9 Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring an Interior Designer, Straight from a Pro

Theres so much to consider, from your budget to their creative approach. Ask yourself first: what would you like to achieve by using a designer? Are you after advice on space planning only, or is it a whole design that you need? Interior Impressions It’s a waste of everyone’s time and the fastest way to a fallout. Want more design inspiration? What should I budget to achieve the look that I want?...

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 356 words · Frederick Williams

9 Reasons Why Light Bulbs Burn Out Too Quickly

Based on a usage of eight hours a day, a bulb should last roughly about four months. Here’s why light bulbs burning out quickly should be investigated and fixed quickly. The lifespan of a bulb turned on and off frequently is shortened versus one that’s on somewhat continuously. The Spruce / Letícia Almeida Test for voltage at a standard (120-volt) electrical outlet, using amultimeter or a voltage tester. Ensure you know how to do this safely because the power will be on....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 480 words · Shelby Armstrong

9 Reasons Your Vacuum Smells, and How to Fix It

If you’re wondering, ‘Why does my bathroom smell? ‘, it could be one of these nine causes, all of which are easily solved. Clogged Filter Another problem that is sparked by infrequent cleaning is a clogged filter. Maskot / Getty Images One of the first parts of the vacuum to check is the cable. If the cord heats up during use, then this may indicate that it is melting from the inside....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 382 words · Meredith Lopez

9 Recommended Trees for Landscaping Around Pools

If plantings are well-chosen and designed, they will show off the pool to its best advantage. The wrong choices could detract from the entire scene. When planted in a group or cluster, they can make ideal privacy screens. The Spruce / Gyscha Rendy Citrus Roetting / Pollex / LOOK-foto / Getty Images Citrus trees (Citrusspp. )add a pop of color and personality to a pool or patio garden. These plants also allow urban farmers or those with small-space gardens to grow a fruit-producing tree....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 434 words · Nicole Anderson

9 Secrets Designers Always Use to Instantly Make a Small Room Look Bigger

Leave windows uncovered or window treatments light, like with a roll-down mesh shade or linen curtains. Want more design inspiration? And when it comes to hanging curtains, she always opts to attach as close to the ceiling. Jessica Nelson Design/Carina Skrobecki Photography “This draws the eye line upward and makes the ceiling feel higher,” Nyanin says. Though dark colors might normally make a room feel smaller, black messes with people’s perception....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 186 words · Robert Morales

9 Signs of a Rat or Mouse Infestation in Your Home

Black droppings, foul odors, and scratching sounds don’t just happen at Halloween. They can also mean a rat or mouse infestation in your home. Rodents can be tricky, often only coming out at night. The Spruce The Spruce If you see any of these signs you have aratormouseinfestation. Here are some foolproof ways to tell whether there are still any mice or rats in your home. As rat andmouse droppingsage, they dry out become gray, and crumble if touched....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 389 words · Judy Martin

9 Signs of Worn Out Paint and How to Fix It

It is most commonly seen on wood siding and trim. Occasionally checking may become severe in some areas, leading to a deeper crack or split in the paint. In dry arid climates where there is little rain, chalking can become excessive. Jason Gallant / Getty Images Chalking is actually thepaint pigmentreleased by the paint binders that have been broken down by exposure to the weather. When chalking gets severe, it may run off and stain the surrounding construction....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 253 words · Jacqueline May

9 Smart Ways to Get Wrinkles Out of Clothes Without an Iron

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida Wrinkled clothes make a statementbut it is probably not the statement you want. You canreduce wrinkleseasily by ironing clothes. But what if you don’t have an iron or just hate using one? The Spruce / Letícia Almeida Here are nine smart ways you’re able to get out wrinkles without using an iron. A flat iron is most effective on small areas like collars and cuffs....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 290 words · Kevin Middleton

9 Sophisticated Beds Without Headboards

Display Your Favorite Art haleymarin / Instagram Another perk of not having a headboard? You have more space to show off your favorite works of art. This bedroom fromhaleymarinallows a mini gallery wall to act as the focal point for the room. The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto Without a headboard, your eyes are drawn to the art, and they become statement pieces. A Wonderful Canvas cozycoutureinteriors / Instagram We absolutely love this chalkboard paint idea fromcozycoutureinteriors....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 133 words · James Robinson

9 Spanish Colonial Homes and Their Key Characteristics

Homes like these were first built in Spain roughly 500 years ago. Learn more about the shape, frame, and structure of these magnificent abodes. Here is a gorgeous example of the latter. Erika Frank Interior Design It belongs toCarole Marcotte, the interior designer behind the firmForm and Function. Here white bricks were used instead of the traditional white stucco. Simple red shutters lend an old-world feel. Catherine Nguyen Photography Note the arch entrances and windows....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 463 words · Kristen Henderson

9 Storage Ideas for Pedestal Sinks That'll Add Function and Style

Its streamlined design fits with many different decor styles, and it doesn’t take up excessive square footage. While it’s a good way to keep the bathroom clutter-free, the storage issue can be a challenge. Keep reading for nine simple storage ideas for pedestal sinks that’ll add function and style. Wirestock/ Getty Images Use one or multiple lidded baskets to hold small essentials such as sanitary products. A medicine cabinet will add several shelves' worth of storage space directly above the sink....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 225 words · Sarah Castillo

9 Stunning Frank Lloyd Wright Homes That Are Open to the Public for Tours

The American developed organicPrairie-style architecturearound the idea that humans should live in harmony with the natural landscape. They featured open-plan spaces and large expanses of glass that collapsed the boundaries between indoors and out. Wright influenced the development ofmodern architecturein Europe and themidcentury modernaesthetic that still resonates around the world today. Seth Peterson Cottage Wright designed more than 1,000 buildings during a career that spanned 70 years. In 2019, Fallingwater was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 381 words · Stephanie French

9 Surprising Ways to Upcycle Tin Cans, From the Kitchen to the Garden

“They’re great for herbs,” he says. Tin cans make great storage containers for everything from pens to paperclips. Gift and Party Favor Packaging Are you hosting a party in the near future? The Spruce / Jason Donnelly For another creative upcycling idea, Terry suggests reusing tin cans for gifts or party favors. “Repurpose tin cans as eco-friendly gift containers,” she says. “Decorate them and fill with homemade treats, candles, or small gifts....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 177 words · Virginia Huang