In a combination living and dining room, a sofa table can help create cohesion and flow between the seating area and the dining space. If the back of your couch is visible upon entry to your living room, a sofa table can be used to make it feel more welcoming, styled with table lamps, books, flowers, or decorative objects. And in a time when working from home is more common than ever, a sofa table with an uncluttered surface and a spare chair can provide a bonus workspace for those who lack a dedicated home office....

Check out these Scandinavian and Scandi-inspired kitchens from interior designers and stylists around the world located everywhere from minimalist chic city apartments to warm, rustic Swedish farmhouses that offer ideas for incorporating some cool Nordic style into your own kitchen design.

These 36 clutter hacks offer helpful cleaning and organizing inspiration. In your living room or TV room, store remote controls in a caddy. It’s amazing how much a caddy or tray can transform a pile of clutter into something useful. If you have a junk drawer, use a muffin tin for little odds and ends. Small containers in drawers help separate odds and ends and make them easier to find....

However, some perennials simply don’t fare well if they are pruned too late in the season. They need the winter protection provided by their fallen leaves to help them survive. These 43 plants are best pruned in spring. Artemisia plants can be aggressive to the point of invasiveness. Make sure to control it if you choose to plant it in your garden. USDA Growing Zones: 3a-9aColor Varieties: Yellowish-brown or gray (flowers are fairly insignificant)Sun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Dry to medium moisture, well-drained...

Front Porch Seating If space allows you to, create a comfortable sitting area. Furniture covered in outdoor fabrics (such as Sunbrella) won’t fade in the sun and will make the porch feel like an extension of the house. Arrange the furniture as you would inside. Create a conversation area, establish a focal point, and include table surfaces for setting down drinks. Think About Privacy If your porch allows for it, hang curtains or blinds to help filter light and create privacy....

Other than measuring the size of your space, pay attention to the scale. Your sofa should be the same scale as your other furniture so it doesn’t seem too big or too small placed alongside the rest of it. Where possible, don’t buy a sofa without first trying it out. Sit on it, lie on it, try it out the way you would use it at home. If you like napping on your sofa, make sure that the arms are the right height....

Here are five of our favorite granite countertop colors. Because they will darken the space, black countertops are best suited for rooms with large windows that bring in a lot of natural light. If your kitchen doesn’t get that much light but you still want black granite, opt for white or light wood cabinets to keep the room feeling open and bright. Plus, black granite often has silver specks in it that will give you a little bit of light reflection in the space....

1. A Lack of Demonstrated Prep It turns out, whether or not you take a little time ahead of starting the painting process really is apparent to the pros. “I always notice if someone hasn’t taken the time to properly prep a piece before painting,” Iris Kingston of Three Coats of Charm says. “If the paint finish is badly scratched, it’s likely the pieced wasn’t cleaned, scuff sanded and primed before painting....

1. Decor Choices Sure, designers may disagree with the decorative objects that a friend has chosen to put on display, but they’re probably not going to make any specific comments on a pal’s choices! “If I’m visiting someone’s home, I never comment on the decor unless they ask my opinion. As an interior designer, I recognize everyone has their own taste and aesthetic, and unless I’m asked, I don’t comment because I don’t want to judge based on my own aesthetic....

When thinking of bringing an accent piece into your home, there are many ways to go about it. It might be a good idea to splurge here, depending on the kind of accent you need. Or, if your style dictates it explore flea markets or thrift stores for vintage finds. You may even try your hand at DIY for a one of a kind look. The idea is to find something that delights you and gives your home that something extra that makes people take notice....

As designer Jenna Schumacher states, “An executive desk says, ‘Welcome to my office’ and not much else.” That said, she adds that executive desks can be excellent for camouflaging cords and wires, though “they tend to be less decorative and visually bulkier for the sake of function.” Looking to jazz up your executive workspace? Schumacher offers a few tips. “An ink blotter and personalized desk accessories can go a long way in creating a more inviting and personal touch,” she says....

Here’s How to Use the 60-30-10 Rule Your 60 percent is the main color for your room. Most likely the 60 percent in a living room would be most of your walls, large accent pieces like area rugs, and perhaps a sofa. The idea is that the 60 percent color anchors the space and also serves as a backdrop for what comes next. Your 30 percent is the secondary color. You’ll be using half as much of this color as your main color....

1. Sustainability Consumers and designers alike will be continuing to go green in 2023, says Karen Rohr of Mackenzie Collier Interiors. “One of the biggest trends we’re seeing is a move toward sustainable, eco-friendly materials,” she says. “Natural wood finishes are becoming increasingly popular as consumers seek products that will have a minimal environmental impact.” In turn, there will also be an emphasis on “simpler, more refined designs,” Rohr says. “Clean lines and muted colors are becoming increasingly popular as people look for ways to create a sense of calm in their homes....

Creating a grown-up bedroom doesn’t have to mean spending a lot of money, following the latest trends or buying an entire set of matching furniture. The number one guideline to decorating is to follow your heart, and that’s especially true in the bedroom, your refuge from the demands of the day. But still, there are certain characteristics that turn sleeping space into a true primary bedroom. Here are seven items every grown-up bedroom needs....

When each player receives the antlers, they must put them on their head, then take them back off and pass them to the next player. Any player caught wearing the antlers when the music stops is out of the game. Play continues until one player remains. Divide players into two teams and have each team form a line on one side of the room. Stack a pile of gifts or empty, wrapped boxes on the floor in a spot on the other side of the room (make sure you have one gift per player)....

How do we create that on-trend editorial look in spaces that aren’t in magazines but in the real world where stuff accumulates, kids are kids, wires are necessary and sometimes there’s just no time and no energy to keep everything looking perfect? The truth is it is a challenge. But the good news is that achieving the look you want is easier than you think. You can put yourself ahead of the game by having the fundamentals of your design in place....

Knowing that, if you have a septic system, it’s important to understand how septic systems work and be familiar with the maintenance tasks you can complete to help extend the life of your system by preventing leaks and clogs. A septic system primarily consists of a septic tank and leach field that are connected by a series of pipes leading from the home’s wastewater drainage line through the tank and out to the leach field....

Another variation is to give each student an actual beach bucket and let them write their activities on notepaper, fold them up, and drop them into the buckets.

We went right to the source for spring houseplant care tips, also known as plant pro Puneet Sabharwal, the CEO and co-founder of plant subscription service, Horti. He is sharing his expertise on transitioning your houseplants outdoors, reviving them after a long winter, and giving them the proper indoor care for springtime. Why Spring Is a Great Time to Give Houseplants Some Love Though your indoor plants aren’t necessarily braving the harsh winter weather directly, they do still adapt to the season indoors, according to Sabharwal....