Finally Fixing a Bunch of Little Things Around My House

Baby steps will get this thing done!!!
✿ Check out the last episode of A Style is Born here: 56ai.short.gy/ASIBe6AB
Some of the things mentioned (affliate links):
Pink Spackle: go.shopmy.us/p-1008590
Wire hooks: go.shopmy.us/p-1008587
Door bolt: go.shopmy.us/p-1008607
☞ Support my channel by joining my Patreon family: / arielbissett
☞ Website: www.arielbissett.com
☞ My book podcast: www.booksunboundpodcast.com/
☞ Music by: www.northernsoundhouse.ca/
☞ My name is Ariel and I’m a Canadian writer, poet, and KZbinr. I organize my shelves by genre and then colour and my favourite book is Animal Farm. I've been making bookish content online for a decade and love spreading a love of reading through videos, panels, articles, and more!
☞ Thanks for watching! ☜

[@levim6693]

If you do decide to cover the white of the lamp cords in the future, it may be best to find a cord cover and paint that instead of painting directly on the cords. Then if you decide to do any major changes in there, you'll still be able to donate those lights or use them elsewhere without the cords being blue! Love seeing the small fixes it's hard to motivate ourselves to get around to in between larger house projects. It's easy to forget that so many of these things can just be handled and forgotten about in a single day when everything else takes so long 😂

[@TheOlgagr]

Cord cover or even tape which you can paint with the colour of your wall

[@bethofwildflowers]

I was thinking that a black cord cover should do the trick because the metal work it's next to is black, so it would blend with that. But yeah, cord covers work great.

[@sherielc]

Or maybe even sewing a fabric pocket that matches the wall color.

[@kikihammond5326]

Yes!

[@jecsaundersjess]

That bathroom lock is more gorgeous than any bathroom lock has a right to be

[@catlovernat]

I was wondering if the other part she's not going to use could go on the frame? Next to the bolt? Not in a useful fashion, but so it could be next to it's friend?

[@lauramitchell6725]

@@catlovernat yes to keeping friends together!🙌🏻

[@lauramitchell6725]

For now,to hide the cords in the little purple closet,stack the towels tall under the lamps and then stack the tissue boxes tall under them.

[@mindygracebickerdike]

I highly suggest you go to your local hardware store and get a flush bolt plate to protect the wood of the door frame. It sits flush in the door frame and the bolt of the lock slides into it. Wish you could upload photos to comments so I could show you what I mean. Anyway, it's all coming along nicely and this was a fun little video. There's something so satisfying about doing little finishing up jobs that adds that extra touch of finesse to the look. 😊

[@leoreth2179]

I've been living in a new country for 9 months now and only this week I finally went to a local bank office and opened an account. I just have this thing when I irrationally avoid any things connected to bureaucracy, so I was just using cash for all this time. But now I feel so relieved and satisfied.

[@joeyfletcher8983]

You might consider using masking tape to wrap your cords in the closet then paint the tape to match the walls. Then you can just remove the tape when you want to change the color or use the lights somewhere else.😎

[@cypriennezed5640]

We just changed some annoyingly-out-of-reach lightbulbs with you, thank you for the motivation! ✨️

[@ArielBissett]

YES!!!!!!! Fantastic!!!

[@hannahdigitals]

this is reminding me of all the things on my to-do list that I’ve been avoiding

[@Nicole-vt7mr]

please do more of these little tasks videos, its so satisfying to see things getting done and it means you have motivation to do them too and also something to show us in between larger videos, loved it! :) I have a shelf my dad made me that I need to hang up, but I want to sand it down and repaint it first so I just haven't... we moved here 2 years ago... I need to do that

[@rainlathrop5243]

This is so fun! You could honestly make a whole series out of this. I would watch you do tiny projects around your house all day

[@unimpressivejess]

These little random tasks are so easy to keep procrastinating! Thanks for the inspo. Maybe I’ll finally pot some plants that have been propagating for way too long!

