Stacker-Home & Garden

You’ve probably heard the term “Super El Niño” floating around, usually accompanied by warnings about wet winters and coastal storms. But what exactly is it, and why should you care enough to actually do something about it? As HomeServe explains below, the answer is simpler than you might think — and much more important to your

For a growing number of homeowners, decorating the yard for Halloween isn’t a quick pumpkin-on-the-porch job: It’s a hobby, a neighborhood tradition, and in some cases, a serious annual investment. LawnStarter talked to four homeowners who go big every spooky season to find out what they buy, why they do it and what helps their lawns

Spiders. You hate ’em, right? Of course you do. Unless you’re one of those arachnid apologists who says insufferable things like, “spiders are good for the environment and reduce the number of flies and other unwanted insects in your house,” then you live by the sane person’s credo that the only good spider is an

Couches are the furniture people most often move, according to on-demand moving and delivery service Lugg’s analysis of more than 1.5 million completed bookings since 2016. But among furniture leaving a home, beds and mattresses are much more likely to be headed for disposal. About 85% of bed and mattress trips were headed for disposal in

As free and abundant as sunlight may be, harnessing its power remains stubbornly difficult for homeowners. While the cost of solar energy has plummeted more than 90 percent in the last decade, panels remain a significant investment. And it’s not as easy as just slapping panels on a roof, as your home may need electrical upgrades

As cooler fall weather sets in, many homeowners are tackling exterior projects before winter arrives. This year’s most popular choices are giving homes a warmer, more architectural look, according to the 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study from Houzz, the leading AI platform for construction and design. The survey of nearly 1,200 U.S. homeowners who

Autumn has arrived, the prime season for watching football, Halloween decorating, and enjoying colorful fall foliage. But it’s also the ideal time to address fix-it matters around your property before Old Man Winter arrives and puts the deep freeze on your home improvement ambitions. As TheZebra.com explains below, this fall brings extra urgency because of

R-value and U-factor are metrics used to determine a garage door’s insulation effectiveness and efficiency. These garage door insulation standards are not universal rules; the values vary depending on climate and usage. This guide from Clopay explores how to choose the right garage door based on R-value and U-factor.   R-value is the metric most

For decades, the assumption has been simple: Serious outdoor living happens in California and Florida. Sunshine, the thinking goes, is the only requirement that matters. A new state-by-state ranking compiled by The Luxury Pergola complicates that view. Weighed against U.S. Census data on homeownership and household budgets, and active interest in outdoor living based on

You’ve seen the hotel. You’ve Googled the airfare. Maybe you’ve even contemplated spending your entire vacation budget on a pilgrimage to Sicily because The White Lotus made it look irresistible. Welcome to the age of “set-jetting,” wherein the places seen on screen become the places people want to go in real life. HexClad examines the

Fall is the ideal time to prepare your home for colder temperatures, heavy rain, high winds, and other seasonal weather. Fall provides an opportunity to get ahead of seasonal problems instead of waiting for wintry conditions that force you to complete urgent maintenance and repairs. Your fall home maintenance checklist should cover your heating system,

Every neighborhood has a mix of homeowners who approach seasonal home maintenance differently—there are the people who stay on schedule, and on the other end, the procrastinators. There are the dedicated DIYers, and those who have their favorite maintenance pro saved as a favorite contact in their phone. As it turns out, cities are no

Utility costs are often cited as a major source of financial stress for homeowners already struggling to balance their mortgage, maintenance and property tax costs. But is it burdening some homeowners more than others? For this article, Hometap analyzed data from doxo’s 2025 Utilities Insights Report and the U.S. Energy Information Administration to break down

Choosing a residential entry gate presents unique considerations for homeowners. A gate isn’t just about aesthetics or marking property boundaries — it’s a long-term investment that must provide security, privacy, and curb appeal, while enduring daily use and various environmental factors. Choosing the wrong gate materials or design can lead to premature wear, structural issues,

Home sales are declining. For custom builders, this means meeting buyer demands or having inventory sit empty. What matters to buyers now is flexible spaces, energy efficiency, and quality finishes. These things matter to buyers now more-so than raw square footage. National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) data confirms these trends. The custom homes market

Americans are lonelier than ever. The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, declared a national epidemic in 2023, warning that about half of U.S. adults are experiencing considerable levels of loneliness. The problem had been building for years, and the pandemic only made it worse. Murthy has also been blunt about the fix: The most effective way

