Ahh, crawl spaces - those lovely subterranean areas that often consist of dirt, cobwebs and feelings of claustrophobia. Even though we may try to avoid them, improving an existing crawl space is actually an important step in greening your home. Retrofitting these areas not only addresses energy efficiency and moisture problems, but for those living in a small home, they can also be turned into valuable storage space! More

As trees start blooming and everything seems to be sprouting new growth, we're amazed at the wealth of scents outside. Thankfully, we're not riddled with seasonal allergies like so many friends—so every time we're outdoors, we take a big whiff of spring and enjoy it. If you want to bring spring inside, we've got a few tips to freshen and lighten up the air in your home! More

We're always joking around at the Unplggd office about how easy it would be to implement sci-fi elements into our homes without making it look like something out Tron, but we never feel like the tech has ever been well-implemented. Until now, of course, where we're finally starting to see the first baby steps in the exploration of USB-powered desk fans... More

Whether you work in a cubicle, an open plan office or at home, fresh air is key to health and productivity. According to NASA research, adding at least one potted plant per 100 square feet of floor space drastically improves the air and reduces symptoms of "sick building syndrome" (SBS), caused by common chemicals and products. Here are the top plants to grab up during your spring cleaning, to help make a better, healthier office environment. More

According to the American Lung Association, the average person spends 90% of their time indoors. With poor indoor air quality contributing to various health problems, it's important to make sure your home is a healthy one. While most of us know about the major culprits like radon and asbestos, you might be surprised by what common materials and practices can affect the air we breathe. See the full list after the jump!

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Q: I have a roommate that just moved out, and he's been smoking in his (unventilated) room for a little bit less than a year. I tried scrubbing the walls down with Mrs. Meyer's general cleaning solution, and I tried scrubbing the walls down with a vinegar/ammonia/baking soda solution, but the stink keeps coming back. The ceiling tiles might be part of the problem; they're porous, so I think they've probably absorbed a ton of the stink… More

Although improving the efficiency of our homes really does start with just a few small steps, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with what products to buy and how to install them. That's why I love the idea of Boost Boxes, well-designed DIY kits for tackling specific rooms or systems in your home.

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Have you ever seen the sprinklers go on while it's raining outside? Automatic sprinkler systems on golf courses, industrial parks, and large lawns aren't necessarily in tune with the natural environment. A new techy solution by Cyber Rain connects automatic sprinkler systems to weather forecasts, landscaping, and the touch of your fingers, remotely. This is a great tip to pass on to help your business, community, or neighbor save water and money. More

For those concerned about household chemicals and the effects that certain building materials have on indoor air quality, it can sometimes feel like you're fighting a losing battle. ("Wait, now THAT'S bad for you, too?") But this "Precautionary List" from architecture firm Perkins + Will hopes to make it easier to understand and decipher those chemicals that are likely to be harmful, so you can avoid using them in the first place. More

I’m all sorts of wound up right now. This is my first Apartment Therapy post and it is throwing me into a tizzy. Sure, I’ve had my own blog for nearly 3 years now, but this is something else. I feel singly charged with helping every reader here step over their threshold and (if you haven’t already) start to see the design world that exists on the other side. Yep. I’m talking about garden design. More