The 5 Best Dressers 2023 Review

Top 5 Dressers Most Traditional: Delta Children Six-Drawer Dresser Best Space-Saving Dresser: ROMOON Four-Drawer Dresser Most Drawers: YITAHOME 10-Drawer Dresser Most Modern: Manhattan Comfort Three-Drawer Dresser Widest Dresser: Sauder Six-Drawer Dresser Most Traditional: Delta Children Six-Drawer Dresser Pros and Cons ✔ Doesn’t contain lead or other toxic elements, making it safe to use around pets and children✔ Has safety stops on the drawers to prevent them from pulling out all the way and falling onto the floor✔ Can hang a mirror over it...

December 29, 2022 · 10 min · 2075 words · Heather Doucet

The 5 Best Magnetic Screwdriver Sets 2023 Review

Most Compact: Klein Tools Screwdriver and Nut Driver Tool Kit The three screwdrivers in this set come with removable barrels that hold eight tips and three nut drivers. Though all three of the handles are compact, the skinny one is even more so to tackle detailed electronic work. Key Features Contains three screwdrivers Made from steel Meant for precision work What Customers Are Saying Many happy customers thought that the bits fit tight into the barrels and the barrels fit snugly into the handles....

December 29, 2022 · 7 min · 1301 words · James Harris

How To Stain Pressure Treated Wood

Is your pressure-treated deck taking on an insipid grey hue? Pressure-treated wood is as susceptible to damage from the sun, rain, and other outdoor elements as non-treated wood. But you can prevent that from happening. Staining pressure-treated lumber prevents cracks and splits caused by seasonal changes, prolongs its life, and preserves its natural beauty. Enhance the appearance of your deck, fence, picnic table, or other exterior wood structure by adding fade-resistant color for a finished look you’ll enjoy for years....

December 28, 2022 · 5 min · 913 words · Joshua Johnson

Beehive Oven Jimmy Diresta Ask Toh

Previous episode: S18 E9 | Next episode: S18 E11 In this episode: Mark explains the history and function of colonial-era beehive ovens and then restores one in a house built in 1750; Richard explains the failure points in toilet tanks and how to repair them; maker Jimmy DiResta invites Tom to his shop for a welding lesson and to build a metal coat rack. How to Restore a Colonial-Era Beehive Oven Mark explains the history and function of colonial-era beehive ovens and then restores one in a house built in 1750...

December 28, 2022 · 3 min · 524 words · Brian Rosales

Brick Walkway Learn How To Lay Your Own In 8 Steps

When crossing your muddy yard to fetch the daily paper turns into an obstacle course of slips and slides, perhaps it’s time to think about an alternative path — literally. How about taking a weekend to lay a brick walkway? The formal pavers will not only provide a clean and sturdy lane for visitors approaching your front door, but they’ll also add style to your landscape and value to your home....

December 28, 2022 · 7 min · 1398 words · Mark Barron

Electrical Upgrade For Diyers Installing A Floodlight

Many homeowners who think nothing of tackling painting, carpentry, and plumbing projects turn timid when it comes to electrical work. A little fear isn’t necessarily bad when dealing with electricity — it could keep you from making a serious mistake. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t electrical projects you can handle. All you need is an understanding of how the electrical code applies to your project and some instructions on making proper wire connections....

December 28, 2022 · 5 min · 868 words · Caitlin Williams

Home Finances Overview

Knowing when to take out a loan for home improvements and knowing which financing options are best for different types of projects can help you make smart decisions when upgrading your home. Options include home equity loans, ‑home equity lines of credit, cash-out mortgage refinances, and others. Let’s learn more about these different methods of home improvement financing. Things to Keep in Mind Before You Borrow There are a few different things to consider when deciding how to finance a home improvement project....

December 28, 2022 · 5 min · 961 words · Mary Lutz

How To Make Stone Cuts With A Power Saw Look Natural

Mason Mark McCullough shows Host Kevin O’Connor the difference between the traditional way of cutting stone and the modern way. While many tools can be used to easily cut stone today, you often risk losing the character in the process. Mark and Kevin compare an array of old-school hand tools versus modern power saws and grinders that masons often use. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time What Tools Do You Use to Cut Stone?...

December 28, 2022 · 2 min · 321 words · Helen Williams

How To Restore A Historic Fireplace

Steps: Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Start by adding support to the arch of the fireplace with a piece of Masonite and a few pieces of 2x4”, cut to size. Hammer them into place until the Masonite feels fully supported. Identify the bricks that have fallen out of place or settled and plan to remove only the ones that need readjustment. Carefully remove the old mortar holding the bricks. High quality, older masonry jobs used significantly thinner joints, so if a chisel doesn’t fit, try a margin trowel or a flat jointer....

December 28, 2022 · 3 min · 489 words · Meg Bourgeois

Kitchen Before And After Expanding A Small Kitchen

BEFORE | Tight Space To butcher a famous phrase, a house divided can be a drag. For Sarah Postyn and Carl Goldberg, the small, narrow kitchen in their 1926 Tudor in Oakland, CA, was hemmed in by a breakfast room, a laundry room, and an underused full bath. Dark, dated finishes didn’t help. “We wanted more prep area and space to congregate when we entertain,” Carl says. Shown: Dark cabinets and counters made the narrow galley space—less than 9 feet wide—feel even tighter....

