Lifestyle & Trends - Home Improvement

Bring the beach back with you - creating cottage style in your home

Nothing's harder to face than packing up your belongings after a week at a cozy beach house and heading back home to the real world. Sure, it's hard to leave paradise behind, but who says you have to? Why not just transform your own living space to a beach-inspired haven that lets you get away from it all, even if you aren't on vacation? It's easy and inexpensive to do. Read More

How to design an eye-catching and comfortable kitchen

Taking a tired kitchen from drab to fab is an easy goal to achieve on any budget. All you need is a little paint, a few decorating elements and some creativity. <br/> Read More

Tips for quick and easy wallpaper removal

The lilac print wallpaper in your bedroom may not be your style. And if your house is on the market, that lilac print wallpaper is probably not your prospective buyer's style either. Removing wallpaper is easier than you may think and it has a big impact on a home's appearance. In fact, removing aging, sagging wallpaper is one of the least expensive ways to improve a home's resale value and shorten its time on the market, according to a survey of real estate appraisers. Read More

A strategic approach to remodeling: refreshing rooms with small projects

In today's challenging economy, you're taking a look at how you spend your hard-earned dollars. And while you may not have the necessary budget to tackle a major home improvement project, there are many homeowners who are choosing a more strategic approach to remodeling - by refreshing rooms and undertaking small projects one at a time. Read More

Back to school - time to do your 'home' work

Before you know it, the kids will be back in school ... which means back to crazy schedules of carpools and extracurricular activities. To help keep some sanity during your hectic days, do your "home" work now. A few simple steps to get your house organized and updated can mean less stress once the school year begins. Read More

Back-to-basics home improvements can help lower taxes

While small things help, it's the big steps consumers take to improve their home's energy efficiency that truly make a difference. Here are a few things you can do to make your house more energy efficient this winter. Read More

The new ways thieves are getting into homes: What you should know now

The idea of someone breaking into your home and stealing your possessions, or worse, threatening your family, is a terrifying notion. Unfortunately, over the years, criminals expand their repertoires of techniques to get inside homes. The good news is you can make your home more secure. Thieves are clever, but, armed with the right knowledge; you can be smarter than they are. Read More

Answers to five common questions about the water in your home

Do you take clean water for granted? As one of the basic necessities of life, you are constantly consuming water. Whether you are drinking it, cleaning with it or using it in your home appliances, the quality of your water affects your life. Read More

How a garage door can improve the appearance of your home's exterior

With warm weather months here, it's the perfect season for the annual ritual of performing a spruce up around your home. Planting gardens, improving the look of your lawn and maybe applying a fresh coat of paint to the window trims are on your to-do list. An appealing exterior offers an invaluable first impression to neighbors, friends, and - if you're trying to sell, which many do prior to the beginning of school in the fall - perspective buyers. Read More

Create a playful kid zone on a budget

Nothing better sums up kids' personalities than their favorite spaces: their bedrooms or playrooms. And in today's design-conscious society, there's no limiting the ways you can create inviting, kid-friendly spaces that reflect your children's personal tastes while encouraging imaginative play and creativity. Read More