DIY & Crafts Archives - Top Dreamer https://topdreamer.com/category/diy-and-crafts/ Keep Calm and Dream On Thu, 14 Apr 2022 17:00:52 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3.1 How to upcycle your coffee table with furniture paint https://topdreamer.com/how-to-upcycle-your-coffee-table-with-furniture-paint/ Thu, 14 Apr 2022 17:00:50 +0000 https://topdreamer.com/?p=107412 Some individuals like the antique appearance and feel of a used, well-used old coffee table, while other people prefer to keep that freshly-painted and brand-new look. All coffee tables develop wear and tear with time, reducing the finish and paint or dye. If you want to give your coffee table a fresh new look, all […]

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Some individuals like the antique appearance and feel of a used, well-used old coffee table, while other people prefer to keep that freshly-painted and brand-new look.

All coffee tables develop wear and tear with time, reducing the finish and paint or dye.

If you want to give your coffee table a fresh new look, all you have to do is refinish the surface and paint it with a favorite color to breathe new life into an old piece of furniture.

Remove the old paint with a scraper, roller or power sander

If the existing paint job is good (no major cracks, texture issues), this step can be avoided. Instead, just lightly sand the table down and move on to the next step.

If you’re working with a table that has already been painted, remove the old paint to reveal the wood underneath. New paint adheres more successfully to raw wood than it does to an older, dried out, cracked and unclean layer of paint.

To remove layers of old paint, a putty knife is the most efficient tool, but a wire brush can also be used. To get the finest results, use a paint remover in combination with your putty knife. Soak the existing paint in the solution as directed by the manufacturer to loosen it for removal.

If you need to use a paint remover, be sure to open the windows or work in an outside area so that you do not breathe in any fumes.

A primer may be needed depending on the paint you use. However, there are ‘paint and primer in one’ products out there that save a lot of time and offer a great finish.

Removing Stain

Because stain goes into the wood rather than just coating the top, you can’t simply remove the top layer to show the wood. It’s not easy to cover old stain, which makes it more difficult than painting over raw wood, which is a natural hue.

To get the best results, you must remove the top layer of stain to expose the raw wood beneath, as well as sand away any existing finish that covers the stain. This is done with sandpaper.

Using a palm sander or belt sander for broad open areas of a table is an alternative to sanding by hand. To smooth the table down further after removing it, use finer paper grits to get the degree of smoothness you desire.

Choosing Your Furniture Paint

There are many furniture paints to choose from, and each variety provides a different finish.

If you are looking for a modern, glossy finish – opt for a high quality water based paint. One coat gloss paint is a great option, usually used for doors, molding and window frames. But they work just as well on coffee tables and nightstands.

Chalk based furniture paints are great for the vintage shabby chic appearance. People often use this type of paint and then sand down the corners for a rustic look.

Canned furniture paints provide a smoother finish as they don’t require a brush or roller for application, however they can be tedious to work with if you do not have any experience working with spray cans.

Painting & Finishing Touches

A paint job is not simply a coat of paint. In most cases, many applications will be necessary to achieve the desired finish, but it’s also essential to use the proper application technique for your chosen finish. For the most effective results, you could test on scrap wood or drywall.

Even the finest paint brushes leave tiny indentations or streaks from the brush strokes. Rollers can produce a somewhat pock-marked surface, although the higher the quality of the roller, the smoother the finish. Spray-on coats, whether with a spray gun or a spray can, provide the most consistent, uniform finish providing you take your time and don’t allow drips.

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TikTok DIY Trends to Try this Summer https://topdreamer.com/tiktok-diy-trends-to-try-this-summer/ Wed, 25 Aug 2021 19:23:50 +0000 https://topdreamer.com/?p=105445 Whether you’ve jumped on the bandwagon or not, TikTok has proved to be the fastest growing social media app…ever! Its short-form video format allows users of all ages to create engaging content, no matter the topic. No seriously, there’s a TikTok video for everyone. Whether you’re into crime mysteries, college Greek life, exotic cats, or […]

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Whether you’ve jumped on the bandwagon or not, TikTok has proved to be the fastest growing social media app…ever! Its short-form video format allows users of all ages to create engaging content, no matter the topic. No seriously, there’s a TikTok video for everyone. Whether you’re into crime mysteries, college Greek life, exotic cats, or DIY projects, you’ll find something you’re interested in! But let’s talk DIY. 

