Home Ideas

Long before potential buyers spot those new stainless steel appliances or freshly painted walls, they’ll see your yard. Curb appeal matters more than you think, which is why we tapped landscape designers to tell us the easy landscaping tricks to increase your home value. The backyard is also important when it comes to getting the sale price you want. Upgrading your backyard with pathways, outdoor lighting, and other features helps potential buyers see what their life could look like in the space. And if you’re not convinced yet, landscape designer Amy Hovis, principal and owner of Eden Garden Design in Austin shared the numbers with us: “With landscape improvements hovering at a 200 to 400% return on investment, it makes a lot of sense to hire a designer and do it right.”Here are the best landscaping tricks to boost your property value. Plot Beautiful PathwaysA Hamptons home by architect Pamela Pospisil combines pavers and gravel in a narrow pathway.The walkways in your yard and garden aren’t just for practical purposes — they can provide visual interest too. “Designing transitions from a pool house with exterior hardscape, such as utilizing large scale stone and steps and pathways, you can navigate grade changes and at the same time create an architectural solution that is softened by landscape beds,” designer Carol Kurth of Carol Kurth Architecture + Interiors says. “Details such as pebbles between the pathway joints add a modern Zen touch to the landscape and help to define the aesthetic.”Incorporate LightingShade DeggesHardwired lighting illuminates an outdoor conversation pit at a Los Angeles County home designed by Jeremiah Brent.“An element that adds drama to the landscape is integrating the usage of lighting, which further extends the use of your landscape into the evening hours,” Kurth says. “Creating outdoor living spaces and finding ways to navigate tricky terrain expands your home’s livable footprint, provides enjoyment, and blurs the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living.” Remember: You can do this fairly easily with solar-powered lighting!Plant a Low-Maintenance, Sustainable GardenYardzenPavers and simple planting to attract pollinators in a garden designed by Yardzen.“Landscaping is that silent ambassador that speaks volumes about your home, creating that crucial first impression,” says Gagan Saini, director of acquisitions at JiT Home Buyers. “An artfully landscaped garden is the x-factor that significantly uplifts your property’s value.” But many potential buyers aren’t going to want to put in too much effort to care for the garden, so low-maintenance features like irrigation systems can help boost your home’s value. “Here’s something most people don’t know: Sustainable landscaping practices can significantly increase property value,” explains landscape architect Bryan Clayton, CEO of lawn-care marketplace GreenPal. “By implementing water-efficient irrigation systems, using native plantings, and opting for organic fertilizers, you demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. This appeals to environmentally conscious buyers and adds an extra layer of value.”Develop Outdoor Living SpacesNicole FranzenA simple gravel fire pit sits off the pool at a Nantucket home designed by Michael Ellison.Indoor-outdoor living is all the rage, even in four-season destinations, so you’ll want to build out an alfresco space for day-to-day use. The key is not to go overboard—just keep it simple. “If you’re designing for enjoyment now and ROI later, just think of adaptable, functional elements,” says design director Kevin Lenhart of the online landscape design site Yardzen. “In other words, focus on functional features like a fire pit area or flexible space like a patio, deck, or outdoor dining area that’s adaptable to many potential buyers versus very personalized features like a putting green, elaborate water feature, or built-in pizza oven.”Make Difficult Terrain UsableMike Van TassellCarol Kurth’s firm added tiered fieldstone walls to grade this hilly backyard and carve out an herb garden.If you have a hilly property, go the extra mile to add retaining walls to create usable outdoor space. “Creating and revitalizing spaces with complicated terrain can transform an underutilized space and elevate a home in terms of enjoyment, lifestyle, and property value,” Kurth says. “Our Oasis project [shown above] illustrates how a site with a steep grade change can be transformed with fieldstone retaining walls — one of which was used to create an oversized herb garden for meals alfresco — and a thoughtful verdant landscape.”Keep Up with MaintenanceGetty ImagesThis may sound obvious, but when you’re ready to list your home, be sure all your landscaping is impeccably maintained. Remember: First impressions are everything, and it’s all too easy to let landscaping get away from you as you prepare your home for sale. “Proper landscape maintenance is essential. Well-maintained lawns, trimmed hedges, and weed-free gardens contribute to a polished and cared-for appearance,” Clayton says.Stefanie Waldek is a Brooklyn-based writer covering architecture, design, and travel. She’s worked on staff at Architectural Digest, ARTnews, and Oyster.com, a TripAdvisor company, and has contributed to Condé Nast Traveler, The Washington Post, Design Milk, and Hunker, among others. When she’s not dreaming about midcentury chairs, you can find her re-watching The X-Files, likely in an airport lounge or on a plane.Jamie Ballard (she/her) is a freelance writer and editor who covers news, lifestyle, and entertainment topics, including sex and relationships, TV, movies, books, health, pets, food and drinks, pop culture, shopping, and personal finance. She regularly contributes to Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, and YouGov, among other publications. When she’s not working, you can find her running, traveling, or scrolling TikTok. Follow her on Twitter. More

