Mary Beth Sharkey, Author at The How-To Home

Cozy home entry with painted brick walls and neutral tones, showing the charm painting your house can bring.

All Things Home | Home Buying and Relocation | Home Maintenance | Thanksgiving

When painting your house is an investment, not just an expense

Glass pitcher filled with refreshing lemon water and mint leaves, sitting on a rustic wooden table outdoors, surrounded by fresh lemons — a perfect way to stay hydrated and energized throughout a busy day.

Healthy Living | The Homemaker’s Journal

Why Drinking Water is Essential for a Productive Day

Juicy cheeseburger with egg, tomato, greens, and sesame bun, ready in 5 minutes

Recipes | Lunch | The Homemaker’s Journal

5-Minute Lunches You Can Make on a Busy Day

Tex-Mex inspired chicken lunch bowl with black beans, rice, corn, pico de gallo, shredded cheese, lettuce, and fresh cilantro

Recipes | Lunch | The Homemaker’s Journal

4 Lunch Bowls Ideas Everyone Will Love

Beautiful Modern kitchen with a large white island and backless metal stools

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

Renovating Your Dream Kitchen - 10 Things to Keep in Mind

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

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

Why Every Homeowner Should Consider Asbestos Testing

A well-structured modern home with dark metal roofing, designed to enhance durability, energy efficiency, and curb appeal.

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

8 Best Roof Repair Companies in Maryland

A man uses a pressure washer to clean mildew off light-colored vinyl siding on a home, spraying upward near the eaves.

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

How Often Should You Schedule Pressure Washing For Your Home?

A stylish small home living room connected to a modern kitchen with a central island, bar stools, and space-saving furniture to enhance flow and functionality.

All Things Home | Home Décor | Home Remodeling | Homemaking | Organizing

Maximizing Space in Small Homes - Smart Remodeling Ideas for 2025

Five Smart Ways to Make Your Home Move-In Ready

All Things Home | Moving | The Homemaker’s Journal

Five Smart Ways to Make Your Home Move-In Ready

A well-lit dining room with natural light streaming through large windows. The space features a round wooden table surrounded by rattan chairs with white cushions. The grey and white geometric-patterned wallpaper complements the modern yet cozy aesthetic. A rattan pendant light and a matching round mirror complete the room’s harmonious design.

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

The Rise of Personalized Home Interior Design: Customizing Every Room with 3D Visualization

Overhead view of warm pancakes topped with fresh strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, surrounded by more fruit and syrup—an inviting setup for a family pancake morning.

Recipes | Breakfast | Family | The Homemaker’s Journal

Family Breakfast Fun: Make Pancakes and Toppings Together

Worker in protective gear and hard hat installing insulation between wooden beams in an attic, highlighting home insulation benefits.

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

3 Important Exterior Home Renovation Projects to Start Before Winter

Smart Bedroom Solutions for Optimizing Space

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

Smart Bedroom Solutions for Optimizing Space

A roofing professional in a yellow hard hat inspecting the ridge line of a shingled roof during a routine roof inspection.

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

The Crucial Role of Routine Roof Inspections for Your Home's Longevity

A homeowner and a contractor in a hard hat review project plans on a tablet inside a partially built house with exposed framing.

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

The Ultimate Guide to Vetting General Contractors: Questions You MUST Ask

Charming white board-and-batten barndominium with stone base, tall black-trim windows, and a metal roof, set among trees with a landscaped yard and cozy hanging chair on the front porch.

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

The Homeowner's Guide to a Smooth Closing Process

Large stone fireplace built into a backyard patio area with slate pavers, red-accented seating, and lush greenery in the background, creating a cozy gathering space.

All Things Home | Outdoor Living Made Simple | The Homemaker’s Journal

Why Durable Materials Are Essential for Long-Lasting Outdoor Spaces

A person in rubber boots is pressure washing a concrete sidewalk. The high-pressure water stream is visibly cleaning away dirt and organic buildup.

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

Soft Washing vs. Pressure Washing: Which Is Right for Your Property?

A modern two-story home with energy-efficient windows and doors, featuring a sleek black and white exterior, large glass panels, and warm outdoor lighting. The well-insulated windows and stylish front door enhance both aesthetics and energy efficiency.

