Innholdsfortegnelse for Winter 2025 i Family Handyman

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…

Here’s how to mix up the perfect DIY cocktail: Start with a Live-Edge Home Bar (see pg. 14), add two sleek shelves and finish with a splash of gleaming brass hardware. All that’s left to do is sit back and enjoy. These bar shelves are not only a stylish way to showcase your favorite glassware, spirits and mixology tools—they’re also incredibly versatile. Once you see how easy it is to make and hang them, you might just be tempted to add a set to every room. The simple method I share here achieves an elegant, sophisticated result thanks to a few thoughtful features. With support brackets available in various shapes, sizes and styles, it’s easy to find an option that fits your budget and taste. Face trim provides a polished…

Being a landlord is a whole other ballgame than having your cousin stay with you for a few months, even if you can get him to chip in for rent. You’ll need some capital to get started, and then there’s the ongoing maintenance and upgrades. Be prepared to shell out some of your own money, especially at first. Fees for repairs, inspections, background checks and legal help will be some of your startup costs. Make sure the rent you charge will be profitable in the long run. Do you know the going rate in your neighborhood? How does your home stack up to the competition? You’ll need to price your unit competitively, so check out real estate apps or hit the streets to get a feel for what you should…

1 GATHER YOUR MATERIALS Use pruning shears to cut four to six branches from the bottom of your live Christmas tree. If desired, gather other accent greenery to incorporate into your wreath such as scotch pine, red winterberry holly, arborvitae and/or dogwood. Wreath frames and floral wire are sold at arts and crafts stores. 2 CUT THE ENDS OFF THE TREE BRANCHES Use pruning shears to cut the fresh ends off the branches into 6-to-8-in. lengths. Create individual piles (aim for about 14) of all the vegetation you’ll use in your wreath. Cut fourteen 12-in. lengths of floral wire. 3 CREATE THE BUNDLES Cluster together the trimmings from one pile of greenery. Layer the trimmings on top of one another, aligning the stems. Hold the bundle together with a plastic locking clip over the…

Elliott Berck, 17, of Naperville, Illinois, loves lights, and he’s got the holiday show to prove it. What started as a sixth grade school project morphed into a full-fledged animated and music-filled extravaganza. “He brings a lot of joy, especially to kids,” says mom Megan Berck, pictured here with Elliott; her husband, Mattias; and daughter, Leyna. “Our house looks like Vegas from October to January.” Using a combination of open-source software, LED and traditional lights, and programmable controllers, Elliott and his light show are the hit of the city’s trolley tours. (There’s even an “impostor tour” due to the popularity.) To get your own show started, Elliott recommends xLights, Pixel, Coro and Light-O-Rama. The go-getter builds many elements by hand, and after Christmas he’s quick to hit the sales. “I…

Kentucky entrepreneur Jen Woodhouse made a living as a singer-songwriter before becoming a mom. The change in pace didn’t stop her from being creative; she just ended up sketching a new life path. “For my first Mother’s Day, I got a miter saw,” she says. Woodhouse got to work creating a shoe bench, and was surprised by how easy it was—and how much she enjoyed it. “If you can follow a recipe, you can build a table.” It’s that kind of thinkingthatinspiredherto try bigger projects and launch a YouTube channel devoted to easy builds and fixes. Inside the workshop Woodhouse’s very first project when she, her husband, Adam, and kids, Evie and Liam, moved into their Louisville-area Colonial in 2017 was building a workshop adjacent to their new home. “It…

Your rental should feel like a home, not a hotel, with accessories and color schemes that look and feel like you, not the landlord. Unfortunately, you may not have the freedom to paint your bedroom cave-black or add a mural to the living room wall because you’re taking a class in Italian fresco. But you can still make the place yours. If your landlord jumped on the gray vinyl flooring bandwagon, and you’re more of a hot pink shag person, put down a rug! Textiles of any kind, from curtains to bed linens to tablecloths to throw pillows give your rental a fresh new look that won’t run afoul of your lease. Family pictures and artwork lend a personal touch too, and if you have a fireplace mantel or free…

Sure, you could adjust the thermostat when your home’s temperature needs a little tweaking. But that’s not the solution if you have underlying issues. From fixes for leaky windows to condensation, here’s advice to make living spaces comfy and keep them that way. Q: How can I locate air leaks in my windows and prevent further ones from happening? Going from room to room on a cold, windy day and feeling for drafts around your windows is effective. Or you can simply buy a temperature sensor and check for cold spots. Caulking windows is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to reduce your heating bills. Caulk around the exterior perimeter of leaky windows. Seal the crack between the interior trim and the wall with caulk, as this is…

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•…

Do some floor work A dramatic rug can delineate different environments, such as home offices, entryways and dining areas. Get the mirror effect Mirrors reflect light, brightening hallways and foyers. Hang them in a dark entryway or lean them on a mantel to give the illusion of a bigger room. Make your own walls Separate your small space into “rooms” with DIY or designer storage cubbies that reflect your personal style.…

Harvesting a tree is a festive way to kick off the Christmas season with friends and family. Follow these tips for a seamless experience. • Measure First: Note the key dimensions of your space, including the ceiling height and doorway widths. Bring a tape measure with you.• Gear Up: Most farms provide saws and twine, but pack your own if you prefer, along with a tarp or dropcloth.• Do Your Research: Have an idea of what species are available and what you are looking for. That decision can be based on look, cost, quality and/or supply. Popular options include balsam, Scotch pine and Fraser fir, but don’t write off less common varieties.• Pick a Winner: Choose an appropriately sized tree without bald spots, brown patches or dead limbs. Check for…

Go beyond the instruction manual and use these easy tips to keep the heart of your home in tip-top shape. • Have filters ready. Switch out your air filters every month, especially when your HVAC unit is working its hardest (winter and summer). Make sure you swap in the factory-recommended air filter sizes. A smaller filter may slide in, but it won’t do the job. • Understand your thermostat. Nonprogrammable ones require you to adjust the thermostat to meet your needs. Programmables give you the control to set your system to raise or lower the temperature to provide the most comfort while you’re home and save on energy costs when you’re not. When it comes to any wiring inside, leave it to an expert. • Find ways to save on…