ArcaMax

Anyone who has replaced kitchen cabinets will tell you it’s a big dollar home improvement. An alternative is refacing, not replacing the cabinets. The reason is that refacing doesn’t tear out the existing cabinets, it adds a new laminate surface to their base, fronts, sides and doors. It’s a good alternative to replacing them if the ...Read more

Take control of your clutter in a garage or basement by adding basic utility shelves, and store all your stuff in orderly fashion. We like using Simpson Strong-Tie metal connectors with sheets of plywood to make sturdy utility shelves. They won’t win a beauty contest, but they’re a practical solution to getting organized.

Most of the work ...Read more

If you enjoy instant hot drinks and soups, you know instant hot water is a nice convenience. Sure, you can use a microwave oven for a cup of tea, but a hot water sink dispenser is much better. Ask anyone who has one at their sink and they’ll probably tell you it’s something they can’t live without. Since the missing ingredient for many ...Read more

When a gas-operated heater stops producing hot water, usually after a good service life of 10 years or more, a replacement unit is needed sooner, not later, to keep everyone happy and humming along. You or a family member will be the first to know and react, because a hot water heater is one of those behind-the-scenes appliances that always ...Read more

Want to refresh the look of a kitchen without spending a lot of time and money? Install peel-and-stick vinyl tiles as a backsplash to the wall below the cabinets that join the surface of the countertop. This is a quick-fix solution and easy job that protects the wall surface, often prone to splashes of food or sauce during food preparation. ...Read more

A cornice or window topper is a good choice to complete a room’s décor, whether the window is a casual setting with blinds or a shade, or a more traditional style with draperies. Whatever the style, a fabric cornice adds a custom touch to any window. You can make one with a cornice board kit, which you assemble with polystyrene sections, two ...Read more

For a hardworking floor surface, you can’t go wrong with prefinished laminate planks. They’re affordable and easy to install, and they come in many styles and colors. Many lines of the laminate plank flooring provide a built-in underlayment — an installation shortcut that gives the surface the realistic sound of natural wood planks. Some ...Read more

A pull-out faucet in a bathroom sink makes it more useful than a two-handle faucet because it’s designed for many uses. Some of today’s bathroom sinks can be used for bathing a small infant, washing a kid’s hair, and even scrubbing dirty sneakers.

If the bathroom sink in your house gets a workout, consider replacing the existing faucet ...Read more

A bathroom often needs additional heat, especially in the winter months when the room can be colder than the rest of the house. While a small wall or free-standing heating unit is one solution, a ceiling fan and heater is another that takes up no floor or wall space. The heater and fan can be operated separately or combined.

An electrician will...Read more

If you like the traditional look and feel of Old World walls, consider using these embossed wallcovering panels that add textural interest to the walls and lasting character to the room. In many historic homes the rich and distinct look doesn’t cover the entire walls. Instead, the panels were commonly used as a dado covering the lower third of...Read more

Quarry tile is a popular flooring material for a lot of reasons. It’s used in public bathrooms, commercial kitchens and many high traffic areas like an entryway, because it’s a long-lasting, durable surface. It’s non-slippery, it’s easy to clean, and it withstands years of abuse. The unglazed ceramic tiles are usually made from natural ...Read more

You’ll be surprised what a difference it makes to switch from an ordinary recessed can light to a stylish hanging pendant fixture. If you want to add a pendant light, you can use a conversion kit designed for do-it-yourselfers to make the switch. It’s a small change but can change the look in counter lighting, over an island, or in a dining ...Read more