Updates Ideas, Tips & Guides

Stuck with dingy, seen-better-days laminate countertops? We feel you. If a kitchen remodel has to live in your dreams for now, either due to budgetary reasons or because you rent, there are still ways you can affordably update your countertops.  For help, we turned to home lifestyle expert Julian Thomas. Perhaps you know him as Marfa Stewart on TikTok, or have seen his DIY projects pop up on your Instagram feed.

Whether you’re contemplating a DIY kitchen makeover or planning to hire a contractor to update the space, you likely have an idea of what aesthetic you’re going for. Just know that, if part of the update is the kitchen backsplash, there’s more that goes into creating the ideal backsplash than just choosing the prettiest or most universal tile or mosaic. We spoke with pros to learn some of the common mistakes they see homeowners making with this central kitchen element.

For September, we asked our loyal Facebook followers what small adjustments they made in their home that really improved their space. And as per usual, the answers were thoughtful, intriguing, and smart.

Dunkin' | Design: Better Homes & Gardens

Is farmhouse style still trending, or is it time for a fresh look? It's been over a decade since farmhouse style became all the rage, so we asked a couple of designers to weigh in on the matter if the design style is still trendy.

Collaborative post

Hi GPODers!

If you’re a homeowner looking to update your bathroom and you’re reconsidering which bath updates are must-haves and which you can skip, read on to learn what some professional designers would skip when it comes to their own bathrooms and why.

While the summer is a great time to enjoy warmer weather, it can make your home’s temperature harder to regulate. Even with the AC pumping, one common problem is a comfortable ground floor and a sweltering second floor.

Erin Kunkel

Hi GPODers!

Hi GPODers!

Summer isn't over yet, and there's still plenty of time to update your backyard space so you can enjoy it for the rest of the season—and beyond! Design experts are weighing in with their top project recommendations that you can easily tackle this weekend or in just an afternoon. They'll make all of the difference!

Whether you're living in your forever home or not, the hope is that any home improvement project you tackle will give you a return on your investment.

Walmart

As with many programs begun under President Donald Trump, the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) underwent considerable examination when the Biden administration took over in January 2021.

Collaborative post

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.

For decades, the meat industry has enjoyed what the National Farmers Union calls “lax antitrust enforcement.”

On Wednesday, the EPA chief, Michael Regan, announced that the Biden administration will formally repeal the Navigable Waters Protection Rule, a law that is barely a year old.

Walmart

When you live with an all-white or neutral kitchen, adding color can feel overwhelming. The wrong color can look stark or out of place, while too much color can seem accidental or sloppy.

Hey GPODers!

IKEA

The kitchen is the heart of the home—but for those of us on budgets, it sometimes gets overlooked, thanks to the high price tag a full-scale renovation can come with.

To get ahead of summer—the best season for home revamps, in our opinion—home renovation company Dwellify released a list of their best expert tips for updating your home on a budget.

Bryce Jones

Jason Donnelly

From outdoor entertaining to improving curb appeal, it’s that time of year when a home’s exterior is front and center. But before you embark on any exterior updates, learn what the pros have to say when it comes to home exterior mistakes, so you can avoid making them in the first place.

After a successful season of spring cleaning, it’s not uncommon to look around and realize your home could use some upgrades.

If you feel it's high time to update a certain piece of furniture in your home or to finally add a piece to a room that's been sitting empty for some time, don't do so without learning some of the most common mistakes people make when furniture shopping.

Not everyone has the fortune of living in their ultimate dream home the first time around, and even if they do, their tastes and needs may change over time. So, it’s more likely that homeowners will find elements and spaces in and around the house that they feel can be improved and updated.

Starbucks

May growing with Rachel

Julie Soefer

Wayfair