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.
It’s an unsettling topic but one that must be confronted: Children can drown. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among 1- to 4-year old children and is also a leading factor with 10- to 19-year-olds. A child or at-risk adult can drown quickly and silently before caregivers even realize what is happening…. Read more »
A good night’s sleep starts with a good bed. That’s as true for your dog as it is for you. As any dog owner knows, a dog sleeps both night and day. Puppies and older dogs sleep as much as 18 hours out of 24, according to the American Kennel Club. So what is the… Read more »
Trees can be the best addition you’ll ever make to your yard, but choose wisely, plant carefully and don’t forget to prune. When shopping, think about why you want trees. Is it for shade? For pretty color in spring or fall? To block out neighbors or noise? Your answer will help narrow your choices. Next,… Read more »
When it comes to carpenter bees, homeowners tend to fall into one of two camps: those who see the giant bees as a menace and those who see them as pollinators. They can be both Carpenter bees, if you’ve yet to encounter one, are large and resemble bumblebees. Like bumblebees, they are great to have… Read more »
Holes, mounds and trails. When you see any of these critters in your yard or garden, you’ve got uninvited visitors. What — if anything — to do about them depends on where they are and the amount of damage they can do. Here’s a brief guide to what crawlies and critters could be lurking underfoot… Read more »
There may come a time when you decide a tree or shrub in your landscape would look better in another spot. You can successfully transplant these plants as long as you use TLC to protect the plant’s root ball. Here’s our guide to transplanting trees from right here to over there. Before you start America… Read more »
Books, podcasts and TV shows promote the liberating benefits of decluttering and minimizing your possessions. Swedish author Margareta Magnusson gives you a new reason to declutter in late middle age: to spare your heirs from having to face your mountain of stuff after you’re gone. Lighten the burden We accumulate a house full of possessions… Read more »
People often think of hiring an architect when designing a house or a big remodeling project, but a residential designer may be able to provide the help you need. What is a residential designer, and how can one help you with your project? Comparing a residential designer and an architect Residential designers and architects can… Read more »
Marble is one of the most beautiful surfaces available for countertops, floors and other home uses. A type of limestone, marble’s stately lines and veins are the result of natural processes. But because this elegant substance is somewhat soft and porous, it requires special maintenance to preserve its classic beauty. Here’s how to care for… Read more »
The bathroom exhaust fan gets little attention, but it serves an important role in maintaining air quality in your bathroom and home. If your bathroom doesn’t have a fan, consider installing one, and set up a regular cleaning schedule to maintain your fan. Here’s what you need to know. Moisture and odor elimination The purpose… Read more »
Your home’s landscape is a big investment. Taking good care of it starts with regularly scheduled watering of plants and grass. The best way to accomplish that is with a home irrigation system. Here’s how to operate and maintain your sprinkler system correctly. How an irrigation system works Let’s take a tour of your home… Read more »
As if you didn’t have enough household pests to deal with, along comes a creepy-crawly that eats your carpet and other fabrics. Carpet beetles are just as unwanted as roaches, spiders and ants. Here’s what you need to know about these bugs. What to look for You are more likely to suspect carpet beetles by… Read more »
Americans live life on the go. With traffic jams, deadlines and busy schedules winding us up tight, perhaps it’s no surprise that the Danish lifestyle known as hygge is growing in popularity. A home designed with hygge in mind is a calm oasis for relaxing with family and friends. What is the hygge lifestyle, and… Read more »
Pets can bring lots of joy, but having one means making accommodations at home for both their needs and yours. Choosing appropriate flooring is a big consideration, especially for dogs. You want something durable, attractive and easy to maintain, but your fur baby is looking for comfort. What are the best floors for pets? Your… Read more »
Radiant floors are a home heating method that doesn’t use traditional HVAC air ducts. Instead of warm air blowing through vents, heat from a source beneath the floors warms the home from wall to wall. Here’s what you need to know about radiant floors. Bottoms-up heating With traditional heating, the warmed air is blown through… Read more »
You may not be a smoker, but if you live in an apartment or condo your neighbor’s cigarette smoke may be infiltrating your abode. This secondhand smoke is well-documented health hazard. Here are some steps you can take to avoid this problem. Making modifications to your home Physical modifications of your living space can help… Read more »
The world is overflowing with plastic waste on land and in our water sources. What can you do in your household to help alleviate this problem? Here are some simple steps you can take immediately to reduce plastic use at home. Reduce plastic use at the grocery store Grocery shopping accounts for much of the… Read more »
Glittering Christmas decorations look festive to you. To your dog or cat, they look like a playground. Your pet can get hurt in a romp with the Christmas tree or holiday decorations. But it’s possible to keep the season bright for both you and your fur babies. Here are some ideas for maintaining pet safety… Read more »
Soaking up to your chin in the swirling warm waters of a whirlpool tub is luxurious. But the jets can get dirty, so your tub requires regular maintenance to keep your baths clean and healthy. Here are some simple tips to show your tub some TLC. Regular maintenance keeps cleaning simple Most things we own… Read more »
Decorative lights bring magic to the winter holiday season, but putting them in place is hard work. Hiring a professional to handle your holiday light installation saves you time and labor. Read on to learn how much that convenience costs. Cost factors The cost for professional holiday light installation depends on how many strands of… Read more »
