Home Improvements - Houseopedia, LLC

What Does it Mean to Hire a Licensed, Bonded and Insured Contractor?

Consumer advocates say you should hire repair and remodeling contractors who are “licensed, bonded and insured.” What do those terms...

Blast Ugly Oil Stains From Your Driveway or Garage

Oil stains on your driveway or garage floor are unsightly and stubborn but can be removed or significantly diminished. Here’s...

Get Gleaming Sterling Silver With Common Household Items

Sterling silver is a precious metal for elegant flatware, serving pieces and jewelry. It requires maintenance to retain its gorgeous...

New Appliances for Less Than $100? Yes, Please!

Your appliance colors were stylish when you bought them, but now they are dated. Or perhaps you want to inject...

Ceramic House Paint: A Tougher Alternative For Your Home’s Exterior

If your home’s exterior is painted, you know the story: That beautiful paint job begins to show wear and tear...

Age-Appropriate Chores for Kids

Children may complain about chores, but studies show that helping around the house benefits kids into adulthood. Kids are less...

Decorating An Older Home

Older homes have a charm and character that’s hard to find in brand-new construction. If you’ve bought one, you may...

Is a Workstation Sink Right For Your Kitchen?

Workstation sinks are an increasingly popular option in kitchen design. These sinks can improve workflow and efficiency but typically take...

Protect Your Home’s Foundation From Weather Extremes

Maintaining consistent soil moisture is vital to keeping the foundation of your home stable. You may need to water your...

Recruiting a Reputable Roofing Contractor After a Storm

You can't afford shoddy work when high winds or hail damage your roof. Unfortunately, bad actors roofers often exploit besieged...

What is My Neighborhood’s Architectural Control Committee?

In neighborhoods with a homeowners association (HOA), you may have to get approval for remodeling or landscape projects from the...

How To Remove Paint From Finished Wood

The newly painted walls in your living room look beautiful, but the drips of paint you’ve discovered you left behind...

Saltwater vs. Chlorine Pools: Which Is Right For You?

If you’re considering a pool for your home, you’ll need to decide whether you want a traditional chlorine pool or...

Act Fast When Your Basement Floods

A basement flood is a homeowner’s nightmare. You must remove the water and begin cleanup right away. Spring into action...

Finding a Good Locksmith

Whether you’re locked out of your house or vehicle or need to change the locks on your new home, a...

Proper Medication Disposal Is Easier Than Ever

Medical experts recommend cleaning out your medicine cabinet every six months and safely discarding expired medications. But what is considered...

How to Fix Four Common Toilet Problems

Toilets are used repeatedly each day, so problems inevitably develop. Here are four common toilet problems you can fix yourself...

How to Clean Dirty Tile Grout

If you haven’t cleaned your tile grout in a while, it may be discolored, moldy or coated in soap scum....

Don’t Try This At Home: Dangerous and Illegal DIY Projects

Home service contractors joke that they charge more to correct botched work a homeowner has attempted than to do the...

Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting: The Important Differences

We all know cleaning helps reduce our risk of illness, but do you know the distinction between cleaning, sanitizing and...

Broken Appliance: Should You Repair or Replace?

Your seven-year-old refrigerator is on the fritz. Should you spring for a repair or bite the bullet to replace the...

How to Choose the Right White Paint

White paint might seem the simplest choice for painting your home’s walls, but it’s anything but. One trip to the...

How to Remove a Popcorn Ceiling

You may have popcorn ceilings in that fixer-upper you bought. Also known as cottage cheese or acoustic ceilings, these textured...

Bye-Bye Fly: Keeping Flies Out of Your Home

You expect insects to crash your summertime barbeque. After all, the outdoors is their world. But your home is your...

My House is a Dust Bowl: What to Do?

Spring comes, temperatures warm, and flowers bloom. Liberated from winter hibernation, you happily throw open the windows. Before you know...

You Can Build Your Own Fence

With the right materials, a little geometry and plenty of gritty work, you can build your own fence. You’ll not...

Styling Kitchen Open Shelves

Today’s kitchens often feature open shelves instead of upper cabinets, and the trend shows no sign of ending. Open shelving...

