The Property Brothers Reveal the Best Bathroom Upgrade of 2020

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Ever wonder what it’d be like to renovate your parents’ house? That’s what Drew and Jonathan Scott face on the latest “Property Brothers: Forever Home.”

In the Season 4 episode “Buying Mom and Dad’s House,” the brothers help Mike and Ashley renovate Ashley’s parents’ house in Las Vegas. The home is woefully outdated, but Ashley and Mike have an impressive $155,000 budget to update this old house.

Here’s how the Scott brothers bring this house into the modern age—with some take-home lessons you might be inspired to try in your own abode.

A large island can help define an open floor plan

The Scott brothers know that an outdated kitchen can age the whole house.

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Ashley’s parents’ old house was renovated in the early 2000s, so it’s still in fairly good shape. Still, Drew and Jonathan know that the home, especially the kitchen, could use some updates.

The brothers replace the dark cabinets and add some fun new lighting fixtures, but when it comes to the kitchen island, the brothers realize that they’re going to need to make a big change.

This bigger island makes the kitchen feel brand-new.

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The existing island is already large, but once the brothers take down a living room wall, the space feels awkwardly open. Jonathan points out that with the wall gone, the kitchen and living room need an even larger island to fill up the space.

“Having the island here with the breakfast bar seating will just be that perfect way to anchor the kitchen,” he says.

With dark cabinets and a crisp white counter, this new, bigger island is a welcome addition. Plus, the brothers note that the additional counter space will come in handy when Ashley’s extended family gather to whip up their Italian meals.

“This is going to be the perfect Italian family pasta-making station,” Drew says of the new island.

Faux beams look about as good as real ones

These faux beams add a rustic look to the living room.

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Mike and Ashley would love some faux beams in the living room, but Drew and Jonathan run into a problem when they realize the ceilings are wider than expected.

Jonathan explains that the beams are too short for this living room and, if installed as is, they’d end right in the middle of the ceiling.

“Normally we take them either into a shorter run right into the wall or into another beam,” Jonathan says, inspecting the space.

So the brothers plan to install two beams that could meet in the middle of the ceiling and order faux brackets to conceal the seams. The brackets are made of foam, making them lightweight while still looking great.

Large sliding doors add indoor-outdoor flow

These sliding doors make the space feel much larger.

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While Mike and Ashley are most focused on making this home kid-friendly for their future family, they’d also like to have a great space for entertaining their friends.

So Drew and Jonathan install large, glass sliding doors on either side of the fireplace. These doors provide a beautiful view of the backyard, plus the indoor-outdoor flow will help large gatherings feel less crowded.

“Not only are they going to have a total of 20 linear feet of glass, but they’re also going to have these beautiful sliders that open up,” Jonathan says, “5 feet opening on one side, 5 feet on the other side—so they can throw parties and have everybody come in and out.”

A steam shower is the latest, greatest bathroom luxury

The steam shower looks perfect in this big bathroom.

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Drew and Jonathan know that style updates are a must for this old home, but they also realize that the house could use some modern comforts.

The brothers decide to give the master bathroom a makeover by adding one of the hottest amenities of the year: a steam shower. The new shower is certainly luxurious, but the brothers explain that it can be tricky installing this modern feature because it requires unique materials.

Jonathan explains that while natural stone tiles may be popular these days, porcelain tile is best for this kind of shower.

“Nonporous tiles like porcelain won’t absorb the heat the same way as natural stone will,” he says.

Wainscoting can add personality to a bedroom

This bedroom was definitely dated and needed a refresh.

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Of course, Ashley and Mike don’t want to be reminded of Ashley’s parents when they’re in their new master bedroom, so Drew and Jonathan know they need to give the room a new look.

They replace the dated, bulky furniture with more modern pieces, and they add some dark wainscoting behind the headboard for a new style.

Jonathan points out that this update is easy to install, and it’s an elegant way to make a room look a little different.

