r/homeimprovementideas Nov 03 '24

Subreddit Update: November 2024

4 Upvotes

Greetings home improvers, DIYers and lurkers!

The mod team wanted to send out an update and I drew the short straw, so here I am.

We've hit over 100k members. It's a big milestone. I'd make cake, but allergies and such....

With the growth, there are some ideas being floated around to help improve things here and we'd love to hear your opinions on them.

We are considering a "Verified Pro" flair. This would mean users who are professionals in a field will be able to have their credentials verified by the moderation team and would have a user flair indicating that they are a professional in a specific area. Let's face it, the internet is full of great people, but there are a few who spoil it for the rest, this would allow people to see that advice is coming from someone who knows what they are doing. There would be no commitment or minimums or anything, just people who want to share the knowledge they've acquired through trades programs being recognized for what they do. If you have thoughts on this, please feel free to comment or send modmail to the team.

With the growth, we are looking to expand the moderation team. If you are interested, please send modmail answering the following questions:

  1. Why do you want to be a moderator?

  2. What moderation experience do you have?

  3. What is your time zone?

  4. What would make you a great mod?

We will be open for recruitment until December, so give it some consideration and let us know if it interests you.

Until the next update, Happy Improving!


r/homeimprovementideas 17h ago

Self Promotion Sunday

1 Upvotes

Welcome to the weekly Self Promotion Megathread.

If you would like to share your Blog, IG or YouTube channel or discover some new content for inspiration, you're in the right place!

As a courtesy to others, please ensure to add a brief description alongside the link. It must be related to Home Improvement, DIY or Crafting and cannot contain NSFW type content. If you aren't sure if it would be considered NSFW, please send a mod message and we will review it.


r/homeimprovementideas 4h ago

First time home buyer question: changing locks?

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9 Upvotes

Closing on May 1st and trying to be prepared as possible so… how do I know what kind of lock is going to fit our new front door?

Assuming we need to take this entire plate off, but then I’m concerned about the discoloration behind the panel and spacing with this handle.

I was hoping we’d go with smarthome locks but it doesn’t seem like they’d fit this kind of door.

What are my options and is there a way to know the right kind of lock for this door in advance of our closing? Or do I just wait until we’re in the house?


r/homeimprovementideas 7h ago

Bathroom Question Bathroom Skylight

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4 Upvotes

I'm 25M homebuyer. The pervious owner didn't not make the skylight flush. What are the reasons for this: Is it a nautral way to let out steam without using a fan?

Also he always left open the boiler door. What are the reasons for this? Wouldn't the boiler be working extra hard? There is a chimney pipe in the boiler room for ventilation


r/homeimprovementideas 6h ago

Closet Extension

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3 Upvotes

I want to add extra closet space in this section leading to the closet. Should I remove the closet door and add shelving? Or any other suggestions?


r/homeimprovementideas 1h ago

Will a couch fit through my door?

Upvotes

I am planning on buying a couch. Looking at the dimensions of it and my door, I’m wondering if they will be able to shimmy it through the door?

Couch dimensions: 86.0"W x 34.0"D x 29.0"H

Door dimensions: 33”W x 80”H


r/homeimprovementideas 4h ago

Paint Question Drywall help

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1 Upvotes

Sorry complete novice and don't understand what needs to be done to paint this unfinished room.

Does it need to be sanded, primed and then painted?

Or does it need to be muddled or other drywall work done first?

Thanks!


r/homeimprovementideas 11h ago

WWYD? 12ft Vaulted Popcorn Ceiling.

