Home improvement can be stressful, and we know firsthand how DIY projects can spark some memorable disagreements. In this post we share data about which do-it-yourself jobs tend to cause the most friction between partners, plus insights from a recent home staging project we completed together. We’ll reveal the key to preparing a house for sale, why you might need to rethink what “decorating” means when staging, and how we handled a few small design decisions that mattered more than expected. Along the way John falls for another lighting product, Sherry shares a new face-care favorite, and we look at whether textured walls really bother people the way the internet suggests.
What’s New
- The photo above shows the basement living area from the staging project we recently completed. In the “before” shot this room functioned as a gaming space for the family. They were in the middle of packing and moving, so things were a bit scattered — a helpful reminder that moving is messy and photos sometimes reflect that.
- Sherry will expand on this project in a full post, but the highlights are simple: reduce clutter, neutralize finishes, and arrange furniture to showcase the space rather than the owners’ belongings. The homeowners repainted the walls using Sherry’s go-to neutral — White Dove by Benjamin Moore — with Extra White trim by Sherwin-Williams. That neutral base makes rooms feel clean, bright, and move-in ready to prospective buyers.
- On staging day we rearranged a few pieces (for example, placing two chairs to flank the TV and partially conceal electronics) and kept wall decor minimal. The goal of staging is to sell the house, not the decor, so we kept accessories light and left most walls bare except for a single focal piece over the mantel.
- If you want staging ideas and step-by-step examples of the difference between decorating and staging, check previous posts where we break down tips, before-and-after photos, and practical staging strategies that make homes more appealing to buyers.
Game: DIY Fights
- We referenced data from a national survey that lists the DIY projects most likely to trigger arguments. The usual suspects include electrical work, plumbing fixes, flooring, and large installations like dishwashers or ceiling fans. These projects often involve uncertainty, safety concerns, and a high potential for costly mistakes — all factors that raise stress and spark debate.
- Safety note: a non-contact voltage detector and an outlet tester are useful tools to verify the power is off before starting any electrical work. Labels in panel boxes can be wrong, so double-checking circuits is a good habit.
- We’ve tackled several of these controversial projects ourselves in past posts, including installing ceiling fans, dishwashers, hanging drywall, and laying hardwood — each one with lessons learned and practical tips.
Update: Textured Walls
- Textured walls and ceilings remain a polarizing topic. Based on the data we reviewed, textured walls are more common in parts of the West and Midwest, while textured ceilings appear more evenly distributed across the country.
- We get asked for tutorials on removing texture, but since none of our own homes have had textured finishes, we haven’t produced a definitive guide yet. If you plan to remove texture, look for multiple examples and test patches first — matching textures can be tricky and results vary.
- Some people use orange-peel texture repair sprays to blend small areas. Experiences vary: some find them quick and helpful, others report imperfect matches that require more finish work.
We’re Digging
- One small product we’re loving is the outlet nightlight cover that replaces a standard outlet plate. Installation is as simple as swapping the cover — no wiring required — and it makes hallways and stairways safer and more welcoming at night.
- On the self-care front, Sherry added Thayer’s Facial Toner to her routine and has seen excellent results. She uses it daily on a cotton pad as part of her morning regimen. Affordable and widely praised, it’s become a regular part of her skin-care lineup.
If you want to revisit topics we’ve covered in past episodes, we maintain a master list of favorite projects, products, and episode highlights to help you find show notes and recommendations quickly. We also share book suggestions and deeper resources on our Book Club page.
Thanks for reading and for listening. We appreciate your support and love hearing how projects at home turn out — the wins, the learning moments, and even the occasional squabble that makes a good story later.
*This post may reference products we use; some items are recommended based on personal experience.