Cleaning Candles: Extend Use and Beauty

With their warm glow and pleasant scents, candles add beauty to your home’s decor. But over time, candles can grow...

Your New DIY Resource: YouTube!

Suppose the digital display on your stove breaks down just after your manufacturer’s warranty has expired. You can call an...

Clearing and Preventing Clogged Drains

What a headache! A clogged drain is nasty and messy, and the timing is never good. Let’s look at what...

How to Paint Over Old Wood Paneling

Wood-paneled living areas were popular in the 1960s and 70s. Unfortunately, fifty years later, some of that wall paneling has...

What to Do After a Home Burglary

Discovering your home has been burglarized is a sick feeling. In addition to losing valuables, a home burglary leaves you...

Testing the Waters: Is Your Private Well Water Safe?

Municipal water is treated and delivered under strict health guidelines set at the state and federal levels. But if you...

December To-Do List: Holiday Helpful Hints

December is a busy month — with holiday decorating, food prep and celebrations taking over the schedule. So go ahead...

November To-Do List: Get Ready for the Holidays!

With Thanksgiving looming and the winter holidays right around the corner, it’s easy to succumb to panic. Don’t do it!...

Removing Bats From Your House

Just in time for Halloween, you suddenly see a bat flitting around inside your home. There’s no need to break...

Safety First When Grilling Great Food

Grilling delicious meals on the weekend is therapeutic. You can feel the tensions of the workweek go up in barbeque...

Handling Load-Bearing Walls During Renovation

Renovating a home to create an open floor plan or let in additional light sometimes involves removing a load-bearing wall....

The Ups and Downs of Home Elevators

Baby Boomers are aging, and people of all ages are increasingly caring for elderly parents with mobility issues. That has...

Finding, Repairing and Preventing Wood Rot

Water is essential to life, but water in the wrong places around your home can wreak destruction. Interior framing, eaves,...

Is Sick House Syndrome Making You Ill?

Today’s energy-efficient houses have reduced carbon emissions and saved homeowners billions in utility costs. But these airtight homes can prevent...

October To-Dos: Prepping Your Home for Fall

October ushers in cooler temperatures, brilliant fall foliage, and a bountiful harvest. Take advantage of all three as you prep...

Eliminating Musty Smells in the Basement

Dark, scary basements are a common trope in horror movies, but in real life, you are more likely to confront...

Professional Painting Tips For the DIYer

Many homeowners attempt painting as a DIY project, thinking it does not require a high level of expertise. But there...

September To-Do List: Kick-off to Fall!

While it may still feel a lot like summer, September signals the official kickoff of the fall season, which means...

August To-Do’s: Winding Down from Summer

August is a terrific month to savor those last days of summer while at the same time prepping for the...

July To-Do List – Summer Fun and Chores to Keep You Busy

Summer is in full swing, and the heat is on. Keep your cool by tackling this set of (mostly) indoor...

Public Versus Private Neighborhood: Who Pays for Upkeep?

If you have never lived in a neighborhood that the residents privately own, you may be confused as to who...

Protecting Your Home Against Mother Nature’s Wrath

Every year, major storms wreak destruction in different parts of the nation. Whether you are most at risk from hurricanes,...

June To-Do List – Summer Home and Garden Tasks

It’s June, which means it’s time to relax and enjoy the kick-off of summer, but before the fun can begin,...

Conquer the Accumulation of Clutter

It happens to the best of us: We accumulate stuff over a lifetime which becomes annoying clutter throughout the house....

Make A Difference by Attending Town Council Meetings

You may not have considered attending your town council meetings until a project or problem near you affected your life...

May To-Do List – 10 Chores to Gear-up for Summer

Before shifting gears into summer, here’s a handy list of chores for the busy homeowner. See if you can beat...

How to Spot Roof Problems Early

A sound roof is crucial to your home’s most essential function: shelter. Good maintenance of your roof protects you from...

How to Get a Great Night’s Sleep

There’s a component of healthy living that often gets overlooked. We know about healthy eating and exercise, but regular healthy...

