Home improvement can be stressful, and it often sparks memorable disagreements. Today we look at which DIY projects most commonly cause tension between couples, share a recent staging project we completed together (including the things we learned), and highlight simple tips for getting a home market-ready. We also touch on lighting picks, skincare updates, and whether textured walls really bother people as much as you’d think.
You can also find this episode on your favorite podcast app, like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, TuneIn Radio, Stitcher, and Spotify.
What’s New
- The room above is the basement living space from a recent staging project we worked on. In the before photo below you can see it functioning as a “gaming room.” The homeowners were mid-move, so the space looked a bit scattered — a good reminder that moving is messy.
- We’ll publish a full write-up of this staging project, but the key moves are clear here: minimize clutter, remove most wall art, and make the house feel neutral so buyers imagine their own belongings in the space. The homeowners repainted throughout using our paint recommendations (White Dove by Benjamin Moore with Extra White trim by Sherwin Williams) before our final staging day.
- On the last day we rearranged a few pieces (for example, flanking the TV with two chairs to mask electronics), and we styled the space sparingly — nothing on the walls except a single focal piece above the mantel.
- For more staging examples and specific tips, see our detailed post from last year that covers before-and-after photos and explains the difference between decorating and staging.
Game: DIY Fights
- We referenced a Porch.com survey about which DIY projects most often lead to arguments. If you want the full survey, look for Porch’s DIY data; below we summarize the highlights shared in the episode.
- For electrical safety, consider using a non-contact voltage detector and an outlet tester to confirm power is off before working on circuits — labels on the panel box are sometimes incorrect.
- If you’re considering some of the more contentious projects, we’ve documented our own experiences with several of them: installing a ceiling fan, installing a dishwasher, hanging drywall, and installing hardwood flooring. Those write-ups include step-by-step notes and lessons learned.
Update: Textured Walls
- We previously discussed textured walls; if you want that episode, check Episode #135 for the original conversation and examples.
- Some data we gathered shows textured walls are more common in western and midwestern parts of the United States (darker purple areas on the map):
- Textured ceilings are more evenly distributed geographically:
- We get asked for tutorials on removing textured surfaces, but we haven’t done one because we haven’t had textured walls or ceilings in our homes yet. For removal guidance, video tutorials are plentiful online. Some people have tried orange-peel texture “patch” sprays with mixed results — success depends on matching the existing texture closely.
We’re Digging
- One product we’ve been installing is the SnapPower nightlight cover. Installation is simple — unscrew the existing outlet cover and screw this one on — and it provides a subtle, built-in nightlight that we’ve found very useful in hallways.
- Sherry added Thayer’s Facial Toner to her skincare routine and highly recommends it — the product has thousands of positive reviews. She applies it with a cotton pad as part of her morning routine; it’s an affordable option that complements her other skincare steps.
If there’s an item from a past episode you’re trying to remember, we keep a master list of everything we’ve covered and linked resources on our “We’re Digging” page, and our Book Club page lists all the books we’ve recommended on the show.
Thanks to Grove Collaborative for sponsoring this episode. They offer a free gift with your first $20 purchase for new customers who sign up, which includes a trio of cleaning products and a 60-day VIP membership.
Thanks for listening!
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