Home Ideas

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Whether it’s redoing your kitchen cabinets, painting the kids’ bedrooms, or completely overhauling your backyard, a year spent inside our homes has inspired many of us to refresh and renew our spaces. But even if it’s not your first time picking up a paint roller or hammer, taking on new DIY projects can be tricky. That’s why Country Living and Good Housekeeping decided to team up to host our first-ever Makeover Takeover Renovation Summit on May 12 and 13. The two-day virtual event (sponsored by Trex, Pergo Extreme and Dutch Boy Paints) featured DIY demos, intimate panel discussions and fireside chats packed with design advice, renovation hacks and money-saving secrets from some of our favorite design experts, including the Property Brothers, Emily Henderson, Brian Patrick Flynn, Candace Cameron Bure, Ellen Pompeo, Tia Mowry, Tamron Hall and so many others. What they’ve learned from years of experience — and more than a few missteps! — will help you pull off that amazing DIY home makeover on a real-world budget. Below, watch each day’s programming in full, or take a look at highlights and clips from each of the panels. Watch All of Day 1

Yes, You Can Do That!

Rachel Hardage Barrett

Editor in Chief, Country Living

Orlando Soria

Interior Designer and Host, HGTV’s Build Me Up

Jenni Yolo

Founder & Blogger, I Spy DIY

Max Humphrey

Interior Designer, Art Director, & Stylist

Our experts tackled how to take on big design risks and renovation projects. “Start simple and just go for it” was the biggest takeaway. They also shared lots of ideas for small changes that have big impact — from changing out all the wall switches in your home, to using paint to create faux moulding around a doorway. Get a pen and pad ready —you’ll want to start a list of inexpensive DIY projects to try while watching this panel.Watch Now

Highly Debatable: This or That Part 1

Ellen Pompeo

Actress, Producer and Director

Emily Henderson

Professional Stylist, Designer, NYT Bestselling Author and Founder of Style by Emily Henderson

Tamron Hall

Host and Executive Producer, Tamron Hall

Joni Lay

Blogger, Lay Baby Lay

Jordan Slocum & Barry Bordelon

The Brownstone Boys

Tara L. Paige

Creator, Black Women Who Love Outdoor Living Spaces

Jean Brownhill

Founder and CEO, Sweeten

TVs in the bedroom: for or against? Toilet paper: over or under? Matte or glossy paint? Our favorite design-obsessed celebrities, interior designers, home bloggers and stylists share their thoughts on these and other polarizing design questions.Watch Now

Secrets of a Serial Decorator

Kayla Keegan

Senior News & Entertainment Editor, Good Housekeeping

Tia Mowry

Actress, Producer and Author

Actress, author, and producer Tia Mowry shares her passion for all things design in this one-on-one chat led by Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping’s Senior News & Entertainment Editor. Mowry has smart solutions for collaborating with a partner whose design aesthetic is totally different than yours, plus tips for creating a stylish home that is also cozy and kid-friendly. Watch Now

Design Trends: What’s Hot In Paint, Tiles, Cabinetry, Flooring & More

Monique Valeris

Senior Home Editor, Good Housekeeping

Stacey-Ann Blake

Founder and Blogger, Design Addict Mom

Nicole Gibbons

Founder and CEO of Clare

Young Huh

Owner and Founder of Young Huh Interior Design

Presented by Pergo Extreme

Presented by Pergo Extreme, Blake, Gibbons and Huh share notes about what’s on-trend in home design — from paint colors to floor plans to wall decor — and which trends are on their way out. Their advice on how to choose what to do in your own home? Go with what you love — even if it’s not so trendy. Watch Now

Real-Life Design Dilemmas With Beth Diana Smith

Beth Diana Smith

Owner & Principal Designer, Beth Diana Smith Interior Design

We asked readers to send in their design questions, and interior designer Beth Diana Smith offered solutions for how to increase kitchen storage in small spaces, revamp a craft room and more. Watch Now

