Couple sitting on a rug, listening to a record player, with a wooden shelf and potted plant in the background.
The Mega List of Things to Do Together in Bed (That Have Nothing to Do With Sex or TV)
Let’s preface this by stating clearly that there is absolutely nothing wrong with sex or TV. They’re both fantastic when enjoyed with a loving partner (or by yourself). But whether your relationship is brand new or you’ve been together so long you’re inadvertently starting to dress the same, building intimacy as a couple is important. And real intimacy, well, that can sometimes take more than just a little Netflix and chill.
May 3, 2019
8 Sneaky Ways your Bedroom is Sabotaging your Sex Life
It’s the end of the day, and you crawl beneath the sheets next to your significant other with a *certain* expectation (cue bedroom eyes). Then, something happens — and, spoiler alert, it’s not sex. You get distracted. Or your partner does. Long story short? The only things going down in that bedroom are libidos. If your bedroom is more fizzle than sizzle lately, it might be time to re-examine the source.
May 3, 2019
The Internet Thinks You Need an Italy Towel — And They’re Only $2
Are you a card-carrying member of Exfoliation Nation? Then you need to know about the Italy Towel, a sandpaper-esque mitt worshipped by skincare fanatics. If you’re one for falling down the rabbit hole that is internet skincare sites — Reddit’s Skincare Addiction is a personal fave — then you may have seen the abrasive and (often) electric green-colored towel before.
May 3, 2019
10 Reasons Why Menards Has Such a Huge Cult Following
Hi, my name is Sarah Smith and I am a ridiculously devoted Menards shopper. Now, please understand: this doesn’t just mean that I like the store and shop there often. At this point, I may as well have my own cot in the lumber yard so I can just spend the night and be there when it opens again in the morning. Why you ask? Oh child, you just don’t even know, but let me enlighten you. Then maybe you can get a cot too —or wait — bunk beds!
May 3, 2019
The Surprising Health Benefits of a Clean Closet
Have you ever noticed that stepping into your cluttered, messy closet makes you stressed? Understatement of the day? Well, you’re not alone. It turns out that exposure to a greater density of “stuff” – like a jam-packed closet – can lead to higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Assistant professor of psychology Darby Saxbe, Ph.D., worked on an intriguing study at UCLA where married, dual-income couples gave researchers a video tour of their home.
May 3, 2019
20 Doable Ways to Deep Clean Your Home This Weekend
My personal cleaning schedule builds in one day a week to do a deep cleaning task that needs to be done monthly. Honestly, though, I’m rarely on-schedule enough that these monthly projects aren’t bumped out to catch up on skipped weekly chores. Whether a deep cleaning project is a catch-up task for you or it gets you ahead of the game, this weekend we’re going to pick something to clean deeply.
May 3, 2019
Before & After: One Family’s Small Yet Smart Closet Conversion
Reader Tamera is having a baby — yay! Tamera’s rental apartment does not feature a room for a baby — boo! Fortunately, it does have a generously proportioned master closet, and Tamera had a vision to transform this space. This is so very sweet! The accent wall really makes it feel like a room, the pretty mirror adds natural light to the space, and every inch has been used so wisely.
May 3, 2019
Genevieve Gorder Is Engaged & Her Fiancé Has a Role on Trading Spaces
Trading Spaces‘ Genevieve Gorder is prepping to trade some vows. And when the beloved TLC show returns to airwaves in April, her new fiancé will be making an appearance too. Just a few days ago, Gorder announced her engagement to designer and builder Christian Dunbar, PEOPLE confirmed. “It takes a pretty big love to interrupt a beautiful life…this one was undeniable,” said Gorder, 43. “So off we go to the dance again.
May 3, 2019
Before and After: A Makeover for a Disastrous, Doorless Closet
If your home doesn’t contain at least one disastrous closet, I salute you. (And if you only have one closet, it’s even more likely to be overstuffed and overwhelmed!) This doorless closet, which was a catchall for everything from cakestands to lampshades, got a full makeover for less than $100 and is now totally display-worthy.
