Aurelia Butler

There are certain areas of the house we all wish we could hide.Designer and content creator Breanna Young shares her simple DIY solution to hide everything in style. Read on for a step-by-step guide. Whether it’s a cluttered toy box or tangled computer wires, everyone has one or two household eyesores that they wish could be hidden forever. For Breanna Young, a Brooklyn-based designer and content creator, that particular space is her cat’s litter box, which she keeps underneath her bathroom sink. “We live in an old loft with an industrial bathroom and zero under-sink storage, which meant our cat Jade’s litter box and cleaning supplies ‘under the sink’ were fully on display. It made the space feel cold and unfinished,” says Young.Courtesy of Breanna YoungYoung’s bathroom sink is completely open underneath, leaving her cat’s litter box and cleaning products in plain sight.”My solution was a quick, low-commitment sink skirt that hides everything, adds texture, and gives the bathroom a warm, boutique-hotel vibe that matches the rest of our apartment,” she adds. Whether you love to DIY your own home decor or consider yourself a beginner when it comes to crafting, this simple sink skirt can be made with just a few materials. Gather a pair of scissors, measuring tape, and the below products before getting started. DIY Sink Skirt MaterialsShort 30-Inch CurtainsHook and Loop TapeHandheld SteamerNow 35% OffStep 1: Measure. Before you can start crafting, you’ll need to carefully measure your space. “Measure the full width of the opening under the sink and the height from under the sink to where you want the curtain to end. For fullness, choose enough panels so the fabric overlaps slightly,” says Young. Step 2: Prep and attach the hook-and-loop tape to the curtains.Courtesy of Breanna Young”Cut equal pieces of the rough (hook) side and the soft (loop) side of the tape to fit across the top of each curtain panel. I cut the tape into one long strip and spaced it across the width of each panel so the curtain would hang evenly. Stick the rough/hook side to the top backside of each curtain panel underneath where the curtain loops would be. Press firmly and smooth the fabric so the tape lies flat,” she adds. Step 3: Attach the matching soft side tape under the sink.After attaching the tape to the curtains, it’s time to bring it to the space you’re hoping to hide. “Apply the soft/loop pieces underneath the sink where they will snap to the curtain,” says Young. Step 4: Snap the panels on.Courtesy of Breanna Young”Align each panel and press (Velcro) the hook and loop pieces together. Work from one side to the other so spacing looks even,” she says. “If you have room underneath your sink for it, overlapping between panels creates a fuller, more finished look and hides any gaps.”Step 5: Neaten it up. Smooth the fabric with this optional step. “For a neater finish, use a steamer (or iron) to remove wrinkles and help the fabric hang nicely. For quick access, you can add one panel with a removable tieback or use Velcro tabs to fold a panel away when you need to reach the litter box or supplies,” says Young. The ResultFor Young, this simple DIY helped transform her bathroom not just aesthetically, but functionally, too. With added hidden storage, she has more space to store products in an organized manner. Courtesy of Breanna Young”Living in a rental without under-sink storage wasn’t ideal, but now, we have room under our sink to store our cleaning supplies, and a clever way to hide our cat’s litter box. It has made the bathroom so much more elevated, and it feels like a bathroom in a boutique hotel rather than a industrial bathroom without any proper storage. Our cat, Jade, is also happy to have her privacy as she uses the bathroom, too,” says Young. More Design IdeasLaura 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

A sofa is typically one of the biggest and most expensive pieces of furniture in a room. Yet it’s the piece that people often get wrong, simply because they skip a key step during the buying process: measuring the space beforehand. Designer Cathryn Erickson of Cathryn Lindsey Design says a sofa sets the tone for the whole room, so it has to be scaled just right. “Without measuring, you risk buying something too big that overwhelms the space or too small that leaves the room feeling unfinished,” Erickson says. An incorrectly scaled sofa has both a visual and functional impact on the entire room. Katie Lindquist of Katie Lindquist Interiors says measuring ensures the sofa feels integrated, balanced with other pieces, and comfortable in the architecture of the home. “Skipping that step almost guarantees regret, no matter how beautiful the sofa itself may be,” Lindquist says. Below, interior designers share what happens when you don’t take the time to measure before making a purchase, as well as their best tips for buying the right sized sofa.Related StoryWhy It’s Important to Measure FirstThe consensus among designers is that scale is everything when it comes to a successful room design. “When the scale is off, the whole space suffers,” says designer and DIY expert Fariha Nasir. She explains that the right scale creates balance, flow and comfort, and is