Pallet Board Furniture

Pallet board seats are easy to make, and cheap. Pick up a pallet from a warehouse – make sure you’re getting pieces they obviously don’t need. Just about any shipping yard or large department store has pallets that they won’t use but once. Snag one (ask if you must) and deconstruct it.

Build up the legs and the sides. You can use a basic frame made from steel if you want added strength. Then, cover everything with the pallet boards. It’ll look rustic without the rustic price tag. When it’s finished, stain it, seal it, and it will probably last forever!

Adirondack Chairs

If you get good Adirondack chair plans, you almost don’t need to know how to build a chair. Traditional Adirondack chairs are made from Hemlock (wood), but you could theoretically use something else if that’s not in your budget. A well-built chair will easily last a lifetime.

Some people make the chairs out of cedar fence boards. If you’re looking to recycle woods, get your hands on whatever you can. You’ll also need some outdoor grade wood screws and some waterproof glue.

Aim for 7-8 full-length boards, and 1” screws. Aside from that, you’ll need a saw, drill, tape measure, and a pencil for marking. It should take you no more than a day to make the chair. When it’s done, make sure you stain and seal it to protect it from the rain.

Concrete Bench

Concrete has so many uses, it’s ridiculous. If you’re looking for an easy way to get more out of those concrete blocks you’ve been eyeing down at the home improvement store, here is your next idea: A concrete bench.

Buy a bunch of blocks and arrange them on the ground next to an exterior wall. If you want protection from the elements, arrange them on the porch. make it 2-3 bricks high, depending on how high you want the seat to be.  A lot of people set them on the ground and then backfill the concrete with loose gravel. It looks nice.

Get a piece of upholstered foam and lay it across the top of the bricks. There’s your bench. Now, for the backing, most people use throw pillows. Make sure yours are waterproof so they don’t get moldy during the summer (or if left out in the rain).

Pallet Table

A pallet table is an interesting spin on the pallet chairs you made earlier. If you know how to construct a basic table (it’s not hard), you enhance it with pallet boards by laying them across the top. It’s a rustic look, that can be stained and sealed and will last you a long time.

Cooler Inside A Patio Table

If you have an existing patio table, and you are feeling gutsy, take a saw to it. Cut out part of the middle and insert a cooler. Now, when you have friends over, fill it up with ice, and put some cold ones in there. Instant party.

Make sure your cooler is the type that can be drained from the bottom, because yanking a cooler out of the center of these tables tends to be difficult. Smaller coolers work the best, but you could also use larger ones if you don’t mind losing foot and leg space underneath.

Most coolers that are situated inside of outside tables like this are suspended in the table (sandwiched between the top of the table and the frame underneath. This gives the illusion of a floating insert, which is both cool and classy.

Outdoor Fireplace

You will need some rolled steel for this – 12 gauge. It will be enough to withstand fire. A standard size would be 40” x 20” sheets. These can be welded into a box shape. Once that’s done, you can weld some legs onto the bottom and anchor it into the ground. If the bottom is fireproof (i.e. dirt or gravel), then you can put almost anything in there and it will burn safely.

Most people who do this use a dirt floor for the fire box because it’s simple, dirt isn’t going to explode or pop on you, and it’s cheap. Dirt is everywhere. Odds are, you have some in your backyard right now, waiting for a fire.

Ann James Interiors

You only have to flick through any current home and lifestyle magazine to realise that many homeowners are now getting much more creative about how they cover the walls of their houses, and a tin of paint simply won’t do. From wall murals to wainscot cladding, there are plenty of ways to get creative and create the wow factor.

Go metallic

If you are looking for a modern twist, metallic wall covering is proving to be a popular alternative to paint. Use it to make an accent wall or find a less shiny material and wrap your whole room up in metallic!

Metallic wallpaper is really just a shiny plant fibre with a metallic thread running through it. The fibre is applied to dense wallpaper and overlaid with a finish to provide a greater level of durability.

Personalise your Walls

Thanks to modern printing technology, you can now get wall murals printed that are highly personal and unique. If you have a favourite scene captured on a photo or want a picture of someone special, you can get it printed out as a wallpaper, to make a special and unique décor statement.

