Jamie Dixon

Most concrete walls have a dull, unfinished look. If you’re trying to make a space feel more liveable, concrete walls can be a tough obstacle. But can you sand concrete walls to give them a more polished appearance? We’ve checked with masonry experts for all the details and have the answer for you. You can …

Cedarwood paneling is a classic, low-maintenance favorite among homeowners. But low maintenance doesn’t always mean you don’t have to do some upkeep. One of the first obstacles you’ll face keeping your cedar looking like new is dirt and grime. We’ve checked with cleaning experts for the best tips on how to clean cedar wood walls. …

If you’re in the market for a new washer and dryer, one of the first questions is, “Where will we put it?” Not every home has a clear and dedicated laundry space, and you might not be sure where it can fit in naturally. You need to know just how big are a washer and …

If you’re repainting your home, there are many features to consider. Between the roof, the siding, the fascia, soffit, and trim, the color combinations could be almost endless. But what elements should match and what shouldn’t? Does the soffit match the siding or the trim? We’ve checked with exterior painters and stylists for the official …

Maybe you’re buying your first home. Or, perhaps you already have a house and want to know if your ladder is tall enough to reach the gutters! In any case, you’re here wondering: just how tall is a two-story house? We’ve checked into building codes and asked contractors to bring you the correct answer. There …

Casement windows are growing in popularity in American homes recently. They open wider than many other windows, allowing more ventilation and airflow. They also seal very tightly, but they require regular lubrication and care to maintain a tight seal. So how do you lubricate casement windows, and how often? We’ve checked with experts and installers …

If you have intricate, gorgeous trim around your windows, it’s totally understandable if you want to show it off. Who wants to cover a work of art with a ho-hum fabric curtain? So how can you hang curtains without covering the trim? You can hang curtains without covering the trim by: Using a tension rod …

One of the most exciting things about moving into a new space is decorating! Curtains are a fun and easy way to really make a room look like your own. Sometimes, they can be necessary to keep out bright lights, offer privacy, or even cut down on drafts. But if you’re renting, you might need …

Most people expect closets to have a door – it’s just standard, in most minds. But if you’ve recently bought a house with open closets or hate your closet doors, you might be wondering. Can you get rid of the doors altogether? Do bedroom closets need to have doors? There is no reason why a …

To get the most bang for your buck, you might be considering adding a bathroom to your finished basement. For the biggest return on investment, basements with a bedroom and bathroom are huge selling points. But plumbing in a basement can really be a beast of burden. What kind of toilet will give you a …

Orchids are beautiful flowers. They evoke a romantic and peaceful feeling. They’re calm, graceful, and elegant. Since they’re not particularly easy to grow, they aren’t necessarily the most basic or common choice for floral arrangements.  Their unique style makes any display seem a little richer and grander, automatically. Furthermore, in Victorian times, they could only …

If you have a Bissell Crosswave, you probably already know about their special brand of cleaning formulas. While they’re designed for the Crosswave, they might be more expensive than your old floor cleaners. Or maybe you just have an ingredient you prefer, like vinegar or bleach. If so, you’re probably wondering – can you use …

Laminate flooring can be tricky. The wrong cleaner can leave them dull or coated in residue or too much water can seep into the flooring and ruin it. Other materials, like vinyl, aren’t quite as sensitive. But they can still be a pain to clean, and who wants to lug a mop and water bucket …

If you’re looking into, or already own, a Bissell Crosswave, you may have noticed one odd thing. The company claims a variety of surfaces that the Crosswave can be used on – including vinyl, laminate, sealed wood, and tile. However, most indications are a bit vague on carpeting. It can be used on area rugs, …

Bidets are one of those strange tools that just never took off in America – until now. Still, most people are pretty unfamiliar with the concept. They’ve heard the word but may not have ever used one. They don’t know precisely how they work, or how to install them, or even where. Can you add …

Keeping a garage floor clean can be tricky. There are the usual dirt and dust to contend with. Then, rust and oil stains pose their problems. Throw in dealing with salt and other damages that are left from winter – yikes. But with spring comes spring cleaning. The garage is no exception, no matter how …

Concrete garage floors often aren’t sealed as quickly as outdoor concrete, such as driveways. Since it’s protected from the harsh outdoor elements, the floor won’t necessarily be ruined if it isn’t sealed right away. Some people have floors that they’ve planned – and failed – to seal for years! But does that mean that it …

If you’ve noticed lately that your toilet doesn’t seem to flush as well as it used to, it’s not just in your head. Toilets really can lose their flushing power, and you may be noticing a real problem that needs to be addressed. We’ve checked with plumbing experts so that you can get your toilet …

If you’re remodeling your laundry room, you’ve probably noticed that flooring isn’t cheap! For how much it costs, you’ll want something that can last a long time. But the laundry room floor is vulnerable to so many problems – bleach spills, water damage, and scratches from appliances are just a few. Just what flooring will …

