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.
The COVID-19 pandemic has provided cybercriminals a new way to scam people. Phishing e-mails that target those fearful of the coronavirus are appearing in consumer in-boxes worldwide, as are appeals from phony charities preying on people’s good intentions. Here’s what you need to know about coronavirus cyber scams. Types of coronavirus cyber scams Scammers send… Read more »
Replacing or refinishing cabinets is part of most kitchen updates. Painting cabinets is a popular option these days that costs a fraction of replacing existing cabinets. You could hire someone to paint kitchen cabinets, but you can also handle the job yourself. Come on, you’ve got this! Compare with a professional It doesn’t hurt to… Read more »
If you’ve dreamed of having an in-ground pool just a cannonball leap from your backdoor, you may have an idealized image of what constructing a pool takes. Before you take the plunge and build a swimming pool, take a look at this inventory of what you need to consider. A complex project Building a swimming… Read more »
Hardwood floors have been installed in homes for centuries. No other floor has the enduring beauty and character of a fine hardwood floor. Today you have a variety of gorgeous hardwood floor options, including the latest fusion of classic woods with modern technology. Pros and cons of hardwood floors A beautiful wood floor brings warmth… Read more »
We tend to think of new kitchen counters or a bathroom makeover when we talk about home improvement. But nowadays the term also means acquiring smart home devices that make life simpler and free up our time. Here are six very cool tech tools that can lighten your daily load. Smart hub systems Smart home… Read more »
Relaxing in a sauna at a fitness center may make you wonder about owning one at home. Here are the pros and cons of adding a home sauna. Benefits of a home sauna Perhaps the biggest benefit of a home sauna is stress relief. Whether you install a dry heat sauna or one with steam,… Read more »
We all love relaxing around a fire, whether it’s indoors by the fireplace hearth or outdoors. Firepits are an increasingly popular way to enjoy a fire in your backyard. If you’re a person with average building skills, you can build one yourself. Here’s how. Portable units Of course, if you don’t want to build your… Read more »
When friends and family come to stay, you want to be a thoughtful host. This is especially true during the holidays. Here are some ways to make your overnight guests’ stay at your home the most wonderful time of the year. Think like a hotelier or Airbnb host Anticipate what your overnight guests may need…. Read more »
Most consumers realize they need to watch out for shopping scams. Yet bad actors continually find new and more clever ways to rip people off. When shopping for items online, avoid getting fleeced with these preventative steps. Trying to earn your trust Scammers work hard to get you to trust that their email or text… Read more »
When furnishing your home, you may have puzzled over numbers — not how many tables or chairs you need, but what size your pieces should be and how much space you need around them. For example, how far should your TV be from your sofa? How much space do you need around a dining room… Read more »
If you live in a small urban apartment or condo, you can relieve any claustrophobia and enjoy the outdoors with a smartly styled balcony. Here’s how to create a refreshing, park-like space just outside your door. How will you use your balcony? The size and shape of your balcony determines how you can use it… Read more »
Concrete is a strong building material, but over time as the ground settles, it can develop cracks. Fortunately, repairing cracked concrete is a task even the most inexperienced do-it-yourselfer can tackle. Let’s patch that crack. Evaluate the source Before starting, consider where the crack is, what caused it and its characteristics. Did the cracked concrete… Read more »
Nearly every homeowner faces an ant invasion at some point. A security system can protect your home from burglars, but an army of ants can be nearly as troubling and more difficult to guard against. Here’s how to protect your home with effective ant control. Preventative measures Roaches are disgusting and spiders terrifying, but at… Read more »
Accidents happen and may leave you with a hole, burn or permanent stain on your wall-to-wall carpet. Don’t despair! You can repair that carpet in seven steps, and the fix will be virtually invisible. Here’s how. Tools and supplies for the job The most important thing you will need for successful carpet repair is a… Read more »
If you think concrete couldn’t be more bland, think again. Today’s decorative concrete can be a design powerhouse. Take a look at these eye-catching examples. Floors that don’t bore Decorative concrete’s popularity has grown over the last 20 years as residential and commercial buildings have begun foregoing tile and hardwood floors for gorgeous artisan concrete… Read more »
As we shelter in place and socially distance because of the COVID-19 pandemic, everyday life goes on. Systems, appliances and devices in our homes break down and need repair. If a home service contractor or repair person must come into your home, how can you each protect the other from potential coronavirus infection? Ask about… Read more »
COVID-19 pandemic made us aware of the many things in our homes that multiple people touch each day. We can sanitize those surfaces frequently, but today’s touchless technology makes it possible to avoid touching many surfaces at all. You may forget and touch your face, but at least you have no need to touch these… Read more »
Movies make it appear that every human encounter with a snake is life threatening. The truth is seldom that dire, but no one wants to get up close and personal with a snake. What should you do when one slithers into your home? Take a deep breath and use this guide. Most snakes aren’t poisonous… Read more »
Our furry family members bring us comfort during these anxious times, but do we need to worry about their health? Can they catch COVID-19? Can they spread it to us? Is it safe to let neighbors pet our pooch? Here’s what you need to know about the coronavirus and pet care. Dogs, cats and coronavirus… Read more »
Use of virtual meeting platforms has exploded since the coronavirus pandemic began. Businesses, organizations and families are using video conferencing to connect with one another without leaving their homes. Here’s a tutorial on video conferencing best practices to help you get the most out of these platforms and avoid security breaches. Features of video conferencing… Read more »