Seven Household Items You Should Replace Regularly

Many household items need replacing periodically to maintain your home and your personal care. Keeping track of them all can...

April To-Do’s: Home Maintenance Musts

Longer days and warmer temperatures mean it’s time to seize the opportunity to get outside and accomplish those outdoor chores....

Nine Home Maintenance Tasks You Shouldn’t Neglect

Weekends are a time to relax and enjoy family and friends, but be sure to set aside time for some...

Facts and Fiction About Cleaning with Vinegar

Many people have turned to vinegar as an alternative to chemicals for household cleaning. Vinegar is natural and inexpensive, but...

Don’t Be in the Dark About Cleaning Your Window Blinds

Cleaning window blinds is one of those household duties that’s easy to put off or forget entirely. But the task...

March To-Do’s: Spring is in the Air

It may still be winter, but it’s time to think spring inside the house, and outside in the yard and...

When to Replace Your Water Heater

Taking a shower is soothing and comforting until the hot water suddenly isn’t. Prevent cold showers with our guide to...

Which Material Is Best For Your Kitchen Sink?

When you are building out a new kitchen, you’ve got lots of great choices when it comes to your sink....

February to-do list: Show your home a little love

Stay warm and keep busy with February’s handy to-do list of in-door chores. It’s guaranteed to make you fall in...

Troubleshooting Garage Door Opener Problems

It only happens when you’re in a hurry: Your garage door opener malfunctions and you cannot get out of —...

Best Bathroom Lighting Ideas

Since your bathroom is where you prepare to meet the day, good bathroom lighting is essential to looking your best....

Regular Plumbing Maintenance Minimizes Emergencies

No one likes emergency repairs, so ongoing home maintenance is important for preserving your property and keeping life peaceful. Water...

A Gift for January 2021: Ten Tips for a Healthy Home

We’re kicking 2020 to the curb and showing some love for 2021 with a January to-do list to help you...

Should You Remove Your In-Ground Pool?

Swimming pools can provide lots of relaxing family fun, but maintaining them requires time and money. Homeowners with children may...

Now You See Them, Now You Don’t: Home Trends That Create Space

Pocket walls and doors, floating plumbing fixtures, mirrors that talk to you — all of these trends and more are...

Know Your House: Roof Structure, Styles and Materials

If you’re a homeowner, the more you know about your house and its components, the better you can care for...

Dormer Styles and Construction

Dormer windows are a ubiquitous feature of American homes. You have seen these windows set into sloping roofs many times,...

Brass Returns With Class

In recent years, once-popular brass has taken a back seat to brushed nickel, stainless steel and oiled bronze when it...

Your Decluttering Bucket List

Books, podcasts and TV shows promote the liberating benefits of decluttering and minimizing your possessions. Swedish author Margareta Magnusson gives...

Residential Designer Versus Architect: Which is For You?

People often think of hiring an architect when designing a house or a big remodeling project, but a residential designer...

Protecting Your Marvelous Marble

Marble is one of the most beautiful surfaces available for countertops, floors and other home uses. A type of limestone,...

Avoiding Fabric-Munching Carpet Beetles

As if you didn’t have enough household pests to deal with, along comes a creepy-crawly that eats your carpet and...

Choosing The Best Floors for Pets

Pets can bring lots of joy, but having one means making accommodations at home for both their needs and yours....

How to Reduce Plastic Use at Home

The world is overflowing with plastic waste on land and in our water sources. What can you do in your...

Holiday Decorating and Pet Safety

Glittering Christmas decorations look festive to you. To your dog or cat, they look like a playground. Your pet can...

Keep Your Whirlpool Tub a Clean Machine

Soaking up to your chin in the swirling warm waters of a whirlpool tub is luxurious. But the jets can...

Yes, You Can Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets

Replacing or refinishing cabinets is part of most kitchen updates. Painting cabinets is a popular option these days that costs...

Hardwood Floor Options Offer Ageless Beauty

Hardwood floors have been installed in homes for centuries. No other floor has the enduring beauty and character of a...

Twelve Thoughtful Touches for Your Overnight Guests

When friends and family come to stay, you want to be a thoughtful host. This is especially true during the...

