Solid surface is a perfect mid-range countertop material. Buyers not interested in laminate but still looking for an affordable countertop often gravitate to solid surface material. It is one of the few counter materials that a homeowner can resurface with just an orbital sander. While visually solid surface lacks the depth of real stone or even quartz, it does resemble stone far more than laminate does. Solid surface is where a lot of countertop buyers comfortably end up after carefully considering its high and low points compared to other materials....

Storytelling games come in multiple different forms, saying James Zahn, Senior Editor at The Toy Insider. “Storytelling could be created in part by the player, or guided through action cards, the roll of a die, or some other set of prompts along the way.” To help find the perfect game for you, we conducted hours of research for this roundup, evaluating storytelling games on their ease of instruction, ability to foster imaginative and critical thinking, educational acumen, and creativity....

Glenn Wiseman, RASDT, RHDT, Sales Manager at Top Hat Home Comfort Services, offers advice on choosing the right tool box: “Tool boxes are one of the most important DIY purchases you make. If you don’t have room for your essential tools, you won’t be able to get your projects done. There are many types of tool boxes available, but most are made from plastic or steel. Plastic tool boxes are great because they’re lighter and come in many different size and configuration options, but they aren’t as heavy-duty or durable as steel boxes....

We researched the best wool dryer balls, evaluating their effectiveness, noise levels during a cycle, scents, and durability. The Blueland Dryer Ball Set is our top pick because of their sustainable and plastic-free design, as well as their quietness while in a cycle. The set includes three dryer balls that are compatible with towels, tees, and everything in between. Here are the best wool dryer balls for your laundry routine....

Our top choice is the Lifesmart Bermuda Plug-and-Play Spa, a four-person hot tub with massage jets and a color-changing underwater light. There are plenty of articles on the internet about the risks and dangers of hot tubs, including the possibility of catching a disease and of slipping and falling. We strongly recommend common sense when using a hot tub, such as keeping it clean and the water well tested and maintained; and no horseplay....

Whether you’re putting together an outdoor room for the first time or searching for new seasonal picks, this list is full of essentials that make a patio, deck, balcony, or backyard garden livable and exciting to spend time in.

From adding new plant life to neutral color schemes to DIY accents, plenty of trends are following us into 2022. However, trying to incorporate a ton of different options at once can feel a bit overwhelming—so where do you start? Our zodiac signs can give some insight not only into our personalities, but how to style and design our homes to best suit our needs. Check out your zodiac sign below to see which home decor trend for 2022 is the best fit for you....

Smart Technology As technology continues to advance, the use of smart technology in the kitchen is expected to increase. This includes appliances that are connected to your wifi and can be controlled by your smartphone, voice-activated appliances, smart touchless faucets, and more. Smart kitchens aren’t just convenient, but they help to save on time and energy–with most smart appliances being more energy-efficient than their traditional counterparts. Butler’s Pantries Sometimes referred to as a scullery, working pantry, or functional pantry, butler’s pantries are on the rise and expected to be popular in 2023....

“Boys this age typically enjoy everything and anything hands-on—your typical trucks and cars are great, but there are so many more options nowadays, including dress-up costumes (fireman, police outfits, pirate, etc),” says etiquette expert Karen Thomas. We tested and researched the best available toy options, considering recommended age, complexity, and educational value. With this in mind, our favorites range from STEM skill-building Magna-Tiles to the Reeves International Big Dig Sandbox Digger Excavator Crane, a sand, dirt, and snow toy that fosters fine motor skills and keeps little ones engaged for hours....

There are many reasons why some plants strike a nerve with plant parents. Sometimes it’s because the plant grows a little too well, or it’s the one plant they can not keep alive regardless of their “green thumb.” We asked a handful of house plant influencers what popular house plants they dislike the most and why. Their answers may surprise you. Summer Rayne Oakes of Homestead Brooklyn agrees. “Spider plants are one of those plants that can be so prolific—it doesn’t want you to have any other plants,” says Oakes, “I have one now, but I used to have a massive one, and I had to get rid of it because it was propagating itself in every other planter pot....

