A cozy living room is one where people naturally sit down and stay. That feeling comes from a few practical choices: furniture arranged for conversation, comfortable seats, warm light and soft materials. Decoration is the last step, not the first. Arrange the seating for conversation Pull furniture away from the walls and group it so … Read more
Indoor plants make a home feel warmer and more alive. The secret to keeping them alive is simple: choose plants for the light you actually have, not the light you wish you had. Read your light Ways to display plants Keeping them alive Overwatering kills more houseplants than anything else. Always use pots with drainage … Read more
Keeping a home clean and in good repair is easier when it is broken into small, regular tasks rather than marathon weekends. The schedule below is a starting point; adjust it to your household, pets and climate. Daily (10 to 15 minutes) Weekly Monthly Seasonal Once or twice a year Use cleaning products safely Less … Read more
Living room furniture is expensive and you live with it for years, so it pays to choose carefully. The usual errors are buying pieces that do not fit the room and choosing looks over comfort and durability. Measure everything Get the scale right Furniture should be in proportion to the room. A huge sectional crowds … Read more
Mold spores are everywhere, indoors and out. They only grow when they find moisture, so the key to preventing mold is controlling water. As the EPA puts it in its guide to mold, moisture and your home, there is no practical way to eliminate all spores; the way to control growth is to control moisture. … Read more
The living room and dining room are where you spend time with others, often in open or connected spaces. A good color makes them feel welcoming in daylight and at night. A bad one can look completely different from the chip you picked at the store. Step 1: Study the light Also think about when … Read more
