Emily Ray

Hunker • October 19 2026

California Home With Unusual Shape Goes Viral On Zillow Gone Wild

Whether you're hoping to buy a new home or you just love seeing what's for sale, it's hard to beat a few minutes (or hours!) spent scrolling on Zillow. As housing prices keep rising to astronomical heights, for many of us, it's a chance to peek inside our dream homes, judge a bunch of questionable renovations, and imagine life in houses far beyond our budget. But one recent listing featured on Zillow Gone Wild is in a universe all its own. Designed in the 1960s by Finnish architect Matti Suurone...

Yahoo Life UK • October 19 2026

Not WD-40 Or Oil: The Mowing Pattern That Keeps Grass From Clumping On Your Lawn Mower

Nothing ruins the look of a freshly mowed lawn quite like realizing that instead of perfect stripes, you've left behind clumpy rows. Regular mowing is one of the keys to a lush green yard, but if you aren't using the right pattern, grass can quickly clog up your lawnmower deck and chute before being scattered everywhere. If you've ever asked, "Why does my grass clump when I mow?" you're definitely not alone.

Real Simple • October 15 2026

Want to Save More and Stress Less About Money? Experts Say a “Money Buddy” Could Make All the Difference

Most of us have no problem talking to friends about bad dates or horrible bosses. But admitting that you’re confused about opening a retirement account, struggling to get monthly spending under control, or clawing your way out of credit card debt? Those are much harder conversations to start.

Talking about money is one of the last cultural taboos. The average person would rather share their weight than their bank balance. Our attitudes start taking shape in childhood as we watch our parents ha...

Hunker • October 5 2026

The Best Items New To IKEA To Buy In October 2026

October is an unexpectedly good time to shop for new items at IKEA. The weather is cooling off. The days are getting shorter. Halloween is right around the corner and Thanksgiving is waiting in the (turkey) wings. The fall reset effect is in full swing, which has many of us thinking about how to make our homes feel more welcoming. Fortunately, the Swedish chain is dropping hundreds of items this month, from blankets and cushions that make snuggling on the couch even cozier to lamps and mirrors that bounce light around your favorite rooms.

AOL • September 28 2026

Coway Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH Review: Why This Air Purifier Remains Popular A Decade Later

For more than a year, I've been paying extremely close attention to the air quality in my home. My newfound obsession came on like a one-two punch. First, a family member was diagnosed with a serious lung condition that made the steady hum of an oxygen concentrator the new soundtrack of our daily life. Then, shortly after, I noticed a dark spot creeping across the ceiling in our sunroom — the result of a horrible leak in the roof. Although the roof had been completely replaced, that sudden stain left me with a question I couldn't scrub away. Is there something seriously wrong with the air in our house?

Yahoo Life • September 22 2026

What Exactly Is Dry Cleaning, And Can You Do It At Home?

When the dog sheds all over your drapes, are you just so glad to get that weird musty smell out of the den and into the laundry that you forget to check whether they should get chucked into the washing machine or dry cleaned? Plenty of us have wrestled with whether it's best to shove a down comforter into the washing machine at home or take it straight to the dry cleaner. The same goes for cleaning crusty throw pillows or wool area rugs. Cotton may be the fabric of our lives, but between the clo...

MSN • September 21 2026

Expert-approved tips to lower your utility costs this fall

As summer comes to a close, many households notice their utility bills starting to soar. Cooler weather often means cranking up the heating, while shorter days keep the lights on longer. And although there are ways to create a cozy fall patio space for entertaining, most cooking relies on indoor appliances instead of outdoor grills. Fortunately, with a few minor adjustments, you can improve efficiency and save money as the seasons change. To uncover the smartest strategies, House Digest spoke with HVAC, electricity, and plumbing experts who shared their top tips to lower your utility costs this fall.

Hunker • September 14 2026

How Do Solar Farms Affect Property Values?

