What Temperature Should Your Basement Be? The expected unconditioned basement temperature varies according to your area and to the season. One rule of thumb to help determine the basement temperature is to average out your area’s temperature across the entire year. In the summer, the basement is often cooler than the outside air. In the winter, the basement is often warmer than the outside air. The theory holds that unheated, uncooled basements generally follow the area’s annual temperature....

If you’ve never heard of mulch fires or spontaneous mulch combustion it can sound made up. Sadly, mulch fires are very real, but there are things that you can do to prevent them, like being careful with where you place your mulch, how you care for it and what kind of mulch you use. We spoke with two fire experts about what causes mulch fires and how you can prevent them from happening in your own yard....

This North American native plant was highly prized by Native Americans and is still used today as a medicinal herb. It makes a perfect addition to pollinator gardens, wildflower gardens, meadows, or rain gardens. Plant yellow coneflowers in a sunny area with alkaline soil for the best results. Because they are drought-resistant, yellow coneflowers do not need constant watering. These plants can handle a bit of neglect without a problem....

Each link takes you to a step-by-step description of the products you’ll need and how to remove that specific stain from washable fabrics, dry-clean-only fabrics, as well as carpet and upholstery. While many stains are treated the same way, others require special steps, or they can become permanent. Treating stains on upholstery and carpet takes a bit more skill than just tossing a shirt in the washer. Not sure what caused the stain?...

Now that I’m at home more often than not, I love to make little upgrades in my space that reduce stress and make my home feel more like a sanctuary. My bathroom is, so far, the most zen-like. I’ve switched to an organic waffle robe, purchased a massage showerhead, and most recently, tested the Zadro Ultra Large Luxury Towel Warmer. The Zadro towel warmer is an electric, bucket-style towel warmer and promised to make my life a little more luxurious without a complicated installation process....

Plants with tiny or fragrant flowers also benefit from a lofty perch because it maximizes their proximity to our senses. Some hanging basket flowers even attract butterflies or hummingbirds, giving you a close-up view of wildlife antics on your porch, deck, or patio. USDA Growing Zones: 9 to 11Color Varieties: Yellow, red, pink, white, orangeSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Rich, light, moist, well-drained USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11Color Varieties: White, pink, red, purple, multicoloredSun Exposure: Part sunSoil Needs: Moist, fertile, loamy...

Once that’s done, though, you now have time and clarity of mind to assess the situation. With only a few simple tools and inexpensive materials, you should be able to fix the pipe by yourself. A mid-run copper pipe that has sprung a leak can be cut on both sides of the break point and removed. You can join PEX plastic pipe to both sides of the copper with push-fit fittings or crimp style fittings....

Here are some of the easiest annuals to grow from seed. Sweet alyssum grows 3 to 9 inches tall and makes for a good edging and bedding plant. If you shear the plants back after the first bloom, a second flush of flowers follows. The flowers often fade, though, in the heat of summer. Some gardeners remove them in the heat of summer, then replant when the weather cools in the fall....

Here are 10 tips for hosting a Halloween party for kids.

But used incorrectly, humidified air can create its own set of health problems by breeding mold and bacteria. Therefore it’s crucial to understand the features of various types of room humidifiers to buy one that’s appropriate for your needs. Operating Design Your first choice will be to decide on the basic operating design of your humidifier. Room humidifiers come in four basic styles, each with a different mechanical method of increasing air humidity:...

Here are 10 trees with large leaves to add to your yard. Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) The large leaves of the sugar maple may not be the biggest ones found on this list, but they provide the biggest burst of color. This deciduous tree makes an excellent addition to the landscape if a large shade tree or specimen is called for. While great for areas with heavy shade, it will not do well in heavily congested locations as it does not tolerate urban pollution very well....

We turned to a few of our favorite experts to ask for their top tips for elevating your home to holiday levels without redecorating entirely. “The holidays leading up to the New Year are a great opportunity to clear some space, reset, and start fresh,” Shira Gill, organizing expert and author of Minimalista, says. “Consider setting aside a few hours to do a sweep of your home so you can declutter and reset your space....

White and gray are popular trim colors for houses painted pale yellow. Deeper yellow and gold colors work well with greens, browns, and dark reds. Inventive homeowners have even had success with blue highlights. The pictures in this gallery suggest ways you can use yellow and gold colors in your house painting project. Explore these 11 yellow paint color possibilities for a touch of butterscotch on your own home’s exterior....

Color Varieties: BlueSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining Color Varieties: Yellow, orangeSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining Color Varieties: Yellow, white, pink, orange, redSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining Color Varieties: Blue, blue-violet, whiteSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Fertile, medium moisture, well-draining Color Varieties: Yellow, orange, redSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining Color Varieties: Violet and whiteSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining...

The following tropical plants can be grown indoors to bring a bit of the jungle or rainforest into your living room, bath, or bedroom. Light: Part shade or filtered sunWater: Keep moist but avoid wet roots Light: Bright indirect light, avoid full sunWater: Keep moistColor varieties: Red blooms with a yellow spadix Light: Bright light with some direct sunWater: Keep moistColor varieties: Blue and orange Light: Bright, indirect lightWater: Water weekly but avoid standing waterColor varieties: Red, green, purple, orange, yellow, banded, stripes, spots or other combinations...

Read more about our Diversity and Inclusion Pledge to make The Spruce a site where all feel welcome.

Here are 15 simple ideas to help you organize your handbags, from do-it-yourself purse organizer ideas to storage solutions you can purchase.

Bathroom Declutter in 15 Minutes If your bathroom is so cluttered that you feel like you can’t find anything, this clutter sweep will fix that. This process should take between 15 and 20 minutes depending on the size of your bathroom and how long it’s been since you’ve taken the time to declutter it. What you need: A timer, a trash bin, a hamper, a recycling bin, and a catch-all bin...