Simple Tips for the Best Mens Closet Organization

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Closet Organization: Only Keep What You Need

One of the biggest problems facing men’s overstuffed closets is that they’re full of clothes the closet owner doesn’t need. Some people are simply lazy and haven’t cleaned out their closets in ages, while others are attached to certain garments or feel wasteful throwing out items that are not full of holes.

To organize your closet, take everything out and dump it on your bed; go through each piece of clothing one item at a time and assess when you wore it last. Apart from formal wear, if you haven’t worn something in one year and it’s in good repair, donate it to charity. Most charities will come to your door to pick up your castaways, so don’t think giving away your clothes is going to become an arduous chore you don’t have time for. Every year, repeat this process to make sure your closet stays organized.

Mens Clothes: Store seasonal apparel

Another way to organize your closet clutter is to store seasonal apparel. In the winter, take all your summer clothes and store them in a suitcase, then do the same in the summer with your winter apparel.

When you shop, throw out something old

Lastly, every time you go shopping and buy something new, get rid of another garment from your closet that’s looking a little old or is no longer trendy to ensure you maintain approximately the same volume of clothing.

Mens Closet Organizer: Hang like garments together

Stop wasting time rummaging around in your closet by using two simple systems that will help you retrieve individual garments. First, hang all garments that belong in the same category together — i.e., sweaters next to sweaters and dress shirts next to dress shirts. At all costs, avoid hanging clothes by color family. This system will simply make a big mess of your closet because people tend to think “I want to wear a sweater,” rather than “I want to wear something brown,” so use the more intuitive grouping system of clustering similar items together; this is the correct approach when figuring out how to organize your closet.

• Sweaters:

For heavy sweaters that will stretch out if placed on a hanger or for cashmere and other delicate fabrics, you’ll definitely want a shelf, so get one immediately if your closet doesn’t have one built in.

• Pants:

If you have two or more pairs of black pants or multiples of any other color of pants, use multitiered hangers to save space

• Shoes:

Use a shoe rack so you can see all your footwear laid out instead of jumbled up. Make sure to buy a floor shoe rack, however, because the ones that hang over closet doors don’t provide proper support for men’s shoes. Squeeze as many shoes as possible onto your shoe rack by placing shoes in opposite facing directions.

We love these tips for Men’s closet organizational tips from Esquire magazine.

Closet Organization: Make small accessories visible

While it may seem like a good idea to place smaller accessories like ties, belts and the like in a drawer, the truth is that you might end up wearing them less often because when you can’t see them, you’ll forget you own them. Get the most out of your wardrobe by purchasing a set of hooks or even a small rack to throw over your door and hang your accessories. These sets can be extremely cheap, so don’t be reluctant to look for one even if you’re on a tight budget, and the ones that go over your door require absolutely no time or effort to install.

For more closet organizing tips on Stagetecture, click here.

How to Decorate your Haunted House for Halloween on a Budget

• Gather up your supplies: Old pieces of cardboard, colored paper, markers, and glue are some of the things you can use.
• Take cardboard and cut out bat shapes (use a stencil if you need to): After you cut them out, use markers or paint to add color. Black bats look great hanging with a bit of fishing wire or string.
• Make fake tombstones out of cardboard: Just cut out the shape, paint it gray, and write RIP or other sayings on them. They can then be placed in a window, or in a place where they won’t get wet.
• Use yarn or crepe paper to create giant spider webs for windows
• Use colored paper to cut out pumpkins, black cats, or other Halloween pictures: These can be placed in windows, or on walls.
• Recycle old costumes and clothes: Old masks can be used to make life-size monsters with just some old clothes and newspapers.

Need more Halloween decorating ideas? Take a look at these tips:

We love this spooky Halloween decorating tricks and tips from Homedit.com

These 14 Halloween projects from Popular Mechanic will help you will more decorating ideas.

Want to make Halloween Specimen Jars?

