Tag Archives: DIY

Backyard Summer Kid Projects Using ReStore Materials

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It’s that time again: summer vacation. School is out and the kids are looking for something creative to do. Whether you’re parenting or babysitting, why not take advantage of a sunny summer day and get crafty? With these fun projects, you do the building with items you’ll find at ReStore. Then let your kids help decorate—and they’ll have four new creations to keep them entertained all summer long.

Refresh the neighborhood with a lemonade stand
Build a backyard project the whole neighborhood will enjoy. Pick up an end table and a few wooden boards at ReStore and transform them into a fun lemonade stand. Let the kids help you paint and decorate it—then get selling!

Take flight with a tree swing seat
Choose a chair from ReStore and remove the legs, then paint it a bright color with your kids. Hang it from a sturdy tree branch and your kids will have a fun place to sit back and relax, all summer long.

Make some magic with a potted fairy garden
Make a mini summer wonderland out of a large flower pot—something you’ll often find at ReStore. Then let the kids help you paint the pot and pick out colorful flowers, rocks, fairies and more. They’ll love tending to their own summer garden!

Get down and dirty with a mud pie kitchen
Sometimes it’s okay to make a mess! Find a coffee table at ReStore and have the kids use paint, chalk and other accessories to decorate their mud pie kitchen. Then find some mud and let the fun begin.

8 Ways to Get Organized in the New Year

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Is “staying organized” one of your New Year’s resolutions? It’s not easy to keep clutter away when life is busy and time is short. Here are 8 ideas to reduce the mess—and the stress—and get your home organized this year.

Give an old cabinet or piece of furniture from ReStore new life as a way to organize your entryway.

  1. Repurpose an old cabinet or buffet as an entryway storage system for mail, notes, keys and more.
  2. Keep your mudroom tidy with a bookshelf-turned-cubby for shoes, sunglasses, scarves and other outdoor accessories.
  3. Hang a whiteboard or chalkboard in a common space for writing lists, notes and messages. Use different colored markers or chalk for color coded organization.
  4. Stack crates of all sizes in your bathroom, bedroom or closet for easy-to-access storage of towels, books, shoes and more.

    Make your own shelves out of moldings and lumber found at ReStore.

  5. Break out the old suitcases you never use and pack extra bedding, towels, or seasonal clothing in them for under-the-bed storage.
  6. Look for multi-functional furniture that contains storage areas to give you both seating and organizational space.
  7. De-clutter your tables and counters by keeping trinkets, picture frames and other décor on floating wall shelves.
  8. Save floor space by hanging baskets on the wall of a playroom, child’s bedroom or nursery for easy storage of toys, blankets, diapers and other accessories.

Habitat ReStore is here to help you cut the clutter this year. Check out the ReStore’s wide variety of gently used home improvement materials and find exactly what you need to get organized.

Tis the Season for Holiday Crafts!

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It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it can be hard to stay on budget while spreading holiday cheer.

One of the best ways to fill your home with the holiday spirit without hurting your wallet is to create some DIY Christmas decorations.  Like that idea but need some inspiration?  Habitat ReStore is here to help!

Is your tree looking a bit bare? Why not create a homemade ornament out of a lightbulb? Just pick up some bulbs and paint at the ReStore and create penguins, snowmen, or other holiday characters to hang on your tree or give as a gift.

Want to welcome family and friends to your home?  Pick up some wooden 2 x 4’s at the ReStore and decorate them with paint and fabric to make friendly snowmen like this blogger did!  Spindles work great too!

Sometimes the best decorations are those we make together – if you have little tykes, these Milk Jug Snowmen are inexpensive, easy, and lots of fun!

There’s still time to head on over to the ReStore and get some inspiration for holiday projects that will impress your guests and warm your home with the holiday spirit!

Happy Holidays from Habitat ReStore!

3 Ways to Keep the Cycle Going Year Round

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Now that winter is here, Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity’s build season is long over. But that doesn’t mean you have to wait until next season to help out Habitat ReStore. In fact, you have many opportunities to support the ReStore year round! Here’s how you can help:

1. Donate new or gently used home improvement items. Acceptable donations include:

Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity ReStore located at 210 11th Street North, Moorhead.