Vinyl siding and stucco. The two most common siding types for homes in America. But which is better? What are the pros and cons of each? Siding experts all agree on when you’re best off with stucco and when you should pick vinyl. And, depending on which area of the country you are from, you …

Hanging pictures is about the simplest DIY out there, the one any homeowner can manage. Or can they? If you can’t keep your pictures from falling off the wall, have no fear. There are a few common mistakes that many people make when hanging pictures. Once we clue you in to the right way to …

Summer’s coming, but is your patio ready? If you’re already pulling things out of storage and realizing that you’re going to need to do some painting, have no fear. It happens to the best of us, and we’re here to help you get your outdoor furniture in tip-top shape. We’ve consulted with paint experts on …

If you want to add a touch of natural color to the living room, why not a plant? The right kind can add beauty while being easy to care for – even if you have a black thumb. Pick one well-suited to live as a houseplant, and it can grow to fill in a whole …

Maybe you’ve already painted the kitchen and overbought. With gallons of paint left, it seems obvious to use the leftovers somewhere else, like the living room. But if the paint you’ve bought is marked especially for the kitchen, you might wonder, can you use kitchen paint in the living room? Paint experts agree that no …

If you’re remodeling your bathroom, you may have started looking for inspiration for a new shower design. If this is the case, you’ve probably already realized that there are actually not very many options to sort through. While tile design may be limitless, showers basically come in two types – a prefab base or a …

Gray is a flexible, versatile color. It’s trending right now in furniture and with good cause. It’s flattering for just about any decor, so even if you redecorate, you don’t have to get rid of your gray furniture. But what colors work with gray furniture? We’ve consulted our favorite decorators to give you a list …

When you’re decorating your living room, there’s a certain “list” of standard furniture. The goal is to find the perfect layout. Typically, that means enough room for your couch, armchair, tv, and coffee table. But do you have to have a coffee table? In the modern home, coffee tables are becoming less prevalent. Sometimes a …

Remodeling a kitchen can be challenging. There are so many elements – floors, cabinets, countertops, accessories, backsplash, walls, and more. Then you have to pick the right colors. And even the right finish! It’s a headache, but we’re here to help. White cabinets are currently the most popular color. If you’ll be sticking by classic …

If you’ve selected maple cabinets for your kitchen remodel, you almost certainly enjoy the wood’s warm tones and versatility. So what other colors will complement maple and show off its natural glow and luster? What will quartz countertops work well? We’ve considered color theory and consulted with designers to showcase several great options. Maple is …

Bamboo floors first appeared on the market in the ’90s. As far as floors go, that makes it a relatively new material that is just starting to really come into demand and popularity. While it has many advantages, such as being eco-friendly, water-resistant, and long-lasting, it’s not a well-known choice. For this reason, once you …

Everyone wants their room to match their style, of course. For the most part, we design for an incredibly on-brand look with our message, theme, and look. But how to pick unique pieces that are memorable and create a room that is our own? We’ve researched through design lists to find some fun and practical …

Narrow rooms can be tough to design. You want the space to look nice, but you also want it to be functional. Taking up too much floor space can make moving around the room impossible. The walls may be close, but no one wants it to feel like they are closing in. So how do …

A wall mirror can be one of the easiest ways to change the whole look of a room. They can brighten and liven a room. Mirrors reflect light, and as a result, make even the smallest, darkest room seem inviting. Tired of feeling like you’re living in a closet? If so, then a big wall …

Curtains can be tough to pick. There are so many factors – sound reduction, heat retention, light blocking, and more. And that’s not even going into the looks – what color, what pattern, what style? Then, when you finally sort all of that out, you have to try to get the right size. Short curtains …

Buying new curtains can be a pain. There are so many factors to consider- what color, what pattern, what material? Do they need to absorb sound, block light, or retain heat – or maybe all three? And then, once you’ve got that all figured out, it can be a guessing game as to the right …

Curtains are complicated. Just picking them out can be a headache, and then you have to find the right size. So once you have the perfect curtain, how long does it need to be for a 9-foot ceiling? We’ve researched everything you need to know about curtain placement and guarantee that this article will help …

Bedside tables are both functional and fashionable. You want a piece that’s the right height and size for the space. It needs to be visually pleasing and match the rest of the decor. But it also needs to be functional – whether you use it to store books or hold a glass of water, every …

Pinch pleat curtains are a specific style of drapery. Each panel is bunched for a full, luxurious look that embellishes the window. But how do you hang them? It’s actually not as hard as it might look. We’ll walk you through the process and let you know everything that home stylists advise when it comes …

Red walls can be a real design statement. It can create a look that is bold, daring, exotic, or even romantic. However, as red is such an evocative and unusual color, it must also be used carefully and with precision. The wrong accent can throw the whole room off. So once you have the right …

An undecorated office can be a sterile and rather bland place. You spend enough hours there every day. Inject a little personality and pizzaz into the room with wall art. The right art can send any message you want – whether it’s to brighten the room, keep you focused, motivate you, or even just be …