Home ideas

Hardwood floors can improve the look of your home and increase its resale value. But while hardwoods are known for being durable and long-lasting, they aren’t indestructible. If you’ve noticed damage to your wood floors but can’t pinpoint the culprit, it may be one of these ten things. 1. PVC and Latex Rug Pads A good rug pad can prevent your area rug from slipping and protect the floors underneath. But choosing the wrong one for your floor type will result in irreversible damage. PVC and latex rug pads are two examples of things that can ruin your hardwoods.  PVC and latex rug pads have additives called plasticizers. When in contact with a wood floor with a urethane finish, a chemical reaction occurs, which can discolor the wood below or cause the rug pad to adhere to the floor. When choosing a rug pad (or backing) for your hardwoods, always go with felt or natural rubber that doesn’t have added plasticizers. 2. Road Salt/Salt Melt If you live in a snowy climate, chances ar...

Brown stains on your wallpaper look ugly and may be a sign of worse underlying problems. Wiping the stains with dish soap and water several times makes the stain less noticeable. You need a weak bleach solution (one part bleach, two parts water) to remove stains entirely. Be aware that you might remove the color from the wallpaper. Before cleaning off the stains, find the cause and eliminate it. Otherwise, the brown stains will likely return. Water Stains A leak in the exterior wall or roof can make the wood behind the wallpaper wet. The tannins in the wood soak through the wallpaper and stain it brown. The wallpaper may also bubble, peel, or smell musty. If the brown stain has black spots mixed in it, you may have a mold infestation along with the staining. Find the leak and stop it before trying to clean the wallpaper. If you suspect mold, or if the leak has soaked the wall insulation, be prepared for a more extensive renovation. Improper Installation Brown stains can appear o...

Smell is one of the most powerful senses, with a strong influence on mood and perception. Pleasant smells make your home feel fresher and more inviting, but other scents can have the opposite effect. Choosing the right fragrances for your home requires thoughtful planning, as does avoiding certain smells. This is especially crucial when hosting guests at your home, but it is also key for making your family feel at ease in their surroundings. Understanding what causes unpleasant odors and how to eliminate them will enable you to create a more pleasant environment for all. Unpleasant-smelling homes do not necessarily indicate that your home is not clean; it could simply be that you overlooked or left something unattended that caused the bad odor. Here are some of the most common causes of unpleasant odors in homes. Not Addressing Pet Odors Pets are one of the biggest challenges in maintaining a fresh-smelling home. Pet hair, litter boxes, accidents, and bedding are the most common ca...

Area rugs are an essential component of home design, adding comfort, style, and texture to a room. However, there are some common mistakes that people make when using rugs that can lead to frustration later. Many homeowners make unintentional choices about area rugs that reduce the impact of the design or cause an imbalance in the layout. From material considerations to spatial missteps, these errors can leave a room feeling incomplete, impractical, or awkward. Understanding the common area rug mistakes is the first step in choosing a rug that can elevate rather than detract from your interior design. Whether you are selecting an area rug for a large living room or a small hallway, a rug is an essential part of the room’s style and function, so avoid these mistakes the first time around. Choosing the Wrong Size Rug Choosing the wrong size rug for the room is one of the most common mistakes that homeowners make when selecting an area rug. This is a fundamental mistake that will affe...

Unless you are signed up for an average monthly payment plan, your energy bills can be a surprise–even a shock. Every little bit you can save on heating costs lowers those bills. Use these tips and tricks to save money without being uncomfortable. Get An Energy Audit An energy audit tells you where the house is losing heat and which areas should be prioritized to save heat and add comfort. There is no sense in adding attic insulation when you should be insulating rim joists instead. The average cost of a home energy audit is about $425.00. (Government rebates may reduce the cost.) Audits only need to be done once. Adjust Your Thermostat Turning the thermostat down 7 – 10 degrees Fahrenheit when no one is home can save up to 10% on heating bills. Lower the temperature by the same amount when you are sleeping. Add another blanket to the beds. (Keep the temperature above 55 degrees F. to prevent frozen pipes and frost on the windows.) Programmable Thermostat Upgrading to a progra...

