Nothing compares to the feeling you get after a good night’s sleep. For some, light seeping in from windows can disrupt sleep. Night shift workers in particular are susceptible to disordered sleeping. We tested the Exclusive Home Medallion Blackout Thermal Curtains in our primary bedroom to see how they impacted our sleep and that of our infant daughter. She sleeps next to our bed and naps during the day in our sun-filled bedroom....

“Mirrors are a must in the bedroom,” says Kathy Kuo, founder and CEO at Kathy Kuo Home. “Not only are mirrors a beautiful accent; bringing in more natural light and opening up a room, but they’re also key to the functionality of the space.” Whether you’re looking for creative alternatives to full length dressing mirrors or you’re hoping to employ a mirror to open up your small bedroom, here are a handful of expert-approved ideas for putting mirrors in the bedroom....

Reasons to Overseed A lawn that’s never overseeded tends to grow old. If it is consistently mowed, it doesn’t even have the opportunity to go to seed to propagate itself. The lawn will have to rely on rhizomes, stolons, and tillering for growth. Eventually, an old lawn will have trouble maintaining vigorous growth, competing with weeds, and dealing with other lawn stresses. Also, new varieties of grass species are entering the market every year, so it’s beneficial to integrate grass that may be resistant to drought, disease, or insect damage into a lawn with older varieties that lack these features....

Bees and butterflies love forsythia, and they provide a cheerful backdrop, border, or centerpiece for any yard. Some smaller forsythia varieties only stand a couple of feet tall with a slightly wider spread, while many of the larger varieties can reach around 10 feet in height and spread. Forsythias are fast-growing shrubs that can add as many as 24 inches in a year, especially the larger varieties. They are best planted in late fall or early spring while the plants are still dormant, but gardeners in frost-free climates can plant them in winter, as well....

These are all free printable baby shower games that can be printed right from your computer in a matter of minutes. This saves you time and money so you can concentrate on the other aspects of the shower. Incorporate any or all of these free printable baby shower games into the shower you’re hosting and don’t be afraid to make modifications to fit your theme or the mom-to-be’s style. Printing these free baby shower games out on cardstock instead of printer paper or colored paper instead of white can completely change the look and style of the games....

When to Plant Kale can be planted three to five weeks prior to your area’s projected last frost date in the spring. In most regions, gardeners can harvest kale in the summer by planting it at this time. It can also be planted in late summer roughly six to eight weeks before your first fall frost. Those in warm climates (zone 8 and above) can continue to plant in the early fall for a late fall to winter harvest....

What Is Drip Irrigation? Drip irrigation is a method for watering that uses a mechanical system that is attached to a water source and can be arranged throughout your garden. It is intended to disperse water slowly and evenly, and to conserve water. There are four main types of drip irrigation: soaker hoses (also sometimes known as porous soaker lines), emitter systems, drip tapes, and micro-misting systems. Each system has different features and benefits depending on your needs....

Here are eight essential tips for using a hammer correctly and how to effectively hammer into various materials. Not really. There are many types of hammers. The hammer that is found in most homes—and a decent choice for all-around versatility—is the 16-ounce curved-claw hammer on the far left, shown here. If you’re going to have one hammer only, this is a good choice. But if you’re looking for a little lighter version of this hammer, consider its little brother, the 13-ounce curved claw hammer....

When the air in your home is dry, it can heighten the symptoms of a common cold, cause allergy flare ups, lead to nose bleeds, and more. To fight these unfavorable occurrences, Honeywell presents its HCM350W Germ Free Cool Mist Humidifier. While most humidifiers feature a nozzle which releases a visible stream of mist, Honeywell’s model uses a fan to circulate cool air invisibly, which it claims reinfuses spaces with 40 to 60 percent more moisture....

Number of Christmas Lights for Most Houses If you want Christmas lights on your home displayed in that classic manner—on the eaves’ fascia—purchase the following. For Front Only Use two strands of 32-foot mini lights, for a total of 200 lights, for either an average- or small-sized house. If you prefer the larger-bulb C9 lights in 16-foot lengths, double the number of strands. So, you would use four strands of C9s, for a total of 100 lights....

Healthier Grass A longer lawn means that the individual grass blades (the leaves) have more surface area for photosynthesis to occur. Increased photosynthesis results in more plant growth, a more extensive root system, and a healthier plant. In the long run, that means less need for fertilizer, aeration, and other time-consuming lawn maintenance. Fewer Weeds Weeds are drastically reduced when the lawn is maintained at a higher cut. Once turf adapts to growing at increased heights, it fills in and becomes dense and lush, crowding out weeds that normally invade when turf is weak and stressed....

Known for their hit Netflix show Get Organized with The Home Edit, their New York Times–bestselling books, and their popular product line, the duo’s signature bright and fun color palettes are as beloved as their decluttering and reorganizing skills. It makes sense, then, that for their latest project—a total refresh of their homey headquarters, The Home Edit House—they partnered with Behr for a stunning, fresh paint job. Along with Teplin and Shearer, we also spoke with Karyn Womack, Behr regional sales and development trainer, and Erika Woelfel, Behr vice president of color & creative services....

Why We Love Quail and Grouse Quail, grouse, and similar terrestrial birds are not typical birds in backyard birding, but they have several endearing qualities that make them always welcome in birders’ yards and gardens. Their round bodies, fluffy plumage, and whimsical, bouncy topknots (on some species) are reminiscent of chickens, as is their way of scratching to stir up seeds and insects as they forage. The precocial chicks of quail and grouse species are universally cute and appealing, and it can be a treat to watch them mature over several weeks as they continue to visit the yard....

Native to South Africa, jade plants are thought to bring good luck, wealth, and prosperity to their owners, so they are often given as housewarming gifts. Consequently, one of their nicknames is the money plant. Because jade plants are typically grown indoors—outdoors they require a hot climate—they can be brought home or started at any time, either from a nursery or through propagation. Homeowners with pets should be careful about where they place a jade plant in their home....