. recycling","target":"#tab1"},{"label":"Discovering the benefits of upcycling","target":"#tab2"},{"label":"Starting with materials in hand","target":"#tab3"},{"label":"Working toward an end-use vision","target":"#tab4"},{"label":"Fun, yet functional furniture","target":"#tab5"},{"label":"Eye-catching home decor","target":"#tab6"},{"label":"Lamps that light the way","target":"#tab7"},{"label":"Gorgeous garden upcycles","target":"#tab8"},{"label":"Smart storage solutions","target":"#tab9"}],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":298443,"title":"Finding Furniture and Home Decor for Upcycling","slug":"finding-furniture-and-home-decor-for-upcycling","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/298443"}},{"articleId":298421,"title":"How to Restore and Repair Wood Furniture","slug":"restoring-basics-for-wood-and-antique-furniture","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/298421"}},{"articleId":298281,"title":"Upcycling Furniture & Home Decor For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"upcycling-furniture-home-decor-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/298281"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":298443,"title":"Finding Furniture and Home Decor for Upcycling","slug":"finding-furniture-and-home-decor-for-upcycling","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/298443"}},{"articleId":298421,"title":"How to Restore and Repair Wood Furniture","slug":"restoring-basics-for-wood-and-antique-furniture","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/298421"}},{"articleId":298281,"title":"Upcycling Furniture & Home Decor For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"upcycling-furniture-home-decor-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/298281"}},{"articleId":265474,"title":"Infusing Hygge Into Your Home","slug":"infusing-hygge-into-your-home","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/265474"}},{"articleId":208940,"title":"Home Decorating For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"home-decorating-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/208940"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":298187,"slug":"upcycling-furniture-and-home-decor-for-dummies","isbn":"9781394150021","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1394150024/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1394150024/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1394150024-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1394150024/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1394150024/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/upcycling-furniture-and-home-decor-for-dummies-cover-1394150024-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Upcycling Furniture & Home Decor For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":true,"authorsInfo":"<p><p><b><b data-author-id=\"35271\">Judy Rom</b></b> runs <i>Upcycle That</i>, a website dedicated to everything upcycling. Judy aims to inspire readers to reuse items to enable a more beautiful, sustainable, and rich lifestyle.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":35271,"name":"Judy Rom","slug":"judy-rom","description":" <p><b>Judy Rom</b> runs <i>Upcycle That</i>, a website dedicated to everything upcycling. Judy aims to inspire readers to reuse items to enable a more beautiful, sustainable, and rich lifestyle. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/35271"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;home-improvement-appliances&quot;,&quot;decorating&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781394150021&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6440568ec6c98\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;home-improvement-appliances&quot;,&quot;decorating&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781394150021&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6440568ec75b4\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Articles","articleList":null,"content":null,"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"Five years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2023-04-18T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":298389},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2023-04-19T19:56:12+00:00","modifiedTime":"2023-04-19T19:56:12+00:00","timestamp":"2023-04-19T21:01:02+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Home Improvement & Appliances","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33939"},"slug":"home-improvement-appliances","categoryId":33939},{"name":"Decorating","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33947"},"slug":"decorating","categoryId":33947}],"title":"Finding Furniture and Home Decor for Upcycling","strippedTitle":"finding furniture and home decor for upcycling","slug":"finding-furniture-and-home-decor-for-upcycling","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Learn where to find great furniture and other objects that you can upcycle into beautiful pieces for your home decor.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"When you’re ready to begin upcycling furniture and other items for home decor, your first step is finding materials. Luckily for you, your next great score is just around the corner. Literally. You might actually find it as you’re walking down the street! The world is seemingly chock-full of items that people no longer want. This is great news for opportunistic upcyclers ready to gather the goods.\r\n\r\nThere are several go-to places to explore when you’re looking for goodies. Here’s the lowdown on where to score the most prolific pieces and how to source like a professional.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >A thrilling adventure: Thrift stores</h2>\r\nThere’s so much opportunity to find gold at thrift stores. But there’s a bit of an art to thrift shopping.\r\n\r\nWhen you start thrift shopping it’s easy to become overwhelmed or buy things you don’t actually want. Here are some guidelines to make sure you can thrift shop with the best of them:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Focus on finding high-quality furniture and home decor made from wood, wicker, glass, and metal.</strong> These materials offer the best value and are the easiest to clean.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Be strategic about the neighborhood that you’re shopping in.</strong> Check out the thrift stores in older neighborhoods and wealthier neighborhoods for antique and vintage finds. Over time, you’ll discover which stores generally have the leading selection.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Shop at the most favorable times.</strong> To snag the choicest deals, shop when the merchandise is fresh. Mornings, Mondays, and Tuesdays are ideal because stores generally restock over the weekends.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Get clear on what you’re actually looking for.</strong> Being specific about what you’re after will keep you on track.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Shop frequently.</strong> Committing to thrift shopping means being persistent. If you’re on the hunt for something specific, devote time to visit at least weekly, and be prepared to leave empty-handed if you don’t find what you’re looking for.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Check out lesser-known thrift stores to scoop some goodies.</strong> The bigger chains like Salvation Army and Goodwill are often priced higher and are more picked over.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Find out when the sales are.</strong> Thrift stores offer discount days.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>If you see something you truly love, buy it.</strong> The nature of thrift stores is that inventory often flips. If a unique piece catches your heart, snag it. You never know when or if you’ll see it again.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p class=\":article-tips\">Thrift shopping while on road trips is a perfect time to find treasures. Smaller towns and rural places often have unique items and good deals.</p>\r\nThe photo below shows a couple of gems waiting to be discovered at a thrift shop.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298448\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298448\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/thrift-store-finds.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of old globe and lamp on a thrift store shelf\" width=\"630\" height=\"628\" /> ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.<br />Here are two thrift store beauties waiting to be found.[/caption]\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" >A 24/7 opportunity: Online marketplaces</h2>\r\nOnline marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and eBay are great for when you’re looking for a specific item. Another upside: they’re always open. Tailor your searches by using keywords like “mid-century modern” or “farmhouse,” and check frequently for the first-rate pieces. Items on here are constantly being added.\r\n<h3>Design styles</h3>\r\nWhen you’re reading online descriptions of marketplace items, you may see the following terms, which identify the item’s design style:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Mid-century modern:</strong> Simple and beautiful wooden furniture from the 1950s and ’60s with a focus on clean lines and curved designs. Teak, walnut, mahogany, and rosewood were predominantly used.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Farmhouse:</strong> Farmhouse style is rooted in the rustic and comfortable farmhouses of the 18<sup>th</sup> century. These items feature elements made of reclaimed wood that have been weathered or white washed.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nItems that are popular to buy and sell on online marketplaces include:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Large furniture:</strong> This category includes couches, tables, dressers, hutches, dining room sets, and outdoor furniture.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Small furniture:</strong> Think chairs, end tables, stools, and shelves.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Lamps and light fixtures</strong>: Pendant lights and chandeliers may be things you want to watch for.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Seasonal decor:</strong> Check early in the season for unique holiday decor.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Rugs:</strong> This is a reliable place to find secondhand and vintage rugs in great condition.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">Buying on Facebook Marketplace is safer than buying on other online marketplaces because you can see the profile of the seller. Meet in a public place or do a “porch pickup,” which means meeting in the lobby or outside the residence. If you can’t do that, bring a friend with you.</p>\r\nAct fast if you see an item that you like. Good deals are often scooped up within the hour. Also, use the bookmark icon (see the figure below) to save items that you like on Facebook Marketplace so that the service’s algorithm learns your taste and can recommend relevant items.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298447\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298447\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/facebook-marketplace-bookmark.jpg\" alt=\"Screenshot of Facebook Marketplace and the bookmark icon\" width=\"630\" height=\"328\" /> ©Facebook<br />Click the bookmark icon to save an item on Facebook Marketplace.[/caption]\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to searching online marketplaces, the words you use matter. The descriptors and keywords you search greatly affect what you find.\r\n\r\nHere are some keywords to search that will often deliver the literal goods:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Old:</strong> This is a good search word that often triggers undervalued vintage or antique items.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Must go:</strong> This is a surefire way to nab a great deal. Don’t hesitate to negotiate here.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Grandma’s/grandma/grandmother:</strong> This frequently indicates items in pristine condition.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Heavy or solid:</strong> This is the perfect way to reference real wood furniture.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Funky:</strong> This is a great descriptor for finding unique pieces.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIf you’re looking for specific items, try searching using a few different terms. For instance, a couch could also be called a sofa, loveseat, daybed, or sectional. Also, when it comes to keywords, the more specific you can be the better. Try searching by decade, material, style, color, and pattern.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">If you want a lower price, negotiate <em>before</em> you agree to buy the item. It always pays to be respectful when negotiating. A good tactic is to ask if the seller has any wiggle room on price. However, be mindful to avoid haggling when items are marked as “price firm.”</p>\r\nFacebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and eBay may be the most well-known online outlets, but they’re certainly not the only ones. Try checking out these other options: Kijiji, OfferUp, Nextdoor, Freecycle, and Facebook buy/sell and buy nothing groups.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab3\" >The weekend mission: Garage sales</h2>\r\nGarage sales are super fun to shop because the prices are generally low, and you truly never know what you’re going to find. That being said, they can sometimes be hit-or-miss. Here’s how to optimize your shopping experience.\r\n<h3>Timing is everything</h3>\r\nGarage sale season generally kicks off with spring cleaning and goes into the early fall. This is a weekend affair, with Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. being the most popular times.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to the best time of day to shop garage sales, keep these factors in mind:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>The early bird gets the worm.</strong> Go at the beginning of the day to score the best pieces, especially for larger items like furniture.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Midday is a good time to shop if it’s super hot or rainy.</strong> Vendors will be motivated to get out of the elements.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Don’t disregard the afternoon, though.</strong> The end of the day (around 2 p.m.) is prime for scoring crazy deals because sellers are willing to slash and burn prices to get rid of things.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Planning your attack</h3>\r\nWhen it comes to shopping garage sales, you can do it either organically or by researching in advance. To find the best sales spontaneously, take the scenic route by driving through suburban neighborhoods as opposed to traveling the highways.\r\n\r\nShop strategically. Websites like Garage Sale Tracker and Yard Sale Search enable you to see all the advertised sales in your area. Apps like Yard Sale Treasure Map pull in listings from Craigslist.\r\n\r\nThere are also a lot of local garage sale groups on Facebook. Posting in these groups regularly show images of items for sale, potentially with the option to pre-buy. Older folks (with vintage items) often advertise their garage sales in newspaper classifieds. With these tools, you can plan a route and hit multiple sales in a day.\r\n<h3>If you don’t look, you won’t know</h3>\r\nIt’s hard to know what’s available without checking. If you drive past a garage sale, and you have time, it’s worth taking a look to see what’s there. You might even hit the jackpot and run into a moving sale.\r\n\r\nWhen you arrive on the scene, do a loop to see what’s available. Large, well-made furniture will be snatched up first.\r\n<h3>Buying only what you truly want or love</h3>\r\nJust because something is cheap doesn’t mean it’s a good deal. If you’re not going to use an item or flip it, it’s a waste of money.\r\n\r\nMake a list of items you’re looking for and keep it on your phone. That way you’re less likely to get swept up buying things you don’t need.\r\n<h3>Scoring the lowest prices</h3>\r\nMost of the time, garage sale prices are negotiable. Here’s how to get the best deals:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Bundle items:</strong> Start a collection and offer a price for all of it or ask for a bundled discount. Sellers are motivated to sell as much as possible, so you can often get a deal on multiple items.