There are a lot of clever ideas on the internet and I selected the ones that, for the most part, I never would have dreamed up on my own. For the most part, it seems that leafy herbs and vegetables are best suited for growing in tight quarters. Root vegetables aren’t recommended and I would hesitate growing something like melons or squash because they take up so much space.

This hanging garden is made from an old closet shoe organizer. My one concern would be soil drainage, which I’m sure can be remedied by poking holes in the pockets. You can hang these from the side of a building, or off a porch or balcony.

Photo courtesy of greenUpgrader

This garden is made from PVC pipes and utilizes hydroponics for watering and nourishment.

Photo courtesy of greenUpgrader

This garden is built out of old gutters on the sunny side of a house.

Photo courtesy of greenUpgrader

Window farms are growing in popularity for urban dwellers around the world. Using hydroponics, water bottles, and a water pump, you can grow plants all year long, using nothing more than window space.

Photo courtesy of well+good nyc

I’m not sure how plants manage to grow sideways, but vertical gardens are also a popular solution for space saving gardens. Below is a garden made from a pallet.

Photo courtesy of Life on the Balcony

Here’s another one of those sideway gardens that has a worm farm to create liquid fertilizer from word scraps.

Photo courtesy of inhabitat

You can extend  your window sill depth with glass shelves and brackets, creating the space you need to make your own urban jungle.

Photo courtesy of Garden Design

Of course, you can always opt for the ever practical 2 liter bottle garden.

Photo courtesy of Hubpages

Here is another vertical garden model.

Photo courtesy of Hubpages

What creative ideas do you have for growing a garden in small spaces?

Here are a few of my favorite Etsy finds.

Made by blueroompottery on Etsy.com

Made by JillianReneDecor on Etsy.com

Made by ShopOnA Lark on Etsy.com

Made by PillowThrowDecor on Etsy.com

Made by nashpop on Etsy.com

Photo courtesy of themerryhomemaker on Etsy.com

Photo courtesy of TableTopJewels on etsy.com

Photo courtesy of elegantholidays on Etsy.com

Made by ExpressionsWallArt on Etsy.com

Made by thegracioushome on Etsy.com

Made by BrisNanaJoy on Etsy.com

Made by SimplyUpStanding on Etsy.com

Made by ATPitman on Etsy.com

Photo courtesy of Yankee

The basic principles behind spring cleaning is simple–clean every surface you can think of, reorganize, and de-clutter. It’s best to start cleaning from the top of a room and move to the bottom (i.e for your kitchen, dust the cobwebs off the ceiling first. Then wipe off the counters and so on next. Save sweeping and mopping for last). It’s also a good idea to work from dry to wet (i.e dust first, mop last; clean your bedroom first and the bathroom last).

Also, I recommend cleaning while you reorganize and de-clutter a room. For instance, clean off an entire shelf in your pantry, then wipe it down before you organize everything.

If you’re short on time, tackle one room a weekend. For me, this is the only way I can get my housekeeping done since I have a jam packed schedule.

Photo courtesy of Maker Bot Industries

Here are the basic materials you will need for spring cleaning your home:

• vacuum, broom and dust pan, and mop
• Furniture polish (anything from Pledge to olive oil and lemon juice)
• Multi-purpose cleaner (anything from castille soap to 409)
• Disinfectant (or hot water and white vinegar with drops of tea tree oil)
• Window cleaner (Windex or white vinegar)
• Sponges, rags, and/or a feather duster

Always open your windows when you’re cleaning to not only fumigate the room, but to also replace stale air with fresh circulation.

Here are fabulous resources on everything you need to know for your spring cleaning venture.

Organizing your Home:

8 Ways to De-clutter Your House and Remaster Your Life!

Tips to Reduce Clutter on babble

Spring Cleaning Tips:

How to Detox Your House by Good Housekeeing

12 Easy Spring Cleaning Tips by Good Housekeeping

25 Green Spring Cleaning Tips on Sparkpeople

Spring Cleaning Tips for under $20 on mint.com blog

Spring Cleaning Check Lists:

A Thorough Spring Cleaning Check List on The Complete Guide to imperfect Homemaking

Martha Stewart’s Spring Cleaning Checklist and Tips

Happy cleaning! Let us know how it goes in the comments box below!

