Mary Beth Sharkey, Author at The How-To Home

Stylish basement with kitchen island, bar stools, and barn door—demonstrating the benefits of a finished and well-insulated basement space

All Things Home | Home Maintenance | Home Remodeling | The Homemaker’s Journal

Your Basement’s Dangerous Hidden Secrets and the Efficient Cure That Can Help

A neatly landscaped patio with outdoor furniture, where uneven surfaces or poor grading could cause future issues.

Outdoor DIY & Décor | All Things Home | Home Projects | The Homemaker’s Journal

7 Hidden Problems in Your Backyard You Should Fix Before Your Next DIY Project

Beautiful diamond rings in a jeweler's pink velvet display box

Reviews | The Homemaker’s Journal

7 Best Diamond Jewelry Brands Reviewed 2025

All Things Home | Home Maintenance | Home Remodeling | The Homemaker’s Journal

A Guide to Remodeling Your Home for Retirement

Slice of easy homemade blueberry pie on a white plate with golden crust and fresh, juicy blueberry filling, made with a store-bought crust.

The Homemaker’s Journal | Desserts | Recipes

Easy Blueberry Pie Filling with Store Bought Crust

Bright and inviting home exterior with American flag and lush landscaping—reminder that asbestos can lurk unseen.

All Things Home | Bathroom | Bedroom | Cleaning | Home Maintenance | Homemaking | The Homemaker’s Journal

The Weekend Home Refresh Checklist Every Busy Homeowner Needs

All Things Home | Outdoor DIY & Décor | The Homemaker’s Journal

The Best Awning Installers Of 2025

A cozy, eclectic living space with forest green walls, layered artwork, a bold rug, and a mix of textures and vintage finds for a personalized vibe.

All Things Home | Home Décor | Homemaking | The Homemaker’s Journal

Live Your Way: Pro Tips for Creating a Home That Fits Your Lifestyle

Sleek white kitchen featuring a stacked washer-dryer, stainless steel fridge, and modern stove, representing sustainable living with long-lasting appliances.

All Things Home | Home Maintenance | Sustainability | The Homemaker’s Journal

Sustainable repair: your partner for household parts

Cute dog enjoying the breeze from a fan while lying on a couch, a relatable way to stay cool when the AC isn’t working.

The Homemaker’s Journal

Summer Survival Guide: What to Do When the AC Stops Working

A yellow jacket wasp lying on a flat surface with vivid yellow legs, striped abdomen, and bristled body in sharp focus.

All Things Home | Home Maintenance | Outdoor DIY & Décor | The Homemaker’s Journal

Yellow Jackets Don’t Just Sting — Their Aggression Requires Strategic Pest Control, Not DIY Swatting

A luxury kitchen featuring dark gray refaced cabinets, marble countertops, and modern lighting fixtures for a contemporary refresh.

All Things Home | Home Maintenance | Home Remodeling | The Homemaker’s Journal

Discover the lasting beauty of meticulously crafted cabinet refacing results

A joyful family laughing and cuddling together on a tidy sectional sofa in a bright living room—showcasing the peace and connection that followed the deep cleaning process.

Cleaning | All Things Home | Homemaking | The Homemaker’s Journal

The Day Deep Cleaning Changed Everything in One Family’s Home

Intimate wooden deck setup with a small table, chairs, and wine glasses surrounded by planters and a lattice privacy fence for a warm, enclosed garden feel.

All Things Home | Outdoor DIY & Décor | The Homemaker’s Journal

Budget-Friendly Backyard Makeovers: Where to Splurge and Where to Save

Large gray home with white trim and coordinated siding and roofing, set against a bright blue sky with lush green lawn.

All Things Home | Home Buying and Relocation | Moving | The Homemaker’s Journal

Market Trends Shaping Today’s Home Sales

The Homemaker’s Journal | All Things Home | Homemaking

How To Recreate The Dining Out Experience At Home

Updated bathroom with marble floors, freestanding tub, and natural light, showing how a renovation enhances everyday living.

All Things Home | Home Maintenance | The Homemaker’s Journal

Signs that your Home Needs to be Renovated

The Secret to Creating a Cozy and Charming Outdoor Space ~ vintage wooden chairs ~ cupcakesandcrinoline.com

All Things Home | Outdoor DIY & Décor | The Homemaker’s Journal

Setting Your Yard Up for Summer Fun

Luxurious outdoor living space featuring wicker furniture with patterned cushions, a stone fireplace, and an outdoor kitchen area with stainless steel appliances and palm trees in the background

All Things Home | Home Décor | Outdoor DIY & Décor | The Homemaker’s Journal

8 Easy Ways to Bring Summer into Your Home Decor

A cozy, modern farmhouse dining room showcasing a natural wood dining table set with cream tufted chairs. A crystal chandelier hangs over the table, enhancing the room's elegance. A stone fireplace with a wooden mantel serves as the room's focal point, adorned with farmhouse-style decor, including a large round sign and potted plants. The room also features open shelving filled with neutral ceramics and greenery, adding a rustic touch. Large windows illuminate the space, highlighting the inviting and warm aesthetic.

All Things Home | Cleaning | Decluttering | Homemaking | Organizing | The Homemaker’s Journal

Spring Cleaning Checklist: Deep Clean Your Home in One Weekend

beautiful middle aged woman business owner adding shipping labels to orders for her business

All Things Home | Making Money Online From Home

The Surprising Areas Where Businesses Are Saving Money

Stylish entryway featuring large-format gray marble-look tile flooring with natural veining and a minimalist reception design.

