Home improvement, made clear

Fix it, clean it, grow it. Love your home again.

Step by step answers for repairs, cleaning, gardens, and design, written for real U.S. homes and the people who live in them.

PPlumbing fixes CCleaning routines GGarden care

9x12 area rug styled in a room for a perfect fit and stylish look

Interior & Decor

9×12 Area Rugs: Room Fit, Placement, Materials, and Prices

9x12 area rugs measure 9 feet by 12 feet (108 square feet) and are one of the most useful large rug sizes for living rooms, primary bedrooms, and dining rooms....

By Audra Winslow

PVC wall panels creating a stylish waterproof wall transformation

Walls, Paint & Finishes

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Fifteen topics, each with its own editor, so every answer comes from someone focused on that part of the home.

AAppliances CCleaning DDIY Tools & Measurements DDoors & Windows EElectrical FFlooring GGarden HHome Building & Plans HHome Safety HHVAC & Air Quality IInterior & Decor OOutdoor & Yard PPest Control PPlumbing WWalls, Paint & Finishes

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Fresh from the editors

Baby proofing a fireplace safely with a hearth gate and padded hearth

Home Safety

How to Baby Proof a Fireplace: Complete Safety Guide

Here is the short answer on how to baby proof a fireplace. Put up a hardware mounted fireplace safety gate (also called...

Nolan Pritchard

6-foot wooden privacy fence in a backyard showing cost per linear foot

Outdoor & Yard

How Much Does a 6-Foot Privacy Fence Cost per Foot?

Here's the quick answer to how much does a 6-foot privacy fence cost per foot: most homeowners pay roughly $25 to $60...

Beckett Hollis

Man looking at a clogged shower drain with standing water, hair and soap buildup, and a clean drain after the fix

Plumbing

Clogged Shower Drain: Causes, Safe DIY Fixes, and Prevention

Most shower clogs are hair tangled with soap scum near the top of the drain. Learn how to find the clog, which...

Wesley Bramwell

Cleaning

How to Clean Baseboard Heaters Safely and Thoroughly

To clean baseboard heaters, turn the heat off at the thermostat, shut off the circuit breaker for electric units (or the boiler...

Elodie Hartwell

Tiny home floor plans showing compact layouts with loft, kitchen, and living area

Home Building & Plans

Tiny Home Floor Plans: Layouts, Sizes, and Design Tips

Tiny home floor plans are compact house layouts, usually between about 100 and 400 square feet, though many "tiny" and micro home...

Everett Sloane

Garden

How to Get Rid of Weeds Naturally: Methods That Work

Here is the short answer on how to get rid of weeds naturally. Pull or hoe young weeds when the soil is...

Sylvie Rowan

Seasonal checklist

Get your home ready for winter

A few weekend jobs now keep rooms warmer, air cleaner, and bills lower when the cold arrives.

Start with step one

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Each section of Hearthora has a dedicated writer who researches, updates, and answers for its articles.

AWAudra WinslowInterior & Decor BHBeckett HollisOutdoor & Yard BMBlaine MercerAppliances CRCallum ReedFlooring CNCecily NorthwoodWalls, Paint & Finishes DVDorian ValeElectrical EHElodie HartwellCleaning ESEverett SloaneHome Building & Plans GWGraham WhitlockDIY Tools & Measurements LALinden AshfordPest Control MEMaren EllsworthDoors & Windows NPNolan PritchardHome Safety RCReese CallowayHVAC & Air Quality SRSylvie RowanGarden WBWesley BramwellPlumbing