Although it can also be referred to as “oyster,” “taupe,” or “greige,” mushroom is itself a distinctive color—not too warm, not too cool. The most appealing thing about mushroom is its ability to work in a variety of design styles: Scandinavian, minimalist, farmhouse, modern and the list could go on and on, making it something that can be painlessly integrated into most spaces. Mushroom does pose one challenge; since it’s one of those colors that can be used nearly everywhere, the abundance of choices can make it challenging to choose where to weave it in....

The answer is: yes, you need a pad under your area rug! No matter what type of floor covering your area rug will be laid over, a rug pad is essential for several reasons. What Is a Rug Pad For? Think of a rug pad as protection you can’t afford to go without. It protects you, your rug, and your floor. Some of its benefits include: Keeping your rug from slipping underneath you or curling up, and other significant trip hazards Extends your rug’s life by minimizing bunching up or edges from unfurling Safeguards your floor from needless scratches or the indentation from heavy furniture Adds another layer of cushion and extra softness with every footfall Reduces noise Insulates room from a cold subfloor...

If you have outdoor space to maintain, the proper tools can make tasks like spring cleaning and winterization a breeze. We tested the WORX Turbine 600 Electric Leaf Blower throughout autumn to see if it could handle our half-acre, a space that’s home to more than 20 trees, 800 square feet of English ivy, and half a dozen or so gardens. Read on to see how the WORX leaf blower performed and how it measures up to the competition....

That means August, one of the hottest months of the year in North America, is no time to sit back and relax. While some gardeners are still near the height of the harvest season, others long for fall around this time, others are relishing in the bounty both a vegetable and flower garden can provide. Keeping up with your maintenance during this time will assure both the health of your garden in spring and a shorter maintenance list for fall....

Our middle son is a particularly troubled sleeper and continues to wake up almost every night, even after he turned two and we transitioned him to his “big boy bed.” Most nights of the week, he ends up sleeping in our bed and none of us get the rest that we truly need. When we tried the Zinus Memory Foam 12 Inch Green Tea Twin Mattress and he slept through the night, it was like a miracle....

To help you make your storage and organizational dreams a reality, we’ve compiled some of the most useful and clever storage options currently available. We assessed their overall functionality, practicality, and ability to serve in a designated area (or in some cases, ability to perform throughout your home). We also weighed their value and design, especially for super stylish pieces that double as decor. As our favorite pick, the Yamazaki White Magnetic Kitchen Organization Rack offers multiple storage solutions in one practical unit....

To help spruce up your new Christmas party, decorating session, or holiday movie marathon, we researched the best holiday candles on the market, considering the scent, style, and price of each. Our favorites include a nostalgic pine scent from Snif, a trio of candles representing different cities during Christmastime from Anthropologie, and one that crackles like a fireplace from WoodWick. Here, the best Christmas candles. Price at time of publish: $44 Price at time of publish: $3 5 Price at time of publish: $19 Price at time of publish: $34 Price at time of publish: $180 Price at time of publish: $38 Price at time of publish: $78 Price at time of publish: $28 Price at time of publish: $38 Price at time of publish: $34 Price at time of publish: $70 Price at time of publish: $40 Price at time of publish: $109 Price at time of publish: $44 Price at time of publish: $19 Price at time of publish: $27 Price at time of publish: $39 Price at time of publish: $36 Price at time of publish: $84 Price at time of publish: $42 Price at time of publish: $38+ Price at time of publish: $87 Price at time of publish: $14...

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Fire Protection Association recommend that every household have a carbon monoxide detector, with battery backup, near every sleeping area. Depending on your location and circumstances, you may need other types of gas leak detectors, as well. “NFPA actively supports the installation of carbon monoxide detectors and works throughout the year to educate the public about the risks of carbon monoxide in the home,” says Susan McKelvey, NFPA communications director....

Our top pick, the RENPHO Back and Neck Massager with Heat, features an automatic height adjustment, variable intensity levels, and massage programs, along with an optional heat setting. Of all the back massagers we tested, the RENPHO Back Massager with Heat impressed us the most with its features, effectiveness, and design. Our product testers found it delivers a soothing, full-back massage (with plenty of heat, if you choose) and allowed us to assume a comfortable position, without needing to frequently adjust to the massage nodes or hold a handheld device to reach areas like the shoulder blades or lower back....

When we connected with Struck to discuss her must-have tool for any job, it was no surprise to learn that she relies on an app that—much like Struck herself—does it all. And, while she uses it for her work, its free version is great for household and personal management, too! What item made your work life easier this week/month/lately? Samantha Struck: ClickUp management software. How did you discover this item?...