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	New mom home makeover As people begin thinking about starting a family, most parents-to-be ponder how their lives will change when their new bundle of joy arrives. However there are many changes that should come much earlier. During pregnancy, there are many hidden dangers in your home. Luckily, you only have to alter your habits slightly to ensure a safe haven for you and your new arrival.
	Take Your Bath from Bland to Grand with 30-Minute Makeovers Many of us dream of updating the most-used room in our homes, the bath, to create a beautiful and inviting space. But in today's tough economy, you might worry about not getting a return on your investment. Luckily, you don't have to sink a hefty sum of time and money into your bath to achieve dramatic results that you can enjoy every day. Try these few simple upgrades that can change the entire look of your bath within minutes.
	Strapped for Cash? HVAC Solutions Keep Costs Low and Comfort High Like many Americans, you're probably thinking about ways you can reduce your living expenses. Heating and cooling costs account for more than 40 percent of the average home's energy bill, so finding ways to become more energy efficient can save you real cash.
	Simple safety tips to protect your home Home may be where the heart is, but it also is where the hazards are. Americans suffer nearly 21 million preventable household injuries each year. By focusing on some of the most common household hazards, there are three easy ways to increase the level of safety at home.
	Driveway improvements speed home offers, lower costs With a "For Sale" sign in your front yard, you want potential buyers to take a good, long look at your property. And even if you're not planning a move, you want to be sure you protect and maintain your home to keep future repairs at a minimum.
	Painting -- a quick and inexpensive way to update your home In today's economy, more and more homeowners are looking for ways to spruce up their home without spending a lot of money, and there is no better way to change the look and feel of a room than painting.
	Creative Ways to Maximize Space in Your Bathroom Have you ever met anyone with too much space in their bathroom? Whether you're remodeling, updating or just need to make the most of the square footage you've got, there are creative ways to maximize the space in your bathroom to keep clutter in its place and create a relaxing, spa-like atmosphere.
	Budget-friendly Bathroom Updates Does your bathroom resemble the bathroom of your childhood? Does it have the same unappealing colors, cold tile floors and dated decor as the day you bought the house? If your bathroom is stuck in the '60s, '70s and even '80s, then it's time to upgrade. But don't worry, you can transform it into a modern day showplace on a budget.
	What Shade of Green Are You? If you thought green was a trend primarily embraced by Gen X and Yers, think again. Information gathered by Moen Incorporated indicates that key values and financial status, rather than age, are the defining characteristics in determining consumers' level of interest in green products.
	Colorful Palettes Enhance Warm Weather Trends As you stretch out your arms and embrace the warmer weather, the colors of summer make themselves obvious. So why not bring that same optimism into your home, giving rooms an easy, colorful facelift with a fresh coat of paint? New warm-weather paint palettes can create a decorating scheme that perfectly captures the essence of a fresh, sunny day.
	Closet clean out: Get your clothes in shape for summer Given changing fashion trends and seasons, closets can be some of the most cluttered spaces in the home. Summer is the ideal time to get yours clean, organized and ready for the season.
	Homeowners warm up to tax credit for wood- and pellet-fueled heat For warmth and beauty in the home, it's hard to beat the ambience of a real wood-burning stove or fireplace. Homeowners now have another reason to warm up to one - they may qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $1,500.
	American Hardwoods: Nature's 'Greenest' Choice When it comes to "greening" a new or existing home, many consumers simply do not have the facts about American hardwood as an environmentally-friendly building material choice. Wood misconceptions abound. Here are the answers to your most common concerns.
	How to create a custom kitchen without the custom price Forget about the living room. The kitchen is the social hub of a home. Today's homeowners update their kitchens to reflect their personal tastes and add visual appeal their guests can enjoy when they entertain. But how do you get a custom look in your kitchen without the hefty price tag?
	Control ants before they enter your home These days, the economy gives you more than enough to worry about, especially as a homeowner. The last thing you want to have on your mind is pesky ants wandering through your kitchen, invading your home and your life. Unfortunately, as one of the most difficult household pests to control in groups, you sometimes don't have a choice but to worry.
	Eliminate your garage grime: simple summer clean-up solutions Summer is here and it's time to clean the garage. The garage door will inevitably be open and you don't want to be embarrassed when the neighbors stop by, do you? There are a number of simple steps you can take to clean and organize your garage.
	Maintaining Fences and Gates a Smart Move Good fences really can make good neighbors and neighborhoods. When was the last time you inspected fences, gates and gate hardware around your property to ensure they're still in good working condition? Ignoring fence and gate maintenance can be extremely costly. Taking measures that will help protect your home, property, children and pets is inexpensive, quick and easy to do.