At Home with Brent Ridge & Josh Kilmer Purcell

Dr. Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell

Co-Founders, Beekman 1802

Take an exclusive peek inside Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Dr. Brent Ridge’s new farmhouse renovation. The founders of Beekman 1802 discuss building their new kitchen around an existing fireplace, using various shades of paint on cabinets to create more depth and height, and dedicating a new room solely to displaying travel treasures. Watch along and get inspired to make unique adjustments to your own home.Watch Now

Design 101 (First Lesson: Call a Friend)

Ellen Pompeo

Actress, Producer and Director

Martyn Lawrence Bullard

Interior Designer

Interior Designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard joins his longtime friend and “design partner in crime” Ellen Pompeo to talk about their shared passion for upscale home design that embraces comfort. They discuss the ins and outs of home renovations they’ve done together, as well as share their tips on creating gorgeous-but-practical spaces. Watch Now

Makeover Takeover DIY: Gallery Wall 2.0

Brian Patrick Flynn

Interior Designer, Founder of Flynnside Out and Host, Magnolia Network’s Mind For Design

Designer Brian Patrick Flynn shows you how to turn a basic wall into a decor statement. Watch Now

Furniture DIYs with Alex Mata and Elisabeth Engelhart

Alex Mata

Craft Stylist, Good Housekeeping

Elisabeth Engelhart

Visual Styling Director, Good Housekeeping

Good Housekeeping stylists Alex Mata and Elisabeth Engelhart gave the same cabinet two completely different looks. Use the tips in their step-by-step tutorials to add personality to a piece you already own with cheap materials like stick-on wallpaper, fabric, and a few tools from your handy-dandy toolbox. Watch Now

Watch All of Day 2

Great Outdoor Spaces: Dream Decks, Pretty Patios, Al Fresco Kitchens & More

Leslie Adkins

Vice President of Marketing, Trex Company

Chris and Peyton Lambton

Hosts, DIY Network’s Yard Crashers and Lawn & Order

Allison Rhodes-Messner

Co-founder and CEO, Yardzen

Lori Bergamotto

Style Director, Good Housekeeping

Presented by Trex

When considering a major backyard transformation, where do you start? Presented by Trex Company, four outdoor design pros share secrets on picking the perfect layout, materials, lighting and shrubbery to best compliment your unique space and create an environment that is both stylish and functional. Watch Now

The Truth About Total Flips

Monique Valeris

Senior Home Editor, Good Housekeeping

Nischelle Turner

Co-host, Entertainment Tonight

Nischelle Turner, co-host of Entertainment Tonight and longtime DIY enthusiast, joins GH’s Monique Valeris to discuss her past experiences with home renovation projects, where she gets inspiration for new projects, and what is was like to work with an all-female team. She also shared deets about her new gig hosting the upcoming series Celebrity Home Renovation.Watch Now

Quick Fixes for Old Houses

Candis & Andy Meredith

Hosts, Magnolia Network’s Home Work

Eddie Ross

Co-founder and Chief Content Creator, Maximalist Studios

Holly Williams

Singer-Songwriter, Musician, Retail Entrepreneur and Serial House-Flipper

Elizabeth Finkelstein

Host, HGTV’s Upcoming Series Cheap Old Houses

Buying a fixer-upper can be a major time and money commitment. But with the right tools and guidance, turning it into the home of your dreams doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Listen in on this candid discussion with our old-home pros to learn from their mistakes and pick up priceless design tricks. Watch Now

Start Small, Conquer All: A DIY Painting Workshop Presented By Dutch Boy® Paints

In this tutorial, Renovation Summit sponsor Dutch Boy® shows you easy, quick ways to transform doors, cabinets and trim with paint. Watch Now

At Home With Gail Simmons

Gail Simmons

Host, Bravo’s Upcoming Series Top Chef Amateurs

Gail Simmons, host of Bravo’s upcoming series Top Chef Amateurs, currently lives in a former church. Now, she gives us a peek inside the kitchen where many of her culinary adventures take place.Watch Now

