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Home Maintenance

White wall with white strip of electrical outlets

Can water in an electrical outlet start a fire? What you need to know

Can water in an electrical outlet start a fire in your home? We discuss the ways to keep you completely safe if it happens.
Folded and organized blankets

Convection vs. radiant heaters: What’s the difference?

Modern living room with gray walls and yellow furniture

What colors go with gray? How to make a neutral hue pop in your home

Home with manicured lawn

How to level a yard (and 3 reasons why you really should)

Square floor drain surrounded by tile

How to clean your basement floor drain and avoid major issues

plants and large window in modern bathroom with large tub

Satin vs. sheen: What is the best bathroom paint finish?

organized and tidy kitchen

How to get rid of kitchen grease on cabinets, appliances, and more – the right way

Several bottles of essential oils on a counter

How to make insecticide out of essential oils

Weeds between pavers

How to kill pesky weeds from between patio pavers

Kitchen with wood countertops and brick backsplash

How to remove stains from a butcher block countertop

Man's hand painting a wall pink with a paint roller

Do you need to wash walls before painting? The honest truth

three vertical windows with a view of nature

How to soundproof windows so you can finally get a good night’s sleep

Exterminator spraying roaches in a home

How to prepare for an exterminator visit to your home to get the most bang for your buck

Do these things before the exterminator comes to make the most of their visit and ensure long-lasting results.
A front yard with xeriscape landscaping

11 bad ideas for your front yard that will kill your curb appeal

Don't fall for these front yard mistakes. They'll only ruin your aesthetic.
Laundry room next to mudroom

Get rid of gross washing machine smells with these simple tips

Does your washing machine smell and you can't figure out why? Use these tricks to have your laundry smelling fresh again.
Close-up of door handle with bed out of focus in the background

The most effective ways to finally fix that annoyingly squeaky door

Does your obnoxiously noisy door drive you nuts every day? Here's how to fix a squeaky door for some much-needed, blissful silence.
Red roller brush black paint on white wall

Can you paint in high humidity? What you need to know

Humidity can wreck your paint job, but it doesn't make the task impossible. Make sure you know these things before painting in humid weather.
Woman sitting at desk in a work from home office

How to feng shui your home office for maximum productivity

In your home office, a little feng shui will improve productivity and peace — both of which you won't regret having more of.
Water stain on the ceiling

How to get rid of that hideous water stain on the ceiling and beautify your home

Tired of that ugly water stain on your ceiling? This is an easy way to get rid of it for good without a full drywall renovation.
Top view of a polka dot plant

A polka dot plant adds color and life to your home – here’s how to care for it

A polka dot plant adds color and style to your indoor space. Here are some tips on how to care for it so it thrives all season long.
Two people painting an interior wall

Sanding, primer, or both? This is how to prepare a wall for painting

Painting a room is one of the easiest ways to transform its character — here's your guide for all things paint prep so you have professional-looking results.
Group of white mushroom caps in green grass

How to finally rid your yard of that obnoxious mushroom invasion

Are those pesky little caps ruining your green and pristine lawn? Here's how to get rid of mushrooms in your yard for good.
Small bathroom with blue tiles and floating sink

Is regrouting your bathroom a wise choice? Here’s what to consider

Are you thinking about regrouting your shower tile, but unsure if regrouting is worth it? Here's what you need to know before you start any project.
Pink and blue color blocking wall paint design

Satin vs. eggshell paint: How to choose the right finish for every room

Before you start painting your home, use these expert-approved tips to decide whether satin vs. eggshell paint is a better option.
Modern home office layout

10 amazing ways to hide a clunky printer in your home office

Is a big, ugly printer ruining your office aesthetics? Here's how to hide it with style!
Two wooden chairs next to each other: one is painted red and one is natural wood

Follow these tips and tricks to learn how to remove old paint from wood furniture safely and efficiently

Reviving wood furniture is a DIY-friendly project. Follow these steps to give an old piece a fresh coat and a new life in no time.
Dragon tree on a windowsill with copper watering can

How to prune a Dracaena marginata (dragon tree) so your plant stays thriving

Dracaena marginata plants often get too tall for an indoor space. Follow this dragon tree pruning guide so yours stays healthy and manageable.
Finished basement seating area with white walls and carpet

Water in your basement? Do these 3 things immediately

Water in your basement is a serious problem. Here's how you can protect your home by acting quickly when your basement floods.
Laundry room with shelving and cubbies

4 outstanding paint colors for your small laundry room upgrade

If your laundry room is dark and dingy, don't fret. Make your small laundry room feel huge with these fresh, clean paint colors.
Young woman on stairs in a loft caring for potted plants.