Acetone is a versatile compound that can be used for much more than just nail polish removal. Its chemical properties make it a valuable tool in a variety of applications, from household cleaning to rejuvenation. Its ability to dissolve, clean, and evaporate quickly makes it a useful secret weapon in your household cleaning arsenal. Discover the surprising ways you can use acetone to keep your home looking its best. Acetone is a naturally occurring clear liquid solvent. It has the ability to break down other substances, so it is a popular choice as a nail polish remover, paint thinner, and household cleaner. Look for 100% acetone or industrial-grade acetone to use for these projects found at both beauty supply and home improvement stores. Always test acetone on an inconspicuous area, especially on plastics, painted items, and fabrics, as it can damage certain delicate or highly porous materials. Removing Adhesive Residue Acetone is highly effective for removing the residue left beh...

The Pantone Colour Institute is regarded as the leading global source of color expertise. Their panel of designers and color influencers assess and forecast color trends, and they’ve recently announced the Pantone 2025 color of the year—Mocha Mousse, a warm, earthy shade of brown. The Pantone color of the year is similar to many shades we’ve seen from paint brands. It looks official—color trends dominating 2025 will lean neutral.  Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year —Mocha Mousse (17-1230 TCX) Pantone’s 2025 color of the year is Mocha Mousse , a warm brown resembling a chocolate and coffee mix. It’s a classic color that coordinates with many other neutrals but offers a touch of sophistication. Compatible Colors with Mocha Mousse Mocha Mousse is part of Pantone’s “Relaxed Elegance” color palette. Other shades in this collection include: Cannoli Cream (11-4302) Cream Tan (13-1108) Safari (15-1116) Sirocco (15-1317) Chanterelle (16-1414) Baltic Amber (18-1421) Chocolate Mar...

Most exterior renovation projects slow down or halt completely in the winter. Freezing temperatures, snow, wet or frozen soil, and limited daylight make winter renovations slow, dangerous, and difficult. The quality of work often suffers. It is much more efficient to plan your renovations during winter months and be ready to start work when the weather warms up. Renos That Should Wait Until Spring Unless you have an emergency–things like leaking roofs, leaking basements, broken windows, etc.–leave these jobs for warmer weather. You get a better quality product in a shorter time frame. New Roofing Installing any type of roofing is dangerous in optimal weather conditions. Adding ice, snow, rain, and cold temperatures to steep roofs makes the work more dangerous. Asphalt and fiberglass shingles get brittle and break in the cold. They don’t seal properly and may require repairs in warmer weather. Many roofing contractors completely shut down every winter. New Siding Siding can be an...

The festive season–especially Christmas–usually brings out the best food, smells, friends, and decorations. Some of the plants used to decorate are extremely poisonous and should be handled with care to prevent small children and pets from getting sick. Just like poisonous potted plants you should not grow , some of the most decorative festive plants are the most dangerous. You can still use these plants as decorations. Just ensure that you handle them safely and caution your guests about potential dangers. Holly Holly wreaths and table decorations are popular Christmas decorations. The entire plant–especially the bright red berries–is very toxic. Holly contains saponins and theobromine throughout the plant but they are especially concentrated in the attractive bright red berries. Theobromine poisoning can cause vomiting, diarrhea, high blood pressure, and possibly death. Theobromine poisoning–also called chocolate or cocoa poisoning–is very toxic to dogs and cats. Make sure child...

