But dont toss them just yet! From Instagram-worthy vases to mouth-watering food platters, here are 13 of our favorite ways to reuse egg cartons. Want more design inspiration? Irina Starikova / Getty Images Not a fan of the bare, utilitarian look? Pep it up with paint, washi tape, and colorful fabric! Egg cartons are a great (zero-waste!) alternative if youre on a budget or just starting your botanical journey. However, you don’t have to look far when your craft store is the recycle bin....

Fortunately, thisthrifting mistakescan be avoided with the right mindset. it’s possible for you to keep your home pristineanddecorate it with unique objects with these seven tips. Kessman adds that this helps ensure that everything in your space serves a purpose. Andreas von Einsiedel / Getty Images Want more cleaning and organizing tips? It’s better togo with a planand know exactly what you’re looking for. This could be unique storage solutions, functional decor, baskets, small shelving, or glass jars....

aLittleSilhouetto / Getty Images The internet is full of weird and wonderful houseplant hacks. One currently doing the rounds suggests propagating orchid leaves in rice. They offered insight into what proven practices they suggest trying for tricky-to-propagate orchids instead. aLittleSilhouetto / Getty Images Meet the Expert Why Is Propagating Orchid Leaves In Rice Not a Good Idea? Propagating orchidsfrom leaveseven when it’s not in riceis extremely rare. Want more gardening tips?...

However, not everything needs to be pruned. In many cases, it’s better toleave some plants unpruned. Meet the Expert Scott Seargeantis a consulting arborist and owner of Seargeant Landscape & Arboriculture. Rosmarie Wirz / Getty Images These include deciduous trees likeJapanese maple, fruit trees likeapple trees, andflowers like roses. Yet some hardy plants don’t need pruning in winter, according to arborist Scott Seargeant. “Typically, those are plants that bloom on one-year-old wood,” Seargeant says....

However, one downside is that they are easily damaged. Laminate countertopmaterial can be dented, cracked, or scratched. Fortunately, laminate countertops can be repaired with some innovative tricks and tools. John Keeble / Getty Images Learn laminate countertop repair for anything from stains and light scratches to deep gouges and cracks. Stains Like other countertops, laminate can stain. Some stains (hair dyes, tars, tannic acids, etc.) are permanent and cannot be removed....

With modern carpets, theres a lot of room for customization and quality, he adds. Want more design inspiration? This is another benefit thatarea rugs layered over harder flooringoptions might not help you achieve as easily. Becca Interiors Carpeting has excellent sound-absorbing qualities, helping to reduce noise and create a quieter environment, Stivale says. Fortunately, times have definitely changed and carpeting has come a long way. In our own design studio, the wood floors were in terrible shape, says Peterson....

For everyday cleaning, simply wipe your quartz countertop with a soft cloth, soap, and water. Want more cleaning and organizing tips? A mild household cleaner such as Windex, Green Works or 409 is acceptable, says Hobbs. Cavan Images/Getty Images To avoid streaks, wipe the surface dry after every cleaning session. To maintain the countertops appearance, wipe up spills as soon as possible, Hobbs advises. While a paper towel can work,opt for microfiber clothsto avoid waste while cleaning....

darrya / Getty Images Starting seeds indoors is a great way to get a headstart ongardening season. That said, doing it at the right time is critical. Meet the Expert When Should You Start Seeds Indoors? darrya / Getty Images While the last frost date is always an estimate, it provides a date to work against for gardeners. This means that gardeners in warmer climates can start seeds sooner than gardeners in colder climates with longer winters....

Plants that look deadmay really be dormant, and they should stillbe watered, mulched, and pruned. Learn which plants to prune in winter and why this is the best season for them. Additionally, after the leaves have fallen, the plant’s structure becomes easy to discern. The Spruce / Jayme Burrows It’s like seeing the bones under the skin. This enables more precise cuts for optimal health and helps you shape the plant easier....

But plants often may need supplemental watering in cool, wet months like winter. Winter can be a dry time. Changing weather patterns don’t help, either. SolStock / Getty Images Areas that once had predictable winter rainfall are drier. Plants need water for photosynthesis. Water transports nutrients and minerals from the soil to the plant. But water is valuable in other ways. Keeping plants watered in winter also helps protect them against insect damage and diseases....

Layering textiles is one of the simplest ways to warm up a bedroom," Crew sats. Want more home reno project tips and inspiration? Textiles like flannel sheets work well, but personal heat sources can take winter warmth to the next level. ​The Spruce / Letícia Almeida “Heating pads andelectric blanketscan give also give you targeted warmth on those very cold nights.” Place Space Heaters Wisely Space heaterscan be the most effective way to heat up a bedroom....

“Tomatoes,peppers, and other flowering plants can benefit greatly from a potassium additive. Johnson recommends adding banana peels to compost piles or steeping them in water tomake a liquid fertilizer tea. But, as youll soon see, there are other uses for banana peels in the garden. The Spruce / Adrienne Legault Can You Use Banana Peels to Help Your Garden? This makes the nutrients in banana peels more accessible to plants....

Anna Blazhuk / Getty Images Gift Wrapping Not all gift wrap has to be fancy. Plus, it’s the thought that counts, right? Now your gift wrapping will be done for the season. Grace Cary / Getty Images Want more cleaning and organizing tips? This is ideal for the kid’s table on popular holiday gatherings like Thanksgiving or Christmas. Say goodbye to messes and hello to cleanliness. Anna Blazhuk / Getty Images...