May 3, 2019
Before and After: A Blank Balcony Wall Goes Bananas
When I opened this reader-submitted project, I thought, “Aha! Our dear reader has obviously uploaded their “after” photo to the “before” box, happens to the best of us, not a bit of trouble,” because it never occurred to me that the lovely space you see here could possibly be a “before” photo. Oh, but it is! Now this balcony is a tropical retreat—in Switzerland, no less.
May 3, 2019
Here’s What It’s Like To Win The HGTV Dream Home
Since 1997, HGTV has made viewers’ lives by giving away their annual Dream Home—a picturesque retreat most people can only dream of owning. And this year’s grand prize was no exception: A 3,500-square-foot home on the waterfront in Gig Harbor, Washington, the four-bed, three-bath beauty came with a Honda Accord and $250,000 from Quicken Loans.
May 3, 2019
Owning a Famous Property Has Its Downsides: American Horror Story House Owners Suing Over Tourists
Have you ever thought how cool it would be to own a famous house recognizable from popular culture? Maybe think again. The current owners of the L.A.-located Rosenheim Mansion, AKA the famous haunted house featured in the initial season of American Horror Story, are way over the novelty. In fact, they’re suing the previous owners for not giving them a heads up about how often the house is visited by fans of the horror anthology.
May 3, 2019
Why You Should Always Put a Coffee Filter In Your Flower Pots
Plants add vibrancy to our living spaces like nothing else quite can. And although tending to them isn’t necessarily hard, they are living things that require our time and attention. Anything that makes caring for plants a bit easier is a plus in our book — because this means we can add a few more! Here’s how coffee filters contribute to smart, less-mess plant maintenance.
May 3, 2019
Before and After: A Very Unique Twist on Traditional Herringbone Floors
When I saw this living room, I crossed my fingers that the ceiling beams and wood-burning stove survived the renovation. Spoiler alert: they did! Just don’t get too attached to that amazing, but undeniably eccentric, hutch. Beams and stove are intact, but the problem now is that they’re utterly upstaged by that astounding floor by Fairwood.
May 3, 2019
Before and After: A 1950s Apartment goes from “Money Pit” to Modern Perfection
Today, Mel (a designer) and Mario (a filmmaker) live in a stunning Spanish apartment they own, having spent the last few years slowly decorating the space to be an open, airy and warm home for themselves and their baby daughter Mia (as well as pups Coco and Marni). But it didn’t always look this good. In fact, this 1950s apartment had NEVER been renovated before.
May 3, 2019
We Compared Prices for 25 Items at Home Depot & Amazon
We all know spring is the season for growing: grass, flowers, trees…and to-do lists. After a winter of cocoon-like inertia, it’s time to get busy deep cleaning, organizing, fertilizing and mowing. So to get the ball rolling, we made a list of some of the most essential things you’ll need, then compared their prices at two mega-stores known for their bargains: Home Depot and Amazon. Here’s how they stacked up.
May 3, 2019
One Couple Shows What It’s Like To Baby Proof a Tiny House
When Robert and Samantha Garlow of Shedsistance designed and built their tiny home in the woods of Yakima, Washington, they created a super cool small space with an impressive amount of room for all of their outdoor gear. Fast forward a few months and they have to make room for another form of adventure: parenthood. The couple spent about $30,000 building the 24-foot long, eight-foot-six-inch-wide, 13-foot-five-inch-tall home.
May 3, 2019
8 Paint Colors That Always Work for a Small Bedroom, According to Designers
Fake a larger room through the magic of paint, people!
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Dated Bath Got a Modern Farmhouse Makeover
This photo doesn’t look too bad, but click through to find out why reader Sara refers to this bathroom as a “two-toned linoleum bath pit” — and how the situation was dramatically remedied in less than two weeks for less than $2,000. Here’s more detailed information on this 1950s bathroom, pre-renovation from homeowner Sara: The before picture pretty much sums up why I needed a change from this two-toned linoleum bath pit.