[@juliayvr2015]

Rather than paint the cords blue, why not black, then they blend in with the brackets & are the same colour as the lamps ^-^ & this is so motivating! So many projects I need to do around my house (before my baby arrives!!). The biggest little project is to makeover my fireplace.

[@nellyls7872]

I second this

[@bookmouse2719]

@@nellyls7872 Third it

[@mollys.little.library]

Sometimes it's better to work with a friend and I'm glad we could be that for you!

[@vintagelyzzie]

Love your wallpaper! That lock is so pretty. I have a million tiny projects left to do. Clean the ceiling fans. Touch up the ceiling paint where it is uneven. Hang artwork. Hang curtains.

[@lyregal5]

You inspired me. I was overwhelmed with all the big projects around my house and no energy to do them. Then this reminded me of the little things I’d been ignoring. Spent the weekend just focusing on the quick and easy tasks and suddenly my home is so much tidier. Even came across a few opportunities to reorganize things in my house that I hadn’t even thought of originally. I feel well rested and accomplished.

[@premadimauro2691]

I love the way you show how easy it is to accomplish these little tasks. I am not handy at all and would now feel comfortable sparkling a few small holes. Maybe you should consider doing more of this type of video for dummies like me. I loved your wayfair commercial

[@ArielBissett]

Spackle everything!!! It’s so easy!!!! And yes, I wrote all my wayfair stuff ♥️

[@markg.1159]

This inspired me to finally spackle a wall in my living room. The previous owners made it a textured accent wall, and I just want it the same color as the rest of the room. But there are some large holes from anchor bolts, and lots of scars from bad patching in the past. It's never going to look completely flat without hiring a plasterer to skim-coat it, but I can definitely get it to the point where just looking at that wall no longer makes me sad.

[@queeniemarkham8022]

Hey! You can probably apply “topping compound” to the wall and then sand and paint and get a really good finish, if you can sparkle you can apply topcoat. It’s basically plaster in sparkle form. But good job sparkling if that sounds too much 😊

[@Blessthismessyjessy]

It’s funny because, I truly enjoyed this minute tasks video. I think it’s just because it feels like we’re hanging out at your house while you go about your day. Hearing you overjoyed for these small victories encourages me to get the small things done at my house as well. 😊

[@BasementMermaid]

The way I have been living vicariously through your home ownership journey. Your home is beautiful and the design choices you make are FANTASTIC

[@nefertitimontoya]

I literally just cleaned my oven for the first time! I really struggle mentally with any wet chores that require harsh chemicals or touching ick, but I found out I could use baking soda+soap instead of harsh chemicals and I was brave and did it :)

[@laurenwillis5186]

Get a paintable cord cover for the closet cords. They stick to the wall like a command strip and you can select the thickness you need to fit over the cords then paint in whatever color you want.

[@romans8286]

It is so satisfying to do those little things, isn't it? I had a big drawer in my kitchen that was hanging out because the brackets broke inside. You actually inspired me to fix it. I went out and got what I needed and finally fixed it. It is such a relief. It has been broken for way to long. I also fixed the one above it because I noticed the bottem had been pushed out and stuff was falling out of it.

[@susanmei9980]

🥇

[@bekahhaught807]

My husband and I have been on a spree of little projects (and then finally one big project!) and it feel sos good! We painted little tiny areas that needed a ladder, We replaced all the dirty old broken light-switch covers with pretty ones and that makes such a surprisingly huge difference, I put peel and stick wallpaper on the fronts of my stairs and our big project was finally painting and decorating the guest bathroom. It’s 100% ready for guests now and it makes me so happy!

[@calibrieleven]

I made a sudden decision today to finally tackle a small project. I had to drill out some existing holes in a wall to make them just a hair bigger, and as I was drilling the last one I saw a spark 😱 luckily it was just the drill bit nicking the very corner of the backside of a metal outlet box (from an outlet on the other side of the wall) and no harm done but we had to cut a sizeable hole in the drywall to confirm that. So my list got a little longer today instead of shorter 😭 But I really enjoyed watching you check off some of your to-dos!