The beauty of TikTok is that anybody can join to share their own content, or to find inspiration. After many hours of scrolling the #fyp, here are some of the top DIY trends right now that we can’t wait to try:  

Give a Piece of Furniture a Glow Up

Whether you found a unique table on the side of the road you’re hoping to upcycle or have been holding on to grandma’s dresser you’ve always thought has potential, it’s time to give that piece a makeover. There are countless ideas floating around on this app for how to turn a plain or dated piece of furniture into something fabulous. Sometimes all it takes is a fresh coat of paint to bring something to life. In other cases, you may want to go all out and screw in new handles to a dresser, swap out the legs of a table, or even add wallpaper to the inside of a drawer. The possibilities are endless.

Cross Stitch a Canvas Painting

We know it sounds weird, but trust us, these projects turn out great! There are plenty of gorgeous, thin-lined designs online that you can print out, hold over your canvas, and poke holes in along the line. Once you’ve done that, you can easily thread your needle along the outline to create a gorgeous piece of art! Depending on how colorful you want this piece, you can also start by painting your canvas to add an extra element to your project. 

Customize & Design Your T-Shirt

A tried-and-true DIY that never goes out of style? Customizing your own t-shirt. This project is perfect for events like family reunions, a fun bar crawl, or just for everyday wear. Whether you’re looking for clothes for large or small groups, we recommend ordering from a site like Threadsy! They offer affordable clothing that’s actually high-quality. 

Bleach Tie-Dye an Outfit

Because all trends eventually come back in style, tie-dye is back, baby, but with a twist: bleach. Yep, sounds weird, looks cool. The biggest trend here is bleaching a sweatshirt and sweatpants to create a custom matching set, but you could do this with any piece of clothing! A t-shirt, tank top, hat, whatever. And unlike the traditional colorful dye, bleach comes out white or pink-toned, adding a fun 2021 spin to the old school tie-dye look.

Of course, these are just a few ideas! For more, you’ll need to scroll TikTok and let the algorithm work it’s magic. But in the meantime, we hope you enjoy trying one (or all) of these DIYs!

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A Beginner’s Guide to Using MDF Boards in DIY Projects https://topdreamer.com/a-beginners-guide-to-using-mdf-boards-in-diy-projects/ Wed, 18 Aug 2021 20:19:59 +0000 https://topdreamer.com/?p=105397 If you’ve ever tried dabbling in a little bit of woodworking for your DIY projects, you might have come across something called an MDF board. While fairly common, it’s possible that you might not yet have heard of this versatile and surprisingly affordable material. Or maybe you did, but you just skipped over it in […]

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If you’ve ever tried dabbling in a little bit of woodworking for your DIY projects, you might have come across something called an MDF board. While fairly common, it’s possible that you might not yet have heard of this versatile and surprisingly affordable material. Or maybe you did, but you just skipped over it in favor of a different material. Regardless of whether or not you’ve had an opportunity to use MDF boards before, it’s a fantastic material to use in DIY crafts. 

When would you want to reach for MDF boards over other construction materials? Generally, you would usually see it in small projects that need something thick and somewhat sturdy, like a cabinet for medications and personalized supplements or even building dollhouses. MDF boards are cheap, easy-to-use, and probably going to be the next material you’ll make your next DIY project out of!

What Exactly Is MDF Board?

Basically, an MDF board is a type of wooden board made from glued-together wood chips and fibers. It’s made through a specific type of machine, called a “defibrator,” that cuts up and breaks down wood bits. Then, afterward, another machine combines them together to become the flat board you see for sale in stores.

The name MDF stands for “medium-density fiberboard,” and these fiberboards are typically made at pulp mills. These mills turn wood and recyclable wood materials into pulp, which then gets used to make paper. But unlike paper, fiberboards like MDF are tough enough to keep their shape and not fold over.

However, there’s a catch when using MDF boards: They’re extremely soft. In fact, they’re softer than a block of softwood. You can’t even expect these manufactured boards to last half as long as those from traditional wood. Therefore, it’s reasonable to wonder… why would anyone want to use these boards at all?

