Autumn Hachey

Here's to a larger-looking, brighter, and cozier space.

Flowers instantly brighten any room and, are a welcome breath of air, especially in a culture dominated by computers and phone screens. Some of us regularly buy fresh ones, but for others, flowers are a periodic splurge, only indulged every once in awhile. There’s a new spin on flowers we’ve noticed on Instagram, and it’s making us pretty happy: The delicate art of creating incredibly realistic looking flowers using crafty handiwork, crepe paper, and a lot of patience.

The best IKEA hacks are the ones that: a) don’t take too much time; and b) don’t look like IKEA hacks. Here are 13 genius IKEA hacks we found on the interwebs that transform the plain and functional to glamorous, fabulous, and fun. Let’s get hacking… It’s summertime, and that means it’s bar cart season. No bar cart? No worries. Spice up your IKEA RÅSKOG utility cart into a makeshift bar area with a fancy fringe embellishment.

This one $25 purchase can do wonders for your home. With hundreds of different pattern variations available on the market, stencils are a surefire way to completely change up your space with interesting patterns and prints. And the best part? They can be used in all different parts of your home—from your floors to your walls, to your furniture and beyond. So grab some paint and roll up your sleeves, because we’ve rounded up different ways to use stencils in your next home project.

Because paint isn't the answer to everything.

None of these ideas disappoint.

These are so unexpected.

Don't let these happen on your watch.

Plaster is the timeless superhero of wall treatments. It blocks sound, acts as great insulation, is harder than drywall, and adds a special texture and feel that plain paint can’t achieve. This classic, beautiful wall treatment has been around for hundreds of years, but it’s been cropping up lately in more modern ways and colors, and we’re here for it.

Spring is right around the corner and it’s arguably the most beautiful season of all. And with spring comes flowers. Adding flowers, or other organic material, to a space is an instant way to make it feel fresh and alive. The best part? Many can be found right outside your door, or down the street. Take meandering walks and find the hopeful harbingers of spring — like little violets, coltsfoot, chickweed, and buttercups.

Amp up your space for very little money.

Here’s a non-traditional hardwood floor that deserves a second look: wide planks. These beautifully crafted floors really evoke a sense of warmth and old-world charm, and make your room look larger, more open and less crowded. When the outside world feels complicated, unpredictable — and sometimes downright unsafe — creating a warm, authentic environment at home seems more important than ever. As trends go, this one has weight and longevity.

Great ideas for an often unused area.

There are so many beautiful flooring options out there. One that I’m particularly excited about is wood-look tiles. While still achieving the warm tone that real wood brings to a space, wood-look tiles are made from porcelain that can stand up to moisture in any room in the house. From kitchens to living rooms, bathrooms and beyond, these trendy tiles are a hardy option that will not only look fantastic, but will be able to withstand daily wear and tear for years to come.

Believe it or not, an inexpensive box of off-the-shelf tiles can totally transform your floors. There’s no need to go out and by something expensive, when you can easily create visual interest under your feet with a design that feels custom and special — all for very little money. All it takes is your imagination or some inspiration, a little bit of advance planning, and this one simple trick.

Stylish food storage solutions if you're not lucky enough to have a walk-in pantry.

In today’s modern homes, open floor plans are common. True they have a lot of appeal but, when you knock down walls and merge the kitchen with the rest of the home, you then have an equally modern problem: what to do with the reverse side of your cabinetry or — now more frequently —the kitchen island facing the living or dining room. Put a little bit of extra care and attention to your kitchen’s “backside”, and add an entirely new and unexpected element.