Finding Your Personal Style

Candace Cameron Bure

New York Times Best-Selling Author, Producer, Actress and Entrepreneur

Rachel Hardage Barrett

Editor in Chief, Country Living

Candace Cameron Bure reflects on her past roles on hit sitcoms Full House and Fuller House, and shares her exciting new home-makeover projects to come in the near future with Country Living Editor-in-Chief Rachel Hardage Barrett.Watch Now

Makeover Takeover DIY: Geometric Wall Features

Anna Mae Groves

Lifestyle Blogger

Cincinnati-based lifestyle blogger Anna Mae Groves shows how to upgrade basic walls with 3-D texture, graphic shapes and fun finishing touches. Watch Now

Highly Debatable: This or That Part 2

Drew and Jonathan Scott

Entrepreneurs, Designers and Hosts of Property Brothers

Ellen Pompeo

Actress, Producer and Director

Emily Henderson

Professional Stylist, Designer, NYT Bestselling Author and Founder of Style by Emily Henderson

Tamron Hall

Host and Executive Producer, Tamron Hall

Joni Lay

Blogger, Lay Baby Lay

Jordan Slocum and Barry Bordelon

The Brownstone Boys

Tara L. Paige

Creator, Black Women Who Love Outdoor Living Spaces

Jean Brownhill

Founder and CEO, Sweeten

Our favorite celebrities, interior designers, home bloggers, paint specialists, stylists and more share their thoughts on controversial design questions.Watch Now

Real-Life Design Dilemmas with Shea McGee

Shea McGee

Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, McGee & Co. and Studio McGee

We asked readers to send in design questions. Shea McGee, founder of the design firm Studio McGee and star of Netflix’s Dream Home Makeover, tackles topics like how to revitalize a space to add value, experiment with textured wallpaper and more!Watch Now

The Good, Bad, and Ugly of Renovations

Drew & Jonathan Scott

Entrepreneurs, Designers, & Hosts of Property Brothers

Jane Francisco

Editorial Director, Hearst Lifestyle Group & Editor in Chief, Good Housekeeping

Planning a major revamp? Home design veterans Drew and Jonathan Scott, a.k.a. the Property Brothers, give cost-effective solutions and budget-friendly tips to help overcome some of those “bound to happen” hiccups throughout the process. Plus, get the scoop on the trends they think will stick or sink. Watch Now
Thank you to the sponsors of the Country Living x Good Housekeeping 2021 Makeover Takeover Home Renovation Summit: Pergo Extreme, Trex, and Dutch Boy Paint. Check out goodhousekeeping.com/events for more information on upcoming summits.

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Calling all home renovation enthusiasts, weekend DIY-ers, and paint project-tacklers! Whether you’re taking on a full fixer upper or just making a small room upgrade, we know home reno projects are no easy feat. We have great news—we’re bringing in a crew of experts to help you along on your makeover journey. We’ve teamed up with our partners-in-design Country Living for a (FREE!) two-day celebration of all things DIY and home improvement, and you’re invited! 🎉 Join us May 12-13 for the first ever Makeover Takeover Renovation Summit, presented by Trex, PERGO, and Dutch Boy. The event features workshops and special appearances from familiar faces like Holly Williams, Brian Patrick Flynn, Max Humphrey, and The Property Brothers, who’ll answer all your reno questions and so much more. Registration is open NOW! Grab your toolkits and paintbrushes, and click the link below for alllll the nitty gritty details! 🛠️REGISTER HERE

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Cookout season is just a few short weeks away, and if your gas or charcoal grill is still covered with the remnants of last year’s cheeseburgers and Hawaiian chicken, now’s the perfect time to give it a refresh as part of your spring cleaning routine. These speedy tips from the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab come from years of testing outdoor grills as well as the cleaners and tools you need to keep them working well (and your food tasting great). Here are the three main steps: Remove and clean the grates Clean the grill’s interior Clean the grill’s exteriorStep 1: How to clean BBQ grill gratesThese are the workhorses of your cooker and because they come in direct contact with your food, they need to be clean. Start by removing the cool grates and wiping or brushing off as much of the big, loose debris as you can with a mesh or nylon scrub pad or a brush. In a sink or large bucket, mix up a sudsy solution of a grease-cutting dish liquid, like Dawn, and hot water and place the grates in to soak. If they don’t completely fit in, immerse one half, soak, then flip it over to get the other side. After soaking 15 to 30 minutes, put on some rubber gloves (like GH Seal holder, Playtex) and scrub the grates clean with a sturdy grill brush or scrubbing pad­. Take extra care with porcelain grates, because you don’t want to damage them.