Stop the Invasion With Effective Ant Control

Nearly every homeowner faces an ant invasion at some point. A security system can protect your home from burglars, but...

7 Steps to DIY Carpet Repair

Accidents happen and may leave you with a hole, burn or permanent stain on your wall-to-wall carpet. Don’t despair! You...

Boring No More! Trends in Decorative Concrete

If you think concrete couldn’t be more bland, think again. Today’s decorative concrete can be a design powerhouse. Take a...

Safe Home Service Contractor Visits

As we shelter in place and socially distance because of the COVID-19 pandemic, everyday life goes on. Systems, appliances and...

Touchless Technology for a Cleaner, Healthier Home

COVID-19 pandemic made us aware of the many things in our homes that multiple people touch each day. We can...

Slithers and Shivers! Removing a Snake From Your House

Movies make it appear that every human encounter with a snake is life threatening. The truth is seldom that dire,...

Watch Out for Dryer Fires!

When it comes to home fire hazards, you may think of electrical shorts or fireplace accidents. But home clothes dryers...

Your Dishwasher, A Coronavirus Pandemic Workhorse

With families hunkering down and eating at home more often during the coronavirus pandemic, the dishwasher is definitely earning its...

How to Protect Your Home From Coronavirus

The coronavirus pandemic has changed our lives, seemingly overnight. How can you keep COVID-19 and other infectious diseases out of...

The Ins and Outs of Garage Conversions

Homeowners who want more living space but don’t want to add on a new room might consider converting the garage....

What To Do With Donation Dilemmas

Local charities and donation centers appreciate your donations, but there are some items they just can’t take. What should you...

FAQs for First-Time Homeowners

You’re happily settled in your first home but have come to realize how much you don’t know. Let’s answer some...

Prevent Flooding in Your Home

If you live in an area prone to heavy rainfall, taking proactive steps to prevent flooding in your home can...

What to Do With My Kitchen Desk Area?

Some older kitchens included a desk area, slightly lower than countertop height, for sitting down to pay bills or organize...

Paint “Green” in Any Color With Low-VOC Paints

A new generation of paints gives you the rich colors you want without the pungent smells of traditional paints. Known...

Is the KonMari Method for Me?

Unless you’ve been living under an avalanche of clutter, (pun intended) you’ve probably heard about the KonMari method of organization...

Is a Multi-Generational Home Right for You?

As baby boomers age, their adult children often face challenging questions about caring for their elders. Not everyone is suited...

Moving On Up: Converting Your Attic to Living Space

When it comes to adding living space to a home, consider thinking up, not out. Attic conversions can make for...

Customer Reviews: The Art of Effective Complaining

Most people dislike confrontation, but sometimes when a product or service goes wrong, you need to let the provider know....

Living With Pets In Small Spaces

Whether you are single, a couple or a family with kids, living in a small space means adapting to tight...

Finding a House Cleaning Service

If you feel like you’re spending all your precious free time with a mop and bucket, perhaps it’s time to...

Choosing Grout for your Tile Project

With today’s new materials and colors, choosing grout for your tile project can be overwhelming. Here’s a breakdown showing the...

What to Do with Leftover Paint?

Every homeowner eventually faces the issue of what to do with leftover paint. How do you store it, how long...

Decorating Trends: Kitchen Cabinets with Color!

New home buyers traditionally have kept kitchen cabinets neutral. But the new trends are all about color, even on cabinets....

Preventing Water Damage in Your Home

Water is essential for our personal health, but water leaks at home can cause costly damage. Use these tips to...

When It’s Time to Hire a Professional Organizer

Is your closet so stuffed that you’re secretly hanging new purchases in the back of your kids’ closets? Have you...

5 Forgotten Places to Clean in Your Home

When preparing a home for sale, most of us clean all the hot spots – vacuuming the carpets, scrubbing the...

Preventing a Frozen Pipes Disaster

When temperatures plunge, the risk of frozen pipes rises. How can you keep pipes from freezing in your home and...

Convert Your Living Room into a Home Office

If your home has both living and family rooms, you may be using only the latter. What to do with...

