When it comes to home improvement, you need information you can trust. Inside each issue of The Family Handyman, you’ll find see-and-solve expert repair techniques, a variety of projects for every room and step-by-step, do-it-yourself photos.
Every issue we put together has one main goal: giving you ideas to improve your home, and inspiring you to make the most of it. This is especially true of this issue’s main project, a wooden live-edge bar that’s as functional as it is attractive. It’s full of discreet bells and whistles (hidden storage in the back, for starters). And, to top it all off, we have the step-by-step for making shelves to display on the back wall. Consider them a chance to make a focal point of your favorite spirit or memorabilia. The bar was dreamed up by our project team and led by our senior project designer, Carmen De La Paz. For her, creating a bar was a reflection of her own interests, particularly around the holidays. “I…
The latest from our TV Channel “Kitchens are my favorite rooms to renovate because they have a little bit of everything—tiles, hardware, faucets, counters and cabinetry,” says Clovis. Here are standout elements of a recent project. 1. Luxe decor Seating, lighting and fixtures convey a Caribbean getaway. 2. Island vibes Palm tree wallpaper gives the nook an always-on-vacation feel. 3. Floor rehaul Beachy hardwood floors were extended to the hallway and living room. 4. No-fuss cabinetry Modified, prefabricated cabinets look custom and flaunt sea breezy colors. See this project come to life in an episode of Save My Reno on At Home with Family Handyman, and get more inspiration by streaming the channel free at FamilyHandyman.com/tv.…
Now Trending • Gear Up • Mini Makeovers For a winter warmup, do what an increasing number of Americans do and bring the spa home. The easiest way: Assemble your own with a prefab kit. Choose from traditional saunas that use dry heat, or opt for infrared—which warms with red light, so it doesn’t feel as hot but your core temp increases faster. Either way, you’ve got a hot escape on demand. The latest we’ve heard, seen, tested and tried…
Stylish, Sustainable Outdoor Heating Smokeless fire pits such as those from Solo Stove don’t put out a ton of heat because their design funnels fumes, smoke and heat upward instead of outward. So if you’re looking for a patio heater to complement your fire pit or to use on its own, the Solo Stove Tower Patio Heater might be for you. I tested it throughout a cold October and was impressed by its powerful heat output over a 10-ft. radius (with the warmest area being within 5 ft. of the heater). The wood pellet–fueled design offers a cleaner, less expensive and more efficient alternative to propane, with a full hopper of pellets providing about three hours of burn time. It’s also one of the best-looking patio heaters I’ve seen, in…
GET INSPIRED Add a Glow Without Fire Maybe your chimney needs repair. Maybe you just don’t want to light your fireplace. You can still use it to create a mood. Here are some real-life examples of what you can do to turn the void into a vibrant centerpiece, no matchsticks required. GEAR UP Build a Better Fire Make it longer, stronger and cozier than ever with these decorative essentials TO BUILD MORE HEAT 1. A fireback Firebacks are metal plates that you place in the back of your fireplace. They help build heat by reflecting heat from the fire into the room, rather than letting it escape up the chimney. Make it a true focal point with the Pennsylvania Firebacks Tall Oak Fireback. $737, woodlanddirect.com TO SUPPORT YOUR WOOD 2.…
If you enjoy entertaining friends and family as much as I do, you know how helpful a home bar can be. With your beverages and accessories neatly organized and within reach, social gatherings become effortless. So why not take it a step further and build the bar yourself? This version sports a sleek live-edge bar top that makes natural wood the star. Here’s to being the host with the most—cheers! What It Takes Time Multiple days Cost $600-$1,200 Skill Level Intermediate Tools • 4' T square• 18-gauge brad nailer• Angle grinder with wire wheel and sanding wheel• Biscuit/plate joiner• Clamping squares• Clamps• Countersink drill bit• Drill/driver• Edge guide for router• Hacksaw• Hammer• Jigsaw• Miter saw• Painting/staining supplies• Pocket hole jig• Random orbit sander• Router with ¾" straight bit• Safety glasses•…
