DIY Life

So, you're currently paying $1,200 for a 400 square foot apartment, and all of this talk of a recession still hasn't convinced your landlord to lower your rent. I'd tell you to make homemade lemonade out of lemons, but I suppose your kitchen's countertop isn't even big enough for a cutting board... right?

No worries. Follow our DIY decorating tips that will make even the tiniest of spaces feel like a million bucks... and square feet.

1. Be a wallflower. That is, use your wall space for more than just the latest artwork. Walls have just as much function as the floor beneath them, so get crafty and make the most of your space. Need a place to sort your bills or catch up on correspondences? Why not install a wall-mounted desk like Maggi Pattillo's oak workspace? No room for a bed in your studio? Try a recessed bed using a sturdy wall and a few handy tools. Perhaps you don't have a proper dining room table, and your parent's hand-me-down won't quite fit through your tiny apartment door. Try a folding wall table using folding shelf brackets from your local hardware store.

2. Divide and conquer. Room dividers are a must when you live in a small space, as compartmentalizing is everything. I love how Alex created a DIY room divider with just a few supplies and a lovely lofted space. No need for extra storage? Try a sleek, modern aquarium to divide your space. Your guests will be [almost!] as bug-eyed as the fish inside! And of course, for the greenie in you, turn a few hanging planters into a privacy fence of sorts... indoors! The look is both fun and funky -- perfect for apartment dwellers across the board.

3. Declutter. The easiest of DIY's? Trash it. Get rid of your un-used items, because when your space is smaller than Thumbelina's elbow, there's no room for extras.

Need more small-space decorating tips? You don't need a DIY guide; just follow some basic tips for decorating with limited square footage. A few ground rules: Avoid bulky furniture, purchase items that serve double duty (i.e. ottoman and coffee table!), and be sure to light the room properly.

After all, the best things in life come in small (and sometimes cramped!) packages!

Here's a noteworthy story I just spotted on the Reuters website, titled "Man blows up apartment spraying for bugs?" The New York Daily News originally reported the story about a New Jersey man who, while spraying insects in his apartment, somehow let the contents of the spray can ignite. (Spraying near a lit gas burner, perhaps?)

The mishap caused an immense blast that blew the windows out of the unfortunate man's kitchen. The explosion then started a fire that destroyed eighty percent of his apartment. The man, Isias Videl Maceda, was unhurt.

I guess the question mark in the title of the article indicates the incident is still under investigation, but I think it's fairly safe to say that whatever this gentleman was doing, he was doing it all wrong! The episode is a good reminder for all of us that chemicals -- especially those contained in aerosol cans -- must be kept away from heat sources.

[via Reuters.]

The box air-conditioning unit is a necessary evil for many apartment dwellers. (Those of you about to head off to college, take note!) These things come with a few big cons: they are noisy, they are unsightly, they block the view out of your window, and they are a pain in the neck to install and uninstall.

At least the unsightliness factor is something you can fix! Here are a few suggestions for hiding your air conditioning unit from New York Magazine:

• Decorate it with something pretty like wallpaper scraps.
• Build a decorative cabinet around it, but be careful not to block air flow.
• Disguise it from view with a sheer curtain.
• Hide it with a screen.
• Cover it with artwork and frame it.

[via Apartment Therapy]

Put on a happy face this Fall: plant container mums by your front door! The chrysanthemum is an inexpensive yet high-impact plant that will provide a colorful focal point for your home. Its cheerful, compact blooms look good in any context, while the myriad rustic shades of brown, red, orange, and yellow are perfect for autumn.

Here are a few tips for success with container mums this Fall.

First, consider impact. One lonely pot of mums does not look good unless your home or apartment is right up close to the street, in which case you might be able to get away with it. A much better strategy is to mass at least three plants in separate pots. Place them in a casual-looking cluster or in a row descending your front steps. Another option is to plant several chrysanthemums in one large pot.

Those of us who have lived or live in apartments sometimes feel the need to just go berserk and make the place all our own. It's true that we don't "own" an apartment per se, but we do own the "environment" inside the apartment. Who says we can't get a little creative and spruce up that inside with some creative yet cheap solutions for our own little custom piece of the world?

Have lots of books but just don't like the look of clutter? Try curtained bookshelves. Better yet, get really organized and take advantage of all the nooks and crannies available to you inside your domicile. Even hide storage areas with tablecloths or other decorative items so that those books can be handy, but also be hiding in plain sight.

Want to not feel squished in front of the boob tube? Try open-air furniture and armless chairs. Use those corners too, and don't forget to give your kitchen some personality. After all, this is where you live and it needn't be so depressing, unorganized or lifeless. Space is only an issue if you don't get things looking like home instead of "the inside of an apartment."

I was snooping around the futuregirl craft blog today and found this awesome idea on keeping your apartment cool when you don't have air conditioning and have strict rules on what you can and can't do to your apartment.

The solution that the author came up with involves white sheets and emergency blankets. You'll have to check out her blog to get the full instructions on how she did it.

This is an awesome idea for those of you in her situation with a handy streak. It sounds as if it may be a bit tricky to pull off but if your are hot and baking in your own apartment. You may be as desperate as futuregirl was. Check out her ideas and see if they might work for you.

Do you have any stay cool ideas that may be easier to pull off or might be a more permanent solution? If so please leave a comment and share your ideas.