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IKEA Earlier this summer, IKEA announced it would be commemorating its 75th anniversary—and its meteoric rise from a small-town Swedish operation to international flat-pack furniture icon—by launching three consecutive throwback collections, called Re-imagined Classics, from August through December. The limited-edition GRATULERA lines feature some of IKEA’s most beloved silhouettes from the 1950s to the 2000s, including the retro GANGET armchair and KNÄSJÖ floor lamp. The goods are available in-store only, and as die-hard IKEA fans and vintage collectors have begun to realize, they’re well worth the trek....

Marcel Jancovic/Shutterstock It could happen in October or it may happen in January. Depending on where you live, the season’s first big snowstorm could arrive in just days or weeks. No matter where you live, however, you should get your snow blower ready for the season’s first blast now, before the first flake falls. You need about an hour to get your gas-powered snow blower ready for winter. Here’s a simple checklist:...

When we set out to upgrade a camper from 1972 to today’s standards, we knew we were starting with practically primitive technology. So we harnessed new technology — everything from a convection cooktop to a Bluetooth sound system — to make our camper better than before. Here are some of our favorite upgrades that brought this RV into the 21st century. Family Handyman Entertainment In a Can A video projector is just right for a camper, displaying movies and sports inside or on a big screen outdoors....

Cost Matters With extension cords it’s often you get what you pay for. So when you’re considering buying a new extension cord, take a closer look at Yellow Jacket extension cords because you’ll definitely get your money’s worth. What’s Great About Yellow Jacket Extension Cords They’re heavy duty and commercial-grade. They’re rated to work in minus-40 F temperatures and they have a light memory so it’s easy to roll and it won’t get stuck to one shape....

By Josh Nickell, Vice President, Equipment Segment, American Rental Association Renting the Right Equipment Rental equipment options are vast. When you need to find a local rental store with the right equipment for your project, the American Rental Association (ARA) has a website that can help: RentalHQ. There you can find local rental stores as well as tips and information on common rental equipment. While it’s always good to have an idea of the equipment you’ll need, it’s even better to talk through what you’re looking to accomplish with the professionals at your local rental store....

You probably never knew you needed a “carbage” can until now, but these brilliant car accessories make keeping a tidy car interior easier than ever. What Is a Car Trash Can? If you love car cleaning putty and other neat-freak essentials, car trash cans are the game-changing accessories you’ve been dreaming of. The Hotor Car Trash Can features a rubber lip top opening, storage pockets and leakproof interior. It comes in a range of neutral colors like black, tan and blue, as well as several eye-popping varieties like camo and baby pink....

Air plants don’t require soil or even containers, just a supportive spot to hang out. Relatively easy to grow and maintain, they are a great choice for those not endowed with a green thumb. What Are Air Plants? Air plants, or Tillandsia, grow floating in the air, where they live and thrive without soil. On This Page Part of the Bromeliad family, air plants are epiphytes — plants that attach themselves to other plants for support, without relying on the host to thrive....

First introduced in the 1930s as a safeguard against blowouts, today’s run-flat tires are a variant of years of race car innovation and technology. And like other innovations, like disc and antilock brakes, fuel injection and steering wheel controls, one day these tires may become standard equipment on some vehicles. For now, run-flat tires have pros and cons, so let’s see if they are the right choice for you. What Are Run-Flat Tires?...

Early steering systems were simple mechanical mechanisms. Today’s power steering is much more intricate. Without power steering, just about every vehicle — from those classic mid-20th century behemoths to today’s smaller, denser front-wheel-drive cars, crossovers and SUVs — would be difficult to steer. For more than a half-century, hydraulic power steering ruled the roads. No longer. Now hybrid electro-hydraulic and fully electric power steering systems are commonplace. Such systems can even vary the assistance applied to the steering system, depending on driving conditions....

Apprenticeships and internships provide on-the-job training that can lead to a full-time job. According to an industry-wide survey by the Associated General Contractors of America, 80 percent of contractors had difficulty filling positions for workers. Currently, there aren’t enough qualified tradespeople to fill all of the open jobs. It’s safe to say it’s a good idea to consider a career in the trades, at least as one of your options....