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Dawn Dish Soap

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Playtex Living Reuseable Rubber Gloves

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Sienna Appliances Grilltastic Steam Brush

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Carbona 2-In-1 Oven Rack And Grill Cleaner

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If the grates are really dirty, soak them a second time to help soften and remove more gunk without expending extra elbow grease. Or, try the new Sienna Grilltastic Grill Steam Cleaning System. Fill this electric scrubber with water, plug it in and in seconds the combination of the dishwasher-safe stainless steel brush head and hot steam will be blasting grease from your grates. (It cleaned our GH Test Kitchen grill so well, our recipe testers asked if they could keep it.) Finally, rinse the grates well and let them dry.If scrubbing isn’t your thing, there’s Carbona’s 2-in-1 Oven Rack and Grill Cleaner. This kit contains a large zip-top bag and a 16 oz. bottle of cleaner. Simply place your grates in the bag, pour in the liquid, seal the bag and shake gently so the cleaner coats the racks. Let it sit (away from children and pets) eight hours, or even overnight. Afterward, remove the racks from the bag, lightly scrub away any stubborn residue and rinse them well. In our GH Institute Cleaning Lab tests, even grates from a charcoal smoker came out clean with virtually no effort, thanks to this product.

Step 2: How to clean the inside of a BBQ grillWith the grates removed, brush down the inside to clear out any loose particles that have collected in the bottom and around the sides. Scrape off any large peeling flakes of carbon and grease and if yours is a charcoal grill, empty the ash catcher. Don’t forget to clean the drip pan and grease cup in warm soapy water and line them with aluminum foil so they’ll be easier to clean next time.

