Here are 12 ways to find space in places you never thought of before so you can start to live clutter-free.

The foliage displays a dark green canopy throughout the summer and then warm shades of red, yellow, and gold in the fall. Plus, of course, the blossoms provide a burst of delicate color in the spring. Even the shiny red-toned bark is attractive. This medium-sized tree works as a specimen feature on large lawns and, typically, can grow up to 30 feet tall. There are a variety of cultivars. The two most popular are the upright ‘Autumnalis’ which is known for displaying double pink blooms, and ‘Pendula’ which is a smaller and distinctive weeping variety....

After all, creating substantive changes in your home is a big investment, and not only do you want to love the look now, but you also want future you to enjoy the transformation without a cringe and a “What was I thinking?” To that end, we asked a few top designers what trends or styles were a big “no go” in their opinion. Maximalism For celebrity designer Bobby Berk, the design guru on Netflix’s “Queer Eye” and creator of Bobby Berk Design, too much is, well, too much....

Horsetail is such an aggressive spreader it would likely be considered invasive if it weren’t native to North America (as well as Europe and Asia). This is an important consideration when planting horsetail anywhere outside of a pot. To prevent it from taking over your garden or other planted ground, it’s advisable to use soil barriers or another form of containment. Horsetail is usually planted in early spring, though it will survive planting at almost any time....

Fast Facts Scientific Name: Carpodacus mexicanusCommon Name: House Finch, Hollywood Finch, Linnet (not to be confused with the Common Linnet in Europe)Lifespan: 8-9 yearsSize: 6 inchesWeight: .7-.8 ouncesWingspan: 10 inchesConservation Status: Least concern House Finch Identification House finches can be challenging to identify because the colorful males closely resemble the purple finch, while the plainer females can look like several different types of sparrows or finches. Recognizing the key field marks for these birds can help birders feel confident identifying house finches....

What Is a Barn Apartment? First things first, what exactly constitutes a barn apartment after all? Well, they’re just what they sound like—traditional barns that have been converted into living quarters. “Barns hold an allure for many, be it from their picturesque stature as they sit stoic amidst a rolling pasture or from those childhood memories of sneaking into their haylofts,” notes Holly Clark, owner of The Barn Loft in Fayetteville, West Virginia, pictured above....

A mattress is a hard-working home furnishing that is in use for more than eight hours each day. It is subjected to sweat and oil from our bodies as well as other bodily fluids. If you have pets, they may leave behind their dirt and grime, and for bedtime snackers, there are often food spills and stains. Our bodies also shed dead skin cells that attract and feed dust mites that thrive in the mattress fibers....

You shouldn’t set a hard and fast schedule for watering plants. Think of it this way: if you water your plants every Sunday, but it rained on Saturday, there’s no reason to give more water to plants already sitting in wet soil. Even if you have a drip irrigation system, you’d be wise to have a timer that can detect if it is raining. There are several caveats to factor in, but you should find a good balance if you follow a few simple guidelines for finding the right amount to water....

The Biology of the American Robin The common American robin is a migratory songbird in the thrush family. For most of the year, it can be seen over large areas of North America, with large numbers migrating north into Canada and the northern U.S. in the summer, and heavy numbers migrating south into Central America for the winter. The robin’s diet consists of worms, snails, spiders, and other invertebrates, but fruits and berries comprise 60 percent of the typical diet....

Here’s how to make the perfect snowman, from forming a snowball to DIYing a top hat and pipe. The Best Type of Snow for Building a Snowman It’s not true that “snow is snow.” There are different types of snow, in terms of consistency, just as there are different types of soil. You can’t roll sand between thumb and forefinger to form a dirt ball: you need soil of a different consistency....

Yet retaining walls that use masonry retaining wall blocks or those made from thick timbers can be difficult to build because of the overly heavy materials. As long as the height of the retained soil stays fairly low, you can build another type of wood retaining wall that uses lighter weight dimensional pressure-treated lumber. Basics of Low Wood Retaining Walls A low wood retaining wall does not need unwieldy tie-backs dug back into the slope, like many of the four-by-four timber retaining walls....

Installing a bathroom exhaust fan is worth the time and effort because it removes hot, moist air and odors. Moist air leads to mold growth and odors lead to general unpleasantness. But installing a weak, undersized exhaust fan is almost not worth the effort, even if the fan meets the minimum requirements. It’s important to understand how vent fans are sized and how to choose one with the proper capacity for your space....

1. Consider a Piece’s Size Of course, from a practical standpoint, a piece’s dimensions will play a role in determining the type of frame you’ll need to purchase—and how accessible that size of frame is to buy. As designer Linda Hayslett explains, “Artwork is to display an emotion on a wall, and framing helps create the mood for that reaction. If it’s a large or atypically sized piece, then you can’t just go and buy a standard frame....

Many houses and apartments have designated entryways that are defined by architectural elements, but then there are those homes whose front doors open directly into the living room. If this is the case in your home fear not, you can still create the illusion of a separate space and create a beautiful entryway for your home. Use a Rug to Define the Space Putting down an area rug is one of the easiest ways to define a space....