If you’ve owned or driven a car, you could undoubtedly give a basic explanation of what and where the bumpers are. But you might not realize there’s more to a car bumper than meets the eye. For a deeper understanding of how car bumpers work and how to repair or replace them, keep reading. What Is a Car Bumper? Car bumpers feature protruding shrouds of plastic or metal, called bumper covers, that surround energy-absorbing materials....

There’s no doubt about it—you need your coffee. Setting up a coffee bar at home not only helps you save money (no need to stop at the coffee shop!) but you may be able to free up valuable cupboard and counter space by moving your mugs and coffee pot to another location. With renewed space you may finally be able to start thinking of unique kitchen cabinet ideas. These five genius DIY coffee bar ideas will certainly give you a buzz....

Putrid smells emanating from fireplaces are customers’ number one complaint during the warmest times of the year, according to Jason Raddenbach of CleverlySolved.com. “Folks use their fireplace all winter long, and now the summer humidity is making their chimney extra stinky. Then the A/C draws that smell right past the metal damper and into the house. They get the chimney cleaned, and it makes it smell even worse,” he says....

Do you have a thrift store find that needs refurbishing, a family heirloom begging to be restored or an old dresser that’s ready for an update? Painting is a surprisingly quick and simple way to create a decorative and personalized piece of furniture, and you can easily do it yourself. How to Paint Furniture in Nine Simple Steps Even if this is your first DIY project, you can do this! Follow these steps and you’ll successfully turn that not-so-great piece of furniture into something to be proud of....

Spacecrafters A fresh coat of paint is hands down the best way to spend your time and money to get the biggest payback when you sell your home. It’s far less expensive than remodeling, and it’s something you can do yourself. But choosing the right colors is the key. Which color is right for your rooms? Experts say you should paint all the rooms a neutral color. But what exactly does that mean?...

Choosing the right time to hire home contractors can save you money, get better quality work, ensure that you’ll get the job done on schedule and make the whole process a lot less frustrating. Contractors of all types have slow seasons when they’re more willing to negotiate lower costs and shorten lead times and are less likely to rush through the job. If your job isn’t an emergency, it’s often worth waiting for a slow period....

The pressure of grilling food to perfection, especially in front of a crowd, can be intimidating to beginners. Fortunately, technological advancements have made it easier than ever to properly grill food without years of experience. Smart grills and wireless meat thermometers eliminate the need to hover over the grill, and reduce the chances of charring an expensive steak or undercooking a pork roast. Grill purists might frown on these gadgets. But if you’re like me, you just want your food properly cooked and tasting good....

Georgy Dzyura/shutterstock In the same way you test smoke alarms each year for safety, remember to check filters on everything from your water supply to your vacuum cleaner as part of seasonal maintenance. “In order to extend a product’s life and performance, it’s really important to keep them clean and check on replacement parts,” said Jill Notini of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. Here’s a look at when to change your home’s filters—including some you might miss—to help them run as safely and efficiently as possible to keep dirt, dust, mold and pollutants from the air and water that come into your home....

Duplicate hand tools, older-model power tools, extra boxes of tile from last year’s bathroom renovation, that someday-I’ll-use-it gadget that never actually gets used. Sound familiar? Get them out of your garage or workshop and into the hands of DIYers who can use them through a non-profit organization. Most often they will be resold, with the proceeds funding charitable works. And if you donate to non-profits before Jan. 1, you’ll get that year-end tax deduction (be sure to request a receipt or tax valuation form) and set yourself up with a decluttered workspace in the new year....

Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, has become for many the traditional start of Christmas shopping, with buyers taking advantage of the lowest prices of the year. But what if we told you some of those deals are available now? Check in every day to see which epic daily deals you’ll find. We’ve gathered up a few of our favorites. But don’t wait too long. These deals last about as long as fall foliage....