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Form a connection:</strong> Ask about the history of the pieces and share your plans for them. People like to see their items go to a good home.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Haggle within reason:</strong> Lowballing can be seen as disrespectful. Offer a decent price (never less than 50 percent), and be prepared to negotiate up.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Cash is (still) king:</strong> Bring lots of small bills. Offering a price with cash in hand is a strong purchasing strategy.</li>\r\n</ul>","description":"When you’re ready to begin upcycling furniture and other items for home decor, your first step is finding materials. Luckily for you, your next great score is just around the corner. Literally. You might actually find it as you’re walking down the street! The world is seemingly chock-full of items that people no longer want. This is great news for opportunistic upcyclers ready to gather the goods.\r\n\r\nThere are several go-to places to explore when you’re looking for goodies. Here’s the lowdown on where to score the most prolific pieces and how to source like a professional.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >A thrilling adventure: Thrift stores</h2>\r\nThere’s so much opportunity to find gold at thrift stores. But there’s a bit of an art to thrift shopping.\r\n\r\nWhen you start thrift shopping it’s easy to become overwhelmed or buy things you don’t actually want. Here are some guidelines to make sure you can thrift shop with the best of them:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Focus on finding high-quality furniture and home decor made from wood, wicker, glass, and metal.</strong> These materials offer the best value and are the easiest to clean.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Be strategic about the neighborhood that you’re shopping in.</strong> Check out the thrift stores in older neighborhoods and wealthier neighborhoods for antique and vintage finds. Over time, you’ll discover which stores generally have the leading selection.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Shop at the most favorable times.</strong> To snag the choicest deals, shop when the merchandise is fresh. Mornings, Mondays, and Tuesdays are ideal because stores generally restock over the weekends.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Get clear on what you’re actually looking for.</strong> Being specific about what you’re after will keep you on track.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Shop frequently.</strong> Committing to thrift shopping means being persistent. If you’re on the hunt for something specific, devote time to visit at least weekly, and be prepared to leave empty-handed if you don’t find what you’re looking for.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Check out lesser-known thrift stores to scoop some goodies.</strong> The bigger chains like Salvation Army and Goodwill are often priced higher and are more picked over.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Find out when the sales are.</strong> Thrift stores offer discount days.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>If you see something you truly love, buy it.</strong> The nature of thrift stores is that inventory often flips. If a unique piece catches your heart, snag it. You never know when or if you’ll see it again.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p class=\":article-tips\">Thrift shopping while on road trips is a perfect time to find treasures. Smaller towns and rural places often have unique items and good deals.</p>\r\nThe photo below shows a couple of gems waiting to be discovered at a thrift shop.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298448\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298448\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/thrift-store-finds.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of old globe and lamp on a thrift store shelf\" width=\"630\" height=\"628\" /> ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc.<br />Here are two thrift store beauties waiting to be found.[/caption]\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" >A 24/7 opportunity: Online marketplaces</h2>\r\nOnline marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and eBay are great for when you’re looking for a specific item. Another upside: they’re always open. Tailor your searches by using keywords like “mid-century modern” or “farmhouse,” and check frequently for the first-rate pieces. Items on here are constantly being added.\r\n<h3>Design styles</h3>\r\nWhen you’re reading online descriptions of marketplace items, you may see the following terms, which identify the item’s design style:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Mid-century modern:</strong> Simple and beautiful wooden furniture from the 1950s and ’60s with a focus on clean lines and curved designs. Teak, walnut, mahogany, and rosewood were predominantly used.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Farmhouse:</strong> Farmhouse style is rooted in the rustic and comfortable farmhouses of the 18<sup>th</sup> century. These items feature elements made of reclaimed wood that have been weathered or white washed.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nItems that are popular to buy and sell on online marketplaces include:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Large furniture:</strong> This category includes couches, tables, dressers, hutches, dining room sets, and outdoor furniture.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Small furniture:</strong> Think chairs, end tables, stools, and shelves.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Lamps and light fixtures</strong>: Pendant lights and chandeliers may be things you want to watch for.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Seasonal decor:</strong> Check early in the season for unique holiday decor.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Rugs:</strong> This is a reliable place to find secondhand and vintage rugs in great condition.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">Buying on Facebook Marketplace is safer than buying on other online marketplaces because you can see the profile of the seller. Meet in a public place or do a “porch pickup,” which means meeting in the lobby or outside the residence. If you can’t do that, bring a friend with you.</p>\r\nAct fast if you see an item that you like. Good deals are often scooped up within the hour. Also, use the bookmark icon (see the figure below) to save items that you like on Facebook Marketplace so that the service’s algorithm learns your taste and can recommend relevant items.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_298447\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-298447\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/facebook-marketplace-bookmark.jpg\" alt=\"Screenshot of Facebook Marketplace and the bookmark icon\" width=\"630\" height=\"328\" /> ©Facebook<br />Click the bookmark icon to save an item on Facebook Marketplace.[/caption]\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to searching online marketplaces, the words you use matter. The descriptors and keywords you search greatly affect what you find.\r\n\r\nHere are some keywords to search that will often deliver the literal goods:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Old:</strong> This is a good search word that often triggers undervalued vintage or antique items.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Must go:</strong> This is a surefire way to nab a great deal. Don’t hesitate to negotiate here.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Grandma’s/grandma/grandmother:</strong> This frequently indicates items in pristine condition.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Heavy or solid:</strong> This is the perfect way to reference real wood furniture.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Funky:</strong> This is a great descriptor for finding unique pieces.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIf you’re looking for specific items, try searching using a few different terms. For instance, a couch could also be called a sofa, loveseat, daybed, or sectional. Also, when it comes to keywords, the more specific you can be the better. Try searching by decade, material, style, color, and pattern.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">If you want a lower price, negotiate <em>before</em> you agree to buy the item. It always pays to be respectful when negotiating. A good tactic is to ask if the seller has any wiggle room on price. However, be mindful to avoid haggling when items are marked as “price firm.”</p>\r\nFacebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and eBay may be the most well-known online outlets, but they’re certainly not the only ones. Try checking out these other options: Kijiji, OfferUp, Nextdoor, Freecycle, and Facebook buy/sell and buy nothing groups.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab3\" >The weekend mission: Garage sales</h2>\r\nGarage sales are super fun to shop because the prices are generally low, and you truly never know what you’re going to find. That being said, they can sometimes be hit-or-miss. Here’s how to optimize your shopping experience.\r\n<h3>Timing is everything</h3>\r\nGarage sale season generally kicks off with spring cleaning and goes into the early fall. This is a weekend affair, with Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. being the most popular times.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to the best time of day to shop garage sales, keep these factors in mind:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>The early bird gets the worm.</strong> Go at the beginning of the day to score the best pieces, especially for larger items like furniture.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Midday is a good time to shop if it’s super hot or rainy.</strong> Vendors will be motivated to get out of the elements.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Don’t disregard the afternoon, though.</strong> The end of the day (around 2 p.m.) is prime for scoring crazy deals because sellers are willing to slash and burn prices to get rid of things.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Planning your attack</h3>\r\nWhen it comes to shopping garage sales, you can do it either organically or by researching in advance. To find the best sales spontaneously, take the scenic route by driving through suburban neighborhoods as opposed to traveling the highways.\r\n\r\nShop strategically. Websites like Garage Sale Tracker and Yard Sale Search enable you to see all the advertised sales in your area. Apps like Yard Sale Treasure Map pull in listings from Craigslist.\r\n\r\nThere are also a lot of local garage sale groups on Facebook. Posting in these groups regularly show images of items for sale, potentially with the option to pre-buy. Older folks (with vintage items) often advertise their garage sales in newspaper classifieds. With these tools, you can plan a route and hit multiple sales in a day.\r\n<h3>If you don’t look, you won’t know</h3>\r\nIt’s hard to know what’s available without checking. If you drive past a garage sale, and you have time, it’s worth taking a look to see what’s there. You might even hit the jackpot and run into a moving sale.\r\n\r\nWhen you arrive on the scene, do a loop to see what’s available. Large, well-made furniture will be snatched up first.\r\n<h3>Buying only what you truly want or love</h3>\r\nJust because something is cheap doesn’t mean it’s a good deal. If you’re not going to use an item or flip it, it’s a waste of money.\r\n\r\nMake a list of items you’re looking for and keep it on your phone. That way you’re less likely to get swept up buying things you don’t need.\r\n<h3>Scoring the lowest prices</h3>\r\nMost of the time, garage sale prices are negotiable. Here’s how to get the best deals:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Bundle items:</strong> Start a collection and offer a price for all of it or ask for a bundled discount. Sellers are motivated to sell as much as possible, so you can often get a deal on multiple items.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Form a connection:</strong> Ask about the history of the pieces and share your plans for them. People like to see their items go to a good home.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Haggle within reason:</strong> Lowballing can be seen as disrespectful. Offer a decent price (never less than 50 percent), and be prepared to negotiate up.</li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Cash is (still) king:</strong> Bring lots of small bills. Offering a price with cash in hand is a strong purchasing strategy.</li>\r\n</ul>","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":35271,"name":"Judy Rom","slug":"judy-rom","description":" <p><b>Judy Rom</b> runs <i>Upcycle That</i>, a website dedicated to everything upcycling. Judy aims to inspire readers to reuse items to enable a more beautiful, sustainable, and rich lifestyle. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/35271"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33947,"title":"Decorating","slug":"decorating","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33947"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[{"label":"A thrilling adventure: Thrift stores","target":"#tab1"},{"label":"A 24/7 opportunity: Online marketplaces","target":"#tab2"},{"label":"The weekend mission: Garage sales","target":"#tab3"}],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":298421,"title":"How to Restore and Repair Wood Furniture","slug":"restoring-basics-for-wood-and-antique-furniture","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/298421"}},{"articleId":298389,"title":"Inspiration for Upcycling Furniture and Home Decor","slug":"whats-the-difference-between-upcycling-and-recycling","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/298389"}},{"articleId":298281,"title":"Upcycling Furniture & Home Decor For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"upcycling-furniture-home-decor-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/298281"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":298421,"title":"How to Restore and Repair Wood Furniture","slug":"restoring-basics-for-wood-and-antique-furniture","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/298421"}},{"articleId":298389,"title":"Inspiration for Upcycling Furniture and Home Decor","slug":"whats-the-difference-between-upcycling-and-recycling","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/298389"}},{"articleId":298281,"title":"Upcycling Furniture & Home Decor For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"upcycling-furniture-home-decor-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/298281"}},{"articleId":265474,"title":"Infusing Hygge Into Your Home","slug":"infusing-hygge-into-your-home","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/265474"}},{"articleId":208940,"title":"Home Decorating For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"home-decorating-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/208940"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":298187,"slug":"upcycling-furniture-and-home-decor-for-dummies","isbn":"9781394150021","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1394150024/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1394150024/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1394150024-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1394150024/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1394150024/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/upcycling-furniture-and-home-decor-for-dummies-cover-1394150024-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Upcycling Furniture & Home Decor For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":true,"authorsInfo":"<p><p><b><b data-author-id=\"35271\">Judy Rom</b></b> runs <i>Upcycle That</i>, a website dedicated to everything upcycling. Judy aims to inspire readers to reuse items to enable a more beautiful, sustainable, and rich lifestyle.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":35271,"name":"Judy Rom","slug":"judy-rom","description":" <p><b>Judy Rom</b> runs <i>Upcycle That</i>, a website dedicated to everything upcycling. Judy aims to inspire readers to reuse items to enable a more beautiful, sustainable, and rich lifestyle. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/35271"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;home-improvement-appliances&quot;,&quot;decorating&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781394150021&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6440568ebc785\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;home-improvement-appliances&quot;,&quot;decorating&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781394150021&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6440568ebd863\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Articles","articleList":null,"content":null,"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"Five years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2023-04-19T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":298443},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T11:53:35+00:00","modifiedTime":"2023-04-18T21:13:12+00:00","timestamp":"2023-04-19T00:01:03+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Home Improvement & Appliances","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33939"},"slug":"home-improvement-appliances","categoryId":33939},{"name":"General Home Improvement & Appliances","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33961"},"slug":"general-home-improvement-appliances","categoryId":33961}],"title":"How To Fix Wallpaper Bubbles","strippedTitle":"how to fix wallpaper bubbles","slug":"how-to-fix-wallpaper-bubbles-caused-by-excess-adhesive","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Learn how to fix those pesky bubble spots in your wallpaper using these easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Fixing wallpaper bubbles or bumps is a simple, five-minute process. Knowing how to fix wallpaper bubbles and bumps prevents further damage like tears or rips.\r\n\r\nWallpaper bubbles occur when a glob of wallpaper paste wasn’t smoothed out when the paper was hung or when a weak bond between the wallpaper and wall causes the wallpaper to lift.\r\n\r\nTo fix a bump caused by excess adhesive, you'll need a damp sponge, a utility knife, a syringe, seam roller, tweezers, and glue.","description":"Fixing wallpaper bubbles or bumps is a simple, five-minute process. Knowing how to fix wallpaper bubbles and bumps prevents further damage like tears or rips.\r\n\r\nWallpaper bubbles occur when a glob of wallpaper paste wasn’t smoothed out when the paper was hung or when a weak bond between the wallpaper and wall causes the wallpaper to lift.\r\n\r\nTo fix a bump caused by excess adhesive, you'll need a damp sponge, a utility knife, a syringe, seam roller, tweezers, and glue.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":9214,"name":"Gary Hedstrom","slug":"gary-hedstrom","description":" <p><b>Gary</b> and <b>Peg Hedstrom</b> are self&#45;taught repair masters with experience in carpentry, plumbing, appliance repair, and more. <b>Judy Ondrla Tremore</b> is a writer and editor for various newspapers and magazines. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9214"}},{"authorId":9215,"name":"Peg Hedstrom","slug":"peg-hedstrom","description":" <p><b>Gary</b> and <b>Peg Hedstrom</b> are self&#45;taught repair masters with experience in carpentry, plumbing, appliance repair, and more. <b>Judy Ondrla Tremore</b> is a writer and editor for various newspapers and magazines. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9215"}},{"authorId":9216,"name":"Judy Ondrla Tremore","slug":"judy-ondrla-tremore","description":" <p><b>Gary</b> and <b>Peg Hedstrom</b> are self&#45;taught repair masters with experience in carpentry, plumbing, appliance repair, and more. <b>Judy Ondrla Tremore</b> is a writer and editor for various newspapers and magazines. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9216"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33961,"title":"General Home Improvement & Appliances","slug":"general-home-improvement-appliances","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33961"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":209416,"title":"How to Fix Everything For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"how-to-fix-everything-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","general-home-improvement-appliances"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/209416"}},{"articleId":206815,"title":"How to Fix a Squeaky Floor That’s Carpeted","slug":"how-to-fix-a-squeaky-floor-thats-carpeted","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","general-home-improvement-appliances"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/206815"}},{"articleId":206814,"title":"How to Fix Loose Ceramic Floor Tiles","slug":"how-to-fix-loose-ceramic-floor-tiles","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","general-home-improvement-appliances"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/206814"}},{"articleId":206813,"title":"How to Fix Ripped or Torn Carpet","slug":"how-to-fix-ripped-or-torn-carpet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","general-home-improvement-appliances"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/206813"}},{"articleId":206811,"title":"How to Patch Mortar on Brick 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Here are just a few:</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Upcycling is beneficial for the planet.</strong> Repurposing and reusing items reduces the amount of garbage that ends up in the landfill.</li>\n<li><strong>It’s fun to be creative.</strong> Upcycling gives you a chance to express your creativity as you reimagine an item’s look and purpose.</li>\n<li><strong>You can make money with upcycling.</strong> Upcycling is a creative outlet that you can monetize.</li>\n<li><strong>Crafting your own bespoke furniture</strong> <strong>and home decor</strong> <strong>can be incredibly satisfying. </strong>Being able to proudly say, “I made that” feels wonderful.</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Finding upcycling inspiration","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>You can upcycle many amazing items. 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You can find materials in any of these places:</li>\n<li><strong>Thrift stores:</strong> Thrift stores are jam-packed with hidden gems.</li>\n<li><strong>Online marketplaces:</strong> Online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace are great for when you’re looking for a specific item.</li>\n<li><strong>Garage sales:</strong> Prices are typically low, and you never know what you’re going to find.</li>\n<li><strong>Estate sales:</strong> These are an incredible place to score high-quality vintage and antique pieces.</li>\n<li><strong>Friends and family:</strong> You can’t beat free! Ask around; you’ll be amazed at what people want to gift you.</li>\n<li><strong>Reuse stores:</strong> Scoop great prices on household items and building materials.</li>\n<li><strong>On the street:</strong> Sometimes you can find unexpected and awesome scores. Be sure to check thoroughly for bugs before bringing anything home.</li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Looking for potential</h3>\n<p>When you’re seeking pieces to upcycle, you need to know what to look for. Watch for the following characteristics:</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Solid structure:</strong> “Good bones” (a well-built and sturdy frame) and dovetail joints indicate a good find.</li>\n<li><strong>Real wood furniture:</strong> Solid wood tables, chairs, and dressers are highly functional.</li>\n<li><strong>Beautiful items:</strong> Vintage is valuable, and premium items like glassware, earthenware, mirrors, and lighting are just stunning!</li>\n<li><strong>Quick flippers:</strong> Items in good condition that only require minimal updates are real finds for monetizing.</li>\n<li><strong>Inspired repurposing:</strong> Keep your eyes peeled for unique objects that would be great for a new use.</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Upcycling techniques","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>You can upcycle in any of the following ways:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Clean, sand, prime, and paint your way to a whole new look.</li>\n<li>Add rustic charm and patina by distressing a piece.</li>\n<li>Restore and refinish vintage furniture.</li>\n<li>Reimagine the purpose of the item altogether, like turning teacups into soy wax candles.</li>\n</ul>\n<div class=\"figure-container\"><figure id=\"attachment_298282\" aria-labelledby=\"figcaption_attachment_298282\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"width: 405px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-298282\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/upcycling-books-candles-decor.jpg\" alt=\"Photo showing tea cups that have been upcycled into candles, sitting atop two old books.\" width=\"395\" height=\"400\" /><figcaption id=\"figcaption_attachment_298282\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">©Judy Rom<br />Repurposing teacups is a practical and lovely way to make your own candles.</figcaption></figure></div><div class=\"clearfix\"></div>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"Five years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2023-04-12T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":298281},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:55:56+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-11-29T19:16:05+00:00","timestamp":"2022-11-29T21:01:02+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Home Improvement & Appliances","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33939"},"slug":"home-improvement-appliances","categoryId":33939},{"name":"Decorating","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33947"},"slug":"decorating","categoryId":33947}],"title":"Home Decorating For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"home decorating for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"home-decorating-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Learn the tools you'll need to work on your home decorating project, some quick-start tips, how to use pattern, texture, and color, and more.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Home decorating draws on your creative side, as well as your inner engineer. Whether you dabble in home decorating or make it a career, you get to play with color, texture, and pattern, in addition to tape measures, graph paper, and paint. Finding the furniture you want is important, and so is doing the planning that makes your decorating a delight.","description":"Home decorating draws on your creative side, as well as your inner engineer. Whether you dabble in home decorating or make it a career, you get to play with color, texture, and pattern, in addition to tape measures, graph paper, and paint. Finding the furniture you want is important, and so is doing the planning that makes your decorating a delight.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":9243,"name":"Katharine Kaye McMillan","slug":"katharine-kaye-mcmillan","description":" <b>Katharine Kaye McMillan,</b> former senior editor of a New York City-based national magazine, is a writer whose work appears regularly in magazines and newspapers. She is a contributing writer to internationally circulated <i>Florida Design Magazine.</i> She is the co-author of several books on decorating and design, including <i>Sun Country Style,</i> which is the basis for licensed signature collections of furniture and accessories by three leading American manufacturers and importers. A graduate of the University of Texas in Austin, she holds a masters degree in psychology and is a doctoral student in psychology at Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida. <p><b>Patricia Hart McMillan</b> is a nationally known interior designer, whose interior design work for private clients, designer showcases, and corporations has appeared in publications worldwide, including the <i>New York Times</i> and <i>USA Today.</i> Known as a trend spotter and for clearly articulated views on design, she is quoted frequently and extensively in both trade and consumer publications. She a ppears on TV and talk radio. A prolific writer, she is coauthor and author of seven books on interior design and decoration, with Sun Country Style signature collections of furniture based on two books. She has taught decorating courses at several colleges and conducted numerous seminars across the U.S. She is decorating editor for <i>Christian Woman Magazine</i> and reports on design trends for <i>The Sun-Sentinel,</i> a Tribune newspaper based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She has been editor-in-chief of two publications and was head of a New York City-based public relations firm representing some of the most prestigious names in home furnishing and building products. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, with a minor in art history (with an emphasis in architecture), from the State University of New York (New Paltz). She was awarded a certificate from The New York School of Interior Design.</p>","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9243"}},{"authorId":9244,"name":"Patricia Hart McMillan","slug":"patricia-hart-mcmillan","description":" <b>Katharine Kaye McMillan,</b> former senior editor of a New York City-based national magazine, is a writer whose work appears regularly in magazines and newspapers. She is a contributing writer to internationally circulated <i>Florida Design Magazine.</i> She is the co-author of several books on decorating and design, including <i>Sun Country Style,</i> which is the basis for licensed signature collections of furniture and accessories by three leading American manufacturers and importers. A graduate of the University of Texas in Austin, she holds a masters degree in psychology and is a doctoral student in psychology at Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida. <p><b>Patricia Hart McMillan</b> is a nationally known interior designer, whose interior design work for private clients, designer showcases, and corporations has appeared in publications worldwide, including the <i>New York Times</i> and <i>USA Today.</i> Known as a trend spotter and for clearly articulated views on design, she is quoted frequently and extensively in both trade and consumer publications. She a ppears on TV and talk radio. A prolific writer, she is coauthor and author of seven books on interior design and decoration, with Sun Country Style signature collections of furniture based on two books. She has taught decorating courses at several colleges and conducted numerous seminars across the U.S. She is decorating editor for <i>Christian Woman Magazine</i> and reports on design trends for <i>The Sun-Sentinel,</i> a Tribune newspaper based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She has been editor-in-chief of two publications and was head of a New York City-based public relations firm representing some of the most prestigious names in home furnishing and building products. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, with a minor in art history (with an emphasis in architecture), from the State University of New York (New Paltz). She was awarded a certificate from The New York School of Interior Design.</p>","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9244"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33947,"title":"Decorating","slug":"decorating","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33947"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":201710,"title":"How to Update Your Kitchen Cabinets","slug":"how-to-update-your-kitchen-cabinets","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/201710"}},{"articleId":201709,"title":"How to Use Color to Change a Room","slug":"how-to-use-color-to-change-a-room","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/201709"}},{"articleId":201702,"title":"How to Update Old Tile","slug":"how-to-update-old-tile","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/201702"}},{"articleId":201701,"title":"How to Choose Furniture for a Large Room","slug":"how-to-choose-furniture-for-a-large-room","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/201701"}},{"articleId":201700,"title":"How to Deal with Multiple Focal Points in a Room","slug":"how-to-deal-with-multiple-focal-points-in-a-room","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/201700"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":265474,"title":"Infusing Hygge Into Your Home","slug":"infusing-hygge-into-your-home","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/265474"}},{"articleId":208822,"title":"Feng Shui For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"feng-shui-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/208822"}},{"articleId":201710,"title":"How to Update Your Kitchen Cabinets","slug":"how-to-update-your-kitchen-cabinets","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/201710"}},{"articleId":201709,"title":"How to Use Color to Change a Room","slug":"how-to-use-color-to-change-a-room","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/201709"}},{"articleId":201701,"title":"How to Choose Furniture for a Large Room","slug":"how-to-choose-furniture-for-a-large-room","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/201701"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282278,"slug":"home-decorating-for-dummies-2nd-edition","isbn":"9781119910756","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119910757/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119910757/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119910757-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119910757/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119910757/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/home-decorating-for-dummies-3rd-edition-cover-9781119910756-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Home Decorating For Dummies, 3rd Edition","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":true,"authorsInfo":"<p><b><b data-author-id=\"9243\">Katharine Kaye McMillan</b>,</b> former senior editor of a New York City-based national magazine, is a writer whose work appears regularly in magazines and newspapers. She is a contributing writer to internationally circulated <i>Florida Design Magazine.