	DIY tips for creating a beautiful patio and yard in less time Summer is the season for DIYers to complete outdoor home improvement projects, but even the most enthusiastic homeowner wants to make the best use of time so he or she can still enjoy the beautiful summer days. Here are some common patio and landscaping projects and time-saving tips for completing them more easily, with better results.
	'Green' Equals Green with Ceramic Tile For homeowners, good news has been hard to come by in this bleak economy. So it may come as a happy surprise to many to learn that the two most compelling trends in home remodeling and maintenance -- pinching pennies and going "green" -- are quite compatible with each other.
	How to save money and complete your basement renovation fast With all the uncertainty surrounding today's economy, more people are saving money by enjoying quality time at home. Some are using this time to invest in room or whole-house makeovers to enhance the value of their homes.
	Tips to turn your rental space from bland to grand Moving into a new rental property and wondering how much your landlord will allow you to decorate to make it feel like your own? You're not alone. According to a recent Apartments.com survey, 90 percent of renters will decorate when moving to a new apartment; with 81 percent decorating within the first three months of the move.
	Room air conditioners: a hot way to keep cool and cut energy costs The hot, humid weather of summer is about to meet Americans' continuing desire to cut costs this cooling season. Room air conditioners are a practical way to cool down when temperatures heat up, especially if you want to save money by only cooling the rooms you use the most.
	Save Money and Keep Teens Home by Creating a Teen Haven With the prospect of unemployment and falling home values on many parents' minds, sending teens on a ski trip with friends, or funding mall excursions and meals out, are just not in the budget anymore. Parents may find it's a better investment -- both for their homes and for their teens' development -- to create a haven at home where teenagers can socialize for free.
	A Great Garage Door: the Lipstick on Your Home's Facade Simple is better, as more homeowners are focusing on simpler exterior elements with an emphasis on durability and sustainability, according to the American Institute of Architects' recent quarterly Home Design Trends Survey.
	Home sharing? Upgrade your bath, upgrade your income Rising unemployment rates and looming foreclosures are reviving the once-common "home share" model, uniting strangers and family members under a single roof -- and increasing the need for home privacy. Here's what you need to know to prepare your home for this change.
	Master Your Messy Bath With the amount of time spent in this often space-challenged room, it's easy to understand how the bath can quickly become the messiest room in the house. Luckily, a few simple steps will help turn your bath into a sane living space and help clean up your act in the bath for good.
	Control summer pests in an environmentally-friendly way Spring is here, and we can't wait to get outside and enjoy the outdoors. Unfortunately, we're not the only ones. Because when nature springs back to life, so do cockroaches, grubs, and a myriad of ants including fire ants and carpenter ants. If you're like most homeowners, you don't want to share your house and yard with damaging insects, but you may also worry about using pest control products around your house.
	Open to the elements: ceramic tile breaks out of kitchens and baths Outdoor living is more than just dressing up patios with a few planters and installing a pool in the backyard. Instead, people are transforming ordinary backyards into "specialty rooms" complete with kitchens, bars, TVs, lake-like pools and heating elements for cool nights.
	A home improvement project that pays you back 4 ways There's a home improvement project this year that not only adds value and curb appeal to your home, but saves energy and offers up to a $1,500 federal tax credit to homeowners. The project? A stylish new insulated garage door.
	Now is the time for a deck safety check Your deck is the perfect place to enjoy the warm weather with friends and loved ones. But an unsafe deck could possibly collapse, causing serious injuries to you and your guests. With 40 million decks in the United States that are more than 20 years old, it's important for homeowners to check their deck.
	3 easy ways to cut energy costs this summer Summertime brings fun in the sun and longer daylight hours with one caveat: Hotter temperatures means running the air conditioner and increased energy bills. There are easy solutions that budget-conscious households can use to immediately save money.
	Pool Safety Measures Ensure Safe Summer Fun People drive cars even though there are accidents every day. You simple take precautions and wear your seatbelt. The same goes for home pools. With proper safety measures in place, you and your family can enjoy endless hours of safe pool fun.
	The Good News: Bath Remodels Remain Tops for ROI and Enjoyment If you are among the majority of homeowners whose hard work and smart financing decisions will allow you to stay in your home through the recession and real estate downturn, you may actually have the wherewithal to make some improvements to your home. Low interest rates and increased competition among remodeling contractors make this a great time to enhance your house's value and your enjoyment of your home with some popular upgrades.
	Spending on your home can save in the long run Now that warmer weather is here, people are gearing up to make some repairs and updates to their homes. From new roofs and siding to adding state-of-art kitchen and other household appliances, people have more options than ever when it comes to making purchases that can help them save money and the environment.
