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.
Homeowners expect their houses to be warm in winter and cool in summer, but don’t take those comfortable temperatures for granted. Regularly changing the air filters is an essential task. HVAC systems move air in a continuous loop through the house. An intake vent uses a fan to pull air from the room through a… Read more »
Digital technology is revolutionizing home entertainment, including headphones and earbuds. Listen up, audiophiles. Bluetooth technology has matured, making wires and plugs obsolete. Listeners can roam the house with the audio source several feet away. A processing method called apx HD is the technology standard for delivering sound wirelessly from the player to earpieces. Headphones versus… Read more »
Most wine enthusiasts don’t have the room or the budget for a wine cellar, but a wine refrigerator or chiller can be the next best thing. Here’s what to consider when shopping for a wine chiller. Size/type. Wine chillers come as countertop, freestanding, or under-countertop units. To determine which unit you’ll need, consider these questions…. Read more »
Proper cooking ventilation is a must for every kitchen. A hood removes grease, smoke, chemicals, condensation, and odors generated by cooking, and keeps your kitchen and the air inside your home cleaner. Nowadays, lots of ventilation options are available. Here’s what you need to know before you buy. Types. There are three main types of… Read more »
Dealing with dirty laundry is a lot of work, but the right washing machine can make this chore a lot easier. Newer models not only offer improved performance and convenient features, but they use less water and energy. Before you shop, consider these factors. Types. The two main types of washing machines are traditional agitators… Read more »
The average dishwasher lasts about 15 years, so it’s important to do your homework before shopping. The ideal model will fit your home’s space requirements, your lifestyle and your budget. Unit type. Dishwashers come in three configurations: under-the-counter, under-the-sink, or drawer units. Under-the-counter units are the most common type of dishwasher. They range from budget models… Read more »
The layout of your kitchen is key to choosing a new microwave oven. Once that decision is made, consumers still have lots of choices within a vast range of prices. Here are the key points to consider during the search for a new microwave oven. Types. Microwave ovens come in three main types. Countertop microwaves… Read more »
If you do a lot of cooking at home, you know how critical it is to have a great range. All ranges do a pretty good job at the basics, but that’s where the similarities end. Modern ranges, which include a cooktop and an oven, offer a variety of features, cooktop styles, and fuel types…. Read more »
Shopping for a clothes dryer has never been more complicated. The choices can be overwhelming. Beyond capacity and color, consumers must decide whether they want any of a myriad of special features such as moisture sensors and steamers. Let’s go shopping and take a look at what’s available. Size/Capacity. The ideal machine dries your clothes… Read more »
Today’s home theater systems are a seamless integration of high-definition television and high-resolution sound, all connected wirelessly and conveniently controlled from your smartphone or a universal remote. High-resolution televisions have progressed from 1080p to 4000p, which is sometimes referred to as 4K ultra high-resolution TV. Likewise, audio has seized digital technology to create a superior… Read more »
The right mattress can make the difference between tossing and turning and getting a great night’s sleep. With so many new options available, selecting the best mattress can be overwhelming. Follow these tips and you’ll be sleeping soundly in no time. Shop around. If you haven’t shopped for a mattress in a long while, allow… Read more »
Selecting a new sofa is a major decision. The focal point of most family rooms and living rooms, they get a lot of use, they provide seating for multiple people, and they’re expensive. Answer these six questions and you’ll be on your way to enjoying a new piece of furniture without regret. How do you… Read more »
Regardless of space or budget, you can turn your closet into something special. All it takes is organization and a little attention to detail. Closet systems. Custom closet organizers are trained to make closets look luxurious, but their talent comes at a price. The good news is you can achieve similar results at a lower… Read more »
With more people working from home than ever before, office workspaces are now must-haves in many homes. Whether you have a dedicated office or a flexible work area in another room, stylish and ergonomic furniture along with smart storage solutions will help create an attractive, functional space. Desks. Current desktop computers feature integrated hard drives… Read more »
As technology has evolved, the once-popular television armoire is disappearing from American homes. What’s new in home entertainment storage and display? Take a look. Consoles. Many consumers are opting to display televisions on top of a cabinet or hang them on a wall. Consoles work well in either scenario. They offer convenient hidden storage for… Read more »
Since beds are typically the focal points of most bedrooms, the pressure is on when it comes to choosing a style. Casual or formal? High-end or budget? Here are our top picks, along with their pros and cons. Sleigh. The hallmark of sleigh beds is their curving headboard and footboards. They are most commonly made… Read more »
Landing zones and mudrooms seem to rank high in popularity with today’s families. But how do you make a functional and great-looking space that your family actually uses? It’s easy, when you follow these eight simple tips. Seating is key. One of the most important elements every mudroom or landing zone needs is a bench… Read more »
An eat-in kitchen is a favorite feature of busy families with children, a spot where the kids can eat without too much worry about the mess and the cook isn’t separated from the rest of the crew. Need a few ideas about eat-in kitchen seating? Let your family’s lifestyle and the size and shape of… Read more »
Once upon a time, dining rooms tended to be on the stuffy side, with a table and matching set of chairs, and a china cabinet chockful of fine dishes. But today’s more casual lifestyles are changing dining rooms from formal and forbidding to inviting and eclectic. If your dining room is stuck in a bygone… Read more »
With today’s hectic lifestyle, it’s more important than ever to get enough rest and relaxation. According to experts, sleep offers many benefits, including improvements in memory, immune function, weight control, and stress reduction. Follow these tips to transform your bedroom into a tranquil space for sleeping and de-stressing. Simplify your space. Clutter and disorder in… Read more »
