Anthony Carrino says this one quick fix will make your home more comfortable

Renovating expert Anthony Carrino believes we should be paying more attention to the air quality of our homes

modern open plan living space with gray sofa, white kitchen and large doors out to the garden
(Image credit: Norsu Interiors)

We asked Kitchen Cousins star Anthony Carrino for one small, immediate change we can make to improve our homes, and he recommended buying an air quality monitor. It's not sexy, but well worth considering.

Investing in one of the best air purifiers will reduce the pollutants, odors, and dust in the air, and can also make a big difference if you suffer from hay fever or pet allergies. Anthony Carrino, home designer and developer and Trane Residential partner, says a piece of kit that will update you on the air quality in your home is a must-have.

air quality monitor and purifier from Quiet Mark

(Image credit: Quiet Mark (UK))

Anthony Carrino's air quality monitor tip

'A change people can make is to start monitoring their air quality with an indoor air monitoring device,' says Anthony Carrino. 'These can be bought online and can help you identify the pollutants that can compromise your health and your comfort when at home.' 

Indoor air quality's not something we used to give a lot of thought. In times gone by we'd open a window, keep on top of dust, and hope for the best. But we spend so much of our time indoors, whether at work, at home or in school, and an air quality monitor provides us with some peace of mind.

HGTV's Kitchen Cousins stars Anthony Carrino and John Colaneri

(Image credit: Alamy)

Everything from cleaning chemicals to dust can compromise our air quality, and living with poor air quality can be harmful to our health.

'The Awair Element ($299) is compatible with many smart home systems and can easily share data with you about how your indoor air quality measures up against indoor air factors like humidity, dust, and carbon dioxide,' the HGTV star explains. If you already have an Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant at home, the Awair Element Indoor Air Quality Monitor will link up with them.

air quality monitor and purifier from Quiet Mark

(Image credit: Quiet Mark (UK))

This particular model measures various factors: temperature, humidity, CO2, fine particle matter and TVOC (total volatile organic compounds). It takes these into account and translates it into a concise overall score.

Sure, we can think of home updates that would get us a little more excited, but an air quality monitor will help us breathe easy.

Millie joined Real Homes in early 2021 as a homes news writer. When she isn't writing about trends, makeovers and houseplant care, she spends her free time making tweaks to her rented flat in North London. Her next project is a very basic armchair reupholstering job to help create a cosy reading nook in her living room. She loves browsing antique centres, tending to her small front garden, and is never without some fresh flowers at home.

Latest in DIY
A pale pink living room wall with bookshelves filled with books and a gold circular mirror hanging on it, plus colorful vases below the pillow and a sputnik chandelier in front of it
This renter-friendly painted wallpaper technique is going viral on TikTok — design pros love it
White bathroom with tiled shower
How to paint bathroom tile for a quick and budget-friendly refresh
picture of Natasha Brinsmead in renovation project
5 DIY renovation jobs that were so much easier than I expected
giant DIY pegboard
10 easy DIY small space storage ideas anyone can do
Painting wall with white paint
Five DIY renovation jobs I’ll leave to the pros next time
Fluted panel in modern off-white and sage green kitchen with black hardware and microcemented counters
A $200 fluted panel transformed my drab kitchen in just one weekend
Latest in News
Jennifer Garner wearing a black and white coat and black dress, standing in front of a blue background
Jennifer Garner's dining room is filled with “cohesive and intentional” features that showcase her personality
Two pictures - one of Bobby Berk wearing a brown leather shirt and one of a living room with a black feature wall and a wooden dining table
Bobby Berk has revealed his favorite wall paint color — designers agree that it's a chic choice
Vanessa Hudgens wearing a white dress, a diamond necklace, and her hair up with a bow, standing in front of a gold and red background
Vanessa Hudgens’ wallpaper puts a trendy twist on a classic style — designers love her effortless approach
RuPaul wearing a black cowboy hat and jacket, standing in front of a purple wall that says 'Emmys' in gold writing behind it
RuPaul's dining room is filled with colorful and conversation touches that bring “all the fun vibes”
A living room with black walls, wall art prints, neon signs, and a velvet blue couch with throw pillows on it
I'm calling it — Beetlejuicecore is 2024's hottest Halloween trend
Alicia Silverstone wearing a black blazer, standing in front of a white background with black writing on it
Alicia Silverstone’s kitchen is a masterclass in nostalgiacore — designers adore its “simplicity and coziness”