25 stellar staircase ideas to freshen up the look of your home

Changing up your staircase can be one way to upgrade the look of your home. We’ve got 25 ideas ranging from subtle to dramatic to help you figure it out.
Lucky bamboo in small pot on wooden table.

How to propagate lucky bamboo in 5 easy steps so you don’t have to buy it

Lucky bamboo is a popular, unique, and aesthetic indoor plant. Here's how to propagate lucky bamboo so you don't have to buy more.
Dead bug with pest control sign

11 helpful tips to keep bugs out of your apartment or condo

Our 11 tips don't require an exterminator to keep your home pest-free. This is how to keep bugs out of your apartment or condo the easy way.
White paint in paint tray with a roller

Textured walls are back: Here’s how to texture a wall in your home

Wall texture can add depth and dimension to a room. Here's how to make it a part of your next remodel in no time.
Woman painting

Do you need primer every time you paint? Well … it’s complicated

Is priming your surfaces really necessary? We break down when priming is necessary for painting and when you can skip it.
Cedar siding on a cabom

Can you paint cedar siding? What you need to know

Can cedar be painted? Cedar siding is beautiful on its own, but if you choose to give it a little spruce with some paint, read this first.
Barn door

Thinking about installing sliding barn doors? 4 essential questions to ask yourself

Are barn doors right for your home's design? Here's what an expert says any homeowner should know before installing sliding barn doors.
Single-family home with curved walkway and large tree in front yard

10 simple yard cleanup tips that will make your life easier

Discover 10 simple and effective yard cleanup tips to revive your overgrown outdoor space. Learn how to create a beautiful oasis for your family to enjoy.
Man laying sod over dirt

Can you lay sod over existing grass? What you need to know

Laying sod down is a complicated process. Is it worth it to pull up the old stuff or can you lay sod over existing grass? Find out here.
Paintbrush and paint can

Mold is a huge problem when painting basement walls – How to avoid it

Painting your basement walls can be trickier than other interior spaces. Here's how to do it right to prevent mold and mildew from ruining your design.
Couple posing with paint rollers in front of painted white wall

6 times you should absolutely choose an eggshell paint finish

Not sure what paint finish is right for your painting project? These are all the times you should choose that eggshell paint.
Tall grass with good lawn maintenance

Use these natural, chemical-free crabgrass killers to take back your overgrown lawn

Want to take out crabgrass without chemicals? Use one of these natural crabgrass killers to finally take back your lawn.
Decorative areca palm

Why your home should have an areca palm (and how to care for it)

Want to bring a slice of the tropics into your home? This is what you need to know about growing an areca palm indoors.
Kitchen with kitchen table

What’s the best paint for a kitchen table? What you need to know

Read this guide before you paint your kitchen table. We'll give you useful tips.
Lawn sprinkler

How often should you water new sod? What you need to know

One missed watering in conjunction with normal summer heat can cause the individual pieces of sod to shrink away from one another, leaving a patchwork lawn.
coffee grounds mixed in the garden compost bin

When you should (and shouldn’t) put used coffee grounds in your garden

How do you know if you should put used coffee grounds in your garden? We’ve researched the pros and cons so you can make your own decision.
Finished basement seating area with white walls and carpet

6 popular paint colors for basements that will brighten your home’s dungeon

These popular paint color ideas for basements can help transform your dark, dingy basement into a room friends and family will love.
Family happy after buying a home

One of the best realtors in the country gave us their top tips for buying a home in 2023

If you're a first-time home buyer, don't stress. A realtor reveals their best tips on how to buy a house.
Exterior of light-colored house.

7 summer home improvement projects to hop on right now

Before you embark on any new DIY projects, check out these summer home improvement projects many homeowners neglect.
Orange and wood kitchen cabinets in brightly colored kitchen

Spruce up your kitchen with these eye-catching kitchen cabinet colors

There's a lot to consider when picking a kitchen cabinet color. These timeless cabinet colors will look great in any home.
Small red house with blue and white accents

Protect your investment: Everything you need to know about roof cleaning

Here's a simple how-to guide on roof cleaning and what you need to know to protect your investment.