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.
Every homeowner eventually faces the issue of what to do with leftover paint. How do you store it, how long will it remain usable, and how do you dispose of it? Will a sample be needed to pass on to future owners if the home is sold. To keep or dispose Keep only the paint… Read more »
New home buyers traditionally have kept kitchen cabinets neutral. But the new trends are all about color, even on cabinets. Here are some kitchen cabinet designs being installed in new construction and renovations. Styles Finished wood versus painted cabinets — which will be big this year? Both! Don’t feel pressured to stick to one style…. Read more »
Properly maintaining your new refrigerator is one way to help keep your family healthy and extend the life of your unit, saving you big money. Keep reading for these essential tips on how to keep your new fridge humming. How often should I clean the inside of my new refrigerator? Ideally, the inside (and outside)… Read more »
Water is essential for our personal health, but water leaks at home can cause costly damage. Use these tips to troubleshoot your house from top to bottom to prevent a budget-busting nightmare. Your roof and adjoining structures Regular annual roof inspection and maintenance are essential, as loose shingles or flashing can lead to leaks. Extreme… Read more »
Is your closet so stuffed that you’re secretly hanging new purchases in the back of your kids’ closets? Have you purchased a new stapler in frustration after searching for hours for one of the two you already own? Do you trip over piles of books in the hallway because you’ve run out of room on… Read more »
When decluttering your home for sale, remember that ancient desktop computer has got to go. But where? With new and changing restrictions on electronics recycling and disposal, here are a few ideas about how to responsibly get rid of electronic waste before listing your home. What’s at stake? In 2016, 44.7 million tons of electronic… Read more »
When preparing a home for sale, most of us clean all the hot spots – vacuuming the carpets, scrubbing the tub and shower, wiping down messy countertops, and cleaning mirrors and windows. But what about these five forgotten places in your home where dirt and grime are likely lurking? Trash cans Have you ever taken… Read more »
Special cool-season décor makes homes feel warm and cozy during the colder months. Here are quick tips to make your home especially inviting during fall and winter. Bedrooms Make your bedrooms ready for the cooler months and the winter holidays by changing out comforters. Add colorful throw blankets and change your sheets to flannel ones… Read more »
Indoor kitchen gardens are fun and easy — the perfect project for novice gardeners and cooks of all ages and talents. If you’re just getting started, here’s a quick primer. Benefits of an indoor herb garden. For a gardener without outdoor space, or someone who wants a low-maintenance option, consider an indoor herb garden. Not… Read more »
When temperatures plunge, the risk of frozen pipes rises. How can you keep pipes from freezing in your home and what should you do if it happens? We’ve got this down cold! Vulnerable to winter’s onslaught Pipes are at risk when the temperature falls below 20 degrees for more than a couple of days. Plumbing… Read more »
The images from the West Coast in late 2018 were terrifying: apocalyptic wildfires, with flames soaring hundreds of feet and racing through towns and neighborhoods destroying homes. Still, some houses survive because their owners took critical preventative steps beforehand. What can you do to spare your home? Create a safe zone free from fuel Fires… Read more »
As summer’s heat wanes and the evenings begin to cool, it’s time to begin preparing your landscape for the winter. Hard work now will mean a robust return come spring. Here are five important fall lawn maintenance tasks to help your landscape flourish when the weather warms up again. Prepare your lawn for new growth… Read more »
A central air-conditioner unit makes summer tolerable in our homes, but the outside condenser and compressor are ugly ducklings in your landscape. What are the best ways to mask that big, noisy machine sitting beside your house? Aesthetics and protection of air-conditioner unit The outside part of an air-conditioning system consists of an intricate grid… Read more »
LED lights have revolutionized lighting, replacing old incandescent and fluorescent bulbs and saving energy. Understanding the various LED light colors, however, can be confusing. Let’s illuminate the differences. LED savings Lighting is measured by two metrics: lumens and watts. Lumens measure a bulb’s light output, and watts are the measure of electricity needed to generate… Read more »
Owners of two-story homes know the dilemma well: The upstairs tends to be hotter and the downstairs cooler. This makes managing the thermostat challenging. Why does your home have these temperature differences, and what can you do to make things more comfortable throughout the house? Baby, it’s cold downstairs The problem is one of thermodynamics…. Read more »
Ticks can take some of the fun out of spring and summer outdoor living. Bites from these pests can cause infections and the potential for long-term disease. Here’s how you can keep them away without the risks of commercial pesticides. The tick test If your home is near a wooded or heavily shaded area, a… Read more »
If your home has both living and family rooms, you may be using only the latter. What to do with that unused formal area? Here’s how to make your living room into a home office in five easy steps. Planning out your home office If you need help space planning, look to digital tools like… Read more »
Some workbench tools — those workhorses like hammers and power drills — are worth the investment. But you may be better off renting many others. Here’s a handy guide to help you decide when to buy and when to rent. Your wallet will thank you. Tools to Buy and Keep… Basic tools that are likely… Read more »
A home energy audit can help you save money while you help save the planet. But how do you find a certified home energy professional, and what do they do? What is a home energy audit? A home energy audit or assessment done by a certified professional from the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) will… Read more »
Did you know plants can help eliminate allergens and toxins in your home? Here’s how to put your greenery to work purifying the air. Why do I need to purify my home’s air? Toxins, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and pollutants abound in many common household products, including carpet, upholstery, building materials, paint, even cleaning solutions…. Read more »
