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To help you find the best flannel sheets for your home, we tested 29 in our Lab, evaluating them on quality, texture, breathability, durability, value, and warmth. We also sought the advice of textile experts, including Ruthie Osswald, designer at Brooklinen, and Kristie Rhodes, Manager of Woven Product Development at Cotton Incorporated. Our top pick is the Coyuchi Cloud Brushed Organic Flannel Sheets for their soft texture, medium heft, and lack of shrinkage after washing....

We sent 20 foam pillows to our testers, who slept on and evaluated each pillow based on quality, airflow, comfort, durability, and value. For expert tips and recommendations, we spoke to Kelly Murray, a certified pediatric and adult sleep coach. “Memory foam has a slow response rate (think of it as the ‘bounce-back’), and as the body sinks into the pillow, it gradually molds around the body’s weight, using the pillow’s density to create a firm support that stays in place all night long,” says Murray....

Whether you’re shopping for an immediate project or just planning for the future, we enlisted some experts to guide you through the 12 most common types of floor tiles and wall tiles. Find out which tiles are best for every type of home project to ensure you’ll love your remodel for years to come. When shopping, Castellano recommends checking the ceramic tile lot number to ensure you have a clean, uniform end result....

The key to finding comfortable high heels is looking beyond aesthetics to certain structural characteristics. For instance, while stilettos and pumps have a visual appeal, you’re more likely to find comfort in shoes with a lower, wider heel. Anyone who’s ever worn heels knows this from experience, but it’s also backed up by Dr. Hillary Brenner, DPM, PC, who we tapped for insights on how to pick out heels that won’t leave your feet blistered and sore....

In the living room, the story is about mixing color, pattern, scale, and texture. Dabito paired chunky pieces of furniture (the sofa, the fat-leg coffee table) with delicate sculptural lamps and simple sisal shades. All the different textures—the sofa’s weave, the jute rug, that nubby mushroom ottoman—look cozy and cool. To make the back porch feel like an extension of the home, Dabito continued the bold patterns and colors outdoors....

The start of this month is marked with the opportunity to shop for coveted makeup products and beauty tools at prices you can’t beat. Prepare your beauty arsenal for those upcoming holiday parties by picking up Urban Decay’s top-selling Naked2 Basics Eyeshadow Palette for just $22, or indulge in some much-needed self-care with a rejuvenating mask treatment using Foreo’s UFO Mini LED device while saving 40 percent. We get it; not every sale is worth your time, so we did the legwork and sifted through thousands of under-the-radar deals to find the most stand-out offers in the beauty department that are worth every penny....

To determine the best dryers, we spent hours researching top-rated units, considering factors like capacity, features, efficiency, price, and more. We also consulted Grant Pill, head of appliances at Wayfair, and Jessica Petrino, educator and appliance expert at AJ Madison, for recommendations on choosing the best dryer for your lifestyle. In purchasing a dryer, Petrino advises you to consider a variety of factors, particularly “one’s space, budget, fuel type, and design preferences....

“Consumers may compare power usage when selecting the best model for their needs,” says Lane Dixon, Vice President of Operations at Aire Serv, a Neighborly company. “One should also consider how individual models should be ventilated and drainage systems maintained.” Dixon notes that if a model has a drain pan that must be manually emptied, you’ll need to check on it every few hours to see that it doesn’t overflow....

We tested 28 hose nozzles in our Lab to determine the best for every purpose. We assessed each hose nozzle on ease of use, features, effectiveness, durability, and value. Our top pick is the Dramm One Touch Revolution Spray Gun for its nine spray settings, which are clearly marked on the nozzle, strong spray, and comfortable handle. Read on to learn more about our top picks and how to choose the best hose nozzle for your home watering needs....

To find the best brooms, we spent hours researching the various options on the market, considering factors like broom style, bristle material, handle design, and overall value when coming up with our picks. We also spoke to two cleaning experts—Renee Kraus, CEO of Renee’s Cleaning Services, and Johnny Pallares, owner of De La Rosa House Cleaning—for advice on how to choose the best brooms for different cleaning tasks and surface types....

