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If you lack the budget or the real estate to build an aspirational home library with floor-to-ceiling shelves and a sliding ladder, take heart. You can create a home library in any size space, even if it means adding a bookshelf, chaise, and reading light to a corner nook in a studio apartment or family home living room. Check out these inspirational examples of home libraries in a variety of styles that range from modest to swoon-worthy to help you carve out space in your home dedicated to the timeless pleasure of reading....

Below, we share our favorite kitchen cabinet ideas—from small, budget-friendly ideas to big, dramatic upgrades to help inspire your kitchen design.

Below, we’ll break down the five basic types of room dividers and what you should consider when choosing which is best for your needs and space. KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Getty Images Folding dividers are made with multiple tall panels made of fabric or other materials connected by hinges that allow them to fold to varying degrees. They require no installation; unfold them and you’re ready to go. It’s as simple as folding up the divider and putting it in the moving truck if moving homes....

Along with installing different types of molding, it’s easy to customize wall trim to complement your home by changing its color. White trim is a striking accent against a field of dark-colored walls, bringing a formal, traditional look to these rooms. On the other hand, dark trim can be used to create a bold, eye-catching contrast against light walls. Here, discover five common types of wall trim and their characteristics to upgrade your space....

However, you deserve to come home to a space that’s equal parts functional and beautiful, no matter how many other individuals live under your roof. We spoke with designers to gather their tips for successfully keeping your space looking stylish, even when there’s always a crowd. Then, add some simple touches to the front hallway that make the area nice and inviting, Bay Area designer Melanie Love suggested in an email....

We Ran Out of Flooring Flooring—and running out of flooring—is a home renovation nightmare. As Lucas Machado, owner of House Heroes LLC shares, his very first project didn’t quite go as planned. Towards the end of the renovation project, Lucas gets a call from his contractor letting him know that the flooring they had purchased (and that his contractor had already installed 95% of) wasn’t enough to finish the job. “[The flooring] was out of stock, and no longer in production,” Lucas says, “I came to find out that [my contractor] had bought the flooring from a wholesaler, who had bought some leftovers from one of the big name stores....

But how do you determine which pool cleaning system is the right one for your particular pool or hot tub? Below, learn about six different options—from simple manual brushes to powerful automatic systems—and how to choose the one best for you. Provided your pool or spa has a good filtration system, it is possible to remove debris, stains, and even green and yellowish algae the old-fashioned way—with brushes and skimming nets attached to a telescoping pole....

Besides damaging plants, groundhogs can damage sheds, foundations, driveways, and retaining walls. They also might harm dogs if they get in a fight. And people can easily twist an ankle by stepping into a groundhog hole. Here’s what you need to know to identify whether you have a groundhog problem and, if so, how to get rid of groundhogs naturally and humanely. What Are Groundhogs? Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks (Marmota monax), are rodents indigenous to the eastern United States....

What’s the right pipe for water supply, drainage, sewer, and even the exterior? The answer is not as clear as it was in the past when the main pipe choices were just galvanized steel or cast iron. Below, we’ll break down common pipe materials to help you choose which is best for your space and application. The tubes commonly come in 1/2-inch and 3/4-inch diameters, and they’re easy to cut and join....

But then there are the intangibles – those things you might not think of immediately when questions of comfort arise. In fact, you might not think about them at all, but they have a big impact on how comfortable your bedroom really is. First on this list is color. Color sets the overall mood in any room. In a bedroom, where we most need to strike a calm and relaxing chord, the color becomes an even more important part of creating a sanctuary....

His designs collapsed the boundaries between indoors and out, and his innovative structures were built with a combination of local materials like natural stone and modern materials such as concrete and steel, with features like open plan spaces and large expanses of glass that influenced the development of modern architecture in Europe and the mid-century modern aesthetic that still resonates around the world today. Wright designed more than 1,000 buildings during a career that spanned 70 years....

While hiring a design pro can be a great solution to your decorating problems, they won’t just magically appear one day and solve everything. You need to play a part in the process as well. In order to make the most of the experience, make sure you’ve taken care of the following things before you hire a designer or decorator. Designer or Decorator? Before hiring a design professional you need to decide which is right for your project–a designer or a decorator....

Are Your Wood Floors Dull as Dirt? Sure, it’s a no-brainer that dirt and dust make floors look dingy. But you may be surprised to learn that when tracked, both leave behind superficial scratches that dull the surface. Fortunately, restoring dirty wood floors that have lost their sheen can be relatively straightforward. Deep Cleaning is as Easy as One-Two-Three A good deep cleaning may restore your tired floor’s former luster. Here’s what to do:...

Emphasize Building an Easy Deck Building a full-service deck with all of the bells and whistles may look simple when it’s shown on fast-forward on a home show. Crews of workers magically transform empty backyards into multi-level decks within minutes. In reality, do-it-yourself deck building is a slow process involving hundreds of pounds of lumber and concrete. This means that the need to keep things simple and easy is all the more important....

Want to join the fun? Get your hands on some tape, and get sticking with these 10 fabulous washi tape ideas for kids. Washi Tape Car Track from Le Jardin de Juliette Washi Tape Monogram Art from Lia Griffith Washi Tape Frames from House on the Way Washi Tape Table Top from Life Sweet Life Washi Tape Chalkboard House from Furious Shirley Washi Tape Growth Chart from Con Botas de Agua Washi Tape Wall Mural from Deserres Washi Tape Hand Print from Live Beauty Full

Your primary suite should feel like a private haven where you can escape from the world—and possibly the kids and pets—to practice self-care, bond with your partner, or simply to relish a good night’s sleep. Whether you prefer a minimalist neutral aesthetic or a colorful maximalist approach, check out these primary bedroom ideas from a range of interior designers that will inspire you to create your own at-home oasis that’s custom built to suit your needs....

Since you’ve recently moved, all these games are easy to set up and use items that you probably already have. This will make the party fun for you too, with easy setup and no stress fun. If you’re looking for something a bit more general, these party games for adults would be great incorporated into your housewarming party. If you’d like to give away small prizes for the winner of these games, a great idea that everyone will love is gift cards....

Choose the Longest Lasting Flower Varieties When it comes to life in the vase, not all flower types were created equal. The issue gets more confusing as some flowers that have a long blooming time in the garden are not necessarily good candidates for a long vase life. Among popular cut flowers, some of the longest lasting include alstroemerias, carnations, chrysanthemums, orchids, and zinnias. Some cut flower favorites with a shorter shelf life include dahlias, gladiolus, and sunflowers....

Fortunately, there are some tried-and-true techniques that can help keep your Halloween carving fresh longer. Learn how to extend the life of those carving creations with just a few simple steps. Pick the Right Pumpkin The first step in selecting the perfect gourd is to choose a carving pumpkin rather than a pie pumpkin. Carving pumpkins are larger with thinner skin and have less “guts” on the inside. If possible, buy your pumpkin from a local pumpkin patch, as not does that help the local growers in your area, but you’re also getting a fresher, less thrown-around pumpkin that’s potentially been harmed during the shipping process....