Vintage bathroom tile often features bold colors, like this beautiful salmon pink from @onedelightfulhome. Instead of playing down the color, amp up the entire vibe of the bathroom with pattern, texture, and yes — more color. The moody floral wallpaper, gold accents and star pattern flooring complements the vintage tile and makes it look like intentional.
Ever wish you had an outdoor Christmas tree on your property? I do, and it’s a joy.
I had a Norway spruce I used to regularly decorate for Christmas. Eventually, though, the tree outgrew my ladder. Fortunately, I have a much smaller Alberta spruce that should never get too big for me to decorate it.
That was the first lesson I learned about growing an outdoor Christmas tree — make sure it’s a species that doesn’t grow too tall.
A properly planted evergreen tree that becomes your outdoor Christmas tree has several benefits:
Several types of evergreens work well as outdoor Christmas trees.
Do you want an evergreen that will be beautiful for a couple of years but eventually grow too big to decorate? Or do you want a dwarf evergreen that might start out small, grow to decorating size and remain accessible for a long time? There are many options in both categories
Look for kinds with strong branches that will support decorations, even in wind, rain and snow. These include:
If you’re patient enough to wait, a dwarf evergreen will stay small enough to decorate for almost its entire life. Some to consider include:
Most evergreens should be planted in the spring to establish strong roots before winter. Keep them well-watered, especially during their first year or two. If you decide to fertilize them, do so in the spring so new growth hardens off before winter. Use a fertilizer labeled for evergreens.
Different species may require different types of pruning, if they are pruned at all. Many evergreens grow well without pruning.
When deciding where to plant your Christmas tree, choose a location where you can see it from inside your house, and passersby can see it as well.
Tips for decorating your outdoor Christmas tree:
As Family Handyman’s Sales Editor, I strive to make sales like Black Friday easier to navigate. Wayfair Black Friday deals are already here and they call for hundreds of limited-time markdowns leading up to the holidays, so it’s extra important that I’m finding the top savings available to fit any budget.
While there are tips for shopping on Black Friday, this list entails the best deals I found on Wayfair, including everything from appliances to home decor for all the DIY interior decorators out there—all you have to do is fill your cart and watch the savings roll in. And it’s not just Wayfair
Wayfair Black Friday deals for the day after Thanksgiving aren’t officially announced, but the online retailer is sneaking in savings with a second Way Day in October and early Black Friday deals you can already shop! Check this page when it gets closer to Black Friday for more details on the lowest prices available!
Never wrestle with another vacuum cord—and save $150! This stick vacuum is easy to maneuver and features bright LEDs to clean dimly lit areas like closets and under the couch. It converts into a handheld vacuum for clearing pet hair off of furniture or cleaning hard-to-reach areas of the home. The popularity of stick vacuums means this Wayfair Black Friday deal is bound to sell out, so get one today!
New to air fryers? This handy tabletop air fryer oven yields crispy, crunchy fries in minutes—with less fat than traditional frying methods. Enjoy everything from steak to cake at the touch of a button with eight built in preset options and a handy recipe book. Score an air fryer for 57% off and enjoy easy weeknight dinners before this sale ends!
Winter temperatures call for closed windows, but outdoor air quality is accessible with this carbon air purifier! Designed with a washable filter, this air cleaner reduces indoor air pollutants including dust, pollen, pet dander and smoke. Make fall allergies a plight of the past and save $100 when you take advantage of this Wayfair Black Friday deal!
Scored a big screen television during this year’s Black Friday markdowns, but your old TV stand is too small? This 60″ TV stand, marked down 58%, is happy to lend its services! The shelving is adjustable to fit everything from game consoles to Blu-rays, and the back has a cable cutout for efficient cord organization. A built-in fireplace tones down the chill for outdoor television enthusiasts!
Enjoy the last few weeks of warm weather with this water-resistant porch swing, now a whopping $430 off! The robust synthetic wicker and steel frame holds up to 265 pounds, and the hanging chain gives this eye-catching porch swing a rustic touch. Pick one up before the spring for big savings!