Why Use MDF Boards

That said, just because MDF boards are soft, that doesn’t mean they’re useless or serve no purpose. Rather, there are quite a few applications where you’d want to use MDF boards. Now before you throw away your blueprints or give up on your project, there’s a reason why MDF is so popular among small DIY woodworkers. That’s because MDF boards are:

  • Cheap
  • Easily bonds with glue
  • Comes in neatly cut and precise measurements

The first two benefits come from the way MDF boards are made. Unlike traditional wood, which is made from long fibers, the fibers in MDF boards are cut up into tiny pieces. These small pieces give them a porous and smooth surface that lets glue stick better to them. And because these fibers come from wood rejects that can’t be repurposed into anything else, they’re really affordable.

Meanwhile, the fact that MDF is manufactured wood means that you can consistently have them in almost any size straight from the factory. So far, only plywood from sawmills has this same characteristic. But for a budding woodworker planning to experiment, plywood is unfortunately just too expensive. On the other hand, though, MDF does the same thing without the extra added cost.

There is another thing that makes MDF stand out against other woods, as well. Unlike real wood, MDF boards are easy to cut along the edges, which means that the edges won’t splinter when you try to carve them out. And right outside on the surface, they won’t need as much sanding as you would with other wood.

What Projects Can You Do With MDF Boards?

Like most board-shaped wood, you can actually do plenty of things with MDF boards. From cabinet walls to stylized doors, you can make them with these. They’re just as useful as other kinds of would. However, you might have to be careful with water. Unlike plywood and most hardwoods, MDF boards tend to swell when wet. You can get around this by using waterproof veneers and certain glues. 

And because they take wood glue in quite well, they’re great replacement parts for things that easily break like cabinet doors and cupboards. Another way to make the most out of these boards is by layering. Think of how you would make a thick cabinet. You can have a layer veneer on the outside, MDF to make things thicker, and some varnished plywood on the inside to give it a textured look.

Staying Safe With MDF Boards

With MDF boards, it’s important to understand that they’re different from your typical wood. For one, MDF dust stays in the air for a long time. With that in mind, if you plan to cut these up using power tools, you better have an eye shield, face mask, and some good ventilation on.

You might also find from other sources that MDF is bad for you or dangerous to use. While that’s not entirely false, it’s somewhat of an exaggeration. The same could be said for all forms of sawdust. It’s all just a matter of having the right disposal methods, proper ventilation and filtration, and a mask on your face — basically, doing the things you would normally do to keep yourself safe.

Now, it doesn’t take a lot to use MDF boards. You can work on them just as much as you would with regular wood, but at just a fraction of the price of more costly types and cuts. But if you really want to get the most out of your budget, then you should seriously consider using MDF boards for your next DIY project. They are not only cheap, they’re good at what they do, allowing you to make the most out of your hobby — but without having to worry about breaking the bank!

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4 Themes for Your Little Girl’s Nursery https://topdreamer.com/4-themes-for-your-little-girls-nursery/ Sun, 08 Aug 2021 09:34:26 +0000 https://topdreamer.com/?p=105333 When it comes to bringing a newborn into the world, there is always so much to consider. It can seem like a lot to handle for new parents, but there is so much fun that can and will happen along the way. Designing your nursery is one of those things that will remind you of […]

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When it comes to bringing a newborn into the world, there is always so much to consider. It can seem like a lot to handle for new parents, but there is so much fun that can and will happen along the way. Designing your nursery is one of those things that will remind you of all the beautiful things to come for your little girl.

Home decor for your child’s nursery can easily be inspired by different themes such as “The Sky’s the Limit” or “Pretty in Pink.” Here are a few unique themes you can use to be inspired when designing your new daughter’s nursery.

Pretty In Pink Nursery

The color pink is a classic and timeless shade for a baby girl’s nursery. Pink represents love and is an inherently charming color. But as we all know, too much of anything isn’t always a good thing. Thankfully, there are great ways to keep with the Pretty In Pink theme without overpowering the room.

Earth tones like soft browns, light greens, and cream can tie the nursery all together. Start with one piece of nursery wall decor and build from there. A personalized girl’s name sign with faux blush floral designs is a great accent to start with. From there, you can find small ways to add colors from your palette to add a splash of color to your cream or white-based walls. Remember to keep it simple. We promise you’ll be grateful you did.

