Read on for tips and tricks for lighting your home like a pro. Hang mirrors to reflect and bounce around available natural light. And be sure to clean windows regularly to brighten your space. Design byTyler Karu/ Photo byErin Little Want more design inspiration? Layer Lighting Sources Caitlin Higgins forEmily Henderson Design/ Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp Good lighting is always layered. Consider a space-saving mirror with integrated lighting in a small bathroom....

Alvin Wayne Good kitchen lighting is layered for functionality as well as ambiance. Check out these kitchen lighting ideas in a range of styles for inspiration. Want more design inspiration? Alvin Wayne Choose black lights for a modern look or to balancecolorful kitchen finishes. Kitchen Island Pendants Michelle Berwick Design Anchor yourkitchen island with pendant lighting. Complement it with a statement light like this gilded vintage pendant light in aneat-in kitchenfrom J Hill Interiors....

The Spruce / Jacob Fox Limewash paint is soft and translucent, with a textured, almost chalky appeal. Not only is limewash an attractive choice, it’s also breathable, eco-friendly, and non-toxic. Learn how to limewash walls for a unique look in a snap. The Spruce / Jacob Fox What Is Limewash? Limewash is a punch in of paint that is made with crushed and burned limestone. Manufacturers will mix different natural pigments into the limewash for a range of colors....

Learn how to load your dishwasher correctly with our simple guide. Casarsa Guru/ E+/ Getty Images Fast Fact Handwashing uses more water per dish than a dishwashing machine. In a study, Cascade found that the average person spends 15 seconds handwashing a dish. Casarsa Guru/ E+/ Getty Images During that time, the sink uses half a gallon of water. Thats why running your dishwasher with as few as eight dishes is all it takes to save water....

To grow them, the soil pH must first be lowered, by amending the soil with elemental sulfur. To find out yoursoil pop in, first, you have to test the pH levels of the soil. The pH scale uses numbers 1 to 14 with soil testing below 7 as acidic. The Spruce / Jayme Burrows Test results above 7 indicate an alkaline soil. Lowering your soil pH is often a long-term project....

Centralair conditionersrely on fans to pull air through the condenser coils to dissipate heat. These fans are subject to outdoor conditions and plenty of dirt and grime. This is also a good time to inspect the fan blades and motor for signs of wear. Jupiterimages/Stockbyte/Getty Images Before You Begin Air conditioners are high-voltage appliances. You should always turn off the power to the unit before doing anything inside the compressor/condenser cabinet....

It is critical to verify yourhumidifierworks correctly and is properly maintained. Newer tightly constructed homes have much less air infiltration than older homes. Warning Repairs and maintenance on gas appliances (including furnaces) are best left to professionals. BanksPhotos / Getty Images Since the water supply is constantly flowing, there is a lower likelihood of mold problems. Steam humidifierscontain self-generating steam heaters and are the most expensive, lowest maintenance, and most efficient design....

With mostwindows,you simply add a window treatment forprivacy. But showers are wet places and don’t easily lend themselves to conventional curtains and blinds. Plus, tile shower surrounds are a little more difficult to attach to than regular walls. Sidekix Media / Unsplash A light mist with water is enough to help the covers cling to the glass. A few swipes with a squeegee push out bubbles. Static cling covers will occasionally fall down, but many can easily be reapplied....

A basement that can be cool on a hot summer day can be chilly when the weather is cold. Yet basements are the logical place to expand additional living space. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to increase the heat in your basement. GeorgePeters / Getty Images Standard Solutions Basements need active heating. They will also increase your utility bills significantly. Hydronic systems will cost less to operate but installation will be very expensive....

This six-foot DIY obeliskgarden trellisis so versatile and perfect for plants that love to climb and trail. Use it as atomatocage or as a generalsupportfor any jot down of plant. Grow trailing plants like wisteria, honeysuckle,snapdragons. The Spruce / Liz Moskowitz At the top is space for a lightweight planting pot. Anchor the trellis to the ground by burying the legs. Choose a lightweight resin, rubber, or metal pot rather than a heavyterracottaor stone-like pot....

it’s possible for you to easily spend over $100 on a retail composter. It is an easy project that will give you finished compost in about three months. Keep reading to see how to make a compost bin with this beginner-friendly and affordable project. The Spruce / Cori Sears The bins should be no smaller than 18 gallons, and one must have a lid. The second bin is helpful to catch the liquid that leaches out of the first bin....

It should also be used before and after preparing meats, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Read on to make your own. Details About Bleach Not allchlorine bleach formulashave the same strength. The Spruce / Margot Cavin Read the label and check the manufacturing dates on the bottle. Discard open or unopened bleach bottles after one year. Bleach degrades if exposed to light or extreme temperatures. The Spruce / Sarah Lee Whether the bottle is opened or not, it will lose potency within six to 12 months after purchase....

Want more design inspiration? The jars are filled with treats and lids are decorated with numbers and elf stickers. Chic DIY black-and-white drawstring bags echo the privacy curtain and can be reused from year to year. Finding Lovely This multifunctional piece of holiday decor is perfect for small spaces or kids rooms. Rows of favorite ornaments are strung up with jute twine and vintage clothespins for a modernfarmhouselook. But the design is classic and timeless enough to fit into any room in the house....