“They love designing kitchens, and they’re super educated about how to make the most of the space and about what’s safe,” says Angela Lawrence, a certified master kitchen and bath designer (CMKBD) and member of the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) in Aurora, Colorado. The kitchen demands a specialist, says Denise Dick, a CMKBD and NKBA member in Carrollton, Texas. “Just like you go to a doctor specializing in a part of the body,” she says, “the specialist for that part of the home is the kitchen designer....

Outdoor Fountain Ideas Beautiful Window Boxes for Sun

Why You Should Trust Us BHG only features products that our editorial team has independently researched to be high quality and worth the investment. Our content is never swayed by advertising, and we purchase most of the products we test ourselves. Brands will occasionally send us products to sample; however, we never promise to positively review those products in exchange for free items. If we do end up loving a sample and write about the product, we always disclose how we acquired the item....

“There’s huge demand in the landscape industry for outdoor living spaces—creating fun spaces to entertain family and friends—because outdoor has been our safe space for the last year,” explains Lisa Schaumann Stryker, vice president of communications with the National Association of Landscape Professionals. “There’s a renewed love for being outside and extending your social experience with your family and friends.” As outdoor entertaining increases, many people are rediscovering their backyards and repurposing them to suit their favorite pastimes, including watching movies....

Jeff Meyer, the founder of Johnny Appleseed Organic, first found out about one of the last known Appleseed trees in the 1990s when the Harvey-Algeo family in Ohio sent him a letter revealing that they had been taking care of the tree on their farm for generations. After verifying the historic tree’s authenticity through independent entities, Meyer acquired exclusive genetic rights to it and started propagating identical copies of it....

Types of Kitchen Sinks: Materials Kitchen sinks come in many different materials, including metal and stone. The best kitchen sink material for you depends on how much money you want to spend, your cleaning routine preferences, and what material goes best with your kitchen’s style. Here are a few common options to consider: Stainless-steel kitchen sinks are one of the most popular options and the material continues to be improved and upgraded....

One study by NSF International, an independent public health organization, cites coffee makers as the fifth germiest place in your home, with half of the reservoirs tested containing yeast and mold. These organisms can cause allergic reactions or even infections, so without proper cleaning, your coffee maker could make you sick. The good news is that you can learn how to clean a coffee pot to look sparkling and (nearly) new in just a few easy steps....

How to Clean Tile Floors of All Types You wouldn’t wash a stainless-steel refrigerator with a cleaner meant for an enamel surface. The same concept applies to your tile. While tile floors are incredibly durable, certain kinds of tile need to be cared for in a special way. Ceramic and porcelain floor tiles are fairly low maintenance, while coarse tiles such as slate, marble, granite, or limestone require individualized care and often specific cleaners....

How to Grill Vegetables Before you start grilling vegetables, make sure to wash and dry them thoroughly. Prep and follow the chart below to know how long to grill vegetables so they turn out perfectly tender every time. Grilling Vegetables in Foil Grilling in foil packets is one of our favorite ways to grill fresh veggies. Because a foil pack cooks with steam, it’s essential to craft a tightly sealed pouch....

How Different Apple Varieties Are Created Many of the apple varieties you can find today are the result of random mutations known as “sports” and by growers sorting through hundreds (if not thousands) of seedlings looking for something different; whether it’s taste, size, color, or consistency. Nowadays, these tasks are usually performed by professional plant breeders in a scientific way, but in previous years, the simple act of planting a few seeds led to most of the selections we enjoy today....

There are special tricks for hanging Christmas wreaths outside and throughout your home, and we have a few no-fail secrets to help you hang your wreath damage-free! We’ll walk you through each method so you can choose the one that’s right for your space. And if you’ve not yet picked out the perfect Christmas wreath yet, check out our creative Christmas wreath ideas to upgrade your classic evergreen decoration....

First, before you start any installation, double-check the location of your old thermostat to ensure it’s in the best place. Then, you’ll need to make sure your home’s heating and cooling system is compatible with a smart thermostat. Also, download the thermostat’s mobile app (if available) to track your usage, set your thermostat while you’re away from home, and learn how to use less energy. What You Need Programmable thermostat (we used the Nest Thermostat)ScrewdriverCamera or smartphoneJoint compoundPutty knifeSandpaperPaintbrushPaintScrewsDrill (optional)...

Learning how to cut and install butcher block isn’t difficult. We’ll walk you through the basic process for creating custom butcher block countertops. You can also use our how-to to install a butcher block island. For this project, you’ll need a few materials, a few hours, and basic carpentry skills. Editor’s Tip: Before getting started, remove any existing countertops. If they’re in good condition, consider reinstalling them in another area of your home (like a garage or basement workstation) or donating them to a resale store....

Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit Have a salesperson help you assemble all the parts you need: conduit, couplings, elbows, sweeps, and PVC boxes. Connect to a metal box using a terminal adapter. Flexible plastic tubing is a convenient way to channel wiring. Blue corrugated EMT tubing is used for indoor installations; moisture-impermeable tubing is used outdoors. Both come in long coils. Check to see whether your local codes allow these products. How to Install PVC Conduit Step 1: Cut Box Install PVC boxes, then measure and mark the conduit for a cut....

Where to Buy Stock Tank Pools Stock tank pools can be found at agriculture supply retailers like Tractor Supply Company, Fleet Farm, and Wilco. Look for one that’s at least two feet deep, and large enough for more than one person. Small, oval-shaped pools can work for a single adult or a couple of young kids, but 6- to 8-foot round stock tanks are ideal for groups of two or more....

How to Make Salsa The most popular types of salsas are pico de gallo, salsa fresca, and salsa cruda. These are chunky, uncooked sauces with a fresh tomato base. They are quick and easy to make and are at their best when tomatoes are in season. To make homemade salsa, combine the ingredients below in a bowl and serve, or cover and chill for up to three days. Essential Salsa Ingredients Peppers: When it comes to choosing the best peppers for salsa, it all depends on your preferred spice level....

Many of these clever cleaning hacks use everyday household items, such as cooking spray, vinegar, and nail polish, so you can clean and sanitize your space with things you already have on hand. So the next time you’re on scrub duty, try these clean bathroom hacks to get a sparkling space in less time. 1. Clean Your Toilet with Vodka Not the good stuff, of course! Instead, look to that cheap bottle of vodka that’s been occupying your bar cart for far too long and use it to make your toilet shine....

Test Kitchen Tip: Make the hot chocolate base and keep it warm in the slow cooker until ready to serve. Test Kitchen Tip: Swap graham crackers, vanilla cookies, or cinnamon-sugar pita chips for the sliced apples.