15 Holy Grail Home Hacks and DIY Decorating Essentials

Most good-looking rooms rely on a handful of unglamorous tools and products doing quiet work in the background. In the video below, designer and DIYer Lone Fox walks through the home hacks and decorating essentials he reaches for over and over: the things he keeps reordering because they make hanging, painting, fixing and styling faster. Here's a breakdown of each one, what it's useful for and how to get the most out of it.

Tools for Hanging and Building

• Laser level. It projects a straight line across the wall, so you can hang a row of frames, shelves or a gallery wall without measuring every piece twice. Mark nail points along the line in pencil before you drill.
• Hot glue gun. A high-temperature glue gun handles quick craft repairs, faux florals and decor projects. Keep it for light items; heavy pieces and anything that gets hot or wet need a stronger adhesive.
• Brad nailer. Brad nailers shoot thin 18-gauge nails that leave tiny holes, which makes them ideal for small trim, picture-frame moulding, wall paneling and furniture builds. For thick baseboards and door casing, a finish nailer with heavier 15- or 16-gauge nails holds better.
• Mini miter saw. A compact miter saw cuts clean angles in small trim, dowels and craft wood without taking over the garage. A larger miter saw is the next step up for longer boards and wider trim.
• Heavy-duty scissors. A sturdy pair cuts through cardboard, rug pads, upholstery fabric and plastic packaging that would ruin regular scissors.

Painting Shortcuts

• Pre-taped painter's tape. These dispensers lay down tape with a plastic sheet already attached, so you mask a baseboard or window and protect the surface below in one pass.
• Paint guide. A handheld paint shield or edger helps you cut in along ceilings and trim without tape. Wipe the edge often so paint doesn't build up and transfer.
• Touch-up paint pen. Fill a refillable brush pen with leftover wall paint and keep it in a drawer. It fixes scuffs and chips in seconds and saves you from opening a full can.

Quick Fixes and Cleanup

• Wax fill sticks. Colored wax filler sticks hide nail holes and scratches in wood furniture, floors and trim. Rub the stick over the damage, then buff with a soft cloth.
• Heat gun. Useful for loosening old adhesive and stickers, softening caulk, shrink-wrapping and some paint stripping. If your home was built before 1978, test old paint for lead before heating or sanding it.
• Desktop vacuum. A small cordless vacuum picks up sawdust, glitter, crumbs and eraser bits from a work table without pulling out the full-size machine.

Styling Essentials

• Rug corner grippers. Anti-curling grippers stick under the corners of a rug to keep them flat, which looks neater and removes a tripping hazard.
• Down pillow inserts. Feather-and-down inserts look fuller and hold that soft dip in the center better than flat polyester. A common rule is to choose an insert about 2 inches larger than the cover (a 22-inch insert for a 20-inch cover) so the corners fill out.
• Blank coffee table book. A book with a plain cover is easy to customize and works as a styling base for a candle or small vase on a coffee table or shelf.

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How to Build Your Own Kit

You don't need all 15 items at once. Start with the problems you run into most. If you hang art often, get a laser level first. If you're always touching up walls, a paint pen and a paint guide will pay off quickly. Add bigger tools like a brad nailer or miter saw when you have a specific project for them, and keep everything in one bin so it's easy to grab.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using hot glue for anything heavy or outdoors, where it can fail.
• Buying pillow inserts the same size as the cover, which leaves pillows looking flat.
• Skipping safety glasses with nailers, saws and heat guns.
• Painting over scuffs with a different sheen than the wall, which makes touch-ups stand out.

Enjoy Watching This Video About Home

Source: Lone Fox

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a brad nailer worth it for beginners?

Yes, if you plan to do trim, paneling or small furniture projects. It's lighter and more forgiving than a finish nailer, and the small nail holes are easy to fill.

What size pillow insert should I buy?

Go about 2 inches bigger than the cover for a full, plump look. For a firmer cover or a tight zipper, 1 inch up may be enough.

More Home Ideas

• DIY Home Repair: 5 Quick Fixes That Actually Work
• Board and Batten Wall Ideas for Your Home
• DIY Home Decor: 5 Stylish and Easy Projects for Every Room

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