Here’s our guide to improving, maintaining, and enjoying your house. With information on everything from home technology and reducing energy costs to outdoor living and working from home, these articles will help you care for your house and get the most out of living there.
Consumer advocates say you should hire repair and remodeling contractors who are “licensed, bonded and insured.” What do those terms mean? And why are they important to you as a homeowner? Triple protection These three provisions protect both the consumer and the contractor. State law often requires licensing. Electricians and plumbers, for example, are required… Read more »
You’ve considered upgrading energy systems in your home but wonder whether the monthly energy savings will justify the high up-front investment. After all, it can take months or years to recover your investment through monthly savings. However, new tax credits for investing in energy savings upgrades help shorten the time frame. Here are the credits… Read more »
Consumers increasingly expect companies to follow environmentally responsible practices in manufacturing and packaging. Most companies strive to attain such standards honestly, but some companies are pretenders. They take advantage of consumers by using misleading statements, slogans or images to appear more environmentally friendly than they are. Known as “greenwashing,” such practices include: Decorating packaging with… Read more »
Since the cave painters, humans have been decorating the walls of their homes. Today’s trendy way to do that is with a wallpaper mural. Whether peel-and-stick or traditional pasted paper, wallpaper murals offer a relatively quick way to give a wall personality. Here’s our guide to wallpaper murals. Murals vs. wallpaper While wallpaper has a… Read more »
Flowers such as gardenias or azaleas typically grow from the ground or on bushes. Take flowers to the next level with vines that spread the beauty of blossoms to eye level and above on a trellis or pergola. Three ways vines climb Three types of vines climb structures. Two similar types, twining and tendril vines,… Read more »
Oil stains on your driveway or garage floor are unsightly and stubborn but can be removed or significantly diminished. Here’s how. Tools you will need Soap or a solvent is your primary tool for lifting oil stains from concrete. If the stains are recent, dish or laundry soap is a good first resort. If the… Read more »
Overseeding can reinvigorate lawns where the grass has developed thin patches. In some parts of the country, homeowners can also overseed their yards with winter rye grass for a lush green lawn through the winter months. Here’s a guide to why, how, and when to overseed your yard. What is overseeding? When a lawn has… Read more »
Owls are amazing birds. They make good neighbors, eating mice and rats around your property. If you want to attract owls, you can build an owl house for the birds to nest in. Owls provide pest protection You can control rodents with traps inside or feral cats outside, but those are undesirable. An owl can… Read more »
In many Asian, Eastern European, and Middle Eastern countries, people remove their shoes at entry to their homes and others. In the United States, it’s more common to leave them on. But is that the best practice? Here’s what you should know about wearing shoes in the house. The case for taking shoes off It’s… Read more »
Barbie has long enthralled young girls, but the petite powerhouse seems to be everywhere in the aftermath of the Barbie movie. Now “Barbiecore” design brings a playful touch to home decor, from girls’ bedrooms to living rooms and kitchens. Here’s a primer on Barbiecore design and how to use it in your home. Elements of… Read more »
Peel-and-stick wallpaper and borders are more popular than ever. Peel and stick is simple: no water, glue or mess. Is it a better choice for you than standard wallpaper? Here’s our guide to the advantages and disadvantages of peel-and-stick wallpaper, plus advice on how to apply it. Advantages of peel-and-stick wallpaper Peel-and-stick wallpaper tends to… Read more »
Sterling silver is a precious metal for elegant flatware, serving pieces and jewelry. It requires maintenance to retain its gorgeous luster. Here’s how to keep that shine and preserve the life of family treasures using items you’ll find in your pantry. What is sterling silver? Pure silver, also known as fine silver, is too soft… Read more »
Adding to your cat family is exciting, but the process can be frightening for the new kitten. And the cat you already own may feel like her territory has been invaded. To help your feline friends settle in successfully, follow these get-to-know-you steps. Step one: Take it slow Dogs tend to bound through the door… Read more »
Homeowners’ encounters with black bears are increasing in America, partly because neighborhoods are expanding into bears’ natural habitats. These encounters can be terrifying and sometimes lead to people foolishly approaching bears. How can you keep bears away? And what should you do if you encounter one? Types of bears and what attracts them The black… Read more »
Heavy rainfall runoff can be detrimental to your home, your landscape, and the environment. A creative solution to that gully washer is to channel the water into a colorful rain garden. Here’s how to do it. Why you may need a rain garden Water pooling against your house can cause the foundation to become structurally… Read more »
Your appliance colors were stylish when you bought them, but now they are dated. Or perhaps you want to inject some fun, bold color into your kitchen. If your appliances run fine and have plenty of life, you don’t have to trade them in for new ones. Instead, just paint them. Here’s how. A wide-ranging… Read more »
Lawn mowing can be a tedious and tiring chore. What if there were a way to turn that drudgery into something more like fun? Introducing the zero-turn lawnmower. Best used for large properties, zero-turn lawnmowers zip nimbly across lawns like a go-cart. Let’s ride! What is a zero-turn lawnmower? Zero-turn lawnmowers have powerful engines that… Read more »
If your home’s exterior is painted, you know the story: That beautiful paint job begins to show wear and tear after five to seven years, requiring you to repaint. What if there were a longer-lasting alternative? Ceramic house paint is incredibly durable and offers a number of advantages over latex exterior paint. Here’s what you… Read more »
Children may complain about chores, but studies show that helping around the house benefits kids into adulthood. Kids are less likely to resist doing chores if you start early, but what chores can you assign to a toddler? Surprisingly, our children can handle more tasks than we think they can. Here’s a guide to age-appropriate… Read more »
We’ve all seen those “Best By,” “Sell By,” and “Use By” dates on foods such as meat, milk, and canned and packaged foods. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that 30 percent of the U.S. food supply is lost or wasted, partly because consumers throw food away based on these dates. But what… Read more »