what makes a room feel thoughtfully designed as opposed to just furnished. Overlooking scale by failing to measure first is a common and costly mistake, especially given a sofa’s prominent role within a room. “A sofa is often the largest piece in a living room, so if the dimensions aren’t right, it can immediately throw off the balance of the entire space,” says Laura Lubin of Ellerslie Interiors.What Happens When You Don’t Measure Your Space Before Buying a Sofa? The sofa is too large and it overwhelms the room“A sofa that’s too large will overwhelm the space, crowding side tables against the walls and making entry points feel tight and uncomfortable,” says Jamie Lyn Smith of Smith Home Studios. The result is a room that feels crowded and disorganized. Additionally, an oversized sofa dominates the space visually and limits functionality by taking up excessive square footage. “It leaves less room for accent chairs, end tables, and other functional pieces that tie the design together,” Erickson says.The sofa is too small and feels underwhelmingA sofa that’s too small is just as much of a design blunder as one that’s too big. It gets lost within the space, doesn’t feel like an intentional design choice, and throws off the room’s balance. “A sofa that’s too small feels underwhelming, doesn’t anchor the room properly and limits seating,” Erickson says. It looks out of proportion, which Lubin says makes a room feel unfinished. When the sofa is clearly too small and appears “to float in a sea of empty space” as Smith puts it, many people remedy the mistake by flanking it with multiple side tables, lamps, and decor. While it may seem like all these extras would fill the negative space, they only create visual clutter and highlight the sofa’s inadequate size.AndreyPopov//Getty ImagesThere isn’t enough seatingPractically speaking, if you don’t measure first, you may end up with a sofa that’s so small that it doesn’t seat enough people, which Smith says can make conversation feel awkward. “Guests shouldn’t have to sit too far apart or struggle to find a convenient place for their drinks — proper scale ensures comfort, connection, and a balanced layout,” the designer explains.The sofa doesn’t fit through the door One of the most basic and most frustrating consequences of not measuring a space before buying a sofa is that it doesn’t even fit through the door! “Beyond just fitting the room, you also need to consider doorways, staircases, and elevators,” Lubin says. The designer shares that many times, the sofa can’t even make it into the home if those clearances are not accounted for. The sofa blocks walkwaysWhen people don’t take the time to measure before buying a sofa, it often results in blocked walkways. It’s not just the footprint of the sofa that needs to be accounted for, the walkways around it need to be considered as well. “As a designer, I always look at scale and circulation–how people will move through and live in the room,” Lindquist says. She notes that when the sofa is too large, it swallows the space and disrupts the flow of movement.Melissa Ross//Getty Images Pro Tips for Measuring Your Space Before You Buy a SofaMap out the sofa with painter’s tape“Start by measuring the room’s overall dimensions, then map out the ideal footprint of the sofa with painter’s tape on the floor,” Lubin recommends. She says this makes it easier to visualize how much space the sofa will take up in relation to rugs, coffee tables, and pathways. Nasir shares that in her experience, layout and flow are often an afterthought for people. She suggests sketching a simple layout in addition to taping out the sofa’s dimensions to visualize how the piece will actually live in the room.Plan to leave 18 inches between the sofa and coffee tableAs a general rule of thumb, designers recommend leaving 18 inches between the sofa and coffee table, and at least three feet for walkways. “This balance creates a welcoming flow, allows for easy movement, encourages conversation, and ensures every guest has a comfortable place to set down a drink,” Smith says.CreativaStudio//Getty ImagesDon’t forget vertical measurementsIn addition to measuring the floor the length and width of your space, Lubin says it’s important to measure the ceiling height, too. “Don’t forget the vertical scale, too, and consider ceiling height and sightlines to windows, mantels, or art,” the designer says.Measure entry points to ensure enough clearance for the sofaThere’s no point in buying a beautiful sofa that’s correctly scaled to your living room if it can’t get past the front door. “Don’t forget the path it has to take; measure doorways, hallways, and staircases so you’re not stuck with a sofa that can’t even make it into the room,” Erickson says.Find a New SofaMaria Sabella is a lifestyle writer with a passion for home and interiors — from paint colors and holiday decor to the latest design trends. Her work has appeared in outlets including Better Homes & Gardens, The Spruce, BuzzFeed and Bustle.  More

