Never fear, it is entirely possible to live in a home that is naturally free of clutter. Before that can happen, though, you will probably have to do some soul-searching. As professional organizer Laura Cattano says, “It’s not the stuff. It’s you.” “I love this time of year, looking at the new year and goals,” Cattano says. “I ask my clients ‘How do you want to live? Think about how you want to live in your space....

As a practicing Catholic, this tradition does exist in my family. However, this year I am NOT planning to give up one thing that brings me joy—buying houseplants. With some extra time on my hands in 2020, I took up indoor gardening. I’ve always been an outdoor gardener but shied away from tropicals because I did not understand them. As I took the time to study each plant’s needs, I found that caring for indoor plants isn’t more challenging than my outdoor ones....

While homebuyers use many factors when researching homes, bathroom types are some of the most important factors. Bathroom types inform the homebuyers, for example, if the house can comfortably accommodate their six-person family—likely, two full bathrooms or at least a full bathroom and a half-bathroom are needed for this family. As a home seller, bathroom types give you an accurate fix on the value of your home. When building or remodeling a bathroom, you know how much the project will cost....

A well designed small laundry room might include floor-to-ceiling cabinetry to maximize vertical space; stacked washer dryers to save floor space; or be part of a mud room or bathroom to create a high-functioning multipurpose hub. You can decorate your laundry room with as much creativity as any other room in the house, adding bold wallpaper, layered lighting, custom storage, a patterned tile backsplash, or a beautiful paint color. Or you can design a stealth laundry space hidden behind louvered closet doors, a barn door, a secret cabinet, or fitted into the dead space under the stairs....

That said, they recommend glass wool or fiberglass as a quality option for someone looking for an environmentally friendly insulation option for their tiny home. Another name for fiberglass, glass wool is probably what people are most familiar with when they think of insulation. It’s cheap compared to other insulations and widely available. It has one of the lowest global warming potential ratings of all batt insulations, Grotyohann said, and it’s made from mostly recycled glass material....

From the knick knacks in every nook-and-cranny to the desks that doubled as changing tables, home offices are undeniably taking a shift to more than just temporary spaces for survival. While some office spaces are becoming even more practical, others are moving away from the ‘all work no play’ and doubling as safe havens where individuals actually enjoy spending time. From the simple to the outrageous, here are the home office trends that are on their way out this year....

The best part about home trends that make your home more accessible? As Danielle Clayton, lead designer at DH Designs puts it, “Accessible interior design trends benefit so many and disadvantage no one, making them truly inclusive!” Now that’s something we can get behind. Here are 6 home trends that make your home more accessible. Open-Concept Spaces One of the biggest trends in home design over the past few decades has been the shift towards large, open-concept spaces, and Clayton says they are here to stay....

Though it can be dizzying to wade through the numerous brands lining the cleaning aisle, there are some names that rightly deserve a spot in every person’s bin of spray bottles and containers. To narrow it down, there are no better opinions than those of professional cleaners who have tried countless companies’ products—from popular to less well-known—and use them on a daily basis. Sara San Angelo, a professional house cleaner who’s also known as The Cleaning Lady, says she will “never leave home without my Mr....

When life feels particularly messy, there are actually a few items you can aim to get rid of right now that’ll instantly make your home feel less cluttered. To know exactly what those things are, we spoke with a professional organizer to explain what can go without any second thoughts—items that may help your small session snowball into a good deep declutter around your home. Wire Hangers Closet clutter can be one of the more difficult things to deal with, especially if you’re short on space....

Bathroom Ceiling Light A bathroom ceiling light is a light fixture or series of light fixtures located in the bathroom ceiling, usually at the center. Ceiling lights provide general lighting to the bathroom. General lighting is usually controlled by a switch near the door. Often, by default, the ceiling light is the only source of light in the bathroom. A ceiling light helps you to become situated when you enter the bathroom, plus it provides background lighting for tasks at the mirror and counter....

An area rug is any rug that’s smaller than the size of the room. Unlike wall-to-wall carpet, it can be picked up and moved because it’s not permanently attached to the floor. Area rugs typically come in standard sizes and are generally rectangular, square, or round in shape. They are a great way to incorporate a textural layer into a room that creates warmth and coziness, carries a color theme, and adds softness under your feet....

As with most phobias, it doesn’t really help most sufferers to know that nearly all spiders are harmless, or that they themselves are predators for any number of nuisance insects, from buzzing house flies to aphids and beetles that feast on your garden plants. If you have a fear of spiders, it is hard to change your feeling about these eight-legged creatures. So pest control readers who are not only squeamish but positively fearful about even the smallest of spiders will be pleased to know that nature has its own way of handling them....

Light: Partial or dappled sunWater: Allow to dry out between wateringsColor varieties: Pink flowers; green, red, pink, purple, silver, or brown foliage Light: Full sun except in winterWater: Water lightly when soil is dryColor varieties: White, pink, red, purple or various combinations Light: Full sunWater: Allow to dry out between wateringsColor varieties: Pink, red, and white flowers Light: Full to partial sunWater: Allow to dry out between wateringsColor varieties: White to pale yellow to deep coral and red flowers...

Tankless Water Heater One of the most important things that you can do for the environment is to save energy, especially the energy derived from fossil fuels. With a tankless water heater, you can cut your energy consumption almost by half. Tankless water heaters heat water on demand, so you aren’t wasting energy by continually heating 40 to 50 gallons of water when you aren’t using it. You can buy tankless water heaters that heat water in seconds....

The Symbolic Meaning of Hummingbirds Hummingbirds are tiny birds of flight that are native to the Americas. They are called hummingbirds because of the hum that is produced by their extremely fast wing speed. When hummingbirds are in flight, their wings beat so quickly you can’t even see them. This is one of the teachings from the hummingbird, that even while in motion, they embody stillness. These little birds are especially venerated in indigenous shamanic practices of North and South America....

For some time, open floor plans were on the up and up—there is a surplus of inspirational images and design ideas that are dedicated to the concept. Though with any architectural style or trend, there are always at least two sides to it. Despite neutrality and adoration being the most common feelings shared by designers, architects, design enthusiasts, and homeowners for open floor plans, things have been shifting in several ways recently....

Do Hummingbirds Need Water? Unlike many birds, hummingbirds do not frequently visit birdbaths or other water sources to drink. Instead, they get all the liquid they need from the nectar and sugar water they feed on. They do still need water to bathe, however, to wash the sticky residue off their feathers and keep their plumage in top condition for insulation and efficient flight. Savvy birders will provide good water sources for hummingbirds and take advantage of the opportunity to watch these small birds bathe and preen on hot summer days....

“​Stop to smell the roses.““He came up smelling like roses.” Be that as it may, pointing out that a plant has bad-smelling flowers is not exactly a man-bites-dog story. The phenomenon occurs a bit more often than you might think. This is true even if we exclude those strong-scented blooms, such as Easter lilies, over which people are divided, some listing them among the fragrant flowers, others finding the odor offensive....