Try making these Halloween specimen jars for your Halloween party:

Haunted House Decorating Tips:

• Keep scraps of fabric and old clothes throughout the year. These will come in handy to make scarecrows or other life size beings.
• Alternatively, instead of the yarn spider webs, you can purchase bags of “fake webbing” for very little cost, these often include small plastic spiders and the occasional glow-in-the-dark ones as well.
• For a bonus, change out your front porch light with a black light. It gives an extra creepy glow.
• If you happen to be a gardener, save any dead flowers and plants. Putting out some dead flowers and plants can make your house look haunted (just get rid of all the dead plants after Halloween!)
• Stick bin-bags to front windows and stick CSI tape to the front of the house to make it seem deserted.

Haunted House ideas:

Watch the haunted house video here for more ideas!

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.

How to Install Pebble Mosaic Tile

Install Pebble Mosaic Tile:

Pebble and stone mosaic tiles can be used in an extensive variety of installations. They are appropriate for both indoor and outdoor application. Commercial applications include flooring, feature walls, bar surfaces, and walkways in projects ranging from restaurants to medical facilities, public parks, and corporate offices. Residential installations include pools and pool decks, patios, landscaping, fountains, water features, kitchen backsplash, flooring, shower floors, bath and powder room floors, entryways, fireplaces and BBQ areas.

DIY Network gives you step by step directions on how to lay pebble mosaic tile.

Tile ideas: Preparation and Application

Installation of these tiles is similar to any other natural stone product for best results, we recommend a qualified tradesperson who is experienced in the laying of natural stone product the tiles are sold in 12 inch by 12inch all tiles interlock on all sides sort tiles before installing to ensure an even color layout for a vertical or contoured surface, smaller pebble sizes should be considered as well as a polymer based adhesive with a short hydration period, i.e.: glue setting time Substrates – Area of application should be flat, clean, dry and free of contaminants. For wet areas the use of reinforced waterproof membranes is suggested. In the case of flooring a fall to the drainage point of no less than two inches in required.

Need some pebble tile inspiration? Take a look at these on Houzz.

How to Install Pebble Tiles Video:

Tile Adhesive:

Mosaic tile adhesive – Use only a high quality thinset mortar. The manufacturer’s literature will outline if it is appropriate for indoors or outdoors as well as for floors and walls.
It is important that each pebble is embedded in adhesive, however they should not be pressed deeply into the adhesive. Select a product suitable for application with a ¼” or 1/8” notched trowel and apply no more than three square feet of adhesive at a time.

Sealing and Grouting

It is recommended that the stones be sealed before and after grouting. For the best results use a good quality penetrating sealer. These types of penetrating sealers ordinarily do not change or alter the color of the pebbles. In order to enhance the color of the stones to a deeper matte or glossy finish it is suggested you use natural stone color enhancer or natural stone color and shine enhancer prior to applying the penetrating sealer. A sanded grout that is suitable for external or internal conditions which ever may be the case is recommended. Generally grouts are a water mix but where some flexibility may be needed then a latex additive or similar should be used in the water it is important to wait the interval recommended by the adhesive manufacturer before grouting to minimize dirt ingress between the pebble and avoid the opportunity for dislodging of pebbles grout a small area at a time.when grout has dried, use a stiff bristled brush to scrub excess grout.
After removing most of the grout with a brush use a grout sponge to continue removing grout until the desired finish is achieved.

Pebble Mosaic Tile Control Joints

Joints can be easily formed with two angles, sealant and bond-breaker between them designers may show points at which joints are needed and they are certainly required where tiles join walls or some other building material in the substrate a tile saw may be used to fit edges or corners you can also flip the tile over and cut the desired edge or shape with a sharp cutting instrument OR take individual pebbles off the mesh to fill the gaps ordering extra sheets of tile may be useful for this.

