Aurelia Butler

When properly hung, the right drapery will make an interior feel complete — not only do they provide privacy and regulate sunlight, but they create the illusion of a larger space and add a dose of texture. Finding the proper size curtains and hanging your curtain rod at the appropriate height is crucial for both aesthetics and function. “If the height of drapes is not maximized, it can make a room look shorter than it actually is — creating a feeling of compression in a room,” says Ashley Macuga, principal designer of Collected Interiors. We understand there’s a lot that goes into hanging curtains, from measuring your window to installing curtain rod brackets into drywall. That’s why we’ve written this easy-to-follow guide, broken up into two parts: How to measure for curtains and how to hang curtains. We tapped into designer Ashley Macuga for her expert advice, so you can hang curtains just like a pro. What You’ll NeedHow to Measure for Curtains✔️ Calculate the width of your window. Your curtain rod should extend past the window on both sides by at least 8 to 10 inches. To create the appearance of a larger window, your rod should be a total of 16 to 20 inches longer than your window.✔️ Consider the size of your drapery stack, which refers to the amount of space the curtains take up when they are fully opened and pushed to the sides, says Macuga. “Personally, I like to have a curtain stack on each side that is at least half the size of the window for a more elegant and full look when the curtains are drawn.”Annika Erickson//Getty Images✔️ Calculate the height of your window. To make a room feel taller and more grand, hang your curtain rod a few inches (about 4 to 6) above your window. “The most common mistake is hanging curtains too low,” says Macuga.✔️ Measure from the top of your window frame to the floor. This measurement will determine how long your curtains should be — and don’t forget to add a few inches, since your curtain rod will be hung above the window. Curtains should just about reach the floor. “We aim for 1/4″ if there are no pets in the home, and 1/2″ if there is a risk that pet hair might accumulate and adhere to the bottom,” says Macuga.Designer advice: When in doubt, size up. If you’re worried about puddling on the ground, hem the curtains or bring them to your local seamstress. Nicole Dianne PhotographyHow to Hang Curtains Once you’ve purchased the right size curtain rod and drapery, it’s time to break out the drill. While some people may prefer to hire a handyman or a TaskRabbit, it’s simple enough to do it yourself. Follow these step-by-step instructions to hang curtains with ease. Use a pencil to mark drill holes for your bracket. Once you’ve determined how high and wide to hang the curtain rod bracket, mark the wall with a pencil. Use a level to ensure your markings on each side are even.Screw in the brackets for the curtain rod. Drapery is heavy, which means you’ll probably need wall anchors unless you’re able to locate studs on the wall. (Tip: Use a stud finder to determine if you’ll need wall anchors.) First, drill guide holes then fasten the brackets to the wall using a drill or screwdriver. Hang the curtains. After you thread the curtains onto the rod, hang the rod in the brackets. Use a level to ensure the curtains are hung evenly. Then, open and close the curtains to ensure they’re working properly.RELATED: 7 Best Cordless Drills of 2023, Tested by EngineersQuick tip: Before putting your drapes onto the curtain rod, test that your brackets are sturdy enough to support the rod alone and that it appears even. Associate Lifestyle EditorAlyssa 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

Behr’s 2024 Color of the Year, Cracked Pepper (PPU18-1), has arrived! Staying on theme with last year’s pick — a versatile off-white shade called Blank Canvas — the popular paint brand has chosen a soft black that is intended to lend character and a modern flair to just about any space, indoors and out. Behr, which is sold exclusively at The Home Depot, brought its Color of the Year to life outdoors at an intimate media preview at Napa Valley’s Stanly Ranch, a luxury hotel set on 712 picturesque acres. With the property’s ranch land and vineyards as the backdrop, design editors and content creators had the opportunity to explore kitchen, dining room and living room vignettes, all showcasing the beauty of the classic hue. From the kitchen island and cabinets to the walls that framed the outdoor space crafted especially for the event, the beauty of Cracked Pepper was on full display. Behr celebrated its 2024 Color of the Year, Cracked Pepper, by designing a selection of outdoor vignettes, including this kitchen setup, at Napa Valley’s Stanly Ranch. Monique Valeris”People have been working with light, warm neutrals for the last few years, and Cracked Pepper is a color that can create a comfortable atmosphere,” Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services at Behr Paint Company, told Good Housekeeping. “It’s a bold, strong color that is very adaptable and easy to bring into any decor style.” More From Good Housekeeping play iconThe triangle icon that indicates to playThe evolution of consumers’ personal tastes has a lot to do with this year’s Color of the Year choice, too, according to Sarah Fishburne, The Home Depot’s director of trend and design. “Our research shows that homeowners