Many prospective homeowners dream of buying a brand-new house, or having one built to their specifications. But a number of disadvantages come along with the excitement of owning a home in which no one else has ever lived. In fact, a brand-new house isn’t always better than one with a few more miles on it. Before you start interviewing contractors and looking at lots in new subdivisions, consider these downsides to buying new construction.
Choosing the right wood for a home improvement project can be tricky for experienced woodworkers and novice DIYers alike. Luckily, knowing a few key lumber facts can make it easier to select the right woods for a whole range of projects—from framing to decking to furniture making. What is the real difference between hardwood and softwood? What does a wood's grade say about it? Which is more durable, pressure-treated lumber or composite decking? Should you opt for plywood or oriented strand board? Before you choose a wood for your next home project, understand the wood's benefits and drawbacks. Here are 11 facts you should know before you buy lumber for your next DIY.
Brush up on the history behind this centuries-old clothing custom.
From azalea to English ivy, many common garden plants traveled here from overseas, from countries like Japan or Britain. Yet a handful of landscaping standouts originate right here, in the good old U.S.A. You probably already have a few of these 34 amazing plants that are native to North America in your garden right now. And if not, maybe you should!
Now more than ever, homeowners are embracing wallpaper as a renovation-free method of transforming a room. Not least among its virtues is that, unlike some other home improvements, wallpapering requires very few tools, and none are cost-prohibitive to own. Get to know the tools of the trade.
For optimum functionality and good looks, don’t go too low or too high on this furniture essential.
The advent of modern pesticides has meant that even home gardeners can achieve pristine landscaping and gorgeous, green lawns with chemical management. But using pesticides also has its drawbacks. Before you decide to use pesticides in your yard, be aware of the downsides.
Though popular in the Victorian age, the sleeping porch had been virtually forgotten by the postwar period. Today, homeowners are rediscovering this practical and utterly charming architectural tradition.
Learn about the Deep South tradition behind beautiful blue porch ceilings.
Are you fresh out of floor space for stowing your possessions? Fortunately, there are plenty of storage solutions, both store-bought and homemade, that take up little or no square footage. Click through for 30 of the best storage ideas for the space-starved home.
A home is probably the largest purchase you’ll ever make, both in size and cost, so it helps to approach the home-buying process with a solid plan, a healthy dose of skepticism, and expert guidance. Click through for tips and tricks that will help you find and close on your dream home without a hitch.
Each year the design world eagerly awaits the announcement of the Colors of the Year by top paint brands. This year's crop of colors encompasses brilliant blues, rusty oranges, serene grays, and a rainbow of other colors that can enliven any room of the house. But if you particularly love some of these colors, why confine yourself to using them only on your walls? Instead, carry them out to your garden this spring with plants that capture the hues of this year's color trends.
By the time Christmas Eve rolls around, many mantels will be groaning under a flood of holiday greeting cards. Lighten the load by displaying cards in cheerful DIY arrangements this holiday season.
Find out whether this popular kitchen hack has science on its side.
Leafy green houseplants are wonderful (and many of them require little care), but why not expand your indoor gardening skills by adding a few flowering houseplants into the mix. Blooming plants inject vibrancy, color, and fragrance into your living space. Take a look at 20 of our favorite flowering houseplants to find inspiration for your next plant acquisition.
Plumbing problems can run the gamut from very minor and fixable to major and costly, and at times it can be tough to tell the difference. Sometimes you may not even know there's a problem in the first place. Read through these 10 hidden signs of plumbing problems in your home so you'll know when it may be time to call in a professional.
Though introduced more than a hundred years ago, this style of molding is far from fuddy-duddy. Learn how it can still have a place in today's homes, both functionally and aesthetically.
Whether it's a concealed room, hidden storage space, or cozy reading nook, having a secret place in our homes appeals to the kid in all of us. Here we reveal 10 furtive ways to cover your (design) tracks.
If you're looking to give your kitchen a facelift, look no further than the cabinets. Whether they store food, plates, appliances, or all three, cabinets often take up the majority of the real estate in the kitchen, both physically and visually. This means that your cabinets may be the most important decision you'll make in decorating your kitchen—along with a few other vital, big-ticket items like the refrigerator and oven. So why not look for cabinet options that will help set your kitchen apart from the rest? We found 11 alternatives that will keep feeling fresh and new, whether you’re sitting down to breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Woodworking pro, Spike Carlsen, shares his pick for the top ten best woodworking woods, along with the characteristics, best uses and cost for each.