Mr. Clean Clean Freak

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$4.94

Step 3: How to clean the exterior of a BBQ grillMix up another bath of warm sudsy dish liquid and water and wipe down the exterior, handle, side trays and any bottom doors with a sponge or cloth or use a grease-cutting all-purpose cleaner, like Mr. Clean Clean Freak Deep Cleaning Mist. In our GH tests, it cut grease on contact, plus it cleans stainless steel without streaking. Rinse and wipe dry. Finally, light the grill to make sure that none of the burner holes are clogged and all the gas lines and tubes are well connected and in good condition. How to keep a BBQ grill clean all summerDuring grilling season, here’s our step-by-step instructions to keep your grill looking great: Go over the grates while they are still warm with a brush or pad or even a ball of aluminum foil to keep food residue from building up. Regularly clean grates and outside surfaces with a spray like Parker & Bailey BBQ Cleaner & Degreaser. In GH Institute Cleaning Lab tests, it dissolved stuck-on messes better and faster than others we tried. Keep wire brushes in good condition and replace them when worn so metal bristles don’t stick to the grates and get into your food.
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Say “air quality” to most people and they think of outdoor particles and pollutants, like ozone, pollen, and smoke-belching factories. But the truth is, indoor air is two to five times dirtier than the air outside, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, thanks to all the dust, dander, and air-borne bacteria floating through our homes. And that’s on a good day! [product contentProductId=’b1193040-831c-4e96-814a-5d8d68b450c5′ mediaId=’7f713903-b939-40b4-9e34-13d0f1f83c9b’ align=’right’ size=’medium’][/product]When high humidity allows mold spores to thrive, or during a major remodel—when off-gassing from building materials fills the air with toxic chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—indoor pollution can be many times worse. Add in the fact that people spend about 90 percent of their time indoors (even without any stay-at-home pandemic orders in place), and you see why indoor air quality is such an important part of any home wellness strategy. To help you clear the air, we called on the home pros at the Good Housekeeping Institute, as well as industry partners at York Heating and Cooling—many of whose products are backed by the Good Housekeeping Seal—and Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), to weigh in on the topic. Their advice includes steps you can take right away, plus things to consider with your next home improvement project.Get serious about vacuuming[image id=’140e83d5-2ebf-4008-84a5-2f7c537ac9e1′ mediaId=’802034f3-2e33-4596-95b0-265fec291d65′ align=’center’ size=’medium’ share=’false’ caption=” expand=” crop=’original’][/image]We know, it’s a drag. But vacuuming is one of the best ways to reduce airborne allergens, according to AAFA, especially if your vacuum is equipped with a HEPA filter, which captures even the finest contaminants (a sealed vacuum with a HEPA filter is even better). Once a week should do the trick in many homes, though pet owners probably need to vacuum every few days, especially during shedding season. PSA: Don’t forget to replace or wash HEPA filters, as recommended by the manufacturer, so they stay working as they should.To reduce how often you need to lug out the full-size vacuum, consider investing in a robot vacuum for supplemental removal of surface debris while you’re out doing other stuff. These options earned top marks in our tough pet hair test. Dr. John McKeon, a former ER doctor and CEO/Founder of Allergy Standards, an international standards and certification body, also stresses the importance of deep steam cleaning at least once a year. “A carpet’s weight can triple over its life from the build-up of allergens and debris,” he says. “Short of switching to hardwood floors, regular steam cleaning is the best treatment.” Quick Fix: Don’t forget the welcome mat. Encouraging family and guests to brush off their shoes will help keep pollutants from entering your home in the first place. Or go one better and instate a no-shoes policy.Allergen-proof your bedding When it comes to indoor air quality, chances are your bedroom needs some work. For starters, are you washing sheets and pillowcases weekly in hot water (130°F if possible)? That’s critical for killing dust mites (a hot dryer cycle does this, too). Other bedding, like pillows and comforters, should be washed every one to two months or more often, if needed. While the bed is stripped, take a minute to vacuum the mattress. To remove odors, vacuum first, then sprinkle baking soda on it, work the product in with a soft brush, let it set for a few hours to deodorize, and vacuum again. Our pros also recommend using woven covers for the mattress and pillows to prevent dust mites and animal dander from accumulating.Quick Fix: If you are a severe allergy sufferer, make sure to regularly clean all of your bedding — not only the sheets and pillowcases, but pillows and comforters, too.Bring in fresh air[product contentProductId=’fc817d68-aa10-4170-98b1-9e09bd7b4603′ mediaId=’ab47ec06-73ca-4104-bffa-d401b9860056′ align=’right’ size=’medium’][/product]Homes in the U.S. are built pretty airtight, which is great for energy efficiency. But for indoor air quality, not so much, which makes exhaust fans essential. Every full bathroom in your home should be equipped with a bathroom fan; be sure to run it for at least 15 minutes after showering. In the kitchen, a vented range hood is best for sucking away smoke and fumes. If your home uses forced-air heating and/or cooling, you can integrate a whole-home air cleaner that can help capture harmful toxins as it circles through the system, like York’s Affinity Series Whole-Home Media Cleaner. Quick Fix: Regularly crack a window. It’s the easiest way to bring in fresh air, and it doesn’t cost a thing! Control the humidity Keeping your home’s humidity between 30 and 50 percent will minimize moisture-loving dust mites and mold. Obviously, outdoor humidity surges in the summer, so that’s the time to deploy dehumidifiers to dry out the air. This dehumidifier was a top pick in our latest tests, maintaining optimal humidity levels in large spaces. Quick Fix: Promote air flow throughout the home by leaving doors between rooms open. Cut out the toxins[image id=’0b953c07-41c7-443e-8b58-bfdc3c0cdddb’ mediaId=’1f7188b1-b4e4-4622-bb1c-5e250c1e72ba’ align=’center’ size=’medium’ share=’false’ caption=” expand=” crop=’original’][/image]A lot of people pollute the air in their home without even realizing it. Watch out for the “cozy culprits” as Dr. McKeon calls them, which refers to things like scented candles and air fresheners that may contain irritants, like fragrance compounds that are not necessarily listed on ingredient lists.Many home improvement materials, from paint to flooring to insulation, can also contain harmful pollutants, including formaldehyde and VOCs. AAFA has a certification process designed to help homeowners find products that meet minimum thresholds for airborne irritants.Quick Fix: Many surfaces can be cleaned — and many stains can be removed — with pantry staples like baking soda and vinegar. Look for cleaners with minimal ingredients and those labeled free of perfumes, dyes, and other irritants.

