July 23, 2025

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18 Upcycling Hacks to Slash Waste and Save Money

Upcycling is surging as a budget-friendly, eco-smart DIY movement. A new compendium spotlights 18 creative projects that transform common household cast-offs—mason jars, old jeans, cable reels and more—into functional home goods and décor. Whether you’re a novice or seasoned maker, these ideas promise to save money, reduce landfill waste, and personalize your space.

Highlights include repurposing stuffed animals into weighted door stops, sanding and painting discarded cable spools to craft coffee tables, and even converting unused wine racks into charming herb planters for your kitchen. Each project comes with clear, step-by-step instructions, materials lists, and safety tips, empowering readers to tackle their next upcycling adventure.

Suburbs Ban Seven Popular DIY Projects

Suburban communities nationwide are outlawing seven once-beloved DIY home projects amid rising concerns over noise, pests, and neighborhood appearance. Municipalities from Plano, Texas, to Carlsbad, California, have enacted new ordinances or amended HOA covenants to prohibit backyard chickens, tiny homes/ADUs, front-yard vegetable gardens, fire pits, rainwater harvesting systems, garage gyms, and large-scale holiday light displays.

Homeowners face steep fines, removal orders, or permit requirements if they ignore the bans. Experts advise residents to review city codes and association rules before starting any project and to explore compliant alternatives—such as container gardens, portable gas fire tables, or basement workout areas—to personalize their homes without legal risk.

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Couple Uncover Vintage Tiles Beneath Vinyl Flooring

Claire and Brandon Louw, having purchased their Arizona home sight unseen, were stunned to discover gleaming black-and-white checkerboard tiles hiding under gray luxury vinyl plank flooring. What began as a routine renovation plan turned into a viral TikTok moment—within two hours of moving in, Claire had peeled back the new flooring to reveal vintage tile in multiple rooms.

This unexpected find has spurred them to refinish the recovered tiles with a matte sealant and adopt a “moody European” décor scheme. With nearly 4 million TikTok views and over 400 000 likes, their discovery is inspiring homeowners to probe beneath the surface—and consider restoring original floors rather than replacing them.

Self-Watering Raised Beds Turn Small Balconies into Urban Gardens

City dwellers are reclaiming balconies as mini-farms with a three-piece self-watering raised garden bed set from Wayfair, on sale from $41 each. Each 31″ × 14″ × 30″ planter holds up to 15.9 gallons of soil, suspends planting beds above a water reservoir and drains excess moisture through a covered spout.

Self-watering design: Water-separation net keeps soil nourished

Durable & UV-resistant: Lightweight steel frame resists sun damage

Modular layout: Three units let you grow cucumbers, tomatoes and herbs side by side

This trend reflects a surge in container gardening as urban residents seek fresh produce, low-maintenance DIY projects and creative green solutions.

DIY Streak-Free Window Cleaner Recipe

A frustrated mom has distilled window-cleaning woes into a single spray bottle, blending rubbing alcohol, cornstarch and cold water for gleaming, streak-free panes. She discovered that cornstarch disrupts water’s surface tension, while alcohol disinfects without leaving residue.

The DIY solution, easily mixed in an empty spray bottle and activated by a simple shake, promises spotless windows, mirrors and shower doors in minutes—no vinegar, no streaks, no fuss.

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Suburban DIY Alert: 7 Beloved Projects Banned—What You Need to Know