Whether you need help with designing your front, back, or side yard or you’d like to start a flower or vegetable garden from scratch, a few professional tips are all you need to get started. PrivacyFences and hedgesDrivewaysWalkwaysFront entriesLandscape design stylesLawnsColorTreesFocal points Children’s play area Outdoor area for pets Al fresco dining area or outdoor kitchen Entertainment space for hosting barbecues and parties A peaceful haven from the outside world Sports or recreation areas Garden beds for growing vegetables or flowers Elements to attract birds (especially hummingbirds), butterflies, and bees and other pollinators...

Taking a hypothetical $3,000, we’ve looked at smart ways to enhance and upgrade your yard—both front and back. We also posed the question to several experts in the field of landscape and garden design: In what ways would you spend $3,000 for outdoor home improvements? Spend about $400 to $1,000 for a yard maintenance crew to prune, weed, and clean up your front yard for curb appeal or the backyard for livability....

When it comes to getting a good night’s sleep, a quality pillow is just as important as an excellent mattress or luxe bedding. After all, if your head, neck, and spine aren’t properly aligned while you slumber, you’ll wake up feeling achy, sore, and tired—no matter how much money you’ve spent on sheets. Memory foam pillows are meant to conform to the sleeper, offering support with either slab or shredded foam filling....

A Fragrant Tradition The Stephanotis genus is part of the milkweed or Asclepiadaceae family. The only species of stephanotis popular in cultivation is Stephanotis floribunda. Stephanotis flowers are also known as Madagascar jasmine flowers, for their rich perfume and small white flowers that resemble the jasmine. However, the flowers are not related, as the common jasmine is part of the olive family. Stephanotis flowers are also referred to as bridal veil, bridal wreath, and bridal bouquet for their popularity in wedding flower arrangements....

Enter SunPatiens, an impatiens hybrid between New Guinea impatiens and wild impatiens, bred by the Japanese company Sakata and introduced to the market in 2006. They are one the few plants recognized by their brand name and not their botanical name. True to their name, SunPatiens are sun-loving plants, the first impatiens that thrive in full sun. SunPatiens have a long bloom period stretching from spring to fall until a heavy frost....

We evaluated axes based on durability, ergonomics, usefulness, and balance. Our favorite axe, the Fiskars X15 Chopping Axe, is a sturdy tool that’s nicely balanced for felling trees and other chopping tasks, and it isn’t too hard on your hands and wrists. Here are the best axes to consider in several different categories. A good axe is more than just a simple cutting tool. It offers a certain type of utility that is important in many outdoor professions and hobbies that deal extensively with firewood, shrubs, trees, or heavy brush....

Ahead, find the best places to buy pillows for a comfortable and stylish bed. If you do change your mind, the majority of Brooklinen products can be returned or exchanged within 365 days, and they cover return shipping if you’re in the U.S. If you’re in the Williamsburg area, you can also shop in person at the Brooklinen store. Return policy: Free | Return window: 365 days | Payment options: Not listed | Average shipping time: Processing time one to four days; shipping time varies If you decide your new pillow isn’t quite right, the company accepts returns within 60 days, but shipping and handling fees are nonrefundable....

We researched dozens of stylish office decor options, evaluating style, functionality, and overall value. Our top picks include the Jarvis Bamboo Standing Desk, the World Market Kira Task Lamp, and the Umbra Trigon Magnetic Bulletin Board. Here are our favorite office decor accessories. This desk has dual motors in each column to raise or lower the top to a standing or seated position. There are also four presets to program the desk for multiple preferences or users, and rubber grommets help muffle the noise when lowering and raising the height....

Lisa Rickert, CEO and Creative Director at Jolie Home, says, “There is no substitute for a good-quality paint brush. If you want to create a smoother, more precise finish, then choose a synthetic-bristle paint brush that is dense and has trimmed bristles. The straight edge of the bristles allows for a cleaner, more uniform paint application. If you want to create more texture, then I would recommend a paint brush that uses a combination of natural hair and synthetic bristles....

Kristiana Laugen, former home expert at Handy, says to consider the size of the area you want to clean first to find the best fit for you. “If you’re primarily cleaning open floor space, opt for a bigger mop to help you clean the space efficiently and quickly," says Laugen. “On the other hand, if there are a lot of obstacles, you might want to look for smaller mops, so you don’t have to worry about moving furniture every time you have to mop the floors....