Comic by Brian and Greg Walker

Photo courtesy of Design & Style Guide

Pastels will always be a tried and true palette for spring, however, 2012 is seeing the pairing of pastels with deep, vibrant colors or black.

Photo courtesy of HomeKlondike.com

Photo courtesy of Home and Decor

Pastels aren’t the only colors in the limelight this spring. The line up also includes: Tangerine Orange, Mint Green, Lemon Yellow, Kelly Green, and Coral Pink.

Photo courtesy of College Fashion

Photo courtesy of Kate Collins Interiors

According to Karen Golden of Golden Interiors Pairing in “Interior Design Trends to Freshen Homes for Spring”  “We are working with a lot of grays, creams and blacks with tangerine, lemon or lime green,” she said. “But it’s not a crayon box.”

Photo courtesy of Talk is Chic.

Another popular color combination includes green and turquoise.

Photo courtesy of Things That Inspire

Of course, Pantone is one of the greatest authorities on color trends, and for Spring 2012, they are forecasting shades such as Tangerine Tango.

Photo courtesy of Pantone

For more color inspiration, check out refinery 29 which always gives you the latest in fashion trends (including colors).

Photo courtesy of Refinery29

As for textures and patterns, this spring, incorporate leather, lace, and tulle for a rustic, whimsical look. Something like this…

Photo courtesy of Standing Cinema

As for stylistic elements other than color, the desire to be frugal and eco conscious has led to an increase in vintage pieces and upcycling second hand furniture.

Photo courtesy of Handmade in Manitoba

Wall Decals are also a trend on the rise. These are a versatile way to change your walls without breaking out the paint. They can also be swapped on a regular basis with ease.

Photo courtesy of Wall Stickers and Decals

Mixed woods are hitting the scene, creating an earthy, rugged feel.

Photo courtesy of greatfu.com

Switching your linens (such as sheets, towels, and bedspreads) and curtains for lighter fabrics and floral patterns is an easy and inexpensive way to lighten a room.

Photo courtesy of Southern Living

Changing the upholstery of your furniture with slipcovers enables you to incorporate this spring’s popular colors without the expense of re-upholstering or buying new furniture.

Photo courtesy of Inspiration for Home

Vases are a classic decorative item to break out in the spring. Fill them with Easter liies, daffodils, and tulips for splashes of spring color. We have a post on how you can make your own vases our of ordinary household objects.

Photo courtesy of Bridal Banter

Then again, why stop at fresh cut flowers when you can buy potted plants that will grow all year long? Check out our article How to Choose and Care for Your Houseplants for ideas.

Photo courtesy of plant-guidesntips

How do you plan to celebrate the energy of spring in your home? Tell us about it in the comments box below.

These creative vase ideas aren’t your traditional elementary school crafts (although, they would be a lot of fun to make with your friends or loved ones).

• With a glass ornament, glue, and sequins, you can make this petite, sparkling vase

Photo courtesy of ferm LIVING's clever spaces

•  All this vase needs is a light bulb and a napkin ring

Photo courtesy of sjarmerende-gjenbruk.blogspot.com

• Grab a can of spray paint and an eclectic assortment of vases to create a unified set

Photo courtesy of Abby Larsen on Style Me Pretty

• A rubber balloon and a glass votive holder create a surprising duo for this vase

Photo courtesy of Capreek on Curbly

• Lace doilies and a glass vase join forces for this elegant vase

Photo courtesy of apartment therapy

• You can upcycle any glass container into a vase using decoupage and tissue paper

Photo courtesy of natural Home & Garden

What creative vases have you made? Tell us about it in the comments box below!

Photo courtesy of Timeless Landscaping, Ltd.