Believe it or not, Thanksgiving is mere days away. By now, you should have the guest list confirmed and your menu ready, but what about your table setup? Stylish settings can often be relegated to an afterthought—a good idea, but only if you have the time—but a careful concoction of linens, centerpieces, and serveware can make this big feast feel even more special.”For me, the perfect Thanksgiving table is about creating a space where people feel seen and welcome,” says Cate Gutter, an interior designer in Charlotte, North Carolina. “It can be elevated and beautiful, but the heart of it is always the people who gather around it.”The good news: Creating the perfect table setting doesn’t have to be as complicated as, say, cooking your turkey to perfection. To help, three interior designers break a stunning spread down to a few simple steps.Find Your Foundation Design: Barrow Interiors; Photographer: Katie Charlotte PhotographyTransform your dining room table into a beautiful backdrop with linens. “A textured base instantly makes the table feel inviting and sets the stage for everything that comes next,” says Suzanne Barrows, an interior designer in Charleston, South Carolina. “Choose a tablecloth or runner, and layer in natural textures like woven placemats or a grounding rug.”While Barrows prefers earthy tones, Keith Meacham of Reed Smythe & Co. loves to zero in on colors that “nod to the traditional pumpkin and russet hues of Thanksgiving.” For this holiday, reds, oranges, and browns are all fair play. Gather Your GreeneryDesign: Barrow Interiors; Photographer: Katie Charlotte PhotographyOnce you have your foundation in place, it’s time to add some greenery into the mix. While a vase full of flowers might be status quo, Meacham warns that height-defying floral arrangements can block conversation with the opposite side of the table. “I’ve learned the hard way,” she says. “My husband has been known to pick up a big bowl of gorgeous flowers and put it on the floor to facilitate more lively discussion at the table.” If florals feel too cumbersome, consider a garland of fresh greenery like cedar, magnolia, or eucalyptus. “Let it run the length of the table for a look that feels effortless, seasonal, and lush,” Barrows says. Store-bought is fine, but Gutter and her family love to forage branches, magnolia leaves, and “other treasures” as a Thanksgiving morning tradition. “It’s something the whole family looks forward to and a tradition that makes the setting feel even more meaningful,” she says. “We finish it off with fruits of the season: Open pomegranates, cut oranges, and sprigs of rosemary layered through the center.”Add the Dinner EssentialsDesign: Reed Smythe & Co.; Photographer: Laurey GlennNow’s the time to weave in all those go-to dinner party must-haves such as flatware, chargers, napkins, and stemware. While Gutter says dinnerware in soft neutrals or muted tones “keeps the look elevated without feeling fussy,” Meacham encourages you to embrace your bold streak. “Head to the opposite side of the color wheel [from your tablecloth] to choose florals and even glassware that will be complementary but bold,” she says. Both color palettes will make a statement, so it all depends on your personal style.Once you placed your plates or water glasses, don’t forget to incorporate some thoughtful, personal touches. “Layer in small details that celebrate your guests and make them feel seen,” Gutter says. “Handwritten place cards, a sprig of herbs tucked into a napkin, or a tiny favor at each setting.”To keep your table arrangement looking its best, Meacham recommends serving the main course from your kitchen—buffet-style, of course. “When everyone is able to serve their own plate and then find their assigned seat, the atmosphere is more comfortable than when everyone is trying to elegantly pass the sweet potatoes,” she says. Accessorize With Candles Design: Reed Smythe & Co.; Photographer: Laurey GlennMood lighting, anyone? Designers agree that strategically placed candles are the perfect finishing touch for your table. “Soft candlelight adds depth and charm,” Barrows says. “Taper candles create instant ambiance.” Gutter agrees and likes to add taper candles in varying heights for a lived-in luxury. Once you strike a match and ignite your flames, it’s time to enjoy your company. “The most beautiful tables aren’t the ones with the most elaborate centerpieces or coordinated linens,” she says. “They’re the ones surrounded by laughter, stories, and the people you love.”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

