Aurelia Butler

Summer homes often call for an open-door, barefoot vibe that permits both sandy daytime beach trips and elegant nighttime hosting. To maximize functionality, it’s key to properly pair the two, seamlessly integrating comfortable indoor entertainment spaces with stunning outdoor porches and patios.That’s exactly what the owners of this charming Cape Cod beach house requested of designers Peyton Lambton and Sarah Waldo of Washashore Home. Constructed by A3 Architects and Bannon Custom Builders in 2019, the beachfront abode exudes a coastal vibe, but with a twist. “It was such a fun project because it’s in Chatham, which is a very traditional part of Cape Cod, and the exterior has a very distinct look. She wanted it to be a little bit more unexpected on the inside. She really wanted this bright, fun and relaxed vibe where friends and family come to visit,” says Lambton. Tasked with adding an element of playfulness throughout the home, Lambton and Waldo went to work. The duo relied on pops of color, wood accents and mixed textures to bring it to life. Relax indoors in the living room, or head out for some sun.Dan CutronaSip your morning coffee on the comfort of your own couch or take it outdoors for some much-needed sunlight. Either way, these areas work together to create one cohesive space the homeowners can enjoy.”The focus on the back was having this whole indoor-outdoor feel. So, if you wanted to lay on a lounge chair to get some sun, you have that option as well.”Stay protected from the elements in the screened-in porch.Dan CutronaDan CutronaTake a step further into the dining room to experience another example of the flawless integration between the indoors and outdoors. Dine at the table, or spend time in the covered deck area. “The sliders could be opened to the screened-in porch so that you’re protected from the elements,” says Lambton.Texture — particularly wood accents — was also important to this home’s bright, beachy vibe. “We wanted to layer textures not only with the fabrics, mixing solids and prints, but then also adding in different layers of wood with the table,” she adds. Enter the coastal blue kitchen.Dan CutronaWith blue cabinets already integrated into the kitchen, the design team at Washashore Home had to think outside the box in order to take this classic coastal kitchen to the next level.”We were able to bring in that really fun Walter G. Tangier Denim Linen fabric on the stools just to give it a punch. You see blue kitchens in coastal homes all the time, but we wanted to take it up a notch. It’s the unexpected elements in this house that made it stand apart from other Cape homes we’ve done,” says Lambton.Watch the sunrise or doze off at sunset.Dan CutronaDan CutronaAlthough they each have their own distinct vibe, both bedrooms still feel coastal in their own right. The primary bedroom, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, is all about comfort and texture, pairing a charming woven bed frame with a cozy, lightweight waffle comforter. “You can wake up to these stunning views, but then you can also sneak away with a book or a cup of coffee in the corner and watch the sunrise,” says Lambton.In the guest bedroom, the focus was on the bold blue bed frame the homeowners already owned. Not willing to conform fully to typical all-blue coastal design, Lambton and Waldo went for an unexpected wallpaper choice.”Adding in the Anna French Cairo green and white wallpaper was the perfect way to kind of break up the blue but still make it coastal and interesting. The print on the wallpaper gave it a little bit of a traditional yet tropical vibe in there,” says Lambton.Host friends in the bunk room.Dan CutronaEveryone wants to visit a beach house. So when it comes to sleeping arrangements, it’s always helpful to have as many beds as possible. Enter, the bunk room.”It was one of my favorite bunk rooms we’ve done, just because the wood that was chosen really felt like drift wood. It had this worn feel that wasn’t brand new, slick, shiny wood. The builder was so strategic with where to put storage because there was just a very small closet in that room,” says Lambton.Dan CutronaRelated StoryLounge around in the bonus room. Dan CutronaDoubling as an at-home yoga studio and game room, the homeowners wanted an area everyone could enjoy for their own purposes. Whether guests are just looking to take a step away from the high-traffic areas of the house or simply want to take in another view of the ocean, this is the space to be.”The plan there was to put two day beds that can pull out into full beds. I love to have a space that can be whatever you need it to be. This can be a place for somebody to sneak off and have a nap. It can be a place for someone to do yoga, because it opens up onto another porch with a beautiful view of the water. This room was a lot of fun because it can serve so many different purposes,” says Lambton. More Beautiful HomesLaura Millar (she/her) is the assistant lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home design. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2024, she wrote for NBC’s TODAY.com, where she covered everything from entertainment news to pop culture updates.  More

