The dining room could be an interior you want to elevate ready for entertaining guests, or perhaps you like the idea of setting the scene for relaxing family time around the table at the end of the day and, either way, revamping the space can cost. But dining room ideas that make it look its best don’t have to come at a high price, and you can give your room a makeover that’s easy on your pocket....
As with any house plant or cut flowers, Christmas foliage requires special care and attention to keep it looking its best from the day you bring it home till long after the Christmas celebrations. It is only natural that H&G have therefore spoken to some of the world’s best florists to steal their essential tips for keeping festive foliage alive. Below, we share these vital, and sometimes surprising, tips....
Here’s how to seal up baseboards for a neat, professional finish. How to caulk baseboards You might already know how to caulk a bathtub or caulk a shower, in which case, you’re just about good to go with caulking baseboards because the principles are much the same. All you need is a little patience, a few DIY tools and some handy tips. You will need: 1. Choose your baseboard caulk There are lots of caulks out there, but unless you’re caulking an area that gets splashed decorator’s caulk is the one to go for....
Window treatment ideas must complement the room’s style, whether that’s classic or contemporary, and they have a practical aspect, as well an aesthetic one, so your curtain ideas must fulfill all your needs. In this guide, designers and curtain experts explain how to choose curtains for a living room that will have lasting style to make the task of selecting a pleasure. How to choose curtains for a living room Where to start when choosing curtains that work with your living room ideas?...
And you don’t have to use any harsh chemicals for an effective result either – there are plenty of products you will find in your pantry that are perfect for kitchen cleaning – and that will shift that burnt-on food in pots and pans, while you put your feet up. ‘Cleaning burnt pots can be stubborn, but the easiest way to go about it without scrubbing all day is letting it soak,’ says Vera Peterson, President of Molly Maid (opens in new tab)....
But even kitchens with low maintenance finishes in dimly lit spaces benefit from a deep clean every once in a while, for the sake of good hygiene and your own peace of mind. The dirt levels in any kitchen are exacerbated by the steam from cooking pots and pans, which often contain miniscule oil particles. The most powerful extractor hood can’t stop some of this greasy steam settling on kitchen surfaces....
With health organizations recommending that you clean your fruit but warning against using produce washes and disinfecting agents, it is surprisingly easy to use what you likely already have in your house. How to clean strawberries Whilst you might know how to store strawberries for longer-lasting freshness, learning how to clean strawberries is equally as important. There are different methods for cleaning strawberries based on what you might have in your cupboards or how thoroughly you want to clean them....
Luckily, disposing of paint safely and conscientiously is easier than you think. We’ve put together a simple guide to help you do it the right way, as well as a few eco-friendly solutions for using up leftover paint that you might not have thought of, such as recycling or donating. So if you are about to paint a room, discover all you need to know here. How to dispose of paint safely and conscientiously One of the best things you can do to make the disposal process easier is to avoid buying too much paint in the first place whether you’re planning to paint a wall, paint a ceiling or paint a stairwell....
After so many months of not being able to host, we’re embracing being able to have guests over once more, and style our spaces accordingly. We’ve compiled the ultimate how-to on how to create the atmosphere for your event using your dining table as the focal point, from practical tips to centerpiece ideas. See more: Dining room ideas – inspiration for decorating and furnishing your space What should I put on my dining table?...
Unlike getting rid of flying ants or getting rid of gnats, yellowjackets can deliver very painful stings that can lead to complications in some people so, while attempting to get rid of yellowjackets yourself is possible, calling a professional is always recommended if you are vulnerable such as elderly or suffer allergies, or are unsure about removing these insects yourself. Here, we have gathered expert recommendations for attempting to get rid of yellowjackets and how to prevent yellowjacket so you can begin to tackle a yellowjacket problem before it becomes too serious....
Originally from the rainforests of West Africa, this beautiful fig can reach heights of up to 45ft in the wild and an impressive 6ft indoors. As the name suggests, the distinctive leaves are large in size, with undulating edges and a nipped middle, not dissimilar to a fiddle or lyre. Leathery in texture with pronounced veins, this single or multi-stemmed plant is one that makes a real impact in any room....
