While the average kitchen size has increased over the last few decades, most kitchens do not have the capacity to handle the multiple islands, peninsulas, and acres of countertop space so often featured in lifestyle magazines and remodeling reality shows. By contrast, an L layout can fit perfectly into 10 x 10-foot kitchen, which is still considered the benchmark for estimating the costs of cabinets and countertops. An L-shaped kitchen also provides a lot design flexibility....

Tip #1: Test Items Before Bleaching Before you use chlorine bleach on a garment, you should test to see how the fabric will react to the bleach. First, mix one teaspoon of bleach with two teaspoons of warm water. Find an inconspicuous spot on the garment like an inside seam or interior pocket of the same fabric. Use a cotton swab dipped in the bleach and water solution to dab the fabric....

Some of these colors are bold and bright, providing a fresh change in quieter interiors. The borderline neon hues and playful tones of the ’50s and ’60s (like chartreuse and orange) have stopped by for an appearance and to helpfully punctuate a room that’s feeling drab. Colors like mauve and ochre feel more grounding, but bring a layer of interest that’s the perfect happy medium between too bold and overly monochrome....

This means that one of Miriam’s biggest priorities is to avoid blank spaces. “If there’s nothing in the middle of the room, the eye has to travel too far. It either lands on a big, vacant space in the middle or drifts to the other side. It unbalances the image.” This is why coffee tables aren’t just a key functional item—they also help create a visual landing point. But it’s not enough to just have a coffee table, either....

“Climate change [has] dominated the headlines, and we are starting to see this narrative transformed through design,” she says. “Fabrics and wallpapers are carrying the stories into our homes—and it’s the stories behind the designs which are going to become the talking points.” Jennifer Davis of Davis Interiors agrees. “I anticipate we will start to see more nature-inspired patterns: florals, foliage, lines that mimic blades of grass, or patterns that are cloud-like....

How small exactly? Let’s say it is so teensy that it is basically a closet with an awkwardly-fitting toilet and barely enough space for washing your hands. Should you give up your dream home just because of a small bathroom? Nope. With a few thoughtful modifications and improvements, tiny bathrooms can feel just like a much larger space. Put simply; there are plenty of ways you can make the most of your current bathroom’s small footprint — promise!...

These eight tips for feeding hummingbirds are sure to help you attract hummingbirds by appealing to their hungry attitudes and meeting their unique nutritional needs. Avoid spraying pesticides or insecticides that would remove these natural food sources, and plan a hummingbird garden with the top nectar blooms to attract hungry hummers. The more varied your hummingbird food sources, the more birds you attract and the healthier they will be. Avoid using any dyed products, however, including red food dye, colored juices, or other additives, as these chemicals could be harmful to hummingbirds and are not necessary for their diets....

As far as living rooms go in 2022, there are plenty of updated colors and patterns introducing themselves as trendy hues and shades, as well as the resurgence of trends that laid low for a few years. Some of these trends are mindsets or ways of looking at decorating, organizing, and arranging in a different way—design “resolutions” if you will. But running through all of them is a common theme of comfort, awareness, and the prioritization of putting a conscious effort into making one of our most important spaces fit for our changing lifestyles....

There was a time when people simply had “a garden.” Vegetables and flowers were chosen for their usefulness and intermixed in one garden, a cottage garden, that was often in the front yard. Now, you can create a conversation piece as well as a productive little vegetable patch. An old set of drawers finds new purpose as a planter when arranged on a ladder-like structure. The drawers are deep enough to grow most vegetables and there is even room for a small tomato cage....

There are many ways to categorize deck types, including basic structural design, location within the landscape, or intended use. All three methods are used in the following presentation of nine different types of deck. We’ll break down the ins and outs of each type of deck and the factors you should consider when choosing which is best for you and your home. This is a broad category that can include both simple ground-level platforms or multi-level structures complete with stairways and landings....

In this series, This Is Home, we’re sharing unique houses from all around the world in which everyone from DIY enthusiasts to design experts has transformed an unexpected space into one that’s not only livable but design-focused, too. These stories delve into the backgrounds of remarkable places, the processes, and all the challenges and wins along the way while making a home out of it, whether it’s a barn, castle, cabin, or schoolhouse....

Will Your Floor Be Installed in a High-Moisture Area? Do You Want to Install Your Flooring by Yourself?

Different Types of Wood Hardwood is obtained from trees such as oak, maple, cherry walnut, and other broad-leafed deciduous trees. This type of wood is stronger and better suited to most types of furniture making. Softwoods come from evergreen trees, such as pines and cedar. This type of wood can bend or dent easily and, therefore, is not suitable where strength is needed, such as sofa frames. When looking for a kiln-dried wood frame, remember to seek one constructed from hardwood rather than softwood....

Are Coffee Grounds Acidic? Magnolia trees (Magnolia spp.), generally, are among the plants that prefer a soil pH that is acidic. That is the reason why some folks who have a soil that is too alkaline are attracted to the idea of sprinkling coffee grounds on the earth around their magnolia trees. They have heard that coffee grounds are acidic, so they figure that they can acidify the soil in this way....

Balance In design, balance creates a feeling of equilibrium. It is all about equalizing or approximating the visual weight of objects. Balance is created not just through shape, but through color, pattern, and texture as well. There are three different kinds of balance: Symmetrical or formal: Traditional or formal spaces call for symmetrical balance where the space is evenly split into two sides that mirror each other. For example, two chairs on either side of a coffee table can be said to be symmetrically balanced....

If you’ve never looked into garage cabinets before, you might be surprised at the range of products available. They range from remarkably affordable MDF-and-laminate cabinets to elegant stainless steel custom cabinetry designed and installed by firms specializing in this work. It’s even possible to repurpose kitchen or bathroom cabinets for use in the garage. Here are the four major categories of cabinets available to do-it-yourselfers for installation in a garage....

How Large a Greenhouse Will You Need? Get the largest greenhouse you can afford and fit into your yard. Whatever size greenhouse you buy, you will quickly fill it. It is easier and cheaper to purchase a large greenhouse than to try and expand a small greenhouse. Heating the Greenhouse Heat is the bottom line in greenhouses. Without sufficient heat, you’re just gardening in winter. There are electric, gas, propane, and natural gas heating units available....

Color Family: Includes black, white, gray, beige, blue, and greenComplementary Colors: Most colorsPairs Well With: Most colorsMood: FreshWhere to Use: These are top choices for cabinets, but the versatile selections work well for trim, too Here are the 10 best kitchen cabinet colors picked by decor experts.