“The process of making tea should be beautiful, a moment for mindfulness and self-care, and using a tea infuser can add depth to the experience of preparing your pot or cup,” says Steve Schwartz, founder, CEO, and master tea blender of Art of Tea. To find the best tea infusers, we researched a variety of picks, keeping in mind each style’s capacity, material, and care. We also consulted Schwartz for additional insight....
To make shopping easier, we compiled our favorite recent finds in one easy-to-browse list. Our editors shared 12 hidden gems they discovered and loved in March spanning home, kitchen, beauty, fashion, and pets. And here’s the best part: Everything is under $25. Sleepytime Lavender Aromatherapy Shower Steamers, $21 Beautural Fabric Shaver and Lint Remover, $12 Vucchini Glass Dispenser Bottle, $12 Gorilla Grip Pet Grooming Gloves, $9 Dreamfarm Silicone Sit Up Scraping Spoon, $10 Kitsch Soft Microfiber Towel Scrunchies, $14 Eucerin Eczema Relief Full Body Cream, $10 (was $13) CamelBak Chute Mag BPA-Free Water Bottle, $17 Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara and Lash Primer, $17 Auu High-Waisted Buttery Soft Leggings, $16 BrüMate Hopsulator Double-Walled Insulated Can Cooler, $20 Rinse Ace Detachable Hose Snap ‘N Spray, $21...
To find the best shoe storage solutions, we researched hundreds of options, considering factors like size, shoe capacity, type, and style. We also spoke to two professional organizers—Holly Blakey, professional organizer at Breathing Room, and Joanna Wirick, life and home professional organizer at Joanna Organize—for advice on how to organize your shoes and choose the best storage solution for your space. “Look for a system that maximizes the space, but doesn’t take up space,” Blakey says....
To select the best living room rugs, we considered factors like pile height, material, design, color, size, and budget. For expert tips, we consulted interior designer Kate Lester of Kate Lester Interior, who explained what to look for in an area rug that combines both form and function. Since this is the area of your home with the most foot traffic, Lester suggests prioritizing pile height and material. “Wool is always amazing because it’s natural and can be cleaned via a carpet cleaner just like regular wall-to-wall carpet, but a blend option would be nice as they are much more affordable and are easy to spot clean,” says Lester....
To find the best robot vacuums for carpets, we tested 31 models in our Lab and at home, evaluating them on effectiveness, maneuverability, features, and more. Our tests involved scattering pet and human hair, Cheerios, sand, and more on the floor to see how well each robot vacuum worked on carpets and hard surfaces. We also spoke to three experts—Jennifer Rodriguez, chief hygiene officer at Pro Housekeepers; Kevin Huang, founder and CEO of Ambient Home; and Robert Johnson, marketing director at Coast Appliances—for tips on how to choose a robot vacuum for carpets....
First, it’s an investment: According to HomeAdvisor, a kitchen remodel—the most common home renovation—costs an average of $22,000, and even a smaller-scale remodel (like a bathroom redo) averages around $10,000. Beyond that, there’s the tricky task of managing a workforce that could consist of designers, architects, contractors, and subs for a project where you may or may not have any technical expertise. (Not to mention: You may already have your hands full managing a couple of kids and a dog....
To find the best water filter pitchers, we spent hours researching products and considering factors like materials, capacity, and filter quality to determine which ones are best for various households and hydration needs. For expert tips on shopping for water filter pitchers, we consulted Dr. Newsha Ajami, a hydrologist and the director of Urban Water Policy at Stanford University. “I really do encourage people not to use bottled water because there are so many more regulations in place to protect water that comes out of people’s taps versus what goes into bottled water," Ajami says....
For many, tossing items in the dryer is almost an autopilot task, yet it directly impacts the longevity of materials in our homes. “Clothing is a big investment, and being able to take care of that investment is something that is very important,” says Shawn Ashby, Whirlpool laundry brand manager. If you haven’t shopped for dryers in a few years, buying a clothes dryer might feel a bit overwhelming. Today’s dryers are more sophisticated than even five years ago, and they offer many new and powerful features....
To come up with these recommendations, we thoroughly researched the best laundry detergents on the market and rounded up our top picks based on factors such as type (like pod, powder, or liquid), formula, and available scents. For expert insight, we tapped Leslie Reichert, the Green Cleaning Coach and author of the book “The Joy of Green Cleaning.” She explained how laundry detergents remove germs from clothing and discussed the importance (or lack thereof) of expiration dates....
Our list of the best space heaters is dominated by a few types of heaters that are meant to be used within the home: electric infrared, ceramic, or metal radiating heaters, as well as convection forced-air heaters that pair metal or ceramic systems with fans. However, how cozy a heater will get you isn’t the only thing to think about when you’re shopping for one. It’s also important to consider safety when you make your purchase, and follow the safety instructions, says Kenneth L....
