Stacker-Home & Garden

  Window air conditioners can be lifesavers during the hot summer months, especially in older homes or apartments without central air. But while they offer targeted cooling, they can also drive up your energy bill fast if they’re not used efficiently. The good news is a few smart strategies can keep your space cool and

  Homeowners are transforming their backyards into destinations for gathering, unwinding and enjoying the outdoors, with personal enjoyment taking priority over resale considerations for many renovation projects. According to the 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study from Houzz, the AI-powered software platform for home construction and design, homeowners are increasingly transforming their outdoor spaces for

  Wellness has become a priority for millions of consumers, influencing everything from the products they buy to the way they design their homes. According to McKinsey & Company’s 2025 Future of Wellness survey, Americans spend an estimated $500 billion a year on wellness-related products and services, with 84% of consumers saying wellness is a

  When it comes to a good night’s sleep, your mattress might get all the credit, but what you put on top can make just as big a difference. The term “mattress pad” is often used as a catch-all for anything you add to a mattress. Hard-as-a-rock dorm bed? Throw a mattress pad on it.

  No matter where you live in the U.S., chances are you experience your fair share of natural disasters. If it’s not flooding or rockslides, it could be hurricanes or tornadoes. Fortunately, with the summer months upon us, you have time to prepare your home to minimize the risk of damage without having to work

  In the labyrinth of household maintenance, there’s a term that might not be on everyone’s radar but certainly has the potential to cause significant problems: zooglea. This enigmatic substance can wreak havoc on your heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems, HomeServe reports. What’s Zooglea? Zooglea, also known as biofilm, is a complex matrix of

  A well-designed outdoor space is about more than beautiful furniture and landscaping; it’s about creating an environment that people naturally gravitate toward. Your backyard should feel like an extension of your home, a place where every evening feels like an opportunity to unwind and relax. One of the easiest ways to elevate an outdoor

  For many Americans, summer doesn’t just bring higher temperatures—it also brings higher electricity bills. A new HarrisX survey commissioned by Palmetto finds that concerns about the cost of keeping homes cool are widespread. Nearly 8 in 10 U.S. adults (79%) say they are concerned about their home energy bills this summer, while 75% are

  Amenities are one way that apartment communities stand out from one another and appeal to different renters. While some communities offer popular amenities like fitness centers, walk-in closets, or smart home appliances, renters tend to be drawn to simpler things. An Apartments.com survey of 14,066 renters found that 65% of renters consider air conditioning

  Globally, spending on home renovations exceeds $2 trillion, and in the U.S. alone, there’s north of $500 billion injected into remodeling domestic properties each year, with Grand View Research reporting that the market is growing 4.6% annually. A paper published in Physica A states that delays occur in 75% of construction projects. More than

  Home improvement spending hit record highs in Q1 2026, topping $524 billion, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. That’s a lot of money in the ground. Most homeowners who spend that much on renovations are stressed about it. They’re watching budgets tighten, dealing with contractors, and living in half-finished

  Flax linen is believed to be the oldest textile known to man, with evidence of its use dating back 30,000 years. There’s a reason linen has been a bedroom staple for all of history. Long before thread counts and temperature-regulating technologies, people understood that this ancient fabric is simply built differently. Today, linen sheets

  Live in a hurricane zone? The good news is that the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season (which spans June 1 to November 30) is anticipated to be milder than usual. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a 55% chance of below-normal activity, a 35% chance for a near-normal year, and a 70% probability

Lazzoni reports on transforming home workspaces through organization, emphasizing customizable systems for focus and flexibility in 2026.

Naturepedic reports four feng shui tips for a restful bedroom: position your bed wisely, choose natural materials, declutter, and add calming elements.

The Clorox Company reports on research indicating that home care is now tied to well-being, with cleaning seen as self-care, reflecting a shift in how Americans engage with their homes.

Redfin Real Estate reports that single people face greater housing affordability challenges than married couples, largely due to lower incomes and higher costs.

Modern Flames reports that gathering around fire fosters social bonds, relaxation, and mindfulness, continuing a tradition vital to human connection.

Samsara reports February is the ideal time for HVAC service, as it’s the slowest month, ensuring easier scheduling and lower costs.