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Incandescent vs. LED Lighting: What’s the Difference?
Buying light bulbs today can be confusing. Gone are the days when your only decision was between a 100-watt and a 60-watt incandescent. Instead, there are all kinds of lighting options at the home improvement or hardware store, from vibrant colors and designer shapes to smart bulbs you control from your phone. I’m a licensed electrician, and I get confused by the options sometimes even though I’ve installed thousands of lights.
How to Replace a Light Fixture
Here is how to replace a ceiling light fixture in an hour or two. We'll show you how to replace a light fixture in a ceiling to instantly transform the look and feel of any room. Tools Required. Flat screwdriver. Philips Screwdriver. Stepladder. Voltage tester. Wire strippers. Materials Required. Light...
How To Remove a Stopper From the Bathroom Sink
My first encounter with a broken drain stopper occurred the day I bought my own home. Ready to do some cleaning, I ran the bathroom sink and lifted the stopper rod. It immediately broke free and flew into the air, spraying rusty water across the mirror. Staring at my reflection, now crisscrossed with red-tinged water and looking like a horror-movie outtake, I could only wonder, “What have I gotten myself into?”
How to Hang a Plant From the Ceiling
Hanging a plant from the ceiling is an easy DIY task. Here are the steps. Hanging a plant from the ceiling is all about establishing a rock-solid anchor point to support its weight. Here's how to hang a plant from the ceiling properly. Tools Required. Assorted drill bits. Drill. Stud...
8 Inspiring Ideas for Decorating Your Kitchen Island
The kitchen is the heart of the home, and the kitchen island is the focal point of the kitchen. So styling your kitchen island is essential to a well-designed and balanced space. Keep the decor simple, so the island is still functional. “My favorite way to style a kitchen island...
This Jewel-Toned Albany Park Kova Sectional is ZZZ-Worthy
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases. Some folks prefer hiking, pickleball or grabbing a beer at the local bar on Saturday nights. Not me. My family, comprised of my husband, myself and our two rambunctious cats, is a very tight-knit brood. Coined “the cuddle puddle,” much of our free time is spent snuggled up rump-to-rump on the couch while we take in the latest cinematic offerings on HBO or Prime. I wouldn’t say I’m lazy per se, I just know how to appreciate a night in. Almost every night, in fact.
8 Bulbs to Plant in Spring
Not to worry if you missed fall planting. From lush lilies to dazzling dahlias, here are bulbs to plant in spring and how to grow them successfully. Most bulbs need to get cold over the winter in order to produce spring blooms. But there are a few that actually do better when planted in spring. These bulbs are great for situations where it’s not practical to overwinter bulbs, like container gardeners who need their pots to do double duty with winter decorations. Plus, many spring bulbs are quite stunning and long-lasting.
Electrolux Vacuum Review: We Tried the Ultimate 700 Series
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases. As a longtime apartment dweller, I’ve tried many of the best vacuum cleaners to find one that works for my living space. I’ve had my hands on Dysons, Bissells and Dirt Devils (plus a few robot vacuums) and I’ve loved them all. That said, I think I found my new go-to dust sucker: The Electrolux Ultimate700 Vacuum.
Ruggable Review: We Tried the Internet’s Most Popular Rug System
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases. When it comes to furnishing your home, one of the most surprising expenses is rugs. From area rugs to runners, outdoor rugs to kitchen and bath mats, covering your floors can take up a big chunk of your decorating budget. So, it’s important to go with a rug that is functional, durable and fits your home decor.
9 Double Island Kitchens Experts Love
Sometimes two is better than one! Here's how double islands will add valuable work and entertaining space to your kitchen. Anyone who’s ever hosted any type of event at their home has probably had the desire for more space to prep and cook their dishes while also having space to entertain their guests. If you have the space, a double island kitchen could be a good option for you.
10 DIY Closet Door Ideas to Enhance Your Home
Closets, for the most part, need doors to hide all the clutter inside. The problem is that most closet doors lack style. We spoke to closet door expert and installer Edgar Hernandez to share his thoughts on a couple closet door queries. Before replacing your closet doors you’ll need to...
The 7 Best Water Bottles of 2024, Tested and Reviewed by Editors
Stay hydrated everywhere you go with the best water bottles, tested by Family Handyman editors. Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases. With some sources reporting that the price of bottled water is expected to increase to $5.93 U.S. dollars...
25 Trees for Every Landscape Need
Trees play several roles in the home landscape. Here are some expert recommendations for which trees to plant for the specific needs of your lawn. Trees serve many purposes in a landscape — providing ambiance, shade, privacy, seasonal interest, year-round structure and more — so it’s important to choose species wisely. I learned that lesson early on. As a boy, I helped my dad care for the diverse selection planted across our yard. Some trees worked better than others: white spruce made an excellent, low-maintenance focal point, but a nearby weeping willow looked pale and forlorn because the soil wasn’t wet enough for its liking. Then there were the Lombardy poplars, which were planted for quick privacy but turned out to be messy, brittle and short-lived. There certainly were better options — we just didn’t know about them then.
8 Cozy Cottagecore Bedroom Ideas
If combing through a thrift store for one-of-a-kind vintage finds sounds like the perfect way to spend an afternoon — you’re going to love these cottagecore bedroom ideas. Cottagecore is basically the opposite of modern or minimalist style. When done successfully, it emanates the feeling of a cozy cottage perfect for curling up with a good book and a cup of tea.
What Is Sustainable Wood? Everything You Need to Know
Whenever I come across an old 2×4 I’m in awe. Older wood is easy to spot: the rings are more densely spaced and it’s heftier than the lumber we buy today because much of it was cut from virgin and old-growth forests. Using that wood has created...
How To Keep Your Spring Cleaning Green
Spring! A time to reassess priorities, ditch what’s no longer needed, vacuum out the cobwebs and make room for a year full of promise. For me, spring cleaning feels extra satisfying, like a giant refresh button on life — and it turns out I’m not alone. According...
How Much Does It Cost to Electrify Your Home Completely?
There are a number of reasons to want to switch to electric appliances, HVAC and battery backup systems, like saving money on energy bills, improving home comfort and air quality, reducing our carbon footprints and making our homes more resilient to power outages. And those benefits are great. Even just...
How To Choose the Right Oil Filter for Your Car
Choosing the right oil filter for your car may seem like a daunting task when met with rows upon rows of filters at your local auto parts store. The next time you’re wondering, “What oil filter do I need?”, know that your vehicle will only accept one type and often only one size filter, so the only choice left is between levels of performance quality. This is still an important decision. According to Jeff Wang of VSARS Filters, the quality of the filter you choose should not only depend on the type of vehicle you drive but, more importantly, how you drive it.
What Is a CFL Bulb?
Compact fluorescent lamps (aka bulbs) are just smaller versions of the long fluorescent tubes you see in retail stores and warehouses. (Lighting experts and electricians often say “lamps” instead of “light bulbs,” but you can think of them as the same thing.) “It’s a way to make a fluorescent lamp look more like an incandescent lamp in size,” McGowan says. The long tube has just been shrunk down, often to a spiral or U-bend, so the CFL fits in a regular light socket.
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