are more open to darker colors,” Fishburne told Gold Housekeeping. The company’s recent survey revealed that more than half of Americans (57%) believe a darker wall color is design-forward. What’s more, two-thirds of Americans (65%) note that a dark color makes a room feel bold.But what if you’re more comfortable with lighter paint colors and feel reluctant to take a design risk with Cracked Pepper? Woelfel recommends starting small rather than wrapping all four walls with it. “Paint a piece of furniture, a ceiling, update an island in a white kitchen or use it for interior doors,” she says. Don’t forget its potential outdoors as well, Fishburne noted. From the exterior of a charming bungalow to a modern setting or coastal property, Cracked Pepper’s warm, organic nature has no bounds. Fishburne even used it for the gutters of her red brick home. “Sometimes white gutters can be very daunting, but this color is very forgiving,” she says. In other words, the choice is yours! Senior Home EditorMonique Valeris is the senior home editor 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

A fleece tie blanket is one of the easiest no-sew crafts for kids, teens and adults. It’s a simple, inexpensive project made by cutting, tying and knotting together two pieces of fleece. So, if you’re looking to exercise your creativity, add this tie blanket to your list of projects, especially once it’s time for winter crafts. Whether you purchase a kit or start with your own fabric, the end result is a soft, cute and warm blanket. Materials Needed: Mike GartenFabric Requirements For this project, we used two yards of the Rainbow Blizzard Fleece and the Mint Blizzard Solid Fleece from Joann. The fabric is soft, warm and manageable for cutting and tying. Heavy fleece, like anti-pill polar fleece, may be too thick for this project. Two yards is ideal for adults and one yard works for children. How to Make a Fleece Tie Blanket: Step 1: Measure and cut 5 x 5-inch squares. Start by layering the fleece on a desk or craft surface. Make sure both coordinating pieces are correctly aligned on top of each other. Cut a 5 x 5-inch square out of each corner of the blanket. These cut-out squares help make the corners neat once the ties are finished. Plus, they’ll help you create the lengths of fringes around the blanket. More From Good Housekeeping play iconThe triangle icon that indicates to playNote: Make sure you cut through both layers of fleece. Mike GartenStep 2: Cut five-inch slits, every one inch.You want to make a 1 x 5-inch fringe around the entire edge of the fleece blanket. This means that each strip should be the same length as the starter square (5 inches). Use a yardstick to space out the cuts every inch. The yardstick will also help to keep the cuts straight. You want to cut five-inch slits on all four sides of the blanket. Mike GartenStep 3: Tie the fringes. Here’s how to tie the fringes. Repeat this process for every cut. Pull the fringe over your finger. Mike GartenPush the fringe through the loop.Mike GartenPull the end through to create a knot. Continue pulling until fully tightened. Optional: Tie a double knot if you think your basic knots won’t hold.Mike GartenStep 4: Continue tying the fringe.Keep tying the pieces of fleece together until you finish all four sides. Then, your new tie blanket is done! Mike GartenAnd if you want even more DIYs for beginner and expert crafters alike, check out the GH Stitch Club, where we show you how to crochet, knit and more!Assistant EditorMariah Thomas (she/her) is an assistant editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home and lifestyle content. Mariah has more than four years of editorial experience, having written for TLC, Apartment Therapy, Women’s Health and Avocado Magazine. She received her master’s degree in journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and published her first book, Heart and Soul: Poems of Thoughts and Emotions, in 2019. She’s also the founder of RTF Community, a platform for creatives of color to connect, learn and showcase their work.  More

If you’re home-upgrade curious, your social media feed is likely filled with carefully curated, ultra-stylized living room setups prime for afternoon naps, movies and game nights. “What makes those couches look so cozy and inviting?” you wonder. The answer is simple: throw pillows. There aren’t too many. The patterns don’t clash. They look like you can melt right into them. But how did they get so perfect?There might not be a science to throw pillows, but there is an art. To help make your couch more alluring, we asked Cathleen Gruver, lead interior designer for Gruver Cooley Interiors, and Margaret Cashman, interior designer and co-founder of Cashman Interiors, to share their best throw pillow practices. Check out their tips, then stock up on affordable options from homedepot.com/decor. Consider the space (and how it’s used) Not all pillows are created equal, so the throw pillows you keep on your bed should differ from the ones on your living room couch. “When you’re choosing pillows for a living room, you have to factor in comfort,” Gruver explains. “Sure, a beaded pillow may look beautiful, but it will not feel great to sit against or lay on.” Instead, she suggests saving the fancier embellished or tasseled styles for spots that won’t be used for lounging, such as the entryway.Brielle Home, Teagan Multi-Color