9 Ideas to Steal from Real People's Kitchens

Just as it is in kitchens, open shelving can be both beautiful and practical in a small dining room. This inexpensive weekend project frees up precious floor space and provides an ideal spot to store—and show off—your favorite tableware.

Related: 10 Insanely Creative Shelves You Can DIY

Disclosure obligations are usually confined to the physical condition of a home, not the type of neighbors. Case in point: The National Association of Realtors states that the burden of researching neighborhood sex offenders falls on the prospective homeowner, not the agents, unless disclosure is required by state law (which is rare). Before bidding on a new home, check with the National Sex Offender Registry to eliminate any concerns.

Related: 8 Dangerous Secrets Your Home May Be Hiding

Short on cabinets and kitchen drawers? Go vertical and make use of all that empty wall space. Open shelving can create storage space where once there was none and keeps everyday dishes within easy reach. For something a little bolder, try hanging a pot rack from the ceiling, as shown here.

Related: 11 Inspiring Kitchens That Defy Their Small Size

When you’re through with a painting project, you may be tempted to pour that little bit of leftover paint down the drain—but stop right there! Paint contains chemicals that can damage the environment, clog your pipes, and wreak havoc with septic systems. Instead, head to your local home improvement store, where you can buy a drying additive that can turn leftover paint into a solid lump that can then be thrown away. Another option is to mix the paint with kitty litter and let the can sit with the lid open until the paint solidifies.

Related: 10 Astonishing Feats You Can Accomplish with Kitty Litter

If a painting project is in your future, you'll want to patch any holes or cracks in the drywall with joint compound and sand it smooth before applying a new color. Although we've been conditioned to believe that "more is better," when it comes to sanding, that's not the case. Avoid sanding in a straight line or going over the same area in the same direction, as this can leave grooves or depressions. Move the sander around in a curved motion, and be careful not to apply too much pressure.

Related: 9 Clever Alternative Uses for Sandpaper

Slightly sloping floors don’t necessarily mean a house has structural problems, but they should prompt a call to a reputable contractor, just in case. Signs that a house’s framing may be questionable include gaps between baseboards and flooring, wavy or bowed siding, doors that won’t close, and floors that dip, bounce, or sag.

Related: The Top 10 Costly Mistakes Home Buyers Make

You’ve tried repeatedly to remove a screw, and now you've managed to strip the head. Don’t automatically reach for the drill! You could cause a lot of damage to your walls and end up with a gaping hole that you'll need to patch and repaint. Instead, place a large rubber band over the head, and insert a screwdriver over the rubber band and into the groove. Slowly and carefully turn the screwdriver until the screw is loose enough for you to remove it easily by hand.

Related: 21 Brilliant Hacks for Everyday Home Repairs

There are plenty of supposedly fail-safe prescriptions for getting wine stains out of your tablecloth or other fabric, but not all of them will reap the pinot-free results you're hoping for. First, don’t soak the stain in water; this will only make it spread out. And don’t scrub the spot with salt or baking soda, as doing so can damage the fibers in the fabric. Instead, pour a little white wine on the red wine stain, and blot with a clean paper towel. Repeat as many times as necessary to get out most of the red wine, and then wash in the hottest water recommended for the fabric.

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Some cost-conscious homeowners may prefer to tackle repairs themselves, rather than pay for a pro. While that mindset can save a pretty penny, you should never dive into a task that's more extensive than a cosmetic change without first researching the proper paperwork. Many updates require building permits, specific materials, or skills that you simply can't acquire without the proper training. While your first instinct may be to rush ahead for a quick fix, always assess the skill level required before embarking on a project that could get you in over your head.

Related: 13 Home Improvements That Are Illegal to DIY

For more organization and decor ideas for your kitchen, consider:

16 New Ways to Store Kitchen Necessities

10 Clever DIY Ways to Store Kitchen Spices

Kitchen Envy: 10 Rooms We Love