May 3, 2019
These Incredibly Easy Storage Solutions Are Beauty Blogger-Approved
If the bathroom drawers are overflowing, the bedroom dresser is buried under a pile of bottles and jars, and your closet door unable to shut because its so stuffed, it may be time to rethink your current beauty supply storage setup. But don’t be under the impression that this kind of organization undertaking has to be expensive. The very easy and affordable storage ideas in this beauty blogger’s home could be be just the solution you need to tame your products and accessories!
May 3, 2019
Wine Baths Are the Medieval Self-Care Trend We Didn’t Know We Were Missing
If you’ve ever sipped on a velvety, chewy glass of red wine so delicious that you thought to yourself, “Wow, I could take a bath in this,” then you just might be ready to try the Medieval self-care regimen we didn’t know we were missing — but are totally here for now.
May 3, 2019
How Spending $10 at IKEA Helped Me Solve a Clutter Crisis
Many of us are familiar with the floor/chair/bed-covered-in-clothes issue that can strike one’s bedroom at any time (or, all the time). Whether it’s the clothes you plan on wearing the next day, the clothes you wore that day, or the product of a flurry of outfit changes until hitting on just the right look—you can’t have a bedroom that’s a sanctuary if you’re swimming in articles of clothing.
May 3, 2019
This Stitch in Time Saves You From Having to Re-Do Your Shower
With so many home maintenance tasks that "should" be done, it's inevitable that a few go by the wayside for a bit longer than is ideal. Let's check this one off the list.
May 3, 2019
Take a Ride in Roseanne’s Living Room on This New York Subway Line
Everyone’s favorite ’90s working class drama is making a comeback, and to celebrate the return of Roseanne ABC is taking New York City commuters on a a nostalgic immersion experience — complete with retro afghan blankets — as a literal hype vehicle.
May 3, 2019
Here’s How ‘Lady Bird’ Created an Iconic Teenage Bedroom From Scratch
The coming of age movie is a Hollywood staple, which often depicts a young woman whose story is defined by a romantic relationship. Part of what made this past year’s Lady Bird so special is that its subtle telling of a teenage female experience—from tenuous mother/daughter relationships to shifting friendship dynamics—relied on Lady Bird’s personal growth as the main storytelling device. Its actors have received plenty of accolades ahead of Sunday night’s Oscars.
May 3, 2019
Is It Time to Reconsider Track Lighting?
I don’t know about you, but when I hear “track lighting,” I picture a sad ’80s sitcom bachelor pad. But what do I know? Even the most precision-dated trends can make a comeback once nostalgia gets the best of us. Denim jackets, leg warmers, big blazers — all have seen a resurgence in the past few years. I’ve even heard teenagers singing Phil Collins without irony.
May 3, 2019
This Stunning Kitchen Trend is Ideal for Minimalist Neatniks
If you’re looking at kitchens that were designed in the last few years, you’ll notice a definite trend towards undermount sinks. It’s easy to see why they’re popular: having a sink that attaches to the underside of the countertop, rather than sitting on the top, makes for a clean, minimal look. And you can brush crumbs directly into the sink, which is nice.
May 3, 2019
24 Modern & Unique Lighting Ideas for Your Kitchen
Bye bye, bad track lighting.
May 3, 2019
Let’s Settle This: Are Single Bowl Kitchen Sinks Better Than Double Bowls?
Much like front- or top-loading washing machines or gas versus electric stoves, kitchen sinks inspire strong opinions and fierce debate — ones that transcend even the trends of the moment. People love or hate their single bowl sinks; others love or hate their double bowl sinks, too. If you’re in the position to choose, and/or you’re open to change, here are the pros and cons of each.