Sealers and Cleaning

It is recommended that the pebbles be sealed with a quality impregnator before grouting and again after the grout has dried completely. To maintain ease of maintenance of natural stone it is recommended that sealants be applied every 2-3 years. Whenever using sealants and cleaners, ensure you follow the manufacturers recommended method of application. The pebbles can be cleaned with neutral mild detergents. The porosity or water absorption in pebbles (natural stone) varies, and therefore staining will occur in different degrees if the stone is unsealed consequently, any spills should be cleaned quickly to lessen the degree of the stain and sealers are highly recommended.

Thinking of installing a stone veneer wall? This tutorial will help!

Have you ever thought about repurposing your vintage or collectible silverware? Basically you are taking old silverware that you all don’t use and making them useful again by flipping them into wall mounted hooks.  Which you will find is almost as easy as it sounds, now a hot glue gun or nails will be needed so yes adult supervision is necessary other than that have fun with it.

Image via: Scraphacker

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Supplies

1. Old Silverware
2. Newspaper
3. Wood Panel Block
4. Acrylic Craft Paint
5. Sponge Brush
6. Paper Bowl
7. Hot Glue Gun (or Nails if you plan on nailing the spoon or fork head for better security)
8. Hot Glue Sticks

Image via: Bobvila

Instructions

1. Start by bending each silverware piece that you intend to use into a hook forms and set them to the side.  Then take out the newspaper and spread it out on a flat work space.
2. Next, place the wood panel block (you can purchase at any craft store) on the newspaper.  Then get the acrylic craft paint and squeeze it into a bowl.  After paint is in the bowl take the sponge brush and begin to coat the wood panel with the acrylic paint.  Be sure to allow for the paint to dry.
3. Now time for the hot glue gun, make sure that the hot glue gun has the hot glue stick.  Plug it in into the power outlet and let the glue warm up.  When the glue is hot squeeze the glue onto the back of the end of the silverware and press it to the wood block.
4. Repeat this process for all and let the glue dry before hanging the block on the wall.

If you all would like to you can paint the silverware before putting them on the block.

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.

Happy DIY Saturday! Now that spring is here – we are all looking for ways to spend more time outside. Have you thought about building a porch swing?

Image via: Dishfunctional Designs

Today’s DIY Saturday will help you transform a chair into a porch swing! Watch a Craftsman video on building the ultimate porch swing from a recliner! Then get the step by step directions for repurposing a chair into a porch swing.

Video: How to Build the Ultimate Porch Swing

Link to Video – How to build the ultimate porch swing

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How to build a swing from a chair 

Swing into action by taking a chair and transforming it into an outdoor swing.  Now if your home is similar to mine you have a few chairs that are just sitting in the home and sort of taking up space.  Now you don’t want to lose them or get rid of them because they are special and have been with you for some time.  Well here is something that you can do that will be fun and you can still keep the chair.  Turn that chair into an outdoor swing, it can go on the porch or patio if you do not have those then a tree is fine too!

Image via: Scraphacker

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Supplies

1. Rope or Chain
2. Chair
3. S-hooks
4. 4 Standard Eye Bolts (5/16 inch wide by 4 inches long)
5. Saw (electric preferred)
6. Drill (electric preferred)
7. File or Sandpaper
8. Measuring Tape
9. Permanent Marker
10. Paper
11. Pen or Pencil

Image via: Dishfunctional Designs 

Directions

1. Purchase the rope (preferably for indoors and outdoors) or chains (preferably for outdoors) that you will be using to hold up the swing.  When constructing swings for children rope that is made with good griping substance such as polypropylene is usually recommended.  However, if you do decide to use a chain, try the galvanized 1/0 double loop.
2. With the chair that you have chosen, begin to remove the legs from beneath it using the saw.  There will be different blades for both wood and metal available.  What you want to do is get as close to the bottom of the chair as possible so you don’t have sharp stumps behind.
3. Now it is time to smooth the edges by filing or sandpaper what is left of the legs. And this would also be a good time for you to measure and write down the length and width or your chair, you will need them later on.
4. Using your permanent marker mark four spots for pilot holes in the four corners of the chair, making sure to leave about two inches between the marks and the edges of the chair.  The take the drill and drill the pilot holes.
5. Insert the eye bolts (5/16 inch wide by four inches long) into the pilot holes and secure them with a flat washer and nuts.  Next, place the S-hooks through the eye bolts, you have now converted a chair into a swing and the only thing left to do is hang it somewhere.