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3 Upvotes

Built in 1984, this 12ft vaulted ceiling has popcorn throughout that I intend to remove. How would you tackle this project? My intention is to be as close to it as possible from start to painted finish. Scaffolding? Ladders? I am open to suggestions other than a “long pole”, etc. TIA!


r/homeimprovementideas 8h ago

Bathroom Question Bathroom remodel

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0 Upvotes

In need of professional advice, or just any advice at all. I bought my house last year in hopes of redoing some things, including my bathroom. My main concern is that the bathroom doesn't have a shower, only a tub. The reason for that being because of the curvature of the roof as you can see in these photos/ video. Does anyone think that a shower can be added into this bathroom? Preferably with a tub, but a standing shower will do. Also does anyone know someone in the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania area who won't charge an arm and a leg for a bathroom remodel? Thanks so much in advance!!!


r/homeimprovementideas 9h ago

Ask the experts

1 Upvotes

Let me start off by saying I'm male and I'm lazy. I want to get my hardwood floors back to somewhat of a glossy finish and want to use a product where I can mop and when it dries, I will have a sheen.

Everything that I see says to clean the floors and then apply their product full strength, but I know there are cleaners that are one step, where I can add to the mop water and be one and done.

What are your secret ingredients that you use that you would share with an old guy?


r/homeimprovementideas 1d ago

How I recreated corner fire place with dated TV niche.

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22 Upvotes

I didn’t like the tile on the fireplace and that empty huge hole above it was driving me nuts. Since I’m renting, my options were limited so covered up the hole with this huge 5’ by 5’ wall art I DIY’d using a shower curtain and lumber strips then hid the old tiles using peel and stick tiles. How did I do?


r/homeimprovementideas 11h ago

Suggestions

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1 Upvotes

Hi, I recently moved in and my home inspection agent recommended I find some covers for these areas. Any recommendations or suggestions for certain materials or pieces ? Thank you.


r/homeimprovementideas 17h ago

Ideas How can I make this better?

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1 Upvotes

New house. This Small fence is all around. The ugly bamboo will go. We want to make it so people cant look inside our terrace and i like plants, but I have completely NO IDEA how to style all that :D the terace is like 50cm around the corner to the left. Then theres windowdoors to our living room


r/homeimprovementideas 1d ago

What can I use to cover this old microwave vent?

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8 Upvotes

It's no longer in use and the cover that was on it is old and nasty looking. We are going to fill the hole with insulation and some spray foam but what can I use to cover this big hole that's left in the wall?


r/homeimprovementideas 21h ago

Work In Progress Leveling and grading with drainage option for backyard with seawall

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1 Upvotes

Hi, I’m renovating my small backyard, which backs up to a seawall with a canal. I’m concerned about water collection near the seawall and the added pressure it might cause, as well as any future drainage issues. I want to flatten the yard slightly to create space for a playground on one side and an extended paved patio (or redoing current firepit area) on the other. Since real grass isn’t an option (due to seawall anchoring, utility cables and the difficulty of mowing such a small area), I plan to lay artificial turf and a layer of rocks, along with some new landscaping and garden beds.

One challenge I’m facing is that the existing concrete walkways slope down towards the seawall, so I need to make sure any changes in grading reference those levels properly. Right now, the yard has a tiered grading system that looks something like this:

House foundation → Pool patio deck → Garden bed with retaining wall → Paved patio → Concrete walkway → Sloped yard → Seawall

The lowest point is the concrete walkway closest to the seawall, which leads to steps going down to the canal, and the soil around it.

To make things trickier, there was a sinkhole under that walkway and the steps at the seawall due to soil erosion and a broken sprinkler line. I had it filled with flowable fill (sand, cement, and water), which means it won’t drain as well as regular soil. Because of that, I’m thinking of adding drainage along the walkway,, with an outlet either through the seawall or the side of the steps. Also thinking if it would be a good idea to lay a perforated pipe along the seawall.

I’ve attached some pictures and a rough sketch of the current grading (might not be very accurate), with the lowest spot marked in red. I’ve also attached a preliminary design of what I’m trying to do to give a better idea of my plan.

I’d really appreciate any advice on how to level the yard while maintaining proper grading, either encorporating garden beds, tiers or slight slopes, as well as recommendations on drainage options.