Step 1: Research and budget. Measure everything, from the dimensions of your flower beds, to the size of your front yard so you can proceed with accuracy. Here are some questions to consider:

• Do you want an English garden? Or a Zen garden? Or a vegetable garden? Will your entire landscape fall under a unified theme, or are you taking it one flowerbed at a time?
• Is the precipitation in your area conducive to roses? Or would cacti have a better chance of surviving in your yard? Drought resistant plants are a great way to add greenery without spiking your water bill.
• How much spacing will the plants you have in mind require?
• How much sun does your yard receive? Which areas are mostly shade? This will determine which plants will grow best in certains areas of your yard.
• How does the temperature alter with each season? Plants that thrive in the mild warmth of spring can fry in the heat-waves of summer. HGTV has useful posts on multi-seasonal gardens for each US region.
• What animals are native to your area and are there any plants that would help support your local bird population? Do you need to watch out for deer, rabbits, or other herbivores?
• What kind of soil is your house built on and will you need to buy dirt?
• Do you want to build a gazebo? Or a path? Or install a fountain? It helps to know which projects you can do yourself and which you should hire help for.

And always keep in mind how much you can afford to do this year. Planning ahead will enable you to work piece by piece, year by year, towards achieving your ideal landscape.

Step 2: Map it out. If you can, get a map of your property, then trace it onto grid or blank paper. This will enable you to keep the grander perspective of what you want to achieve in mind and also enable you to break it up into manageable projects. Once you have an idea of the atmosphere you wish to create, as well as what kind of plants will grow best, it’s time to start mapping out where everything is going to go. Don’t forget to sketch details such as paths, gazebos, fountains, and plant spacing. This will also help stop you from overspending since you won’t be making impulse buys and you’ll know exactly how much of everything you’ll need.

Photo courtesy of Idea Spectrum

Step 3: Calendar it out. You need to juggle both the improvements you have in mind as well as the upkeep. For instance, you might need to water your garden twice a day, and weed it every other day. Your path might take three weekends to create and your fountain might only take one day to install. It is must easier to see a project through to completion if you can plan out as many of the details as possible. So, print off a monthly calendar and that will remind you which days to purchase materials, when to upkeep the landscaping you already have, and when to alter it. Everything will feel a lot less overwhelming.

Photo courtesy of Garden Guides

Step 4: Purchase needed materials. You can get 10 free trees by signing up for a membership with Arborday.org. Talk to your neighbors– they might be willing to buy supplies with you in bulk, which will keep costs down. Keep an eye on Craigslist postings and Classifieds for people looking to get rid of the materials you need. Msn’s 17 Ways to Landscape on the Cheap has useful tips to help you cut costs as much as possible.

Photo courtesy of Thriftyfun

DIY How-Tos:

• How to Build Brick or Stone Pathways by The Family Handyman
• Sunset has 32 garden fountain ideas and This Old House has an article on how to build a fountain.
• How to Build a Decorative Wood Arbor by DIY network.
• Build a Rock Garden by Wild Ginger Farm

Here are some photos to help you imagine the possibilites for your yard. Happy landscaping!

Photo courtesy of HGTV

Photo courtesy of Garden Guides

Photo courtesy of Havasu Magazine

Photo courtesy of The Gardening Experts

Photo courtesy of Sunset

Photo courtesy of Backyard Landscaping

Photo courtesy of Free Backyard Landscaping Ideas

Photo courtesy of Landscape Design

Photo courtesy of Garden Landscaping Ideas

Photo courtesy of landscaping ideas

Photo courtesy of Home Design Software

In General– The exterior of your home if the first thing any potential buyer will see, which means buyers will have already begun forming impressions before even entering your home. So, when choosing which renovations to make to prepare your house for the market, try to strike a balance fixing both the exterior and interior. Even if your house’s interior would make Martha Stewart proud, you don’t want people entering your home thinking its a dump because you’ve got weeds, peeling paint, and litter.

Clutter and Cleanliness. Keep your grass mowed, clean your gutters and windows, pick up stray garbage, weed your flower beds, clean up after pets, and put clutter away. Also, if you have patio furniture that’s seen better days, repair what you can and get rid of the rest.  Remember, you want to help prospective buyers envision living in your home, which is difficult to do if your yard looks like the carnival came to town and camped out on your grass.