Location Directions

1. Porch Location- Start by drilling two pilot holes directly into the ceiling joist you want to hang it from.  Use your chair measurements to figure out the distance the holes need to be (it should be equal the length of the distance between the two front pilot holes in the chair).  Screw the heavy duty eye bolts (3/4 inch wide by four inches long into the pilot holes.
2. Tree Location- First make sure that the tree branch is alive and at least eight inches thick.  After the stability requirements are proven, drill two holes through the tree branch. Like with the porch location-use your chair measurements to calculate how far apart the holes need to be (this again should equal the length of the distance between the two front pilot holes in the chair).  Insert galvanized or stainless steel heavy duty eye bolts through the holes in the branch secure these with a flat washer and nuts.
3. If you are using chains, attach them to the front eye bolts in the chair and run them up through the eye bolts in either the ceiling or the branch, then bring them down and attach them to the back eye bolts in the chair.
4. Now if you are using rope, pass the rope through the eye bolts in either the ceiling or the branch and make sure the rope is even length on both sides, and pass it through the front and back eye bolts of the chair.
5. Tie the rope at all four eye bolts in the chair using a bowline knot. The bowline knot will not slip or untie when a load is placed on it and for more instructions/detail on how to tie this knot can be found at AnimatedKnots.com.

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.

Braided crafts is one of the first things we learned to do when we were young children and now this easy technique can spill over into your adulthood!  You can work on several DIY projects using braided patterns. There are also quite a number of materials that can be braided such as paper, plastic, leather with each producing a distinctive result.

Today, take a  look at these Martha Stewart braided crafts to make your home come alive with creativity!

Image via

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You can also try braiding a combination of different materials like craft yarn, crochet thread, strips of leather, ribbon and other materials you can mix and match to create a humble masterpiece.

Bookmark

To do this, use thin materials such as craft thread, yarn or ribbon. Lay down the ends of the thread and string of the beads. Make sure that the braid is long enough so the beads aren’t trapped between the pages of a book and cause damage.

Napkin Rings

Image via

Remember the hours you could spend weaving lanyards at summer camp? These braided ribbon napkin rings are just as delightful and simple to make. Practice with one ribbon first, until you become familiar with the pattern, then follow these instructions for a chain using two grosgrain ribbons, each 2 yards long, in complementary colors. Hold them together at the halfway point; the color facing you will become the inside color of the chain.

Ribbon Napkin Ring How-To

1. Cross the ribbons right sides over left to make a loop, then slide them back through the loop to make a slipknot. For the complete guide via Martha Stewart.

Door Mats

Start by making a miniature version of a mat. When you think you are ready for a big one, you may cover a larger work surface with kraft paper. Then, trace a 33-inch vertical line and a 12 1/4-inch horizontal cross lines on the paper. This will serve as your guide to the whole process. Tape the loops to maintain the shape.

Image via

Be aware that the sturdiest material and thick braids will be less flexible. You can create a unique effect by combining colors with various materials. Also, braiding shortens the length of the original material or resources, it is very important to add the length to at least 25 percent longer.

We used 1/2-inch-thick twisted nylon rope. About 165 feet makes a 33-by-20-inch mat. For the full directions via Martha Stewart.

Watch Stagetecture’s You Tube Channel for more DIY ideas

Recycling old socks can be a great way to make use of those one socks you find laying around. How many socks have you thrown away because you can’t find a match, they have a hole, or they just aren’t your style anymore? Take advantage of numerous green home ideas with your old socks. It is one of the best methods to reduce the amount of waste materials piling up every day in our homes. It is a more efficient way to spend a free time like holidays or weekends at home, and you can get more space back in your sock drawer!