Workbench Tools: When to Rent and When to Buy

Some workbench tools -- those workhorses like hammers and power drills -- are worth the investment. But you may be...

Protecting Your Home from Natural Disaster

We may not like to think about a natural disaster destroying our home, but a little planning and preparation can...

Bracing Your Home for Extreme Weather

An approaching tornado or hurricane is terrifying. Life, limb, and property are all at risk in these extreme weather events....

Here’s How to Fix Your Solid Surface Countertops

Kitchen countertops get lots of use – and abuse – leading to dents, nicks, cracks, and scratches that can hold...

How to Banish Dings and Scratches From Your Walls

Accidents happen in busy households, and invariably walls get dirty, dinged and dented. Here’s how to make these accidents disappear....

How to Open Those Stuck Windows

It’s refreshing to open windows to let in fresh air on a beautiful spring or autumn day. But what if...

A Portal for Your Pooch: Installing a Dog Door

A dog door can be a nice convenience for your fur baby, allowing her to come and go outside as...

Multigenerational Households: Crucial Considerations

Nearly 20 percent of today’s American households are multigenerational. A multigenerational household is defined as two or more adult generations...

Making Home an Allergy-Free Haven

For allergy sufferers, some of life’s greatest pleasures can bring pain. Spring brings warmer temperatures and beautiful colors but also...

Stopping the Flood of Junk Mail for Good

Junk mail is relentless. For every piece of mail worth keeping, it seems there are 10 that aren’t. But there...

Polybutylene Plumbing: The Future That Was Not

Homes built between 1978 and 1995 often have plumbing made of polybutylene, a leak-prone material that is no longer used...

Should You Tip Home Service Contractors?

Everyone knows to tip restaurant food servers, who rely on tips to supplement their pay. But what about the various...

How to Keep Furniture from Falling Onto Your Kids

Children four and under are at great risk for serious injury or death from a toppled piece of heavy furniture....

Maintaining the Classic Look of Wrought Iron

Wrought iron brings classic elegance to home design. Wrought iron fences, doors, and furniture can provide a lifetime of beauty....

Help Your Refrigeration Keep Its Cool

We take our refrigerators and freezers for granted until something goes wrong. No one can avoid long-term power outages during...

Room Dividers Gives Boundaries to Open Space

In recent years homeowners have preferred open floor plans. Homes of yesteryear compartmentalized the kitchen, dining and living areas, but...

Get Ready to Bring Home Your New Dog

Bringing home a new dog is an act of sheer love. Joy and adoration await you, but so does responsibility....

Ceiling Updates Add Soaring Style

Home decorating trends are looking up, literally. We put so much emphasis on walls, floors, and furnishings that the ceiling’s...

Are We Victims of Renovation Hype?

Home renovations is an astounding $326.1 billion annual industry in the United States, with no signs of its growth stopping....

5 Luxury Upgrades Worth Adding, and 3 to Skip

When building a new home or remodeling, it’s exciting to choose from all the latest and greatest options -- especially...

Freshen Up Your Brick With Paint

Painted brick is an exciting new design trend. Is painting your tired brick exterior or that overly orange wall in...

What to Do After Your Home Floods

No one can forget the horrible pictures of flooding along the Texas Gulf Coast after Hurricane Harvey, where tens of...

Checklist: August To-Dos for Homeowners

Besides being the hottest month of the year, August is a time of transition. Vacation season is winding down and...

Checklist: Winter To-Dos for Homeowners

Thanksgiving is but a memory, and winter is in the air. It’s time to make sure your home is ready...

Checklist: Summer To-Dos for Homeowners

While immersing yourself in summertime activities, it’s important to set aside enough time to take care of home and yard...

Checklist: Spring To-Dos for Homeowners

That winter chill is retreating and the prospect of warm Spring weather is no longer a distant dream. Get your...

Checklist: Fall To-Dos for Homeowners

Fall brings cooler days, football, pumpkin spice, and the perfect time to prep your home for winter. Here’s what needs...

Checklist: July To-Dos for Homeowners

Summer is fun, but by July it may be so hot you’re tempted to stay inside 24-7. Here’s a July...