As solar farms continue to pop up across the U.S., many homeowners are left wondering how they might affect property values. While you may not need that many solar panels to fully power your home, utility-scale developments have thousands or even millions of the shiny glass panels stretched across deserts and open fields. According to Cleanview, there are currently 7,591 solar farms in the U.S. as of September 2026. While California and Texas lead the pack, thousands more are currently in development across the country. To understand how solar farm development might be affecting property values, Hunker interviewed several Compass Real Estate experts. Although potential buyers have concerns about traffic, noise, and aesthetics, they agreed that solar farms generally have little impact on home prices when they're screened by trees or distance.

Real Simple • September 12 2026

The Rise of “Housefishing” Is Making Homebuyers Think Twice About Online Listings

We all love scrolling through online real estate listings, which have always been designed to make homes look their best. But does your dream house actually exist?

While professional photography and thoughtful staging have long helped people mentally move into a new place, artificial intelligence and advanced photo editing tools are blurring the line between what’s possible and what homebuyers are actually getting at the closing table.

This disconnect is a growing phenomenon called “housefis...

Yahoo Shopping • September 9 2026

The Evolution Of Washing Machines Throughout History

According to the most recent American Time Use Survey, the average person spends over 62 hours each year doing laundry. We admittedly have it way easier than our ancestors, who relied on primitive washboards, hand rinsing, wringing, and hanging clothes out to dry. Instead of searching on TikTok for washing machine hacks that make laundry less of a chore, people relied on communal washhouses or gathered at local rivers and streams to clean their clothes. While there's still something charming abo...

Flipboard • September 4 2026

Upcycler Transforms Old Glass Jars Into A Greenhouse With An Impressive DIY

Are you constantly adding glass jars and bottles to your recycling bin? While hauling them to your local transfer station instead of sending them …Read more on hunker.com

Are you constantly adding glass jars and bottles to your recycling bin? While hauling them to your local transfer station instead of sending them …

Real Simple • September 2 2026

The September Reset Is Real—Here’s Why You Suddenly Want to Organize Your Entire Life

As the lazy days of summer wind to a close, there’s something about September that makes us want to start over. It may seem like practical magic at work, but there’s actually a deeper psychological phenomenon at play: the fresh-start effect.

We’re expected to become better versions of ourselves when the new year arrives with all its glittering fanfare, but September has a slightly more persuasive way of making the exact same suggestion.

Suddenly, the kitchen needs reorganizing, the closets n...

Hunker • August 24 2026

3 Popular Tool Brands Owned By Stanley Black & Decker

Stanley Black & Decker combines two household names into the world's leading tool corporation. The iconic brands merged in 2010, combining Stanley's construction DIY legacy and Black & Decker's dominance in the power tool industry. Both companies already owned a number of popular tool brands, including DeWalt, Craftsman, and — of course — Stanley itself.

Yahoo Life • August 22 2026

50 Years Later, This Essential Household Appliance Looks Totally Different

Cleaning carpets may be the most hated chore in America, but there's no denying that vacuums have completely transformed how we rid our homes of everything from crumbs to cobwebs. 50 years after Kirby and Electrolux door-to-door salesmen were making their persuasive visits, this essential household appliance looks totally different as robot vacuums are taking over the dreaded task altogether. The earliest car...

Hunker • August 12 2026

How To Find And Identify Bed Bugs In Your Home

Finding bed bugs in your home quickly turns a good night's sleep into your worst nightmare. The tiny, wingless insects don't want a cup of warm milk and a bedtime story. They're after blood, preferably from a sleeping human who may not even notice them until they wake up with an itchy rash. Shannon Sked, Orkin National Technical Director, says there are luckily a few ways you can find and identify bed bugs in your home. However, getting rid of bed bugs can be a major ordeal and infestations often require treatment by a pest control professional.

Hunker • July 27 2026

10 Vintage Cowboy Finds To Repurpose Around Your Home & Garden

Whether you've been trying to create a home on the range since the first episode of "Yellowstone" aired or you've got country vibes on the brain after seeing Norway's soccer star Erling Haaland rock that cowboy hat during his recent trip to Dallas, there are tons of cowboy-themed decorating ideas to give your space a rustic makeover. Although you can find plenty of themed decor at your local home store, a lot of it is made from plastic or other cheap materials. Western wear stores are another option, but they can be pricey. To achieve a more authentic look on a budget, consider hitting up your local thrift store or flea markets for vintage cowboy finds like horseshoes, bandanas, and belt buckles that are easy to repurpose around your home and garden.