Users took to Reddit to debate how to load utensils in the dishwasher correctly.While some users think loading them upwards can cause contamination when unloading, others believe that’s the only way to make sure they’re fully cleaned. That being said, are you team up, or team down?When it comes to repetitive household chores, there are certain tasks that just become automatic. Our brains become wired to just get it done, without thinking at all about what it is we’re doing. One example? Loading and unloading the dishwasher. While you might not have ever considered your way of doing it could be wrong, there’s a whole debate out there you might be missing: When loading utensils into the dishwasher, do you load them facing upwards (tongs up, handle down) or downwards (tongs down, handle up)?Apparently, people feel strongly one way or the other. Reddit users took to r/KitchenConfidential to debate the topic, and while you might not have ever thought twice about it, each side makes a pretty solid argument. The Case for Team UpReddit users who face their utensils upward when loading them into the dishwasher claim that putting the side that touches food (tongs, blade, etc.) up ensures it gets cleaned more thoroughly. “Knives and forks? Go with up. The better cleaning does a lot more than any potential ‘contamination’ when unloading,” says one user. “Always down? I’ve…honestly never done that. Just seems wrong,” they added. Viktoriya Skorikova//Getty Images”Up. You unload wearing gloves or with clean hands,” writes another. “If you’re at home, does it even really matter if you touched the part that goes into your mouth,” asks one user. Related StoriesThe Case for Team DownTeam down is all about safety and possible contamination—grabbing from the handle allows you to avoid touching anything sharp or possibly contaminating the freshly-cleaned utensils with the germs on your hands. “I was always told to put it down so that when you unload silverware you can easily grab it by the handle because you’re not supposed to touch food contact surfaces bare-handed,” writes @El_Guerrero_Maya. “I don’t believe for one second they’re cleaned better pointing up. Pointing down only,” writes one skeptic user. The Verdict While some feel very passionately that there is a black-and-white answer, there are also some users who say the issue is a bit more nuanced. “Any kind of spoon? Alternate. Otherwise they will ‘spoon’ together and never get cleaned properly,” adds one user.Others mention washing them twice if you work in the food service industry: “Flat on the tray, then down in the silver rack for the second run.””You should be running it through on a flat dish rack twice anyway, before it even ends up in the cutlery caddy,” writes another. The verdict? Our cleaning experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab actually recommend a mix of all of the above:Alternate spoons so they don’t nest together. Forks go up so the tines get clean.Knives go down for safety. So next time you go to load your utensils into the dishwasher, maybe it won’t be so automatic. Who knew? 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

Many homeowners think you need to fertilize your lawn multiple times throughout the year. The truth is, a single application is usually enough.The best time to do it isn’t in the spring, but actually before the lawn goes dormant for the winter.An expert gives advice when and how to apply your fall fertilizer.A lot of lawn care companies want you to think you need to fertilize your lawn multiple times throughout the year. The truth is, a single application is usually enough. But only if you put it down at the right time, which many homeowners assume to be spring. Seems logical, right? The grass is coming back, time to hit it with some nutrients.But it’s, in fact, just the opposite. The end of the growing season, before the lawn goes dormant for the winter, is the crucial time to fertilize, because doing so will fortify its root system, helping the grass grow back green and lush in the spring. “Fall fertilizer gives your lawn an advantage by helping it outgrow winter weeds and then preventing crabgrass from filling in during the spring,” explains Frank Rossi, associate professor of horticulture at Cornell University’s School of Integrative Plant Science.When and how to apply fall fertilizerRossi says to fertilize when the grass is still growing, but not as quickly as it was during the spring. Most turfgrass slows its growth rate once the temperature stays below 55° F. In cooler parts of the country, that makes late September to late October the ideal time to fertilize.To figure out the best fertilizer for your lawn, have the soil tested by sending a sample to your local cooperative extension; they might charge $20 or so for the service. The test result will tell you what mix of fertilizer to get (the numbers on a fertilizer bag, in N-P-K order, indicate the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, respectively, on a weight basis). If you don’t want to go to the trouble of a soil test, Purdue University’s Turf Fertilizer Calculator is a helpful guideAs a rule, never apply more than 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn. Be sure to choose slow-release fertilizer, which will continue to feed the lawn over the course of the off season. Fast-release fertilizers are less effective, plus they’re more likely to leach into surrounding waterways, polluting water supplies.Our