Home Ideas

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H6 Cordless Stick Vacuum
Roborock
$449.99

Whether you like to tidy on a daily basis or do a once-a-week deep scrub, keeping the house clean almost always includes some head-scratching moments. Trying to dust a sky-high bookshelf without toppling it, or reaching behind the toilet without touching it, can often feel like your own little version of household Jenga.
Stocking a few specialty tools (and regular household go-tos) will make tackling those hard-to-reach spots so much easier: An easy-to-maneuver vacuum, a swivel mop, and a microfiber feather duster are just a few to have in the closet.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of the most typical housecleaning conundrums you’re likely to encounter—and solutions that’ll make checking them off your to-do list a breeze.
Crown molding

Beecher LaFrance

Crown molding—a decorative finishing detail most often seen wrapping around ceilings—can be beautiful, whether it’s rendered in a clean line or features more detailed motifs.
Cleaning it, on the other hand, can be a hassle, especially when it comes to high, hard-to-reach corners. A stick vacuum like the Roborock H6, named one of Good Housekeeping’s best stick vacuums of 2020, was made for jobs like this. It’s only three pounds, so lifting it won’t put too much strain on your arms, and the powerful suction capacity will work to pull dust out of even the tightest nooks and crannies.
High shelving

Beecher LaFrance

High shelves can be tricky not only because of their placement, but because the items on display — books, pictures or other treasures — can be too delicate for the suction of a vacuum cleaner. Your best bet here is to lightly go over the shelves and their contents with an updated version of the classic feather duster: look for one made from microfiber so you can throw it in the washing machine when you’re done.
Under, and behind, the fridge

Beecher LaFrance

“Out of sight, out of mind” can be a useful principle in other areas of life, but it’s not one you want to apply to underneath and behind your refrigerator. These areas are, unsurprisingly, prime for grime that you might miss during a kitchen clean-up.
To start, wiggle the fridge away from the wall—the goal here is to create enough space to allow you to hit the parts of the wall and floor that are usually covered up. A stick vacuum can also be helpful here, especially when it comes to the floor space between the wall and the fridge.
For the refrigerator itself, look for a brush designed specially for fridge coils. This will dislodge any dust or build-up on the coils underneath the fridge, which can save you time and money later, since dirty coils can cause your refrigerator to work harder and use more energy. Then, vacuum up the dust that falls to the floor — a stick vacuum used in a handheld configuration would work well here.
Behind the toilet

Beecher LaFrance

Cleaning the toilet is an essential part of any bathroom cleaning routine, and the area behind the toilet should be no different. It can be a magnet for germs, and because it can sometimes be hard to reach, it can also be easy to forget about.
Hit the area with a slim, maneuverable vacuum first, which will loosen debris. And then: Enter the swivel mop. Designed to get into hard-to-reach corners, it works on virtually any kind of surface, and with the right cleaning solution, will have the area behind your toilet gleaming (and germ-free!) in no time.
Around the faucets

Beecher LaFrance

Faucets, especially smaller ones in the bathroom, pose a challenge because they seem accessible—you can clean most of a faucet the way you would anything else in the kitchen or bathroom. But usually there’s a part of it—often near the base on the back, maybe close to a wall—that is just out of reach, and therefore a place that probably needs some extra attention.
The humble toothbrush is your friend here. Grab one (purchased new for this purpose!) and use the bristles to scrub the parts of the faucet too small to be cleaned by hand. If you want to do an extra deep clean, soak a washcloth in vinegar and wrap it around the faucet to loosen hard water mineral build-up that may be in difficult-to-access areas.
A/C filters and air vents

Beecher LaFrance

Air conditioning and heating vents, as well as filters in window A/C units, can build up a lot of dust, which means you’ll want to make cleaning them part of your regular routine. A stick vacuum like the Roborock H6 can really come in handy here. On a low setting, run the vacuum’s dusting brush or crevice tool around the vents. The dust should come right off, giving you cleaner, cooler air.
Remotes, keyboards, and alarm systems

Beecher LaFrance

You might not immediately think of remote controls, keyboards and alarm system keypads as things that need to be regularly cleaned, but if you live in a home where these objects are in high use, it’s likely time to start! Oils from fingers can linger, and you’ll want to pay special attention to high-touch surfaces during cold and flu season.
Try a product that has been a staple of many office for the last several decades: canned air. It will loosen crumbs and buildup in between remote control buttons and keyboards, making it easy to swipe away the rest with your microfiber cloth or old toothbrush. Then, finish the job with a disinfecting wipe.
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As we’re spending more time indoors, finding ways to make your space more stylish, comfortable, and functional has likely been at the top of your to-do list. The pandemic has motivated many to transform their workspaces, refresh their living room layouts, rethink kitchen pantry setups, and carve out nooks just for self-care. To put it simply, the coronavirus pandemic has encouraged many people to place more value on their homes, and put more thought into how their environment can better suit their lifestyle.
We couldn’t help but to ask a selection of go-to Black designers to share how they’ve reworked their homes in light of the quarantine. Read on for their decorating pointers, which might just inspire you to take your own home to the next level.
Kesha Franklin