“It’s a great way to create an upscale-looking design without blowing your budget,” says Jonathan.

Drew and Jonathan Scott knew dark wainscoting would make this bedroom look modern and bold.

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The post The Property Brothers Reveal the Best Bathroom Upgrade of 2020 appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

How To Keep Bugs From Hitching a Ride Into Your Home via Your Christmas Tree

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Beloved traditions like trimming the tree and decking the halls are what make the holidays a cherished time of year. Yes, even this year. But beware, homeowners: Fresh holiday greenery and decorations stored in the attic could bring holiday grinches like spiders, ticks, and ants into your house.

“While these decorations are meant to bring joy, they can actually end up causing quite a headache if any pests manage to catch a ride into your home,” said Cindy Mannes, senior vice president of public affairs for the National Pest Management Association.

Mannes says bugs like to hide deep in the branches of trees and wreaths, and many other pests, including spotted lanternflies, like to lay eggs in them.

“This makes thorough inspections crucial to preventing an infestation,” she says.

Don’t let your holly, jolly holidays become a pest nightmare before Christmas. To keep unwelcome bugs out of your festivities this holiday season, consider the following tips.

Carefully inspect live greenery

Part of the fun of the holidays is decorating with live greenery like wreaths, trees, and garlands. But live greenery should always be checked for signs of pests or eggs.

“Homeowners can help prevent the spread of pests by buying healthy plant material,” says Sarah Scally, assistant horticulturist for the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry. Before purchasing, look at the tree, wreath, or garland for signs of pests, including insects, egg masses, and disease symptoms.

“Avoid greenery that is yellowing, drooping, losing needles, oozing sap, or has holes or sawdust on twigs or trunks. These can all be signs that pests may be present,” says Scally.

Shake out all live greenery

Once you’ve thoroughly examined your greenery, there’s one extra step to take just in case your eyes missed something.

“Pests such as spiders, mites, and ticks are known to nest in live garlands and wreaths,” says Mannes. “Shake out trees to dislodge any hiding hitchhikers you might not be able to see at first glance.”

Properly store firewood

Being prepared for a cold winter means stocking up on firewood for your fireplace or backyard fire pit. But be sure you properly store your wood supply to avoid pests.

Mannes recommends storing firewood at least 20 feet from your home and 5 feet off the ground to limit access for pests.

“Firewood poses a high risk of moving serious invasive pests—such as emerald ash borer and Asian longhorned beetle—inside your home. Purchase firewood that is grown locally. If local firewood is not available, purchase firewood that has been heat-treated,” says Scally.

She says regulations concerning firewood vary by state, so be sure to check and follow any local regulations before moving firewood.

Inspect firewood before bringing indoors

Having extra firewood ready to go for your fireplace is essential to keep that roaring, crackling fireplace going. With the temperatures dipping outside, you’re going to want to quickly brave the frigid air to grab more wood for your fire. Be sure to check for any signs of pests before bringing anything indoors.

“A warm fire is the perfect way to get cozy on a cold winter night, but firewood stored outdoors and brought inside can also create pest problems. Spiders, ants, and termites are known to take shelter amidst firewood stored outdoors and can easily hitch a ride into the home,” says Mannes. “Inspect any firewood before bringing it indoors to ensure that pests stay outside.”

Dispose of greenery responsibly

Holiday cleanup sadly ends with the unhappy task of ditching your evergreen decor. But when disposing of live greenery, place it as far from the home as possible to avoid attracting pests to your property.

“These pieces of live greenery can attract mice, rats, and other pests looking for harborage sites during the winter,” says Mannes.

Scally says if your greenery appears to have been pest-free, it is fine to compost, but “if over the holiday season it becomes obvious that there is a pest present, the greenery should be bagged and disposed of with the regular trash.”

Contact a  licensed pest control

If an infestation is suspected, it’s important to enlist the help of professionals. Pests that enter a home (e.g., termites, ants, and rodents) can create serious health threats to humans and significant property damage. Don’t try to go it alone.

