However, we also know that for some of us, certain rooms grab our attention and our time more than others. While there are a variety of factors that can affect our preferences, our zodiac signs can give us a better idea of why we hang out in our living rooms or our bedrooms more than our kitchens or bathrooms. Check out your sign below to see which room you feel the strongest connection with....

If you think that’s great, but what do you do with all of those chairs when the party is over? Well, here’s another good to know. The chairs were designed to store stacked in one of the condo’s closets. But wait, there is more. There are two more convenient features stashed behind the living room wall. The first is additional storage and the second is a foldout ironing board.

Compact “tactical-style” flashlights resemble something you’d see in a spy or cop movie—a far cry from the bulky flashlights you might remember your dad carrying around (so many D batteries!). While these new kinds of flashlights certainly look cool—they can fit in the palm of your hand and are made of lightweight metals—they sometimes present a “style over substance” situation. We tested the ThruNite Archer 2A V3 Flashlight to see if its small size, rugged style, and satisfying weight added up to a durable do-it-all tool....

Finding the right fence company with a solid business history that can do the job on budget and on time, with the quality and beauty you expect, might be harder than you imagine. Take a few preliminary steps to ensure that you hire the best local fence company for your specific project. Look Beyond Fencing Companies The company does not need to deal only with fences to be able to install your fence....

What Causes Spalling and How to Prevent It Spalls can appear because the rebar has been exposed and humidity and water have begun to rust the rebar or because the concrete joints were improperly built. As weather changes, the concrete expands, causing it to spall, which leads to further deterioration. One technique that can prevent concrete from spalling is to apply a good water sealant to the finished surface to prevent water from entering into the concrete....

Dining Out Although dining out has become more casual, it still isn’t acceptable to talk with your mouth full of food, rock the table with your elbows, or interfere with other diners’ experiences by displaying improper etiquette. It’s important to follow certain manners guidelines in both formal settings and fast food restaurants. Learn Table Manners Basics Table manners are important in both professional and social situations, so it’s a good idea to know some basics....

The Spruce caught up with Wentworth for the low-down on her amazing floating home and what it’s like really living on the water. The Origin: One Fateful Bus Ride Wentworth’s houseboat is a 400-square-foot, 45-foot-long 1971 Carri-Craft that she shares with her dog Oatmeal—Oatie for short. She likes to refer to it as a “party yacht turned tiny home.” And the origin story of how she came to live in it is nothing short of incredible....

Botanical Categories The various types of shrubs available for landscaping fall roughly into three botanical categories: Deciduous bushesBroadleaf evergreensNeedled evergreens These categories are more than just a fun way for scholars to organize things. There are practical differences between these groupings that hold meaning for the homeowner. For example, if you want a shrub that has showy flowers, you should select a plant from the deciduous or broadleaf categories. Or, if you’re looking for a shrub that provides some visual interest at all times of the year, you will find this either in the broadleaf category or the needled category, because it is the evergreen shrubs that hold onto their leaves throughout all four seasons....

Read on to learn about what intercropping entails, how you can apply it in your garden, and what distinguishes it from interplanting. a term that is often used interchangeably when there actually is a difference between the two. What Is Intercropping Intercropping is the method of growing two or more crops in any given space at the same time, with the goal of providing maximum benefits to each crop. In intercropping, crops are grown in close proximity....

Understanding this concept is key to understanding the type of notched tile trowel to use. Tile trowels come in two basic types—square-notch and V-notch—along with various sizes for each type of notch. How a Tile Trowel Works A tile trowel is similar to other types of masonry trowels in that it has a handle and a flat metal plate and is designed for scooping up and spreading mortar onto a relatively smooth surface....

Here are 12 reasons why you need hot water to wash dishes. Reasons to Use Hot Water When Washing Dishes Hot Water Cuts Grease One key way hot water cleans better than cold is with cooking oils and fats. They solidify when they get cold, which can make them hard to scrape off dishes. So you don't want to run cold water over them. Let greasy pans and other dishes soak for a bit in hot water (plus preferably a grease-fighting dish soap), and watch that grease dissolve....

At The Spruce, we know that an organized life is a better life. We understand that decluttering and organizing are the keys to achieving a sense of balance in an otherwise chaotic world. We recognize that you, our valued readers, care deeply about arranging your space in a way that makes your entire home feel more peaceful. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce our very own storage and organization collection in collaboration with our friends at iDesign....

Transpiration, dewy situations, and guttation does not hurt your plants, but they can harm your furniture or floors. The easiest way to stop the water droplets: Cut back on how much you water your plants. Causes of Water Drops on Plants Transpiration: Most of the time, water drops on plants are caused by transpiration, the plant’s usual water exchange process.Dew: Surface moisture condenses on the plant due to temperature differences in the air and the plant....

The key to proper lawn fertilization is the proper ratio between the three macronutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), commonly referred to as the N-P-K ratio. Read on to learn how top to pick a fertilizer with the right N-P-K ratio for your lawn. What NPK Numbers Are Needed for Lawns Of the three major nutrients, nitrogen is the one most required for lawns. That’s why in the N-P-K numbers of fertilizers (indicated on the fertilizer bag), the first number, for N is always higher than P and K, for example 21-0-7, 24-0-5, or 30-0-4....

Loam Soil Components Loam soil, the ideal growing medium for the vast majority of garden plants, includes three components: Sand, comprising about 40 percent of the soil total by volume.Silt, comprising roughly 40 percent of the soil total, by volume.Clay, comprising the remaining 20 percent of the soil total. While it is possible for loam to be present naturally in a garden bed, it’s more likely that the native soil will need some help to achieve the ideal composition....

What Is Chalk Paint? Chalk-style paint has become incredibly popular, in part thanks to Pinterest, but you might be wondering what sets it apart from traditional paint. At a glance, chalk-style paint is recognizable by its soft, ultra-matte finish. It resembles a surface covered in chalk, hence the name. The paint itself is latex-based, meaning you can clean up with water instead of mineral spirits, and it tends to be thicker and easier to work with than standard paint....

Still popular in today’s homes, Chippendale furniture is centuries old and emerged as a stark contrast to styles of the time. Read on for more background about the history of such pieces, ways to make them stand out in your own space, and more. Origins Chippendale furniture originated in the 18th century, and it marked a turning point in design history in many ways. “It is the very first furniture style that was actually named after its manufacturer, the famous cabinet maker Thomas Chippendale from London,” designer Kim Armstrong notes, explaining that previously, furniture styles were named after the existing monarch....

Fine Fescue Grass Fine fescues are a subgroup of fescues distinguishable by their narrow, fine leaf blades. Most fescues suitable for lawns are fine fescues; they include creeping red fescue, chewings fescue, hard fescue, and sheep fescue. Shade grass blends often contain a mix of several fine fescue species but they are also capable of thriving in sunny, hot locations. Fine fescues can serve as a regular frequently mowed lawn, but they are also attractive when left un-mowed for a dunes-type effect—a true, low maintenance lawn....

Millwork now includes products made from pine, oak, fir, poplar, hickory, and maple, but also some products that are made with MDF, aluminum, and steel. In order to source the best millwork material for your ideal finish, it’s important to learn more about millwork, where it’s used around the home, and the costs associated with purchasing millwork for your next project. What Is Millwork? The definition of millwork is broad, so in order to better understand what millwork is, it’s a good idea to consider some examples of millwork and the materials that are primarily used to make millwork....