[@VonPatzy]

Randomly I just managed this week to patch and paint holes in my bathroom wall from a towel rack that was ripped out of the drywall over 4 years ago. It was a small thing (my house is 102 so everything needs work) but it was something I stared at every time I peed. The overthought project took about 20 min plus dry times. It truly is the little things.

[@Chareads]

Ariel I have a tip for you! If you're drilling into a wall and cba to hoover, put a post-it note underneath the hole and fold it up, it'll catch most of the dust & makes it easy to throw away! I had such a long list of things to fix in my house but my partner and I spent all of December doing one each a day and now it's down to a reasonable amount of things to ignore 😅

[@linajohanna2805]

an envelope works wonders as well!

[@tokiorxse]

Cord cover over the cords then paint them blue to blend even more is my suggestion ✨

[@marlabakes]

I'm a chronic list maker. Every Friday is my day off where I also have daycare so I always do my reno tasks then. I've been tiling my kitchen backsplash for the past 3 weeks. The best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time!!

[@Zodiak_exe]

For the cords in your closet: You can get fluorescent lightbulb disposal tubes at most hardware stores, it’s about $.67 for the tube and you can cut to the size between the shelves and cut a line down the center to kind of hug the tubes together. Additionally you can paint them before placing them to blend in better.

[@sarahaubrey320]

Setting up our dining room table, hanging a tapestry, and installing the shoe rack.

[@cathymorrison22]

I stripped the wall paper in my bathroom and painted everywhere except behind the toilet tank. I have contractors coming in to put down new flooring and the plumber removed the toilet. Perfect opportunity to paint that area but I forgot about it yesterday. This morning I thought I would do it quickly before the floor guys get here and I have no paint. So it doesn't look like that patch will get painted after all. But my house needs so much TLC so there will be other projects. Good on you for getting the little things done. I should be so motivated.

[@susanmei9980]

Some stores let you buy sample sizes and that wd be plenty to paint behind your toilet. But I’m sure it’s a moot point, ten moths later! 😂

[@peggy4846]

You should paint stars or constellations on the blank slanted wall in the dark blue closet

[@Vanessa-pl3br]

Actually a beautiful lock! To hide the cords maybe you could wrap them in a beautiful ribbon?

[@Just_stoptalking]

I love how when things don't go exactly how you planned or wanted you do what you can to make it work instead of back pedaling for the easy route. Like with that lock you bought I feel like most people would just take the loss and get a normal one but nope you grabbed a drill and made that sucka work for you bc you know it's what you want

[@Juliest]

I have a box of stuff sitting in the corner of my bedroom that I need to donate, but I just haven’t had the motivation… Glad to see you got some small projects completed! Love the bathroom lock!

[@lorikeeland4238]

I usually bribe myself. So I’m like okay we can go get a soda if we do this errand first

[@jobie3015]

Linen folding tip: put the folded sheets inside the matching pillowcase. Keeps everything together and also helps keep the sheets folded neatly and unable to unfold. Doable with quilt/doona/duvet covers as well.

[@5minutesofyourtime]

I did this to all other sheets a couple of years ago and it is life-changing. Changing the sheets wash the old, then grab your sheet set pillow case and doona set pillow case. Never hunt again.

[@emmablake1913]

I really needed this! We moved into our place a year ago. We started with so much momentum and made such big changes (Wall painting, water heater, baseboard heaters). Now we're onto less glamourous jobs like spackle, sanding, and painting odds and ends.

[@irenegrijalvotarres]

Oh, there are also a bunch of little holes in the hallway that I've been meaning to patch up, but... 🙃 I love that lock!!! I'd suggest you get a little metal plate to go around the hole in the door frame where it latches so it doesn't wear away at the wood 😊

[@manonvo8615]

This is actually really fun. All these little things make such an impact. Love the eye for detail.