	Spruce up your home for summer with cabinetry With the dreary shadow of the economy looming, what better way to cheer your family's mood and welcome in summer than by incorporating a creative color palette into your living room, bathroom or home office? Take a cue from Mother Nature and bring in functional and affordable cabinetry in surprising colors.
	Boomers join the green movement with natural light Older Americans who add more natural light to their living quarters when they move or remodel benefit from improved vision and mood in a safer environment. And daylighting, which utilizes no energy and carries no ongoing costs, is another benefit to the pocketbook of boomers on fixed incomes.
	Great, grown-up ideas for 're-feathering' your empty nest If you're an empty-nester feeling pangs of loss as adult children move out, look for the silver lining -- you can finally reclaim those areas of your house previously dedicated to the kids.
	How to Make Any Room Look Bigger In this economy, few people can afford to knock down walls or put an addition on their homes. However, for considerably less money, any room can appear larger and look better with one or two strategically placed sconces.
	How to Promote Sustainability without Sacrifice at Home Summer is the perfect time to think green. The sun is shining and plants are in bloom -- so why not get inspired to consider adding a bit of green to your lifestyle? Here's a look at how you can reduce your consumption of the earth's resources to help preserve them for years to come.
	Stock Cabinetry -- an Affordable Kitchen Upgrade Many families are choosing to stay home and cook instead of going out to eat. This trend has sparked demand for kitchens that can handle high traffic and store a wide array of cooking essentials. Homeowners looking to add spice to their kitchen can cut back on remodeling costs and still achieve a high end look.
	Breathe Easy in a Healthier Home It's one thing to live in a well-kept home, but is it also a healthy place to live? While your home may look sparkling clean to the eye, there are a number of invisible factors that can seriously affect the health of your entire family, and even contribute to a heart attack or stroke. Chief among them is the quality of the air your family breathes while indoors.
	Five Ways to Make Your Home and Wallet Greener With tightened budgets, you may be surprised to learn that going green at home is not only good for the planet but also good for your pocket book. Here are five home improvement ideas that pay for themselves quickly and save you money in the long-run.
	Simple safety tips to protect your home Home may be where the heart is, but it also is where the hazards are. Americans suffer nearly 21 million preventable household injuries each year. By focusing on some of the most common household hazards, there are three easy ways to increase the level of safety at home.
	It's a great time to be a 'window shopper' Many doors are closing due to the economy, but certain windows are becoming easier to open. The 2009/2010 tax credit for energy efficient replacement windows, one of 10 provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, is helping homeowners to remodel America one house at a time.
	Adding, upgrading a deck is great alternative to vacation spending Instead of spending on pricey vacations, more Americans are turning to money-saving alternatives in their own backyards. Upgrading or adding a deck is a great way to take advantage of outdoor living spaces.
	Open the door to more energy savings and summer fun With home entertaining on the rise and backyard barbecue season in full swing, make sure your home is ready for hot fun and high-traffic summer activities. And keep in mind the potential energy savings you can earn with renovations.
	Kitchen Remodel Tips from the Pros Now is a great time to invest in your home, and renovating your kitchen is usually the most cost-effective upgrade you can make. As the room where families spend the most time together, the kitchen can be enjoyed on a daily basis and much of the renovation cost can be recouped when you do decide to sell.
	New Deck Trends Help Define Your Outdoor Living Area Just as your home's decor is a statement of your taste and personality, so is your backyard. As the trend for enjoying customized decks and outdoor living space grows, personalized outdoor living areas are the latest in home improvement upgrades.
	Five Kitchen Fix-ups for $500 or Less After years of telling yourself you can live with the outdated hardware, the ugly orange laminate countertops and the daffodil-yellow wall paint, you've finally admitted to yourself that your love affair with your kitchen decor is over. Here are some common kitchen complaints and hints for how you can resolve them -- and learn to love your kitchen again -- for less than $500 per fix.
	Is Your Home in Need of a Home Design Stimulus Plan? These days bailouts are common, but not many Americans have considered it for their home design. Does lifeless and cluttered design leave your home in need of a makeover? Here are some tips from a pro to help you out.
	Stimulus helps homeowners save money "What's in it for me?" Homeowners will love the answer to that question as they learn more about the new federal economic stimulus bill. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, generally known as the stimulus package, offers special tax credit incentives to homeowners to encourage energy efficiency -- the best part is it's easy.
	Dressing your home with designed exteriors Whether you're building a new home or remodeling for a different look, one of the first things you need to consider is your home's curb appeal. Common curb appeal updates include landscaping, walkway and patio renovations. Another remodeling practice that can lead to major curb appeal is updating the surfaces of a home's exterior walls.
