A Seasonal Shift: Designers Embrace Five Previously Outdated Fall Decor Trends

Outdated Fall Decor Trends

Several previously outdated fall decor trends, including the use of dark wood furniture, mason jars, and woven baskets, are making a significant return. This revival is driven by a demand for nostalgic, sustainable, and handcrafted aesthetics, as designers move away from sterile minimalism towards more personal and warm styles. Sources

Pruning Tomatoes in Late Summer: How to Know If It’s Too Late, According to Experts

Pruning Tomatoes in Late Summer

For many home gardeners, the question of when to stop pruning tomatoes in late summer is a common challenge. While early-season pruning encourages robust growth, continuing this practice too late can diminish yields and compromise the plant’s health. The optimal time to cease pruning depends on several factors, including the plant’s growth habit, the local … Read more

Post-Vacation Cleaning: Four Immediate Tasks to Simplify Your Return Home

Post-Vacation Cleaning

Returning home from a trip can be a drag, but tackling four immediate tasks can save time and reduce stress. This post-trip cleanup strategy involves prioritizing laundry, managing perishables, fully unpacking luggage, and sanitizing travel essentials to streamline the return to daily life.

Six Unexpected Uses for Shampoo in Household Cleaning, According to Experts

Uses for Shampoo

Professional cleaners are expanding the role of hair shampoo beyond personal care, leveraging its mild, degreasing properties for various household tasks. This versatile product is now used for everything from cleaning makeup brushes to washing delicate fabrics and even restoring shine to houseplants. Experts say that the gentle nature of shampoo makes it an effective and safe cleaning alternative.

The Seven-Step Guide to Staying on Top of Your Family’s Laundry

Family's Laundry

The rising demand for household efficiency has led to a range of systematic approaches for staying on top of your family’s laundry. These parent-approved strategies, from the daily load method to the “load to completion” rule, are designed to reduce the mental and physical burden of a common household chore, offering a more manageable approach to domestic life.

Low-Lift Trick Might Keep Them Away for Good (No Wasp Spray Necessary)

Wasp Spray

Researchers and entomologists are exploring a simple, non-toxic technique known as wasp nest mimicry to deter wasps. The method involves hanging a fake nest to leverage the insects’ territorial instincts, offering a low-lift trick that may keep them away for good without the use of chemical sprays.

Designers Love These 10 Fall Porch Upgrades for Instant Seasonal Curb Appeal

Designers Love These 10 Fall Porch Upgrades

Design professionals are increasingly recommending strategic fall porch upgrades to boost a home’s curb appeal and potential value. Experts say these 10 upgrades, from layering rugs to updating hardware, provide a significant return on investment and create a welcoming aesthetic for homeowners and potential buyers.

How Gardeners and Experts Are Adapting Bird Feeders to Deter Crows

Adapting Bird Feeders to Deter Crows

The recurring challenge of how to keep crows away from bird feeders without harming them has prompted experts to develop non-lethal solutions. These methods focus on modifying feeder designs and changing food types to create an environment that is less appealing to crows, allowing smaller birds to feed without disruption.

An Expert Analysis Paint Colors That Make Your Home Look Smaller

Paint Colors That Make Your Home Look Smaller

Unexpectedly, some popular deep, saturated hues of blue, green, and even warm tones are proving to be paint colors that make your home look smaller. This phenomenon, according to design experts, is due to their low light reflectance value (LRV), which causes walls to appear closer and shrinks the perceived size of a room.