As late summer fades into early autumn, garden care shifts from active harvesting to preparation and planning for the next growing season. Weeds can feel like an overwhelming management task as the summer species burst into flower and spread seeds. However, late summer and early fall is the single best time for weed control that

When preparing for hurricane season it is, for starters, important to be aware of when hurricane season is so that you remain on high-alert during that time. The exact dates hurricane season begins and ends changes on a yearly basis, but the season generally lasts from June until November. During this time, those who live

Weeds sprouting through the cracks in your driveway or sidewalk aren’t just an eyesore — they can eventually enlarge cracks, trap moisture and make your home’s exterior appear overgrown with neglect. The good news is that you don’t necessarily need to resort to harsh chemical herbicides to get rid of them. Depending on the type

A home’s age reveals crucial information that is often not visible to the naked eye. The interior may reflect the latest design trends, but underneath the floor and behind the walls, there may be 1940s infrastructure that can’t keep up with modern demands or that isn’t up to modern codes. The pipes, wiring, insulation, and

Artificial lighting was a major step forward for productivity and safety, but it still doesn’t compare to natural light. As human beings, we’re deeply connected with the natural cycle of light. It impacts our mood, productivity, sleep, and overall well-being. We crave spaces filled with natural light, which is why naturally lit homes feel cozier

Over time, high concentrations of dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium in hard water crystallize on heating elements, accumulate in pipework, and degrade household appliances. Because property layouts and consumption patterns vary significantly across regions, shortlisting the right water softener requires evaluating a property’s technical infrastructure rather than relying on headline marketing numbers. The

Many people pay close attention to what they eat, how they sleep and how often they exercise as part of a more intentional approach to wellness. The quality of the water they drink, however, often escapes the same consideration. In a recent survey of 2,000 U.S. adults conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Culligan,

As summer winds down, cooler evenings and familiar routines make your home feel especially inviting. September is the perfect time to think about how your space can feel warmer and more comfortable as the seasons change, including considering upgrading your fireplace. Whether you’re replacing an old wood-burning fireplace or updating an outdated gas model, the

Feeling anxious and can’t figure out why? It might be that mess in the living room. “As clutter increases, so do stress and anxiety,” Jillian Amodio, a licensed master social worker, therapist and founder of Moms for Mental Health, explains to Closets by Design, a custom closet and home organization company. A growing body of

The global home renovation market was valued at $2.05 trillion in 2025, reflecting the scale of an industry that sits at the intersection of real estate, construction, and consumer spending. For homeowners and real estate investors alike, renovations can increase property values while making homes more comfortable, efficient, and functional, reports Reece Windows & Doors.

  Does a breaker trip when you use your air fryer and coffee maker at the same time? If so, the problem may be an overloaded outlet. But how much is too much at once? And how do you know when you’ve reached your outlet’s limits? HomeServe provides the answers. How Much Power Can an

  Once you’ve hired your remodeling team and signed the contracts, it’s time for the work to begin. A major renovation generally moves through five stages, although the schedule and sequence will vary by project. Understanding what happens at each stage can help you prepare for disruptions, ask informed questions and keep track of decisions,

  The maintenance you do this fall decides whether winter damage gets paid for or billed to you. Home insurance covers damage that’s sudden and accidental, not deterioration that builds up over months, so a leak that traces back to a worn roof or a blocked gutter gets denied. The claims that do get paid

  A new state ranking by 3 Day Blinds shows how homeowners are bridging the gap between outgrowing their homes and keeping the cheap mortgages they already have. The ranking, called the Great American Nesting Index, measures where homeowners have decided to stay put and reinvest in their current homes. The top five states in

  Home builders and remodelers can’t focus only on traditional buyers. Modern homeowners want their homes to reflect their lifestyle. This could mean turning a spare bedroom into a gym or the kitchen table into an impromptu workstation for remote jobs. With home sales decreasing by 1.7% according to the National Association of Realtors in

  Do you find yourself constantly adjusting the temperature on your thermostat, only to find the temperature still seems off? If so, it might be time to check for performance issues. Your thermostat is the heart of your HVAC system. It’s responsible for keeping your home comfortable by providing accurate temperature readings and regulating the

  Homeowners who invested in cold minimalism between 2010 and 2020 are discovering a costly truth: Sterile, monochromatic spaces have aged poorly, and the trend’s collapse is leaving them saddled with rooms that feel dated and impersonal. As design preferences shift sharply toward warmth, personality, and quality craftsmanship, the real cost of chasing temporary trends

  If your air conditioning goes out just as a heat wave or heat dome hits, the threat level while you’re sweating it out — until the emergency HVAC tech arrives or the weather breaks, whichever comes first — can range from discomfort to danger. In a heat emergency, people without access to properly functioning