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There’s plenty of good advice available about how to stop procrastinating (and apps that can help too!) but you’ll probably never completely eradicate it from your life. Redirecting your energy into something positive can help that time from being a waste—and leave you feeling better overall. While procrastibaking has gotten a lot of attention recently, cleaning as procrastination is a classic way to channel time into productivity. In a 2011 study, Stanford researchers found that visual clutter made it significantly harder for subjects to complete tasks—so when you need a break, instead of doomscrolling the internet, clearing out the sink could be considered a step toward hitting your deadline. Cleaning can also be a stress reducer, putting you in a better state of mind to complete that spreadsheet or run your errands. But the last thing you need when escaping is a cleaning distraction that ends up being just as frustrating. Scotch-Brite™ products are designed to work quickly and effectively, so your cleaning goes smoothly. Here are some handy cleaning swaps to turn to the next time you hit a to-do list wall. Stop Posting and Start Sudsing Social media can be a fun way to keep up with friends, but anyone with an Instagram account knows it can also lead to anxiety. When you feel the urge to check your feed for the fifth time, put down your phone and reach for your dishwashing gloves. A recent Mindfulness study discovered that washing dishes with intention resulted in a decrease in nerves and overall more positive outlook for participants—plus, you’ll have one less chore to tackle when dinnertime comes around. Task TipsPre-soak pans in hot water to help unstick big messes.Dry glassware with a soft, clean cloth to avoid those annoying streaks. Use Scotch-Brite® Advanced Scrub Dots Non Scratch Scrubbers, which make quick work of things like eggs and cheese, and rinse clean afterwards.

Scotch-Brite® Advanced Scrub Dots Non-Scratch

Swap News-Bingeing for De-ClutteringIt’s important to stay informed, but once you’ve checked into current events for the day, constantly refreshing your favorite news site is one of the most stress-inducing midday breaks you can take. Instead, give your eyes a screen break, get on your feet, and do a living room sweep.Task TipsPut obviously out-of-place items where they belong—books go on the shelf, throw pillows get placed back on the couch, and clothing should go in the closet or laundry room.Wipe down surfaces like mantels, windowsills, and shelves that tend to collect dust.Don’t worry about breaking out the vacuum. A quick pass of the Scotch-Brite™ 50% Stickier Lint Roller makes quick work of visible lint or pet hair.

Scotch-Brite™ 50% Stickier Lint Roller

Replace Streaming with Bathroom ScrubbingIt can be hard to resist catching up on your favorite show, especially when the alternative is paying bills. But pressing play is a slippery slope that can lead to hours of lost time, and that groggy feeling that comes from staring at your TV during the day. Get your blood flowing and your tile sparkling with some needed TLC instead. Task TipsCollect all of your used towels and bathmat and toss them in the laundry—replacing everything at once will make a huge difference. Clean your mirror—it will reflect more light and give you a whole new outlook (literally!).Use a tile-safe scrubber (try the Scotch-Brite® Swift Scrub Bathroom Buildup Remover!) to cut through soap scum and shampoo residue quickly, and without the need for harsh chemicals.Save This Guide for When You Need a Visual Reminder

Jesse Mumford

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These pro tips will save money while keeping your home cozy all year long. More