How to Lay a Brick Walkway Like a Pro

They also offer the same potential for a varied, handsome surface, only on a smaller scale. You will notice one difference, however, between a mortared path and a mortared patio. When building a paver path, you don’t have to start in the center and work outward. Credit:Edward Gohlich All brick walkways start their paving in a corner. Base materials that shift under a sand-set path create ripples, and an improperly tamped slab base can crack....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 328 words · Courtney Kent

How to Lay a Patterned Brick Paver Walkway for a Custom Look

Step up your curb appeal with a DIY paver walkway. We lay out the steps to make this large project less intimidating. A brick paver walkway is a gorgeous addition to your home that stands up to the test of time. With arustic brick lookand your pattern choice, this pathway can work with any home style. A DIY project like this adds even more character to yourcurb appeal. The unique angles are ideal for irregular spaces, such as a curvy path....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 352 words · Kayla Smith

How to Lay Mortared Brick Steps for a Welcoming Entryway

Add classic design style and instant curb appeal to your home by laying bricks on your exterior steps. In both cases, the surface of the top step must be lower than the doorsill. If the surface ends too high, you’ll have tochange the doorwayor redesign the steps. Credit:Bob Stefko This thickness is probably strong enough for mortared steps but may not satisfy local building codes. You may have to change the number of steps to provide a thick enough base....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 399 words · Melanie Martin

How to Lay Pavers for Walkway Areas

Jacob Fox Absorbing rainwater into a lawn is a common objective for homeownersand a priority for many cities. As a bonus,your mowerglides right over the top of the pavers. Use an assortment of staggered shapes, go with a straight line, or create your own design. Credit:Jacob Fox Sticking with square or rectangular pavers rather than circular ones makes the installation go faster. A few days before you begin any digging project, call 811 or visitcall811....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 252 words · George Sullivan

How to Layer a Trifle for a Gorgeous Dessert

you’re free to’t go wrong with serving a trifle for your special occasion. Those beautiful trifle layers can be tweaked any way you like. Here’s how to assemble a trifle for the most beautiful presentation. Credit: Andy Lyons If you don’t have a trifle dish, get creative. Use a clear glass bowl or cookie jar, or even a straight-sided vase. We used a densespicy gingerbreadfor this trifle. Credit: Andy Lyons...

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 184 words · Amanda Coleman

How to Layer Rugs: Advice and Inspiration from Designers

Experts demonstrate how you should (and should not) layer rugs to infuse personal style into your space. Choosing the perfectarea rug for your spaceis hard enough. It’s important to layer thoughtfully and intentionally so that achieve a cohesive and balanced look. Credit:Carson Downing When done correctly, it can be a wonderful design choice. Carson Downing Rickie Broffis head of sales atFayette Studio. Kate Lesteris creative director and CEO ofKate Lester Interiors....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 389 words · Ruben Rodriguez

How to Level a Yard by Removing Bumps and Divots

Improve your yard by leveling out uneven areashere’s how to do it step-by-step. However, it also has a vital role when it comes to drainage. With this in mind, it’s essential to ensure a yard is level to protect your home. Credit:Getty Images / Dmytro Varavin Additionally, poor leveling can damage gardens, trees, and landscaping. Divots and dents can lead to standing water, an ideal location for mosquitoes and other pests to reproduce....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 505 words · Manuel Gardner

How to Light a Charcoal Grill for Your Best Barbecue Ever

Your cooking skills are about to be on firein the best way! Cooking on a charcoal grill is easy if you know certain tricks about how to light a charcoal grill. We’ll admit it: Even thebest charcoal grillstake more effort than gas grills. The smoky flavor you achieve by cooking over charcoal is incomparable. Flip halfway through the grilling time to ensure even cooking. Use enough briquettes to cover the charcoal grate completely with one layer....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 412 words · Tina Jordan

How to Light a Christmas Tree to be Extra Luminous

This string light hack from Instagram adds extra dazzle to your tree, even with thick branches. Lucky for us, her method has a stunning final result and isnt too difficult to complete. Read on for everything you’re gonna wanna know to try it for yourself. Credit:JEFF HERR The key: two different types of lights. Bowman suggests starting with clear, mini-incandescent lights. To get the full effect of radiance, go heavier on these mini lights than you normally would....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 203 words · Angela Howe

How to Load a Dishwasher the Correct Way

Learning how to load a dishwasher only requires five simple steps. But are you using it correctly? Piling dirty dishware into the appliance straight from the table can be a recipe for disaster. Credit:Jason Donnelly Jason Donnelly Each model is different, so what works for some dishwashers might not for others. But all dishwashers use a series of spray arms to rotate and distribute water throughout a cycle. Spacing is also important....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 288 words · Ruben Fritz

How to Load a Washing Machine Properly: 8 Steps for the Best Clean Every Time

Inspecting the clothing saves the items inside pockets from water damage while protecting the garments and your washer. To lessen fading, turn dark clothing, such as jeans, inside out. Lastly, unbutton all buttons. Credit: Greg Scheidemann The agitation of the wash cycle can cause buttons to tear buttonholes. Be sure toread the care labels on clothingitems for proper washing instructions. Most clothing will have specific laundry treatments listed on the tags....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 282 words · Gary Francis

How to Make a Balloon Garland in 3 Easy Steps

Our easy party hack makes it a cinch to create this party decoration. Well show you how to make a balloon garland quickly and easily. Learn how to make a balloon garland that will add style to any party. Blow up all of the balloons (yes, all!) or invest in a balloon pump to make it easier. Keep the balloons small enough that addedflowers or greenerydon’t get lost. Look for the tape at your local party store (it’s probably next to the balloons)....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 214 words · Courtney Houston

How to Make a Bed in 5 Easy Steps

Start your day right by making your bed for mental clarity and aesthetic appeal. Plus, easy steps to hospital corners. End each day by slipping into a tidy made-up bed. Credit:Kelsey Hansen Finish with a pile ofdecorative bed pillows. Starting in one corner, tuck the bedsheet under the mattress. Move diagonally to the next corner and repeat tucking in the sheet. Credit:Kelsey Hansen Repeat for the remaining two corners. Smooth out any gaps or bunches, and double-check the fitted sheet is pulled taut over the mattress....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 327 words · Courtney Taylor