Textured Boho Geometric57 Grand by Nicole Curtis, Yellow GeometricTriangle Home Fashions, Hygge Row White Pillow CoverUse a variety of sizes Different silhouettes add interest to a room — and that goes for pillows, too. “The goal would be to have a staggered look, where the pillows all feel like they are close enough in size to connect, says Gruver. “The only reason I would add a bunch of pillows in the same size would be if the sofa or seat was super deep and needed more support.”Cashman agrees. “Try using 22-inch pillows on either side of the couch and something fun in the middle to keep the space feeling unique.”David TsayMix things upUltimately, Cashman just wants people to have fun — and be a little daring — with their pillow choices. “Adding accent pillows that aren’t matchy-matchy will help the space feel more unique and organic and less overstyled,” she says.“The first approach is to keep it simple and let textures and neutral patterns be your friend, and have art be the real focus,” Gruver adds. “The second approach is to tie in [your pillows] with any art you may have by pulling colors from it.” Each method provides an opportunity to reinvigorate the space. LR Home, Striped Teal Over Tufted SolidMina Victory, Lifestyles Yellow Striped Artistic Weavers, Brunehill Navy Graphic PolyesterWork in threesYou don’t want to risk overwhelming anyone with too many throw pillows, which is why both Cashman and Gruver recommend sets of threes (two pillows on one side of the couch plus one on the other). People don’t typically feel overwhelmed at the thought of sitting down with three pillows, explains Gruver. “I’ve noticed most people like to curl up with a pillow, so it also gives the opportunity for that to happen naturally.” David TsayKeep your throw pillows fresh Cashman and Gruver suggest ordering inserts that are one to two inches bigger than the covers so the pillows look taught and tailored. Flat pillows look — and feel — uncomfortable. “Rotating your pillows helps if you know you use one side [of the couch] more than the other, or if one side is more exposed to sunlight,” Gruver explains.In addition to washing them, Gruver notes the importance of proper storage and suggests having an organized box or bin, as well as a vacuum-sealed bag for pillows you’re not using. Prioritize quality and durabilityHigh-traffic areas, like your family’s living room, call for furniture and accessories that can survive pet hair, food spills and lots of lounging. Cashman prefers pillow covers made with durable fabrics. “Using performance fabrics like nylon or polyester ensures that pillows will hold up longer and can be cleaned from the everyday messes of life,” she says.Similarly, Gruver is a fan of down alternative inserts. “They’re super comfortable, easy to shape, and you don’t get poked with feathers popping out,” she explains. “They can also easily be thrown into the wash for care, which I recommend doing at least once a year.”Photographer: David Tsay; Art Direction and Production: Armine Altiparmakian and Sabrina Contratti; Prop Stylist: Olga Grigorenko; Merch Team: Two Coast Productions; Local Production: Right Arm Productions More

Accidental spills, splatters and greasy fingerprints are bound to happen, especially if you cook every day — yet, most people don’t clean their kitchen cabinets regularly. No matter if your kitchen cabinets are glass, wood, laminate or painted, they lose their visual appeal when they’re covered in grime, stains or dust. Not only will your kitchen aesthetic suffer, but dirty kitchen cabinets might harbor bacteria or viruses that can cause harmful side effects. To help clean and refresh your kitchen, Carolyn Forté, executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, shares everything you need to know about cleaning kitchen cabinets. Follow these easy instructions, whether you’re looking for a quick or a deep clean — and keep scrolling for our recommendations for the best multi-purpose cleaners and cabinet cleaners.How to regularly clean cabinetsWhether your cabinets are finished wood, laminate or painted wood, consider these simple instructions to keep your kitchen looking clean and bright. Apply a safe, but grease-cutting all-purpose cleaner or a mixture of dish soap and water to a cloth. Ensure the cloth is damp, but not overly wet.Wipe both sides of the cabinet door, paying special attention to knobs and drawer pulls where you’ll likely find greasy fingerprints.For stuck-on grime (likely for cabinets above the stove), wrap a delicate scrub pad in a cloth and wipe clean.Use a damp cloth to rinse the cabinet doors until there’s no soap or cleaner residue. Buff dry with a microfiber cloth. If you’re using a cabinet cream for finished wood cabinets, buff afterward but also, read label directions. RELATED: 8 Best All-Purpose Cleaners, According to Cleaning Experts How to deep clean cabinetsFor a quick touch-up, you should regularly wipe your cabinet doors and knobs — but don’t neglect the inside of your kitchen cabinets and drawers forever, as they can accumulate crumbs, dust and stains. Every few months, a deep clean is in order.Starting from the upper cabinets and working your way down, begin emptying each cabinet and drawer. Tip: You can go one-by-one or empty a few at a time, but avoid emptying all at once. Using a damp microfiber cloth and an all-purpose cleaner, wipe down the inside of the