Whether the damage is due to several holes or stained, it can still be recycled into a new stuff. All you have to prepare are your time and creativity. In addition, you may also set up some of your craft tools and accessories. Then, you are ready to create a masterpiece.

Recycling Old Socks: Creative Craft Ideas to Try

Image via: Maribel Made

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Creative recycling ideas for your socks: 

Create a doll

This is a great stuffed toy to create. This can also serve as a home décor or accessory to furniture and curtain. You can place this on top of the table or beside your lamp shade. Using your old sock, draw a pattern as to how you like the doll to look like. Then, sew the sock to form the doll pattern. Leave a small hole or space that is enough for you to insert something to stuff the doll. It can also be another old sock that is cut into small pieces. When the right firmness is achieved, you can now sew the remainder of the sock.  You may now add some accessories to enhance the looks of your doll like buttons that will serve as eyes and beads for some parts of the doll. If you have textile paint, you can use it to dress-up your doll.

Dress up your flower pot

Old socks can make a simple flower pot look like new and fashionable. All you need to have is your old colorful sock, a pair of scissors and sewing kits. Just slip over the sock to the flower pot. Make sure that the sock is able to stretch enough for the size of the flower pot. Shear off the bottom part of the sock so that the flower pot can stand firm on any surface. Secure the bottom parts of the sock by sewing. Fold the top portion of the sock inside the flower pot and fill it with soil or Styrofoam. Raise your desired flowers and you now have a decorative flower pot.

Image via: Design Sponge

Recyclin Ideas – Make a pin cushion

A pin cushion usually measures five inches in diameter to preserve and store needles and pins. This makes it fit for an old sock to be a pin cushion. The first step is to fill-in a handful of fine sand inside the sock. Feel free to add or remove some sand, as desired. Tie the sock with nylon or yarn. Provide a space to form the pin cushion according to how you want it. You may form your pin cushion like a strawberry or tomato or other vegetable like a pumpkin!

These are just a few of the old sock ideas that you can work to pump-up your creativity and resourcefulness. Socks can also be used to pack breakables when moving in boxes, or use them to store antique silverware to help reduce tarnishing! Old socks can have many uses – you just have to think outside the box!

For more creative Crafts & DIY ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Your kitchen is undoubtedly a place where you spend a lot of your time and make memories with your family and friends. Painting your kitchen is an easy way to spruce it up, give your home a new feel, and it can improve your resale value.

Painting your kitchen can be a task that is endearing to some, but dreadful to others. Follow the tips below to make painting your kitchen as smooth a process as possible:

Image via: Birch and Bird

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Supplies:

Gather all of the necessary supplies – paint trays, paint brushes, paints rollers, a paint stirrer, tarps, painter’s tape, and any other supplies you feel your kitchen may need. Heavier paint trays are easier to use. The preparation process is the hardest part.

Remove Furniture/Appliances:

Take everything out of your kitchen before you begin painting, including your stove, refrigerator, and any appliances. You will drip paint at some point, and you don’t want to get it all over any of your home appliances. If you haven’t moved in to your new place yet and are painting before a move, you’re one step ahead of the game.

Use Painter’s Tape:

This is a really long process, but really important as it ensures the easiest and cleanest home paint job. Around every corner of the kitchen that you want to paint you must put blue painter’s tape (i.e., along the corners of your cabinets, stove, countertops, windowsills, etc.). The tape is your removable frame. It lays down the parameters of where you will be painting and creates an even line so that as you inevitably go past the surface you plan to paint, you will be painting over the tape and not the surrounding wall.

Use Tarp:

Lay tarp down, and lots of it. Plastic tarp is inexpensive, so buy lots of it and use it generously. Cover all of the floors and any appliances that may not be moveable when painting.

Image via: Pinterest

Sand:

Your walls needs to be clean, dry, and free of imperfections. Go over rough areas with a piece of sandpaper and remove dust and debris with a damp cloth. Inspect the walls for any holes or cracks that may need to be filled with spackle. Let surfaces completely dry before you paint.