“Rodents are known to spread over 35 diseases worldwide, and termites cause more than $5 billion in U.S. property damage every year,” says Mannes.

The post How To Keep Bugs From Hitching a Ride Into Your Home via Your Christmas Tree appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

What Is Laundry Stripping? A Mesmerizing Way To Deep-Clean Clothes

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Sure, you wash your dirty clothes, but have you tried the hot new “quarancleaning” trend of laundry stripping?

Laundry-stripping video tutorials have taken off on TikTok and other social media outlets, and for good reason. The videos start by showing a bathtub full of crystal-clear water, to which is added a load of supposedly clean laundry and a few magic ingredients. After a few time-lapsed hours go by, the water is a dingy gray-brown and the clothes are, presumably, really clean.

If you’re wondering how to strip laundry and whether it’s safe, you’re not alone. Here’s what you need to know about this viral cleaning trend and how to pull it off at home.

What is laundry stripping?

Laundry stripping is essentially a deep-cleaning process that rids your clothing and linens of all the nasty gunk, body oil, dirt, fabric softener, and other residue that may not be removed by regular washing machines.

“It provides physical proof that our regular laundry methods might not be working as well as we thought they were,” says Michelle Hansen, a professional organizer and cleaning expert with Practical Perfection.

Laundry stripping is actually a well-established cleaning process used by big companies like P&G, which makes laundry detergents and other household products.

According to Jennifer Ahoni, a senior scientist for Tide who works in the P&G Fabric Care laboratory, the company’s scientists use a special heavy-duty detergent instead of borax, baking soda, and regular detergent, but the goal and outcome is the same: superclean fabrics, without any unwanted residue.

“We strip fabrics before testing, and we also strip fabrics between testing,” she says. “We do this in order to eliminate contamination from chemicals applied to fabrics during the manufacturing process on new items and the transfer of laundry product residues on washed items between testing.”

How to strip laundry at home

If you want to try laundry stripping yourself, it’s pretty easy to get started with the following cleaning products you likely already have around the house:

• Powdered laundry detergent
• Borax
• Baking soda

People use varying amounts of each of these ingredients, but some of the most popular recipes call for around half-cup detergent, quarter-cup borax, and quarter-cup baking soda for a bathtub full of water.

In your own DIY laundry-stripping formula, each chemical has a role to play, Ahoni says.

The borax and baking soda help release hard-water minerals trapped in fabrics, the detergent breaks down and removes any buildup, and the hot water helps to loosen residues and other dirt, she says.

Start by filling a bathtub or a large sink with hot water, then add the detergent, borax, and baking soda. Stir the water (you can use a large spoon or a broomstick). Toss your clean laundry in, making sure you don’t overflow the tub, then stir the water again to make sure your laundry is submerged.

You can check on your laundry’s progress every few hours, but you’ll want to soak your clothes for at least five or six hours. By then, the water will probably have turned a dark, murky color.

Afterward, wring all the dirty water out of your laundry, drain the tub, toss the items into the washing machine and run them through the rinse cycle without any detergent. Dry and fold as normal.

Is laundry stripping safe?

While laundry stripping isn’t likely to ruin your linens, it can cause bright colors to fade over time, so you’ll want to do this sparingly with colors. You’ll also want to avoid using laundry stripping for delicates or anything that you’d otherwise take to the dry cleaner.

Before stripping, make sure to read the labels on your laundry carefully, since hot water is typically a no-go for fabrics like polyester or nylon.

White towels, bedsheets, and other linens, on the other hand, are fair game. You can even try laundry stripping on items like pillows, comforters, and blankets.

When you wear the laundry-stripped clothes or sleep under the sheets later, your skin isn’t likely to be irritated by all the various powders used in the process. That said, if your skin is extra sensitive, you’ll want to use a fragrance-free or unscented detergent.

