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Home Maintenance

Used paintbrush on a wood floor

Preparing wood before painting: The basics

Prep your wood before painting so you get a gorgeous, smooth paint job. This is how to get the perfect wood-painting results.
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.
Closeup of rustic wood surface with window and lights in background

Save your furniture: How to unwarp wood and restore your home design

If your wood furniture, doors, or floorboards have gotten warped, they can still be saved. This is how to unwarp wood.
Couple posing with paint rollers in front of painted white wall

7 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.
Basement with blue walls.

The best ways to heat a basement (from super affordable to total reno)

Is your basement too cold to be livable? Here are all the pros and cons of the most popular basement heating options available.
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 some useful tips.
House with vinyl siding and brick in winter

The December home maintenance checklist everyone needs

Is your home ready for the freezing weather? Make sure you check these items off your December home maintenance checklist.
Outdoor christmas lights display on house

Don’t become a statistic: A safety guide for rooftop Christmas decorations

Decorating your rooftop for the holidays? Follow this guide to avoid damaging your roof when setting up Christmas decorations.
Standard basement with gray cement walls

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

Painting in the basement can be trickier than other interior spaces. Here's how to paint basement walls right to prevent mold from ruining your design.
Barn door

Thinking about installing sliding barn doors? 5 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.
Finished basement seating area with white walls and carpet

7 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.
Indoor plants on a wooden table next to a window

Ranked: The 7 best indoor plants to decorate your home with in November

Need some greenery in your home during the cold winter months? These ar ethe best indoor plants for November to keep your mood festive.
White two-story house with autumn leaves in the front yard

The November home maintenance checklist everyone needs

It's important to devote time to home maintenance in the fall. Make sure you check these items off your home maintenance to-do list this November.
Man caulking around window

How to remove old caulk: A 4-step guide to get this tedious job done quickly

Removing old caulk can be a tedious process. If you follow these steps, you'll know how to remove hold caulk in no time.
Couple painting a wall

How to fix bubbling paint and prevent it from happening again

Painting is fun and artistic, but for the best results, keep bubbles at bay. Here's how to fix bubbling paint and prevent it from happening again.
Pest control spray outside

Is fall the best time of year to spray your house for bugs?

Is there a 'best' time of year to spray for bugs? We tell you everything you need to know about the benefits of preventative pest control in the fall.
white space heater on hardwood floor in office

Is it safe to sleep with a space heater on? What you need to know

A space seater can be a savior in chilly weather. Here's how to determine if it's safe to sleep with a space heater on.
Tall grass with good lawn maintenance

Fall and winter lawn-mowing tips everyone should follow

Cool weather lawn care is essential for thick, beautiful grass in the warmer months. We discuss fall and winter lawn mowing tips for a gorgeous outdoor space.
Modern Scandinavian living room style

The 3 living room paint colors all the trendiest experts are using

These are the living room paint colors the experts are using. Consider these for your next painting project.
Fertilizing lawn

How to choose the best fall lawn fertilizer for a lush yard in spring

Keep your grass growing green and strong once spring arrives with these amazing brands of lawn fertilizer.
Chair beside blooming flower garden

This is what you should be planting in fall for a beautiful spring garden

Spring garden planning starts now. Here's what to do when planting in fall so your gorgeous garden flourishes.
Blue house in autumn

The October home maintenance checklist everyone needs

Make sure you check these items off your October home maintenance to-do list. Ensure your home is winter ready!
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?

There are some key differences between convection and radiant heaters, including cost and energy efficiency. Here's how to know which one you should buy.
Modern living room with gray walls and yellow furniture

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

These gray color schemes are beautiful for any room in your house. Read this guide to discover what colors go best with gray.
Home with manicured lawn

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

Aside from poor appearance, a yard that's not leveled can lead to other issues like improper draining. This guide will show you how to level a yard.
Square floor drain surrounded by tile

How to clean your basement floor drain and avoid major issues

Keep your home in great shape from top to bottom. Here's how to clean your clogged basement floor drain.
plants and large window in modern bathroom with large tub

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

Satin and sheen paints look different — which one is the best paint sheen for your bathroom?
organized and tidy kitchen

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

No need to remodel the kitchen when degreasing can make it look new again. Here are some tips for how to safely clean kitchen grease from all your surfaces.
Several bottles of essential oils on a counter

How to make insecticide out of essential oils

You can get effective pest control results the natural way by making essential oil insecticide. We've put together the best tips.
Weeds between pavers

How to kill pesky weeds from between patio pavers

Killing weeds from between patio pavers can be done easily and affordably. Here's how to do it.
Kitchen with wood countertops and brick backsplash

How to remove stains from a butcher block countertop

Butcher block countertops are prone to staining. Here's how to get rid of stubborn stains on your countertop.
three vertical windows with a view of nature

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

Is outside sounds keeping you up at night? Get a good night's sleep — finally! Here's how to soundproof windows when you can't stand the noise any longer.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.