</i> She is the co-author of several books on decorating and design, including <i>Sun Country Style,</i> which is the basis for licensed signature collections of furniture and accessories by three leading American manufacturers and importers. A graduate of the University of Texas in Austin, she holds a masters degree in psychology and is a doctoral student in psychology at Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida. <p><b>Patricia Hart McMillan</b> is a nationally known interior designer, whose interior design work for private clients, designer showcases, and corporations has appeared in publications worldwide, including the <i>New York Times</i> and <i>USA Today.</i> Known as a trend spotter and for clearly articulated views on design, she is quoted frequently and extensively in both trade and consumer publications. She a ppears on TV and talk radio. A prolific writer, she is coauthor and author of seven books on interior design and decoration, with Sun Country Style signature collections of furniture based on two books. She has taught decorating courses at several colleges and conducted numerous seminars across the U.S. She is decorating editor for <i>Christian Woman Magazine</i> and reports on design trends for <i>The Sun-Sentinel,</i> a Tribune newspaper based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She has been editor-in-chief of two publications and was head of a New York City-based public relations firm representing some of the most prestigious names in home furnishing and building products. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, with a minor in art history (with an emphasis in architecture), from the State University of New York (New Paltz). She was awarded a certificate from The New York School of Interior Design.</p> <b>Katharine Kaye McMillan,</b> former senior editor of a New York City-based national magazine, is a writer whose work appears regularly in magazines and newspapers. She is a contributing writer to internationally circulated <i>Florida Design Magazine.</i> She is the co-author of several books on decorating and design, including <i>Sun Country Style,</i> which is the basis for licensed signature collections of furniture and accessories by three leading American manufacturers and importers. A graduate of the University of Texas in Austin, she holds a masters degree in psychology and is a doctoral student in psychology at Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida. <p><b><b data-author-id=\"9244\">Patricia Hart McMillan</b></b> is a nationally known interior designer, whose interior design work for private clients, designer showcases, and corporations has appeared in publications worldwide, including the <i>New York Times</i> and <i>USA Today.</i> Known as a trend spotter and for clearly articulated views on design, she is quoted frequently and extensively in both trade and consumer publications. She a ppears on TV and talk radio. A prolific writer, she is coauthor and author of seven books on interior design and decoration, with Sun Country Style signature collections of furniture based on two books. She has taught decorating courses at several colleges and conducted numerous seminars across the U.S. She is decorating editor for <i>Christian Woman Magazine</i> and reports on design trends for <i>The Sun-Sentinel,</i> a Tribune newspaper based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She has been editor-in-chief of two publications and was head of a New York City-based public relations firm representing some of the most prestigious names in home furnishing and building products. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, with a minor in art history (with an emphasis in architecture), from the State University of New York (New Paltz). She was awarded a certificate from The New York School of Interior Design.</p></p>","authors":[{"authorId":9243,"name":"Katharine Kaye McMillan","slug":"katharine-kaye-mcmillan","description":" <b>Katharine Kaye McMillan,</b> former senior editor of a New York City-based national magazine, is a writer whose work appears regularly in magazines and newspapers. She is a contributing writer to internationally circulated <i>Florida Design Magazine.</i> She is the co-author of several books on decorating and design, including <i>Sun Country Style,</i> which is the basis for licensed signature collections of furniture and accessories by three leading American manufacturers and importers. A graduate of the University of Texas in Austin, she holds a masters degree in psychology and is a doctoral student in psychology at Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida. <p><b>Patricia Hart McMillan</b> is a nationally known interior designer, whose interior design work for private clients, designer showcases, and corporations has appeared in publications worldwide, including the <i>New York Times</i> and <i>USA Today.</i> Known as a trend spotter and for clearly articulated views on design, she is quoted frequently and extensively in both trade and consumer publications. She a ppears on TV and talk radio. A prolific writer, she is coauthor and author of seven books on interior design and decoration, with Sun Country Style signature collections of furniture based on two books. She has taught decorating courses at several colleges and conducted numerous seminars across the U.S. She is decorating editor for <i>Christian Woman Magazine</i> and reports on design trends for <i>The Sun-Sentinel,</i> a Tribune newspaper based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She has been editor-in-chief of two publications and was head of a New York City-based public relations firm representing some of the most prestigious names in home furnishing and building products. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, with a minor in art history (with an emphasis in architecture), from the State University of New York (New Paltz). She was awarded a certificate from The New York School of Interior Design.</p>","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9243"}},{"authorId":9244,"name":"Patricia Hart McMillan","slug":"patricia-hart-mcmillan","description":" <b>Katharine Kaye McMillan,</b> former senior editor of a New York City-based national magazine, is a writer whose work appears regularly in magazines and newspapers. She is a contributing writer to internationally circulated <i>Florida Design Magazine.</i> She is the co-author of several books on decorating and design, including <i>Sun Country Style,</i> which is the basis for licensed signature collections of furniture and accessories by three leading American manufacturers and importers. A graduate of the University of Texas in Austin, she holds a masters degree in psychology and is a doctoral student in psychology at Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida. <p><b>Patricia Hart McMillan</b> is a nationally known interior designer, whose interior design work for private clients, designer showcases, and corporations has appeared in publications worldwide, including the <i>New York Times</i> and <i>USA Today.</i> Known as a trend spotter and for clearly articulated views on design, she is quoted frequently and extensively in both trade and consumer publications. She a ppears on TV and talk radio. A prolific writer, she is coauthor and author of seven books on interior design and decoration, with Sun Country Style signature collections of furniture based on two books. She has taught decorating courses at several colleges and conducted numerous seminars across the U.S. She is decorating editor for <i>Christian Woman Magazine</i> and reports on design trends for <i>The Sun-Sentinel,</i> a Tribune newspaper based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She has been editor-in-chief of two publications and was head of a New York City-based public relations firm representing some of the most prestigious names in home furnishing and building products. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, with a minor in art history (with an emphasis in architecture), from the State University of New York (New Paltz). She was awarded a certificate from The New York School of Interior Design.</p>","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9244"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;home-improvement-appliances&quot;,&quot;decorating&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119910756&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6386730edfe67\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;home-improvement-appliances&quot;,&quot;decorating&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119910756&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6386730ee06db\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":191932,"title":"What's in a Home Decorator's Bag of Tricks?","slug":"whats-in-a-home-decorators-bag-of-tricks","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/191932"}},{"articleId":191940,"title":"Quick-Start Home Decorating Tips","slug":"quick-start-home-decorating-tips","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/191940"}},{"articleId":191938,"title":"Furniture Facts for Home Decorating","slug":"furniture-facts-for-home-decorating","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/191938"}},{"articleId":191937,"title":"Handy Measurements for Home Decorating","slug":"handy-measurements-for-home-decorating","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/191937"}},{"articleId":191943,"title":"Using Color, Pattern, and Texture in Home Decorating","slug":"using-color-pattern-and-texture-in-home-decorating","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","decorating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/191943"}}],"content":[{"title":"Tools every home decorator needs","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Pack a portable carry-all filled with all the must-haves:</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Claw</strong> <strong>hammer:</strong> Pick a size that fits comfortably in your handgrip.</li>\n<li><strong>Fusible hem tape:</strong> This tape, available at grocery stores and online, creates iron-on, no-sew seams.</li>\n<li><strong>Glue gun:</strong> Use a glue gun for a variety of decorating and crafts projects.</li>\n<li><strong>Laser level:</strong> This tool is a must to ensure level hanging of anything on walls.</li>\n<li><strong>Nail kit:</strong> Look for a set that includes a variety of sizes of nails for various jobs. Make your own kit with fine nails, long nails, short nails, and finishing nails.</li>\n<li><strong>Notebook:</strong> Pick one with unlined sheets for sketching/notetaking that fits inside your tool kit.</li>\n<li><strong>Picture hangers:</strong> Buy a kit to make hanging art easy.</li>\n<li><strong>Pins:</strong> Keep straight pins and safety pins on hand for draping and shaping.</li>\n<li><strong>Plate hangers:</strong> Pick up sizes for both small and large hangers.</li>\n<li><strong>Screwdrivers:</strong> Pick a pack with slotted, Phillips, hex, and other types of screwdrivers in various sizes from tiny to large and short to long.</li>\n<li><strong>Screws and fasteners:</strong> Choose a variety pack of styles and sizes with anchors.</li>\n<li><strong>T</strong><strong>ape measure:</strong> A 25-foot retractable steel tape works best.</li>\n<li><strong>Tool kit:</strong> Use a tackle box, bucket, or basket for storing your gear.</li>\n<li><strong>Velcro:</strong> This comes in handy for making easy-to-remove items.</li>\n<li><strong>Wire:</strong> Use wire for hanging, fixing, and holding things.</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Quick-start home decorating tips","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Jump-start your decorating process with the following tips:</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Fix your budget. </strong>Spend no more than what you have.</li>\n<li><strong>Formulate an action plan. </strong>Establish goals. Set priorities. Decide what gets done in what order. Document your program in a journal or app.</li>\n<li><strong>Scope out the job.</strong> Create a floor plan using an app or pencil and graph paper.</li>\n<li><strong>Discover your personal style.</strong> Eliminate confusion by steering yourself toward the best choices for your look.</li>\n<li><strong>Shop with confidence. </strong>Pick stores that stock a large selection for quick delivery or carrying home. Surf the web for prices and products from the comfort of home.</li>\n<li><strong>Do first things first.</strong> Perform carpentry and wiring first. Decorate ceilings, walls, and floors next. Last, bring in furniture, rugs, and accessories.</li>\n<li><strong>Prioritize purchases: </strong>Get functional pieces to make the room usable first. Add refinements such as lighting and rugs next, to make the space livable and lively.</li>\n<li><strong>Spice up your decor with accessories galore</strong>. Accessories make your room stylish and professional-looking. Take your time to find the right art, decorative art, or statement-makers for your space.</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Furniture facts","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Knowing the following lingo will help you find the perfect piece of furniture for your space:</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>To the trade: </strong>Furnishings and decorations available only to professional decorators or interior designers.</li>\n<li><strong>Fully-assembled:</strong> Preassembled or no-assembly furniture ready to use right out of the crate.</li>\n<li><strong>Ready-to-assemble</strong> <strong>(RTA): </strong>Also known as knock-down (KD), this type of furniture comes unassembled in flat boxes and must be put together by the buyer (hence, the lower cost than fully assembled furniture).</li>\n<li><strong>Case goods:</strong> Pieces of furniture that provide storage such as cabinets or bookcases; any furniture that has no upholstery such as tables and chairs.</li>\n<li><strong>Upholstered furniture: </strong>Any piece of furniture intended for sitting, resting, or reclining and consisting of resilient cushioning covered with fabric or material in whole or part, such as sofas and lounge chairs.</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Handy measurements for home decorating","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Get it right the first time by using accurate formulas to calculate how much of what you need in your space:</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Area:</strong> Find your room’s square footage by multiplying the room’s length by its width. (Multiply by wall height for cubic area.) Knowing the area is handy for estimating quantities and prices.</li>\n<li><strong>Tiling:</strong> Figure the amount of tile you need by dividing the width of the floor by the width of the tile (horizontal row) and the length of the floor by the height of the tile (vertical row). Buy up to 10 percent more tiles to allow for breakage and error.</li>\n<li><strong>Ceiling paint:</strong> Multiply the ceiling’s length by its width (usually the same as the floor measurements), divide by 350 (the estimated square footage covered by 1 gallon of paint) to figure out how many gallons to buy.</li>\n<li><strong>Wall paint:</strong> Find the paintable wall area by adding the areas of the ceiling and walls. Divide this figure by 350 or the spreading rate (located on the can). Double the amount of paint for a second coat for dark colors). Add 25 percent to 50 percent more paint for porous surfaces.