Good lighting changes how a room looks and how comfortable it is to live in. The main principle used by lighting designers is simple: combine several layers of light rather than relying on one fixture in the center of the ceiling. The three layers Having all three, ideally on separate switches or dimmers, lets a … Read more
Naming a style is useful mainly for one thing: it helps you understand why you like certain rooms and buy pieces that go together. Very few real homes follow one style strictly. Most mix two or three. The best-known styles Mid-century modern Inspired by design from roughly the 1940s to 1960s: clean lines, tapered wooden … Read more
Replacing a damaged or dated interior door changes the look of a room quickly. The first decision is what kind of door to buy, because it determines how hard the job will be. Slab or prehung? Exterior doors follow the same idea but add weatherproofing, a threshold and security concerns; many homeowners prefer to have … Read more
Most homes have more storage potential than they use. Before buying containers, declutter (there is no point storing what you do not need), then look for dead space: under things, above things, and behind doors. Use the height of the walls Use step stools to reach the top shelves and store rarely used items there. … Read more
Window treatments control light and privacy, help with insulation and noise, and finish a room visually. The best choice depends on what each window needs: total darkness in a bedroom, privacy in a bathroom, maximum light in a living room. Start with function For each window, ask: Curtains and drapes Fabric panels on a rod … Read more
Most burglaries are opportunistic: someone sees an easy target and takes the chance. Good security makes your home look and be harder to get into than the house next door. Start with the basics, which cost little, before buying technology. Doors: the most common way in Windows Lock windows, especially ground-floor and basement ones. Add … Read more
A water stain on the ceiling is rarely directly under the hole in the roof. Water runs along rafters, sheathing and pipes before it drips. Finding the source is most of the work; the repair itself is often small. Working on a roof is dangerous. Falls from ladders and roofs are a leading cause of … Read more
Character is what makes a home feel like yours rather than a showroom. Older houses get it from their architecture and history; newer homes and rentals often need help. The common thread is objects and details that have a story or show care. Add architectural interest Mix old and new Vintage, antique and second-hand pieces … Read more
A plumbing fixture is any device connected to the plumbing that delivers or drains water: toilets, sinks, faucets, showers, tubs. Choosing them is a balance of function, water efficiency, style and ease of cleaning. Toilets Modern toilets use far less water than old ones. WaterSense-labeled toilets use 1.28 gallons per flush or less (EPA WaterSense). … Read more
Mold spores are everywhere, indoors and out. They only grow when they find moisture, so the key to preventing mold is controlling water. As the EPA puts it in its guide to mold, moisture and your home, there is no practical way to eliminate all spores; the way to control growth is to control moisture. … Read more