A dark room, by contrast, can pose hazards when it comes to working with sharp knives and hot dishes and saucepans, look smaller than it really is, fail to show off cabinets, countertops and backsplashes to best effect, and feel oppressive. There are a whole host of ways to make the room lighter when you’re realizing your kitchen ideas – from choosing the best kitchen lighting ideas to selecting the right colors when you’re remodeling a kitchen and, here, the experts offer their top advice on how to make a kitchen lighter....
‘There is nothing more heartfelt than a piece of hand-printed wrap. It feels good (and saves money) to have made your own. After all, if you give someone a present wrapped in a piece of paper you’ve made, it’s already special before they’ve opened it! You can also make simple, hand-printed cards,’ says block printer and fabric designer Molly Mahon. Not only is making gift wrap fun and great to do with kids, but it can also be a lovely mindful activity to do in the busy run-up to Christmas....
The second comes when this pretty, fragrant blossom slowly transforms into tiny apples come fall. Depending on the variety of tree these will either be yellow; orange or bright red. Around the size of a cherry, these sour-tasting edible fruits can be eaten, preserved or left for the wildlife to enjoy. A brilliant addition to your backyard ideas, crab apple trees are a beautiful tree that adds not only ornamental value but also offers great benefits for wildlife, from their pretty, pollen and nectar rich flowers to their delicious fruits....
Once you have learned how to grow hydrangeas, propagating hydrangeas is easy and can be done at any time in the blooming season, using the same methods as pruning hydrangeas. Given that hydrangeas very rarely produce seeds, learning how to propagate them is one of the few ways to duplicate these plants. Here, learn the intricacies of how to propagate hydrangeas with expert tips to keep your plants blooming. How to propagate hydrangeas ‘Hydrangeas are best grown through propagation due to the rarity of seeds,’ says Rachel Crow, Garden Editor for Homes & Gardens....
‘Rather than replacing with new, refinishing your kitchen cabinets not only saves money but it’s also a more eco-friendly and sustainable solution,’ says Lucy Searle, Global Editor in Chief for Homes & Gardens. ‘Painting kitchen cabinets is a great option for wooden or painted kitchen furniture, for example, and it can easily be done over a weekend. All in all, refinishing is a great way to update kitchen cabinets without replacing them....
And since more gardeners are discovering how to grow mushrooms and cultivating a crop either in the vegetable plot, in containers or even inside, making the most of the harvest is a must. Our guide has the details on how to store mushrooms and retain their goodness and flavor for longer. How to store mushrooms Mushrooms are on the list of produce that should be kept in the refrigerator rather than in the pantry, or on a counter....
Be reassured, though. Even without a plunger, it is an issue you can tackle yourself (even though this isn’t the most pleasant of household tasks), if you don’t want to wait around for a pro to come to the rescue. Here, we’ve put together the remedies the experts who most regularly dispense cleaning tips recommend to unclog a toilet without a plunger, while if your problem is a little different, you can head over to our guide on fixing a running toilet instead....
The Fourth of July marks America’s birthday and the the peak of the summer season, so it goes without saying that it’s an occasion worth celebrating. How you decorate for the holiday will depend on just how much effort you want to put into your Independence Day look, and whether you’re decorating indoors or out. From front porch flags, to stars-and-stripes themed home accents, and patriotic tableware, there are plenty of ways to make sure your home, barbecue, or pool party looks festive for the Fourth....
When it comes to planning kitchen ideas, efficient storage is essential to ensure that your space works harmoniously. With the kitchen coming under increasing pressure to perform a variety of crucial roles, such as family dining, relaxing, working and entertaining, a good layout and adequate storage ideas are more important than ever. ‘High capacity, well-sited storage is essential to keep everything neat and tidy, providing a clutter-free space that’s a pleasure to use,’ says Danny Lay at Caple (opens in new tab)....
