Various methods can be used to reduce sound transmission in interior spaces in your home. But one method of soundproofing that is often overlooked is also one of the simplest: buying the right kind of soundproof door. For many homeowners, replacing standard hollow-core interior passage doors with solid doors is the first step to a quieter house. Basics of Sound Transmission in a House The problem of sound within a house can be subjective and sometimes fraught with emotions....

You can install tiles on the risers of your interior stairs quite easily. If the size of the tile matches the height of the riser, you just need to attach the tiles to the risers—no cutting required. If you do need to cut tiles, you can cut tiles cleanly with a wet tile saw. If you don’t happen to have a tile saw, you can still cut the tiles with a rail-style tile cutter (sometimes called a snap tile cutter)....

Location: North Richland Hills, Texas Size: Nicknamed “The Bungalow,” the 100-square-foot space is an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) that is situated about twenty feet from the main house and was previously an old garden shed. After renovation, the space became “a retreat space,” says Curtis, who uses the space for “enjoying a glass of wine after work, playing chess on the weekend with the kids, hosting a girls’ night, or even a special hangout spot for a cousin/friends sleepover....

An electric blanket is a great way to provide some supplementary heat in your home. Manufactured by one of the most trusted names in heated bedding, the Sunbeam Reversible Sherpa/Royalmink Heated Throw boasts a dual-sided plush design and auto-adjusting heat. With the chilly weather upon us, we were eager to snuggle up with this blanket. We used it for hours on end, assessing aspects like design, durability, and heating capability....

Setup: Best when wrapped or covering a long distance The string light set comes mostly ready to go, though you do need to screw in the bulbs. The brief included instructions suggest screwing the bulbs in before stringing up the set. We weren’t sure why that would be better and might put the bulbs in unnecessary danger, but we followed the directions, and the plastic bulbs survived being knocked into each together and onto concrete here and there....

For as long as I can remember, my partner has had “house shoes,” otherwise known to us less fancy folk as slippers. Years ago when we met, it was a beautiful pair of leather sandals. When we moved to New York City, it was a simple pair of open-back slippers from Muji. For the past couple of weeks, it’s been the Tamarac by Slippers International Cody Sheepskin Slippers. Among many other things, he’s very particular about his slippers....

Testers and How They Work Standard probe-type circuit testers, such as neon circuit testers, voltmeters, and multimeters, have two wire leads with probes for checking circuit wiring or electrical devices. When you insert the leads into an outlet or touch them to a switch’s screw terminals, a light or readout will indicate whether or not the device has voltage. An even simpler (and decidedly safer) type of tester is a non-contact voltage tester, which doesn’t even need to be inserted into an outlet or to touch bare wire connections; merely bringing the sensor close to a power-carrying wire or device will cause the tool to light up or make an audible noise to indicate the presence of power....

When you’re someone who doesn’t get much enjoyment from cleaning—and also someone who hates doing the dishes with a fiery passion—having the right tools can either slow you down and drag out an already excruciating chore or speed things up and lessen the time you’re at the sink. Unimpressed by the dingy sponges I had been using, I came across Mr. Siga Bamboo Palm Brushes and decided to give them a shot, for a few reasons....

Many leading companies offer signature features or design touches that you may want to incorporate throughout your home with multiple machines from the same manufacturer. Taking this approach can create cohesion with your design scheme. “There are benefits like matching handles and logos,” says Carl Prouty, retail and tech expert at Abt Electronics. “Even the colors and stainless steel brush patterns can vary slightly from brand to brand.” To help get you started, we researched all of the top appliance brands, evaluating quality, inventory, customization options, warranty details, and overall value....

Our current top pick is the Floyd Round Coffee Table, with its solid birch top and sturdy steel legs, available in four colorway options. Here are the best coffee tables for every style and budget. This table requires very little assembly and the assembly can be done without tools, according to the product listing. To prevent water staining, be sure to use a coaster when placing drinks on top of this table....