Seeking a centerpiece to tie your renovated living room together? Look no further! This beautiful patterned side chair, listed at a savings of 53%, is a distinctive addition to any room in need of something a little “extra.” Compact enough to fit in a corner, this chair functions as comfortable seating for guests—or the family cat.
Add serenity to any space with these iron pot planters, currently over $50 off on Wayfair. These planters look just as pretty indoors as they do outdoors, and plant lovers never dismiss the chance to add a few more to our collection! This Wayfair Black Friday deal won’t last long, so make the most of the sale before it’s over!
This beautiful hourglass sculpture is a gentle reminder that time is always moving. Place it on a bookcase or coffee table as a conversation starter, or display it on the kitchen counter and use the 30-minute countdown as a quiet timer. This timeless piece is on closeout for 57% off, so it won’t be available for long!
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Due to the potential health and climate issues associated with natural gas, some U.S. cities are banning gas-powered appliances in new construction projects or phasing them out with incentive programs. At the same time, electric dryers are becoming more popular.
Electric dryers produce heat in a different way. Instead of a gas jet, electric dryers employ a heating element and blower to generate and dispense the hot air to dry your clothes.
The easiest way is checking for a gas hookup in the back. Gas dryers will have a gas hookup and an electrical plug, while electric dryers only have the plug.
According to Ron Shimek, president of Mr. Appliance, a Neighborly company, the electrical plugs themselves will also be different. “A gas dryer has a normal electrical plug you would see on any other appliance,” he says, “whereas an electric dryer has a larger heavy-duty plug that cannot be plugged into a 110V outlet.”
Yes, since dryers generate warm, moist air as the clothes inside them dry. Shimek says without venting, that moisture would accumulate in your laundry room and could lead to mold. While ventless dryers are an option, it takes considerably longer for them to dry clothes, and they generate water that must be drained.
No, due to their increased electrical supply requirements. An electric dryer requires its own 240V circuit. If you plug an electric dryer into a regular outlet, it won’t work. And if it doesn’t automatically trip the breaker, it could start an electrical fire.
No. Shimek says since electric dryers take longer to come up to operating temperature and don’t get as hot as gas dryers, they must run longer to dry the same amount of clothing.
Just like any large appliance, make sure you’re buying the best model for your needs. Consider these features when comparing different makes and models.
Consider whether you already have a 240V outlet in your laundry room. If you don’t and prefer to avoid the additional cost and hassle of having one installed, it may be more convenient to go with a gas dryer.
Shimek also recommends you consider the size of the machine itself. Make sure you know how large a dryer you can fit in your laundry room. And you’ll need at least four feet of room in front of the dryer for easy loading and unloading of your laundry.
Shimek recommends you consider “how many people live in your home and how many loads of laundry you need to dry at a time.”
Base your dryer capacity on your washer size. In general, your dryer should provide twice as much room as your washing machine. So if you have a 3.5 cubic foot washer, choose a dryer with a least seven cubic feet of capacity.
While most electric dryers are vented, ventless options exist for those unable to install the necessary ductwork necessary, like renters or those with structural limitations.
Instead of expelling the hot, moist air outside, ventless dryers recirculate that air through the drum of the machine. This generates condensation than needs to be drained. Ventless dryers also take longer to dry your laundry than vented types.
Think about specific drying features you plan on utilizing. Settings like “refresh” for quickly fluffing up clean items, or “sanitation” cycles that eliminate germs and bacteria with extra-hot air, are a few options that could be useful.
Bitten by the woodturning bug at age 9, Joe Cruz has been creating useful art on the lathe ever since.
Long hair, jewelry and baggy clothes can all spell disaster when you’re working on a lathe. Keep your sleeves buttoned at the cuffs, take off any hanging jewelry and always tie back long hair. Always use eye protection or a face shield, and wear a dust mask to protect your lungs. A turning jacket is nice to have but not necessary.