</li>\n<li><strong>Walk-around space:</strong> Leave 4 to 5 feet of clear walking space for traffic flow through rooms. Allow about 2 to 5 feet between chairs and sofas in seating groups. Add up to 1 foot around your bed for bed-dressing and sheet changing.</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Using pattern, texture, and color","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Pattern, texture, and color are the stylistic building blocks of your home decorating palette. Use these three elements to create the style, mood, and feel of each room in your home.</p>\n<h3>Playing with pattern</h3>\n<p>Add instant personal style by following these pattern rules:</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Pattern contrast rule:</strong> Mix checks or stripes with florals. Pit large-scaled patterns against small-scaled patterns.</li>\n<li><strong>Three pattern rule:</strong> Use three different patterns that contrast in scale or design but relate in color to be on the safe side.</li>\n<li><strong>Five pattern rule:</strong> Confidently mix up one large-scaled pattern (any type) with one medium-scaled floral, one geometric, and two small-scaled accent patterns (floral, geometric, stipe, or check), all using the same colors.</li>\n<li><strong>All-over pattern rule:</strong> Put the same pattern on the walls, windows, and furnishings for a strong design statement.</li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Toying with texture</h3>\n<p>Play up your personal style with the right texture:</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Minimize texture rule:</strong> Go with smooth and shiny textures for traditional styles.</li>\n<li><strong>Optimize texture rule:</strong> Use nubby and natural texture in accents/accessories to warm up contemporary styles.</li>\n<li><strong>Maximize </strong><strong>texture rule:</strong> Employ texture and contrasting textures to add impact to neutral and monochromatic color schemes.</li>\n<li><strong>Strategize texture rule:</strong> Use heavy textures that “eat” space to make large rooms feel cozy or to add a cozy ambience to space.</li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Creating with color</h3>\n<p>Create mood, alter space, and influence how people feel and act with color:</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Receding color rule:</strong> Light, cool colors make walls seem to fade away into the distance, making rooms seem spacious.</li>\n<li><strong>Advancing color rule:</strong> Use deep, warm colors to make walls seem to come closer and rooms seem cozy.</li>\n<li><strong>Neutral colors rule:</strong> For the best most livable color schemes, pick neutral colors that you’ll never grow tired of and won’t go out of style in five years.</li>\n<li><strong>Law of color distribution:</strong> Use dark colors on the floor, medium colors on the walls, and light colors on the ceiling, which mimics nature.</li>\n<li><strong>Law of chromatic distribution:</strong></li>\n<li><strong>Backgrounds:</strong> Put neutral colors on large surfaces such as the floor and big objects like a sofa.</li>\n<li><strong>Focal areas:</strong> Use stronger shades in a smaller amount on smaller spaces or items, such as a short wall or a chair.</li>\n<li><strong>Accent touches:</strong> Employ the strongest accent color in the smallest spaces and places. Scatter the accent color around the room to make an impact.</li>\n</ul>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Advance","lifeExpectancy":"Two years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-03-02T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":208940},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T15:01:39+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-10-18T15:59:36+00:00","timestamp":"2022-10-18T18:01:03+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Home Improvement & Appliances","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33939"},"slug":"home-improvement-appliances","categoryId":33939},{"name":"Windows","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33960"},"slug":"windows-home-improvement-appliances","categoryId":33960}],"title":"How to Replace a Broken Glass Pane in a Wood-Frame Window","strippedTitle":"how to replace a broken glass pane in a wood-frame window","slug":"how-to-replace-a-broken-glass-pane-in-a-wood-frame-window","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"This article shows you, step by step and with photos, how to replace a broken glass pane in a wood-frame window.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"The trickiest part of replacing broken glass panes in wood-frame windows is getting replacement glass that’s sized exactly right. To replace a broken glass pane in a wood window, you need to measure the precise length and width of the grooves in which the pane will fit.\r\n\r\nHave the new glass cut so it measures 1/8 inch shorter than the exact groove dimensions in both the length and width. This creates a 1/16-inch gap on each side between the edges of the pane and the rabbet groove. The gap provides room for the glass to expand when the weather changes.\r\n\r\nIn addition to the replacement glass pane, you'll need: latex glazing putty; metal glazing points; pliers; a heat gun; flexible putty knife; 1- or 2-inch, stiff, steel, putty knife; and a flathead screwdriver.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">Also check out these other articles on replacing broken window panes in: <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/article/home-auto-hobbies/home-improvement-appliances/windows-home-improvement-appliances/how-to-replace-a-broken-glass-pane-in-a-steel-casement-window-206793/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">steel-casement windows</a>; <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/article/home-auto-hobbies/home-improvement-appliances/windows-home-improvement-appliances/how-to-replace-a-glass-pane-in-a-sliding-sash-window-206791/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sliding-sash windows</a>; and <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/article/home-auto-hobbies/home-improvement-appliances/windows-home-improvement-appliances/how-to-replace-a-broken-glass-pane-in-a-metal-storm-window-206794/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">metal storm windows</a>.</p>","description":"The trickiest part of replacing broken glass panes in wood-frame windows is getting replacement glass that’s sized exactly right. To replace a broken glass pane in a wood window, you need to measure the precise length and width of the grooves in which the pane will fit.\r\n\r\nHave the new glass cut so it measures 1/8 inch shorter than the exact groove dimensions in both the length and width. This creates a 1/16-inch gap on each side between the edges of the pane and the rabbet groove. The gap provides room for the glass to expand when the weather changes.\r\n\r\nIn addition to the replacement glass pane, you'll need: latex glazing putty; metal glazing points; pliers; a heat gun; flexible putty knife; 1- or 2-inch, stiff, steel, putty knife; and a flathead screwdriver.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">Also check out these other articles on replacing broken window panes in: <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/article/home-auto-hobbies/home-improvement-appliances/windows-home-improvement-appliances/how-to-replace-a-broken-glass-pane-in-a-steel-casement-window-206793/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">steel-casement windows</a>; <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/article/home-auto-hobbies/home-improvement-appliances/windows-home-improvement-appliances/how-to-replace-a-glass-pane-in-a-sliding-sash-window-206791/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sliding-sash windows</a>; and <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/article/home-auto-hobbies/home-improvement-appliances/windows-home-improvement-appliances/how-to-replace-a-broken-glass-pane-in-a-metal-storm-window-206794/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">metal storm windows</a>.</p>","blurb":"","authors":[],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33960,"title":"Windows","slug":"windows-home-improvement-appliances","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33960"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":209591,"title":"How to Caulk Windows","slug":"how-to-caulk-windows","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","windows-home-improvement-appliances"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/209591"}},{"articleId":209589,"title":"How to Install a Window Shade","slug":"how-to-install-a-window-shade","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","windows-home-improvement-appliances"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/209589"}},{"articleId":206794,"title":"How to Replace a Broken Glass Pane in a Metal Storm Window","slug":"how-to-replace-a-broken-glass-pane-in-a-metal-storm-window","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","windows-home-improvement-appliances"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/206794"}},{"articleId":206793,"title":"How to Replace a Broken Glass Pane in a Steel-Casement Window","slug":"how-to-replace-a-broken-glass-pane-in-a-steel-casement-window","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","windows-home-improvement-appliances"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/206793"}},{"articleId":206791,"title":"How to Replace a Glass Pane in a Sliding Sash Window","slug":"how-to-replace-a-glass-pane-in-a-sliding-sash-window","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","windows-home-improvement-appliances"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/206791"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":0,"slug":null,"isbn":null,"categoryList":null,"amazon":null,"image":null,"title":null,"testBankPinActivationLink":null,"bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":null,"authors":null,"_links":null},"collections":[{"title":"Just DIY It","slug":"just-diy-it","collectionId":292186}],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;home-improvement-appliances&quot;,&quot;windows-home-improvement-appliances&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-634ee9dfc27be\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;home-improvement-appliances&quot;,&quot;windows-home-improvement-appliances&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-634ee9dfc30a6\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Step by Step","articleList":null,"content":[{"title":"Use the pliers to remove all of the glass shards.","thumb":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/82688.image0.jpg","width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p class=\"article-tips warning\">When you work with broken glass, wear safety goggles as well as gloves; small chips of glass can cause permanent eye damage.</p>\n"},{"title":"Use the heat gun to warm the old putty; and then scrape it away with a putty knife.","thumb":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/82690.image2.jpg","width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>If the putty doesn’t lift off easily, apply more heat and try again. Be patient — the putty around really old windows is as hard as concrete, but it <i>will</i> soften.</p>\n<p class=\"article-tips warning\">Don’t chisel out the old putty — you might wreck the window. The putty will soften with enough heat and time.</p>\n"},{"title":"Use a putty knife or the tip of a screwdriver to remove the old glazing points.","thumb":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/82692.image4.jpg","width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>The points will be buried under the old putty.</p>\n"},{"title":"Clean and inspect the rabbet groove.","thumb":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/82694.image6.jpg","width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>Ensure that no glazing putty, glass shards, or glazing points remain.</p>\n"},{"title":"Apply a bead of putty on the glass side of the rabbet groove.","thumb":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/82696.image8.jpg","width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>Squeeze out a 1⁄16-inch bead of putty between the edge of the glass and the window frame.</p>\n"},{"title":"Gently press down the glass at the edges to embed the glass into the putty.","thumb":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/82698.image10.jpg","width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>Allow the putty to spread out and form a moisture seal on the inside of the window between the glass and sash.</p>\n"},{"title":"Position the new pane in the rabbets.","thumb":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/82700.image12.jpg","width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>Shift the pane until you have a 1/16-inch gap between the pane and sash on all four sides.</p>\n"},{"title":"Place at least two new glazing points in each section of the window sash surrounding the new glass.","thumb":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/82702.image14.jpg","width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>Space the points evenly around the perimeter, about 6 inches apart.</p>\n"},{"title":"Use the flat side of a putty knife to push one corner of each triangular glazing point into the wood sash.","thumb":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/82704.image16.jpg","width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>You can use a screwdriver blade instead of a putty knife.</p>\n"},{"title":"Form a 1/2-inch-thick rope of putty and press the length along all four sides of the glass.","thumb":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/82706.image18.jpg","width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>Roll a glob of putty between your bare hands to form the rope.</p>\n"},{"title":"Smooth the glazing putty and scrape away the excess.","thumb":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/82708.image20.jpg","width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>Hold the putty knife at a 45-degree angle, press, and smooth the glazing putty against the glass and sash.</p>\n"},{"title":"After the putty dries completely, repaint the putty and repaired area.","thumb":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/82710.image22.jpg","width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>Don’t mask off the glass before repainting. The paint will help form a moisture seal between the glass pane and the sash. So, allow the paint to overlap about 1/8 inch onto the glass.</p>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Solve","lifeExpectancy":"Five years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-04-20T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":206792},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2019-11-24T05:34:55+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-10-18T15:27:41+00:00","timestamp":"2022-10-18T18:01:03+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Home Improvement & Appliances","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33939"},"slug":"home-improvement-appliances","categoryId":33939},{"name":"Cleaning & Organization","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33945"},"slug":"cleaning-organization","categoryId":33945}],"title":"Decluttering for Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"decluttering for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"decluttering-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Use this Cheat Sheet as a reference guide to help you get started decluttering your home and to keep you motivated between sessions.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Throughout my books and teachings, I always say get started now versus later. Whatever you declutter today will help you tomorrow, so start small and stay consistent. These quick tips can be a reference guide to help you get started or keep you motivated in between your decluttering sessions.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_266145\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"556\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-266145\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/decluttering-clothing.jpg\" alt=\"man under a pile of clothing\" width=\"556\" height=\"418\" /> ©By PixieMe/Shutterstock.com[/caption]","description":"Throughout my books and teachings, I always say get started now versus later. Whatever you declutter today will help you tomorrow, so start small and stay consistent. These quick tips can be a reference guide to help you get started or keep you motivated in between your decluttering sessions.