Phase 2 of The House Behind The Trees ~ The downstairs #TeelsBuildaHouse

So we are starting the downstairs ... I HATE to say basement because we had a basement in our old home, where you opened a door and went down stairs separated from anything else. It was a finished basement complete with a bedroom, craft room, family/game room and we spent a lot of time there ~ our oldest son moved down there in jr high and stayed through high school ... until we finished the master suite in the attic then he moved back up to the bedroom floor with his brother and sister.  So here our downstairs is open to the rest of the house, you can see through to the outside from the top of the stairs going down because we have a wall of windows down there as well.  We really didn't plan to have a kiddo down there but since we are having to do a switch-a-roo with rooms (I'll explain later) he is moving home soon and will be downstairs. Anyhoo, our downstairs will house our main family room, our middle sons room, a full bath and kitchenette.  I thought it would be fun ...

New Year New Ways to "Restart" Your Home On the Cheap

Plant an Indoor Herb Garden ~ In winter, when everything green goes dormant, it's a good idea to focus on something to nurture. Adding plants isn't just an aesthetic practice: Studies cited by Psychology Today show that houseplants can help us improve reaction times, reduce stress, and even lower blood pressure levels.

Organize Your Closet ~ That's right: It's finally time to clean out your closet! Your first challenge? Thinning the hoard of clothes you've accumulated over the years. Once that's done, sort through all the miscellany you may have also stashed in the closet: all your mementos, photos, and old letters. Pare down the collection, but take your time so you won't have any regrets when you take out the trash.



Mix Up Your Furniture ~ Moving the big stuff around is fun and instantly gratifying. In fact, rearranging the furniture is the perfect zero dollar upgrade. Focus on your largest freestanding pieces first: your media console, bookcase, couch, or coffee table. Are you moving furniture in a small space? Pull everything a few inches away from the wall, take a seat, and see how the new arrangement feels. Practice trusting yourself in the New Year—you'll know if it's right.

Paint the Front Door ~ Nothing makes you re-evaluate your place in this universe quicker than a chipped and peeling front door. As the daily divider between your private space and the outside world, your door makes a statement about what kind of homeowner you are—and you might not like what it has to say. A fresh coat of paint creates a major impact with minimal work. And really, isn't that the best kind of DIY?


Update Hardware ~ Are you a renter who hates your kitchen? Are you dealing with outdated cabinets, perma-stained walls, and depressing linoleum floors? Welcome to the club. Switching out the hardware on your kitchen cabinets, dresser, or desk doesn't seem like a whole lot of change, but it will update your space. Just trust us on this one.


Frame And Hang Anything ~ There are no rules when it comes to what to frame—and that's a good thing! Sure, some people don't like living without boundaries or interior design dictates, but you're adventurous. Who really needs guidelines? Hang up old albums, dried flowers, or plates for a touch of the unexpected.



Spray-Paint Something ~ You know that one piece of furniture that's always looked out of place? You snatched it off the sidewalk or plucked it from your grandmother's house, and now it just sits there all alone like the new girl in a middle school cafeteria. If it's bothering you, don't stop to figure out why. Grab the furniture and a can of spray paint, head out to the backyard, and give the piece a thorough coat. Let it dry completely before bringing it back inside.

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