Spruce Ideas, Tips & Guides

Rather than cut down a fresh tree each year, more and more of us are opting to grow a Christmas tree outside in a container or in the garden to decorate each year.

The Spruce / Illustration by Kailey Whitman / Uncommon Goods

It's rare for a machine to be deemed life-changing when we put it through our rigorous testing process, but that’s exactly what happened when we tried the ECOVACS Deebot N8+ All-In-One Robot Vacuum Cleaner and Mop. It's our current pick for best overall robot vacuum. The good news? As we head into Memorial Day Weekend, it's more than 50 percent off at Walmart—that’s nearly a $400 discount. If you’ve been looking for a sign to upgrade your cleaning routine, this is it—we originally spotted this sale in early May, and we don't think it'll last much longer!

I can’t believe that Independence Day is just around the corner! It seems like summer is already flying by. But I do love all of the opportunities to have backyard barbecues with friends and family, so I’m not really complaining! ;-) The 4th of July has always been one of my favorite holidays for that very reason, so I always like to celebrate by sprucing up the backyard a bit. A few pieces of summer-y or patriotic decor (along with a playlist of upbeat songs, of course) always go a long way towards making the holiday feel extra special!

The Spruce / Dera Burreson

The Spruce / Kevin Liang

The long, hot days of summer always seem to evoke a bit of childhood nostalgia – like memories of gently swinging in the shade to catch a cool breeze.A throwback to simpler times, rocking on a swing

Here at The Spruce, we have taken the springtime to overhaul our surroundings, ensuring every nook and cranny of our home reaches its full potential. While home offices, kitchens, baths, and even mudrooms are focus areas for many, we feel like outdoor spaces shouldn't go unchecked any longer.

Pinterest may not be thought of as a trendsetter, but they sure are a trend predictor. For the last three years, 80% of the reported predictions Pinterest has made for the coming year have come true. Some of their 2022 predictions? Going goth — see Dark Academia. Adding some Greek influences — take a peek at all the Greco busts. Incorporating organic influences — check.

A beautiful indoor plant can dress up any room by adding color, texture and dimension to the space. While you can't go wrong with succulents and other small houseplants like spider plants, atall indoor plant can offer a different level of visual impact. They're especially popular for framing windows, sprucing up the office and filling empty corners. For those looking to add a pop of life to their abode, see below for our list of best tall plants for indoors that also happen to be easy to maintain. Some options require low, indirect sunlight (like the ZZ plant), while others, like the majesty palm and bird of paradise thrive in bright, direct sunlight. We've also included some of the best Feng Shui plants that may bring a dose of good fortune (hint: the money tree).

Word is getting out about the amazing cleaning power of shop vacs. In one fell swoop, these robust cleaning machines can go from the kitchen, to the garage, to the deck and yard—and tackle wet or dry messes with total ease. We recently tested 20 of them (of course) and our best overall pick—the Vacmaster Wet-Dry Vacuum—is on sale today for almost 50 percent off on Amazon. You can snap it up for just $89 now, which is nearly a $75 discount, and use it to finally prep your patio for summer or complete the DIY project you started in your backyard.

This article is part of our series, The 7-Day Spruce Up: Your Ultimate Guide to Home Organizing. The 7-Day Spruce Up is your destination for whole home happiness, curating our very best tips and product recommendations to help you create your tidiest, coziest, most beautiful home yet.

The Spruce / Chloe Jeong

This post is sponsored by TIKI Brand. As always, all opinions and ideas are entirely my own.

I love having fresh flowers at home, and I’m lucky enough to live steps away from a few irresistible florists. This means that we stock up on a bouquet almost every other week. So, when I learned about this TikTok trend to keep your flowers fresh for a month, I was curious to find out: does it really work? 

Prepare for summer entertaining with these amazing Memorial Day deals on everything from patio dining sets to outdoor sofas and more. Whether you have a tiny balcony or a large backyard, there's something on sale now to help spruce up your space just in time for summer.

The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Amy Sheehan / Hamlin Row Shop

Photo: Amazon / Image Treatment: The Spruce

Image Treatment by The Spruce / Etsy

The Spruce / Illustration by Amy Sheehan / Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState

The Spruce / Kristin Kempa

Best Buy / Target / Pottery Barn

Is your patio furniture in desperate need of a glow-up? Outdoor furniture is crucial for turning any backyard into one of luxury and comfort, but just like indoor furniture, it’s eventually time to upgrade.

While Memorial Day is over, you can still save up to 70 percent off on the outdoor essentials you need this summer. We've updated this story to reflect the current sales on Amazon that you can still shop, but move quick! Many deals won't last for much longer.

With a net loss of 1 in 4 birds in North Americathroughout the past 50 years, seeing and hearing fewer is becoming a shared experience. However, there are some things you can do to encourage them to flock your way. We spoke to Bo Brown, an avian field biologist who specializes in songbirds, about his golden rules for transforming your yard into a safe haven for feathered friends.

I’m not much of a Christmas guy.Okay, let’s be honest: you might as well call me Scrooge McGrinch. The onl

Photo: Wayfair / Image Treatment: The Spruce

Fall colors, though brief, add a rich and vibrant feel to any garden, especially one that has been planned with all four seasons in mind.The right combination of plants, trees

The Spruce / Illustration by Amy Sheehan / Photo via Urban Outfitters

Spruce / Kevin Liang

The Spruce / Illustration by Amy Sheehan / Photo via Urban Outfitters

The Spruce / Kevin Liang