  Window air conditioners can be lifesavers during the hot summer months, especially in older homes or apartments without central air. But while they offer targeted cooling, they can also drive up your energy bill fast if they’re not used efficiently. The good news is a few smart strategies can keep your space cool and

  Homeowners are transforming their backyards into destinations for gathering, unwinding and enjoying the outdoors, with personal enjoyment taking priority over resale considerations for many renovation projects. According to the 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study from Houzz, the AI-powered software platform for home construction and design, homeowners are increasingly transforming their outdoor spaces for

  Wellness has become a priority for millions of consumers, influencing everything from the products they buy to the way they design their homes. According to McKinsey & Company’s 2025 Future of Wellness survey, Americans spend an estimated $500 billion a year on wellness-related products and services, with 84% of consumers saying wellness is a

  When it comes to a good night’s sleep, your mattress might get all the credit, but what you put on top can make just as big a difference. The term “mattress pad” is often used as a catch-all for anything you add to a mattress. Hard-as-a-rock dorm bed? Throw a mattress pad on it.

  Whether your roof is dripping steadily during a heavy storm or you notice a water stain on your ceiling, a leak can cause immense stress. If not tackled properly and on time, water intrusion can have severe consequences, some of which can affect your home’s structural integrity and your insurance claim. While your first

  No matter where you live in the U.S., chances are you experience your fair share of natural disasters. If it’s not flooding or rockslides, it could be hurricanes or tornadoes. Fortunately, with the summer months upon us, you have time to prepare your home to minimize the risk of damage without having to work

  In the labyrinth of household maintenance, there’s a term that might not be on everyone’s radar but certainly has the potential to cause significant problems: zooglea. This enigmatic substance can wreak havoc on your heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems, HomeServe reports. What’s Zooglea? Zooglea, also known as biofilm, is a complex matrix of

  A well-designed outdoor space is about more than beautiful furniture and landscaping; it’s about creating an environment that people naturally gravitate toward. Your backyard should feel like an extension of your home, a place where every evening feels like an opportunity to unwind and relax. One of the easiest ways to elevate an outdoor

  For many Americans, summer doesn’t just bring higher temperatures—it also brings higher electricity bills. A new HarrisX survey commissioned by Palmetto finds that concerns about the cost of keeping homes cool are widespread. Nearly 8 in 10 U.S. adults (79%) say they are concerned about their home energy bills this summer, while 75% are

  Globally, spending on home renovations exceeds $2 trillion, and in the U.S. alone, there’s north of $500 billion injected into remodeling domestic properties each year, with Grand View Research reporting that the market is growing 4.6% annually. A paper published in Physica A states that delays occur in 75% of construction projects. More than

  Home improvement spending hit record highs in Q1 2026, topping $524 billion, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. That’s a lot of money in the ground. Most homeowners who spend that much on renovations are stressed about it. They’re watching budgets tighten, dealing with contractors, and living in half-finished

  Amenities are one way that apartment communities stand out from one another and appeal to different renters. While some communities offer popular amenities like fitness centers, walk-in closets, or smart home appliances, renters tend to be drawn to simpler things. An Apartments.com survey of 14,066 renters found that 65% of renters consider air conditioning

  Flax linen is believed to be the oldest textile known to man, with evidence of its use dating back 30,000 years. There’s a reason linen has been a bedroom staple for all of history. Long before thread counts and temperature-regulating technologies, people understood that this ancient fabric is simply built differently. Today, linen sheets

  Live in a hurricane zone? The good news is that the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season (which spans June 1 to November 30) is anticipated to be milder than usual. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a 55% chance of below-normal activity, a 35% chance for a near-normal year, and a 70% probability

Lazzoni reports on transforming home workspaces through organization, emphasizing customizable systems for focus and flexibility in 2026.

Naturepedic reports four feng shui tips for a restful bedroom: position your bed wisely, choose natural materials, declutter, and add calming elements.

The Clorox Company reports on research indicating that home care is now tied to well-being, with cleaning seen as self-care, reflecting a shift in how Americans engage with their homes.

Redfin Real Estate reports that single people face greater housing affordability challenges than married couples, largely due to lower incomes and higher costs.

Modern Flames reports that gathering around fire fosters social bonds, relaxation, and mindfulness, continuing a tradition vital to human connection.

Samsara reports February is the ideal time for HVAC service, as it’s the slowest month, ensuring easier scheduling and lower costs.