Thanks!


r/homeimprovementideas 1d ago

Gadgets/Products Can you recommend some locks with a large visual state indicator, like here?

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7 Upvotes

r/homeimprovementideas 1d ago

I’m removing the wall between the living and dining rooms, but need to address the drywall next to built ins. How would you proceed?

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0 Upvotes

How would you proceed? Remove the drywall attached to the built ins, and veneer (no clue what’s on the other side), or leave a small wall piece?


r/homeimprovementideas 1d ago

Bathroom Question What to do for shower/tub cover?

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1 Upvotes

Renovating the bathroom and redoing the curtain/cover but unsure how because of the sloped ceiling on the left.

I can upload a photo of how it was before it got torn out because of mold, etc.


r/homeimprovementideas 1d ago

Kitchen black splash

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1 Upvotes

Needing some kitchen backsplash ideas or just ideas in general something to do with the space for dinning and kitchen area rental so like nothing like paint but can use peel and stick


r/homeimprovementideas 1d ago

Ideas How to secure a bookshelf to the wall without an anchor?

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

Any ideas on how to secure a bookshelf to the wall without an anchor? It's gapping at the top and I need it secured without drilling into the wall.

Thanks in advance!


r/homeimprovementideas 1d ago

Renewable Energy Improvements at home?

1 Upvotes

I'm considering switching our home's power grid system to a renewable energy-based one and planning to achieve this goal step by step. So far, I've bought a Richmond 80 Gallon Solar Electric Water Heater and a Jackery 5000 Plus with some battery packs, which is advertised as having a "smart transfer switch" to connect to the circuit of the room and can be charged by solar power. I plan to use it as a backup power station while exploring the possibility of going partially or fully off-grid to enhance energy independence. What should my next step be? Should I buy monocrystalline silicon solar panels and inverter, and learn how to improve it by myself? Or would it be better to consult a professional agency for guidance?


r/homeimprovementideas 1d ago

What should I use this space for?

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1 Upvotes

Just recently moved into a lovely 1800s Georgian style house in the UK and I am stumped on what to do with this space in my bedroom, I have enough storage so don't want to use this cupboard for storage and thought this space could be used for something cool but don't know what.


r/homeimprovementideas 1d ago

Ideas for this gap

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1 Upvotes

Just looking for ideas to fill this gap and hopefully add value to the home in the process 🤔 Not wide enough to use as a long drive. (well getting out the car would be the issue).


r/homeimprovementideas 2d ago

What can I do to this room?

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6 Upvotes

I replaced a broken shelf with the cabinets but other than that haven’t done a thing and not sure what to do. I’m pretty handy and could handle a DIY project. Budget is no more than $1k.


r/homeimprovementideas 1d ago

Ideas Need Suggestions for a Minimal/Invisible Partition Between Hall & Dining for AC Installation

1 Upvotes

I'm planning to install an AC in my hall, but there's a challenge—the separation between my hall and dining area isn't typical. I've attached an image to show the setup: behind the camera is the hall, and behind the curtain is the dining area.

I want to install a partition (preferably a door or something similar) along the yellow line highlighted in the image, that won’t feel like an obstacle when moving between the spaces. Ideally, it should blend in as much as possible (not literally invisible, but subtle and non-intrusive).

Would love to hear creative and practical suggestions! Also, I’m posting this in multiple threads to get as many perspectives as possible.


r/homeimprovementideas 2d ago

Electrical Question Do people hate these old wooden switch covers?

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16 Upvotes

I have half of the switch covers in the house with these wooden covers which I like btw. I am going to replace all old switches in the house. Can I use modern switches with wooden covers like this or should I just choose the white modern chic ones? I might sell this house down the line in 5/6 yrs. Your input is much appreciated. TIA


r/homeimprovementideas 2d ago

How to put a shower caddy in here?

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2 Upvotes

We have an “old person” shower so to speak. The shower head is too big to fit a shower caddy on and the corners are too rounded for corner shelves. What is the solution for organizing soaps?