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.
During our kitchen remodel, my wife was sensitive to the dust, so I installed plastic sheeting barriers and swept and vacuumed regularly. One day, I turned on the shop vac to suck up a big pile of debris. It was louder than normal, but I didn’t think much of it. I had it on for only a minute or so, but when I turned it off, I could barely see across the room! It looked as if a heavy fog had rolled in. Dumbfounded, I pulled the top motor assembly off and saw the cylindrical press-on filter had fallen off its base. So while I was vacuuming, it had totally spewed out all that dust, filling the room. It was a colossal mess, but I cleaned up as much as…
My grandson loves this outdoor climbing wall that I built for him. I found the plans by Bill Bergmann on the Family Handyman website and followed them exactly. They were easy to understand and implement, and I was able to finish the project in just one weekend! Scan the QR code above to build your own climbing wall. Try Our Best DIY Hacks Get more than 200 quick and easy fixes to use in every room of your home in the latest edition of Handy Hints. Buy your own copy of this book now for $10 (shipping is free!) at familyhandyman.com/FH2507EP.…
The latest from our TV channel On each episode of Buyers Bootcamp, Scott McGillivray offers amateur investors an opportunity to partner with him to buy—and profit from—investment properties. McGillivray puts up his own money and brings his years of real estate experience and knowhow to each project. Together, he and his eager partners tackle full-scale home renovations. Here are a few pointers McGillivray offers on the show: Stay Flexible When a city pushed back on a plan for a 6-ft. fence because it created traffic blind spots on a busy corner, McGillivray and his partners cut the fence on an angle. Finding a solution to fence in the yard was critical to the value of the home. “I know that if we want to get top dollar, it’s got to…
The latest we’ve heard, seen, tested and tried Add cozy lighting to outdoor gatherings with USB rechargeable lamps, such as these from the Kukà collection by Talenti. “You can move them around depending on where people are sitting, plus they have a glow that brings warmth to the space,” says landscape designer Chris Turner. “They help make outdoor areas feel more functional and intimate.”…
The Last Couch You’ll Ever Need When my husband and I bought our first home, we were ready to leave behind our budget furniture and invest in pieces we could love for a lifetime. At the top of my wish list was a LoveSac Sactional. I was drawn to the couch’s customizable design—the fabric, fill, layout and accessories can all be tailored to your space. Using the online build tool, I chose a sixseat setup, seashell polylinen covers and standard foam cushions. The flat-pack design made each piece easy to fit through doorways, and though assembly took around six hours, the steps were simple. Once assembled, the sturdy connectors keep everything firmly in place. The quality is top notch, with hardwood seat frames, sinuous steel springs and Italian webbing. The…
1. Window Boxes Securely anchor window boxes into the wall studs or window framing—not just the siding or masonry—to ensure they can properly support the weight of soil, plants and water. Be sure to use a lightweight potting mix, and choose plants suited to the area’s sun exposure. Consider adding a water reservoir to keep things lush with less fuss. 2. Shutters Leave a small space (usually about ¼ in.) between the shutter and the wall to allow airflow and prevent water buildup. This gap helps keep the shutter from warping, swelling and rotting over time. Whether you prefer a classic board-and-batten look or sleek modern panels, focus on symmetry, scale and solid anchoring. 3. Grids Extend the life and visual appeal of window grids with regular cleaning. Gently wipe…