	Ceiling fans can save you energy all year long Gas and energy prices are rising again, and that means Americans must tighten their belts even further. You don't need to dread hot summer temps and high air conditioning bills when you have ceiling fans in your home.
	The technology that makes your home's walls more durable With an $8,000 federal tax credit available for first-time homebuyers and tax incentives on the table for home improvement projects, you may be thinking this is the right time to build or renovate a home. While you're diving into the fun aspects of choosing paint colors and light fixtures, don't overlook the importance of what's behind the walls.
	Adding deck lights a simple way to enhance outdoor living As summer rolls in and guests show up, the benefit of having outdoor living space for relaxing and entertaining becomes readily apparent. Homeowners love having extra space where they can hang out, and outdoor environments are a huge plus for those trying to sell or rent out a home.
	Home to stay The aging population in the country is growing by the minute. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2030 the number of individuals ages 65 and up is expected to be twice as large as in 2000 -- growing to 71.5 million -- and representing nearly 20 percent of the population. Here's what you need to know to retire and stay in your home.
	A bright idea for green remodeling: venting skylights As green building and remodeling practices become standard procedure, the use of more natural light and passive ventilation is here to stay.
	Weekend home upgrades: fast, affordable fix-ups With today's falling home prices, one family's well-worn dwelling can quickly become another's dream "starter" home. Interest rates are at historic lows, meaning buyers can get more house than they could a year ago for the same monthly mortgage payment, according to the National Association of Home Builders. But affording a new home is one thing; affording to remodel it is another. Here are some cost-efficient upgrades that are easy enough to accomplish in a single weekend.
	How to Make a Big Splash with Your Small Yard A baby boomer couple downsizing, a working professional's downtown city condo, and a young family's starter home in a metro suburb -- the trend of people moving to smaller homes with smaller yards continues to grow. If you are one of them, how do you make the most out of your small outdoor green space? With the right tools and strategies, you'll find the possibilities are endless.
	Greening Your Home can Earn You a Tax Credit Spring is here, summer's just around the corner and it's time to break out of that winter funk. With Americans spending more time at home these days, many are investing in home upgrades. As household budgets tighten, consumers are cutting back on going out in favor of entertaining at home. And that means renovations like kitchen and bath makeovers or finishing basements to add living space are priorities on many "to do" lists.
	Household chores made easy If you find yourself spending too much time on household chores and not enough time with your family, there's a simple solution that can make your life easier: use softened water.
	Home Inspection Helps Ensure Dream Deals Don't Turn into Nightmares Buying a repossessed property, short sale or a home offered at a bargain price -- because of its condition -- can mean you're assuming much higher risks. Still, it is possible to get a dream deal on a distressed home. Before you sign on the dotted line, be sure to have the house thoroughly inspected by a professional, so you can reduce potential risks as well as financial costs.
	Solar Water Heating Can Save Money and Pay Off Big Green-minded homeowners can continue to turn to the sky for help in coping with rising energy costs for years to come thanks to an extension of the solar tax credit program by Congress. Here's what you need to know about solar energy and how it can save you money.
	Solutions to help homeowners outsmart Mother Nature Protecting your home means you're pitted in a constant struggle against the forces of nature. Products and improvements that help you beat the weather are a smart investment.
	Four Ways to Add 'Wow!' to Your Kitchen As you start to build your new home, or remodel an older house into the comfortable and elegant retreat you've been dreaming about, one of the main rooms to consider will be the look, feel and use of your kitchen. Whether you are empty-nesters or parents with children running through the house, the kitchen is your home's center for entertaining, gathering, communicating and cooking.
	What You Should Know When Shopping for a Water Heater How often do you think about your water heater? You use it every day, usually multiple times a day. When was the last time you thought about how much energy it consumes or how well it's doing its job? Choosing the right water heater for your home and regularly maintaining it can help reduce your energy bills. What's more, you can actually get a tax break for choosing an energy-efficient water heater.
	Make Your Home Friendly to Those With Asthma and Allergies Asthma and allergies strike nearly one in four Americans, almost 60 million people, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Both conditions cause adults to miss work, children to miss school, and are a leading cause of emergency room visits and hospital stays. So, how do you make your home a safe environment?
	Asphalt Shingles -- Are They The Best Investment For Your Home? Your roof provides up to 50 percent of your home's exterior protection. In a poor economy, it's more important than ever to maintain this important protection for your biggest investment.