Fall may signal the end of the growing season, but it’s also the beginning of next year’s garden. As temperatures drop and leaves fall, it’s time to put your garden to rest and give your perennials the care they need to survive winter and thrive in spring. Done right, fall gardening protects your investment and sets the stage for healthier, more resilient plants. Done wrong, it could undo a season’s worth of growth. To help you avoid common missteps, we turned to Annie Morton, brand ambassador at Hoselink and a hands-on gardener who believes caring for the earth starts in our own backyard.1. Pruning Too EarlyIt can be tempting to tidy up your garden as soon as plants start to fade, but cutting perennials back too soon can do more harm than good. When you prune before they’ve fully gone dormant, you interrupt the plant’s natural process of sending energy down to the roots for winter storage. Morton says you’ll know it’s safe to prune “once all the foliage has browned and dried, and the stems feel crisp instead of soft.” She suggests a simple test: if you tug gently and the top breaks off easily, the plant is truly dormant and ready for pruning. JulieAlexK//Getty Images2. Forgetting to WaterMany gardeners make the mistake of cutting back on watering too soon, leaving roots vulnerable to drying out before winter sets in. Morton advises easing up gradually once daytime temperatures settle into the 60s, but not stopping altogether. “Watering once a week during the autumn months is preferred—unless it’s been really dry,” she says. The goal is to keep the soil slightly moist until the ground begins to freeze. When those chilly nights become consistent and the top layer of soil stays cold, it’s safe to stop. 3. Dividing or Moving Plants Too LateFall is a great time to divide crowded perennials or move plants to better spots, but timing is everything. Replanting too close to the first frost means roots won’t have enough time to establish before the ground freezes. Morton warns that “if you’re counting down to that first frost, it’s probably too late.” She recommends giving new divisions at least six to eight weeks to settle in. Once nighttime temperatures stay consistently cold and the soil feels chilly to the touch, it’s best to wait until spring. 4. Over-Cleaning the GardenA spotless garden might look satisfying in fall, but removing every leaf and stem can actually do more harm than good. “It’s all about finding that happy medium—tidy enough to look good to your eyes, but not so clean that it looks sterile,” says Morton. If you strip away every bit of organic matter, you also remove the natural insulation that protects roots and the habitat that shelters beneficial insects over winter. She recommends leaving some fallen leaves, dried stems, and seed heads in place. They act like nature’s mulch and even provide food for birds during the colder months. wulingyun//Getty Images5. Crowding or Losing Track of PlantsWhen perennials are packed too closely, they compete for space, sunlight, and nutrients, leading to weaker growth and fewer blooms. Morton suggests that fall is the perfect time to take a step back and assess your garden layout. “Use labels or markers to mark each plant’s spot while it’s still visible,” she says, “so you won’t forget what’s planted where over winter.” Taking the time now to label and plan saves plenty of digging, guessing, and stressed plants when spring rolls around.6. Cutting Everything BackWhile it may seem tidy to cut every perennial down to the ground, a little restraint goes a long way in supporting your garden’s ecosystem. Morton advises leaving sturdy seed heads and ornamental grasses standing tall. They add texture and beauty to the winter landscape while offering shelter for birds and insulation for roots. The goal, she says, is to “keep what helps the garden thrive through cold, and trim what could turn into a soggy mess.”7. Skipping Mulch or Fertilizing Too LateNeglecting to mulch or fertilizing too late in the season can leave your perennials vulnerable just when they need protection most. Morton says the best time to mulch is “once the soil has cooled, or when it feels noticeably chilly to the touch, usually around 50–55°F, a few inches deep.” This timing helps insulate roots without trapping excess warmth. Morton explains that fall mulch acts like a cozy blanket, shielding bare soil from freezing temperatures and moisture loss. She recommends using natural materials such as shredded leaves, straw, or bark—and skipping high-nitrogen fertilizers, which can trigger tender new growth that frost will quickly damage. A little preparation in the fall can make a big difference in how your perennials perform next spring. By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll help your garden survive winter and come back stronger when warmer days return. Related StoriesDebbie Wolfe is a writer, photographer, and author. She has contributed hundreds of home and garden articles and DIY tutorials to leading media outlets and retailers. Debbie covers all home and gardening topics and has published hundreds of DIY tutorials with step-by-step photography for leading home and garden media outlets. More

