The Forgotten DIY Wisdom That Dads Know Best

Using a power saw safely and effectively depends on preparation, care, focus and follow-through. Read on to learn the basic principles of operating electric cutting tools like a pro.

In recent years, study after study has revealed a rise in the number of renovations that take place in the kitchen. Why the kitchen, you ask? It’s simple: The kitchen often serves as the epicenter of household activity. It’s the room where family members typically spend the most time, alone and together, cooking, eating, entertaining, and more. In the words of Joe Maykut, a product manager with Sears Home Services, the kitchen is “the hardworking heart of the home.” If yours isn’t up to snuff—if it doesn’t meet your daily needs, or if you’ve never cared for the way it looks—then you’ve probably pondered an upgrade. Perhaps no other remodeling project delivers such a high-impact improvement in quality of life, or does so much to boost resale value. That said, while there may be any number of reasons to redo a kitchen, there are at least as many ways for the best-intended renovations to go off the rails. Click through now for details on some of the most common mistakes homeowners just like you make with this most common of remodeling projects. This content has been brought to you by Sears Home Services. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila.com.

Whether you’re a woodworker, gardener, craftaholic or avid DIYer, you need a comfortable area where you can do what you love to do. Sure, there are loads of craft tables, workbenches, and potting benches available for purchase, but why not make your own and save money in the process? Whether you build from scratch or by repurposing existing furniture, there are loads of great options for makers of all skill levels.Although you’re ultimately going to build the DIY craft table, workbench, or potting bench that best suits your needs, some basic guidelines can help focus your efforts. For instance, bear in mind that a table height between 32 and 36 inches often works best, as it allows for most people to work comfortably while standing or sitting. The ideal table depth depends on the kind of work you do. A depth of 30 inches enables most people to reach back to front, but if you work on larger pieces, it may be wise to let the average dimensions of your work dictate the depth of your table.For some of our favorite examples from of DIY craft table projects and more, click through right now!

This versatile workbench can transform any small space into a hardworking home shop.

Long gone are the days when desks were reserved for the classroom or the office. Even if you don’t work from home, chances are you have a computer there—and need a place to conduct business (or check in on various Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram accounts). So as we welcome desks into our homes, why not make them an extension of our personal styles? There’s no better way to meet your personal home office requirements than to build your own desk. DIY desk plans are abundant, and there’s surely one that suits your style. You don’t need to start from scratch, if you don’t want to. Use elements that you already have, like file cabinets and cubbie systems. Reuse, recycle, or upcycle nearly anything from a pallet to plywood. Even a couple stools and a simple plank can come together for a DIY desk that’s easy on the eyes. In general, a 28- or 30-inch high work surface is most comfortable for writing, with a somewhat lower height (24 or 28 inches) being best for typing. And you should allow about a two-foot width to accommodate knees. A conventional office desk is about 30 inches deep. But in the end, you can build your own desk however you want—whatever would work best to the suit the space and your individual need. From free and easy to time-intensive labors of love, here are 15 DIY desk projects that will get you excited to get to work.

Take preventative measures and be prepared for worst-case scenarios with these home safety essentials.