How often to strip laundry

“Laundry stripping is a long process and should only be done to clothes a few times a year to avoid damage to clothes,” Hansen says.

Bottom line: Though laundry stripping is kind of fun and the results are dramatic, it’s probably not something you’re going to do every day.

Ahoni says you can achieve similar results by washing with a heavy-duty hygienic laundry detergent or a purifying/detoxifying fabric softener like 9 Elements lemon laundry purifying softener (9 Elements, $21.99) in your regular washing machine.

The post What Is Laundry Stripping? A Mesmerizing Way To Deep-Clean Clothes appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

I Live in My Home Like I’m Staging It for Sale—Here’s Why You Should, Too

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Two years ago, my husband and I were gearing up to put our first home on the market, which meant our house was due for a deep cleaning and an organizational overhaul.

After we got the house sparkling clean and staged for sale, we started to fall in love with it all over again. We looked around at our newly organized pantry and immaculate closets and wondered, Why haven’t we always lived like this?

Now in our new house, I’ve taken lessons from the home-staging process to maintain a relatively clean, uncluttered space. Of course, maintaining a pristine home 24/7 isn’t realistic—I’d drive myself nuts if I snapped every time laundry piled up or a crumb hit the counter.

But if you’re looking for a little inspiration to keep your space tidy, try it out: Imagine you’re staging it for sale. It’s not about aiming for a picture-perfect home, and you don’t need to repaint all the walls in neutral colors or buy trendy decor. For me, simply pretending that I need to spiff up my home for a prospective buyer is motivation to keep organized—and ultimately, I’m the one who benefits from it.

Here are a few reasons this method works so well.

1. You’re forced to confront the closets and corners you’ve been ignoring

Photo by Organized Living 

Right before we listed our house, our real estate agent sent a professional stager to assess the space. The stager made a beeline to our messy laundry area in the basement and suggested buying a few inexpensive baskets to consolidate all of the items strewed atop the washer and dryer.

It seemed so obvious—why hadn’t I thought of this?!—but her simple tip made a serious difference.

One Target trip later, my detergent, fabric softener, and dryer sheets were neatly concealed in a basket on top of the dryer that was both cute and functional.

Giving myself permission to splurge on wicker baskets also gave me an incentive to declutter closets and bathrooms. I’m not an interior decorator by any stretch of the imagination, but reframing organization as an opportunity to decorate and beautify has made it feel like less of a chore.

2. Less bedroom clutter = less stress

At our first house, our bedroom had become a magnet for miscellaneous items. Little did I know that crumpled clothing on the floor and cluttered nightstands aren’t just an eyesore—all that extra junk can also increase stress levels.

When the stager spotted our dressers and nightstands covered in tchotchkes, her instructions were simple: Clear away the clutter if you want to appeal to prospective buyers.

I dutifully followed her orders, and I quickly found that a tidy bedroom appealed more to me, too. After decluttering, I took away a new perspective on what my bedroom could be: an organized oasis for relaxation instead of just a crash pad.

As a final touch, the stager also gave us extra throw pillows for the bed to make the room cozier and more inviting. I’ve taken a page from her playbook in our new house, incorporating a fluffy accent pillow on the bed to add a warm touch that makes the room feel more Zen and less like a zoo.

3. Clearing out the kitchen can be life-changing

Photo by CR Cabinetry Kitchen & Bath Design Studio 

If there’s one thing I learned from working with a professional stager, it’s that I have a habit of covering every open surface with stuff, including (and especially) the kitchen counters. At first, my husband and I balked when she told us to hide the coffee maker, toaster, and steak knives during every showing and open house.

We used those items all the time! Where else would they go?

But after we found a new home for the appliances, we came to embrace her suggestion. The coffee maker didn’t really need a permanent residence next to the sink, and with all the counter space we freed up, it felt like a new (and much larger) kitchen.

The newfound space for food prep was a bonus for my husband and me—not just a ploy to appeal to prospective buyers.