products experts in the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab say a broadcast applicator is best for evenly distributing fertilizer over your lawn. It’s worth buying one, since you’ll use it every year, but applicators can also be rented from home centers. To apply the fertilizer, set the applicator to the correct distribution number, which should be listed on the fertilizer bag. Then fill the machine and fertilize; give the lawn a long watering afterward to help work the fertilizer into the soil. Other ways to help fall fertilizer workAerate the lawn. Performed with a core aerator available for rent from home centers, this process pulls tiny plugs of soil from the lawn. Aerating before fertilizing will allow the nutrients to reach the root system more readily. Leave the clippings. Our pros recommend mulching over bagging any time you mow, but especially at the end of the season, since the clippings will provide a natural source of nutrition for the lawn. That could reduce your total fertilizer needs by 25%.Dethatch the lawn. This is done with a dethatching rake or mechanical dethatcher. It removes the dense layer of living and dead plant material that blankets the lawn over time, making it harder for water and nutrients to reach the roots.Stop mowing before the lawn stops growing. It’s never a good idea to scalp your lawn, but definitely not when you’re heading into winter. Time your last mow to when the temperature is still hovering around 60 ° F. Leave a bit more on the top, say cutting it to a height of 4 inches, instead of the usual 3.5 inches. More of My Home AdviceHaving written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids. More

A household staple since about 1908, Parsons’ Ammonia (now part of the Brillo family) calls itself the original all-purpose cleaner. Well known as an ingredient in glass cleaners, ammonia cuts through grime quickly and eliminates streaks, but there’s so much more it can do. Use it to dissolve grease on surfaces, even concrete, strip waxy build-up from floors, help remove stains—like blood or felt-tip marker—from fabrics and laundry, clean combs and brushes, and more. Ammonia comes clear or cloudy (with detergent added), and Parson’s has a lemon scent to minimize ammonia’s signature pungent smell. You can’t beat it for value as a little goes a long way when diluted with water in a spray bottle, sink, or bucket.For safety, be sure to keep ammonia away from natural protein fibers, like silk and wool, and delicate surfaces, like tech screens, and never, ever mix it with bleach or other bleach-containing cleaners, as it will produce toxic fumes. More

After spending the past few months outside, the beginning of fall is a better time than any to hit the refresh button of your home decor. Many people might light an autumnal candle, toss a few new throw pillows around, or sprinkle in some seasonal decorations, but those who are are looking to make a big change will want to add a fresh coat of paint. And, no, not on your walls.According to Houzz’s U.S. Fall 2025 Design Trends Report, painted doors are poised to have their moment this season. (Yes, even your interior doors.) The home renovation platform revealed that entryways coated in bold, unexpected colors are destined to give a space a one-of-a-kind, hyper-personal appeal. If you ask Sara Swabb, owner and creative director of Storie Collective in Washington, D.C., these pigmented portals are an awesome way to change the mood in your home—minus a laborious, expensive renovation. “People are craving personality in their interiors, and doors are a perfect surface to express that,” she says. “They bridge the architecture and the furnishings, so when you give them color, you instantly add depth and polish to the space.”The Drawing Board, Inc.You could use a pared-back, goes-with-anything neutral, but Peter Miles of The Drawing Board, Inc. says it’s your sign to think outside of the box. ” Beige is boring whereas color-drenched rooms where the walls, trim, and doors are all painted the same or similar hues are an affordable way to make a statement with a room,” the Washington, D.C. designer explains. But with so many colors to choose from, where do you begin your search? Swabb, for example, starts by looking at the surrounding room to make the door an “intentional” part of the overall design. Miles agrees, and says he likes to match the door to the area’s windows and trim. “The color should either be similar or the same as the wall colors as long as it’s complementary,” he adds. “It’s often darker [than the walls].” For an option that’s easy on the eyes, Tracy Morris says to stay away from green-based yellows, baby blues, and orange-tinged reds. “These colors can feel harsh to the eye and often read more trendy than timeless,” says the Washington D.C. designer. “They also tend to date a space quickly, which is the opposite of what you want when choosing a statement color for doors.” Design: Store Collective; Photo: Stacy Zarin GoldbergInstead, try moody hues like Benjamin Moore’s Wrought Iron (2124-10 or Black Panther (2125-10). “These tones feel classic and instantly add drama to a space,” Morris says. Meanwhile, Swabb prefers earthy blues and greens because they