Our top overall choice, the ZTUJO Purse Organizer Insert, is great for various bag sizes and comes with a generous assortment of 13 pockets. Here are the best purse organizers on the market. The ZTUJO Purse Organizer Insert has everything you could need to keep your things in place, and that’s why it’s our top pick. Whether you’ve got a designer bag or a favorite vintage tote on hand, this organizer insert will keep your lipstick, planner, and whatever else you need handy....

For handy types, barn doors can be installed yourself with just a day or two and a few common tools. Many come in kits (with or without hardware) and can be painted or stained to make them a perfect match for your home. You’re just one purchase and a small DIY project away from a barn door. Below, find the best barn doors that’ll bring some serious farmhouse flair to your home....

Like many power tools, you can choose from corded or cordless oscillating tools. Corded typically have more power, but cordless give you the flexibility to work anywhere. Thomas Hawkins, handyman, master electrician, and owner of Electrician Apprentice HQ, expands further, advising, “The corded versus cordless debate depends upon the project. If working in a tight area where you don’t need a lot of power but need versatility, go cordless. But if you’re not restricted in your movements and especially need extra power, go corded....

Small bathtubs are between 48 and 55 inches long, come in a range of styles, and can be made of durable fiberglass and acrylic. Our top pick, the Fine Fixtures Drop-In Soaking Bathtub, has a small footprint, is made of fiberglass-reinforced acrylic, and has a generous soaking depth. Here are the best small bathtubs to upgrade your bathroom. This tub is made of acrylic, which is one of the more common materials for alcove tubs, since it’s chip- and crack-resistant and also very lightweight....

To help you find the perfect option, we sent our tester home with 11 pump bottles at varying price points. After evaluating each one for quality, durability, design, and overall value, our tester’s top pick is the Blomus Sono Soap Dispenser, a sturdy rubber container with a modern matte finish. Here are the best soap dispensers currently on the market. After testing 11 products, the Blomus Sono was a clear winner, earning perfect 5s for quality, design, and effectiveness....

Our favorite is the Whirlpool WTW8127LW 5.3 cu. ft. 2-in-1 Top Load Washing Machine because it has both an agitator and impeller plate, an extra-large capacity, and a host of convenient features. Find the best top load washers for every type of budget, household, and laundry room below. The Whirlpool WTW8127LW 5.3-cubic-foot Smart Top Load Washer is capable of pleasing fans of both agitator- and impeller-style washing machines. Open the lid to this washer and you’ll find a snap-in center agitator that can easily be removed to meet various laundry needs, like making room for a bulky load of blankets or opting to gently wash delicate items using the impeller plate....

Shira Gill, home organizing expert and author of Minimalista, points out that you can even use your trunk organizer in other areas of your car. “A hanging option can be secured to the back of your car seats, which will help maximize floor space in your trunk (handy for storing yoga mats and sports gear), while a structured bin with compartments can ensure that grocery bags and cleaning and emergency supplies stay upright,” she says....

Brandon Pleshek, third-generation janitor, member of The Spruce’s Cleaning Review Board, and the expert behind the Clean That Up Instagram and TikTok accounts, has important words of wisdom for any and all of your carpet shampooing efforts. “Carpet is resilient,” he notes. But, “you never want to leave residue, or let cleaner sit in the carpet. You want to make sure to always flush it out of the fibers and rinse the carpet area really well....

To help with your selection, we considered numerous products and evaluated them on how easy they are to use, how easy to spread, and the best value. Our choice for all-around fertilizer is The Andersons Professional PGF 16-0-8 Fertilizer with Humic DG. Here are our top picks for the best lawn fertilizers to suit just about every lawn type. Fertilizing less often actually promotes root growth, as roots need to stretch deeper into the soil layer to find nutrients rather than expecting them on a regular basis....

Dr. Anish Bajaj, a New York City-based chiropractor specializing in spinal correction, recommends that shoppers identify the positions they tend to sleep in the most, as that will affect what qualities they should focus on when looking to buy a new pillow. “Regardless of material, when you sleep on your back, the contour, positioning, and size of the pillow are quite different from what you need if you’re sleeping on your side,” he says....