As much as I try to stay organized, it always seems like my kids’ toys take over the house. LEGO bricks somehow find their way to the living room floor. A pile of Squishmallows regularly end up in a corner of my son’s bedroom, and it’s not uncommon for our ever-growing stash of board games, cards and jigsaw puzzles to overflow in a storage bin or two. Whether you share a small apartment or a spacious home with your children, I’m pretty sure you can relate. That’s why I checked in with professional organizer (and fellow mom), Tonia Tomlin, to find out exactly how to declutter toys, so you and I can get our homes in order once and for all. “Decluttering kids’ toys not only creates a more organized space, but it also fosters a sense of responsibility, focus and calm in children,” Tomlin says. “It helps them understand the importance of taking care of their belongings and creates a more peaceful environment for learning and playing.”Keep reading for all of Tomlin’s helpful decluttering tips. Streamline Your HouseBegin with a clean slate. Be it the playroom or a spot in the family room, you need to start fresh and decide on a dedicated area for your children’s toys. “Before sorting toys, clear the area entirely,” Tomlin says. “It will give you a good perspective on what you have and make it easier to assess what to keep, donate or toss.”Sort and purge.Once you clear the area, start by categorizing all the toys by type. For instance, put stuffed animals together, building blocks together and educational toys together. “This will help you see the overall quantity and variety,” Tomlin says.This is also a good time to examine each toy, separating any that are broken or no longer appealing to your kids. Tomlin recommends keeping duplicates to a minimum, too: “Keep one or two of each type of toy, unless they serve a specific developmental purpose.” You can donate the rest if they are in good condition. Roberto Jimenez Mejias//Getty ImagesLet your child participate.”Depending on your child’s age, allow them to be part of the process,” Tomlin says. Kids enjoy feeling a sense of independence, so it’s a good idea to give them an opportunity to take part in the decision-making. Let them share what toys they want to keep and those they’re comfortable parting ways with. “It encourages mindful thinking about what to keep, which can also help them develop skills in letting go and prioritizing what truly matters.” Consider donating unwanted toys.Every child outgrows toys as their interests change over time. If you happen to have toys in good condition that they no longer use, go ahead and donate them to charity. “This helps others in need and prevents the clutter from taking over your home,” Tomlin says.Incorporate clear storage bins.Using clear storage bins that can be easily stacked and labeled is a simple way to help keep your home in order. You can even take it a step further by using color-coded bins to organize different types of toys. “This way, your child will know where everything goes, making cleanup easier,” Tomlin says. “I also like to use my photo printer and add photos of the toys to the bins — kids love this.”Rotate toys regularly.Any parent knows that kids tend to get bored quickly. One minute they’re obsessed with a toy, the next minute, they never want to see it again. The fix? “Instead of keeping every toy out at once, rotate a selection of toys every few weeks. This keeps playtime fresh and prevents overwhelm. Plus, it makes toys feel ‘new’ again, so they’re more exciting to your child.” Take advantage of vertical space. Small-space dwellers, this is especially important for your setup. Using shelves and wall-mounted racks to organize toys are great ways to maximize vertical space. “This keeps items off the floor and creates more space for playing,” Tomlin says. Weave in double-duty furniture.Don’t underestimate the convenience of multipurpose furniture — it’s essential if you live in a small space. Shop for ottomans with built-in storage or a toy chest that’s complete with cushioned seating kids can use. “This hides the clutter but keeps toys easily accessible,” Tomlin says. Teach clean-up habits early. “As your child grows, encourage them to clean up after playtime,” Tomlin says. “You can make it fun by turning it into a game or singing a clean-up song.” Once they get used to cleaning up after themselves, they’ll come to appreciate maintaining an organized space on a day-to-day basis. Plus, according to Tomlin, “a well-organized space can even enhance creativity and imaginative play.”Shop wisely for new toys. Once you’ve decluttered the toys in your home, be mindful of the new ones that come into your space. “When gifting toys, ask friends and family for experiences or practical items instead,” Tomlin says. “If new toys are received, make sure there’s space for them by removing old ones first.”Simplify your toy collection. “Fewer toys can actually encourage more imaginative play,” Tomlin says. Aim to make their toy collection as manageable as possible. Your child will feel less stressed and find it easier to stay organized after each and every play session. “This will help everyone in the family enjoy a tidier, more functional space.” Related StoriesMonique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand’s home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, “What’s in My Cart.” More