Photo courtesy of Fort Wayne Real Estate

Paint. Unless you want people to think you live in a run down shack that’s haunted by a past owner’s pet dog that’s buried in the yard…somewhere, you want your paint to be fresh and neat. Not peeling or chipping away. Also, just like painting the interior of your home, updating the color of your exterior can make it stand apart from every house on your street–in a good way. Not only that, but, like with interiors, light colors will make the exterior of your home look bigger while dark will make them look smaller (which can be useful if you have a big house on a small lot). If you can’t afford to paint your whole house, you could focus on just one aspect of the exterior, such as siding, trim, and the shutters. Reader’s Digest has an article on 10 Ways to Increase Home Value with Exterior Paint that provides helpful ideas and tips. For a step by step break-down of how to paint the exterior of your home, read This Old House’s The $500 Makeover: How to Paint Your Exterior.

Photo courtesy of Key Person of Influence

Photo courtesy of This Old House

Powerwash. Removing the layers of dirt, cobwebs, dust, mildew, and mold that might have gathered on your home will make the presentation of your home more welcoming and maintained. DIY Network has some pressure washer tips to consider should you choose to power wash your home yourself.

Embrace the greenery. You want your yard to be a flourishing paradise, not a shriveled wasteland. Planting trees, flowers, herbs, and hostas will make your yard aesthetically pleasing as well as beautiful smelling. If you’re worried about increasing your water bill, try to pick plants native to your region. These will be accustomed to the natural cycle of precipitation of your area and won’t necessarily require extra water.

Photo courtesy of Garden Daddy

Landscaping. While growing plants is a part of this, landscaping also includes elements such as mulch, paths, fountains, decorative rocks, statues, etc. Next week’s post is called Landscaping 101 and I’ll discuss this in further detail then. However, in the meantime, Handy American has great advice on landscaping.

Photo courtesy of Arch Zine

 Specific Improvements

Build or restain your deck/porch. Decks and porches are luxury items that incur visions of reading in wicker chairs, barbecues, and summer parties. If you don’t have one and you have the budget, building one will definitely attract buyer attention. This Old House shows how to build a simple desk. If you do have a deck, just like every other part of your house, you want it clean, in good repair, and presentable. If it’s looking weathered, restaining and powerwashing will bring back lost vitality. Lowe’s offers an in-depth break down of how to clean and stain a deck.

Photo courtesy of My Backyard Projects

Repaint and/or replace your front door. Not to sound dramatic, but your front foor is the gateway by which buyers will enter your home. Much like the opening sentence to a novel, you want it to grab your buyer’s attention with the promise of wonderful things to come. We have a post on How to Give Your Front Door a European Makeover that provides helpful tips and inspiration to make your door pop.

Photo courtesy of Simply Elegant

Replace damaged siding and trim. The primary visual real estate of the actual home exterior is the siding. Make that space count by having everything in good repair. If you wish to do this yourself, here’s about.com’s top 5 exterior house siding and repair tutorials.

Repair/replace your roof. The secondary visual real estate of your home is the roof. Buyers aren’t going to be very interested in roofs that leak or look like they’ve survived a tornado. This Old House has an article on fixing damaged roof shingles that you might find helpful if you decide to do this yourself.

Paint or replace your garage doors. Painting your garage doors a shade other than the standard white is a great way to go above and beyond expectations, giving your exterior an extra “umph”. The HousingForum gives pertinent advice on how to paint a garage door.

Photo courtesy of Carriage House Door

Photo courtesy of Home Style Choices

Accessories. Little details add up, which is why it is just as important to accessorize your exterior as it is for the interior. Our post Transform your Deck, Porch, or Patio into a Comfortable Oasis covers details such as patio furniture, potted plants, lighting, etc. However, in addition to what you find in that post, you should also consider sculptures,  door knobs, wind chimes, etc.

Photo courtesy of Joys of Home

Photo courtesy of Suitcase Vignettes

Photo courtesy of Find Something Precious Today

Photo courtesy of Avro Moving

For this post, I’ll cover things you can do to improve the interior of your home. Next week’s will discuss the exterior.

In General–

Clutter and cleanliness: I wish I was joking when I said that once I looked at a home for sale where a pet has soiled the carpet and no one cleaned it up. Words cannot describe how disgusting that was (well, ok, they can, but I’ll spare you the details) and, as you can guess, we did not buy the house. Before putting your house on the market, de-clutter your home by either getting rid of excess junk or packing away what you are not immediately using. You want to make your home seem as large as possible and the more visual space you can open, the larger it will seem. Also, keep everything immaculately clean. You might want to consider hiring housecleaners to perform one major scrub down which you can then maintain for however long your house is on the market. For tips on how to organize your home, read our post 8 Ways To De-clutter Your House and Re-master Your Life!