[@abbymitchell1697]

For painting edges, you can slide a thick paper along over the floor instead of taping!

[@bettyreads222]

Yay for finishing little projects! I organized the glassware in the kitchen and the books in the living room bookshelves with my roommates since moving in here over almost 2 years ago, both hadn't been touched. So now we know what we have, everything is clean and have donate piles, it feels good.

[@abigailabell6054]

I have been needing to paint the skirting board in our bathroom for over a year and haven't because I also hate taping 😂 this has motivated me to do it tomorrow though

[@1ducttapeproduction]

Instead of painting the bottom of the wall where it meets the floor, you could paint some ¼ round and then cover the unpainted bit of the wall. Your house is coming together soo nicely!

[@LocDBooktician]

Great reminder for myself to finish some things in the house.

[@Worgiewoo]

Love the little things vid, I’ve got a British 1920s semi detached and I’ve got millions of little jobs so currently nothing is getting done due to my mind block on it all bt you’re inspiring me to get on with it 💪

[@susanperry4177]

You can also get cord covers and paint them. I love getting little things done too - feel so productive!

[@susanperry4177]

AB - I don't know what videogram is. please pass it on.

[@ginasmitasin479]

Always nice to get those little things done. My little thing is I built a massive contemporary cover for our fire place (7’ wide floor to slanted ceiling) with 4’ wide floor to ceiling bookcases on either side. The two short legs on either side of the actual fireplace need the sheet rock screwed in and mudded…then the whole thing needs to be sanded and painted (probably black like the bookcases). It’s been two years, it’s not like I don’t know how to do this or have the materials on hand and I won’t let myself do anything else until this is done. Well, I did paint the exterior of the house summer of 2020 but that’s all. Maybe you have inspired me to finally finish it tomorrow! P.S.You have the best hair I’ve ever seen, love the braids!

[@Liz-vh9rv]

I know everyone has already said it, but I'd recommend a cord cover over painting or taping and then taping your cords. It keeps them clean (plus it offers double cord management), and tape will inevitably leave a residue when you go to remove it in the future. I've left painters/masking tape up for far too long and when I tried to remove it the adhesive was out of control. Don't do that unless you want fly tape level stick on your surfaces. It's only supposed to be there a short time, trust me 🥲

[@MsSherrydarling]

I have been procrastinating the task of finding and filling all the cat scratching marks from my daughter's cat. They moved out in October 😉. Thanks for the inspiration 👋🇨🇦 from the west coast of BC!

[@aprilaye7]

something I’ve been putting off on doing has been putting up my towel rod that fell out of the wall anchors a few months ago. not only will I be putting it back up, but I’m also putting it in another position a few inches away from where it originally was so it lines up directly with the matching toilet paper holder that’s drilled onto the same wall. hate the invisible mental block I’ve put up so I haven’t gotten to it in like ~6 months lmao

[@frozencherryblossom]

I love this! This made me feel productive just by watching 😂

[@Fenyally]

i love how cosy and familiar and lovely all your home renovation videos feel, it's always great to watch them

[@jaeaqua2950]

You call that hallway useless. I call it book storage. Empty walls put a bookcase. XD

[@twistoffate4791]

Agreed. As someone with too many books, one is always looking for new ways to accommodate more.

[@jaeaqua2950]

@@twistoffate4791 Okay i'm not alone in my craziness

[@twistoffate4791]

@@jaeaqua2950 Not by a long shot.

[@nakymatonlapsiN]

i never considered that there would be joy in picking out your own bathroom lock but i totally get it now

[@peggynorton5535]

I finally finished a 16'long wall of pulling wallpaper, retaping joints and patching holes. Sanded everything and painted it this week. On to the next wall. It's going to be a bugger, it's 15' high.