Rainbow Bright Nursery

Rainbows have various meanings in different cultures. Most popularly, they’re a beautiful representation of hope, peace, and equality. Not only that, but rainbows have a special meaning for parents having their first child after the loss of another. It’s no wonder the bright and eccentric theme of rainbow-bright can bring light into any little girl’s nursery and their family.

Most people think rainbows might be too bright or aggressive for the room. When designing a rainbow-themed nursery, keep the colors of your walls a simple color. Adding a few rainbow accents throughout the room with your wall decor, pillows, and decorative mobiles can add a splash of color without becoming too overwhelming.

The Sky’s The Limit Nursery

A personal favorite theme is bringing the sky into your baby girl’s nursery. The sky represents infinity, wrapping your daughter with the idea of limitless possibilities as you bring her into the world for the first time, starting from the moment they enter into their very first bedroom.

If you want to keep the room feeling calm while allowing the space to breathe, use light shades of blue when painting the walls. Colors like soft pink and cream are the perfect palette combination for added hints of color. Wall decals of clouds and the sun can bring a sense of daylight.

If you want more of a starry night feel, start with painting one accent wall a deeper shade of blue. Too many dark walls can make the nursery feel smaller. Add silver or white stars against the backdrop of the crib to add to your night sky and hang single strands of matching stars spaced throughout the room.

The Secret Garden Nursery

The Secret Garden is a timeless story that brings a whimsical and magical ambiance to any nursery. It’s a story of exploration, discovery, and of course, a hidden garden that brings life to a young girl’s heart. It’s no wonder this is a popular nursery theme as any parent would want to bring magic and whimsy into their newborn’s life.

Creating a garden within your nursery can be a bohemian-chic way to spruce up the design through forest-style decals, floral wall decor, and macramé chandeliers. String lights can create the feeling of living within a fairy tale and can be a great way to add soft lighting to keep your baby girl slumbering well into the night (or at least one can only hope as a new parent).

Whatever theme you decide to use for your newborn’s nursery, it can be a theme that is repurposed for years to come as you watch your little girl grow up.

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Reasons to Purchase Refurbished Woodwork Machinery https://topdreamer.com/reasons-to-purchase-refurbished-woodwork-machinery/ Mon, 02 Aug 2021 06:16:34 +0000 https://topdreamer.com/?p=105274 Any woodworker, whether it’s a beloved hobby or your 9-5, will know that creating and making wooden goods to keep or sell is incredibly rewarding. Nothing beats crafting your ideas and bringing them to life. Of course, to do this, you need the right tools and, in some cases, woodwork machinery, to complete those larger […]

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Any woodworker, whether it’s a beloved hobby or your 9-5, will know that creating and making wooden goods to keep or sell is incredibly rewarding. Nothing beats crafting your ideas and bringing them to life. Of course, to do this, you need the right tools and, in some cases, woodwork machinery, to complete those larger tasks. With a wide selection of tools on the market it can sometimes be hard to know what you need or where to start, particularly if you are trying to save your money or cut your workshop costs. New tools and machinery can take a huge chunk out of your budget. For quality at a lower cost, why not consider refurbished woodwork machinery?

Quality at a good price

The main reason any woodworker would opt for refurbished machinery over new, is the cost. With a refurbished machine you are guaranteed to get the machine you need at a lower cost. Helping you to keep your outgoings down. Choosing to buy the high-end branded woodwork machines which have been refurbished will likely provide a better service than those lower cost machines you can buy for new at commercial retailers. The quality is not the same and therefore the outcome of your wood projects will be impacted.

Receive expert advice

Making a purchase of woodwork machinery is a big investment and requires a lot of research and time to find the right machine for your needs. Purchasing refurbished machinery through a reputable woodwork company will offer you the addition of expert advice that mainstream and online retailers cannot. Those who have spent the time to refurbish the machine will have expert and hands on knowledge of exactly what it does, how it can be used, and how the machine should be maintained to receive the best quality. With expertly refurbished machinery there should be no hard sell and no pressure to make a purchase, just genuine advice and all your questions and queries answered.

