“My family was a huge motivator into looking into homes,” says Jose, who was looking for a place not only for himself, but also his parents, brothers, and dog. His situation growing up influenced the home he wanted for his family. “We didn’t have a lot. We had to sleep on the floor on mattresses,” he says. “I always envisioned myself later in the future owning a home, where we would have lots of space, where we would have room for everybody....

So how do you measure sugar correctly? Follow along as we show you how to measure sugar of every type, including granulated sugar, powdered sugar (aka confectioners’ sugar), and brown sugar. Yes, there are some differences between these, and our Test Kitchen tips are here to guide you. We’ll also cover which cups and tools you should use for all sugar measurements. How to Measure Sugar Before learning how to measure sugar, you need the right measuring tools....

Must-See DIY Coffee Tables Why Birch? We love the look of birch. It’s smooth, light in tone and texture, and easy to handle. For this project, we used 34 birch logs, each about three to four inches in diameter. Use a miter saw to cut the logs to size, or pay a nominal fee at a lumber store to have the logs cut for you. Here are a couple of online suppliers of unfinished birch: firewood....

Note: Our window boxes are designed to fit nicely under a 36-inch wide window. How to Install a Window Box What You Need 1" x 8" x 8’ cedar board1" x 6" x 6’ cedar board1 qt. exterior polyurethane sealer1-5/8" outdoor deck screws120 grit sandpaperMiter sawTable saw or jigsawDrill/Driver1/8" drill bit for pilot holes1/4" drill bit for drainage holesTape measureProtractorOutdoor rated wood glue Step 1: Make Cuts Cut box bottom, back, and front to length....

How to Make an Outdoor Movie Screen All it takes is a few PVC pipes, a drop cloth, and some basic tools to make this movie screen. Start popping the popcorn now, because you’ll be done building it in no time. Supplies Needed HacksawThree 1-1/4-inch PVC pipe, 10-foot length eachTwo 1-1/4-inch PVC pipe elbowsTwo 1-1/4-inch PVC pipe T-jointsScissors6x9-foot canvas drop clothAdhesive hook-and-loop tapeTwo U-channel postsHammer Step-by-Step Directions Follow these steps to assemble the pipe frame and attach the drop-cloth screen....

How to Make Cornhole Boards Start building your regulation cornhole boards in the morning, and they’ll be done by the time your backyard barbeque kicks off that night. Supplies Needed Table sawSheet of 1/2 x 48 x 96-inch AB plywood(5) 2 x 4 x 96–inch plywood boardsTape measureCompassPencilJigsawWood clampsMiter sawSandpaper and/or routerTack clothPower drill with bits (Philips, pilot, and 3/8-inch)3-inch deck screwsWood puttyPutty knifeWood glueNail gun with nailsPrimerPaintbrush or foam rollerPaint(4) 1/8-inch wood shim(4) 3/8-inch carriage bolts(8) 3/8-inch fender washers(8) 3/8-inch lock nuts...

Duvet inserts come in many different weights and materials, as well as a wide range of price points. To help you pick the best duvet insert, we’ve outlined all the things you need to consider before purchasing a duvet. But First: Comforters vs. Duvets When comparing duvets and comforters, duvets outperform comforters in regards to design options. Comforters, however, can offer more convenience. Since duvets are neutral (mostly white) blankets that require a cover, they don’t offer much in regards to style....

However, cleaning your home’s air filters will only get you so far. If the filter is excessively dirty, torn, or otherwise damaged, it’s time to replace your air filter. You should also note that disposable air filters (which are typically set in a cardboard frame) are generally not meant to be cleaned and should be replaced when they become dirty. Cleaning works best with reusable filters, like this washable electrostatic furnace and AC filter ($24, Lowe’s)....

How to Cook Yams Regardless of what you call them, yams (or sweet potatoes) are delicious in both savory and sweet dishes. For side dishes, they’re often boiled or baked (peeled or unpeeled). They can be added to soups, stews, and braises. Sometimes boiled yams are mashed to serve as a side dish, or for use as an ingredient in quick breads and pies. Read on for instructions on how to cook yams in a variety of ways, so you can enjoy them in your favorite recipes....

A flat roof is usually slightly sloped. It may be covered with a granular roll roofing, EPDM (which is smooth surfaced), or modified bitumen (which may be smooth or mineral surfaced). Some flat roofs have hot tar built-up roofing, which may have a gravel surface. If you live in an arid region or an older urban area, you may have a large flat roof. Suburban homes sometimes have small flat sections....

Banquettes are appealing in homes for the same reasons some people prefer booths in restaurants. They provide more privacy and intimacy than stand-alone tables and chairs. Besides the standard restaurant booth setup, banquette design options include U shapes, L shapes, semicircles, and hybrids that combine bench seats and chairs. Although box seats work especially well in recessed areas, you can build a banquette flush against a wall. Check out our planning tips for designing an attractive, functional banquette....

From simple to ornate, the right area rug can either blend into the background or become the room’s focal point. Laying down a new rug is also an easy way to give your living space a quick refresh. Simply decide which rug size best fits your space, then choose a color and pattern that complements the pieces you already have. To help inspire your own living space, we’re sharing our favorite living room rug ideas....

Buy It: Sugar in the Raw Turbinado Sugar ($4, Target) Buy It: Good & Gather Freeze-Dried Strawberries ($8, Target)

1. Thrifted Furniture Keep your potting needs in one spot by transforming an old cabinet, hutch, or buffet. Pots, watering cans, and other supplies are displayed on the open shelves of this vintage piece. The bottom has ample space to store larger items like soil. Try attaching hooks to the side to hang gardening tools. 2. Glass Jars Need to store small but still be able to see what’s inside at a glance?...

1. Use Various Types of Closet Storage The key to a successful small walk-in closet is to utilize a variety of storage types. Apart from the usual hanging rods, consider using open cubbies, baskets, plastic bins, and cabinet storage units to store different types of clothing and accessories. As a general rule, most clothing, shoes, and extras like purses can be stored out in the open to make outfit planning easier....

Editor’s Tip: Red, which symbolizes good fortune in Chinese culture, was the launching point for our color scheme. Warm shades of tangerine, peach, and pink create a soft look overall. Test Kitchen Tip: Use a wok ($40, Williams Sonoma) to get this fried rice extra crispy. Test Kitchen Tip: Make this Chinese New Year recipe up to three days ahead and store it in the refrigerator.

The long, narrow space can make it tough to create one seating area, so the homeowner created two “mini rooms” with seating options at the front and the back of the space. Test Garden Tip: Using tall container gardens as a screen can help separate spaces feel even more like distinct rooms. Mixing patio paver materials is an effective way to make an impact. Here, stone chips transition to pea gravel, which then transition to flagstone....

Buy It: Fluted Cake Pan ($13, Walmart) Test Kitchen Tip: No piping bag? Simply add melted chocolate to a plastic storage bag and snip off the tip.

Watch: How to Make Meatballs