Your Guide to a Spotless, Beautifully Organized Home

Screen Shot 2015-02-03 at 3.52.00 PMUse our 7-day plans to bring order and cleanliness to each room of your house

Clutter getting out of hand, or just feel it’s time for a deep clean? Our seven-day plans for cleaning and organizing your home, room by room, offer a flexible blueprint for bringing serenity to your space.Each plan is organized with the first few days requiring the most work, so you can get started on a weekend. This will allow you to get a jump start and finish up smaller tasks in the evenings during the week — but you can always pick and choose among tasks to better fit your needs (and your time). Jump to the room that needs the most help or start at the beginning and do them all.

How to Have a Little More Fun With Your Decor

Screen Shot 2015-02-03 at 1.54.13 PMQuirky and unexpected details and accessories will raise your decorating game in 2015

It’s easy to go for tried and tested decor, but giving your home an offbeat twist can be more fun. If you’re new to adventurous interiors, you can dip a toe in the water by focusing on little details that pack a punch.

Cost VS. Value

2015-cost-versus-value-report

How Thermal Mass Keeps You Warm and Cool

Screen Shot 2015-01-28 at 10.08.07 AMPassive solar design makes use of this element. Here’s how it works and how you can get it in your home

It’s been around since Roman times, so it’s not exactly new, but we hear the term “thermal mass” bandied around these days when we talk about passive solar design and sustainable homes. So what exactly does it mean? If you want to maintain a comfortable temperature all year round in your home with minimal use of heating or air conditioning, read on for a clear breakdown.

How to Sneak In Creative Guest-Room Storage

Screen Shot 2015-01-20 at 12.21.34 PMThe Hardworking Home: Get more from your space with these smart ideas for closets, shelves and drawers

If you’ve been using your guest room only to house overnight guests, you might be overlooking some prime storage space. Check out these ideas for putting your space to work 24/7 with storage over and under the bed, creative closets and smart shelving.

Hardworking space: The guest room.
The challenge: When space is at a premium, using the guest room for storage can be a lifesaver — but once the guest bed and bedside tables are in place, it can be difficult to fit in anything extra. These tips will help you find the storage space you need.
Good to know: Even in the tiniest guest room, there are a few pockets of space that can almost always be used for storage: a bedside table and under the bed.

Creative Ways to Tame the Mess in Kids’ Bedrooms

Screen Shot 2015-01-12 at 1.22.04 PMThese cool storage features will keep your children’s rooms tidier — no threats or bribes required

While cupboards and drawers will always have their place as a storage solution, when it comes to kids’ bedrooms, why not think outside the box? Or in the box? Or attach the box to the wall? These original, vibrant and effective ways to keep kids’ bedrooms tidier will take the headache away for you and make it far easier for your kids to keep their things in order. And, with a little forethought, kids will discover that tidying up the mess can be just as fun as making it!

8 Laundry Room Ideas to Watch For This Year

Screen Shot 2015-01-13 at 2.30.15 PMThe Hardworking Home: A look at the most popular laundry photos in 2014 hints that dog beds, drying racks and stackable units will be key

The laundry room is one of those spaces that, if you’re lucky enough to have one, is always in use. If you have a large family, your laundry machines are likely running every day — sometimes even every night. With so much time being spent in these hardworking spaces, it’s worth taking the time to make them as functional and efficient as possible. Pullout drying racks, expansive folding counters and plenty of storage are sure to help you get the job done, but don’t overlook pet-washing stations or wine refrigerators. As you prepare for your laundry room remodel or new build in 2015, consider these most popular laundry rooms on Houzz in 2014 for inspiration and design tips.

Home Staging on a Budget

Homestaging

How to Turn Almost Any Space Into a Guest Room

Screen Shot 2015-01-12 at 1.18.56 PMThe Hardworking Home: Murphy beds, bunk compartments and more can provide sleeping quarters for visitors in rooms you use every day

dedicated guest room is a luxury that not all can afford. But even if you need to use every inch of your home for your own living space, a guest room may still be in the cards. From combination home office–guest rooms to living rooms that do a disappearing act, these ideas are here to help.

Hardworking space: The guest room.
The challenge: Hosting occasional overnight guests is a fact of life for many … but not so many of us have the square footage to spare for a guest room that rarely gets used. Make your guest room work just as hard for you as it does for your guests by combining it with another space.
Good to know: A ceiling-mounted curtain is an easy and budget-friendly way to give your guests privacy in a shared space.