Whether you need routers, saws, planers or spindle moulders for your woodwork project or business, the success or failure of it depends on the build quality of the machine and its individual components. Machinery which has been refurbished will have been cared for by experts with industry experience and a vast knowledge of woodwork.

Environmentally friendly

As a business owner, in particular, a new focus to contend with in today’s modern world Is caring for the environment whilst running your business. Many wood workshops have already resorted to recycling where possible, ethically disposing of their waste, and sourcing eco-friendly woods from fast-growing and replaceable species of trees. Another way you can keep your workshop running sustainably, is to give new life to old machines by purchasing refurbished machinery and tools. This way you are expanding the life of a machine which may have originally been taken to landfill. When properly kept and well maintained your refurbished machine could provide you years of service.

 

Things to check when buying refurbished machinery 

Condition 

When purchasing any piece of machinery it is important to carry out a physical inspection to ensure the quality matches that of the seller’s description. If you know your stuff, you will soon spot any errors or damage which may be a cause for concern. If you do spot any working issues with the refurbished machine, flag this with the seller in the early stages of negotiation to guarantee a fix. 

User guides and paperwork 

It will also be worth asking the seller or dealer if they have the appropriate paperwork for the woodwork machine. There are often manufacturer guides which will aid you in the maintenance of the machine. This will also be useful if you need to source any replacement parts. 

Guarantee 

A reputable seller or dealer or refurbished machinery will not hesitate to provide you a guarantee. It is very important you check before you buy that this is the case. A guarantee will protect you as a buyer. 

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See Why DIY Wallpaper Is the Next Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread https://topdreamer.com/see-why-diy-wallpaper-is-the-next-greatest-thing-since-sliced-bread/ Thu, 17 Jun 2021 07:22:50 +0000 https://topdreamer.com/?p=104873 There is no denying that DIY wallpapers have revolutionized the world of home decoration. Before it, you had to waste countless hours in finding a paint that matched the theme idea you had in mind and then another few into properly applying the paint and waiting for it to dry. Now, because of DIY wallpapers, […]

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There is no denying that DIY wallpapers have revolutionized the world of home decoration. Before it, you had to waste countless hours in finding a paint that matched the theme idea you had in mind and then another few into properly applying the paint and waiting for it to dry. Now, because of DIY wallpapers, you are able to easily put your unique ideas on a wallpaper and then have it delivered to you in the comfort of your home. Whether you are looking to apply temporary wallpaper on your textured walls or patterned wallpapers, you can easily do all this and more with the help of DIY wallpaper.

Here we will talk of the different factors that make DIY the next greatest thing since sliced bread;

The Ease of Installation

●       DIY wallpaper provides you the ease of installation that does not come with any other wall decoration medium. If we talk about paint, you have to spend hours properly applying it and then wait another few hours for it to properly dry up. That is not the case with DIY wallpaper. When you want to install wallpaper, you simply peel off the backing and then install it on your wall. In this way, wallpaper provides you with an effective and time-efficient alternative to paint at almost the same price.

The Plethora of Choices On Hand

●       Another benefit of using DIY wallpaper is that you have hundreds of thousands of designs to choose from. Before wallpaper became popular, if you had a particular theme or decoration idea in mind, you had to spend countless hours finding a paint that was ideal for your desired theme. Now with the help of wallpaper, you easily find a color that will be ideal for your room decoration idea, and with the different patterns and designs that are available in the same color such as floral wallpaper for walls, you are able to experiment and try different patterns until you find the one that is best for you.

Durability

●       If you are someone who does not have the time to perform regular renovations, then DIY wallpaper is the best choice for you. A typical high-quality wallpaper can last about 15 years which means that you don’t have to constantly worry about getting it redone. Wallpaper approximately lasts more than 3 times longer than paint which means that it is the best option available in the market when it comes to wall decoration.

It Can Help You in Hiding Imperfections

●       Wallpaper is brilliant for hiding imperfections that are present on your walls or any other surface that you are looking to apply wallpaper on. For the people who live in relatively old houses, issues like cracked walls can be a huge pain. Luckily for you, high-quality wallpapers can do a great job at hiding these imperfections and making it seem like they never existed.

Wallpapers are Easily Washable

●       If you have children or live in a house where there are children, then home decoration can be a painstaking process for you. Regularly getting your walls repainted because something was spilled on them can be a huge struggle and although there are newer washable paints available in the market, they are not an effective choice if you take all the factors like price and quality into account.

