Bin There Dump That: One Man's Trash Blog

The good news is, we’re not asking you to confess your home renovation slip-ups and goofs here, in public.

But we all make them.

That time you ordered the dishwasher that was too big for the space. The paint that cracked and peeled off in big hunks before it was even dry. The embarrassing trip to the emergency room because you... well, let’s not get into it here.

Some home renovation mistakes are so common the experts find themselves talking about them time and time again.

Homeowners, in 2016 and beyond, do your best to avoid these 10 common home renovation mistakes.

Your yard could use some sprucing up, from adding a flowerbed in the front to redesigning the layout in the back.

But it can be hard to envision what the space will look like with those changes.

Instead of digging in and hoping for the best, use a landscaping app to create a digital layout of the space to see what does and doesn’t work. Even if you’re planning to hire a professional, creating a basic design beforehand can make sure you two are on the same page.

Here are our picks for the best landscaping apps for homeowners — to help you along your next project; from buying sod to disposing of the remaining landscaping debris in your chosen dumpster size.

The warmer weather can leave you itching to get outside to work on your landscape.

But there’s a lot you can — and should — do inside your home, too. There’s a reason it’s called spring cleaning: it’s the perfect time to complete all of your projects and make your home look its best.

Here are four indoor home renovation projects you should tackle this spring.

The thing we’ve all been waiting for is finally here: Spring. As temperatures continue to rise, so will the urge to get outdoors.

Spring is the perfect time to work on a variety of landscape projects, like trimming bushes, pulling dead foliage and renovating your patio area. And with your hard work will come piles of scraps and debris. Those lawn bags can only hold so much and it’s all gotta go somewhere.

But can you put those in your dumpster rental?

If you’re like me, it’s easy to get lost in all of those home renovation shows on HGTV and DIY Network. The kitchens are sleek and modern; the budgets are ridiculous; wall demolition looks unbelievably therapeutic; and the open floor plans are something on everyone’s must-have list.  

And while everyone doesn’t have the budget for an entirely new kitchen, it’s a safe bet there’s at least one wall standing in the way of you and that spacious, open floor plan you’ve always wanted. One interior wall that almost always gets the ax is the dividing wall between the kitchen and the dining room or family room. Another renovation trend is to remove the dividing wall between your bathroom and master bedroom.

By removing a wall, you’re creating an entirely new and flexible living space in your home, something most new home buyers are seeking these days

In my opinion, winter can be the best time of the year to really get things done — on the inside of your home. Thanks to snow on the ground and chilly temperatures in the air, winter does a nice job putting our outdoor distractions — yard work, washing the car, golf — on hold for a few months.

So why not spend that time stuck in your house working on your house? Feel productive this winter, instead of trapped. Here are my five favorite winter home improvement projects that will immediately enhance the look and feel of your home — without breaking the bank or your back.

Generally speaking, the relationship we have with our bathrooms can be a bit rushed and, at times, inconvenient. When we’re home, it’s the kitchen, bedroom and family room that tend to get most of our attention. And that’s totally normal, but maybe not for much longer.

As many post-recession homeowners continue to invest in their homes rather than pack them up and look elsewhere, the bathroom is one room in the house getting some spa-like attention after all and topping remodel lists for 2015.

The leaves are turning and are beginning to fall. Soon, it will be snowflakes floating lazily down, beautiful at first and then — after months of white — agonizing. Most of us in northern climates spend a great deal more time inside at home during the winter. (That, too, can become agonizing over time!)

To make the experience as pleasant as possible, there are several things you need to do, including getting your Netflix queue up to date and stockpiling the microwave popcorn.

But there’s more to getting your home ready before the snow starts flying — and it’s a crucial process that will help keep you safe and warm.

Here are 12 steps to take as you prepare your home for winter.

Home improvement projects add value to a home and improve the lifestyle of those living in it. Whether it leads to lounging in a luxurious bathroom suite or enjoying Mother Nature on a backyard patio the pleasures of home renovation projects are varied and many. The decision for homeowners is how to get those projects done.

There are a number of variables to consider when deciding whether to do the project yourself or hire a professional: Skill level, finances and free time are just a few.

But unless you do renovation for a living, there are some projects that its better to leave to the professionals.

The kids are finally out of the house. They’re starting careers of their own and the risk of them returning home has finally dwindled to near zero. Heck, the Chicago Cubs have a better shot of winning the World Series or the St. Louis Blues of winning the Lord Stanley’s Cup than you do of having your kids move back home again.

It’s time to downsize.