Checklist: June To-Dos for Homeowners

Outdoor activities beckon as summer comes calling, but so does the list of June chores for homeowners. Here’s what needs...

Checklist: May To-Dos for Homeowners

It’s May, which means summer is almost here. Before you can relax with a cool drink by the pool, get...

Checklist: April To-Dos for Homeowners

Everyone is stressed and anxious about the COVID-19 crisis, but one positive to staying at home is the number of ...

Checklist: March To-Dos for Homeowners

March means warmer days and more sunshine, which is perfect for accomplishing home projects. Yes, it’s time for spring cleaning...

Checklist: February To-Dos for Homeowners

It’s February, which means it’s time for a little romance and a lot of indoor chores. Might as well get...

How to Deal With a Difficult Door

A door that doesn’t open or close properly is not only a nuisance, it can pose a security risk and...

The Pressure’s On For a Better Shower

If showering in your home is less than spa-like and more akin to torture, it’s time to take a look...

Checklist: January To-Dos for Homeowners

January is a time for new beginnings, which means it’s prime time for homeowners to pack up the holiday decor,...

Checklist: December To-Dos for Homeowners

December brings winter chill, hot cocoa and holiday cheer. It also brings its own set of home maintenance chores to...

Taking a Hard Look at Your Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors add warmth and depth to your home, and they certainly repel dirt and stains much easier than carpet,...

Checklist: November To-Dos for Homeowners

It’s November, which means increasingly cold temperatures, peak football season and the prospect of the holidays right around the corner....

Shedding Light on Kitchen Pendants

As one of the busiest and most productive rooms in a house, the kitchen needs lighting that is not only...

Ten Steps to Fixing Pesky Nail Pops

We’ve all seen them: nail or screw heads popping out of sheetrock after a house settles. They are a blemish...

How to Hang Heavy Pictures and Mirrors

Hanging small pictures doesn’t require a lot of skill or heavy duty hangers. But anything weighing in at more than...

Checklist: October To-Dos for Homeowners

October is synonymous with cooler weather, changing leaves, apple harvests and trick-or-treat. It’s also a great time for homeowners to...

Checklist: September To-Dos for Homeowners

With summer winding down and fall temperatures on the horizon, September is a pivotal month for homeowners who want to...

When a Kitchen Island is a No, a Peninsula Might Work

The island has become a fundamental part of the modern kitchen, but size limitations mean some kitchens cannot accommodate one....

How to Keep Stainless Steel Appliances Smudge-Free

Stainless steel appliances are gorgeous -- until they’re streaked, smudged and full of fingerprints. Want to keep them looking like...

How to Disguise Those Ugly Garbage Bins

If you keep your garbage bins in the garage, why not free up space and move them permanently outside, tucked...

Five Makeovers For an Ugly Home Foundation

Does your otherwise attractive home have an unsightly foundation wall that spoils its curb appeal? Here are five ways to...

Should You Screen In Your Deck?

A deck can be a little slice of paradise…except for the scorching sun by day and the insects by night....

Foundation Problems: When to Worry

It’s the house repair every homeowner fears: foundation problems. Before you panic, here’s how to tell whether those scary looking...

Add Some Zip to Your Home With Custom Trims

Giving your home a welcoming custom feel is all in the architectural details. If your house is a bit blah,...

5 Kitchen Storage Hacks to Curb the Clutter

If chaos in the kitchen is sending you to the drive-through window a bit too often, it’s time to take...

Newest Kitchen Trends May Surprise You

The latest trend in kitchen cabinets? Surprise! It’s no cabinets at all. Rather than traditional cupboards, kitchen designers are now...

4 Ways to Organize Your Photos

Photographs are an amazing way to save and display our memories, and with digital technology it’s easier and less expensive...

‘Maintenance-Free’ is Magic to Homeowners’ Ears

One of the big advantages to buying a newer home is the use of modern building materials that reduce --...

Getting Rid of Your Junk

Whether it’s years of accumulated clutter, old appliances, or household chemicals, it has to go. Is it a DIY job?...

9 Essential Tools for the DIY Painter

Painting can be a big job, but with the right tools the task will be easier and the finished product...