May 3, 2019
Before and After: A Massive (7 Room!) Mid-Century Makeover
This is a treat: a whole-house renovation, with before and after photos from seven rooms — and the exterior, of course. This massive makeover retains the home’s mid-century modern charm, while giving it a fresh, more modern twist. Let’s dive in. This exterior remodel was so well done! It highlights the house’s bold lines and actually makes it easier to appreciate the beauty of the bricks.
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This $4K Bathroom Is Now Living Its Best Life
This bathroom has a lot of charming quirks, but upon further inspection, we’ll see that it’s falling apart at the seams a bit. Fortunately, a thoughtful design company is about to help this little room be its very best self. Before we ogle the bathroom now, let’s let Courtney and John Achilli of Content + Company describe their process: Not every renovation is a total overhaul.
May 3, 2019
This is The Easiest Weekend Project You’ll Tackle All Year
This weekend, we're going to fill the bucket from which we pour.
May 3, 2019
Stream these Women-Led Shows to Celebrate International Women’s Day
March 8 is International Women’s Day, and it’s a great opportunity to support an organization that helps women, such as Kiva, WAGGGS, or another great non-profit. Once you’ve done your part, relax with some women-led TV. While the Oscar winners this year were still pretty dude-heavy, you can lift up women’s profiles in TV by streaming and supporting women-helmed projects. Cinematography work by women is amazing, but rare.
May 3, 2019
There’s a Secret Room Hiding Behind This Wardrobe
When I saw the title of this reader submission, I braced myself for some The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe action, but it turned out to be less Narnia, more Lane Kim. Don’t let your teen see this makeover unless you’re prepared to build them a secret hideout — and you’ll probably be tempted to build one for yourself. Here we see Laura Medicus of The Colorado Nest‘s daughter stepping into a fairly magical vintage wardrobe . . .
May 3, 2019
Reese Witherspoon’s Latest Read, and Five More Books We’re Loving This Month
For me, a new month means a new TBR pile, and I always look to my favorite bookworm, Reese Witherspoon, for what to add to my list. “Reese’s Book Club,” a community of almost 400,000 on Instagram, selects a new read each month and often brings in the author for exclusive interviews. Our March Book Pick, #EroticStoriesForPunjabiWidows, has something for everyone: It’s a mystery, a romance, a family drama… and yes, it’s ? ? ?!
May 3, 2019
How to Hide 5 Unsightly Things Around Your Home
We’ve all been there. After decorating our dream living room/bedroom/kitchen, etc., we discover all kinds of unexpected eyesores—a.k.a. unsightly cords, wall outlets, radiators, etc.—that definitely weren’t a part of our design vision. So what to do when faced with unattractive (but oh-so-necessary) visual clutter? Don’t worry, we’ve got you. Read ahead for a handful of ways to conceal (and sometimes incorporate) five common eyesores around your home.
May 3, 2019
Chip and Joanna Gaines Announce the Sex of Baby #5
Fixer-Upper superfans have been anxiously awaiting the news of Chip and Joanna Gaines’s fifth child’s sex, going as far to speculate that it’s a little girl named Evie. But the truth has finally come out, and it looks like it’s due to quick comment Chip made while at a golf tournament. “Alright, alright.. if we’re going to announce the gender of our #5th child. It might as well come from my new friend #Gage! Take it away my man.
May 3, 2019
Wayfair vs. Overstock: Who Has the Better Deal on Home Goods?
Spring is a season of new beginnings. By now, you must be ready to tackle shaking out the winter cobwebs and doing a bit of a refresh around your home. I’m not talking an extreme renovation and remodeling, but more like a decorating mini makeover with a new piece of furniture or lighting. Or even a seasonal swap of pillows, throws and rugs. The Internet is kind of amazing insofar as it puts the inventory of big home retailers at your fingertips. But the downside of that is, THERE. ARE.
May 3, 2019
Google Doodle Celebrates International Women’s Day With Collection of Intersectional Illustrated Books
As ladies around the world and the men who support them stand up in unison to celebrate International Women’s Day today, Google’s famed Doodle is doing what it does best — shining the spotlight on unsung but important stories through its homepage.