No matter the circumstances, selling your house is stressful. It’s a time-consuming process that involves complex paperwork and important financial decisions, like when to list your house and how to market it to find the right buyer. But there’s one thing you do to score a bigger check from homebuyers: Sell your house in the spring.A new Zillow analysis of 1.6 million home sales in 2024 found that homes listed in the last two weeks of May sold for 1.6% more — about $5,600 on the average U.S. home. More in Real Estate”Spring is when most buyers are out shopping,” says Amanda Pendleton, home trends expert at Zillow. “The weather is mild, so it’s easy to get around to open houses and showings. Flowers are blooming and homes look better when the front yard isn’t covered with snow. But most importantly, a spring purchase allows a homebuyer to get settled before their summer vacation and the new school year begins.” It’s no surprise that a home will sell for more money when more buyers are competing for it. If they know others are interested, a buyer is more likely to make a competitive offer and act quickly to avoid a bidding war. Country wide, the second half of May was the best time to list in 2024, but Zillow’s research found the ideal time can vary widely by metropolitan area. It was as early as the second half of March in San Diego and Austin, and as late as the second half of November in Phoenix. For many cities, the first half of May was best: New York City, Denver, Orlando, Las Vegas and Kansas City. Other major cities found the highest prices in April: Los Angeles, Dallas, San Fransisco and Washington, D.C. “While there are some exceptions, real estate typically heats up in the spring, slows down slightly by late summer, sees another brief window of activity in the early fall and then cools off in the winter,” says Pendleton. Keep in mind: Zillow’s research is based on 2024 home sales and it’s not certain this year’s spring home buying season will follow last year’s pattern. The reality is most sellers don’t have the luxury of waiting for the right time to sell. “They might be experiencing life events that can’t wait — they’re starting a new job or have a new baby on the way,” says Pendleton. “An experienced local real estate agent will be able to help buyers find the best sale strategy, no matter the season.” Related StoriesAlyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries. More

Gray has long been a go-to color choice in the design world. It’s a safe pick for walls, furniture, rugs, decorative accessories, you name it. But now? Interior designers say enough is enough. Gray is on its way out! It makes sense since so far, 2025 has been a year of living boldly. More and more people are taking the opportunity to express themselves freely through color. Considering this shift (and the fact that I follow design trends for a living), I couldn’t help but poll some interior designers to find out exactly why they’ve had enough of all things gray. severija//Getty ImagesWhy is gray no longer trending? The answer is simple for interior designer Gail Davis of Gail Davis Design. “While gray is a neutral and soothing for some, we live in color,” Davis says. “I want to live where color saturates a space, and I share this with clients. Color is exciting, and we should be excited to live life.”Tiffanni Reidy, founder of Reidy Creative, shares a similar sentiment, noting that “exciting design choices are making a comeback” and homeowners are no longer afraid of choosing bold interior colors, even if they intend to move or sell their property down the road. “People were hesitant to personalize their space, ignoring tiles they were excited by, cabinets they preferred and furniture in colors they love because of a future ‘what if.’ The all-gray aesthetic is used by teams that renovate homes to sell, and developers constructing new homes. The idea that if a home is entirely gray it can be for anyone, is akin to the idea that if a home is painted black it’s suddenly ‘modern.’ The argument simply doesn’t hold up.””Gray has been a neutral, versatile color in design for nearly a decade,” adds Autumn Pochiro of Autumn Dawn Design. “However, the hue has overstayed its welcome as a foundational color for walls, furniture and cabinetry.”Related StoryWhat do designers prefer instead of gray? Designer Blair Britt of Bella B Home Designs says people are leaning into colors that are “warmer, cozier and more dramatic, such as warm neutrals, browns, olives, even pops of color.”Stephanie Brown has noticed the move to earth tones as well — but not just when it comes to paint color choices. “The shift towards these warmer shades has been noticeable in everything from marble and tile selections to rugs, furniture and decor.””The cool gray neutral base is being replaced by a warmer palette of creams, blues and greens, accented by a striking contrast of color,” says Pochiro.If you’re really up for experimenting, designer Matthew Williamson says pink is a visually appealing option. “I’ve been using a soft plaster pink on the walls at home, and I find it to be the perfect balance. It’s warm without being overwhelming, and it offers a level of sophistication and depth that gray lacks. This soft, neutral pink feels like a fresh alternative, more interesting than beige and white but still incredibly versatile. It’s a new neutral for today’s interiors.” But if you just can’t bring yourself to part ways with gray, by all means feel free to use it in your space. After all, your home is about you and what you really love. “If gray complements the overall aesthetic of a space, I will use it regardless of trends,” says Amy McCoy of McCoy Design Studio.More Design InspirationMonique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand’s home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, “What’s in My Cart.” More

1OrchidElizabeth Fernandez//Getty Images2Baby’s BreathHUIZENG HU//Getty ImagesThis dainty bloom fits right into any bouquet, filling in empty space between larger flowers with its charming white petals. Baby’s Breath symbolizes everlasting love, so gift it to your partner on an anniversary to show how much you care. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below3SolidagoAlex Manders//Getty ImagesEncourage a loved one with this vibrant yellow flower. Solidago is known to represent positivity and good thoughts, so send them to someone who’s starting a new career, buying a new home or simply going through a time of change for some extra motivation.4OxalisMelissa Ross//Getty ImagesAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below5Black-Eyed SusanGrace Cary//Getty ImagesThese bold yellow and black flowers will send a message of encouragement to anyone who needs it. Incorporate them into a bouquet, or gift them on their own to uplift a friend or family member.6GeraniumJenny Dettrick//Getty ImagesWho couldn’t use some extra comfort in their life? That’s what the Geranium stands for. Slip it into an arrangement for a touch of familiarity and coziness. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below7Red Rosesmangpor_2004//Getty Images8Zinniaglennimage//Getty ImagesZinnias stand for lasting affection, especially in reference to absent friends. Send them to a friend you haven’t seen in a while, or someone you love who lives far away as a reminder that you’re thinking of them. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below9LilacTatiana Sviridova//Getty ImagesEvoke a sense of playfulness with the lilac. These purple blooms represent youthful joy. Send them to a childhood friend to reminisce, or gift them to your kids as they celebrate certain milestones. 10AsterAlbert Fertl//Getty ImagesAsters have been around for thousands of years, so they have quite the rich history. Representing daintiness, elegance and patience, these flowers hold relevant meaning for truly any occasion. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below11HibiscusOlena Malik//Getty ImagesSure, we all know hibiscus tastes delicious in teas and desserts, but we bet you didn’t know it also symbolizes delicate beauty. These blooms are also commonly referred to in Hawaiian culture since they’re the state’s official flower.12IrisPauline Lewis//Getty ImagesThe traditional purple Iris symbolizes royalty, courage and respect, so it’s definitely a compliment to be gifted some in a bouquet. However, other colors have different meanings. For example, the blue Iris represents faith and hope, and white stands for purity. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below13BegoniaTatiana Lavrova//Getty ImagesBegonias symbolize reflection and mediation, so send these flowers to a friend or family member who’s going through a tough time or has a hard decision to make.14MarigoldPenpak Ngamsathain//Getty ImagesAs its bright yellow color might suggest, Marigolds represent joy, warmth and creativity. Who wouldn’t want to receive all those emotions bottled up into one gorgeous flower? Advertisement – Continue Reading Below15HeatherPhoto by Joel Sharpe//Getty ImagesWish someone good luck with heather flowers. The Victorians saw these beautiful blooms as good luck because of the flower’s rarity. Gift an arrangement of white or pink heathers for someone before a big exam, game or performance. 16MyrtleStefan Wackerhagen//Getty ImagesIf you need the perfect bloom for a wedding bouquet, look no further than myrtle. It stands for good luck and love in a marriage, so there’s no better flower to carry down the aisle. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below17Lotus Melissa Ross//Getty ImagesBelieve it or not, lotus flowers grow in the mud. Each night, they return to the mud, and then miraculously re-bloom in the morning. They’re a symbol of rebirth, self-regeneration, purity and enlightenment in many Eastern cultures. 18Hyssop William Turner//Getty ImagesThis blue-purple bloom represents cleanliness and sacrifice. Anyone who struggles to declutter knows that these two concepts are completely intertwined. Besides, don’t they look just like a feather duster? Advertisement – Continue Reading Below19Bird’s-Foot TrefoilBeat_Buetikofer / 500px//Getty ImagesAnother dainty flower with a dark meaning behind it, the bird’s-foot trefoil flower symbolizes revenge. While revenge is never the answer in real life, writers can use this symbolization in their stories and movies.20Yellow AcaciaICHAUVEL//Getty ImagesWhether you’re secretly dating someone or simply enjoy keeping your love life private, forbidden or secret relationships can be exciting and difficult at the same time. Brighten the mood with yellow acacia flowers, which represent concealed love. White acacia symbolizes platonic love, so be sure to pick the right color!Laura Millar (she/her) is the assistant lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home design. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2024, she wrote for NBC’s TODAY.com, where she covered everything from entertainment news to pop culture updates. Isabella (she/her) covers commerce and product-related content in the home, lifestyle, fitness, technology and beauty. She graduated from Binghamton University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in English: Literature & Rhetoric. Before joining GH, she was an editorial assistant at Prevention, where she covered health topics and celebrity news. Watch Next Advertisement – Continue Reading BelowAdvertisement – Continue Reading BelowAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below More

Eat more vegetables. Get lots of exercise. Go to bed early. There are plenty of things we know can improve our lives — but how often do we actually do them? The same is true when it comes to owning a home. Many know that solar panels not only can significantly cut back on energy bills, they’re good for the environment and can boost home values, too. Take a look down any street, though, and you’ll see that plenty of people haven’t yet taken the plunge. What a lot of these homeowners might not realize is that the benefits of solar go way beyond energy usage. Generating electricity from your own roof can be an entry point to an entire new sustainably elevated lifestyle. And now, thanks to an innovative approach from solar-energy titan Sunrun, the barrier to entry has been significantly lowered. By removing steep up-front costs, the 2025 Good Housekeeping Home Renovation Award winner makes solar more attainable for homeowners. So if you’re among those who haven’t made the switch yet, here are just a few reasons you might want to. Power Around the ClockSometimes the sun’s not shining, or your home’s total load is more than solar panels can meet. But that’s no reason to opt out of solar: There are two ways to make up the shortfall. The first is to draw power from the electrical grid, just as you always have. However, the more eco-friendly alternative is to pair your solar panels with a battery that stores excess energy when the sun is shining for use later. An extra advantage here: Should your area suffer an electrical blackout — an increasing reality for homeowners nationwide, given the uptick in extreme weather events — you’ll be able to draw what you need directly from the battery without a generator. In fact, since the battery kicks in seamlessly to avoid any interruption in power whatsoever, you may not even realize there’s an outage. Gateway to the All-Electric LifestyleGenerating electricity from roof solar panels can help you lead a more sustainable life in other ways, too, by facilitating the switch to an all-electric home for heating, hot water, and cooking. Heat pumps, for instance, use electricity to warm your home during the coldest months and cool it in the summer. Induction stoves provide faster heating and more consistent temperature control, and don’t produce any indoor air pollutants. And charging stations allow you to run your electric vehicles without ever having to visit a gas pump.Courtesy of SunrunAn Easy Entry Point A major roadblock for many consumers is simply the cost: Installing solar panels on your roof costs about $30,000 on average, or about $22,000 with current government subsidies. But buying panels outright isn’t the only way in. Sunrun offers a “solar subscription option” in which they install panels and all the associated equipment — such as the mounting rack, inverter and electrical cables — at little to no up-front cost, then charge a monthly fee (much like a car-lease payment) under a contract that typically runs 15 to 25 years. While buying the equipment outright generally results in a better value, since that monthly fee will rise gradually over time, the major benefit of the subscription model