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_266145\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"556\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-266145\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/decluttering-clothing.jpg\" alt=\"man under a pile of clothing\" width=\"556\" height=\"418\" /> ©By PixieMe/Shutterstock.com[/caption]","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":33229,"name":"Jane Stoller","slug":"jane-stoller","description":" <p><b>Jane Stoller</b> is a compulsive organizer who turned her passion into a profitable business, Organized Jane. She travels the world helping individual clients revamp a single space or guiding corporations in overhauling entire businesses. A speaker as well as an author, she also lectures on management skills at Canada&#39;s Vancouver Island University. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/33229"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33945,"title":"Cleaning & Organization","slug":"cleaning-organization","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33945"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":267735,"title":"Bathroom Organization: Decluttering Your Products","slug":"bathroom-organization-decluttering-your-products","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","cleaning-organization"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267735"}},{"articleId":267732,"title":"How to Optimize Your Closet Space","slug":"how-to-optimize-your-closet-space","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","cleaning-organization"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267732"}},{"articleId":267729,"title":"How to Organize Receipts","slug":"how-to-organize-receipts","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","cleaning-organization"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267729"}},{"articleId":267724,"title":"Photo Decluttering Once and For All","slug":"photo-decluttering-once-and-for-all","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","cleaning-organization"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267724"}},{"articleId":267719,"title":"10 Reasons to Keep Decluttering","slug":"10-reasons-to-keep-decluttering","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","cleaning-organization"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267719"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":267735,"title":"Bathroom Organization: Decluttering Your Products","slug":"bathroom-organization-decluttering-your-products","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","cleaning-organization"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267735"}},{"articleId":267732,"title":"How to Optimize Your Closet Space","slug":"how-to-optimize-your-closet-space","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","cleaning-organization"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267732"}},{"articleId":267729,"title":"How to Organize Receipts","slug":"how-to-organize-receipts","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","cleaning-organization"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267729"}},{"articleId":267724,"title":"Photo Decluttering Once and For All","slug":"photo-decluttering-once-and-for-all","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","cleaning-organization"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267724"}},{"articleId":267719,"title":"10 Reasons to Keep Decluttering","slug":"10-reasons-to-keep-decluttering","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","cleaning-organization"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267719"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282140,"slug":"decluttering-for-dummies","isbn":"9781119617044","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","home-improvement-appliances","cleaning-organization"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119617049/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119617049/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119617049-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119617049/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119617049/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/decluttering-for-dummies-cover-9781119617044-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Decluttering For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":true,"authorsInfo":"<p><p><b><b data-author-id=\"33229\">Jane Stoller</b></b> is a compulsive organizer who turned her passion into a profitable business, Organized Jane. She travels the world helping individual clients revamp a single space or guiding corporations in overhauling entire businesses. A speaker as well as an author, she also lectures on management skills at Canada&#39;s Vancouver Island University.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":33229,"name":"Jane Stoller","slug":"jane-stoller","description":" <p><b>Jane Stoller</b> is a compulsive organizer who turned her passion into a profitable business, Organized Jane. She travels the world helping individual clients revamp a single space or guiding corporations in overhauling entire businesses. A speaker as well as an author, she also lectures on management skills at Canada&#39;s Vancouver Island University. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/33229"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;home-improvement-appliances&quot;,&quot;cleaning-organization&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119617044&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-634ee9df313d2\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;home-improvement-appliances&quot;,&quot;cleaning-organization&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119617044&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-634ee9df31c02\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":0,"title":"","slug":null,"categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/"}}],"content":[{"title":"The negative effects of clutter","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Go back to a time when you were surrounded by clutter and remember how it made you feel. It may have been a cluttered desk or a stuffed attic, or maybe your mind was full of so many tasks you didn’t know where to start. You don’t need a psychology degree to understand that when you think about clutter, you get a bit stressed, or in medical terms, your <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/article/body-mind-spirit/physical-health-well-being/common-ailments/metabolism/the-role-of-cortisol-in-your-metabolism-166877/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cortisol levels</a> rise.</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Clutter can and will make you feel inadequate.</strong> When you have too much stuff, it can inhibit your ability to live the life you desire. Having a cluttered environment can result in feelings of low self-worth and even depression in some cases.</li>\n<li><strong>Clutter can hinder your focus.</strong> Clutter can compete for space in your brain, therefore keeping you from giving your full attention to what is important.</li>\n<li><strong>Clutter can negatively affect your behavior and the behavior of those around you.</strong> We gain energy from our surroundings; waking up to an efficient home with things you use daily versus waking up to a big pile of junk makes a difference. Clutter not only creates a chaotic environment, which impacts your behavior and attitude toward yourself and others, but it can also impact those around you.</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Breaking free from clutter forever","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Decluttering involves being brutally honest with yourself and creating a complete decluttering mindset. Relating your stuff to bigger picture topics including finances, consumer habits, and also breaking the cycle of binge-shopping and purging can help you rid your cluttered tendencies and start living better — today.</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Declutter, declutter, and then declutter again. </strong>Decide what to keep and swiftly get rid of the rest. If you make this a routine, you’ll never have excess clutter again. Be consistent!</li>\n<li><strong>Realize you are not what you own.</strong> Getting rid of items you no longer use or that are no longer practical can help free up mental and physical space. Once you experience the increased productivity that comes from living in a clutter-free space, you’ll realize that your items don’t give you the happiness or meaning you once thought.</li>\n<li><strong>Don’t buy items without extensive questioning.</strong> “Do I really need this? Will this add value to my life? Is this item worth the space I am going to give it in my home?” These are all good questions to ask before purchasing anything new.</li>\n<li><strong>Eliminate distractions. </strong>If you can get rid of excess stuff, you can have more freedom to dive into your life goals, deepen your relationships (with people, not stuff!) and create the life you want.</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Dealing with clutter efficiently","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Regardless of how much clutter you have, you want to be as efficient as possible when dealing with it. You want to feel in control of the process as much as the result.</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Start with one area.</strong> This should be your highest priority or the area that causes you the most stress or is the least efficient area of your home and/or workspace.</li>\n<li><strong>Give yourself a timeline.</strong> As with any goal, you need to have an attainable date for completion so you don’t get frustrated and give up.</li>\n<li><strong>Plan time.</strong> In addition to completion dates, you need to plan the time you will actually declutter. <strong>Hint<em>:</em></strong> The shorter the time span, the more you increase your chances of tackling the project.</li>\n<li><strong>Use time cubes to keep you on track.</strong> Today’s culture is fast-paced and distracting. Use a timer when decluttering to keep to your planned time and increase your efficiency.</li>\n<li><strong>Get rid of clutter</strong>. Do this immediately. The longer your clutter stays in your house (i.e. in a garbage bag by the door), the more likely it is to work its way back into its original spot and never leave. Arrange a pick-up from a local charity if you’re worried you won’t have time to deal with it yourself.</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"How to differentiate practical versus emotional items","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Often the biggest challenge with decluttering and the reason we procrastinate or can’t get rid of things is our emotional attachment. It is very important to have a set of criteria for decluttering to help you with the process. Determining what is practical versus emotional is a personal decision, but I want to inspire you to be honest with yourself. Try asking yourself these questions:</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Is it practical?</strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Do you use this item on a regular basis?</li>\n<li>Does it provide value to your life?</li>\n<li>Does it provide value to your home?</li>\n<li>Can someone else use it?</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li><strong>Is it emotional?</strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Are you keeping this because of a memory?</li>\n<li>Do you have similar items attached to this memory?</li>\n<li>Is this item a gift from someone special but you don’t use it/like it?</li>\n<li>Would your friends or family see the value in this item?</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Digital decluttering basics","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Consistent digital decluttering can improve your productivity and the quality of your work. I am a firm believer in regularly decluttering your digital life, and I know that instead of doing this task once in a while or when you get that dreaded note on your computer stating that you have no more storage space, you should be digitally decluttering regularly.</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Set up your digital decluttering strategy before it is too late.</li>\n<li>Imagine the reduced stress and increased productivity once you’ve digitally decluttered.</li>\n<li>Find everything quickly in your digital world by getting rid of excess photos, emails, newsletter subscriptions, files, and so on.</li>\n<li>Don’t get overwhelmed by spam; deal with it immediately.</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Closet organizing quick tips","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>During your closet inventory process, I recommend labeling a few boxes: “Donate,” “Repurpose,” “Tailor,” “Sell,” and “Toss.” Then, you can place your items in the appropriate box as you go through them and accomplish multiple steps at once.</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Donate:</strong> Donating should be at the heart of your decluttering mindset. Being able to donate your items to benefit others not only helps your closet stay clutter-free but also helps you improve other people’s lives.</li>\n<li><strong>Repurpose:</strong> An often-forgotten part of decluttering, a multitude of closet items can be repurposed.</li>\n<li><strong>Tailor:</strong> Tailoring can mean so much more than getting your jeans hemmed. This is a great option to make your clothes last longer and lessen your consumption of new items.</li>\n<li><strong>Sell:</strong> This approach is a great way for fashionistas to keep wearing the top trends and be able to frequently switch styles.</li>\n<li><strong>Toss:</strong> At some point, closet items will no longer be usable.</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Kitchen and home decluttering strategies","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Your kitchen and all spaces in your home should work for you. You may have to make some tough decisions on some items that don’t necessarily look pretty but are highly functional.</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Don’t have endless multiples. </strong>This causes wasted space and leads to excess clutter.</li>\n<li><strong>Choose function over aesthetic.</strong> It’s easy to get carried away making your kitchen or any space look really pretty. Focus again on only what you use.</li>\n<li><strong>Evaluate your storage.</strong> Is your storage space used in the most efficient way it can be?</li>\n<li><strong>Pay attention to placement.</strong> Position your items so that you know what you have. For example, position your food to waste less by placing it with its expiry date in eyesight.</li>\n<li><strong>Be practical. </strong>Think before you act. Be practical with where you put your items.</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Photo decluttering","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>It’s time to stop procrastinating and deal with your photos. Start today and create a system to declutter your current and future photos.</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Get rid of duplicates ASAP. </strong>There is no point in hanging onto extras.</li>\n<li><strong>Cull the bad ones. </strong>Blurry, out-of-focus, and bad quality photos need to go.</li>\n<li><strong>Create a system. </strong>Organize by year, person, or event and dedicate weekly or monthly time to keep on top of your photo decluttering.</li>\n<li><strong>Treat fragile ones with care. </strong>For print photos, older images may be in bad condition. Take these to a professional for restoration before it is too late.</li>\n<li><strong>Curate and display rather than store. </strong>Photos can bring you so much joy. To reduce excess photo storage, display photos around your home.</li>\n<li><strong>View and remember the good times. </strong>Seeing images in your home that spark good memories can help you care more for your photos, increasing your chances of decluttering consistently.</li>\n<li><strong>Let go of the past.</strong> Get rid of those photos of your ex, or anything else you want to move on from!</li>\n</ul>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"Six 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Creating and maintaining an amazing home isn't easy — but it's definitely worth it! We'll walk you through everything from choosing the best vacuum to organizing your clutter.

