Think of how you used your home over the last year, or maybe how you underused some parts. If you decide that your home needs a revamp, you’re in the right place. We’re here to guide you along that journey, sharing a few stories to lighten the way. The Spruce / Sophia Reay Some jobs require less than an hour, others take a bit longer. We can’t get enough of all the ways we plan to tackle this exact thing come 2024....

Home renovations aren’t always as simple as they seem on TV. Some go according to plan, while others, not so much. That’s why we curated this practical roundup of tips alongside a celebration ofall things home renovation. The Spruce / Kailey Whitman “Would I recommend stripping, sanding, and hand-painting a wood ceiling? Definitely not, but gosh, did it save me a lot of money.” “We bought a house that many people looked at and questioned....

What Is an R-value? R-value is a measurement of the thermal resistance of a material, likewindow glassor insulation. Higher R-values indicate better insulating abilities. The Spruce / Jason Donnelly What Reflectix Insulation Is Reflectix is a brand of double-reflective insulation. There is no metal content; it is all plastic. Reflectix is a little thicker than a quarter-inch (5/16-inch). It’s very lightweight (about 1-1/4 pounds per square foot). It’s flexible enough to bend back on itself....

it’s possible for you to also substitute it with coarse builders' sand. Horticultural sand should improve the soil. Another benefit of using it in the garden is that it’s non-clumping, unlike other sand types. The Spruce / Jacob Fox Since it won’t clump, the soil shouldn’t get compacted. Also, consider horticultural sand as a good companion for clay soils. Mix it with clay to improve drainage and avoid compaction and aeration problems....

Installing electrical boxes and cables is made easy by following these recommended electrical installation codes. Don’t just install yourelectrical wiringhaphazardly, do it by the book of theNational Electrical Code. This book of installation codes was developed tosafelyinstall all things electrical. yenwen / Getty Images Adhere to the rules to have safe and effective electrical wiring. 314.17(C) states that cables must be secured to the receptacle box. Typically, these boxes are either round or octagon shaped....

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova Red twig dogwoods arefast-growing shrubsthat will brighten yourwinter landscapingwith their blazing red branches. Red twig dogwood is also deer resistant, and grows around two feet per year. Learn more about how to care for this stunning shrub for a year-round pop of color. The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova Choose a site with full sun or dappled sun and confirm the soil is well draining. The color of the branches is typically more vivid red when grown in full sun....

Terrell worked with faculty at the University of Cape Coast to develop a marketing curriculum during the day. Among the many things that captivated Terrell about Ghana was its mix of traditional and modern experiences. Ghana is so rich, Terrell says. The Spruce / Illustration by Amy Sheehan / Reflektion Design Culturally, historically; its people and landscapes. Although Terrell felt defeated, she saw it as an opportunity to forge her own path....

Milles Studio / Stocksy Remodel and renovation are often used interchangeably to refer to home upgrades. However, a remodel is not the same punch in of project as a renovation job. Here’s what to know about the difference between a remodel vs renovation. Milles Studio / Stocksy What Is a Remodel vs. Remodeling projects will often require a building permit, which adds to the cost of the job. However, remodeling can help to address underlying structural and systems issues that would otherwise remain hidden....

These faucets are usually categorized as lavatory or basin faucets. The shutoff valves are closed when you turn the handles clockwise as far as they will go. Check to see to it that the water is turned off by turning on the faucet valves. The Spruce / Kevin Norris It is not uncommon for shutoff valves to grow old and stop functioning correctly. It also means you will need to replace the fixture shutoff valves as part of yourfaucet replacementproject....

Learn how to remove shoe polish stains from fabrics or carpet. Take care not to press or smear the shoe polish into the fabric fibers. Work the detergent into the stain with your fingers or toothbrush. The Spruce / Xiaojie Liu Wash the Garment Wash the garment in the hottest water recommended by the care instructions. Add heavy-duty laundry detergent and oxygen-bleach to the load, following the manufacturer’s directions for amounts....

Standing water is usually sparked by two common problems: poorly draining soil and low spots in the yard. Heavy foot traffic can also compact soil, leading to poor drainage. Luckily a little elbow grease can solve the problem of water pooling in your yard. David Beaulieu Clay traps water whereas loamand sand, especiallyare known for their sieve-like qualities. The Solution Amend clay in the soil with organic matter. This will break up those problematic clay barriers in the soil profile....

Whenbuying windowsfor your home, you are confronted with two types of windows:replacement windowsandnew-constructionwindows. Do you’re gonna wanna make a choice between the windows? Where would you use replacement windows vs. new-construction windows? Monty Rakusen/Getty Images New-construction and replacement windows are mutually exclusive. Replacement windows are used when the wall system stays in place and just the existing window needs replacement. New-Construction Windows vs. New-construction windows have nailing or attachment fins, or flanges, on the exterior side of the window....

Then there is the simple benefit of reducing the lawn-care chores. The less turfgrass you have in your landscape, the less mowing/weeding/fertilizing you’ll need to do. In fact, one of the fastest-growing trends in residential landscaping is replacing grass lawns with non-grass substitutes. The Spruce / Steven Merkel There are several ways to remove or kill the grass to make room for garden planting areas. Some of these methods are fairly simple but require patience and time....