Photo courtesy of Janitorial

Paint: It cannot be stressed enough that the cheapest cosmetic improvement you can make to dramatically alter your home is to repaint it. Even if it’s just repainting white walls white, it will make the place less dingy and brighter. If you’d like to thread color through your home but have the resources to paint all the walls, then consider accent walls and be sure to wipe down your walls with warm water and a mild soap. However, as tempting as it might be to use bright colors, stick with neutrals since the people looking to buy your house will probably have differing tastes and will want a home that will work with their furniture, etc (although, who wouldn’t love a pumpkin orange bedroom?). We have a plethora of posts on painting, covering topics from psychology of color, using white walls to your advantage, color coordination, and so on.

Photo courtesy of Remodeleze on Flicker

Create A Unified Color Scheme: People want to move into the houses they see in a magazine or on Pinterest (shameless plug– we’re on Pinterest!).  Although they won’t be buying your furniture when they purchase your home, you are presenting them with the possibility of the home they can create by moving into your house. You want everything to look as unified and polished as possible. If you’re not sure how to even begin, I recommend reading Basic Color Theory, Coordination Made Simple and How To Match Your Wall Color to Your Furniture.

Photo courtesy of naBUZZ.com

Smell: This is especially important if you have pets or live in a musty smelling house. Smell is the most powerful sense that human beings possess and we make associations based off the smells we encounter– for better or for worse. Deep cleaning your home will tackle the source of most offensive odors and if you have a problem with mold, a dehumidifier will also help. Once the space is clean, you can preserve a fresh scent with reed diffusers, scented oil plug-ins, candles, and air freshening sprays. Also, baking cookies about half an hour before showing your home is  a great way to make your house more inviting.

Photo courtesy of Pier1 imports

Flooring: Either replace, restore, or clean the flooring of your home. Scratched wooden planks, worn carpet, and cracked tile are less than appealing to prospective buyers. Even if it means hiring a carpet cleaner, nice floors make your home look like it belongs in a magazine rather than a trailer park.

Photo courtesy of Bill's Carpet Fair

Light fixtures: Nothing dates your house like a brass and frosted glass light fixture from the 70s. Light fixtures are one of those details that is relatively inexpensive to alter and that will make your home feel more modern and in good repair. Here’s a great article by Helena Home Gallery on how lighting makes your home feel bigger.

Photo courtesy of Helena Home Gallery

Crown molding: This is a relatively inexpensive way to create a feeling of sophistication and luxury in your home. It can make your rooms feel larger and it gives the interior of your home that extra polish that sets it apart from ordinary dwellings. For an introduction on how to install crown molding, read our post Winter Home Decorating Project: Crown Molding.

Photo courtesy of 1 Call Interior Services

Popcorn ceilings: These have become incredibly outdated and the sooner you get rid of them, the more appealing your home will appear to potential buyers. Popcorn ceilings have become something of an eyesore to contemporary house buyers.

Photo courtesy of DIY Home Staging Tips

Specific Rooms–

Kitchen: One of the two most important rooms that your potential buyer will consider is the kitchen. With good reason since so much time is spent there preparing meals. The more luxurious you can make the kitchen seem, the more attractive it will be to buyers. Depending on your budget, you might want to consider replacing the sink, countertops, and outdated appliances. However, if budget is an issue, repainting your kitchen cabinets, replacing the hardware, and and installing a water filtration system are good little details that can catch a buyer’s eye. For more ideas on how to make your kitchen a show stopper, read our post Decorating on a Budget: Kitchen.

Photo courtesy of Southern Living

Bathroom: This is the second most important room your potential buyer will consider.  No one wants to move into a bathroom that had mold, cracked caulk, and dingy tiles. If you have the resources, you should consider replacing the tiles, sink, countertops, and shower glass if they are in disrepair or outdated. Again, cheaper options include buying a nice shower curtain, recaulking all the edges around your tub, repainting the cabinets, and replacing any hardware.   If you can, keep all of your shampoos and other bottles covering your bathtub edges and counter space tucked away in a cabinet. For even more tips on making your bathroom reach its full aesthetic potential, read our post Decorating on a Budget: Bathroom.