  • Appliances
  • Bath fixtures
  • Cabinets
  • Doors
  • Flooring
  • Furnaces
  • Furniture
  • Hardware
  • Kitchen fixtures
  • Lighting
  • Lumber
  • Paint (new)
  • Shingles
  • Tile
  • Tools
  • Windows
  • and more!

2. Volunteer with the ReStore and give back to your community. Volunteers are needed to process donations, assist customers, serve on committees, help with events and clean the store.

3. Shop at the ReStore for home improvement materials at 25% to 75% off retail prices. A large variety of new and gently used materials are available for all types of home projects and renovations. All store proceeds support Habitat programming and the building of affordable housing in Cass and Clay counties.

Contact the ReStore to find out more about how you can shop, donate and volunteer to keep the cycle going, no matter what the season.

Habitat ReStore Celebrates 6th Anniversary—And You’re Invited!

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Over the past 6 years, everyone at Habitat ReStore has been working hard to make a difference for people in our local communities and fulfill our mission:

  • To generate funds to support Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity in building simple, decent, and affordable homes in partnership with families in Cass and Clay counties
  • To keep usable building materials, home improvement products and appliances out of local landfills
  • To sell new and gently used home improvement materials and applicances at affordable prices

And over the past 6 years, with the help of generous donors, shoppers, and volunteers, we’ve done just that. This past year, we’ve raised $ 335,327 for Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity and diverted 1,057,687 pounds of usable materials from local landfills! These great accomplishments have positively impacted our community, our partner families, and our environment, and they wouldn’t have been possible without you. That’s why we’re inviting you to celebrate with us!

Handy the Habitat Bear appreciates your support of Habitat ReStore!

Stop by the ReStore from Monday, July 16th through Sunday, July 22nd for our 6th Anniversary Sale. You’ll find special deals on new and gently used home improvement materials, appliances, and furniture during our biggest sale of the year! Then join us for food and fun at our ReStore Appreciation Picnic on July 20 from 11a-1p. It’s just a small way for us to show you our appreciation—and to kick off many more years of success!

Habitat ReStore is located at 210 11th St. N. in Moorhead and is open Monday – Saturday 10-6, Sundays 12-4.  All proceeds from Habitat ReStore support Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity’s programs and local building projects.  Material donations are welcome! For more information, call 218-284-5253 x1 or visit our website.

Learn New Skills While Volunteering with Habitat!

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Are you interested in getting involved with Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity, but haven’t found the right volunteer opportunity?  Have you thought about working on the Habitat build site, but have never worked with tools before? We’ve got a great project for you!

Next Tuesday, July 17th, from 9am -12pm, Habitat ReStore is hosting a Picnic Build Day as a part of Habitat ReStore’s 6th Anniversary Celebration.

Our Build Site crew leaders will work alongside of volunteers to build simple, quality picnic tables to be used for the ReStore Appreciation Picnic at the end of the week.  After the event, the tables will be sold at ReStore to benefit Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity. The activity will take place outside of Habitat ReStore, 210 11th St. N. in Moorhead.

 

Volunteers will get to learn the basics of construction with our experienced crew leaders as well as help us to get ready for our Anniversary Celebration.  It’s a great activity to take part in no matter your level of experience or involvement with Habitat!

 

If you’re interested in volunteering for this learning activity, please sign up at VolunteerUp or contact Shelby Cochran, Shelby@lakeagassizhabitat.org, 218-284-5253 x2.

Interested in build site opportunities? There are still openings for volunteer build days this summer.  Visit our VolunteerUp Project Calendar to sign up!

 

Brighten Up Your Kitchen with Habitat ReStore!

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Need to revitalize your kitchen? You may think that replacing cabinets, countertops and flooring are where you should start, but sometimes improving the look and feel of your kitchen space can be as easy as replacing your light fixtures!

Poor lighting can make cooking, cleaning and eating in your kitchen difficult, while proper lighting will refresh your space and ensure that you’ll be able to prepare and enjoy your food safely and hygienically. Habitat ReStore has a variety of lighting options that can improve all the areas of your kitchen. Check out these HGTV-inspired tips to help you choose the best light fixtures for your kitchen.

Start with the ceiling: Every room needs a basic light source. According to HGTV, the best option for your kitchen is a central, ceiling-mounted fixture that mimics daylight—it’ll give you the best view of the kitchen and is usually adequate as the main lighting source for more modest-sized kitchens. Habitat ReStore has a variety of ceiling lamp fixtures that’ll brighten any style of kitchen.