To find the very best dishwasher cleaners, we spoke with Katie Berry, the renowned cleaning expert behind Housewife How-Tos and member of The Spruce’s Cleaning Review Board, who recommended against products with dyes and scents. Instead, a great dishwasher cleaner should contain safe, pollutant-free, and antibacterial ingredients. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Safer Choice Program is a great resource for confirming that your dishwasher cleaner meets federal standards for human health and environmental safety....

When shopping for your leather sofa, make sure to carefully read the verbiage of the product before purchasing. “You could think you are getting a real leather sofa, but it in fact could be ‘genuine’ [bonded leather] or faux," says Ariel Richardson, Founder and Lead Designer at ASR Design Studio. “A good tell for real leather is to lift the sofa cushions—the bottom of the cushion is normally a fabric to minimize costs....

We researched dozens of socket sets, considering their strength, versatility, durability, and sturdiness. Our best overall pick is the Sunex Tools 3342 3/8-Inch Drive Master Impact Socket Set, an extensive kit with components that work with impact wrenches and regular ratchets. Here are the best socket sets. This excellent collection of 42 sockets, each crafted from chromium-molybdenum alloy steel, marries a wide range of metric, deep metric, SAE, and deep-SAE sockets with affordability and top quality performance that you can trust....

If a table saw is on your list of necessities, we highly recommend our top choice, the DEWALT 10-Inch Jobsite Table Saw, which is loaded with great features and includes a rolling stand. Here are the best woodworking tools you need to create your next project. What do buyers say? 6,000+ Home Depot reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above. A table saw is arguably the most important tool in the workshop of any handyperson....

“When it comes to gifting food baskets, the first thing that consumers are looking for is the quality of products and where they’re sourced from,” says the founder and CEO of Tasty Ribbon Giulia Scargetta. Upon delivery, our tester found that there weren’t any labels on the box letting the recipient know there were perishable items inside. Most of the items were snacks that could be kept in the pantry for weeks anyways, but also included was a Hickory-smoked summer sausage and a block of white cheddar cheese—so if a recipient doesn’t open within a couple of hours of the box arriving, these foods could go bad quickly....

Here are the best gifts for MBA graduates. Price at time of publish: $109 Price at time of publish: $30 Price at time of publish: $72 Price at time of publish: $95 Price at time of publish: $30 Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $35 Price at time of publish: $30 Price at time of publish: $88 Price at time of publish: $25 Price at time of publish: $200 Price at time of publish: $30 Price at time of publish: $30 Price at time of publish: $20 for 11oz....

You want to be mindful of all the things your loved one might be going through and use proper etiquette when picking a sympathy gift—“It’s important you give a gift that is about comfort,” says Renee Solomon, DSW, clinical psychologist and CEO of Forward Recovery. We researched unique sympathy gift ideas, considering factors like practicality, quality, and thoughtfulness. Our top picks include a sympathy gift box from Harry & David, a comforting tea set from Knack, and a cooling weighted blanket from Luna....

We researched the best options, silver and beyond, considering factors like sustainability, price, and return policy, if necessary. Our list includes the New York Times Custom Anniversary Book for a sentimental keepsake gift and an engraved Leather Watch Box from Personalization Mall. Here are the best 25th anniversary gifts. You and your partner will love looking through the newsworthy events that occurred over your 25 years of marriage. Your names will be stamped on the front with an elegant gold along with your wedding date for an added personal touch....

We curated a list of gifts that are sentimental, functional, and can align with the various personalities of grandfathers. Our selections include a massage tool from Therabody, a cozy robe from Parachute Home, and a sleek knife set from Material Kitchen. Price at time of publish: $15+ Price at time of publish: $120 Price at time of publish: $110 Price at time of publish: $149 Price at time of publish: $129 Price at time of publish: $25 Price at time of publish: $225 Price at time of publish: $14 Price at time of publish: $99 Price at time of publish: $70 Price at time of publish: $519 Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $40 Price at time of publish: $146+ Price at time of publish: $66+ Price at time of publish: $54 Price at time of publish: $120 Price at time of publish: $44 Price at time of publish: $4 Price at time of publish: $199...