No other place in the house gets wiped, swiped, sprayed, and cleaned more than the kitchen countertop. Removing food, grease, spills, and crumbs regularly is necessary for cleanliness and to prevent them from becoming breeding areas for bacteria and germs. Avoid these cleaning mistakes to keep your countertop safe and in good condition. Using Harsh Chemicals Most countertops are sensitive to harsh chemicals. They can make countertops dull or stained or etch the finish. Some of this damage cannot be repaired without completely refinishing the countertop. Read the container carefully before using a cleaner. If you are still not sure, try it in an unobtrusive location before spraying the entire countertop. Using Abrasive Cleaners Abrasive cleaners and scrubbing pads usually provide a quick clean. They also scratch, dull, and damage almost all countertops. Use cleaners that are specifically made for your countertop material and clean soft sponges or microfiber cloths. Too Much Bleach...

When designing your dream home, it is easy to get caught up in the latest trends, but relying too heavily on styles that are completely “of the moment” can lead to decisions you might later regret. Because of the enduring nature of home design decisions, these choices inevitably last much longer than the enthusiasm that inspired them. While it is always exciting to experiment with design elements to make your home look fresh, you should also consider function and longevity. Thoughtfully balancing creativity and timelessness is the key to avoiding future regret and creating a design that is not only appealing but will meet your needs long after current trends have faded. Design choices that seem fresh and inspired now might feel outdated tomorrow. Because trends are changing so quickly today, it is even more essential to consider the long-term viability of your design decisions before investing time and money into them. Overly Bold Colors or Patterns for Large Elements Going “all-i...

Cats–especially kittens–can be adorable, funny, and beneficial–eliminating mice, rats, and squirrels. They are also incredibly annoying when they poop, urinate, and dig up seeds and plants in your garden and flowerbeds. Try one or more of these ideas to keep your gardens feline-free. Reasons To Keep Cats Out Cats may remove the odd rodent from your garden but the irritation they cause is usually not worth the small benefit. Health Risks . Cat feces can contain parasites like roundworms and bacteria like salmonella and E. coli which may remain in the soil for quite some time. Cats–especially feral cats–can carry many diseases including TB, rabies, and parasites. Plant Damage . Can dig out seeds and young plants while pooping. Yuck Factor . Shoving your bare hand into fresh cat feces while working on your plants. Cat Spraying . Male cats spray urine on buildings and plants to mark their territory. It stinks. Loss Of Birds . Cats kill many more birds in gardens than they kill mic...

When sourcing items for your bedroom, some things should always be purchased new, like mattresses and pillows. But for significant savings and a one-of-a-kind design, thrifted decor pieces are hard to beat. You can find secondhand bedroom items at your local thrift stores, flea markets, and, of course, Facebook Marketplace. Here’s what to look for. The Headboard for Your Bed Beds aren’t cheap—especially high-quality ones. You can score a vintage or real wood headboard secondhand for far less than you’d pay brand new. You can even find a cheap headboard, recover it, paint it, or restain it to match your bedroom’s aesthetic. It’s also okay to buy the entire headboard and bedframe secondhand; just skip the mattress. Mattresses generally need to be replaced every six to eight years, and buying a previously owned mattress (especially from a stranger) can put you in an uncompromising situation when it comes to bugs, mites, and sweat. Dressers and Nightstands After speaking to many des...

Bleach is often the first choice to disinfect surfaces and remove tough stains. It is very effective but the absolute wrong choice for some cleaning jobs. Do not use bleach to clean any of these items. Children’s Furniture and Toys Bleach is a great disinfectant but toxic if ingested. It is also linked to skin rashes, eye irritation, and breathing problems. Children spill food on high chairs and car seats. They chew on toys. Rub their eyes after touching things. Bleach can be diluted down to safe levels but why take the chance? Just don’t use it on children’s furniture and toys. Pets chew on their toys more than kids do. Keep pet toys bleach-free. Wood Don’t bleach any wood–floors, decks, furniture, cutting boards, tables, etc. Wood is a porous material that absorbs bleach and can’t all be soaked up or wiped off. Bleach damage includes: Discoloration. Stripping finishes like oil, paint, and wax. Dries out wood making it brittle. Can cause warping and cracking. Upholstery ...