The Spruce Ideas, Tips & Guides

The «big light» in your bathroom has its purpose. It helps you see which spots need shaving and wakes you up in the morning—but there's no denying it's a major ambiance killer when you're trying to unwind at night.

It’s springtime, and the trees and flowers are finally starting to bloom again. But what if you’ve got a tree or two in your yard that isn’t growing leaves like it normally would? Well, that might mean you have a zombie tree.

Whether you're on a personal mission to curtail the use of plastic bags or you happen to live in one of the handful of states that have enforced bans on them, chances are you might still have a few floating around your house.

Etsy just released a brand new report for shoppers—this year, it’s the brand’s first time highlighting spring and summer design trends (though they've already taken a peek into holiday aesthetics and predicted 2024 design trends).

Living in a rental should not prevent you from showcasing your style and personality in your home. To make it your own, you can make plenty of easy upgrades that won't affect the security deposit. Swapping the showerhead, adding peel-and-stick tiles, refreshing the paint, and adding plants and accessories are some of the renter-friendly hacks to update your bathroom while working within the limits of a lease. 

The amount of gardening info at our fingertips these days is as exciting as it is overwhelming, and this is especially true if you’re still in the early years of planting veggies.

With so many interior paint colors to choose from, it's easy to overlook a few gems. So that you can expand your radar of amazing hues, take a look at these 15 underrated paint color favorites that designers love and wish their clients would request more often.

If you think there’s no such thing as a faux pas in selecting and installing window treatments, think again. Mistakes can range from mismeasuring the window to miscalculating the occupiable space on either side of it. It can also be purely aesthetic in nature, such as using curtain panels that look ridiculously short and choppy for the window they’re dressing.

Looking for creative ways to up-cycle old candle jars? These days, candles are often outfitted in jars that are every bit as beautiful as the scents themselves, making it hard to pitch the empty jar into the trash after the candle wax has been burned down to the wick. Giving new life to an old candle jar isn’t just sustainable—it’s also a great way to transform a candle that was a sentimental gift (or a luxury splurge) into a forever decor piece. To help get you inspired on how to best put old candle jars back to work, we asked a handful of organizing pros to share their favorite reinventions. From makeup brush holders to coffee spoon crocks, these are the best ways to give your old candle jars new life.

In the age of the internet and social media, gardening “hacks” that promise to benefit your plants and save you time and money are plentiful. However, according to gardening pros, these hacks aren’t always all they are cracked up to be. 

As warmer weather approaches, many are eager to find new ways to refresh their outdoor spaces, including yards, balconies, porches, patios, and verandas. Outdoor furniture provides more than a place to sit, relax, or entertain. It also offers an opportunity to extend interior design showcasing to spaces you might not have used in months.

Modern farmhouse blends iconic and traditional farmhouse aesthetics with contemporary elements. The interior design style requires the right combination of historic farmhouse charm, like shiplap doors or open shelving, with modern-day elements like sleek metal finishes.

Whether or not to wear shoes inside has always been a hot debate. Some enjoy wearing shoes in their homes for comfort and convenience, while others choose to remove them immediately. Citing a knack for hygiene or a penchant for keeping floors clean, those who are fans of a «no shoes in the house» policy have a variety of valid reasons, especially personal preference and cultural practice.

Just like that, spring cleaning time is officially upon us once again. Whether you’re an enthusiastic participant in the spring cleaning tradition or begrudgingly tackle tasks to keep your home feeling fresh, the experts have some good news for you: there are some spring cleaning tasks that you can take off your list this year. 

Between all the cleaning solutions, products, and tech out there, it can be confusing to know where to start when it comes to creating a fool-proof cleaning arsenal. And when you’re short on space, it’s important to have less—rather than excess items. After all, the whole point of cleaning is to minimize clutter. 

As we all know, decluttering is an integral part of cleaning, so much so that it’s usually the first step. While there are plenty of ways you can tackle this job (and there are a few rules to follow), the basics are the same: get rid of anything you don’t need, use, or want. 

If you're looking to design an outdoor kitchen that's both functional and stylish, we've got you covered with expert advice. From what kind of materials are worth the investment to what layout factors to consider, we asked designers to share their best tips.