[@mlisaksen]

I throw whatever I have in my hands whenever I see a new video from you, such a comfort queen! They're just the best. Bangers, even! I'm living my DIY-life vicariously through you, as I live in a very new, very white, very rented apartment atm. I fell in love with your home content, but I recently got back into reading, and I've been listening to all your book-tube videos while fixing some things yesterday! This must be my sign to do the last coat of paint on my dining chairs today hahah, let's goooo

[@stevannedaley]

Every little thing about home renovations interests me! It’s so fun to see how every little step makes a true difference to your home!

[@jumpincows]

This was delightful! Thanks for taking us along on your little tasks

[@annamobrashear]

I so desperately need to organize my craft supplies I’ve got thread and tape and paint and glue and fabric and so much more in random places everywhere and they need to go back into their rightful spot! This video was so satisfying and motivational

[@sommerjohnson9129]

Ariel you are one of my favorite KZbinrs! You’re so funny, your overalls are so cute and I relate so much to renovating an old house with a bunch of small weird projects I have to do and also a bathroom door that does not lock!! I didn’t even know you could buy locks that gorgeous, so excited to look now so thank you!

[@biologbrallan]

More of these videos please, it was so fun! ❤ I have some holes to spackle and drawers that need organizing 😅

[@saikagyaru]

HUZZAHHHH! Cheers to finishing projects. Want to work on an unconventional vanity and just got the main mirror in. Hoping to get it done this weekend. Hooray weekend.

[@graceom6872]

I really enjoyed this small tasks video! I’d love to see more! To answer your question of what’s a little thing I’ve been meaning to do forever, I’ve been meaning to dust my fan blades!

[@livzyful]

Getting these loose ends done is so satisfying. Good for you

[@anon-oso5714]

3:26 just make a lil pocket for the lock! then you'll be able to use both pieces!! you can go through the extra effort in making the pocket look like a divot!

[@ReadingNymph]

Its always so satisfying to get those little jobs done!

[@bilbobaggins5752]

Love this type of video. I like that there were a few different things to see. As for suggestions, I think I find certain types of small projects more satisfying than others. Like your cable management portion of this video, there's a little problem that is visually apparent, then it gets tidied up and put right.

[@samanthaw.8364]

Hi Ariel! I’m curious to know if you’ve considered eventually converting the closet next to the bathroom into a laundry room? It might not be too difficult since you have a water line right next door AND it would free up some valuable space in your kitchen :) Love your videos so much! Keep up the good work. The house is really looking beautiful.

[@agatanakonieczny2213]

Great idea! Most of clothes people usually change in their bedrooms and it is easier to have a washing machine on the same floor/level and not to carry laundry on stairs.

[@EC-dg6ti]

I think she has talked about this before but that it will take a while to get done

[@janicehalsey5511]

I bought a new kingsize bed 5 years ago so me, 2 dogs, 2 cats and the husband would all have room to sleep in the same bed lol. I want to get the master bedroom situated to do this!

[@crazylatingirl94]

I need to sand and paint the holes in my walls that command strips caused 😂 aaand I have to fix the hole in the drywall from where my towel rack fell out and replace the screw thingies that keep the toilet seat in place. I loved watching this! sometimes completing tiny tasks feels more fulfilling and satisfying than big tasks!

[@Inky1313Starlight]

Baby steps! I have two things I've been meaning to do: there's like two little wall shelves I've had ready to hang for a while and just haven't. And then I have these three cube shelf things that I have stacked, and I need to prime them so I can paint them, and they're going to be very cute once I have them painted I just need to actually do it

[@rachmuffins7]

You make me smile so much, I just love your personality, your house, and your videos 🥰

[@staceyvanier15]

Apparently I should start a KZbin channel in order to accomplish my to do list.

[@ArielBissett]

It’s working for me!!

[@katerrinah5442]

Watching this video before a long day of housework to motivate myself ❤️

[@lindajasmin4914]

To fix my bathroom lock🙈 I had to similarly make a hole for the latch, but it went badly😅 it makes me feel better to see others going back and fixing/perfecting things too..