is that Sunrun will monitor, service, and repair the system during the duration of the contract, since it’s in Sunrun’s best interests that your system remain healthy and functional. If you own your own panels and something breaks, on the other hand, you’ll have to pay out of pocket yourself to have it replaced or repaired. Accordingly, the subscription model is increasingly popular: To date, nearly 85% of Sunrun’s more than 1 million customers have opted for the solar and storage subscription model to take advantage of its many benefits.Set It and Forget It One advantage of this approach is that Sunrun’s team chooses the panels and the ancillary equipment for you based on its expert knowledge, so you don’t have to invest time in doing the research from scratch yourself. The company also takes care of obtaining permits from local authorities and covers the cost of maintenance and repair for the duration of the contract. And while some homeowners worry that a solar contract could potentially make selling their house in the future more complicated, Sunrun points that 98% of home sales involving its leases go forward with them transferred successfully.And once you’re running your whole house off your own internal grid, you’ll have full access to all your energy-usage data—making it super-easy to track so you can make better decisions about how and when you expend power. Which leads us to perhaps the most compelling argument for rooftop solar: While the decision to install it can take a moment, the benefits it generates will last a lifetime and beyond. So far, Sunrun solar installations have resulted in a reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions equivalent to removing 4.3 million gas-burning cars from the road for a year, while saving its customers approximately $1.3B in energy costs. Visit Sunrun for your free personalized quote.Jeff Wise is a journalist specializing in aviation, adventure, and psychology and was recently featured in the Netflix documentary “MH370: The Plane That Disappeared.” He lives north of New York City and for fun flies gliders and single-engine airplanes. More

1Wet Wipes It’s likely that kids, especially younger ones, will make a mess in your car. Wet wipes are great for small spills and crumbs, wiping up sticky hands, and wiping down surfaces if you need to run into a store or restaurant. You can purchase a few packs and stash some in your car or tote bag.2Healthy Snacks Keeping a few healthy snacks in the car, like granola bars, crackers, or trail mix, is great in case of emergencies or if you’re out and errands are taking a bit longer than usual. You can conveniently squash your kid’s hunger pangs (or your own) until you can eat a full meal.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below3Compact UmbrellaNow 14% OffDepending on where you live, the weather can be unpredictable throughout the day. To stay dry from an unexpected downpour, keep a compact umbrella in the car and store it in your trunk or under your seat.4First Aid Kit Having a first-aid kit can help treat minor injuries, or in the case of an accident, it can help passengers stay safe until help arrives. You can purchase a pre-assembled kit or make your own with some basics like band-aids, antiseptic wipes, gauze, thermometers, and cotton balls. You’ll never know when these things will come in handy, and you’ll be glad you’re prepared.Advertisement – Continue Reading BelowNow 23% OffYou can purchase a pack of one-size-fits-most socks to store in your car, which you’ll appreciate if you find yourself in an unexpected rainstorm that leaves your feet soaked or there’s a last-minute play date at an indoor playground. If your kids play sports, having clean socks in the car is especially useful if they forget to pack them for practice.Now 33% OffHaving a few cotton bath towels in the car is great for several reasons. Kids may come in the rain and need to stay dry, or you may need to keep your car seats from getting wet. Cotton towels can also soak up major spills, and if you live by the beach, you can lay down a towel to keep sand off the seats after a beach day. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below7Flashlight Though most of us use the flashlight on our smartphones, a pocket flashlight is handy in case of a roadside emergency or if you drop your phone down the side of the seat. Skip the bulky flashlight for a slim pocket flashlight that can be kept in the glove compartment.8Wool Blanket If you live in an area with temps that dip below freezing, keep a blanket in the car for those frigid mornings to keep your kids toasty and warm. In the summer, the blanket can also be used for picnics or playdates at the park.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below9Phone Holder Now 35% OffIf you’re still using one hand to steer while the other is holding your cell phone to navigate, it’s time to get a phone holder to avoid distracted driving and model good driving habits. You can get one that easily attaches to your vent or windshield so you can keep your eyes on the road.10Mini Cooler Keeping a mini cooler in the car is convenient for storing snacks or drinks, particularly water bottles. Having a few water bottles on deck is always a good idea when kids are in the car, especially in an emergency. Just remember to switch out your water bottles after a few days.