Home Improvements

Even with 2020 in the rear-view mirror, it's fair to assume we'll still be spending a good amount of time at home in early 2021. Here's a roundup of popular home décor and design trends to keep in mind if you plan to redecorate this year, so you can nest with the best. Comfort and functionality 2020 was a year when most of us spent more time at home than ever before. Not only were we confined to our...

As the author Melissa McClone wrote, “Life takes you to unexpected places. Love brings you home.” Although this adage almost always holds true, it has extra value on Valentine’s Day. This year have a Valentine’s Day date at home. Here’s how you can fill your home with lovely details of love. Romantic photos Display your wedding photos and other romantic photos around the house then find...

When it comes to home improvement, there are very few design decisions you can make that are sure to stand the test of time. While it can be tempting to opt for trendy renovations (open shelving anyone?), there's no guarantee that the next buyer - or your future self - will share the same preference. We're all painfully aware that the future is tough to predict, but there are a handful of decisions you can...

Colder weather ahead doesn’t mean you have to forfeit your precious outdoor space. This year especially, you’ll want to enjoy your backyard or balcony as long as possible. Here are some tips to make the most of your space this fall and winter. Clean up ahead of winter Spruce up your yard to create an outdoor environment you’ll be motivated to enjoy. Take time to clean up and dispose of leaves and...

If you have a piece of wooden furniture you really like, or a tired thrift-store find with loads of potential, give it new life with a fresh coat of stain. Refinish is an easy, low-cost way to bring out natural beauty in wood furniture and make fine details shine. Materials + Tools to Refinish Wood Furniture spray-on paint stripper disposable shop cloths tack cloth mineral spirits...

Fall in Love with your Home We’ve spent more time than usual at home this year, for better or worse. All the extra hours have meant more time to notice those projects you’ve been meaning to get to—for years. Some of us have managed to tackle a to-do list or two, as industry reports indicate. We spent our extra hours making improvements around the house, from creating home offices to building...

Does your four-legged friend need a little more freedom? Pet doors offer animals independence and allow their owners more flexibility in their day-to-day schedules. Whether you're more of a traditionalist, or you're inclined to adopt the latest and greatest tech, there's something for you (and your furry friends). Classic flap We've all seen this one, a small opening with a flap that allows a pet...

Yes, lighting pumpkin candles is a crucial part of getting ready for the change of seasons, but there are more important — and not exactly fun — preparations that come with being a homeowner. Consider this everything you need to know before your house transitions from hot summer days to cool fall nights and, eventually, freezing temperatures. Clean, or possibly replace, your gutters. You're so used...

Whether you're planning to sell or refinance, a home appraisal is a necessary step in determining the true value of your home. This means your home should be in the best possible condition, so it will be appraised at the highest potential value. While it may be tempting to swing for the fences with big-ticket renovations, there are smaller things you can do to efficiently raise the market value of your...

For many of us, summer means pool time. But if you usually visit a community pool or recreation center, that might not be an option right now. Building a traditional pool at your home is a big and expensive project. That's where the stock tank pool comes in. "These inexpensive farm staples were originally designed as water troughs for livestock," said Country Living "but that's part of their...