Recommendations Ideas, Tips & Guides

So you’ve hit the jackpot at the thrift store and found the vintage sofa of your dreams at a deep discount. But then you spot something that could turn this scene into a nightmare—an ugly stain on the fabric that looks at least half as old as the furniture itself. With a bit of patience and the right cleaning technique, there’s an excellent chance you can remove the stain, revive the fabric, and enjoy your “new” furniture for years to come. Below, we're sharing six foolproof ways to remove stains from thrifted store finds.

Floral prints are everywhere this summer, much to interior designers' delight.

Rubbing alcohol can be an effective insecticide and herbicide, but it's indiscriminate in that it kills both weeds and any plants you want to keep alive.

Appliances are meant to last for many years, but they certainly do not last forever. If you're wondering whether or not it's time to replace some of the appliances in your home, you're in luck—we spoke with pros who weigh in on five of the common warning signs that indicate it's time to make a new purchase.

If you love rustic or country home decor but are living in more of a modern space, there's no need to alter your aesthetic entirely. It's more than possible to artfully fuse these two styles in a way that looks cohesive and sophisticated rather than random.

Antiques—not to be confused with vintage items—are a beautiful way to decorate your home with historical charm, but finding real pieces can be a challenge in today's market if you don't know what to look for.

Summertime means shopping time if you’ve got a kid heading to college in the fall. Whether they’re moving into the dorm or an off-campus apartment, a stylish, comfortable bedroom offers the home-away-from-home they crave.  Designing a space where students can study, sleep, and hang out with friends might be a tall order given the not-so-aesthetic design of traditional campus residence halls. But with some creativity and savvy shopping, it’s possible to help your student create the dorm room of their dreams without a price tag to rival the tuition bill.

Heading off to college soon? While university life can be daunting to think about, packing doesn't have to be. It's no secret that dorms are notorious for their small living quarters, which means packing is a strategy.

If you've always been curious about secondhand shopping and are wondering how to make the most of your first trip to the thrift store, keep reading.

Thrift store shopping often requires more imagination than money—a challenge easily accepted by many DIYers. But don’t let a lack of tools or advanced know-how keep you from giving secondhand furniture a glorious new life in your home.

The Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans had harsh words for the Canadian federal government. At a meeting this week in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the committee presented its new report, which looked at the implementation of Indigenous rights-based fisheries. Its findings suggest that, despite more than two decades since key precedents were set, the fisheries have not been fully implemented. This has led, the committee stated, to confusion, tension and violence. 

A new report from a federal watchdog calls the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) into question over its 2018 decision to register three dicamba herbicides. 

If a room is feeling off, there's a chance that if you look down, you'll pinpoint it. Outdated flooring options can make an entire space feel stale or unbalanced.

Buying or selling property can be a complex process, and finding a reliable conveyancing solicitor is crucial to ensure a smooth transaction. 

Taking on a bathroom renovation is no small project, and you will want to make sure that you're as well-prepared as you can be prior to kicking off this process. To ensure that you're as satisfied as possible with the results, be sure to avoid these nine common bathroom renovation mistakes that the pros come across often.

Walmart

Our homes are ever-evolving spaces. As our tastes change, we might grow out of something we once loved, and designers are no different.

Selecting the best exterior paint color for your personal sense of style, neighborhood, natural surroundings, and landscaping setup can feel overwhelming— and picking the color you will be painting your entire house in is a big commitment.

Moving is stressful. But moving into a cramped dorm room you’ll be sharing with a roommate for studying, sleeping, hanging out, and eating ramen noodles is next-level hectic. Not only do you have to quickly unload a carload’s worth of stuff to get you through the semester so someone else can take your parking spot, but you’ll likely have to deal with weepy family members while at it.

Home renovations are a big undertaking. Not only are they a lot of sweat, blood, and tears, but they can cost a pretty penny too. Therefore, it's important to choose renovations that will provide maximum returns.

The time for long evenings and summer parties in our backyards is finally here. If your backyard is needing some rejuvenation this season, you’re probably itching to get started.

Professional organizers agree that while aiming to tackle one's entire bedroom in a single day is a gargantuan task, it isn't an impossible one.

We’ve all been there: The first summer heat wave comes to town and your air conditioner stops cooling, leaving you stranded in the heat. Air conditioners work hard year after year, but they do require a little upkeep and maintenance to run their best. If your air conditioner’s not cooling properly, there are a number of potential reasons. Some are simple, while others may require a service call from a certified HVAC technician. Here, we’ve outlined 7 potential reasons for your conditioner not cooling—and how to remedy them.

If you love coastal style, there's no reason not to incorporate actual seashells into your home as decor—and it doesn't matter whether you actually live by the water or just wish that you did. Interior designers love how shells can add charm and character to any space.

Each June, we recognize National Men’s Health Month to bring awareness to health and wellness needs specific to men. Research shows that men, on average, live 5 years less than women. This is not surprising, considering men also have a higher risk of developing chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer, mental health issues, and stroke. However, it’s not all bad news. With a few simple lifestyle modifications, men can reduce their risk for many of these conditions, leading to a longer, healthier life.

Carson Downing

The thought of a professional organizer entering your home may send you into a cleaning frenzy. Even if you’re naturally tidy, piles of items can easily stack up, whether due to a lack of storage or a lack of a system.

Audrey Scheck knows her way around a kitchen. As an interior designer based in Austin, Texas, she often puts her stylish touch on kitchen remodels by creating custom design plans that reflect each owner.  From down-to-the-studs renovations to arranging the final touches of decor, Scheck is there for it all. That’s why we turned to her to reveal the common decorating mistakes she sees in the heart of a home. Read on eight decorating mistakes you may be making in your kitchen—and how to fix them.

Planning some house parties this summer? As you compile your guest list, give some thought to those who will not be welcome—notably mosquitos, ants, wasps, and other nasty pests. 

Q: Our 25-year-old Aloha rose has failed to bloom again this season. It used to be in full bloom throughout the month of June. Can you recommend any treatment to restore it to its former glory? A Forsyth

Buff Strickland

Given how often your home requires cleaning, it's worth taking some time to brush up on essential tips and tricks that experts rely on to help streamline your process.

New bed sheets are always a luxury we can't wait to sleep on. If you're like us, you can't wait to pull out your new sheets, make your bed, and get a good night's sleep (once you've narrowed down your favorite bed sheet type, of course).

There’s a new product that seemingly everyone has been turning to lately: microcement. In the season of the home remodel, it’s no surprise that homeowners are looking for new ways to upgrade their style this summer. It’s the perfect time for outdoor or indoor projects, and microcement can cover both.

Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.

Not all bedroom styles remain popular forever, and interior designers are pretty quick to pinpoint a few design schemes that they're ready to say goodbye to for good.