[@carolynoquinn4573]

I love finishing up little projects!

[@srabine4435]

this was one of the best 12 minutes of my day! I love your attention to detail.

[@nnbk_fornow]

It’s always the little projects that take the longest to finish. Happy you got it done!

[@DianaGonzalez-qd8tc]

I need to paint my kitchen and living room. The sparkling and sanding is done✅ woohoo!

[@Smedette]

That bathroom lock is STUNNING!!

[@marjolaine.63]

this video helped me get the will to take care of cables in my kitchen, so thanks !!!

[@blytheberesford2657]

Great video, very motivational too. One thing I have been meaning to do forever is to put up a little motion sensor light in my under-stairs cupboard, so it's easier to grab coats/shoes from there. Bought the light... just haven't got round to putting it up yet!

[@flamingoliz]

Love seeing you get little things done- they may be small tasks but have such a big impact when done. That bathroom lock is so pretty and perfect for your historic home. ❤

[@veronica.theswamphag]

You really are the cutest, your videos always make my days just a little cozier and reinspire me for my dreams of a future artsy little home 🏡✨️

[@NervousVlogmathster]

You inspired me to finally put up a hook for my headphones (been planning to do for 6 months and took me less than 5 minutes). Now I have a place to put them when not in use so (1) not using up some of my minimal table space and (2) not losing them multiple times a week. For the cords in your closet, rather than paint them to match the wall, I'd be tempted for one of those black on-wall cord covers

[@pnhnut]

just get a flexible cable cover... cheap and fast lol! It is black, flexible, simple to cut to size and it is split so all you do is simply slip it on the bundled cords and it will blend in with your shelf bracket. Your welcome!

[@Hippiechick11]

I always used to write down little things I noticed that needed to be done. And on Frismday, I'd go through the list and fix them. I called it fix it Friday and it worked for me. Now I need to put a cage over my thermostat because it has buttons and the cats like to push on them and turn off the heat.

[@susanmei9980]

😂 🐱

[@tinycotswoldcottage]

As someone who also has a million and one of these jobs to do, I loved this video. It was so satisfying to watch.

[@ashleysims4724]

Yes! Baby steps. I’m going to make a list of all my random mini tasks and tackle them this weekend. Feels so good!

[@grimmgoosegoose216]

Not me, back again, binging these while making a macareme plant hanger for my new fern and scribbling out my Big Spring Clean List XD

[@mariakepler1700]

Painting the bookcases to match the walls

[@megandohm6843]

I’ve had a pile of prints etc. that I haven’t framed. Now I’ve got a list with photos + measurements so I can keep an eye out for frames at my local thrift shops!

[@baileycannon3777]

My husband and I have owned our home for two years and still haven’t renovated the 1 1/2 baths… this has inspired me to try and really tackle those small things this year! (like the paint chips 😭)

[@jannettealejo1990]

We took down some curtains a long time ago, I still need to spackle and fix the drywall. Just haven't found the time. Not because I'm doing multiple updates, just lazy hahaha. The lock looks beautiful!

[@pman2916]

It's always the menial things that are the most difficult...until we get it done. Well done!!

[@pattiray8542]

Edward Hopper! My favorite!😮

[@sunflowerspirited4974]

I was in the midst of my own mini project when you posted lol! Organizing my desk, moving some things around to be more efficient and declutter. Thanks for keeping me company while I take a break

[@jennyleighjacobs9098]

Yay for productivity!! we also are refreshing our own old house (built in 1912 by an Amish family). I love the green paint you used in your upstairs hallway, +ArielBissett- Could you share the shade name? Thank you for the inspiration!

[@lorenelizabeth851]

Such a great video! Thanks for the inspo to get those odd jobs done.

[@ritamailheau771]

Way to go after the details. Looks very professional.

[@FrogeniusW.G.]

Congrats on your bathroom lock!! 😁 I once had a rabbits stable/hutch hook as a bathroom door lock! 😂 I loved it.