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There are plenty of traditional kitchen features that are coming back into style, like concealed storage and butcher block countertops. But the one designers are most excited about just might be the prep kitchen. Prep kitchens are making a design comeback among many homeowners, especially those who love to entertain. We tapped designers to fill us in on the trend, including how to make it work in a modern home. A prep kitchen, also called a scullery, used to be the part of the home designed for utilitarian tasks like dishwashing. In the modern era, these rooms are being used for storage, food prep, and to allow for more space in the “main” kitchen for gathering and cooking.Here’s what designers say about prep kitchens, including how to decide if it’s a feature worth building into your home. Design: Dunham Robinson; Photo: Nicholas Venezia What Is a Prep Kitchen? Common in 19th century aristocracy as an area for doing chores like washing dishes and laundering clothes, a scullery can be thought of as a zone where the more hard-earned tasks of running a home take place. A scullery was often adjacent to a main kitchen, keeping that area clear of the scrubbing, dunking and general water-logged quality of the room. “Essentially, they were a ‘dirty’ utility space subservient to a kitchen,” says architect Nicholas G. Potts. “It wasn’t a place where food was stored.”Recently, the term has reemerged as a prep kitchen, a term Potts says is more flexible to how homeowners may use this space today—without any of the complicated class implications. “The archaic use of a scullery as a dishwashing-only room is not something that’s relevant to us given that we now have dishwashers and far fewer specific pieces of tableware,” he says. “But a prep kitchen is a great solution for homeowners with a lot of available space who entertain frequently. Because a prep kitchen can be sealed off, it’s also a nice fit for pickling, canning and so on.”Why Prep Kitchens Are Popular NowRachel Robinson, architect and founding partner of Dunham Robinson, says that the trend of finding extra square footage for this prep space makes sense given how many tasks modern kitchens oversee. “Today’s kitchens almost invariably do double duty,” she says. “They’re workhorses for daily cooking while often serving as the heart of the home: for entertaining, hanging out as a family, or decompressing and catching up after work. And that’s a lot to ask of one space. I would hypothesize that sculleries, or prep kitchens, have re-emerged because they take off some of that pressure.”This secondary kitchen could be used to store items that only come out for a crowd, as well as specialty pieces that emerge from cabinets every so often. “It’s a modern twist on a traditional idea—separating private working spaces from public entertaining spaces—that just makes life easier. In that sense, a scullery is like the backstage of a home: it holds all the supporting cast so the main kitchen can be the star.”Melissa Oholendt, founder and design principal at Oho Interiors, agrees that prep kitchens have staying power, even if it’s a room from the past. “It’s highly functional and can serve a larger purpose in a home,” she says. “We don’t see this trend dying in popularity but rather taking the shape of a modern family’s needs, and that is exciting!”Design: Oho Interiors; Photo: Judith MarilynHow to Know If a Scullery Is Right for YouTrends are not for everyone, particularly if they involve construction. But if you think a scullery should be a part of your home, here’s what you should consider:Planning is key. A prep kitchen won’t necessarily need as much space as, say, a dining area, but it does usually require precious square footage to make it worthwhile. More so, it has to be very functional—otherwise, you likely won’t use it. “Space planning is critical here,” Potts says. “It should be easily accessible (with direct garage or hallway access), have a sink, adequate counter space (with power), refrigeration and some closed or shelf storage if it’s also used for bulk ingredients.”Cooking must be a passion. If your calendar is routinely booked with events at home where you’re the chef, this is likely the right move. “If our clients are big on hosting—especially for the holidays—or if the client really wants a simplified kitchen, we will encourage a scullery for function,” Oholendt says. “But if we have clients who order more takeout than cook, a scullery would drive construction costs up in a way that doesn’t feel productive!”It can work for apartments, too. While a scullery harkens back to an era where a large estate’s staff worked behind the scenes, a modern take on this space can be introduced into a smaller home. “We recommend a scullery when clients love to entertain or have a treasured collection of glassware, serving pieces or appliances that can overwhelm a single kitchen, especially in a city apartment,” Robinson says. “It’s also ideal when the main kitchen is meant to feel open and minimal. Having a separate zone for storage and prep ensures that look is easy to maintain.”Kelly Dawson is a writer, editor and marketing consultant. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Architectural Digest, Travel + Leisure and other publications. Jamie Ballard (she/her) is a freelance writer and editor who covers news, lifestyle, and entertainment topics, including sex and relationships, TV, movies, books, health, pets, food and drinks, pop culture, shopping, and personal finance. She regularly contributes to Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, and YouGov, among other publications. When she’s not working, you can find her running, traveling, or scrolling TikTok. Follow her on Twitter. More