Illuminate your kitchen table: If you have an eat-in kitchen, you’ll want to brighten it up with a light fixture directly above your kitchen table. HGTV recommends choosing a light fixture that mirrors the shapes in your kitchen space—for example, a circular chandelier will create a unified look with a round kitchen table. Habitat ReStore has a collection of hanging light fixtures in many shapes and sizes that will fit perfectly above your table.

Cool off your kitchen: When you need to circulate air throughout your kitchen, you need a ceiling fan that’ll do the job at the flip of a switch. Replacing an old ceiling fan with a new one is a weekend project that can revitalize your kitchen space. Check out Habitat ReStore’s fixtures with ceiling fans at prices that won’t break the bank, then check out HGTV’s step-by-step instructions for replacing a ceiling fan.

Brighten up your island: For kitchens with islands, your best option is lighting that hangs from the ceiling to illuminate the island surface. Pendant lights can highlight the style of your space—HGTV recommends glass or stainless steel shades for a modern look, while shades with vibrant colors and patterns give off a fun, eclectic vibe.

Shed extra light on work surfaces: It’s important to install extra lighting over surfaces such as sinks, stoves and countertops where high-attention activities like mixing and chopping occur. Take HGTV’s advice and try out task lighting like track lights, fluorescents or undercabinet lights to keep these surfaces well-lit.

Now that you have some great new ideas on how to light up your kitchen, come on in and check out the ReStore’s supply of gently used lighting fixtures, chandeliers, and fans – all priced at 25%-75% less than retail price!   Habitat ReStore is located at 210 11th St. North in Moorhead and is open Mon-Sat 10-6 and Sunday 12-4.

Habitat ReStore is a home improvement thrift store selling new and used building materials, appliances, and furniture to the general public at discounted prices.  All proceeds from ReStore support Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity’s programs and local building projects.  Tax-deductible donations of merchandise are accepted from the community. Visit www.lakeagassizhabitat.org/restore for more information.

Habitat ReStore’sTop 5 DIY Summer Projects

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With warm weather and creativity in the air, summer is the perfect time for new and refreshing ideas. Check out these affordable do-it-yourself projects and revamp old materials like doors, sinks and flower pots into new pieces that are fun, functional, and unique.

You can find many of the materials you’ll need for these projects at the Habitat ReStore—and now we’ve extended our hours for all of your summer project needs! Come see us Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. to get the summer project materials you need on a budget.

DIY Headboard via Country Living

1.       Renovate an old door into a new headboard

A unique headboard can really liven up a dull bedroom. The problem: headboards are expensive. So instead of buying a new one, build and customize your own headboard—out of a door. The ReStore has a wide selection of affordable doors and paint colors that you can use to make a headboard that perfectly matches your room, and Country Living has the directions you need to create it.

2.       Re-purpose an unused window into a functional coffee table

Who knew that a window could be used as anything other than a window? If you have an old window lying around—or if you pick up a recycled one from the ReStore—you can turn it into a one-of-a-kind living room centerpiece with just a few materials and some paint. Check out HGTV’s article on how to build your own window coffee table. 

Cabinet door turned serving tray via Good Housekeeping

3.       Use an extra cabinet door as a versatile serving tray

A cabinet door seems useless if it’s not on a cabinet, right? Not anymore. Swing by the ReStore and pick up some paint and a pair of drawer pulls, and you’ve got a handy serving tray for summer parties and barbecues. Good Housekeeping shows you how to make your own cabinet door serving tray.

 

 

4.    Turn Terra Cotta pots into bright silverware displays

Looking for a new way to organize your silverware? All you need are Terra Cotta flower pots, which you can find at the ReStore, and some paint. Decorate them to coordinate with your kitchen or turn them into a family project and let your kids be the artists. Either way, you’ll end up with some creative and colorful silverware holders. Take a look at these finished holders on the Simply Seleta blog.

Sink birdbath via HGTV

 5.        Transform a salvaged sink into a backyard birdbath

Backyard bird watching is a fun summer activity—and it’s even more fun to watch birds cool off in a birdbath you made yourself. Check out the variety of sinks we offer at the ReStore and take a look at HGTV’s advice on how to turn one into a cool haven  for your feathered friends!