To compile this list of the best garden hoses across all different types, we tested 30 garden hoses in our Lab, evaluating them on design, ease of use, durability, and value. For expert advice on what to look for in a garden hose, we turned to Erin Schanen, creator of The Impatient Gardener, as well as Gary McCoy, store manager at Lowe’s. “There is no perfect hose for every application,” says Schanen....

While there are many small tweaks you can make to minimize sedentariness, one powerful way to combat workday woes is to use a standing desk (sometimes called an “adjustable height desk” or a “sit-to-stand desk”). These desks can be lifted and lowered, allowing you to shift seamlessly between sitting and standing positions. Doing so can help you to change posture and stretch more throughout the workday, which can increase “mindfulness, alertness, and circulation,” says Heather White, master ergonomist for the Ergonomics Center at North Carolina State University....

“The two most common types of sheet weaves are percale and sateen,” says Byron Golub, director of product and merchandising at Saatva. “Of the two, percale is the more breathable option. Here’s the technical reason why: percale uses a one-yarn-over, one-yarn-under design. It produces a fabric with a matte finish that allows for excellent airflow between the threads.” To find the best percale sheets, our in-house testers evaluated more than a dozen different percale sheet sets at our lab in Des Moines....

And while the terms are often used interchangeably, duvet inserts and comforters are technically two different things. The main difference is that a duvet insert is meant to be used with a cover while a comforter is meant to be used alone. However, many products marketed as “comforters” are designed to be used the same way as a duvet insert—and they come with loops to attach a cover. “One of the best reasons for going with a duvet over a comforter is it allows you to swap out your bedding, whether for seasonal shifts or decor preferences,” says Derby....

When looking for the best leaf blowers, you’ll need to decide between a gas-powered or electric leaf blower. While gas leaf blowers tend to be the most powerful, they’re quite loud, expensive, and they can require a lot of upkeep that makes them less suited for small- to medium-sized yards. Instead, we recommend electric leaf blowers, which are quieter, more maneuverable, and come in either corded or cordless models. “Cordless blowers are the best options for almost all of your blower needs,” says Nicole Durden, senior merchant at The Home Depot....

“In general, vacuums for tile floors must remove soil without the use of an agitator—as when cleaning carpet—to prevent the vacuum from marring the surface,” says Allen Rathey, director of the Indoor Health Council. “That said, airflow and suction are very important factors, and canister vacs with a suction-only wand and floor tool, and stick and upright vacuums that offer a suction-only option, are great at cleaning smooth floors.” A soft roller head brushbar is also ideal for cleaning and polishing tile floors without scratching them....

Koolaburra by Ugg Koola Mini Li Ankle Boot Some of the best gifts are ones that people wouldn’t buy for themselves. For example, my mom has been talking about getting herself Ugg boots for years, but has yet to treat herself. Most of the brand’s shoes are a little out of my price range, which is why I’m opting for its sister line, which I’ve tested and loved. It’s nearly identical in style and quality, but everything is in my budget....

Here’s a deeper look at the six key categories: Cleanliness: How clean and well maintained the interior of the store isFriendliness: How friendly and helpful the staff is at their local CostcoStock: The variety and availability of different productsQuality of samples: How tasty the samples typically are at their local CostcoQuantity of samples: How many different samples are typically available while shoppingParking lot quality/parking availability: How easy it is to navigate the store’s parking lot and find parking...

Unfortunately, you can’t turn back time, but you can take action to undo some of the damage—and prevent wrinkles from settling in deeper. Turn to proven products to restore your skin to its more youthful days (without losing all of the wisdom you’ve acquired along the way). In an effort to track down the best anti-aging products, we asked some of the top board-certified pros around to share their skincare secrets and the products they swear by....

Smart real estate sites take many of the difficulties out of purchasing or selling property. It’s still an intensive process, but with clever help, it can be so much easier—and more accessible to many people, even those who thought they’d never be able to buy. As part of the Real Simple Smart Money Awards, we’re highlighting the best real estate apps of 2020. Whether refinancing your mortgage, searching for your dream home, or trying to sell your current one, these smart real estate sites can help....