Retro design trends are back in a major way, from the tiled countertop trend to the cluttercore trend. We tapped designers to talk about vintage-inspired trends, and they told us all about the 1980s design trends that are making a comeback. Think cozy maximalism, wood accents, and colorful tiles. There are plenty of ways to incorporate these 1980s design trends into a contemporary home without making it feel dated. Designers filled us in on how people are embracing aspects of the vintage aesthetic while still maintaining a functional and modern home. Here’s how to incorporate these fresh-again 1980s design trends in your space.Cozy MaximalismEmily J FollowillThe term ‘maximalism’ might bring to mind wild patterns and clashing colors — but that doesn’t truly capture the essence of the style. While maximalism often involves bold design choices, the style can be cozy too. In the 1980s, pops of color throughout the home were commonplace, but these spaces still felt comfortable.”One of my favorite aspects of 1980s home design is the cozy, lived-in feel of the spaces,” says Meghan Jay of Meghan Jay Design. “I love that the cozy, maximalist aesthetic is back where there’s a balance between comfort and style, and spaces feel lived-in and character-ful — while also feeling modern!”Wooden AccentsMatching wooden chairs and tables are part of the 1980s signature style. While you might not see those sets often these days, wooden accents are making a comeback in other forms. “Wood hardware is trending, whether it is integrated into cabinets or designed to stand out,” says Jessica Flake of Copper Sky Design + Remodel. Think wooden knobs on cabinets, stained bookcases and vintage wooden picture frames. Regardless of how it’s incorporated, wood adds character to any space, and homeowners are rediscovering that in new ways. Colored TilesMARC MAULDINDesign by Copper Sky Design + Remodel. Photo by: Marc MauldinHomeowners are continuing to move away from neutral color palettes, welcoming vibrant furniture, daring patterns and unique wall design and flooring into their spaces. Designers are noticing that their clients are especially becoming more adventurous when it comes to their walls, opting for bright colors and new textures around the house. “Colored tile specifically has seen a big revival,” says Flake.Oversized FurnitureChunky furniture is a defining characteristic of 1980s interior design. While it might not sound appealing to have extra-large furniture all over the house today, there’s been a reinvention of this furniture style that designers are loving. “The 1980s were known for their big, bulky furniture, such as oversized sofas and armchairs with thick cushions and large frames. While oversized sofas are still popular, they now have cleaner lines. The focus is on comfort without the oppressive bulk, so you’ll find lower-profile sofas, with a narrow track arm, covered in visually lighter upholstery fabrics,” says Jay. Curved DetailingAnastasia AlkemaContrary to the more modern emphasis on simple, clean lines in home design, the 1980s style was all about curved furniture and detailing around the house. Not only can curved lines be more visually interesting, they can also add character and charm to a home like this fluted marble surface does. “Some trends making a comeback today include curved, fluted and reeded detailing,” says Flake. “We see it in materials such as wood, marble, tile and even glass — applied to cabinets, furniture and walls.” Bold Wallpaper LooksIt’s no surprise that wallpaper is making a major comeback in 2025. While homeowners are taking a step back from the patterns seen in the 1980s, they’re experimenting with all kinds of different colors and designs.”In the 1980s, floral wallpaper was everywhere, and the patterns often featured rich, jewel tones that overwhelmed a space. We’re now seeing wallpaper being used in more creative ways, not just the traditional four walls. My clients are always open to wallpapering a ceiling, or adding a touch of wallpaper in the backs of bookcases,” says Jay.Neon and PastelsRobert Peterson / Rustic White Interiors If bright colors are your thing, you’re in luck. Neon hues and pastel color schemes are working their way back into interior design. “The use of bold color from the 1980s is making a strong comeback, offering a refreshing contrast to the dominance of neutral tones like gray,” says Liz Williams of Liz Williams Interiors. “Small doses of vibrant colors, such as neon accents or jewel tones, are being used in modern interiors to add energy and personality, often through accent walls, colorful furniture and textiles.”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. Jamie Ballard (she/her) is a freelance writer and editor who covers news, lifestyle, and entertainment topics, including sex and relationships, TV, movies, books, health, pets, food and drinks, pop culture, shopping, and personal finance. She regularly contributes to Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, and YouGov, among other publications. When she’s not working, you can find her running, traveling, or scrolling TikTok. Follow her on Twitter. More

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