All the DIY wallpapers that are available in the market today are completely washable which means that if something gets spilled on the wall you are easily able to clean it with the help of just a sponge and water.

These are some of the most important factors that make DIY wallpaper the next greatest thing since sliced bread and a must-have for all homes.

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DIY Guide for Painting Your Garage https://topdreamer.com/diy-guide-for-painting-your-garage/ Sat, 12 Jun 2021 20:51:03 +0000 https://topdreamer.com/?p=104829 Your garage can be transformed into anything you wish. Instead of only using a garage to park your car, many people enjoy converting the garage space into an office, home gym, crafting station, music room, or any other creative thing. Regardless of how you use the garage, you probably want it to be looking fresh […]

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Your garage can be transformed into anything you wish. Instead of only using a garage to park your car, many people enjoy converting the garage space into an office, home gym, crafting station, music room, or any other creative thing. Regardless of how you use the garage, you probably want it to be looking fresh and new at all times. 

If you are looking for a way to transform the look of your garage, then we suggest some repainting. Here is everything you need to do about painting your garage as a fun DIY project. 

1. Plan Everything Out

Before you begin painting, you need to start planning how you want your garage to look like. Consider the different color schemes that you can use as well as the theme you want to follow. Don’t just consider painting the walls, but also think about the ceiling and floors. 

2. Spot Any Damages

The first step to remodeling your garage is to look for any damages that need to be repaired. You cannot begin the painting process until every last crack in your garage walls has been successfully repaired. Carefully observe the drywall, fixtures, and floor for cracks and spots. If you find any damages, you can easily repair them using drywall compound that can be found at any local hardware store. If there are cracks on the floor, then consider using a different type of compound to fill the gaps. 

3. Paint the Ceiling

Once all the damage has been repaired, you can bring your paint buckets out and start covering the entire garage. It only makes sense to start by painting the ceiling of your garage first since you will not have to wait for it to dry as you paint other areas. Once the ceiling is complete, you can move on to painting the walls, and then the floor. 

Remember to always start with a base coat to test the waters. Important tools to use during painting include a paint roller for the ceiling since it is difficult to paint evenly on that angle, and a paint sprayer to save time while painting the walls. 

4. Be Patient

Once you are finished painting the entire garage, you need to wait for everything to dry completely before you can clean up the mess, polish the floors, and bring all of your items back. If you are not patient enough, you can end up damaging the paint job and let all of your effort go to waste. 

Calling the Professionals

While painting the garage sounds like an easy job, the entire planning and preparing process can be rather tiresome. If you do not have the time for such an extensive DIY project, then we suggest calling an Orange County painting company and let them handle the entire job on your behalf. Not only will a team of experts know how to complete the job within a given time frame, but they will also choose the best type of paints and equipment that ensure a long-lasting and durable paint job for your garage. 

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A DIY Guide to Installing Concrete Pavers https://topdreamer.com/a-diy-guide-to-installing-concrete-pavers/ Sat, 12 Jun 2021 20:41:50 +0000 https://topdreamer.com/?p=104823 Concrete pavers can transform the look of any outdoor space. If you have some free space available in your house and are planning to install concrete pavers, we have great news for you: you can DIY the whole project. All you need are a few basic materials, handy tools, and a guide to tell you […]

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Concrete pavers can transform the look of any outdoor space. If you have some free space available in your house and are planning to install concrete pavers, we have great news for you: you can DIY the whole project. All you need are a few basic materials, handy tools, and a guide to tell you exactly what needs to be done. 

Here is everything you need to know about installing concrete pavers yourself. 

Tools and Materials Required

Before you begin the installation process, it is important to have all the tools and materials ready beforehand. This will save you the hassle of leaving your project in between and heading down to the hardware store in case you need an additional material. For tools, you will need a few shovels, a cold chisel, and a diamond edge wet saw. All three of these tools can be found at your local hardware store. The tools will help you clear the area and screed sand without any hassle. 

Since installing concrete pavers can become a fairly complicated task, it is essential to have all the materials at hand to avoid any mishaps. You will need concrete, masonry sand, and of course, the concrete pavers that you wish to install. 