Photo courtesy of HouseBeautiful

If you’d like more inspiration on how to redesign and renovate other rooms, such as the living room and dining room, then read our other Decorating on a Budget posts.

Photo courtesy of Quality Bath

What tricks have you learned that increases the real estate value of your home and makes it more appealing to buyers?

But pink is more than unicorns and glitter. It can bring either a calm or quirky energy to a space depending on the shade. It can soften or embolden, accent or be the star of the show, add a touch of class or a touch of sass. Here are some color combinations you might want to consider when working pink into the interior of your home.

Photo courtesy of Elements of Style

Pink, white, and black. A lot of Audrey Hepburn fans I know love these three colors together. They always look trendy and classy and create a bold, passionate, intense energy (especially with a lot of hot pink).

Photo courtesy of Interiorholic

Photo courtesy of Home Design Ideas

Pink, brown, and green. This color combination brings a bit of woodland flair into your home, creating a calm, rustic, or even Bohemian feel.

Photo courtesy of Home Interior Design

Photo courtesy of Home re-Design Kaleidoscope

Pink, purple, and orange combine together to create a whimsical, exotic, playful palate. Since all of the colors are very strong and vibrant, it works best when accompanying white or other neutrals.

Photo courtesy of zaInterioranet

Photo courtesy of Home Interior Design

Pink, silver, and gold. You can still use pink to feel like royalty by pairing it with antique mirrors, candlesticks, and knick-knacks.

Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart

What about you? Do you think you’ll ever use pink in your interior design scheme? Or have you already?

Photo courtesy of Something To Chase

If you don’t want to stop at just the caulking, you might find our post Decorating on a Budget: Bathroom helpful.

Your first question might be, how do I know if the caulk needs repaired? If there are a lot of black spots that you can’t clean or if the rubbery material is fraying, then replacing it would both stop the mold in its tracks and protect your tub, etc from water damage.

Photo courtesy of Home Repair Handyman.com

To replace your caulk, you will need:

• silicon caulk remover
• utility knife or razor blade
• new caulk (you can find caulk meant especially for bathrooms)
• painter’s tape

How to remove caulk:

First, you will need to remove the caulk currently around your tub or shower. Use the utility knife or razor blade to cut off as much of the caulk as you can. Then, spread silicon caulk remover over the remaining caulk and the seam between tub and wall (follow the instructions on the packaging). After you’ve let it sit the appropriate amount of time, use your putty knife to scrape off the rest of the caulk.

Photo courtesy of DoItYourself

Cleaning the seam:

After the old caulk has been stripped away, clean the seam to make sure you kill all the mold. Rubbing alcohol or a bleach-water mixture should so the trick. Allow this to dry before proceeding.

Prep for caulking:

Apply the painters tape about 1/4 inch above the seam you are going to recaulk. Fill the tub with water. This might sound strange, but it weighs down the tub so you have the maximum amount of space in your seam to fill with caulk.

Apply caulking:

Apply caulk from one corner to the other along your first seam. Make sure there are no gaps– I find it’s better to apply a thick amount rather than be skimpy. Be sure to keep the pressure on the trigger constant and then release the trigger when you get to the end of your first strip. Clean the tip of the caulking gun with a damp rag and then repeat for each wall you’d like to do.

Photo courtesy of This Old House

With a damp finger, run your fingertip along the caulk. This helps push it into the seam and makes it even. Don’t worry, it washes from your skin easy enough.

Photo courtesy of Dover Projects

After about 10-15 minutes, remove the painter tape, stripping it away at a 45 degree angle.

Allow the caulk to set for 24 hours before using your tub or shower.

Yep, it really is that easy. If you’re still looking for more insight, here’s a great tutorial by gloriaoquendorealtor on YouTube. Now you don’t have to put on blinders whenever you take a bath and rest your head next to that ominous looking strip of caulk (or maybe that’s just my experience as an apartment renter).

Photo courtesy of Young House Love