“Window insulation kits function by creating an air barrier between the interior living space and the window,” says Elias Benson of the Building Construction Technology Department at the New England Institute of Technology. “This air barrier works well as insulation because it prevents cold air from entering while allowing sunlight in.” With so many variables, choosing the best window insulation kit can be overwhelming the first time. But once you know what to look for, the job is a cinch....
But while you might’ve picked out a comfortable swivel chair and an inspirational quote to hang over your desk, you may be stumped by which home office paint color to use. Not only can your office colors make or break the overall aesthetic, but they can also help kickstart creativity, boost productivity, and keep stress at bay. To help choose the best home office paint colors, we asked a handful of experts to share their picks for every type of worker....
When deciding the number and style of moving boxes to purchase, first consider what you’ll be packing. You’ll likely want an assortment of boxes in different sizes and shapes. It’s also essential to consider the sturdiness of the boxes you choose. For heavier items, you’ll want to have small, heavy-duty boxes with handles. When packing lightweight, oversized objects, you can safely use large boxes. In order to find the best moving boxes, we looked for a variety of options for different types of moves....
The selection of multipurpose home goods includes obvious options, like sofas that turn into beds for house guests and ottoman benches that double as storage chests. But there are also unexpected finds with clever designs. There’s a floor lamp with its own table that would look stylish beside a bed and a coffee table with hidden storage that doubles as a desk (a must for people who work from home and often end up seated at the couch)....
“We identified businesses in the pumpkin patch and farmer’s market categories, then ranked those spots using a number of factors including the total volume and ratings of reviews,” Yelp shared in its report. A pumpkin-picking outing—followed by some creative pumpkin carving—sounds like the perfect family fall activity, right? So bring on the gourds. Here’s where to pick ’em. Yelp’s Top Pumpkin Patches by State Northeast Plasko’s FarmTrumbull, ConnecticutVisit the Yelp page Wallingford’s Fruit HouseAuburn, MaineVisit the Yelp page Berlin OrchardsBerlin, MassachusettsVisit the Yelp page Coppal House FarmLee, New HampshireVisit the Yelp page Battleview OrchardsFreehold, New Jersey Visit the Yelp page Stakey’s Pumpkin FarmRiverhead, New YorkVisit the Yelp page Milky Way FarmChester Springs, PennsylvaniaVisit the Yelp page Barden OrchardsNorth Scituate, Rhode IslandVisit the Yelp page Douglas Orchard & Cider Mill (Yelp page)Shoreham, Vermont...
Why You Need to Toss Old Care Products Not only are all of those past-their-prime grooming products taking up valuable space in your medicine cabinet or makeup bag; using old tools and makeup could actually result in dangerous skin and eye irritations. In fact, a recent UK study found that 90 percent of beauty products—particularly sponge makeup blenders—are riddled with potentially “deadly superbugs,” including E.coli and Staphylococci. Exposure to these unwelcome bacteria (which thrive in damp environments—aka makeup sponges and lipstick tubes) can lead to things like skin infection and blood poisoning, at worst....
In its essence, color therapy, or chromotherapy, is the practice of using colors to help treat mental distress and even physical pain. “Many aspects of human psychological functioning are affected by colors,” according to a 2019 study. “Wavelengths in the visible region produce biological effects in molecules, living cells, tissues, and enzymes.” For some people, color therapy could be simple, inexpensive, and life-changing. “Color therapy can be a wonderfully therapeutic way to find out where you’re at emotionally,” says Constance Hart, a color therapy expert and the founder of Conscious Colors....
Most Popular Kitchen Cabinet Colors for 2019 According to Houzz’s survey of more than 1,300 U.S. homeowners who are either in the process of, are planning to, or recently completed a kitchen project, 78 percent updated their cabinets as part of the remodel. And no surprises here—most homeowners are still choosing white cabinets (43 percent), which have held onto the top spot for the past three years. In second place is wood cabinets (25 percent), followed by gray cabinets (11 percent)....
Shoppers with arthritis, joint pain, and muscle strain love the cordless vacuum for its lightweight design and clever folding handle. Similar to other vacuums, the vacuum head can pivot 90 degrees from its upright position to a horizontal angle. However, the Orfeld stick takes it up a notch—the handle can also be folded inward, too, so you don’t have to get down on your knees or bend down to clean under furniture....
When thinking about installation, you need to consider the height, depth, and width of your basin, the number of basins needed, the number of holes in the deck, and the range of movement you desire. Overcome with options? There are certainly a lot of considerations when buying a new faucet. And since they’re built to last, it’s best to buy a faucet that you’ll love for the long haul. This means making sure your choices pair well with your other kitchen finishes....