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Swimming pools Pool Care For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 05-03-2023

Swimming pool maintenance can be intimidating to someone who may be new to pool ownership, and it can be even more intimidating to go to a pool store seeking out help. To make your life a little easier, this Cheat Sheet offers some helpful tips so you can become a mindful pool owner.

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Decorating How to Restore and Repair Wood Furniture

Article / Updated 04-24-2023

Vintage solid-wood pieces that are 50 to 99 years old are ideal for restoring. These items are well made and feature quality artisanship that’s worth preserving. But before you do any restoration or refinishing, you need to determine whether the piece you’ve found is worth saving. The main factors to consider are: Dovetail joints: A strong joinery technique of interlocking “pins” and “tails." Sturdy build: Solid wood and good bones are ideal. Manufacturer’s stamps: A stamp is a sign of high quality that has been placed on the furniture by an artisan. A newer, factory-made piece won’t have a maker’s mark). The photo below shows a stamp on the piece. Do the “rickety test” and shake the piece back and forth to see how solid it is. You want a piece that’s structurally sound. Supplies for restoring As with any project, you should make sure you have the supplies you need for the various stages of furniture restoring. These are the materials you’ll use: Cleaning: Dish soap, warm water, buckets and bowls, clean rags and cloths, old toothbrush, mineral spirits, vacuum Stripping: Sandpaper (various grits), electric sander, sanding block, chemical stripper, putty knife Repairing: Epoxy putty, wood restorer, wood filler, wood glue, antique wax, oxalic acid, an iron, stir sticks, clamps Painting: Paint, stain, paintbrushes, drop cloth Sealant: Wood sealant, wax, poly Safety: Goggles, mask, gloves Every restoration starts with a solid cleaning. Vacuum the piece and then give it a proper scrub with a mix of dish soap and warm water. Old toothbrushes are great for getting into the nooks and crannies. When the piece is good and clean, assess the finish to determine your next steps. Wipe the piece with mineral spirits to temporarily reveal how it would look with clear finish. This won’t harm the piece, and you might discover that all it needs is a good coating of sealant. Here are some signs that you need to further restore the piece: Water rings and blemishes are visible. The finish is peeling and flaking. Even after cleaning, the surface is sticky. Wood cracks are present. Removing the old finish You can strip the finish off the wood in three ways: Scraping with a paint scraper if the finish is flaky Sanding with sandpaper if the finish has a light sheen Stripping with a chemical stripper if the finish is very glossy If you need to scrape, follow these steps: Scrape off the brittle finish with a paint scraper or putty knife. Sand any remaining bits of finish with fine-grit sandpaper. To use sanding as your stripping method, follow these steps: Start sanding with a medium-grit sandpaper. Sand until most of the finish is off. Switch to a fine-grit to remove the last bits of the former finish. Using a chemical stripper is a little more involved than the other two methods. Here’s what you need to do: Set up your work area in a well-ventilated space. Wear gloves, a mask, and eye protection. Apply chemical stripper with a disposable brush. Allow the stripper time to work its magic. Scrape off the old finish with a putty knife. Use mineral spirits and steel wool to clean off the residue of the previous finish. Removing black marks Oxalic acid is brilliant for removing black stains from wood that has been exposed to metals and moisture. Use the following steps to apply oxalic acid to remove the black marks: Buy oxalic acid in crystal form from an online retailer. Dissolve the oxalic acid in hot water according to the manufacturer’s directions. While wearing heavy-duty gloves and a mask, dip a rag into the mixture and wipe the whole wooden panel, not just the stained area. Wiping the full area ensures that the color removal is consistent across the whole surface. Let the wood dry fully. Assess whether the stain was fully removed or if it needs another application. Repeat steps 3 and 4 if needed until the stain has disappeared. Add baking soda to water and wash off the crystals to neutralize the acid. The basic baking soda neutralizes the acidic oxalic acid. Allow the furniture to dry fully before sealing. Be aware that you’re handling an acid. Wear protection. Don’t brush the crystals into the air or onto the ground because doing so will cause you to cough. And never mix the oxalic acid with another chemical or bleach. Removing white rings White rings on furniture come from moisture that has soaked into the wood sealant and gotten trapped. The photo below shows the dreaded water rings. Water rings aren’t a total deal breaker. Here are a few different methods for removing them: An iron: Place a T-shirt over the stain and then iron over it on a low setting. Avoid using the steam function as this will make the stain worse. Try doing a spot test first. Check progress frequently. A hair dryer: Move the hair dryer side to side on a low setting over the affected area. An equal mixture of olive oil and white vinegar: Brush this mixture onto the wood in the direction of the grain. Wipe the whole surface of the wood. Follow by wiping with a clean, dry cloth. Mayonnaise or petroleum jelly: Dab the mayonnaise or petroleum jelly onto the damaged area and allow it to sit for a few hours. Wipe it away with a clean, dry cloth. Repairing scratches, chips, and cracks To remove scratches, lightly sand with fine-grit sandpaper in the direction of the wood grain. Smooth out the area by sanding once again with extra-fine sandpaper. Clean off the dust and refinish the wood with oil or wax. Wood putty is perfect for repairing smaller cracks and chips in wood. Use epoxy putty for larger gaps. This is the process for filling chips, and cracks: Look for wood putty in the same shade as your wood. Dab the putty on the crack using a putty knife. Smooth the putty with the putty knife. Let it dry fully. Sand the area with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth it out. If there are cracks in the wood, fill it with wood glue. In order to get the wood glue in, insert a toothpick into the split to carefully prop it open and then apply wood glue to the area with a stir stick. Then remove the toothpick and use paint tape or clamps to hold the area together while it dries. Restoring missing color There are a couple options for recoloring your furniture piece. You can use gel stain or wood stain. Gel stain Gel stain is wonderful for restoring furniture color. It’s a bit of a miracle product, honestly, because you don’t even have to strip the finish first. You can apply gel stain by following these steps: Wipe on the gel stain with a lint-free cloth. Wipe with a clean, dry cloth to remove the excess stain. Let it dry overnight. Seal it with finish. If you don’t like the result of the gel stain, you can use mineral spirits to wipe it away before it dries. Wood stain Wood stain is nice and easy to apply. You simply wipe it on as described here: Sand the piece down. Use a tack cloth to remove the sanding dust. Stir the wood stain and apply it with a clean, dry rag. Wipe the area with a clean rag to remove the excess stain. Add more layers as necessary. Finish with sealant. It’s hard to remove stain once it’s on (unless you sand it down again), so it’s best to start with light layers and build up to your desired color. Refinishing antique furniture Sometimes hands-on experience is the best teacher. If you want to follow along with the process step by step, here’s an example of how to refinish a vintage dining room chair: Find a piece to refinish. I found a vintage chair at a thrift shop. With its solid wood construction and a Made in Czechoslovakia stamp on the underside, this piece had great bones, but it was definitely ready for some TLC. Clean the piece. After a solid cleaning, it was evident that this chair had significant water damage. The photo below shows the condition of the piece. ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Cleaning revealed the water damage. Sand the flaws away. Based on my assessment, it seemed most effective to sand the piece down to remove the damage. For a job like this, start with a medium-grit sandpaper and work down to a fine grit. Clean up the dust. A tack cloth is perfect for removing the sanding dust so the debris doesn’t get stuck in your new finish. The photo below shows the tack cloth in action. ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Use a tack cloth to remove sanding dust. Stain the wood. Pick a stain that matches the color of the wood. Wipe it on with a clean, dry cloth. Start with a light coat and build up to your desired color. The photo below shows the staining process. ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Staining the wood brings it back to its former glory, without the damage. After the stain has dried, give it a light hand sand with a fine-grit sandpaper to smooth the piece and prepare it for finishing. Seal in all that magic with a finish of your choice. I used wipe-on poly here. See the finished frame stained, sealed and fabulous in the photo below. Finish to perfection. Reassemble your piece and add the finishing touches. In this case, I reupholstered the seat. To learn how to reupholster, check out my book Upcycling Furniture & Home Decor For Dummies.

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Decorating Inspiration for Upcycling Furniture and Home Decor

Article / Updated 04-19-2023

There are lots of reasons to get excited about upcycling. To begin with, upcycling is like modern-day alchemy. It transforms unwanted items into highly prized pieces. It’s like turning trash into treasure! Another reason to get into upcycling is that it’s eco-conscious. In a world experiencing a garbage crisis, upcycling is a part of the solution. It feels positively magnificent to rescue and reimagine items headed for the landfill. Also, it’s downright thrilling selling pieces for a profit. That’s right — upcycling is an environmentally-savvy hobby that can earn you cash. Upcycling vs. recycling Upcycling and recycling aren’t the same because they have different processes. With recycling, items are broken down before they’re reused. For example, plastic is shredded and melted down into pellets. As the material is recycled, its value degrades, so the process of recycling is sometimes referred to as downcycling. For instance, recycled plastic isn’t as valuable as virgin plastic, and can only be recycled a finite number of times. Whereas downcycling reduces the value of an item, upcycling increases it. The item is reimagined and reborn. It goes from being an unwanted discard to a highly sought-after and valued piece. It’s an inspiring journey! Discovering the benefits of upcycling The benefits to upcycling are plentiful, including environmental, creative, and financial. Here are some of the top advantages: Good for the environment: First and foremost, upcycling is great because it reduces the waste that ends up in a landfill. Beyond that, as items are reused, the demand decreases for raw materials to create new products. This in turn lowers air and water pollution. It’s like a snowball effect for environmental conservation. Encourages creativity: Upcycling ignites your creativity. It’s an innovative process with no limits. Plus, getting crafty and doing it yourself is satisfying. Saves money: Upcycling furniture instead of buying it new can save you thousands of dollars. It’s also an attainable way to get custom, one-of-a-kind pieces. Generates value and income: Upcycling and reselling furniture and home decor is an awesome side hustle. It’s a smart way to make money by being creative. Beautiful: Upcycled items are often bespoke. These items feature custom artisanship and are stylishly unique. Fun and accessible: Anyone can be an upcycler. With a bit of passion and commitment, you too can learn how. The materials are just waiting to be discovered, and finding them is one of the best parts. Inspiring: The flash of inspiration to upcycle can come from the most unexpected pieces. That’s part of the magic. Once you start creating, you won’t want to stop. Meaningful: Upcycled pieces have a history and character to them that you just don’t find with “fast furniture” (low-quality, mass-produced furniture that’s being rapidly bought, used briefly, and quickly discarded). The item has already lived a life (or two), and that makes it special. In addition, upcycling supports local artisans. Starting with materials in hand When you already have the materials, there’s a great opportunity to use your imagination. Do you want to repaint and refinish the item, or do you want to repurpose it into something completely new? Think about what the item could become. For example, in Figure 1, on the left is a door that was converted into a table. On the right is an epic coffee table made from a dresser drawer. To learn how to make the coffee table below, check out my book, Upcycling Furniture & Home Decor For Dummies. Working toward an end-use vision Alternatively, you might have a piece of furniture or decor that you want to create, like a dramatic light fixture, and just need to find the supplies. You can repurpose glass plates and bowls into light shades, like in Figure 2. Charming glassware is waiting to be rescued at your local thrift shop. Fun, yet functional furniture Sometimes it takes removing part of the original item to repurpose it. On the left of Figure 3, there’s an awesome bathroom vanity made from a dresser. Charlotte Smith. of At Charlotte’s House, refinished this piece and used a jig to cut out a place for the bathroom sink and faucet. Smith also retrofitted the drawers so they’d still be functional. To finish the piece, she applied a heavy-duty sealant to the dresser to keep it from warping in the humidity of the bathroom. Sometimes the piece needs to be added to. On the right of Figure 3, there’s an IKEA cabinet that Teofi González, of The Kiyomi, transformed by adding a veneer cutout and gorgeous pastel hues. Trendy new legs complete the look. The console on the left of Figure 4 appears perfectly worn and weathered. This stunning coastal look was achieved by painting it with multiple colors and layers, using salt wash for texture and then sanding it smooth. On the right of Figure 4, you see a curvy, scalloped dresser that was completely transformed with a white, turquoise, teal, and deep blue ombre. The upcycler perfectly accented the piece with gold leaf to create a stunning geode design. Eye-catching home decor Home decor is important because it sets the tone for your home. Style is completely subjective, and you can express yourself in unlimited ways. Vinyl records will always have that cool factor. Unfortunately, they’re often scratched beyond use. Turning them into home decor is a great way to keep the music alive. The top left of Figure 5 shows a record turned into a bowl. The skateboard decks–turned–shelves shown in the bottom left of Figure 5 are ideal for a skater. Denim upcycles are classic. You can turn ripped jeans into multiple creative home furnishings, like those shown in the top right and bottom right in Figure 5. Lamps that light the way Upcycled lighting will really brighten up your life. There are lots of inventive ways to reimagine items into lights. Repurposing an item as a lamp shade for a pendant light is one of the most effective ways to create a light source. You can buy a pendant light cord from your local hardware store or online. At the top of Figure 6, Heinz Beanz cans have been turned into funky pendant lights by Willem Heeffer, a Dutch designer. It’s also possible to make lamps out of electrical wire, light sockets, and a lamp switch wire and plug. The phone lamp in the middle left of Figure 6 was DIY-ed by Judy Rom and Bart Taylor with those items, a bit of imagination, and an old rotary phone. A Sputnik-style light on the middle right of Figure 6 is a modern take on upcycled lighting. Sputnik lamps have multiple arms that each have a bulb. This kind of fixture became popular in the Atomic Age (1940–1960s) when the first satellite orbited Earth. This stunning Sputnik chandelier with Depression glass used as shades was designed by Jeff Risinger and Mark Winn of BootsNGus.com. Multiple items look gorgeous grouped together as a chandelier. The bottom of Figure 6 features a stunning rainbow chandelier by Jeff Risinger and Mark Winn of BootsNGus.com made with painted mason jars. The center ring used here is made from solid wood. Additionally, the lids have been drilled to allow heat to escape so that the jars won’t overheat. Gorgeous garden upcycles You won’t believe the extent of what you can upcycle into planters. The top left of Figure 7 shows an incredible TV-turned terrarium. Covering plant pots with a burlap coffee bean bag is a delightful way to dress them up! The bottom left of Figure 7 shows the look. Upcycling is a fabulous way to embellish your garden. The right side of Figure 7 shows some lovely garden markers made with vintage silverware. The names of the herbs have been hand stamped onto each one. They’re positively delightful! Smart storage solutions There are scads of ways to upcycle for organization. Crates are particularly practical. You can repurpose vintage fruit or wine crates to hold shoes, toys, books, towels — you name it! Figure 8 shows an example of how to stack and style crates in a foyer.