Rayon Richards Photography

“My guest room is always prepped and ready for guests, but during COVID-19, our guest visits have been minimal. I’ve repurposed my guest room as a retreat away from my normal routine in the house with weekend naps, catch-up calls with girlfriends, and some late-evening sourcing on my laptop with a cup of Earl Grey tea or a glass of German riesling. I’ve been grateful to have this additional place of escape to reset, recharge, and stay creative. My tip while quarantined at home is to find a room or nook that you can call your own for some much-needed mental download and self-care.”
LEARN MORE ABOUT KESHA FRANKLIN
Raymond Barberousse

Courtesy

“We spend a lot of time these days in one of our favorite spots in the house: the dining area. It’s where we eat delicious home-cooked meals, plant seeds, or play games. There are a few things that have made this area into a retreat during the quarantine: studio PGRB’s lighting above the dining table which gives off a warm, inviting glow throughout the day and into the evening hours along with bringing the outdoors inside. The lush plants, herbs, fruits, and flowers bring a liveliness and freshness to the area that serves as a daily reminder of nature’s magic.”
LEARN MORE ABOUT RAYMOND BARBEROUSSE
Whitney Jones

Courtesy; Britt Smith Photography

“Being in quarantine has further emphasized the power of maximizing storage in a home. I recently transformed my dining room from a dated, ugly waste of space, to a beautiful, functional, formal place to gather with family. I added a gorgeous built-in bookcase and two bar cabinets to help organize not just the dining room, but my kitchen, as well. Now, I’m able to display the fun stuff (my cute tchotchkes and all the books I’ve been buying during quarantine), as well as the items I’d like to keep hidden, like my dishware, extra alcohol, and kitchen appliances. The extra storage has kept me from getting overwhelmed with clutter, which would be terrible to deal with during an extended quarantine.”
LEARN MORE ABOUT WHITNEY JONES
Robin Wilson

Courtesy of Robin Wilson Home

“One of the things that I love to do is to read books, and I was able to transform a room into a tranquil space, and make it a place for my daughter to study during remote learning and quarantine moments. My furniture source was Renovation Angel in Fairfield, NJ, and they had a 10-foot bookcase that was one step from the landfill that cost $300, including delivery. Up-cycling brown furniture can be the way to create your dream since many people do not buy dark furniture and you can find some gently used bargains. My DIY moment began with watching YouTube and learning how to sand and apply primer to cover the scratches. Then the painting began. My carpenter pulled out the crown molding and finished the base with a foot panel and an electrician pulled out the plug from the wall. Now the piece looks like a built-in, and I have a peaceful library space in my home.”
LEARN MORE ABOUT ROBIN WILSON
Neffi Walker

Kat Morgan

“I find scents in a home can change your emotion and mood, so burning The Black Home candles throughout our home totally set the mood for reading time with my daughter or even a bath time soak during these long, stress-filled days.”

Leyden Lewis

David A. Land

“A great way to spend my time outside of binge-watching TV and listening to our governor is to organize our collection of art, including photographs. It’s building a story board and a narrative between images. It can feel like creating a puzzle to which only I can find the key to unlock. As we rotate works by friends and colleagues, we lay everything on the floor and compose it there then lift the idea, piece by piece, onto the walls.”
LEARN MORE ABOUT LEYDEN LEWIS
Keyanna Bowen

Courtesy

“One quarantine decorating tip I have is making floral arrangements and centerpieces with collected foliage. It’s so quick and easy to do, and free! Just by simply putting a few collected flowers, greenery, and branches in a vase instantly makes the space feel more lively and elevated. Plus, it allows me to spend time outdoors in nature, which is so important and therapeutic during quarantine.”
LEARN MORE ABOUT KEYANNA BOWEN
Breegan Jane

Courtesy

“This year has surfaced many new unexpected transitions. I went from being a full-time working single mom to a stay-at-home teacher for my two sons while still balancing my career in the juggle of it all. More so now than ever, we’ve been spending time at home, which is why I’ve made some changes around the house to help ensure a more comfortable environment. For me, it’s imperative that I find a little me-time to obtain a solid reset to keep embarking on the days to come. For that reason, I decided to switch out my bathroom light bulbs to Bulbrite Solana’s smart LED bulbs. These lights create a zen ambiance with a quick adjustment to a warm and dim tone. There really isn’t anything better than a glass of wine, bath soak, and relaxing atmosphere to reboot the soul. Light bulbs are a frequently overlooked feature of our homes yet are super easy to swap out and immediately facilitate a healthy lifestyle.”
LEARN MORE ABOUT BREEGAN JANE
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Use LED bulbs for your lanterns, which won’t overheat.
Punk rock lanterns
Materials:
Paper lanterns
Craft studs (we used plastic so that the finished lantern would be lightweight)
Hot glue or craft glue
Steps:
Attach studs to paper lantern with glue and let dry.
Splatter paint pumpkin lanterns
Materials:
Paper lanterns
Acrylic or craft paint
Water paint brush
Steps:
Mix water and paint until you have the consistency of heavy cream.
Drip paint onto the paper lantern and let dry, working one side at a time until the whole lantern is covered.