4. You’ll always be ready for surprise guests

Photo by Lark Interior 

Preparing for overnight guests used to be an ordeal. Now, when my family shows up for a last-minute visit, I don’t need to panic. The “live in your home like you’re staging it for sale” mantra is a lifesaver when it comes time to entertain.

By maintaining a solid baseline for cleanliness and organization, I can prepare for guests with just a quick breeze through the house to pick up stray items and wipe down counters and bathroom surfaces.

5. Eventually, organizing becomes automatic instead of traumatic

The early days of decluttering a space or staging a house can be fairly intense. For the first time in months (or maybe years), you’re coming face to face with the messy corners and overflowing closets that have become catchall storage spaces.

But once you get through the initial work, keeping your space clean doesn’t require as much thought or effort. Over time, you’ll fall into a rhythm that’s sustainable. It’s way easier to maintain an organized house than it is to organize a disastrous space from scratch.

The post I Live in My Home Like I’m Staging It for Sale—Here’s Why You Should, Too appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

How To Install A Bathroom Vanity

How To Do Holiday Lights Right

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Holiday lights undoubtedly keep the season (and spirits) merry and bright through the beginning of the new year—it’s extra cheer we can all use right about now. But there’s a difference between a tasteful presentation and being the only home on the block that stands out like a disco ball gone awry.

To outfit your home in the sparkle of the season to its best advantage, follow these tips from the design pros so it’s dressed to impress in the chicest, brightest version of itself.

Make a singular statement

Designer Alison Pickart opts for star-shaped Moroccan lanterns hung in trees for a unique presentation.

Alison Pickart

“Stick with a consistent methodology for installing the lights by following the branches on the trees with lights or by wrapping only the perimeter of the trees. Try to keep the method consistent for all the trees or bushes.

“I love white lights; they are perfect and simple. However, there are choices when it comes to white lights because string lights are now made in LED form. I always recommend using warm whites as they are closest to old-school string lights. Cool white often reads really blue and super bright. Colored lights are beautiful as well, but just keep the look consistent and follow one path rather than mixing them all together.

“If you have one show-stopper tree on your property, I always like going for it by hanging all the lights on that one tree. Pick the biggest and nicest shaped branches evenly around the tree and wrap those branches generously. You always wind up needing more lights than you think, so stock up.

“Everyone expresses their joy differently. I love a tastefully done white light display, but I also love big colorful bulbs, too. I usually change up our display from year to year and sometimes I hang colorful Moroccan lanterns in our trees and use string lights with retro large color bulbs. The key, I have found, is to pick a central pair of trees or a hedge and do a big moment there rather than scattering the lights and the applications around every hedge and tree in your yard.

— Chicago and San Francisco-based interior designer Alison Pickart

Keep things consistent

“Lights are all about scale and proportion. Don’t hang them at random or it will look unintentional; finish whatever scale you start. If you only want to do your entryway; do just that. Next step would be another complete thought, like all your rooflines or soffits. It’s all about not leaving something halfway done. I like to hang Christmas lights on roof ridges, hips, valleys and soffits. A tasteful display around your driveway and sidewalk is always a winner if you have the entire house lit up as well.

“I prefer the classy nature of all-white lights and mixing different sizes of bulbs. I like bigger bulbs on the roof lines and smaller lights everywhere else. I like static lights for sure, but if you do use blinking, don’t put them everywhere; space them out in an even distribution.

“Lighting control is one of the easiest ways to ensure your holiday lights stay looking the way you want them to without having to plug them in every day. I use the Legrand Smart Outdoor Switch with GFCI. This Wi-Fi-connected device is perfect for managing your holiday light displays. You can control your lights with an app and set up certain schedules to your desired on and off times.”

— Chip Wade, HGTV star, interior designer and contractor based in Atlanta

Think about scale

Designer Jessica Davis uses bistro lights for a sophisticated twinkle.

Emily Followill

“Stick with a theme; make sure all the lights you use are the same type. Mostly it’s about making the display look tidy and not like a mess.