Flipboard • July 20 2026

The Free Paint Program At Sherwin Williams That Rewards New Homeowners

From the unmistakable smell to the way it covers a multitude of sins, a fresh coat of paint is one of the most cost-effective ways sellers can update a home before listing it for sale. For buyers, that often means staring at neutral hues that make it easier to envision moving in but look all wrong after unpacking. It doesn't help matters when a builder or seller opts for cheap products that scuff easily and are difficult to clean. But there's good news if you've just bought a new place, because Sherwin-Williams rewards some new homebuyers with a free gallon of paint through the company's "Welcome Home" program.

AOL.com • July 16 2026

The Insulation Material That's No Longer Allowed In Homes

From building a new home or researching your options after a roof leak, there's more to understanding home insulation than you might think. Learning the differences between spray foam and fiberglass or the best R-value for your local climate isn't as exciting as picking out a new wallpaper pattern or flooring material. But along with determining the best product for your situation, it's also important to know about the insulation material that's no longer allowed in homes. Although it...

Hunker • July 11 2026

19 Household Brands That Are Owned By Home Depot

You may already recognize household brand names like Husky and Hampton Bay, but did you know they're owned by Home Depot? Founded in 1978 over a cup of coffee by two entrepreneurial executives who envisioned building massive DIY warehouses, the company has grown into the world's largest and most profitable home improvement retailer thanks to both its aggressive acquisition strategy and its private-label merchandise.  While the company isn't directly involved in the manufacturing process behind many of its most popular tools, home goods, or landscaping supplies, a large part of Home Depot's multibillion-dollar success story is driven by its many exclusively owned brands.

AOL.com • July 8 2026

Move Over, DEET: Catnip Lotion Is Just As Effective At Repelling Mosquitoes, Study Finds

Mosquitoes are the bane of most backyards, but in some parts of the world they're downright dangerous. While encountering the tiny flying insects in the United States is usually just an itchy situation, it has life-threatening consequences for the 300 million people who contract malaria each year through bites from infected mosquitoes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 95% of these cases happen in Africa. Thousands are ultimately fatal. DEET-based insect repellent sprays are high...

Yahoo Life • July 7 2026

How Rising Paint Costs Are Changing The Way People Renovate Their Homes

Paint has long been considered one of the cheapest ways to rejuvenate a home. Real estate and home improvement experts frequently recommend spending a little money on a fresh coat, whether you want to sell your home or simply refresh a space. Despite ongoing housing market uncertainty, according to a survey conducted by Sherwin-Williams for National Painting Week, more than half of all homeowners are planning a painting project sometime this year. Unfortunately, they'll have to pay more to do it...

Hunker • July 5 2026

The California Brand Behind One Of Home Depot's Most Popular Garden Soils

Not all garden soil is created equal. If you're plagued by rocks, constantly amending clay, or struggling with sand, it may seem like you can't get your hands on enough high-quality soil no matter what you do. Praying (or paying) for a miracle is one option, but according to thousands of Home Depot customers, there's a better way. Kellogg Garden Organics All Natural Garden Soil is a bestseller thanks to its nutrie...

AOL.com • July 3 2026

How To Create The Perfect Stairwell Gallery Wall

It's easy to forget about the space behind your stairwell, but to add some spark to your steps, more fun to each flight, and a little love to your landings, try creating the perfect gallery wall. Whether your staircase is narrow and needs a solution that creates a sense of spaciousness, or it's the only focal point in front of a giant flat space, a gallery wall is one of the best ways to add personality and character to your home. There's...

Yahoo Life • July 2 2026

Common Backyard Animals You Might Not Realize Are Legally Protected

It may be frustrating to find a bird nesting in your patio umbrella or a deer happily munching on your favorite plants, but that doesn't mean you can simply trap, kill, or relocate them. From migratory birds to mammals, there are several common backyard animals you might not realize are legally protected. Federal and state wildlife laws offer different degrees of protection, but violating them can result in extremely steep fines, property forfeiture, and in extreme cases, arrest or imprisonment....