You don't need to devote an entire day to spring cleaning tasks to get your home into tip-top shape. Professional cleaning and organizing experts swear by the following seven chores that will have your space looking much more refreshed in just a matter of minutes. So go ahead and spend a small chunk of your time this weekend giving your sock drawer a good clean out or finally dealing with that overwhelming pile of mail.

If you're in the process of making your big spring cleaning to-do list, you'll want to be sure that the following six spaces are accounted for in the process, experts say. There are often many forgotten parts of the home that definitely should be tackled to ensure that your space looks as sparkly clean as possible.

You don’t necessarily need a green thumb to have thriving houseplants. There are plenty of low-maintenance varieties to choose from. However, if you still find yourself in a situation where your houseplants could be doing better, it may be because you’re making common houseplant mistakes.

If you’ve been looking for organic fertilizer to help your garden flourish this spring, you might need to look no further than your kitchen cabinets. Sourdough starter is an easy way to give your plants a well-rounded fertilizer that will help them grow and even prevent diseases.

The internet is full of cleaning «hacks» that promise to change your life, but few of them actually end up being useful enough to incorporate into your cleaning routine. At The Spruce, it's our job to find those unicorns—those game-changers that leave your home sparkling clean using surprising methods.

Plastic bottles are often, but not always, great candidates for the recycling bin. However, there are other ways to give this item a second life before tossing it. It's good to get in the habit of looking for ways to make ordinary items multipurpose.

Bobby Berk, design expert, author, and award-winning TV host famous for his work on Netflix's hit show «Queer Eye» and Tri Pointe Homes, a leading US homebuilder that prioritizes customer experience, innovative design, and eco-friendly practices have come together for an exclusive collaboration that allows consumers to buy their very own Bobby Berk Designed Home.

The world of interior design is constantly evolving with new trends popping up frequently. However, there’s one trend that has gained popularity online recently that designers say has actually been around for quite a while—the “both/and” trend. 

Keeping your entire home tidy can seem daunting with families, pets, and even just daily messes that pop up. That’s why having an organizing strategy you can replicate for each room is critical.

Nothing makes me feel like I am winning at life more than a tidy home. It gives me this sense of «I am controlling life, it's not controlling me,» (I bet you could already guess that I'm an Enneagram type one).

Joanna Gaines is famous for her dedication to the neutral color palette. You can see her commitment to beige, browns, and whites in each of her collections.

There are many beautiful indicators of spring: light rain showers, the sun beginning to rise earlier and set later, allergies, and, of course, the blooming tulips. With their soft and elegant blooms and vibrant color variations, tulips instantly brighten up any space.

Like many of us, I’m on a quest to be more environmentally friendly. It’s something that can be tricky with a busy family of four, but the best hacks I’ve found are the ones that seamlessly replace one item with something naturally less wasteful. It’s one reason I’m an official convert to wool dryer balls, after all. 

As a busy working parent, Tan France loves to shop online—not just because it's convenient, but because it can be easier to find a good sale, too.

If you've always wondered how to fully bring the outdoors into your home, designers are here to help. Below, pros weigh in with handy tips for how you can add natural touches to your space, whether it's large or small.

Home is where the heart is—and where all my favorite decor items are, too. Being a design writer means I take creating a comfortable, stylish home seriously. I’m well aware of the transformative power a cozy-as-can-be throw blanket or brilliant organizational item has.  In case you are in the market for decor that balances fun with functionality, I recently took stock of my favorite home items, ones with my forever stamp of approval. Some are investments, some are steals, and all make my house feel a little homier.  Scroll on for 12 of my must-have home products. 

Your entryway is a small but mighty part of the home, and you'll want to make sure that you're designing it so that it lives up to its full potential. As a result, you'll want to be sure to steer clear of these common mistakes that pros often notice in other people's homes!

Fixing up your bathroom is often an overlooked project, although this room is an essential part of our routines. Each fixture in your bathroom works overtime to keep you going strong, from your shower sanctuary to your storage saviors—we're looking at you, under the sink organizer.

We’re just a few days away from the first official day of spring, which, in our opinion, is one of the most beautiful seasons. With its blooming flowers, sunny days, and misty rains, it really is a breath of fresh air after a dark and cold few months. But, one thing not everyone is excited about every spring is spring cleaning.