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below11Coloring kit Store a coloring kit in the car to give younger kids a screen-time break. A 30-minute commute equals several hours a week in the car, and spending that time doodling or drawing could sharpen your kids’ creative skills. If you’re worried about cleaning up marker stains, consider getting a coloring kit with “invisible” markers that won’t leave stains on clothes or car seats. 12Trunk Organizer Now that you’ve stocked up on some carpool essentials, you can keep everything organized in your trunk with a foldable organizer. This one is easy to wipe down and has adjustable compartments.Mariette Williams is a freelance writer living in South Florida. She covers topics such as travel, culture, books, and wellness, and when she’s not traveling, she’s lost in a good book.Watch Next Advertisement – Continue Reading BelowAdvertisement – Continue Reading BelowAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below More

As a city dweller, I’m always looking for ways to make gardening easier (and more compact). I just don’t have space for the grand garden I often dream of. Still, I love to experiment with new methods that might save me time while offering a glimpse of that lifestyle, even if it’s just contained to one simple garden bed. So when I started noticing everyone raving about the “no-dig” cardboard gardening method on TikTok, I had some questions: Is cardboard good for plants? Does it really require less work? How do you even go about setting up a cardboard garden bed? I spoke to expert Teri Valenzuela, natural science manager at Sunday, for more insight on the trend. What Is a “No-Dig” Garden?As the name implies, a “no-dig” garden doesn’t require any digging — instead, gardeners create a bed on top of the soil that’s already there. “A no-dig garden uses layers of cardboard, compost and sometimes mulch over existing ground instead of digging into the soil. The compost and mulch help to break down the cardboard, plants can grow in the soil medium and the cardboard can stop existing weeds from growing,” says Valenzuela.Digging into soil can disturb it, according to Valenzuela, which would make it more likely for weeds to grow. That’s where the cardboard comes into play, acting as a “weed barrier.”Experts’ Take on the TrendWhile using cardboard at the base of a garden bed is a convenient way to avoid digging and weed growth, experts warn that it isn’t going to completely eliminate all gardening-related work. “It’s definitely okay to test this out in a small area,” says Valenzuela. “But while this method promises less work and labor, all gardening is a labor of love. Weeds don’t just come from below ground — their seeds move by wind, wildlife and other means, so you’ll always require a little tilling of soil and weeding in your soil beds.”So don’t think of this method as an “easy way out,” but more of a chance to get into gardening without starting from scratch completely. The cardboard will act as your gardening assistant, helping prevent weed growth as much as possible. More Gardening TipsHow to Set up a “No-Dig” GardenMoMo Productions//Getty ImagesSetting up a no-dig garden is pretty simple. To help you get started, save any cardboard boxes or packaging you come across until you build up enough to cover the area you want for your garden. “Start by laying cardboard over the area, overlapping the edges to block light and growing opportunities. Wet the cardboard to stay in place and add 4-6 inches of compost or garden soil. Then, plant directly into that top layer,” says Valenzuela.Once you’ve planted your seeds, you’ll have to care for them as you would in a more traditional garden. Still, you won’t have to spend hours digging into soil. Plus, you’ll save time in the future since you won’t have to weed as much. Make sure to use quality soil and mix in sand or other materials to help with drainage. The Bottom LineJoanne Dale//Getty ImagesWhile gardening with cardboard might seem unusual, it actually decomposes over time, adding nutrients to the soil while blocking weed growth. For beginner gardeners who are working with a contained space, the no-dig method is a great way to get started without having to dedicate tons of time and land. Still, experts warn that success is contingent on a number of factors. “It really depends on your planting area, growing conditions and the quality of your ‘ingredients’ like plants and soil media,” says Valenzuela. Laura Millar (she/her) is the assistant lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home design. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2024, she wrote for NBC’s TODAY.com, where she covered everything from entertainment news to pop culture updates.  More