With Clark’s advice in mind, we researched the best party games for every gathering, considering game type, number of players, duration, and age recommendation. R & R Games’ Time’s Up is our best overall pick for a high-energy, easy-to-learn celebrity-themed game that is perfect for large groups. Players have 30 seconds to guess as many names of the famous people in the Deck of Fame as possible. As the rounds go, the amount of clues (and how they’re giving) get harder and harder....

We conducted hours of research on the best places to buy a mattress, evaluating retailers on return policy, return window, payment options, and average wait time or shipping time. Our top picks include Saatva, Amerisleep, and Wayfair. Ahead, find the best places to buy a mattress for a restful night’s sleep. The store offers free premium concierge delivery and setup, and they’ll remove your old mattress for free. Saatva has a viewing room in New York City, but if you’re not in the area, you can still shop at their online store with confidence thanks to their 180-night home trial....

We spent hours searching for the best gift options for every mom, considering sentimentality, usefulness, and value. Our favorite finds include a massaging bed lounger from Carepeutic, a monthly plant subscription from The Sill, and a gourmet brunch box from Harry & David. Here are the best gift ideas for moms. Price vs. Value Price can play a significant factor here, and keeping in mind your budget will likely determine what kind of gift you will purchase....

To make your holiday countdown exciting and fun this year, we researched the best advent calendars for kids and adults. Our favorite picks include a delicious cheese option from Harry & David, a fun buildable wooden train station from Hape, and Vinebox’s 12 Days of Wine to help mom and dad unwind this holiday season. When researching our advent calendar selections, we kept in mind price, quality, and delivery time....

This 4-in-1 cordless vacuum comes with a roller brush, long crevice head, and soft brush for cleaning up messes anywhere in your house. The flexible brush can swivel up to 180 degrees to easily reach under couches and around corners. Plus, it runs up to 30 minutes on a single charge. Casper’s sleep essential pillow consists of a soft cotton cover and an inner chamber designed for optimal comfort and temperature regulation....

To choose the best composting toilet for your family’s needs, we have shortlisted loos that are efficiently designed, durable for off-grid use, odor minimizing, and easy to install. Ahead, the best composting toilets that are a breeze to use. If you’re looking for an easy-to-use, self-contained composting toilet, then Nature Head’s lightweight toilet ticks the right boxes. Our pick of compostable toilets fits perfectly in tiny homes, RVs, campers, boats, and cabins, along with any other space that doesn’t have access to a sewer or a septic tank....

We rounded up options that fared well during our Lab testing—in addition to previous rounds of at-home testing–in terms of quality, texture, breathability, durability, and care requirements. During lab testing our testers not only laid under each comforter to evaluate its overall feel, plus its maneuverability and loft, but also took thermal readings to evaluate each comforter’s warmth. Our top pick is the Brooklinen Down Comforter, which combines a lightweight feel with incredible warmth that doesn’t trap body heat....

We researched dozens of outdoor storage solutions, rating them on sturdiness, capacity, and versatility. All of our top picks, including a large storage shed and a small deck box, are made of quality materials, can hold various tools, and are built to last. Here are the best outdoor storage solutions for any yard. This shed has a lockable sliding door with a 55-1/2 inch doorway, and its interior peak is just under 6-1/2 feet, allowing most people to walk inside comfortably....

We researched the best wood stoves available online and evaluated them based on their burn rate, user friendly features, coverage area, and design. Our favorite is the Ashley Hearth Products AW2520E-P 2,500 Sq. Ft. Wood Burning Stove, which meets all of the 2020 EPA Step 2 requirements for wood and pellet stoves, and it also has a classic design with a firebrick burn box to offer efficient combustion. Here are the best wood stoves on the market....

We researched dozens of options on the market and chose standouts based on size and weight, protection from the elements, and added security features. Our top pick, the SentrySafe SFW123GDC Fireproof Waterproof Safe with Digital Keypad, protects in common emergency situations and is easy to open when you need to and to keep locked when you don’t. Here are the best fireproof safes for your home. It uses a digital keypad to lock and unlock the safe as well as a secondary key....