Mike Garten

Mike Garten

Mummy shroud lantern
Materials:
Paper lanterns
Scissors
Cheesecloth or gauze fabric
Steps:
Cut a length of cloth, roughly stretching and tearing it to create an irregular shape.
Drape over a paper lantern.
Full moon lantern
Materials:
Paper lanterns
Gray acrylic or craft paint
Water sponge
Steps:
Mix together a very light gray paint color adding water until you have the consistency of heavy cream.
Dip a damp (not wet) sponge into the paint and lightly stamp it onto the lantern, blending as you go (look at a photo of the moon for reference).
Let dry completely.
Creepy crawlies lantern
Materials:
Paper lanterns
Halloween bugs clip art
Printer paper
Scissors or craft knife
Mod Podge
Steps:
Download our Halloween bugs artwork and print onto regular printer paper.
Carefully cut out with scissors or a craft knife.
Paint a section of the lantern with mod Podge, large enough to fit the paper cut out.
Lay the paper on top, using your finger to smooth out any air bubbles or wrinkles.
Let dry.
Paint 1 or 2 additional layers of Mod Podge on top and let dry completely.
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It’s safe to say that the coronavirus pandemic has impacted just about every industry, including the home space, to some extent. With many being forced to work from home, more and more people have shifted their focus towards nesting. Scroll through Instagram, for instance, and you’ll find hosts of images featuring decorating projects — refreshed home offices are just one example — proud organizing moments, unique craft ideas, and many other creative projects people have relied on to experience a moment of joy during this challenging time. Home has become more important now than ever.
Considering people’s increased connection to their living spaces, we can’t help but wonder about what’s on the horizon for home design post-COVID-19, when many assume their normal routines again. That’s why we invited Heide Hendricks of the award-winning design firm Hendricks Churchill, who’s currently putting the finishing touches on a country residence for Eva Chen, Instagram’s director of fashion partnerships, to explore what can be expected from the world of home design after the coronavirus has waned.

The Living Room as the Heart of the Home

John Gruen

“Suddenly, the living room has become grand central. We’ve been creating more spaces within the living room that are very much like Victorian parlors. There’s not just a coffee table and a drink table, but there might also be a game or snack table. The sofa can have lots of pillows for just being comfortable when watching a movie in the middle of the day. There’s a space where an adult can take a call while their child is on their laptop or iPad nearby with headphones, and another member of the house can be off to the side doing their own thing. Studio living is in one space now. The living room is finally taking center stage again.”

Pocket Doors
“People will still gravitate towards open layouts, because they love that big ‘aha’ room, but we are already seeing more requests for pocket doors. For instance, our house a couple years ago was an old farmhouse. It was that classic form with four rooms on the main floor, separated by a center hall staircase, so it was really a circular floor plan. You could walk from one room to the next and end up back at the staircase. The living room had a fireplace and there was a TV in the family room. When the kids were watching YouTube or TV shows, we could just close the pocket doors and still sit by the fire.”

Master Bedroom Seating

Tim Lenz

“All of the beautiful sitting areas we’ve created in master suites (for clients) are finally being used. I created a master suite with a sitting area for one client, who was a high-powered attorney. He had young children in the house, so he would sequester himself in the master suite. For this reason, it was ideal to have the office within his bedroom.
There’s something nice about hanging out in your bedroom. If there’s not enough space for a sitting area, you can try a small 50- or 60-inch sofa at the base of the bed instead of a bench.

50+ Inspiring Living Room Ideas

Warmer Hues
“There was a long-time preference for cooler colors, but now there’s this gravitation towards warmer colors with pinkish undertones, which might be related to sheltering. That pinkish undertone is like a warm hug. I recommend Farrow & Ball Slipper Satin and Farrow & Ball Wimborne White.

More Thoughtful Purchasing Decisions

Amanda Kirkpatrick

“Recycling, upcycling, and exploring local businesses that are selling secondhand items are at the core of our philosophy as a design practice. It’s a win-win because it supports local business, and it gives the homeowner the immediate gratification of having their furnishings (right away). Suddenly, their home can have a nice layer of patina. I love a space that feels like it’s been accumulated over time and not just impersonally thrown together. With a trip to a local antique shop or vintage store, depending on the person, they can curate some really great stuff and do that first round of edits for you. You go in there, and it’s almost like having design assistance.”

Comfortable Outdoor Spaces

Amanda Kirkpatrick

“People are setting up living rooms in their backyard. Several clients have been asking us to source outdoor heaters, so people are trying to hold onto their outdoor living areas as long as possible. Smokeless fire pit inserts are big now, and they’re quite affordable (brands like Breeo and Solo Stove make them). They basically look like a tin can, but you can have a real fire inside of it. It’s incredible, since many people might have a small backyard, which means a fire pit isn’t practical.”
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