May 3, 2019
There’s A Psychological Reason You Want to ‘Nest’
My house has never looked better than it did in the third trimester of my pregnancy. My kitchen cabinets and bedroom closet were organized, my carpets and counters were clean, and my living spaces were decked out with the latest mid-century pieces from Target and CB2. As I deep-cleaned and primped my home prior to the baby’s arrival, I knew exactly what was happening: I was nesting. (And then the baby came, and all bets for a clean or well-designed home were off.
May 3, 2019
Should You Let Your Pet Sleep With You? We Dug Up the Answer
Pets belong on the bed. At our house anyway, and at many of yours, I bet. In fact, surveys on the topic show that around half of pet owners let them sleep on the bed. As for us, our little guy Truffle starts out wedged between my pillows and my husband’s, but at some point in the night moves to curl up to my back, a solid, warm little brick that’s surprisingly immovable for 16 pounds.
May 3, 2019
Behind This Door is A Small Apartment With Some Really Smart Storage
You know we are suckers for smart storage — especially in small spots — and when it’s well-designed and executed storage, we get especially excited. This 550-square-foot Toronto apartment is not only a beautiful home, but it packs in tons of clever, built-in solutions that check off all the right boxes. The apartment comes from Stacey Cohen Design, who called upon a wealth of design knowledge and experience in taking advantage of every square inch of space, in every room.
May 3, 2019
10 Things to Get Rid of as You Pack Up Your Kitchen for a Move
Moving is the worst! Or, more accurately, packing is the worst. Getting set up in a new home is fun, and a chance for a fresh start. But packing is a slog, and if you’re not at least a little strategic about it, you can make more work for yourself. One essential part of your packing process should be decluttering. Do not put something in a box if you don’t want it to live in your new kitchen!
May 3, 2019
Before and After: A Rusty, Fungus-Ridden Bathroom is Now Ravishing
This bathroom has a lot working for it — streamlined sink, flowered toilet, a cute tiled floor, and boats, boats, boats — but, as we’ll soon learn, it has a lot working against it. Let’s just say you never want something making your wallpaper bulge out… This is a tricky room to photograph, so I’m leading with a few more before shots to get you oriented in the space.
May 3, 2019
The 10 Things I Hate About You House Is on the Market
“You’re just too good to be true, can’t take my eyes off of you,” which is what you’ll be singing to this house. And for good reason! Not only is it beautiful, it’s also the house featured in classic teen movie 10 Things I Hate About You. Located in Tacoma, Washington, the gorgeous Victorian has plenty to offer up outside of its Hollywood pedigree, but that doesn’t hurt. The five bedroom, four bathroom 5,760 square foot house is on the market for $1.
May 3, 2019
The Kitchen Splurge I Totally Regret Buying
Kitchen renovations are basically one long series of compromises. Stumble upon a Ferrari red Bertazzoni range at half price? Obviously you have to slash the budget elsewhere (many elsewheres) to make that the star of the new kitchen. More often than not, these compromises are focused on the savings and not the splurging. Those splurges are oh-so-tempting, though, and wait for you around every corner—and on every Pinterest or Instagram refresh.
May 3, 2019
If You Love Kitchen Islands, You’ll Love…Bathroom Islands?
Kitchen islands are not really polarizing—if you have the room, you probably want one. But bathroom islands? Now there's something new to covet.
May 3, 2019
Is Walmart Really That Much Cheaper Than Target?
Target sells just about anything, from motor oil to mattress pads to milk. But of course Walmart sells a lot of the same stuff, too (plus some). Both of these stores aim to be your one-stop shop, whether you’re shopping in person or online, and this got us wondering: Are their prices as similar as their inventory? We compared prices at both stores, evaluating some of the most common household goods and personal care items to see which one will offer the biggest bargains.
May 3, 2019