You can also stop into the ReStore to get all the other materials you’ll need for your do-it-yourself summer projects, from ceiling fans that’ll keep your home cool on hot days to border bricks for your outdoor landscaping.

Take advantage of our extended hours and visit the ReStore Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Habitat ReStore is a home improvement thrift store located at 210 11th St. N. in Moorhead, MN that sells new and gently used building materials, furniture, appliances, and home décor.  Merchandise sold at Habitat ReStore comes from material donations made by community members as well as local builders and businesses.  All proceeds from ReStore support Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity as they build simple, decent, and affordable homes in partnership with families in Cass and Clay Counties.

 

Women at Work: Lowe’s Teaches Building Basics for Women Volunteers

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Women volunteers, many representing “The Build Generation” of young women ages 18 to 24, will raise their hammers at Habitat for Humanity construction sites across the country in recognition of National Women Build Week, May 5-13. This event is a nationwide initiative of Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program developed in partnership with Lowe’s.

To help volunteers get a jump-start on their building skills, Lowe’s, the underwriter of Habitat’s Women Build program and sponsor of National Women Build Week, is hosting a “how-to” clinic on Saturday, April 21st at 2:00 pm at Lowe’s Home Improvement, located at 5001 13th Avenue Southwest in Fargo.

Women Build how-to clinics are open to everyone, women interested in volunteering at any local Women Build site are encouraged to attend. There is no cost to enroll and Lowe’s provides all supplies. The how-to clinic is led by Lowe’s store employees will teach home construction basics to volunteers and offer opportunities to practice new skills.  Women will also learn tool safety tips.

To sign up for the clinic, volunteers should contact the Customer Service Desk at Lowe’s Home Improvement by calling 701-433-2160. Each clinic is limited to 25 participants. Registered volunteers should wear comfortable clothing and come ready to learn.  All supplies will be provided on-site.

Habitat’s Women Build program recruits, educates and inspires women to build and advocate for simple, decent and affordable housing in their communities. Lowe’s committed more than $1.3 million to National Women Build Week, providing $5,000 Lowe’s store gift cards and event support materials to 275 Habitat affiliates across the country.

This year’s theme, “The Build Generation,” reflects Habitat Women Build’s goal to recruit and train women volunteers, as well as welcome the next generation of Habitat Women Builders – young women, ages 18-24 – to help support Habitat’s mission to create affordable housing.

Volunteer Seeks the Most Useful Pastime

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Volunteer Mary Jane Haugen sorts donations at ReStore.

“To do work because you want to do it,” is the definition of volunteering to Mary Jane Haugen.

Haugen started volunteering with Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore over five years ago.  She had recently retired as a librarian at the Moorhead Public Library and needed something to do with her time.   Haugen says that she likes feeling useful, so she chose to volunteer.

“I like the structure of regular volunteering days and I believe in a mission,” she said.  Haugen chose to volunteer regularly at ReStore for several reasons. Those reasons include her passion for recycling and her support of Habitat for Humanity’s mission to partner with volunteers to build simple, decent and affordable homes.

“I love the idea that what some people can’t use, can be used by other people.  I just hate to waste,” Haugen said.  Haugen’s job duties at the ReStore are working the cash register, and assisting customers as well as sorting, cleaning and pricing donations.  The ReStore, which is described by Haugen as “a thrift store version of Menards,” relies on donations from the community for their product.  The staff at the ReStore is a small group that relies heavily on volunteers.

“I like the attitude at Habitat. People here believe in what they’re doing.  There’s a great staff to work with in a good atmosphere,” said Haugen, who is also a customer at the ReStore.  She owns storage cabinet units and tools from the ReStore that she uses quite often in her home.

Haugen finds inspiration from customers who come in and see possibilities in the materials. Habitat ReStore is a treasure trove for DIYers looking for that perfect piece to start their crafty project.

“The inventory is always changing at the ReStore.  It’s exciting because you never know what kind of treasure someone will bring in the next day.  There is such a wide variety here from antiques to brand new appliances.”

While Haugen primarly volunteers at the ReStore, she has also participated at Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity build sites and has volunteered with her church in Fargo.

“I think Habitat is so worthy and so is ReStore because it supports Habitat and helps a lot of people with their home projects.”

Are you interested in becoming a ReStore volunteer?  Contact ReStore VISTA Shelby Cochran at 218-284-5253 x2 or shelby@lakeagassizhabitat.org for more information.