2010 color decor and design trends: influenced by life's richness
As the economy stabilizes, homeowners are expected to begin investing more money into their homes. Colors that provide hope and affirmation are at the forefront of decor for 2010.

Take the sweat out of your DIY projects this spring
You've been dreaming about digging in your garden, tweaking your landscaping or improving your house all winter long. Finally the weather is nice, your yard is clear and dry and it's time for you to get your hands dirty and start working.

Growing roses is easy with these simple tips
No other flower can evoke romance in the garden like a rose. As America's favorite flower, roses can be found adorning homes in quaint coastal villages to rural farmlands, modern cities to quiet mountain retreats. With a little know-how, you can grow healthy, beautiful roses that you can show off with pride.

Dreaming of spring? Keep warm weather, home improvements on your wish list
A harsh winter may have many Americans dreaming of daffodils, green grass and open windows welcoming in fresh air. How will you celebrate a day of warm weather that signifies spring has arrived?

Top 10 kitchen and bath trends for 2010
Does your kitchen or bathroom look like it's stuck in a time warp? Then it might be time to update the most-used rooms in your home. For inspiration, look no further than the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), which recently shared its top 2010 kitchen and bath trends.

Stop home energy dollars from leaking out your walls
As home heating and cooling costs soar, your energy dollars literally might be going out the window - and the walls. Small and not-so-small air leaks through covered walls, floors, ceilings and normal openings such as windows and doors can add up to big losses. While retrofitting older homes with weather stripping, insulation and caulk helps seal air leaks, for new homes and additions, building tight walls can prevent air from escaping.

Make a home remodel work for you
The challenging economy, coupled with increased interest in energy efficiency, is fueling greater demand for home products that deliver performance and savings as well as style.

Help cut costs, tackle home improvement projects
Once spring arrives and the daffodils begin to bloom, your old front door may look pretty drab. Still, many consumers may avoid home improvement projects because of a reluctance to spend money in a questionable economy.

Do it yourself? Asbestos in older homes should be handled with extreme caution
Your house should be your safe haven. It's where you go to relax, unwind and enjoy the free time you have.

Bring garden cheer into your home with color
Even in the throes of winter, when most gardens are hibernating under a cold-weather blanket, it's easy to bring the warm, vibrant feelings of spring into the home with colors, textures and patterns.

Must-haves for a mature household
The aging population will have the second biggest impact of any factor on the remodeling industry over the next five years, according to the AARP and National Association of Home Builders. Why? Because today's homeowners overwhelmingly prefer to live independently in their current homes, even if it means remodeling to meet their needs.

Greening your home to improve health and save money
You can just smell it. You install new carpeting in your home, and the air in your living room takes on a brash, chemical scent. That can't be good. The health and safety of the family is a top priority for all, yet it's surprising how common it is to neglect easy ways to protect them. If you are planning to remodel, redecorate or even build a new home, what should you consider?

Authentic cedar beauty enhances home value, lasts a lifetime
For all the time-saving benefits that a durable home exterior can bring, homeowners never want to sacrifice curb appeal. Beyond that first requirement of a great-looking home, a growing number are focusing on features that give them back more time with maintenance-free living.

Revitalize your style: spring projects refresh your home and wardrobe
After months of dark, sleepy winter, many of us look for ways to bring spring's sense of renewal into our homes. This year, go beyond the typical spring cleaning with projects that repurpose things you already own. You will revitalize your home's style - and your own - and add a new, fun spin to life in sunnier days.

Top 8 spring home security tips
Is home security on your to-do list for the spring? Although preliminary statistics are showing a decrease in the crime rate for the end of 2009, more than 9 million property crimes are still projected to occur in 2010. Trends also reveal that crime rates increase as the weather improves. As the spring of 2010 approaches, take the time now to start your DIY home security plan.

Don't let your house take a beating this winter
No matter what part of the country you live in, the winter months can be downright abusive on your home. From frozen Minnesotans dropping heaps of water-logged clothing on the floor after digging out of five feet of snow, to tanned Floridians grinding gritty sand into their carpeting, every home takes a beating in the winter. As harsh as we can be on our most expensive investment, there are a variety of easy and inexpensive precautions that will greatly diminish the amount of winter wear and tear imposed on our homes.