December 28, 2022 · 4 min · 832 words · Shirley Burt

Masonry Finishes For Brick And Concrete

Mason Mark McCullough discusses masonry finishes. After Mark explains when and the reasons why such a durable material needs sealing, he walks Kevin O’Connor through the process. He states it’s crucial to repair the masonry first, then he wets the walls and applies a detergent. Finally, he applies the sealer. Understanding Masonry Finishes Concrete needs protection too Concrete is a tough, durable material, but it also needs protection. After 30 or 40 years of exposure to the elements, it can wear down, become brittle, or absorb moisture....

December 28, 2022 · 2 min · 414 words · John Tolbert

Rattan Chair Makeover

I fell in love with the lines of this vintage rattan mid century bucket chair, but the finish was worn and in need of an update. For this DIY rattan chair makeover, I grabbed a can of Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch® 2X Ultra Cover® spray paint in flat black for a full transformation. I finished off the look with a leaf-pattern pillow to evoke a modern tropical vibe with a jute rug and greenery to tie it all together....

December 28, 2022 · 2 min · 316 words · Angela Flanders

The 4 Best Wood Pellets 2023 Review

Top 4 Wood Pellets Best Hickory Pellets: Traeger All-Natural Hickory Hardwood Grill Pellets Best Mixed Pellets: CookinPellets Perfect Mix Best Gourmet Blend: Bear Mountain BBQ Pellets Best Variety Pack: BBQr’s Delight Wood-Smoking Pellets Variety Pack Best Hickory Pellets: Traeger All-Natural Hickory Hardwood Grill Pellets This 20-pound bag of hickory wood pellets gives your meat a classic barbecue flavor. Hickory wood pellets produce a strong smoky flavor that goes well with baked, barbecued, braised, grilled, roasted, and smoked meat....

December 28, 2022 · 5 min · 1063 words · Dorothy Smith

The 5 Best Fire Pit Tables 2023 Review

Top 5 Fire Pit Tables Best for Large Yards: Outland Living Rectangular Fire Table Safest Fire Pit: U-MAX Propane Gas Fire Pit Table Best for Small Yards: Best Choice Products Fire Pit Table Best Tabletop: Outland Living Square Fire Pit Table Best for Traditional Fires: Yaheetech Fire Pit Table Pros and Cons ✔ Features easy-pull handles to reach the hidden propane tank under the tabletop✔ Has a powder-coated aluminum frame for durability✔ Doesn’t produce smoke...

December 28, 2022 · 9 min · 1725 words · Erik Longbrake

This Old House Builds Skills With Generation Next

Since 2016, This Old House’s Generation NEXT apprenticeship program has generated awareness about the skilled labor shortage and raised funds for scholarships. What is Generation NEXT? Generation NEXT has formalized TOH’s commitment to sparking interest in the trades as a viable career path and stated our mission to help close the skills gap in America. Back in the summer of 2016, This Old House joined with the mikeroweWORKS Foundation to launch TOH’s Generation NEXT apprenticeship program....

December 28, 2022 · 2 min · 261 words · Betty Horne

33 Ways To Upcycle Old Things

Beverage Tubs If there’s no place to park them, scarves, gloves, and hats can become a tangled heap in your entryway, complicating matters for anyone on their way out the door. To store winter items that can slip off conventional shelves, mount galvanized-steel beverage tubs to the wall above a row of coat hooks. To hang them: Locate and mark the wall studs, then drill at least two holes for each tub, making sure one goes into a stud and using a toggle-bolt anchor in the other hole....

December 27, 2022 · 15 min · 3052 words · Shirley Morter

How To Caulk A Bathtub In 4 Easy Steps

You’ve seen the ominous signs of aging caulk. First it was the brown tinge along the edges. Now its smooth and supple skin has turned brittle and cracked, opening the way for stubborn colonies of mildew to take hold, or for water to seep through and turn wallboard and framing mushy. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time How to Caulk a Bathtub in 4 Steps Whether it’s around your sink or between a bathtub and its tiles — moldy caulk has to go....

December 27, 2022 · 5 min · 957 words · Gavin Duncan

How To Choose Colorful Finishes For Your Home

This article appeared in the Fall 2022 issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. Color is one of the most transformative tools in your design arsenal. It can completely change the feeling of a space. When it comes to paint, keep in mind that the amount of natural light a room receives, the direction it comes from, and even how it plays off your furnishings all affect how wall colors appear....

December 27, 2022 · 3 min · 496 words · Dora Adams

How To Diagnose A Frosty Air Conditioner

Steps for Diagnosing a Frozen Air Conditioner Usually, ice on an air conditioner indicates that the airflow between the coil and the condenser unit is out of balance. Follow these steps to properly diagnose this problem. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Related How to Repair a Frozen Air Conditioner To start, replace a disposable air filter or clean a reusable one to maximize airflow on the indoor unit. Check for obstructions on the condenser unit outside....

December 27, 2022 · 2 min · 256 words · Tracy Driscoll

How To Dog Proof Your Home For The Holidays 8 Tips

It’s time to deck the halls with boughs of holly…but should you? Whether you’re decorating the house, putting up a Christmas tree, or preparing your holiday feasts, make sure you keep everyone in your family safe. If a dog is part of your beloved pack, consider these dog safety tips during the holidays. 8 Christmas Safety Tips for Dogs 1. Keep Unsafe Food Out of Reach Everyone knows chocolate is off-limits for dogs, but there are other foods you may never have guessed could be harmful....

December 27, 2022 · 3 min · 587 words · Rose Mercado