cabinet, including any shelving and the back of the cabinet door. Don’t forget to clean any hardware, grooves or trim where dust and grease can build-up. If your cloth can’t reach small crevices, use a small brush or toothbrush to gently scrub the area.Buff dry.Grace Cary//Getty ImagesHow often to clean kitchen cabinetsDaily: If you splatter or spill food as you cook, it’s best to wipe up the mess with a damp cloth as soon as possible. Cleaning as you cook will make the need for a deeper clean less frequent. Monthly: For a quick touch-up, you can wipe the outside of your cabinets once per week using your cabinet cleaner of choice.One to two times per year: Every once in a while, kitchen cabinets benefit from a deeper clean, which means taking everything out and cleaning both the inside and outside of every cabinet. Our advice? Plan a deep cleaning in the fall and spring.Associate Lifestyle EditorAlyssa 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

With all the food that winds up in your sink’s grinding chamber, it’s only natural for it to start smelling and require cleaning. But don’t fret! The task might seem overwhelming, but in reality, it’s simple to handle with baking soda, vinegar, ice and even rock salt. Below, you’ll find expert garbage disposal cleaning tips from Carolyn Forté, executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab. Forté shares easy DIY cleaning solutions and cleaning products that’ll not only make your garbage disposal look clean, but smell fresh, too. How Often Should I Clean My Garbage Disposal? Forté suggests cleaning your garbage disposal about once a month if you use it regularly. Her favorite cleaning products include Affresh’s Garbage Disposal Cleaner, CLR’s Fresh & Clean Garbage Disposal Pods and Lemi’s Shine Garbage Disposal Cleaner and Deodorizer. “Most garbage disposal cleaners recommend using them monthly,” Forté says. “Of course, if it’s particularly dirty or you smell odors coming from it, it needs to be cleaned more often.” When it comes to maintenance, Forté has a few tips: More From Good Housekeeping play iconThe triangle icon that indicates to playFlush the garbage disposal well with water after grinding food, as “leftover bits will smell,” Forté notes.If your garbage disposal has a rubber gasket at the top, it needs to be cleaned underneath as food bits splash up onto it. Some rubber gaskets are removable, so follow your brand’s cleaning directions. “If it’s not removable, make sure to flush the underside with water or clean it with a brush, cloth or sponge to remove debris,” she says.Use a garbage disposal cleaner monthly to clean and freshen the blades and wall surfaces.To prevent the pipes from getting clogged, avoid putting anything down the disposal that is stringy or too tough to grind up easily. Egg shells and husks are a few picks Forté advises against. How to Clean a Garbage Disposal With Soap, Baking Soda and VinegarAndrei Zonenko//Getty ImagesUse a sponge and dish soap to clean the disposal baffle and around the drain. Scrub around the top of the grinding chamber, too, all while rinsing your sponge throughout the process to remove the gunk. Once the surface feels clean, you can start a deeper refresh with baking soda. “Baking soda removes odors and when you add vinegar to it, it will foam up,” Forté says. American Home Shield recommends sprinkling half a cup of baking soda into the disposal. Then, pour a cup of white or apple cider vinegar in after. Make sure your disposal is off before starting the cleaning process. They recommend letting the mixture sit for five to 10 minutes before turning the disposal back on and running cold water inside to flush everything out. How to Clean a Garbage Disposal With Ice and Rock Salt or Vinegar An alternative cleaning solution is to pour a cup of rock salt (or vinegar) into the garbage disposal. Add ice cubes before turning the disposal on and running cold water to flush it. How to Deodorize a Garbage Disposal”I throw a few ice cubes down there and grind them up when I smell odors to help clean the blades,” Forté says. “It’s a quick fix to freshen it.” American Home Shield also suggests using citrus peels as a “great DIY garbage disposal deodorant.” Simply cut your citrus peels (limes, oranges, tangerines, lemons or grapefruits) into small pieces. Turn the garbage disposal on and run cold water as the peels grind. You can also purchase Lemi’s Shine Garbage Disposal Cleaner and Deodorizer. Based on Lemi’s instructions, just drop one of the pods into the empty disposal, while running cold water at a low-speed setting. With the water still running, let the pod sit for 20 seconds before turning your disposal on and letting it grind for five seconds. After five seconds, turn the disposal and water off, wait two minutes, and then rinse the foam away. Assistant EditorMariah Thomas (she/her) is an assistant editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home and lifestyle content. Mariah has more than four years of editorial experience, having written for TLC, Apartment Therapy, Women’s Health and Avocado Magazine. She received her master’s degree in journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and published her first book, Heart and Soul: Poems of Thoughts and Emotions, in 2019. She’s also the founder of RTF Community, a platform for creatives of color to connect, learn and showcase their work.  More