9 Steps to Removing that Ugly Wallpaper

It’s dated, ugly and needs to go. When the wallpaper in your home has seen better days, what’s the best...

How to Hire and Work with a Contractor

When hiring a contractor to do work at your home, you want someone who is honest and competent. This is...

Yard Sales Still a Smart Way to Declutter

Once you’ve cleaned and organized your house from top to bottom, what is the best way to get rid of...

Adding a Butler’s Pantry: Should I or Shouldn’t I?

The focal point of the home is the kitchen, where family and friends gather to share food, drink and fun....

You Have a Warranty, But Are You Covered?

As a new homeowner, you may have received a home warranty from the builder or previous owners. It’s a nice...

A Key Question for the Do-It-Yourself Painter

One of the biggest and most common do-it-yourself projects is painting. Especially for new homeowners, it’s only natural to paint...

When Accidents Happen: Removing Pet Stains and Odors on Floors

Pet accidents are inevitable, reminding us all of the sacrifices and responsibilities that come with pet ownership. Hurry, grab some...

Keeping Your Pets and Home Squeaky Clean

You love your pets, but you also love your home. Unfortunately, taking care of your pets can take a toll...

Too Many Books, Too Little Space

Whether you’re moving or just looking for a more streamlined look, your bookshelves are an obvious place to consider paring...

The Key to Closet Design and Organization

Regardless of space or budget, you can turn your closet into something special. All it takes is organization and a...

Removing Wild Animals from Your Home

When wild animals take up residence in your attic or walls, it’s usually a female looking for a safe, warm...

The Do’s and Don’ts of Pest Control

When it comes to pest control, prevention is crucial to a homeowner’s peace of mind. But once you’ve had an...

‘Wall-to-Wall’ Coverage of a Bathroom Makeover

In a bathroom remodel, selecting the right material for the walls is essential. It has to be tough enough to...

Check Out the Latest Trends in Commodes

If you’re custom building a home or remodeling an outdated bathroom, don’t forget to consider an updated toilet. Take a...

It’s Time to Dress Up That Tired Bathroom

Bathroom sinks and countertops have come a long way from the standard-issue white porcelain sink dropped into laminate cabinetry that...

A ‘Shower’ of Ideas for Remodeling Projects

Bathroom showers have surged in popularity in recent years, making bathtubs a secondary feature in many remodeling projects. If a...

The Latest and Greatest in Bathtub Design

Bathtubs may have taken a temporary backseat to luxurious showers in home style trends, but the latest tubs offer plenty...

Is a Bathroom Redo In Your Future?

Although bathrooms are among the smallest rooms in a home, they are a big job to tackle when it comes...

Decorative Driveways Add Style

The typical driveway, let’s face it, tends to be a bit boring. Made of concrete or asphalt, they provide a...

Step-By Step-Details to Beautiful Staircase Design

Elegant, sweeping stairs are one of the central contributors to a home’s beauty. Here are the latest trends in stairs,...

Does Your House Need a Water Filtration System?

Is our water safe to drink? Can it be improved for our consumption? These are questions you may be asking...

Take a Look at Latest Trends in Kitchen Faucets

Today’s faucets are attractive, sleek and come in a beautiful array of shapes, sizes and even colors. Perhaps the most...

Don’t Let the Bedbugs Bite

Population increases -- combined with the ease of worldwide travel -- mean your chances of a bedbug encounter in a...

Essential Tools for the Home Workshop

Even the simplest household fix-it job goes more smoothly with the right tool in hand. Here’s a quick guide to...

Welcome to a Whole New World of Stylish Garage Doors

It takes more than a snazzy front door to create curb appeal. These days, prospective buyers are looking for a...

Hiring the Pros to Organize Your Garage

A professional garage makeover can transform the most neglected part of a home into a thing of beauty. But is...

Home Renovations Key to Aging in Place

As people age, routine movement around the home may become a challenge. If seniors choose to age in place, what...

Key Kitchen Renovations to Help the Elderly

Aging in place can be a great comfort to senior adults, especially when necessary renovations make familiar surroundings more accessible....

