Don't Throw Out Old Tissue Paper — 5 Clever Ways to Reuse it Around the House Post-Holiday

Meet the Expert Colleen Kennedy Cohenis an event designer and creative director based in London. Whilepacking away delicate ornamentsand other holiday decor, wrap up the fragile items in some used wrapping paper. Plus, by reusing tissue paper in this way, your supply just refreshes itself every year. twomeows / Getty Images Want more design inspiration? Allow them to tear, cut, fold, crumple, and let their imaginations run wild. The possibilities are endless, for both child and adult crafts....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 163 words · Jean Campbell

Don't Toss Your Plant Yet — How to Save a Houseplant That's Struggling

Of course, your plant might be beyond saving, but dont throw in the towel just yet. Here are some signs your plant might show you to let you know it needs help. In some instances, a dead plant might be dormantand this is a very important distinction. JaysonPhotography / Getty Images Investigate what the dormant state of your specific plant is and evaluate based on this. Instead, assess the plant as a whole before doing anything drastic....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 220 words · Karen Rodriguez

Don't Wait Any Longer to Decorate for Halloween—28 Creative Ideas to Get You Started

Make your own or buy a pack and place them in a flying formation across your walls. An Elevated Orange and Black Palette @s.u.s.a.p/ Instagram Halloween doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, it can be chic! Finding Lovely It’s a pretty and earthy Halloween decorating idea. Dangle a faux spider from one of the corners for the full effect. Chic Witch Aesthetic Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp...

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 366 words · Shelly Boyd

Don't Wait to Clean Your Burnt Oven Bottom—3 Steps to Make It Shine Before the Holidays

Here’s how the pros do it. Place a large oven-safe bowl or baking dish filled with water in the oven. Set the oven temperature to 450F and the timer for 30 to 60 minutes. The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala The heavier the grime, the longer you should steam. The grime will be softened and ready for cleaning. Want more cleaning and organizing tips? The Spruce / Meg MacDonald Double the recipe if your oven is large....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 182 words · James Long

Don't Wait to Plant Your Azaleas, Gardeners Say—What to Do Now for Healthy Flowers

However, knowing when and how to plant them correctly is key to giving them a strong start. So, when are the best times to plant azaleas? Are there any important things to know about how to plant them properly? © Jackie Bale / Getty Images For answers to these questions and more, we consulted a gardening expert for insight. These cool conditions give the shrub time to establish a robust root system....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 259 words · Melanie Collins

Don't Wait—Why Now Is the Best Time for AC Maintenance, HVAC Pros Say

However, the best time for homeowners to getair conditioning maintenanceis spring. So don’t waitwe asked HVAC pros to explain why spring is the best time for AC maintenance. Meet the Expert Why Is Spring the Best Time for AC Maintenance? fstop123 / Getty Images Want more home reno project tips and inspiration? What Does an HVAC Professional Do During a Service Visit? Some homeowners may think that skipping air conditioner maintenance will save money without any negative repercussions....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 193 words · James Mitchell

Don't Waste Money on Wrapping Paper—4 Alternatives You Should Use Instead This Year

Your gifts will still look beautiful if you adopt any one of these alternative wrapping techniques from the pros. Read on to learn about four of their favorite creative approaches that don’t involve traditional gift wrap. If you have some textured wallpaper left on hand, Rees likes that approach even more. Design byChasing Paper/ Photo byDavid Szymanski “This will add a little more depth to the gift wrap overall,” she says....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 158 words · Nicholas Moody

Don't Waste Your Money on These Pieces of Furniture, Designers Warn

Meet the Expert Want more design inspiration? If you find yourself dining casually more often, consider a smaller, more flexible dining arrangement. “Their usual proportions make them uncomfortable for both sitting and sleeping.” Stocksy / Raymond Forbes LLC “Multi-purpose, streamlined pieces make better use of the room, especially in smaller areas.” Lichtenstein agrees, and avoids oversized seating options. Display-Only Furniture Another pop in of furniture our designers avoid? The Spruce...

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 107 words · Cynthia Flores

Don’t Forget to Do This Simple Task Before Moving Day, Experts Say

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly Moving is chaotic by nature. It sounds pretty basic, but the key lies in a rock-solid system. She’s the queen of creating functional systems that keep everything in order. The Spruce / Jason Donnelly Here, Kelly shares her golden rules for labeling moving boxes so you canstay calm and collectedduring the transition. Meet the Expert Kathryn KellyofRefresh Organizingis a professional organizer. Kelly recommends sorting your items by the room they will belong in your new home....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 358 words · Kevin Horton

Don’t Let an Alcohol Spill Ruin Your Couch or Carpet — How to Get the Stain Out Fast

And of coursered winealways offers more of a stain removal challenge thanwhite wine. you might use various items you likely already have in your pantry for easy cleaning solutions. Here is a guide for removing liquor and alcohol stains from your carpet or upholstered furniture. The Spruce / Michela Buttignol How to Get Alcohol Stains Out of a Couch This method also works for other upholstery. Press the towels into the stain....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 394 words · Ryan Blackburn

Don’t Let Pilling Make Your Clothes Look Shabby — How to Get It Off Fast

The lint balls arepills of broken fabric fibersthat attract lint each time you wear or wash your clothes. Want more cleaning and organizing tips? Keep the garment flat and move the shaver over the surface. Tomasz Majchrowicz / iStock / Getty Images Plus Start with light pressure and gradually increase the pressure or adjust the blade height to capture every lint ball. Using this method takes longer and requires more concentration to prevent accidental cuts andsnagsto the fabric....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 236 words · James Mcintosh

Don’t Throw These Things Away—You Should Pour Them Down Your Drain, a Pro Says

Read on for some basic guidance as to what should and shouldnt be poured down your homes drains. Think of non-spirits such as milk, soda, coffee, and juice. When pouring coffee, check that to not include grounds. Maksim Luzgin / Getty Images These can actually build up and eventuallyclog the drain. Dispose of these in the regular trash. If you’re pouring down harder liquor, dilute it first with some water....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 180 words · Katrina Salas

Dopamine Decor Is the Uplifting Trend You Need to Know—Get the Look

Don’t be afraid to think a bit outside the box when embracing dopamine decor. It’s all about incorporating whimsical, quirky, or edgier elements, Foster says. Have fun experimenting with a bunch of different styles as you wish, too. Colordrunk Designs She recommends heading to thrift stores and flea markets to source interesting pieces that are full of character. Want more design inspiration? Go Rainbow Design byFoster Decor Consulting/ Photo byJasmine Gonzalez...

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 244 words · Brian James