We asked the experts to share their tips for achieving the aesthetics of built-in storage—on a large and small scale—no construction required. Fill the Gaps Around Your Shelves Kane Hughes, interior design expert at MyJobQuote, has the perfect hack for anyone hoping to convert a regular bookcase into a built-in look: adding trim (decorative or otherwise) to cover the gaps on the sides of the shelving units. “[The bookcase] doesn’t need to be the exact width of your alcove,” says Hughes....

Paint Considerations It’s advisable to use a satin or semi-gloss paint for trim, including a front door. If you want a shiny, glossy paint, keep in mind that the door’s surface must be smooth (except for paneling and moldings), or every imperfection will stand out. Color Variations Yellow is a primary color that is considered to be warm. Tertiary colors are orange-yellow or green-yellow. Endless gradations are achieved by adding white, gray, or black....

DIY Macrame Wall Hanging from Hey Lila Hey

Because our humble-but-charming abode was built in the 1600s, it’s been marked as Grade II listed. It’s a UK-specific demarcation, but basically, in the name of historical preservation, we’re not allowed to do any work until we have explicit approval from the local Heritage Committee. And, as you might expect of a home built in the 1600s, there is a lot of work to be done. While I’m happy to wait, it also means I need to channel my excitement in the only way I know how: retail therapy....

Special Appliances “You can live without a pizza oven,” Mark Manardo, principal designer for Perlmutter-Freiwald said in an email. “They tend to be expensive and rarely get used. As a novelty, we’re ready to see this trend go.” Plus, let’s face it: You know you opt for delivery 90 percent of the time anyway! Stephanie Purzycki, co-founder of The Finish, agreed. “Most people also don’t need 15 small kitchen appliances—they tend to just clutter up the countertops and decrease the functionality of the kitchen instead of increase it,” she said in an email....

No matter how in-depth you tend to get when clearing the dirt and detritus from your home, you probably missed some spots that many of us overlook on the regular. Cleaning pro Becky Rapinchuk, the genius behind the easy-to-accomplish Clean Mama system, shares eight hidden and not-so-hidden home spots that need attention and how best to spruce them up. Light Switches and Switch Plates Think about how many times a day you and your family reach for a light switch in any room of your home....

Hard Surface Dust One of the most obvious, and perhaps most neglected areas of the home is hard surfaces—tables, floors, shelves, and decor that quickly accumulate dust or smudges. While these areas are often the first to be cleaned, they’re also the first to get dirty again, so giving special attention to them will ensure that your home looks more presentable. Use a microfiber cloth for glass or more touchy surfaces, says Vera Peterson, president of Molly Maid....

Carpet is a great choice for bedrooms, dens, or basements where hardwood can feel too cold and sterile, or any room where there is a risk of water damage. Wall-to-wall carpet can provide warmth and add texture to your space. If you’re considering carpet, here are some of the trendiest ideas this year. If you’re worried about overwhelming the space, keep the rest of the decor minimalist. Here, a lovely boho style jute area rug helps modernize the tan carpet and add a lot of personality to the space....

1. A Clock That Doubles As Art “I love my Nomon clock—it is more than a clock, it is functional art. It brings a sculptural, architectural note to negative space. It fills this large area, making a statement, yet not feeling overpowering.” — Amy May, founder of Artala Designs 2. A Fancy Coffee System “I cannot live without my coffee system—it makes a freshly-ground latte macchiato exactly to my liking every single morning!...

The tree is messy. Most everyone expects to rake up leaves from a deciduous tree, but you might be surprised by fruit, berries, or seed pods that make a huge mess of your yard each year. The tree is weak and prone to damage. Some trees are brittle by nature and very susceptible to wind damage or injury from heavy snow and ice. Ash trees, as well as now being susceptible to emerald ash borer, are notoriously brittle and prone to damage....

To remedy this, unplug the lamp or turn off the power to the fixture, then use a wooden Popsicle stick to bend the tab up about 1/8 inch. Then screw the bulb back in and see if it works. This repair may not be possible with old sockets, where the metal tab is brittle or has lost its spring entirely. In this case, the best solution is to replace the light bulb socket or the entire light fixture....

If you briefly look around your home, it’s likely you will see many standard 15-amp duplex wall plugs. However, with a little more effort, you may spot some other types of wall plugs, like GFCI outlets that feature a ‘Test’ and ‘Reset’ button, or 120/240-volt outlets that are made for dryers or ranges and other large appliances. Use this helpful guide to learn more about the various types of wall plugs, so you can make the right choice based on design, purpose, and location....

As with regular beds, futons and futon mattresses come in standard sizes and are made from various materials, which can make choosing the right one overwhelming. We have compiled this comprehensive guide to futon mattresses so that you can find a futon that’s comfortable for both sitting and sleeping on and that best fits your space. Common Futon Mattress Sizes One of the first things to consider when buying a futon is size....

Because my apartment unfortunately doesn’t feature any original, built-in mantels, I’ve had to go the faux route, and honestly, I couldn’t be happier with that decision! Most people who come over or view pictures of my apartment online are shocked when I tell them my mantels (yes, I have two!) aren’t original to my space. There really are so many fake versions that really do look ultra convincing. So if you’ve long wished you lived in a home with a mantel (or several), now is your chance to make that dream a reality....

How to Have a Party on a Budget When you invite guests to a party for a family member, it’s expected that you will be picking up the bill. Therefore, you have two choices if you can’t afford to pay for all of your guests. You can reduce the size of your guest list and only invite a few close friends and family—as many as you can afford. Talk to the restaurant in advance to see whether they can present a limited number of affordable menu choices to your guests so that you can stretch your budget....