Bin There Dump That: One Man's Trash Blog

It’s that time of year again, when everything outside looks gray and bleak, so we long for some refreshing zip inside.

Honey, let’s re-do the kitchen! And remodel the bathroom! The attic has so much potential, don’t you think? Our bedroom is shabby. Take a look at these 1,300 paint chips I brought home...

Whoa. Love that enthusiasm, but you might want to tackle one re-do at a time.

How to choose?

Here are 5 of the top home remodeling trends for 2016. Pace yourself.

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.

Love those house flipping shows on TV? They make it look easy, don’t they? Even when major problems arise, everything is tidily wrapped up after a couple commercial breaks.

Well, it isn’t easy.

But it helps if the flipper has a few qualities that give them the fortitude and know-how to get in, get the job done and get out. With profit.

What are some of the qualities of successful house flippers?

Sometimes a house needs a lot of work.

Seriously, A LOT of work.

Maybe it’s your house (sorry). You might have outgrown it, but you love your neighborhood and don’t want to move. Maybe you’re a house flipper who got a great deal on a fixer-upper and you’re looking for a big profit.

Do you renovate or do you tear the thing down and start from scratch?

We’re not gonna lie — either way, be prepared for some turmoil. No home-cooked meals for a while. Dust everywhere. At least two missing toothbrushes. Serious threats to your sanity.

And that’s if everything goes perfectly.

Which way to go? Here are a few factors to consider when deciding between renovate or rebuild.

If you have to stare at those shabby varnished kitchen cabinets and speckled pink countertops much longer, you’re going to scream.

A kitchen remodel — starting with a really big sledge hammer — is the only way to save your sanity.

Real-estate experts are with you on this one. Wisely chosen home upgrades can pay off in the long run with increased home value. But you have to come up with the money to get things rolling.

Time for a home equity loan, right? Well, maybe. If you have enough equity in your home.

But since 2008, when the sub prime mortgage bust hit, many homeowners have seen their home equity disappear.

If that’s the case, you’ll have to look for other funding sources. The good news is, there are options that don’t require collateral. Pink speckled counters, buh-bye.

Here are six suggestions for how to finance a remodel without equity.

Everybody knows the kitchen is the heart of the home — and the room that can make or break the sale when you have a house on the market.

When you’re flipping a house, timing is everything. You want to get in, fix it up, and make the sale.

So what’s the best way to attack a kitchen remodel when you’re flipping a house? Let’s take a look. But before you dive in, know that remodeling a kitchen for resale isn’t the same as redoing a kitchen for yourself.

First, a few kitchen renovation tips to keep in mind:

Home renovation can be overwhelming.

How much paint will you need? Can you install your own back splash? Where the heck did you leave your level?

As long as you know where your smartphone is, you’re all set. There are mobile apps designed just for home renovators and remodelers like you, ready to turn your smartphone into tools, inspiration, and handy little home repair reference guide.

Here’s a look at some of the best home improvement apps to get you on your way. Now, where did you leave that phone charger?

When you’re planning a home renovation, every new idea comes with dollar signs attached. Lots of dollar signs.

“Let’s do new kitchen counters and backsplash.” Ka-ching.

“The bathroom tile is gross. What if we...” Ka-ching.

“So, I saw this idea in a magazine and...” Ka-ching

You get the idea.

But there are ways to trim the cost of your home renovations. You’ll need a crow bar, some paint, some planning and creativity. Here’s a look at five home renovation tips to take a bit of the ka-ching out of your renovation project.

When you have more tasks on your honey-do list than there are hours in the day, you either need to get to work or figure a way out of them. If you go with the later, you’ll need a good excuse.

Designing a room can make a huge difference in your home — if you’re able to visualize what the new space could look like.

To figure out what you do and don’t like without needing to move or return things, turn to your mobile device.

Interior design apps can help you turn your ideas into reality, whether you’re starting from scratch or hoping to change up a room already full of items.

The next time you redesign a space, check out our picks for the best interior design apps for homeowners.