How to Organize the Garage On a Budget

It seems obvious that a garage should be used as a place to park your cars, but many folks have...

He Said, She Said: Men and Women Differ on Home Improvement

If you’ve got a full-fledged battle of the sexes going on at your house regarding home improvement priorities, it’s time...

When Disaster Strikes: Handling Flood and Fire Damage

Few things can be more wrenching and make you feel more vulnerable than when your home suffers major damage from...

When to Hire a Pro to Avoid DIY Disasters

Do-it-yourselfers, empowered by YouTube videos and well-produced cable TV shows, have no doubt saved themselves serious money by tackling home-improvement...

Is Wine Storage Worth the Cost?

There are wine drinkers and then there are wine lovers, for whom the drink stirs passion. If you fall into...

Making the Most of Your Basement

If you’re lucky enough to have an unfinished basement in your home, have you ever considered converting that space into...

What Every Homeowner Needs to Know About Fireplaces and Chimneys

What could be more idyllic than sitting before a crackling fireplace, your children happily playing at your feet. You may...

Building Neighborhood Ties that Bind

Ask homeowners what builds value in their homes and they likely will name things like kitchen upgrades, a new deck...

Swimming Pools: From Design to Dream Come True

If you’ve always envisioned yourself the proud owner of a backyard pool, what will it take to make that dream...

How to Protect the Roof Over Your Head

You buy a house to literally put “a roof over your head,” so having a trustworthy roof is vital. What...

No Home Should Be Without Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Similar to smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors are an essential warning device in every home -- perhaps even more so....

Stopping Mold In Its Tracks

If you discover mold in your home, don’t panic. While all mold is disgusting, not all mold is life-threatening. Some...

Keeping Your House Dry In All the Right Places

Throughout your house, key construction materials -- things like flashing and weather stripping -- work to keep rain and moisture...

Conquering the Clutter in Your Garage

Garages are supposed to be a place to park the car, but in reality, many Americans fill their garages to...

Taking the Mystery out of Codes and Permits

When it comes to home construction projects -- large or small -- homeowners are likely to encounter what may seem...

Fire Safety: Your Family is Counting on You

Although no one wants to contemplate a cherished home being destroyed by fire, it’s an important topic to address --...

Study Up on the ABCs of Painting

Before you pick up that paintbrush or roller, do yourself a favor and study up on the types of paint,...

Show Me the Money: Home Remodeling that Pays Off

If you’re talking about a potential home renovation project, it’s important to know if the money you put into the...

Make Home Safety a Top Priority With This Handy Checklist

Most people know about the more obvious home safety measures, such as having working smoke detectors. But there are plenty...

Kitchen Cabinet Makeovers: The Three Choices

A kitchen makeover is probably the most beneficial renovation for a house. Most people don’t think twice about replacing counters,...

Home Flooring Choices: From Practical to Elegant

Whether you are building a new house or updating an existing one, beautiful floors are fundamental for a warm, inviting...

Brush Up on How to Pick the Best Paint For Your Project

How do you go about picking the best paint for your home project? Choosing the right color is a good...

When Is It Time to Replace Your Windows?

If your home has older windows, should you replace them with new, more energy efficient ones? Here’s a quick guide...

Kitchen Countertops Should be Beautiful and Functional

Great kitchen countertops are a key ingredient in a top-notch kitchen that is both warm and inviting, yet also functional....

Attention to Home Maintenance Now Will Avoid Big Repair Bills Later

As a homeowner, it’s far better to keep up with routine maintenance than spend big bucks down the road on...

Child Proofing Your Home

If you have a new baby in the house, it’s time to start thinking about childproofing your home. Babies become...

What’s the Lifespan of Your New Home’s Big-Ticket Appliances?

Gone are the days when big-ticket home appliances lasted for decades. With some exceptions, the life span for most appliances...

Does Your Home Have Asbestos? If the Answer is Yes, Don’t Panic

If you buy a home built before 1978, there’s a possibility asbestos may lurk in the building materials. Houses built...

A Septic System: What Is It and How Do I Live With One?

Homeowners in a rural setting typically pump their water from wells and remove their household waste with a septic system....