Home improvement can be stressful, and we’ve all felt that tension spill into memorable arguments. In this post we look at the do-it-yourself projects that most often cause friction between couples, share lessons from a recent staging project we completed together, and highlight a few products and tips we’ve been loving lately. We also revisit the textured wall debate, cover a few safety tools to keep on hand for electrical work, and share what we learned about preparing a home to sell.
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What’s New
- The photo above shows the basement living area from a recent staging project we worked on together. In the “before” image it was being used as a family gaming room. Keep in mind the homeowners were in the middle of packing and moving, so things were a little more scattered than usual—moving is messy, and that affects photos and walkthroughs.
- We’ll publish a full project post soon with more detail, but the main staging strategy is simple: reduce clutter, neutralize the palette, and make the space feel welcoming without selling the decor itself. For this house we suggested repainting throughout (we used White Dove by Benjamin Moore with Extra White trim by Sherwin-Williams) and then focused the staging on key sightlines on the final day.
- On staging day we rearranged furniture for better flow (for example, placing two chairs to flank and visually balance the TV) and lightly styled the space. We purposely kept wall decor minimal—only a single star over the mantel—so potential buyers would focus on the room, not the accessories.
- There are clear differences between a decorated room and a staged room. Staging aims to create broad appeal and show how a space can function, while decoration tends to reflect the homeowner’s personal taste. We’ll share before-and-after examples and specific staging tips in the upcoming write-up.
Game: DIY Fights
- We referenced a recent survey about DIY disputes that highlights which projects most commonly lead to disagreements between partners. The data confirms many of our own experiences—complex electrical or plumbing jobs, ceiling work, and large installations tend to be the most stressful.
- Safety first: a non-contact voltage detector and an outlet tester are handy small tools to confirm power is off before you start work. Labels in service panels can be wrong, so use tools to verify circuits are de-energized whenever you’re doing electrical work.
- If you’re planning to tackle projects that can spark disagreements, we’ve documented several of our own experiences—installing ceiling fans, replacing dishwashers, hanging drywall, and installing hardwood floors. Our project posts walk through mistakes, tools we used, and what we’d do differently next time.
Update: Textured Walls
- Textured wall finishes are more common in some regions than others. We pulled regional data that suggests textured walls appear more often in western and midwestern areas, while textured ceilings are more evenly distributed across the country. These patterns can affect resale expectations and the scope of renovation needed.
- Many readers ask for tutorials on removing textured finishes. We haven’t tackled that ourselves yet, so rather than publish a how-to we recommend seeking multiple resources—video walkthroughs and product reviews are especially helpful for gauging how well a texture-matching spray or patch product will blend with your existing finish. Responses vary: some homeowners report great results, others struggled to get a perfect match.
We’re Digging
- We installed SnapPower nightlight outlet covers in the duplex hallway. Installation is as simple as swapping the cover—no wiring required—and they provide subtle, useful illumination in dark hallways and stairways.
- On the personal-care front, Sherry has added a facial toner she likes to her routine. She uses a few inexpensive, reliable products each morning and night as part of a consistent regimen that keeps her skin looking fresh. She details her routine in a separate post for anyone interested in the full list and order of use.
If you want a quick reference to topics and products we’ve highlighted in past episodes, we keep a master list of items and episodes we’ve been digging. We also maintain a Book Club page with all the books we’ve recommended.
A note of thanks to our sponsor, Grove Collaborative, for supporting this episode. Sign-up offers and promotions change over time, so check their current offers directly if you’re interested in trying their products.
Thanks for listening and reading—here’s to fewer DIY fights and smarter, simpler staging that helps a home sell faster.
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