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.
Home renovations is an astounding $326.1 billion annual industry in the United States, with no signs of its growth stopping. Consumers constantly hear the message that their houses somehow fall short…which begs the question: Do our houses really need that much work or are we simply victims of reno hype? Why Do You Want to… Read more »
Just about everything’s on sale in November as brick-and-mortar and online retailers compete for your hard-earned dollars. The month begins with Veterans Day discounts and ends with Black Friday deals. While this can be the best time to find a deal on home-related purchases, don’t be fooled by all the hype. Do your research! Mattresses,… Read more »
Rooms come alive when an accent wall commands attention. You can bring the focus to a particular wall with something as simple as a bold paint color or as complex as custom built-in shelving. Whatever your choice, an accent wall will bring character to any room. What is an accent wall? An accent wall is… Read more »
When building a new home or remodeling, it’s exciting to choose from all the latest and greatest options — especially when we’re talking about kitchens and bathrooms. But many of today’s “luxuries” can become tomorrow’s nuisances. Here’s a list of high-end items worthy of adding and another list of luxury upgrades you might want to… Read more »
Painted brick is an exciting new design trend. Is painting your tired brick exterior or that overly orange wall in the den a good way to rev up your decor? Let’s explore this option. Pros and Cons of Painted Brick Painted brick is one of the easiest, least expensive ways to update your home’s exterior… Read more »
Brick-and-mortar mattress stores rival car dealers when it comes to television ads loudly promoting hot sale prices. Now consumers can skip the hype and purchase mattresses online. Is this a smart way to buy, or will you end up losing sleep over it? Just add air Retail stores still dominate the mattress market, but online… Read more »
October is a prime time for home-related purchases such as paint, leaf blowers, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and air conditioning units. As the temperatures fall so do prices on window units and central air systems. Smoke detectors and batteries. When it’s time to “fall back” to Standard Time, it’s also time to change the… Read more »
Frameless glass enclosures are stylish and popular for freestanding showers. Now gorgeous glass is replacing the shower curtain on tubs with showers. Let’s take a look. Better Looking and Less Work Shower curtains have been a mainstay for tub-shower combos because they are so simple. An attractive outer curtain presents a nice look, while a… Read more »
No one can forget the horrible pictures of flooding along the Texas Gulf Coast after Hurricane Harvey, where tens of thousands of homes flooded and hundreds of thousands of people were displaced. Now the Carolinas are faced with the aftermath of Hurricane Florence. Do you know what to do if your home floods? Here’s how… Read more »
Major appliances, furniture, laptops and school supplies are all discounted in September, starting with heavily advertised sales over Labor Day weekend. Also, keep a lookout for deals on air conditioners as the weather cools down and demand drops. Mattresses. It’s a Labor Day tradition for retailers to offer discounted prices on mattresses, box springs, and… Read more »
Watch for deepening discounts on summer items, along with back-to-school discounts on office supplies and computers. Late summer is also a great time to snag deals on new flooring for your home. Here’s a look at the most significant August discounts. Back-to-school sales. Look for weekly deals on school and home office supplies and generous… Read more »
Besides being the hottest month of the year, August is a time of transition. Vacation season is winding down and the school year is starting. Here are several key home maintenance chores to complete. Transition time Break out the backpacks, calculators, and lunch bags. Prepare a place at home for the kids to study and… Read more »
When residents know each other and spend time together, the entire neighborhood benefits. You could almost say a close-knit neighborhood raises everyone’s property values in an intangible way. Christmas block parties are a great idea for strengthening ties between neighbors and getting to know newcomers. Let’s look at some ideas for building neighborly bonds while… Read more »
It’s an iconic Christmas scene: a family driving home from the tree lot with a real Christmas tree tied to the top of their SUV. Artificial trees are practical, but nothing beats the scent of fresh greenery in the living room. Let’s pick the perfect tree for you and your family. Environmental Impact The real… Read more »
Outdoor holiday lights create a festive feel, but animated Christmas decorations can add a magical boost to your display. Here’s how. Two Types of Animated Christmas Decorations Lighted outdoor decorations can be animated in two ways. In one type, lights on a sequential string or circuit flash in a pattern that gives the appearance of… Read more »
You don’t need to hire a professional designer to have a magically festive home that’s the envy of the neighborhood. Here’s how to create a rapturous display with outdoor Christmas decorations. Time for a Decoration Makeover? If you’ve been using the same tired outdoor Christmas decorations for years, break out a new look this year…. Read more »
Thanksgiving is but a memory, and winter is in the air. It’s time to make sure your home is ready for the frosty months ahead. Check Heating System Ideally, the heating system should be checked mid-fall, but if that hasn’t happened, hire a pro to inspect the gas or oil burner, the heat exchanger and… Read more »
While immersing yourself in summertime activities, it’s important to set aside enough time to take care of home and yard chores. Here are 10 must-do items while summer’s in full swing. • Air Conditioning Summer Maintenance If you haven’t already, it’s imperative to have a professional check your air conditioning system. It’s working full time… Read more »
That winter chill is retreating and the prospect of warm Spring weather is no longer a distant dream. Get your house and yard ready with these 10 maintenance musts. NOTE: During the COVID-19 pandemic, building and construction trades are essential to maintaining the safety and operation of private residences. Therefore, service providers such as plumbers,… Read more »
Fall brings cooler days, football, pumpkin spice, and the perfect time to prep your home for winter. Here’s what needs to get done. √ The Heating System Before it gets cold enough to turn on the furnace, have a professional inspect the heat exchanger, furnace burners, and air handler for readiness. Always change the intake… Read more »