When I started turning, the only tool options were “traditional” high-speed steel ones like spindle gouges, bowl gouges, skews and scrapers. Today, the novice turner has a better choice: carbide tools.
Easy Wood Tools and Hunter Tool’s carbide tools flattened the learning curve so you can get to turning faster without purchasing (and learning to use) expensive sharpening equipment.
Domestic hardwoods like cherry, maple and walnut are easy to turn and readily available. Exotic hardwoods like purpleheart, padauk and cocobolo produce beautiful turnings, but they’ll dull your tools faster and the dust may irritate your lungs and eyes.
Often you can find wood to turn in your scrap bin, but the tools and machinery are best found at specialty woodworking outlets like Rockler and Woodcraft.
Carbide tools can be safely used with the tool rest three inches from the stock, but I prefer it a little closer. Adjust the banjo so the tool rest sits about an inch away from the turning blank. Set the height of the tool rest so the carbide cutter is dead center on the turning blank.
Use this chart to help you set the spindle speed of your lathe:
| Roughing | Shaping | Sanding | |
| Up to 2″ | 800 | 1,300 | 3,000 |
| 2″-4″ | 650 | 1,100 | 2,500 |
| 4″-6″ | 500 | 900 | 1,700 |
| 6″ | 350 | 700 | 1,000 |
On one end of your turning blank, draw two lines, corner to corner. Set your drive center on the intersection of these two lines and strike it with a hammer. Repeat this process on the other end. This creates impressions that will help you center the blank on the lathe.
If there’s one thing better than a perfectly grilled steak, it’s scoring an unbeatable deal on the grill to make it. That’s right—Black Friday grill sales are here! Retailers are slashing prices to clear their warehouses, so enjoy the spoils and sear up some seasonal favorites.
As a Sales Editor, it’s my job to make sure the lowest prices land in your cart. I searched everywhere from Walmart to Lowe’s to Amazon to uncover the best deals available. Shop these Black Friday grill sales now and have those burgers ready ASAP!
Not sure which grill to buy? There are several of different types, like gas, fire pit and electric grills. We broke the top grill sales into the categories below, so it’s easy to find a good fit.
With a quick-start push button and three burners, this powerhouse propane gas grill makes grilling look easy. The temperature gauge built into the lid eliminates guesswork, and two side tables supply room to serve the goods. Get a beginner-friendly grill for 26% off on Amazon.
Grillers who have outgrown their charcoal grills need to experience the Kamado Joe grill. Kamado grills originated in Asia over 3,000 years ago—and they’re still popular today. This ceramic contraption bakes, grills, smokes and roasts in any weather. Score a Kamado for $200 off on Amazon!
Need some extras for this cold-weather companion? Snag a few Kamado accessories!
This grill and smoker combo from Target is petite, but wood pellets arm it with more than enough barbecue power. Ideal for small families, this grill fits three whole chickens, and its smaller stature makes it easier to clean. Set the initial temperature and walk away—this electric smoker grill automatically adds pellets to keep a consistent temperature. Snag this grill and smoker combo for $168 off and pair it with a quality grill brush.
Like an outside grill, the Ninja Foodi XL delivers flavorful results! This seven-in-one gadget grills, dehydrates, air fries and bakes—all right from the countertop. You won’t find more in a grill with such a small footprint, and it’s 40% off on Amazon!
As far as portable grills go, this little Napoleon propane grill from Target offers a ton of space and power. Designed with big cuts of meat in mind, there’s plenty of room once the lid closes—prepare up to 18 hamburgers at once! Save more than $150 when you buy right now, then pack this camping grill in the car and head into nature.
Grills often get marked down during the springtime, but Black Friday grill deals run in winter! We found the top sales on grills available as the holiday shopping season gears up.
Many people believe that summer is the best time to purchase a grill, but Black Friday offers tons of excellent deals on grills, too. Enjoy smoky food all year-round, even during winter.
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All clamps serve the same purpose: to hold things securely. But you might be surprised at how many different varieties of clamps there are.
