Rain gardens offer homeowners the chance to do their part in lowering storm water pollution by creating water-retaining and filtering, flora-filled swales in their yards. A single 10-feet by 12-feet rain garden can effectively filter 30,000 gallons of roof runoff water a year, thus preventing that water from picking up surface pollution and carrying that pollution to local lakes and streams. If you're considering adding a rain garden to your property, here is what you should know about soil type and plant selection.

Spring is the time when you start to see healthy greenery again and you are likely to see a great deal of rain as well. In fact, you may even see up to five to six inches of rain during the months of March, April, and May. Even if you only see a few inches in your area, this is the time when your sump pump really needs to do its work to keep your basement dry.

Contemporary furniture is obviously based on modern design trends rather than the styles of the distant past, but strictly modern decor can end up feeling impersonal and cold. The hottest trends for contemporary furniture today rely on small details drawn from the past to give the furnishings a historical connection that makes them feel warmer and more welcoming. Try joining in on these five trends that are currently driving the world of contemporary interior design.

Whether you've finally landed that executive position or you're launching the business you've always dreamed of, one of the most important things you can do for your office is to consider feng shui. Proper feng shui can enhance your productivity, inspiration and creativity while also helping you to feel more disciplined and focused. As you start thinking about your office layout and design, here are some tips to help you build a feng shui environment.

As summer begins, you are probably thinking more about barbeques than basements. The warm weather seems to invite lazy days, iced drinks, and long vacations. However, this coming winter has already invited excessive rain--a cold awakening to reality as your unready basement fills with water. La Nina is coming to Illinois, like it or not--and that means a wild winter and flooded homes. Trouble ahead The country has just emerged from an El Nino winter.

Moving to a new home opens up a world of possibilities. In a new house, you have the option to decorate it any way you want. If you have an overabundance of clutter in your current home, you don't have to take your piles with you. Here are some tips on purging items you no longer need while you are packing up for your next move. Unopened Boxes Do you have unopened boxes sitting in your garage or basement, left over from the last time you moved?

Cloth diapers have many advantages over disposable ones. Cloth diapers are more affordable, more environmentally friendly and -- most importantly when trying to go through the night without a diaper change -- more absorbent. If exposed to hard water, however, cloth diapers' absorbency can be greatly diminished. If you're cloth diapering a baby or toddler, here's how to make sure the minerals in your home's water don't reduce how well your cloth diapers absorb urine.

As summer approaches, many children will find themselves at home while their parents are at work. Parents reports that one out of every 25 children in kindergarten through fifth grade find themselves home alone after school. When school is let out for the summer, even more children will likely be home alone for at least a little while. If your children will be home while you're at work this summer, a smart surveillance system could help you parent them remotely.

If you strive to live a greener life, it can be difficult to deal with outdoor pests in a way that serves your needs without crossing your strong ideals. The truth is that even those who live the greenest lives still need to deal with insects, bugs, and other small pests occasionally. If you plan to garden outdoors, or you just want to create a safe environment for your children, understanding how to mix the best of both worlds safely can help you to reach your goals.