DIY Guide to Installing Concrete Pavers

Now that you have all the materials you need, you can finally begin your project with this simple step-by-step guide. 

Step 1: Clear the Area

Since installing concrete pavers does require some excavation of the outdoor space, you should clear the area in advance. Before you start digging, make sure you contact the local utility company to identify any gas and water lines that you should be careful of. Once you have gotten the clearance, you can start using shovels and wheelbarrows to remove any dirt and debris present in the outdoor space. 

Step 2: Spread Concrete

After you are done digging through the courtyard, it is time to fill the area with crushed concrete. The rule of thumb is to use cover the entire soil area with approximately 2 inches of crushed concrete in an even manner. You can use the back of your shovel to press down and ensure that the concrete is spread evenly on the surface. 

Step 3: Screed Sand

Before you start screeding sand, keep in mind that you will not have access to the area that you have screeded since you cannot walk over it. Plan your screeding process properly and work in small areas instead of screeding the entire area at once. Lay the conduit poles with a 2 ft distance and begin screeding. 

Step 4: Install Pavers

Now that you are done with all the preparation, you can start laying the concrete pavers on the surface. A great tip is to always install concrete pavers with the rough edge facing upwards since this can give your courtyard an aesthetic stone look. If you struggle to keep the concrete pavers flat on the newly excavated surface, then you can gently tap on it using a rubber mallet. Alternate between screeding small sections of your courtyard and installing concrete pavers until you have covered the entire surface. If you plan to install a fountain in the middle, then leave the designated space open. 

(Optional) Step 5: Make the Fountain Foundation

To install the fountain, you will need to position and level four large cinderblocks on the space where you want your fountain base to be. Using these blocks is important since it balances the weight of the fountain and prevents any accidents in the future. Once you have installed the cinderblocks, you can continue using a cold chisel to install more concrete pavers along the edge of the fountain base. Here, you can use the diamond blade wet saw to customize the size of the concrete pavers to fit your fountain foundation area perfectly. 

Step 6: Make a Restraining Wall

If you have flowerbeds along the edges of your courtyard, then it is important to make a restraining wall that prevents any dirt and water flowing from the plants. Simply position some concrete pavers in an upright position along the edges in order to protect your new courtyard space. 

Step 7: Add the Fountain

This step is only for those who are planning to add a fountain to their courtyard. Position the fountain above the base of cinderblocks and add an additional row of concrete pavers along the sides. This will act as a second restraining wall and keep your fountain safe. 

Step 8: Spread Sand

Once you are done adding concrete pavers and are satisfied with the positioning, you can start adding masonry sand to fill the small spaces between each paver. You can also add additional masonry sand above the concrete pavers in order to create a protective cushion over the surface. 

Step 9: Re-Sweep and Clean

To finish off your project, you need to re-sweep the entire courtyard area with dry sand. You might have to repeat the last step a few times until the sand has settled into the spaces between the concrete pavers and has become compact enough to remain in position. 

In case you need professional help with re-modeling your courtyard, you can always rely on the experts of Orange County paving. Although a DIY project might be fun, it is certainly tiresome to complete all this labor work. 

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How to Make Your Kid’s Room Look Interesting? https://topdreamer.com/how-to-make-your-kids-room-look-interesting/ Mon, 01 Mar 2021 08:17:17 +0000 https://topdreamer.com/?p=101402 It’s not easy to decorate a kid’s room. Things may turn even more difficult if you need to follow a particular theme. Before you decorate the space, always make sure that it will only be used by your little one. Also, come up with a plan that will keep your child happy at least for […]

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It’s not easy to decorate a kid’s room. Things may turn even more difficult if you need to follow a particular theme. Before you decorate the space, always make sure that it will only be used by your little one. Also, come up with a plan that will keep your child happy at least for the next couple of years. Do your research on arts and crafts for kids to make the room look unique and attractive. 

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The section below talks about a few home décor ideas that would make your kid’s room appear interesting. 

Turn Your Child’s Drawings into Wall Art 

If your child loves to draw, save his best creations, and frame them to decorate his bedroom. Buy the same frames in different sizes and use them to create an exclusive gallery wall. 

You can do something similar even if your kid is not interested in drawing and painting. In that case, frame a few of your child’s favourite animation characters, sports stars, or film actors to create a fascinating gallery wall in his room. 

