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While researching the best outdoor cushions, we evaluated products on their size, material, durability, overall comfort, and ease of cleaning. The Sweet Home Collection Patio Cushions are our best overall pick thanks to their stylish design, comfortable seat, and durable cover. Here are the best outdoor cushions to suit various pieces of furniture. The polyester covers provide some resistance to water, stains, and fading. However, these cushions lack one key feature: ties to secure them in place....

The best dehumidifiers for basements are easy to install and use. Many also have special features that work for your space, such as multiple fan speeds and adjustable humidity settings. Our top pick, Frigidaire Moderate Humidity Dehumidifier, comes in four sizes, has three fan speeds, and can be set up as a continuous system or with an easy-to-empty collection tank. It also has a filter to capture dust, another common occurrence in basements....

“It’s so much more than aesthetic,” says Holly Blakey, professional organizer and founder of Breathing Room Organization + Styling. “The entryway or mudroom is so essential to the functioning of a family.” As tempting as it can be to buy a striking hall tree that brings instant polish to a space, her expert advice is to spend a moment to not only consider how you’ll be using this piece, but to also “take into account who your family members are, and your lifestyle....

To help you find the perfect options, we spoke with Foley for buying tips, then researched and tested today’s best-selling models. The Boll & Branch Mattress is our favorite pick based on our findings. It earned top marks from our home tester and stands out for its soft yet supportive design and eco-friendly construction. Here are the best innerspring mattresses available today. Unlike the innerspring mattresses of decades past, this one boasts individually wrapped foundation coils, plus over 2,000 encased micro-coils to offer full-body support and isolate movement....

Our best overall pick, the American Legend Brookdale Pool Table, comes with balls and cues, has a solid wood construction, and is reasonably priced. Here are the best pool tables. While it doesn’t have a ball return system, the concealed drop pockets have molded corner protectors to limit wear and tear. Rubber rails allow for reliable bank shots, while the legs feature shims to level the playing field on uneven floors....

We researched the top portable washing machines based on capacity, convenience, noise level, and power source. Our favorite is the Magic Chef Compact Portable Top Load Washer because it is easy to use, quiet, and as powerful as a standard-size washing machine. Below, the best portable washing machine options on the market. Magic Chef’s portable washing machine is essentially a mini (and cheaper) version of a classic top-load washing machine....

To find the best options, we purchased top-rated quilts, which our team of home testers slept with and laundered over several weeks, evaluating their quality, fabric, durability, warmth, effectiveness, and overall value. Backed by research and testing, our best overall pick is the Brooklinen Lightweight Quilt for its versatile weight and pattern design and cozy 100 percent cotton construction. Here are the best quilts. What do buyers say? 88% of 300+ Brooklinen reviewers rated this product 5 stars....

We researched and tested the top sunrise alarm clocks on the market, comparing each one based on factors including light and audio settings, design, and ease of setup. Our best overall pick is the Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light, which performed well in our at-home testing. This sunrise alarm clock scored high marks for its easy-to-use, sleek design, and for offering both sunrise and sunset lighting modes. Here are the best sunrise alarm clocks for a brighter morning....

The BISSELL CrossWave Floor and Area Rug Cleaner is our top choice because it can clean both hard floors and area rugs, and features an easy-to-use and maneuverable design. Here, the best wet-dry vacuums for picking up every kind of mess in your space. lue. The CrossWave is designed to vacuum and wash your floors simultaneously, and unlike many other products, it can be used on area rugs and floor mats, as well as sealed hard floors....

We strategically researched countless models of alarm clocks on the market and considered each model’s unique features, alarm sounds, display styles, and overall functionality. Our top pick, the Hatch Rest+, offers customizable features, multiple sleep programs, an adjustable night light, and sound machine capabilities. We also consulted Shelby Harris, Psy.D., C.BSM, board-certified sleep specialist, to get her professional insights when curating our list. Here are the best kid’s alarm clocks for preschoolers to teens....

How Concrete Works Concrete is an incredibly useful substance when it’s poured and cured properly. It’s typically made up of an aggregate and a paste. The aggregate is essentially a combination of sand and broken gravel, mixed together in precise amounts, while the paste is a mixture of water and cement. This mixture of aggregate and paste becomes a fluid concrete substance that can be poured and formed into different shapes or custom molds....

Learn about what distinguishes fine china from porcelain, and how those differ from everyday dinnerware. How Do Fine China, Porcelain, and Bone China Differ? In days gone by, most brides would register for a china pattern. In the broad sense, china (especially in the United States) refers to the “good” dishes. These are the pretty place settings reserved for special occasions and holidays in most homes. This type of set can be passed from generation to generation....

What Is Hygge? You may have heard the word “hygge” tossed around a bit in the last few years. Pronounced “hoo-gah” (not “higgy”), hygge roughly translates to “coziness”. It’s the feeling that’s evoked when you think of being curled up inside a cabin nestled deep in the woods surrounded by candles, chunky knits, and a crackling fireplace. Hygge is all about surrounding yourself with people, objects, colors, and an environment that brings you comfort and contentment, which means it can be different for everyone....

You don’t have to live in the middle of the woods to incorporate cabin interior design into your home. By focusing on the key elements that make this design stand out, you can emulate the same earthy, comforting vacation vibes in your own home. Use Natural Materials By design, cabins embrace the natural world and offer a cozy, simpler kind of living. An emphasis on using as many natural materials as possible makes these designs feel quaint and earthy....

When you think of a diamond, a colorless gemstone is probably what comes to mind. However, diamonds actually come in several colors, including black. There are a couple of different kinds of stones that are known as black diamonds. Properties of Black Diamond Color: BlackChakra: RootNumber: Vibrates to 33Planet: SunZodiac: Aries, Leo, TaurusBagua areas: Career areaElements: WaterOrigin: Brazil, Central African Republic Meaning and Uses of Black Diamond Black diamonds, like many black crystals, can be used for protection and to absorb and deflect negative energy....

The Four Flooring Layers The smooth surface flooring that you see is really a layered “sandwich” composed of several different layers, each of which serves essential functions in making a floor that looks and performs adequately. Anatomy of the Subfloor Subflooring is the bottom-most horizontal layer of a flooring system—the layer that rests directly on the structural joists that span the space between support beams or load-bearing walls. Normally, the only time you will repair, replace, or make changes to the subfloor is during major remodeling or construction jobs....

Topaz is a good and lucky stone for use in feng shui, as well. Explore the healing energy of topaz to enhance the feng shui of your home. Properties of Topaz Color: Brown, blue, yellow, orange, pink, red, purple, green, colorlessChakra: Depends on colorNumber: Vibrates to 6Planet: Sun, JupiterZodiac: Sagittarius, HorseBagua areas: Kun, Tai QiElements: Earth, FireOrigin: Australia, Germany, India, Mexico, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, United States...

As the owner of the antique and vintage rug marketplace, Upstate Rug Supply, Joanna Mahserdjian knows that a room’s color palette is key. But when it comes to assessing a room and creating a design plan, it’s not always straightforward. We recently talked to Joanna about her must-have item when working with clients—and it might surprise you. What item made your work life easier this week/month/lately? Joanna Mahserdjian: My Benjamin Moore paint deck has been a lifesaver while communicating with clients about rug selections....

Helen Ellis, the Head of Design for Shida Preserved Flowers, is all about taking a fresh approach to floral design. At Shida, Ellis uses naturally dried and preserved flowers to create arrangements that last for up to a year. While a fresh bouquet is lovely, preserved flowers are sustainable and stunning. Best of all, they’re extremely easy to arrange and display at home—and Ellis recently told us about the one item that makes it even easier....

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