are “timeless, grounding, and versatile.”However, if you’re looking to bring this trend into your space, proper preparation is everything. “Doors take a lot of wear and tear, so if you do not clean, sand, and prime properly, the finish will chip or show brush marks almost immediately,” Morris says. To keep your painted door looking fresher for longer, consider a high-gloss finish, which is known to be easier to clean.Not sure if the painted door trend is for you? Swabb recommends painting the door of a more contained space like a powder room or bedroom. And, if you realize the look isn’t for you, that’s okay. “One thing I always remind homeowners is that painting your interior doors is a commitment, but it is not permanent,” Morris notes. “If you try a color and decide it is not right, you can always repaint, which makes the trend approachable and fun.” A trend that’s transformative, but relatively temporary? Don’t mind if we do.Related StoriesKelsey Mulvey is a freelance lifestyle journalist, who covers shopping and deals for Good Housekeeping, Women’s Health, and ELLE Decor, among others. Her hobbies include themed spinning classes, Netflix, and nachos. More

Sure, it seems like a final touch you don’t need to think about until the last minute, but bathroom hardware can have a surprisingly large impact on the overall look of the space. It’s that consistent finish throughout, ultimately—sink and bath faucets, shower, towel bars, and all the other accessories—that pulls the whole room together.Soe asked creative director and lifestyle expert Preston Konrad to take us through some of the many options. In the video above, he points out that wherever your tastes lean—gleaming gold, subtle matte black, or anywhere in between—you can find matching versions of everything you’re looking for at The Home Depot. It’s the easiest way to achieve a designer look while staying well under designer prices.Watch the video above to see more. More

1Bright Blue Zeke Ruelas2Light PinkA Beautiful MessOpt for a playful pink like A Beautiful Mess does here. For even more fun, choose a funky rug, hang a unique light fixture, and find the perfect artwork that suites your aesthetic. Your guests will never want to leave!Get the look: Middleton Pink by Farrow & BallAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below3CreamMolly Culver4Black and GoldRobert Radifera PhotographyAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below5All WhiteFrazier SpringfieldYou can’t forget about the classics. All-white dining rooms, especially with natural light shining in like the layout shown here, can be bright, clean, and simple in the best way possible. Take a cue from Michelle Vassallo of MV Architects and add a gold light fixture and artwork, too. Photo by: Frazier SpringfieldGet the look: Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore6Emerald GreenDesigned by Diane Rath, The Rath Project. Photography by Erin KestenbaumAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below7BeigeHaute’Xposure8SlateMadeline HarperAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below9Classic RedRead McKendree / JBSA10Dark BlueNicole Dianne PhotographyAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below11Baby BlueKara DeYoung12Sage GreenLark & LinenAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below13Coral Courtesy of ValsparWhy choose one shade when you can have fun with three? Coral, white, and blue is the perfect combination to create a bold color scheme. Take the design one step further with tiled flooring for a dining room that won’t disappoint. Get the look: Florentine Clay by Valspar14Sky BlueMadeline HarperIf you’re hoping to add some color to your dining room without going too bold, sky blue is a great option. Daley Home pairs the soft shade with white, gold, and wood accents. Photo by: Madeline HarperGet the look: Peaceful Blue by BehrAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below15MagentaStudio DIYDon’t be afraid of unexpected color pairings. Studio DIY chooses magenta for the walls and deep yellow for the archway, along with a wooden table, chairs, and doorway that give the space an antique-inspired look.Get the look: Raspberry Patch by Dunn-Edwards16Dusty RoseCHRIS LOVES JULIAAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below17White and WoodChristy Kosnic18TealPieter Estersohn//Getty ImagesThis eye-catching teal dining room has it all—think patterned chairs, bright curtains, and gold accents. Pull off an eclectic-style dining room by mixing and matching patterns, textures, and colors throughout. Get the look: Riviera by Dunn-EdwardsAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below19Blue GrayStyle by Emily Henderson20BlushEmily FollowillLiz Williams Interiors pulls off a formal dining room with blush walls. This unique space, although certainly traditional, offers a bit more color than what usually comes to mind when thinking about a formal space. Photo by: Emily FollowillGet the look: Barely Pink by ValsparLaura 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. Watch Next Advertisement – Continue Reading BelowReaders Also ReadAdvertisement – Continue Reading BelowAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below More