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A cordless vacuum can be easier to use than an upright, corded model because you don’t have to worry about how far from an outlet it is or how long its cord is. The small size and maneuverability of a cordless vacuum also make it ideal for vacuuming underneath furniture or around other tight spaces. Top 4 Cordless Vacuums Most Trusted Vacuum: Dyson V8 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner Best Multipurpose Vacuum: Shark Navigator Freestyle Upright Stick Cordless Bagless Vacuum Best Handheld Vacuum: BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum Best Runtime: Eureka Stylus Lightweight Cordless Vacuum Cleaner...

Best Bulb Light: GE Lighting Grow Light Bulb Key Features Comes with one bulb Has a nine-watt rating Uses red and blue light What Customers Are Saying Customers appreciated how bright this bulb was given its low energy consumption. They also said that it effectively grew a variety of plants. However, frustrated customers said that it died quickly and made an irritating buzzing noise when it was on. Best Linkable Light: Barrina Grow Lights Key Features Comes with eight tubes and their accessories for power and mounting Has an 80-watt rating Uses blue, red, and green light...

Best Basic Option: MINGER LED Strip Lights Key Features Two spools 65.6 feet long total Color, brightness, and mode settings with an included remote control What Customers Are Saying Positive reviews highlighted the intense brightness, easy installation, and large color range that these LED strip lights had. Negative reviews criticized these LED strip lights for falling off of walls because their adhesive backing wasn’t sticky enough. Best For Small Spaces: Govee LED Strip Lights Key Features One spool 16....

Concrete floors are incredibly durable, easy to care for, and make a sleek style statement. And thanks to in-floor hydronic radiant heat, these floors will be toasty to the touch. Planning stage Shown here, Amy Matthews, site supervisor Jeff Mears, and plumber Nick Dusek review the plans to determine the location of trenches for the plumbing and electrical that needs to live within or below the slab. What lies beneath First, a sand and gravel base is laid atop the dirt infill and leveled....

Check for drafts Wet one hand and run it around windows, doors, and heating-duct joints—the moisture will make it more sensitive to cold air. You can also light a stick of incense and see if the smoke changes direction as you move it along the same pathways. To close gaps around windows and doors, use adhesive-backed EPDM rubber or foam weatherstripping (shown: M-D Window Seal Foam, from $4.18 for a 10-foot roll; lowes....

Wood Retaining Wall Instructions Tools

Designer: Gerard Ciccarello, CMKBD, Covenant Kitchens & Baths Inc., Westbrook, CT Glittering Galley The old cabinet doors that were once in this galley kitchen couldn’t take another coat of paint, so the homeowners brought in a design pro for a complete overhaul. The new layout called for the removal of a wall between the small kitchen and family room to open up the space. Scraped maple floors and simple cabinetry with river-stone hardware give the room a clean, uncluttered vibe....

100 DIY Home Improvement Projects for Under $100 The editors of This Old House share their favorite home projects you can do yourself on a budget. Add Carved Corbels Under Your Breakfast Bar How to do it: Check salvage yards for Victorian-era ones with patina for an extra flourish in the eating area. Estimated cost: Two 30-inch-high-by-19-inch-deep Queen Anne–style corbels, about $95 Plant an Evergreen Screen How to do it: Plant an evergreen screen on the north side of your house to block winter winds....

The mowing creates toxic emissions, and in some areas of the country, water’s in dangerously short supply. If you want to be more eco-friendly—and eliminate the hours of upkeep a manicured lawn requires—replace some of that grass with a maintenance-free alternative that can also save you money in the long run. Before investing in natural lawn alternatives, consult with a master gardener, professional landscape artist, or your local Cooperative Extension Office as to what grows well in your area....

At first glance, smart lighting can seem more like a gimmick (are bulbs that turn purple really necessary?) than a practical tool. But it turns out this technology makes life easier in lots of small, unexpected ways. Screw a smart bulb into a desk lamp to adjust the hue and brightness before a Zoom meeting. Plug an electric kettle into a smart plug to automate your morning tea. Whether it’s a smart plug, bulb, or in-wall switch that controls multiple fixtures, most people choose smart lighting that works with their Wi-Fi....

I grew up in a town next to Randolph, New Jersey, where the farm is. My wife, Kelly, and I were looking for a house in the area and wanted an older home with land. When we first drove past the property, we said, “If that ever goes on the market….” The next time we went by, we saw a For Sale sign. Shown: Today, an addition forms an ell with the freshened-up farmhouse....

A year later, it was fate that led them to their new house, a 1930s Craftsman cottage steps from the shores of the Long Island Sound in Westport, Connecticut. Tired with their long-distance relationship, Betsy, an interior designer who was then based in North Carolina, decided to join Dan, an electrical contractor, and his two children in his home state. But both wanted a fresh start in a home that they could call their own, so they embarked on a remodel project that could either make or break their bond....

Clothing Closets 101 There are primarily two types of closets: reach-in and walk-in. Your home may have both types; perhaps your hall closets are reach-in while your master closet is a walk-in. What’s the difference? Here’s a brief explanation of both types. Reach-in Closets A reach-in closet is a storage space that’s typically a minimum of 4 feet wide with a depth of 24 to 30 inches. They sometimes have double doors, or, when space is limited, sliding doors or a bi-fold door....

What are Japanese Maples? Also known as an acer palmatum, Japanese Maples are beautiful, ornamental, deciduous trees that come in a variety of colors and shapes. They feature red, spiked foliage and grow to about 10-20 feet tall. Where do Japanese Maples Grow? Japanese Maples are non-natives to the United States—they originated in Japan, the Korean Peninsula and China, and enjoy being planted in partial shade and grow in zones 5-8....

Eastern white cedar is a prevalent species in the Northeast, which is why it is common to see it in the Northeast. It is naturally insect and rot resistant, so Native American tribes were using it to build canoes for hundreds of years. When the early colonists arrived and saw how well the cedar performed for canoes, they started using it as a building material to make shingles as well. The shingles were usually left exposed, and they would eventually weather over time....

After being in their family for seven generations, homeowners Evan, Whitney, and Evan’s mother, Susan, plan to restore their 1864 Dutch Colonial home in Saratoga Springs, New York. The This Old House crew, including Kevin O’Connor, Jenn Nawada, and Tom Silva, arrive to scope out their next project home. Entrances and Stairs Galore While the original floorplan was fit for a single-family, several additions were made throughout the years to create a multi-generational space....

Homebird Window Bird Feeder Shop Now This pre-built bird feeder attaches to your window using four suction cups. It has a large, see-through viewing window, making it easy to observe birds as they feed. It also comes with a removable tray that’s easy to fill and clean as needed. BEAU JARDIN Bird Feeder Pole Shop Now This well-designed bird feeder pole is made from sturdy, thick, rust-resistant metal. It’s 92 inches tall to put distance between the feeder and pesky bugs and animals on the ground....