What Is a Craftsman House?

It was inspired by the BritishArts and Craftsmovement, focusing on the beauty of natural materials and handcrafted forms. Craftsman architecture spread across the country in part thanks to American furniture designer Gustav Stickley. Craftsman homes remain one ofthe most popular home stylesin the United States. The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto The style favors simplicity and functionality, but nonetheless features more built-in character and detail than clean-lined contemporary interiors. Using medium to dark-stained wood on the interiors lends Craftsman interiors a traditionally masculine feel....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 314 words · Katherine Wright

What Is a Curbless Shower? Pros, Cons, and How to Build One

Jacek Kadaj / Getty Images A curbless shower breaks down the barriers between the bathroom and the bathing area. What Is a Curbless Shower? With a curbless shower, there is no floor barrier between the shower and the bathroom. Jacek Kadaj / Getty Images A zero-threshold shower pan base of PVC is installed in the recessed subfloor. The pan can be tiled to match the look and the level of the surrounding bathroom floor....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 276 words · Nancy Johns

What Is a Daybed? A Guide to Buying the Right One For Your Home

Wondering what a day bed is and if it’s the right choice for your space? What Is a Daybed? This is helpful as daybeds need to be up against a wall, so location is limited. The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto Daybeds are also suitable for comfortable lounging in offices, dens, or multi-purpose rooms. If the space is quite large, a single daybed may look lost in all the space....

May 4, 2025 · 4 min · 722 words · Debra Hanson

What Is a Den Room? Everything You Need to Know

So what exactly is aden in a house, and how is it used? What Is a Den? That being said, there is a general definition that is widely accepted. Gray Space Interiors Dens are sometimes converted into additional bedrooms if they are large enough. Interior Impressions Dens vs. In contrast, family rooms are more informal spaces that are used for day-to-day activities. Interior Impressions Do Dens Add Value to a Home?...

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 133 words · Keith Graham

What Is a Dining Room Sideboard and Buffet?

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto Just about any sizedining roomcan use a sideboard or buffet. But what’s this piece of furniture used for and how large should it be? Once you read more, you’ll wonder how you lived without this useful piece for so long. The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto What Is It? It’s also used as an extra surface for serving food. Tips It’s safe to use the terms sideboard, buffet, and credenza interchangeably when shopping....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 253 words · Theresa Reed

What Is a Drain Cleanout, and How Do You Find Yours?

Inside the house, it is also called the main house trap. Outside, it’s referred to as thesewer cleanout. you could also save money if a plumber doesn’t need to hunt for the drain cleanout. The Spruce / Ana Cadena Where to Find the Drain Cleanout? The drain cleanout’s general location may differ depending on your local climate. Only licensed professional plumbers should clear clogs, repair the main drainage line, and clean out drains....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 183 words · Christine Fuller

What Is a Dryer Ball and How Do They Work?

Dryer balls can help prevent clothing from clumping and wrinkling in the dryer, which reduces drying time. What Is a Dryer Ball? Keep reading to learn more about how dryer balls work and the benefits of using them. Helin Loik-Tomson / Getty Images Helin Loik-Tomson / Getty Images How Do Dryer Balls Work? Dryer balls reduce drying time by preventing clumping and increasing airflow as they tumble between the clothes....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 304 words · Bruce Harris

What Is a Dryer Vent? Types, Lengths, and Overview

They’re also typically easy routine maintenance projects to tackle. There are differenttypes of dryer vents, including flexible or rigid, though a rigid dryer vent is ideal. What is a Dryer Vent? The Spruce / Kevin Norris With most dryers, you cannot blow this air into your house interior. The air is moved from the dryer to the exterior with a flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid tube. Blowing moisture-laden dryer air directly into the home promotes mold and mildew....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 555 words · Angela Hess

What Is a Duplex?

These dual-residence homes have distinct features. In short,a duplex is one that’s made up of two separate housing units that are attached. Keep reading to learn more about this popular throw in of house. Ablestock.com / Getty Images In more urban areas, multi-level townhouse-style duplex homes are common as they take advantage of vertical space. Besides a shared wall, the two units within a duplex sometimes share other areas as well....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 242 words · William Diaz

What Is a Faucet Aerator? Purpose, Cleaning, and Replacing

Aerators mix water and air to make the water stream smoother. The Purpose of Faucet Aerators One common misconception is that the sink aerator is a filter. Removing the aerator might release some grit or scale, but filtration is not its main purpose. The Spruce / Sarah Lee An aerator serves to regulate water pressure and control the amount of water when the faucet is in use. The answer: air....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 324 words · Christopher Glass

What Is a Flocked Christmas Tree? Everything You Should Know About This Holiday Staple

Cavan Images/ Getty Images A Christmas tree is the centerpiece of holiday decor. Thankfully, now there are easier and more realistic ways to create this winter wonderland scene at home. Heres everything you’re gonna wanna know about flocked Christmas trees. Cavan Images/ Getty Images What Is a Flocked Christmas Tree? This is usually achieved by applying synthetic dust or powder to the ends of the branches. The process can be DIYed using kits, mists, and self-adhesive powders....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 126 words · Andrew Francis

What Is a Floor Joist? Overview, Span, Size, and More

What Is a Floor Joist? The joists run perpendicular to the beams for support. Here are the key components of a floor frame: What Is a Floor Joist Span? The Spruce / Michela Buttignol Builders have the challenge of choosing joists that are appropriate to the load they carry while maximizing space. Floor loads are described using two measurements: dead load and live load. Dead load for residential construction is generally considered to be about 10 pounds per square foot....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 294 words · Mark Estes

What Is a Futon?

Meet the Expert What Is a Futon? Both are designed for sleeping. In the case of the latter option, futons generally sit on wood or metal frames. Studio Light and Shade / Getty Images What’s the Difference Between a Futon, Sofa Bed, and Daybed? Allison Garrison, principal designer and founder of Allito Spaces notes that these furniture pieces differ in key ways. A sofa bed has a mattress that is generally hidden and can be accessed by removing the seat cushions....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 212 words · Jennifer Medina