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Decorating Finding Furniture and Home Decor for Upcycling

Article / Updated 04-19-2023

When you’re ready to begin upcycling furniture and other items for home decor, your first step is finding materials. Luckily for you, your next great score is just around the corner. Literally. You might actually find it as you’re walking down the street! The world is seemingly chock-full of items that people no longer want. This is great news for opportunistic upcyclers ready to gather the goods. There are several go-to places to explore when you’re looking for goodies. Here’s the lowdown on where to score the most prolific pieces and how to source like a professional. A thrilling adventure: Thrift stores There’s so much opportunity to find gold at thrift stores. But there’s a bit of an art to thrift shopping. When you start thrift shopping it’s easy to become overwhelmed or buy things you don’t actually want. Here are some guidelines to make sure you can thrift shop with the best of them: Focus on finding high-quality furniture and home decor made from wood, wicker, glass, and metal. These materials offer the best value and are the easiest to clean. Be strategic about the neighborhood that you’re shopping in. Check out the thrift stores in older neighborhoods and wealthier neighborhoods for antique and vintage finds. Over time, you’ll discover which stores generally have the leading selection. Shop at the most favorable times. To snag the choicest deals, shop when the merchandise is fresh. Mornings, Mondays, and Tuesdays are ideal because stores generally restock over the weekends. Get clear on what you’re actually looking for. Being specific about what you’re after will keep you on track. Shop frequently. Committing to thrift shopping means being persistent. If you’re on the hunt for something specific, devote time to visit at least weekly, and be prepared to leave empty-handed if you don’t find what you’re looking for. Check out lesser-known thrift stores to scoop some goodies. The bigger chains like Salvation Army and Goodwill are often priced higher and are more picked over. Find out when the sales are. Thrift stores offer discount days. If you see something you truly love, buy it. The nature of thrift stores is that inventory often flips. If a unique piece catches your heart, snag it. You never know when or if you’ll see it again. Thrift shopping while on road trips is a perfect time to find treasures. Smaller towns and rural places often have unique items and good deals. The photo below shows a couple of gems waiting to be discovered at a thrift shop. A 24/7 opportunity: Online marketplaces Online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and eBay are great for when you’re looking for a specific item. Another upside: they’re always open. Tailor your searches by using keywords like “mid-century modern” or “farmhouse,” and check frequently for the first-rate pieces. Items on here are constantly being added. Design styles When you’re reading online descriptions of marketplace items, you may see the following terms, which identify the item’s design style: Mid-century modern: Simple and beautiful wooden furniture from the 1950s and ’60s with a focus on clean lines and curved designs. Teak, walnut, mahogany, and rosewood were predominantly used. Farmhouse: Farmhouse style is rooted in the rustic and comfortable farmhouses of the 18th century. These items feature elements made of reclaimed wood that have been weathered or white washed. Items that are popular to buy and sell on online marketplaces include: Large furniture: This category includes couches, tables, dressers, hutches, dining room sets, and outdoor furniture. Small furniture: Think chairs, end tables, stools, and shelves. Lamps and light fixtures: Pendant lights and chandeliers may be things you want to watch for. Seasonal decor: Check early in the season for unique holiday decor. Rugs: This is a reliable place to find secondhand and vintage rugs in great condition. Buying on Facebook Marketplace is safer than buying on other online marketplaces because you can see the profile of the seller. Meet in a public place or do a “porch pickup,” which means meeting in the lobby or outside the residence. If you can’t do that, bring a friend with you. Act fast if you see an item that you like. Good deals are often scooped up within the hour. Also, use the bookmark icon (see the figure below) to save items that you like on Facebook Marketplace so that the service’s algorithm learns your taste and can recommend relevant items. When it comes to searching online marketplaces, the words you use matter. The descriptors and keywords you search greatly affect what you find. Here are some keywords to search that will often deliver the literal goods: Old: This is a good search word that often triggers undervalued vintage or antique items. Must go: This is a surefire way to nab a great deal. Don’t hesitate to negotiate here. Grandma’s/grandma/grandmother: This frequently indicates items in pristine condition. Heavy or solid: This is the perfect way to reference real wood furniture. Funky: This is a great descriptor for finding unique pieces. If you’re looking for specific items, try searching using a few different terms. For instance, a couch could also be called a sofa, loveseat, daybed, or sectional. Also, when it comes to keywords, the more specific you can be the better. Try searching by decade, material, style, color, and pattern. If you want a lower price, negotiate before you agree to buy the item. It always pays to be respectful when negotiating. A good tactic is to ask if the seller has any wiggle room on price. However, be mindful to avoid haggling when items are marked as “price firm.” Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and eBay may be the most well-known online outlets, but they’re certainly not the only ones. Try checking out these other options: Kijiji, OfferUp, Nextdoor, Freecycle, and Facebook buy/sell and buy nothing groups. The weekend mission: Garage sales Garage sales are super fun to shop because the prices are generally low, and you truly never know what you’re going to find. That being said, they can sometimes be hit-or-miss. Here’s how to optimize your shopping experience. Timing is everything Garage sale season generally kicks off with spring cleaning and goes into the early fall. This is a weekend affair, with Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. being the most popular times. When it comes to the best time of day to shop garage sales, keep these factors in mind: The early bird gets the worm. Go at the beginning of the day to score the best pieces, especially for larger items like furniture. Midday is a good time to shop if it’s super hot or rainy. Vendors will be motivated to get out of the elements. Don’t disregard the afternoon, though. The end of the day (around 2 p.m.) is prime for scoring crazy deals because sellers are willing to slash and burn prices to get rid of things. Planning your attack When it comes to shopping garage sales, you can do it either organically or by researching in advance. To find the best sales spontaneously, take the scenic route by driving through suburban neighborhoods as opposed to traveling the highways. Shop strategically. Websites like Garage Sale Tracker and Yard Sale Search enable you to see all the advertised sales in your area. Apps like Yard Sale Treasure Map pull in listings from Craigslist. There are also a lot of local garage sale groups on Facebook. Posting in these groups regularly show images of items for sale, potentially with the option to pre-buy. Older folks (with vintage items) often advertise their garage sales in newspaper classifieds. With these tools, you can plan a route and hit multiple sales in a day. If you don’t look, you won’t know It’s hard to know what’s available without checking. If you drive past a garage sale, and you have time, it’s worth taking a look to see what’s there. You might even hit the jackpot and run into a moving sale. When you arrive on the scene, do a loop to see what’s available. Large, well-made furniture will be snatched up first. Buying only what you truly want or love Just because something is cheap doesn’t mean it’s a good deal. If you’re not going to use an item or flip it, it’s a waste of money. Make a list of items you’re looking for and keep it on your phone. That way you’re less likely to get swept up buying things you don’t need. Scoring the lowest prices Most of the time, garage sale prices are negotiable. Here’s how to get the best deals: Bundle items: Start a collection and offer a price for all of it or ask for a bundled discount. Sellers are motivated to sell as much as possible, so you can often get a deal on multiple items. Form a connection: Ask about the history of the pieces and share your plans for them. People like to see their items go to a good home. Haggle within reason: Lowballing can be seen as disrespectful. Offer a decent price (never less than 50 percent), and be prepared to negotiate up. Cash is (still) king: Bring lots of small bills. Offering a price with cash in hand is a strong purchasing strategy.

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General Home Improvement & Appliances How To Fix Wallpaper Bubbles

Step by Step / Updated 04-18-2023

Fixing wallpaper bubbles or bumps is a simple, five-minute process. Knowing how to fix wallpaper bubbles and bumps prevents further damage like tears or rips. Wallpaper bubbles occur when a glob of wallpaper paste wasn’t smoothed out when the paper was hung or when a weak bond between the wallpaper and wall causes the wallpaper to lift. To fix a bump caused by excess adhesive, you'll need a damp sponge, a utility knife, a syringe, seam roller, tweezers, and glue.

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Walls & Painting How To Paint a Wall with a Roller (video)

Video / Updated 04-17-2023

Painting the corners and edges on a wall is the meticulous part; once you've done that, you're ready to paint the main part of the wall. Be sure you have the right tools — having the right roller for the surface of your walls is critical.

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Decorating Upcycling Furniture & Home Decor For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 04-13-2023

Upcycling is a transformational process that gives waste a second life. It’s taking something that was considered trash and turning it into treasure. Upcycled items are more functional, beautiful, and valuable than what they previously were.

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Decorating Home Decorating For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 11-29-2022

Home decorating draws on your creative side, as well as your inner engineer. Whether you dabble in home decorating or make it a career, you get to play with color, texture, and pattern, in addition to tape measures, graph paper, and paint. Finding the furniture you want is important, and so is doing the planning that makes your decorating a delight.

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Windows How to Replace a Broken Glass Pane in a Wood-Frame Window

Step by Step / Updated 10-18-2022

The trickiest part of replacing broken glass panes in wood-frame windows is getting replacement glass that’s sized exactly right. To replace a broken glass pane in a wood window, you need to measure the precise length and width of the grooves in which the pane will fit. Have the new glass cut so it measures 1/8 inch shorter than the exact groove dimensions in both the length and width. This creates a 1/16-inch gap on each side between the edges of the pane and the rabbet groove. The gap provides room for the glass to expand when the weather changes. In addition to the replacement glass pane, you'll need: latex glazing putty; metal glazing points; pliers; a heat gun; flexible putty knife; 1- or 2-inch, stiff, steel, putty knife; and a flathead screwdriver. Also check out these other articles on replacing broken window panes in: steel-casement windows; sliding-sash windows; and metal storm windows.

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Cleaning & Organization Decluttering for Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 10-18-2022

Throughout my books and teachings, I always say get started now versus later. Whatever you declutter today will help you tomorrow, so start small and stay consistent. These quick tips can be a reference guide to help you get started or keep you motivated in between your decluttering sessions.

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