7 Tips for Electrical Box Installation

But sometimes, it’s not always possible to find a suitable mounting point against the studs. Using old-work electrical boxes is one way to hover the boxes between studs. Old-work boxes attach directly to the drywall, not to the studs. The Spruce / Kevin Norris After cutting a rectangular hole in the drywall, you insert the electrical box in the hole. Then, with either a manual Phillips screwdriver or a cordless drill/driver, you turn the two screws clockwise....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 348 words · David Vargas

7 Tips for Where to Put Your Television

confirm there’s enoughpower supplyto handle extras like Blu-ray players and sound systems. Also, consider where the windows are and how much glare you’ll get on the screen. Spacing Emily Henderson Design/ Photo by Sara Tramp It’s always ideal to put the TV at eye level. The Spruce / Letícia Almeida Usually, thebest height to mount the TVis about 4 feet off the ground. Then multiply the diagonal width of the screen by three to determine the best viewing distance....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 384 words · Christina Watson

7 Tips Lifelong Renters Always Use to Make Any New Home Cozy

Muller emphasizes how you won’t be able to tell the difference once it’s displayed. “The absence of personal art and objects can make it feel like a hotel,” she says. If you want, shop for art that reflects your locale. Imani Keal Horton explains how all her pieces reflect a cozy, collected life on the water. Sarah Horton Incorporate Green Friends Plants will make any space feel more like home in no time....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 228 words · Leslie Young DVM

7 Tips to Be Ruthless When Decluttering Clothes, Pro Organizers Share

If this feels familiar, though, its probably time for an overhaul. While the task can be daunting, the results are always worth it. Heres how to be ruthless when decluttering your clothes, with tips from pro organizers. Orbon Alija / Getty Images Meet the Expert Why Is It So Hard to Declutter Clothes? There are aspirational attachments, like thinking you might fit into a dress one day. Want more cleaning and organizing tips?...

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 280 words · Shelley Welch

7 Tips to Finally Declutter Your Basement For Good, According to Organizing Pros

A messy basement doesnt have to stay this way forever, though. The removal process is key, says Brock. Want more cleaning and organizing tips? Kypros / Getty Images Categorizing the items and creating zones will help you to stay organized going forward. Then, be sure to include an inventory list inside any storage bins where this might be helpful. But as Brock points out, dont just grab whatevers available. cerro_photography / Getty Images...

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 179 words · Laurie Lewis

7 Tips to Finally Declutter Your Garage This Winter, According to Organizing Pros

However, this time of year is actually great forassessing and organizing your garage. ensure they are neatly set aside for when their appropriate season comes again. Want more cleaning and organizing tips? KSChong / Getty Images As Quintana points out, your utility closet might be a great optionwith some tweaks. This can give the garage an unorganized, cluttered look. Even raised platforms might be worth considering to get you through the season....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 139 words · Mercedes Ramirez

7 Tips to Get Your Kitchen Organized Before Thanksgiving, According to Pro Organizers

A kitchen that’s cleared of clutter and efficiently organized is one that’s prepped and ready for Thanksgiving. Here are some of our favorite expert tips on stress-free Thanksgiving kitchen organization. Want more cleaning and organizing tips? Getty Images / GMVozd “Make room for all of the extras,” says Cummings. Sort Through Your Containers Food containers can make your Thanksgiving prep and leftover distribution so much simpler. “Dont forget to account for the leftovers you want to keep at home,” adds Cummings....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 205 words · Julie Bond

7 Tips to Keep Your House Warm During Winter, According to HVAC Pros

HVAC experts share their top tips and tricks guaranteed to keep you warm this winter. Thats not just cold coming init’s heat escaping. One overlooked spot can be your homes ductwork. Joe Hendrickson / Getty Images Adding foam gasket seals behind the covers can stop cold air from seeping in. Want more home reno project tips and inspiration? Smart Thermostat Equals Smart Heating The Spruce / Kevin Norris Why heat an empty house?...

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 222 words · Michael Porter

7 Tips to Make Painting Stress-Free, From a Designer Who's Painted Countless Rooms

From brand to color to finish, multiple decisions need to be made before you even get started. Meet the Expert Kate Markeris the owner and principal designer her eponymous design firm. She’s painted countless rooms in her design career and knows the best tips and tricks. Design byKate Marker Interiors/ Photo by Stoffer Photography Want more design inspiration? Whether you want arelaxing bedroomor a conversational kitchen, look towards inspiration that gives you these feelings....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 381 words · Becky Jones

7 Tips to Score Big at Summer Antique and Flea Markets

How do you know if youre buying something at a fair price? Whats a great find versus a total scam? And where can you find all the best markets to shop ‘til you drop? The Spruce / Leticia Almeida Luckily, finding aunique, one-of-a-kind itemthat perfectly enhances your space makes it all worth the effort. So, to answer these questions and more, we turned to the experts. But Jerad Gardemal ofJF Gardemal Designsassures us summer really is the ideal timeand not just because of the weather....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 362 words · Jacqueline Thomas

7 Tips to Turn an Unused Room Into a Multipurpose Paradise, According to Designers

Brophy Interiors Not everyone has the luxury of a separate home office or a room just for working out. But how do you combine these different functions into one space without it looking cluttered and chaotic? “Prioritize what activities are the most important, and design around those needs. Brophy Interiors Its basically a huge butler’s pantry with a TV, fireplace, and sofa,” she said. Want more design inspiration? Zoning Is Key Splitting the space into different zones is the tricky part....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 293 words · Mr. James Bauer II

7 Tricks Party Planners and Designers Always Use to Make Holiday Hosting Easier

Hosting, especially during the holiday season, can be stressful, but entertaining experts are sharing theirtop tips. After reading through these hacks, you’ll be ready to host like a pro, stress-free. Want more design inspiration? Simopoulos Designs/ Photo byTori Wible Simopoulos usually clears out her pantry and refrigerator specifically for food to be used during the holidays. MK Hennigan, founder of In the Curious Kitchen, recommends ordering these appetizers from a local cheese shop....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 183 words · Walter Johnson

7 Tricky Houseplants You Should Never Grow, According to a Botanist

On top of this, the learning curve can be extremely steep. Want more gardening tips? This is due to their need for consistently warm temperatures and high humidity. The Spruce Whilesucculentsare often touted as incredibly easy, Quintero-Davids warns this isnt the case for everyone. If youre a heavy-handed waterer, you may not want to invest in succulents, she says. But as Borisevich points out, these subtropical trees can be very tricky to maintain....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 139 words · Andrew Villa