Do you actually take care of your home, or is it a carefully tailored illusion? This is the year to address your habits as a homeowner and make your living space cleaner and more efficient than ever.

A big kitchen renovation is one of the costliest (and most cost-effective) improvements you can make to your home. Perhaps you've heard the expression "kitchens sell houses." If it's true that a beautiful and functional kitchen will help you sell your home, it's also true that certain passé trends could hinder your sale. If you’re undertaking a new kitchen renovation, take care to steer clear of these trends to keep your kitchen from looking dated before you even break it in.

Save your plumbing and the sewer system by correctly disposing of these items in the trash—not your toilet.

The focal point of a full bath is often its tub, which ought to be pristine and gleaming. If yours is pitted, chipped...