All Things Home | Home Remodeling | The Homemaker’s Journal

Why Tile Is the One Upgrade Your House Actually Deserves Right Now

Rental agent talking with potential tenants outside a home with a "House for Rent" sign, emphasizing the importance of tenant background checks.

The Homemaker’s Journal | All Things Home

Tenant Background Checks: Why They Matter—and How They're Evolving

Close-up of hands cutting red polymer clay with a craft knife, showing how beginners can shape and sculpt their clay for detailed projects.

crafts | Kids Crafts | Quick Crafts | The Homemaker’s Journal

The 10 Best Polymer Clay Brands for Beginners

A bright enclosed patio with wicker dining furniture and tiled flooring, designed as a flexible living area for indoor-outdoor gatherings.

All Things Home | Home Remodeling

Seasonal Home Retreats: Creating Year-Round Comfort with Flexible Living Areas

Cozy balcony workspace with twinkling lights and subtle storage containers for a serene remote work setup.

All Things Home | Decluttering | Homemaking | Organizing | The Homemaker’s Journal

Top Storage Solutions to Improve Your Home Office Using Storage Containers in Sacramento

A vintage-themed room with ornate wooden furniture, green vases, and decorative pillows, showcasing elegant wood accents in your home design.

Home Décor | All Things Home | The Homemaker’s Journal

The Beauty of Wood Accents in Your Home: Pros and Cons

Newlyweds embracing in a lush green meadow with mountains in the background, representing a romantic outdoor wedding setting.

Entertaining | Lifestyle | The Homemaker’s Journal

Tips for Selecting the Perfect Wedding Date

Close-up of the ornate Via Rodeo and N. Rodeo Drive street sign surrounded by palm trees—great for sightseeing with older kids and teens.

The Homemaker’s Journal | Family | Helpful Info | Lifestyle | Travel

Visiting California With The Kids? Keep Your Trip Child Friendly With These Tips

Beautiful Lawn Grown from Seed

All Things Home | Gardening | Home Maintenance | Outdoor DIY & Décor

Starting a Lawn From Seed 101 Guide

A bright and well-organized home office featuring a white desk, sleek shelving, neutral-toned storage boxes, and a modern chandelier — perfect inspiration for turning a former bedroom into a chic and functional workspace.

All Things Home | Bedroom | Home Remodeling | Homemaking | The Homemaker’s Journal

Converting An Adult's Child Bedroom Into A Home Office: A Mini-Guide

Solar panel technician in safety gear installing panels on a residential rooftop.

All Things Home | Home Maintenance

Unlocking the Advantages of Residential Solar: A Comprehensive Guide

Kitchen remodel in progress with white RTA cabinets

Home Remodeling | All Things Home | The Homemaker’s Journal

Creating a Realistic Remodeling Budget: Avoiding Cost Overruns and Staying on Track

Hands of an architect using a compass on a floor plan sketch surrounded by pencils, rulers, and architectural tools during the drafting phase of a tenant improvement project.

All Things Home | Home Remodeling | The Homemaker’s Journal

From Vision to Blueprint: How Architectural Drafting Services Bring Tenant Improvement Projects to Life

A flat lay of floral wedding invitation stationery with kraft envelopes and dried flowers, perfect for DIY weddings under $1 per invite.

The Homemaker’s Journal | Entertaining | Family | Helpful Info | Lifestyle

How to Score Wedding Invitations Under $1 and Find the Perfect Guest Book for Weddings

5 Forgotten Weekend Projects That Instantly Boost Backyard Use

All Things Home | Home Maintenance | Homemaking | Outdoor DIY & Décor | The Homemaker’s Journal

5 Forgotten Weekend Projects That Instantly Boost Backyard Use

A woman wrapped in a blanket enjoying cool air from a wall-mounted AC unit, representing effective home cooling.

All Things Home | Home Maintenance | The Homemaker’s Journal

DIY Air Conditioning Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Home Cool

Minimalist bathroom sink with a white vessel bowl and rose gold faucet against dark stone tiles, emphasizing modern plumbing aesthetics.

All Things Home | Bathroom | Home Maintenance | Home Remodeling | The Homemaker’s Journal

How Modern Plumbing Innovations Transform Homes

A beige suburban home with rooftop solar panels installed on a tan tile roof, set against a scenic mountain backdrop.

All Things Home | Home Maintenance | Home Remodeling | Sustainability | The Homemaker’s Journal

Simple Energy-Saving Hacks That Pair Perfectly with Solar Power

Striking Craftsman-style house with taupe vertical siding, tall pillars, and steep rooflines framed by evergreen trees.

All Things Home | Home Maintenance | Home Remodeling | The Homemaker’s Journal

Curb Appeal Transformation: The Power of Siding and Roofing Combinations

A heating system technician performing maintenance on a boiler, ensuring efficiency and identifying warning signs of failure.

Home Maintenance | All Things Home | The Homemaker’s Journal

5 Maintenance Tips to Avoid Costly Boiler Repairs

A residential air conditioner with insulated refrigerant lines installed outside a brick home, with a cat walking nearby.

Home Maintenance | All Things Home | The Homemaker’s Journal

AC Maintenance Tips to Avoid Costly Repairs