The Warmth of Wood

Wood panelling can quickly turn a house into a home and wainscot cladding can definitely help you to achieve this feeling. Wainscot cladding is a softwood material that also insulates your home and can be stained to blend in with the rest of your décor.

Removable Wallpaper

If you like to change up your décor often or are renting a place, removable wallpaper gives you some flexible makeover solutions without the need to reach for a tin of paint. Removable wallpaper is a great option and it’s peelable, making it easy-to remove and put on somewhere else.

Hanging Wall Art

Another option to consider which really just covers up your walls is hanging up wall art. Consider creating a montage of art and photos that is hung up in a way that is interesting and personal to your style and family life. How about a whole saloon style wall covered in family photos? What about creating a family tree on the wall? Use your creativity and make something special!

Fabric

Attaching fabric to your wall is fast and easy to do, but it costs a lot more than actual paint. If you are able to afford it, make sure you are happy with the design before you take the plunge. You can also consider hanging up a tapestry using rods or Velcro strips to add character and an medieval antique-charm to your space.

Mark Schwartz 

Remodeling a bathroom can turn into a huge, expensive task that can cost up to several thousand dollars. Yet, a bathroom remodel is sometimes a requirement, whether you want it to look better for your own family or so that you can entice people to purchase your home. So, here are 8 inexpensive bathroom remodeling tips that can help you keep your bathroom budget under control:

Avoid Using too Many Tiles While Remodeling 

Bathroom tiles are expensive. It’s one thing to install a tile floor. It’s quite another to use tiles on the walls and in the shower. If your budget is tight, you can save a huge amount by limiting how much tile you use in your new bathroom design. One horizontal strip of it halfway up the wall can help to tie the room together without breaking the bank. This way, you will have extra spending money for other upgrades such as lighting fixtures, granite countertops, and new faucets.

Purchase or Create Inexpensive Bathroom Counters

One of the most expensive parts of any bathroom can be the counter and there are tons of ways you can cut that cost. If you are shopping for a granite counter, don’t be afraid to purchase one with defects. Almost anyplace that sells granite counters will have “seconds,” which are pieces with imperfections. If those imperfections are minor, they might be totally invisible once the counter is installed. In fact, you might even find that the defective section will be removed anyway to make way for the bathroom sink or faucet handles.

If You’ve Got Grimy Grout, Clean it Out

An easy thing to focus on when remodeling your bathroom is the grout and caulking. Be sure that your tub and shower are properly caulked. If your grout is grimy you can revitalize it with something as simple as baking soda or toothpaste. You can also choose to reapply fresh grout and caulk in certain areas.

Make Sure You Only Have to Paint Once

Painting is often so inexpensive that people don’t worry about it too much. If you don’t like the paint, you can just paint over it in a different color, right? But, if your budget is tight and you don’t want to do the job twice, be sure to do it right the first time. Use mold-resistant paint that is specifically meant for bathrooms and tape everything off properly so you don’t have to do the process over again later.

Don’t Replace the Shower or Tub

If you plan to sell your home, there’s no point to totally replacing the shower or tub. Replacing either one would be far too expensive. You can save a lot of money by simply having them relined. You might not increase the sale value of your home that way, but you will minimize your losses and make your bathroom look more desirable.

Focus on Updating Your Fixtures

Bathroom fixtures are not as expensive as you might think. Replacing anything from the sink faucet to the lighting can actually be easy. You can either purchase these items at secondhand stores or when they are on sale, or you can even choose to make some of them yourself. A DIY light fixture can make your bathroom look totally unique.

Make Your Bathroom Environmentally-Friendly 

It might cost a little more to do things like purchase low-flow showerheads and toilets, but it’s always a good idea. Not only will homebuyers love it when you’re ready to sell, but in the meantime you and your family will reduce how much you have to pay on your bills.

A Little Imagination and Used Items Go a Long Way

When you’re trying to put the finishing touches on your bathroom, remember to use your imagination. A little creativity can easily make up for a low budget. Make your own shelving; purchase some used items to use as decorations, and generally put your own personal stamp on the space. That way it will look and feel inviting.