Curbly Original
Before and After: How to Transform a Rusty Metal Cabinet to a Modern Statement Piece

by Jeran McConnel
Before and After: How to Transform a Rusty Metal Cabinet to a Modern Statement Piece
Photo: Jeran McConnel

Okay, confession time.  I have a lot of random junk in my garage.  I love to thrift, so when I come across furniture that has "potential", I buy it and save it for a rainy day.  This ugly little metal drawer cabinet has been in my garage for a couple years now collecting dust.  I bought it at the Pasadena Flea Market and paid about $20 for it.  It was very rusty and had a lot of holes and chipped layers of paint.      

        

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130+ Halloween Costume Ideas If You Have No Idea What You're Going to Be Yet

by M.E. Gray

128 Ideas on What to Be for Halloween

As an adult, you've got a lot of important decisions to make every year, but one of the most important is what to be for Halloween! We're only kidding - but sometimes it does seem like an overwhelming responsibility! If you're still scratching your head as to what to be, take a scroll down this list and see if anything tickles your fancy. We have costume ideas for couples, whole families and groups, or for a party-of-one. Asking yourself, "What should I be for Halloween?" Look no further. Happy Halloween!        

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3 Tutorials That Will Have You Lettering Chalkboards Like a PRO

by DIY Maven
Chalkboard lettering made easy
Background by Mateusz Liberra / Shutterstock

Okay, show of hands... How many of us have sat down with chalk in hand in front of our new DIY chalkboards, ready to start lettering, only to realize that our chalkboard lettering skills stink? This morning at about 4:30am while I was surfing the webs --because that's what I do when I wake up waaaay too early and I don't want to get out of bed and my iPhone is within reach--I spotted a genius tutorial on Indie Craft Parade that shows how to letter like a total pro. Inspired, I started digging - and today I'm sharing three great tutorial for chalkboard lettering that'll make it seem like you went to calligraphy school.              

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Organize It!: How to Make Two Types of Drawer Dividers

by M.E. Gray

How to make a wood drawer dividers

Whoever invented drawers was a genius. A compartment where you can throw your stuff inside, shut it, and forget about it? Sign me up. What the inventor of the drawer did forget to consider, however, was organization. Toss your stuff inside a drawer, and you're sure to have to dig to find it again. You can buy traditional drawer dividers and organizers from the store, but what if your drawers are too small (or too big)? You're in luck - DIY drawer dividers are really easy to make yourself.            

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Save Money, Get Fit: How You Can Achieve Both Fiscal and Physical Fitness at the Same Time

by Amber Dickson
Yoga mat and participant
Photo: RawPixel/Pexels

Generally speaking, we all want to be physically healthier, and we all want to be more financially fit. Gains in both those spheres really boost our enjoyment of life, but attaining both those goals at the same time can seem intimidating. Can you save money and stay healthy? Do the two go hand-in-hand, or do they butt heads? Read on to learn about ways that will help you improve both your bodily and fiscal fitness. Put these tips into practice and reap two-for-one benefits!          

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If You Make These DIY Cat Toys, You'll Make Yours the Happiest Kitty on the Planet

by Marlene Sauer
How to make easy DIY cat toys
Image by Marlene Sauer

It's pretty clear by now that cats are taking over the world. From global Instagram cat celebrities, to cat cafes, to enough cat-themed accessories to clothe an army, our feline friends have us wrapped around their paws. My own cat, Jax, is no exception --- he is definitely the boss in our household. Now he's even got me making DIY cat toys!          

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Amazing Fall Decor Ideas for Every Style, Budget, and Room

by Rachel Jacks and Faith Towers Provencher

A cozy fall scene with a plaid blanket, hot chocolate, and fall leaves on a wood tray

It may or may not feel like it yet where you live, but I'm sure you don't need to be told that summer is nearing its last days. After a long, hot season, many of us are ready for cooler weather, colorful leaves, hay mazes, and apple picking. It can be fun to bring some of that fall flair into your home decor, too. So whether you want just a touch of fall decor, or want to kick summer to the curb and go all in with your fall decorations, we have tons of ideas for ways to turn your home into a celebration of autumn.          

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Make This! DIY Contemporary Wood and Concrete Coat Rack

by Faith Provencher
DIY Wood and Cement Coat Rack
Photo: Faith Towers Provencher

Our house lacks closet space, especially by the entryway... so I've always wanted a fun coat rack that I could put near the door. But if you've ever tried to buy a coat rack online, you know that it's hard to find a cool one - and the ones that are attractive usually have crazy price tags to match. So of course I decided to make one! Keep reading to check out the instructions for this super easy wood and cement coat rack.   