Always Apply a Second Coat:

You will finish the first coat of paint and realize it still doesn’t look great. Don’t fret. The second coat is vital in making your kitchen look fabulous. Wait for the first coat to dry, and then reapply.

Sometimes all a room needs is a fresh coat of paint to make it look and feel as good as new! Have fun painting, and rest assured you have all of the preparations done correctly. For more information, contact an Arlington Heights painter today.

For more kitchen & bath ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Springtime is always fun around the house because it enables you to reinvent your home. Whether it with spring colors, fresh scents, and it means Easter is right around the corner. Easter decorations can range from the intricate to the simple and similarly to Christmas, it can be celebrated in your home as a season, rather than just a few days.

Today, I found some of my favorite Easter inspiration ideas and am sharing them with you, in hopes you will bring some of these magical ideas into your home. I can’t wait to try some of them!

Bluest of Blue Eggs

Image via: Stella Shteinbuk.Pinterest

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Easter Egg Tree

Image via: Holiday Decor.Pinterest

Chalkboard Easter Eggs

I love the idea of a twist on the traditional pastel colored egg! These chalkboard Easter eggs are wonderful.

Image via: Elissa Ricks.Pinterest

Pretty Recycled Egg Cartons

How about these colorful egg cartons painted for Easter egg giving? Love the idea of decorating with a ribbon and customizing for the recipient.

Image via: Giovanna Botti.Pinterest

Speckled Easter Eggs

Image via: Jessica Colaluca.Pinterest

For more Easter ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

When it comes to designing the interior space of your home, you might end up deciding that you need a little help from the pros; after several wall colors that simply didn’t work, a mishmash of mismatched furniture, and the addition of a giant antique mirror in your small, modern home (a big mistake in more ways than one), you’re about ready to concede that your decorating skills are sadly subpar. But you just might not feel right about spending beaucoup bucks on something that the average homeowner seems perfectly capable of (all your family and friends seem to have their home decor well in hand). So you need to carefully price out interior design services in order to find one that can deliver the style and functionality you want at a cost you’re comfortable paying. Here are a few tips to help you get it right this time.

Image via: Houzz

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Determine what services you need

First and foremost, you need to think about what you want done before you go looking for an interior designer. Perhaps you have one room in mind that could use a serious makeover. Or maybe you’d like to upgrade every common space in the home (kitchen, living room, even the guest room or guest bathroom). It could be that all you need to be completely happy with your home is a glorious master bath. Then again, an overhaul of your entire interior space could be on the agenda. The point is, you need to decide this before you start looking for bidders.

Create a budget

You also need to create a budget before you get too far along. It’s all well and good to say that money is no object, but for most people this is not true. Okay, so maybe money is no object, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to let your interior designer in on the fact. Whether you have to set the budget so that you don’t spend too much or you simply want to start with an artificial limit that you’re comfortable with (and see where it goes from there), you should never, ever give your interior designer free reign to spend. Simply let him know that there is some wiggle room so that he will take the initiative to approach you with suggestions.

Image via: Emily A Clark

Collecting bids and estimates

Your next step is to start collecting bids. You may have some ideas about the function and aesthetic of certain rooms, and you will likely prefer certain colors, finishes, and materials from the get-go. But don’t be too pushy at the outset. Your ideas have gone nowhere thus far, or you wouldn’t be hiring an interior decorator. So set a few basic parameters and then see what your bidders come up with in terms of ideas and pricing. You may wind up loving their vision for your space or you might hate it, but either way you’ll get some good ideas and a slew of price quotes in the process.

Just keep in mind that quotes are not final numbers and you may run into pricy setbacks along the way (not to mention a change of heart or three). So always plan for an overage of at least 20% from the original bid. That way you can avoid paying the excess on plastic (and having to consolidate later with balance transfer credit cards).

For more interiors tips on Stagetecture, click here.