Every woodworking shop stocks several types of clamps so wood can be drilled, shaped and fastened together. They’re used by plumbers and electricians to secure pipes and conduit, fence builders to attach wire fencing to posts and rails, and metalworkers to weld. Some types of clamps are even useful in unintended ways.
I like to save money by changing the brake pads on my car, and no tool works better for pushing the piston back into the caliper than a C-clamp from my woodworking tool collection. When the handle on my neighbor’s faucet broke, he replaced it by tightening a small C-clamp on the valve stem. It worked so well that it’s still there.
Depending on where you look, you can find 30 to 40 types of clamps, and that probably still isn’t all of them. Some have specific uses, like miter clamps, which hold miter joints together until the glue sets. Many have multiple uses, and these are the ones most worth knowing about.
In many cases, you can avoid purchasing a specialty clamp by adapting a clamp you already have to the project at hand.
One of the most effective clamping strategies is advancing a moveable jaw toward a stationary one by turning a threaded rod. Each turn advances the jaw a small amount, meaning you can generate a lot of force on an object between the jaws with little effort. And thanks to the threads, the rod can’t back off on its own.
A number of the most common clamps are screw clamps, including the following five types:
Shaped like the letter “C,” these come in all sizes. The spacing between the fully open jaws (i.e. jaw capacity) varies from less than an inch to 10 inches. The moveable jaw is on a threaded rod. A sliding cross pin on the end provides the leverage you need for turning.
There are multiple ways to use C-clamps, including:
Also known as a vise, a bench clamp is permanently attached to a workbench. They’re made from heavy-duty metal with wide jaws. You use a bench clamp to hold metal or wood in place so you can drill, cut or shape it.
If you need a wider jaw capacity than a C-clamp, you reach for a bar clamp, aka a sash clamp. One jaw is attached to a threaded rod that passes through a plate at the end of a metal bar, while the other jaw slides along the bar and locks in place.
Woodworkers use bar clamps for laminating pieces of wood, to hold frames together for gluing or fastening, and to make sash windows, among other things.
A quick-release clamp, aka a speed clamp, features a trigger on the fixed jaw. When you press the trigger, the jaw unlocks from the bar, releasing the pressure on the object you’re clamping.
Quick-release clamps usually aren’t as long as bar clamps and come with padded jaws. They’re perfect for holding together pieces of wood while you shape or fasten them.
Strictly a woodworking tool, this features two wooden jaws and two metal screw rods placed side-by-side with handles at opposite ends. The wooden jaws don’t leave imprints on wood, and two rods provide more control for aligning the jaws than just one. Cabinetmakers use these extensively for assembling quality woodwork projects.
When you need to hold two pieces of material together during assembly, a spring clamp is an alternative to a screw clamp.
Spring clamps have a scissors-like action. The padded jaws open when you squeeze the two handles together, and an embedded spring clamps the jaws shut when you release the handles. They aren’t as strong as screw clamps, but they’re faster and easier to use.
Also known as a web clamp, a strap clamp consists of a strong nylon strap with a ratcheting mechanism affixed to one end. You wrap the strap around the object you’re fastening, feed the free end through the ratchet and pump the ratchet to tighten the strap.
In the wood shop, these are perfect for securing large frames while the glue joints set. Versions of these also commonly secure objects in truck beds.
A bench clamp features a base permanently attached to a workbench and a single padded jaw operated by a squeeze handle. You set the workpiece under the jaw and squeeze the handle repeatedly to ratchet the jaw down and hold the piece in place. Woodworkers use bench clamps to hold wood for sanding and shaping.
Plumbers and auto mechanics are some of the tradespeople who need to secure flexible hoses to metal or plastic pipes with metal bands.
The most common hose clamps feature a perforated metal band held in a circular shape by a nut. A screw threaded through the nut uses the perforations in the band as a worm drive to open and close the clamp when you turn the screw.
Double-eared spring clamps are also common. Squeezing the ears widens a circular metal ring, allowing the clamp to slide along the hose. When you release the ears, the ring tightens down onto the hose to hold it in place.