	Create a Smarter Home in a Down Economy Homeowners are still forging ahead with improvements, but they're allocating hard-earned dollars to smaller projects -- ones that not only boost their home's overall appeal, but also provide other added benefits in the long run. Being budget-conscious doesn't mean you have to sacrifice quality and performance.
	Planning Spring Home Improvements? Know the Score First Spring is a popular time to begin home improvement projects, especially if they'll upgrade outdoor living spaces. With the economy keeping more homeowners in place, rather than moving up to bigger, grander digs, improving your home can elevate both your enjoyment and its eventual resale value.
	The home cleaning task that can save you money Home cleaning season meets a recession -- what better time to take care of some often-overlooked household cleaning tasks that can save you big bucks in the long run? When was the last time you had your cooling coils cleaned ? If you're not even sure what part of the system the coils are, where they're located or if they've ever been cleaned at all, now is a good time to take care of this important maintenance item.
	Decrease Your Home's Carbon Footprint and Save Recycling, driving less and bringing reusable bags to the grocery stores are great ways to reduce your family's carbon footprint, but did you know there are things you can do to reduce the impact your home has on the environment, not to mention your wallet?
	Simple Steps to Stylish and Affordable Outdoor Spaces When the sun is shining and the summer breezes are blowing, it's difficult to resist the call to relax outdoors. But if you have a blank canvas of grass or a cement slab, it doesn't exactly call to mind visions of barbecues and family gatherings. Don't stare longingly out the windows this summer when you can expand your living space to include the outdoors in just a few simple steps.
	Go green as you clean Is your cleaning really as clean as you think it is? In the battle to keep your living space clean and healthy, are you using conventional cleaning products with caustic and toxic ingredients? They can be just as harmful as the grime and bacteria they're meant to eliminate.
	Take the guesswork out of finding flooring New flooring, no matter what type you select, is more affordable than you may think. The key to success in finding the right floor is to go to a reputable, high-quality flooring retailer who can help you make sense of all the choices available in today's diverse marketplace.
	Get more for your money when purchasing replacement windows Energy efficiency has gained national importance and window replacement is recognized as one pathway to aid in energy independence and the reduction of harmful global emissions. A new tax credit has made choosing energy-efficient replacement windows less expensive for homeowners.
	More tax breaks for homeowners in 2009 and beyond Homeownership and green improvements will be more affordable for more Americans in 2009, thanks to several provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The changes will put more money in taxpayers' pockets and allow homeowners to save thousands of dollars over the next several years.
	Smart sanding tips to make your DIY projects easier Sanding can be hard work, even if you use a power tool to do it. Yet it's a necessary evil for many do-it-yourself projects and foregoing it can mean you end up with less-than-perfect results. Nearly every decorating or home improvement project that calls for sanding will look better if you actually do it … and do it properly.
	The Guide to a Safe and Stylish Bathroom The bathroom, often a place of relaxation and comfort, can also be a dangerous space. Whether your family members are 3 years old or 93, the risk of getting hurt in the bathroom is the same for all ages. So whether it's bath time for your little ones or their grandparents, the following tips will help you to create a safe bathroom that is fashionable and inviting.
	The secret to a year-long backyard vacation When the weather is warm, Americans flock to the water. Community pools are overflowing with children playing games, adults swim laps at the local high school pool and vacationing families excitedly splash in hotel pools and relax in nearby hot tubs. But moments at the pool are fleeting unless you know the secret to a year-long backyard vacation.
	How to Prevent Hazards in the Bathroom An elderly woman slipped in her bathroom while brushing her teeth and had to be rushed to the hospital. A month later, an older man couldn't get out of his bathtub and was stuck in it for five days surviving on water from the faucet before a neighbor found him. We've all heard tragic stories of the elderly being injured in the bathroom. That might leave you to wonder, how safe is the bathroom in your home?
	Choose right, use right: Tips for safe and effective use of pesticides and fertilizers It's that time of the year again when millions of do-it-yourself homeowners face the challenges of keeping problem insects and weeds away from home gardens and yards -- while staying within the family budget. The pesticides and fertilizers available at local hardware and home improvement stores are designed specifically to help with these tasks, but choosing the right products and using them correctly is something every homeowner must consider.
	How to Enrich a Home's Value With the Beauty of Stone Whether used indoors or outdoors, stone adds warmth and character that no other building material can deliver. Once, only the very wealthy could afford homes graced by the sophistication of stone. But with today's manufactured stone veneer products, stone's exquisite looks are within the reach of a wide range of homeowners.
	A Handy Way to Keep Your Mind Sharp When most people think of woodworking they see flannel shirts and sawdust, not brain cells and neural networks. And while that may never change, more people are recognizing the craft as a way to keep the mind sharp.