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

The Ultimate Guide to Energy-Efficient Windows and Doors

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

All Things Home | Eco-Friendly | Home Exterior Essentials | Home Maintenance | Home Remodeling | Sustainability | The Homemaker’s Journal

Is Your Roof Ready for Solar Panels? Here's How to Find Out

A spacious white sectional sofa in a sunlit living room with tall windows, neutral walls, and a geometric patterned rug—perfect for a cozy, modern setup.

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

Update Your Living Room with the Best Sectional Sofas in 2025

A cozy bedroom with a wooden headboard, crisp white bedding, and a plush faux fur blanket. A small wooden bench with a lush green plant sits at the foot of the bed, adding a touch of nature to the neutral space.

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

Creating a Comfortable Bedroom: What to Look for in a Mattress

beautiful bedroom lighting

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

Designing the Perfect Master Bedroom: Furniture, Decor, and More

A beautifully restored historic home with a soft blue exterior, featuring a durable and energy-efficient metal roof. This sustainable roofing option enhances the home’s charm while offering long-term environmental benefits.

The Homemaker’s Journal

Sustainable Roofing Choices That Complement Eco-Friendly Home Décor

A wooden palette with colorful paint smudges, paintbrushes of different sizes in a white ceramic cup, and paint tubes spread out on a wooden surface.

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

No Skills, No Problem! How to Paint Your Own Art

A person inserting a fresh, clean air filter into the AC unit to improve air quality and efficiency.

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

Why is it important to change the AC filter regularly?

A modern two-story home with energy-efficient windows and doors, featuring a sleek black and white exterior, large glass panels, and warm outdoor lighting. The well-insulated windows and stylish front door enhance both aesthetics and energy efficiency.

Home Maintenance | All Things Home

Energy-Efficient Plumbing Upgrades for a Cozy Winter Home

Contemporary house with a clean flat roof, large windows, and a well-manicured front yard.

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

Can I Pressure Wash a Flat Roof?

A stylish living room with wooden slat wall paneling, a mounted flat-screen TV, and a sleek floating marble console. Natural sunlight filters through sheer curtains, casting soft shadows and enhancing the contemporary, elegant ambiance.

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

The Increasing Demand of Wooden Panels in Interior Design

Bright, white kitchen with round marble table, woven pendant light, and clean, simple storage.

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

Small Kitchen Remodeling Ideas to Maximize Space

Professional plumber in blue overalls using tools to fix a bathroom sink drain, with plumbing wrenches on the counter.

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

DIY Plumbing Fixes vs. Professional Help: When to Call a Plumber

Damaged door jamb with paint peeling off and deep rot in the wood, showing signs of water damage near the base of an exterior door.

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

How To Identify and Repair Rotting Wood

Outdoor air conditioning unit mounted on a wall bracket, with fan visible.

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

What Should I Do If My AC Unit Won't Turn On?

Beautiful Modern kitchen with a large white island and backless metal stools

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

Budget-Friendly Kitchen Remodeling Ideas for a Modern Look

Cozy covered patio of a modern barndominium with a neutral-toned outdoor sectional, wooden fire pit, Adirondack chairs, and string lights overhead, surrounded by lush greenery and natural stone paths.

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

How to Build Your Dream Barndominium: A Guide for First-Time Homeowners

A stunning, all-white kitchen with a large marble island, stainless steel appliances, and elegant pendant lighting, showcasing a pristine and clutter-free space.

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

Keep Your Kitchen Clean and Organized: Simple Strategies for a Stress-Free Routine

A charming bedside setup featuring black wooden "HOME" letters, soft blankets, fresh white flowers, and a cozy, neutral-toned background that enhances a sense of warmth and comfort.

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

Unobvious Tips to Make Your Home Cosier

A beautifully designed living room featuring a cozy fireplace, two vintage-style armchairs with plush cushions, a marble coffee table, and a mounted TV. The space blends classic elegance with budget-friendly décor ideas, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

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

Budget-Friendly Living Room Décor Hacks

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

Home Maintenance | All Things Home

Top Warning Signs Your Boiler Needs Immediate Repair in New York

A stunning Mediterranean-style home with white stucco walls, terracotta roof tiles, and bright pink bougainvillea in full bloom. The vibrant colors and lush greenery create a quintessential Mediterranean ambiance.

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

Embracing Mediterranean Décor: Styling Your Cyprus Home with Local Flair

An elderly couple, dressed in pastel-colored clothing, carefully hangs a framed abstract artwork featuring vibrant pink, orange, and blue shapes on a neutral-colored wall. The woman gestures to help position the frame correctly.

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

Damage-Free Ways to Hang Artwork on Your Walls