Create Simple Geometric Designs 

This idea will work for you if your child’s room has white walls. Use a stencil to make simple geometric patterns on the wall. You can leave the patterns as they are or can fill them with bright colours. Make sure the colours you choose are the favourites of your kid. If you don’t want the patterns to last for a long time, you can also opt for wall decals. 

Make A Headboard Using Old T-shirts

Are you wondering what you would do with the old t-shirts of your child? If you can be a little creative, you can use them to decorate his room. Pick a few pieces your little one loved wearing when he was even younger and repurpose them to create a headboard. The headboard thus created will demonstrate your kid’s personality. You can also use those old tees to make DIY pillows. 

Add a Stylish Storage Unit to the Room

Most parents avoid purchasing separate storage units for their kids. However, the fact is that kids need personal storage spaces as much as adults do. 

If you feel that a section of your almirah would be enough for keeping all the blankets, toys, and clothes your child has, you are wrong. Buy a cupboard for your little one. The unit must be attractive to look at and should complement the bubbly environment of your kid’s room. 

If the room is not spacious enough to house a big cupboard, you can opt for colourful storage bins. 

Final Words

All the above ideas are cost-effective and will show amazing results. However, if you want to make your kid really happy, don’t forget to consult him before decorating the room. 

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Smart Home Creation, but Make It DIY https://topdreamer.com/smart-home-creation-but-make-it-diy/ Sat, 21 Nov 2020 17:09:39 +0000 https://topdreamer.com/?p=100473 Digitizing the living environment allows people to automate every process in their home and maintain their techniques with the help of a control console. As well as being time-efficient, smart houses offer the possibility to save money. Is it possible to set up a DIY smart house on your own? By improving a smart home […]

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Digitizing the living environment allows people to automate every process in their home and maintain their techniques with the help of a control console. As well as being time-efficient, smart houses offer the possibility to save money. Is it possible to set up a DIY smart house on your own?

By improving a smart home with appliances on your own, you will get all the features needed for daily comfort. This can feel like a big job, especially for people who have older houses. Nevertheless, it will become easier when you approach it methodically.

Where Do I Start My Smart Home?

While considering the advancement of the house through technology, you should first determine its target objective, i.e. the primary focus:

  • Convenience – it covers technology, helping to automate day-to-day tasks, like turning off/on lights or music, adjusting standing desks automatically, controlling kitchen appliances, etc.
  • Energy-efficiency – includes technology, which is aimed at saving water, reducing of electricity consumption, etc.

To start with one or two devices, you should have a good Wi-Fi signal throughout the house and a smartphone. Once you have learned the methodology of the process, you can add more appliances. One should also mention that they will be easier to maintain if you set up a smart speaker.

Top 10 Smart Devices to Get Started

  • Smart speaker (Echo or Google Home). It has a built-in voice-activated virtual assistant that allows you to control everything from lighting to safety.
  • Smart plug. This product allows you to control all that you plug in (portable fans, lamps, washer, etc.).
  • Smart doorbell. It sends a notification to your smartphone when your guest reaches the door. It becomes activated when the visitor presses the button.
  • Smart light bulb. In addition to reducing energy consumption, it can control your lights, adjusting their colour and brightness to read, relax or watch movies.
  • Smart thermostat. It automatically adjusts to offer you cost-effective comfort based on learning your heating and air conditioning habits.
  • Home security camera. It helps to keep an eye on your home indoors and outdoors. Indoor models help keep an eye on children and pets, while outdoor appliances can catch walkers in action.
  • Multi-room audio system. This type of speaker system makes it possible to enjoy the favourite music throughout your home.
  • Smart smoke detector. Unlike the usual smoke detectors that produce nothing but unpleasant sound, a smart device will not only emit sound but will send an alert to your phone (and anyone you authorize as a contact).
  • Smart irrigation system. This option is focused on the hydration of the lawn and its healthy and long-lasting growth.
  • Smart coffee maker. It allows its owner to control the timing of his favourite cup of coffee in a moment or with a timer via a smartphone.

Transforming your home into a smart home is the best way to connect the necessary devices in a way that saves your time and money, and thus, improves the comfort of a living environment.

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