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20 Ways to Elegantly Decorate Around and Disguise Your TV

by Holly Wade and Faith Towers Provencher
20 Ways to Elegantly Decorate Around and Disguise Your TV
Source: Jessica McCarthy

When we moved into our current apartment, we decided to mount our TV on the wall. Mainly, this was because our cats liked to stand in front of it, but we also just liked the look! Now, it's over a year later and there's nothing on that wall except a TV, which is the eyesore of the room. I'm a BIG TV fan, but I don't like the look of a giant black screen singled out on my wall. Because I was in need of some eye candy myself, I rounded up my favorite ways to decorate around  your TV to incorporate it into your decor, or completely transform it into a hidden TV. Now I can't wait to finally decorate around my TV to make the room look a million times better!          

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Curb The Clutter: Genius Ways to Store and Organize Cookware

by Faith Towers Provencher and DIY Maven
Pots and Pans Organizer Ideas
Photo: Scott Clark

It's not an easy task to organize pots and pans in the kitchen... the varied shapes and sizes of the different pieces often end up occupying more space than they should. And let's not even get into trying to close a drawer full of utensils in disarray! But don't give up - there are plenty of ways to tame the mess. Here are twenty-two clever ideas and do-it-yourself projects to get everything under control once and for all.      

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My Secret Weapon for Saving Tired Wood Furniture

by Rachel Jacks
Before shot of wood furniture in need of a facelift
Photo: Rachel Jacks

A few years ago, I discovered a product for reviving worn wood that I can't believe I didn't know about sooner. It took the recommendations of two different vintage furniture dealers before I tried it, but now it's an essential step for fixing up any tired-looking wood furniture that comes into my house. Best of all, this miracle-in-a-can is affordable, easy to find, and easy to use. Read on if you're ready to give it a try (or let my "after" photos of the chair above convince you if you think it sounds too good to be true!).             

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These Are the Best Privacy Options for Your Bathroom Windows

by Jennifer Farley

Bathroom windows are unique, both in form and function. They need to let light into a small space, while at the same time, afford you privacy. Here's how to get the best of both worlds.  

Bathroom Windows Privacy Solutions For Every Budget

Every bathroom in my home has a window, some of them quite large. Our current master bathroom even has one in the shower. That doesn't seem so bad (hooray, natural light!), except the window looks directly out onto the porch right next to our front door. 
Hello Mr. UPS man, don't mind me, I am just standing here taking a shower...

Obviously, we had to remedy these problems. Bathroom windows are a good thing! They let in light and help ventilate the bathroom when needed, but they can be inconvenient when you need to go about your bathroom business. Here is a wide variety of solutions for your bathroom privacy that fit a variety of budget needs.       

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Chill Out: Easy DIY Aromatherapy Eye Pillow

by Faith Provencher
Just Relax: Easy DIY Aromatherapy Eye Pillow
Photo: Faith Towers Provencher

I don't know about you, but I'm guilty of forgetting to take the time to chill out every now and then... I'm constantly trying to chip away at my to-do list, which doesn't leave much time for self-care. But lately I've been taking a few minutes every day to heat up and put on my new aromatherapy eye pillow, and it's been working wonders for my stress levels. Other eye pillow benefits? It's fantastic for headaches, and it's also a great solution for insomnia sufferers. Keep reading to find out how to make your own!   

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How to Make a Rattan Jewelry Organizer

by Marlene Sauer
DIY rattan necklace and earring organizer
Photo: Marlene Sauer

It happens every morning.

I pull on my shoes, search around for my keys, and realize I didn't put on my earrings yet. And as surely as I know that the bus is always running late, I know that I can't find the pair of earrings I want to wear.

Is it just me, or is jewelry one of the hardest things to keep organized??

Click through to see how I made this necklace and earring organizer!

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How to Fold Everything in Your Dresser

by M.E. Gray

How to fold everything in your dresser

There's nothing quite like the frustration of trying to find a shirt in a dresser drawer packed full of balled up clothes. There's no order, and everything is kind of just shoved in there. While it may be tempting to just close up your dresser drawers when they start to get chaotic, being able to have everything nicely folded and visible will make getting ready in the morning a million times easier. So, rather than just tossing that tee in the back of the drawer, fold it properly the first time so you can find it when you need it. Keep reading for the best way to fold shirts, pants, socks, even underwear!         

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Make A Statement: DIY Clay Pendant Tassel Necklace

by Faith Provencher
DIY Clay Pendant Tassel Necklace
Photo: Faith Towers Provencher

Every now and then we like to share a necklace tutorial over here at Curbly... and today is one of those days! This is no ordinary necklace tutorial though - this clay pendant tassel necklace is a bold, in-your-face statement piece that will surely garner compliments over and over again. And it's really quite easy to make! So let's get started.    

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