“Use the scale of your home as a guide and if you can’t afford to light the whole thing, think about special points of interest like a lit wreath or lit garland around the front door. Better to go bold in one or two places than to have tiny strings of lights on your eaves that don’t work there. And think about proportion—if you have a large house, for example, go big.”

— Jessica Davis of Atelier Davis in Atlanta

Strike the right balance

“Holiday lights are like frosting. If you use too few, you’re left wishing there were more, or it looks like you never finished. Use too many lights and it is overwhelming. If you can strike just the right balance, they will highlight the beauty of your home and its exterior.

“I love lights intertwined with garland on the front door or draped across the front porch. This way you are using the lights to illuminate the decorations you see during the day and bringing them to life at night.”

— Marika Meyer of Marika Meyer Interiors in Washington, D.C.

The post How To Do Holiday Lights Right appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

10 COVID-19 Christmas Tree Ornaments To Top Off This Ridiculous Year

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Combine Christmas with the coronavirus and what do you get? An array of hilarious COVID-themed ornaments for your holiday tree!

Because let’s face it: As we hunker down this holiday season and brace for a second (or third) wave of infections, we could all stand for a little laughter right now. And a holiday ornament shaped like toilet paper is sure to get a chuckle or two—and, years later, will spark memories of just how weird a ride 2020 truly was.

So if you’re craving some timely additions to your holiday decor this year, consider some of these coronavirus-themed Christmas tree ornaments and decorations below.

1. Masked Santa

St. Nick knows how to cover up right.

Amazon

Of course the light-blue surgical face mask is the epitome of 2020 gloom and doom, which means Santa, his many elves, and all those fuzzy brown reindeer will be seen with masks of every size and color covering noses and snouts ($8.50, Amazon).

2. Toilet paper

Two-ply or 4? Either way, TP is rockin’ Christmas this year.

Etsy

Remember those toilet paper shortages? Here’s to hoping they never happen again. Still, if you’re into bathroom humor with a COVID-19 twist, this Charmin-themed ornament is for you ($17, Etsy).

3. COVID-19 virus

The virus on the tree will remind you to wash your hands.

Etsy

We’ve all seen depictions of the COVID-19 germ: red, prickly, deadly. It’s your call as to whether it’s a welcome bauble for your holiday tree ($15, Etsy).

4. First responder

Thank your local EMTs, and place this one front and center.

Amazon

Doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers, and other medical staff put their lives on the line to treat their fellow Americans this year. Bonus: You can personalize this cute guy for the favorite first responder in your family ($15, Amazon).

5. Hand sanitizer

Here’s to a germ-free Yule!

Amazon

Hand sanitizer became a permanent fixture in our homes this year. So it makes sense it would appear on our trees, too ($8, Amazon).

6. Zoom meeting

Can you hear me now? #Zoomsucks

Etsy

You’ve Zoomed your family check-ins and Zoomed those weekly budget meetings. Your kids have Zoomed school, and your book club insists on Zooming, too. To pay tribute to this ubiquitous platform, why not get a Zoom ornament, too ($25, Etsy).

7. Lysol wipes

Why didn’t I buy stock in Lysol last year?

Etsy

In the “before” times you kept a tub of disinfectant wipes under the sink for when the dog lost its lunch on the living room floor. But now, wipes are everywhere, and deserve a spot on your fir tree ($18, Etsy).

8. Quarantine baking

Brioche, babka, and buns, oh my!

PersonalizedOrnamentsForYou

Got a sister or neighbor who cooked her way through Ina Garten‘s books during quarantine? Here’s the ideal gift ($15, PersonalizedOrnamentsForYou) for her tree (or your own) to commemorate the many hours spent laboring over dinners from around the world. Tagine, anyone?

9. Puppy love

Puppy adoptions soared in 2020.

Callister Christmas

At your weakest moment you rescued a pooch to keep the kids happy and to spread a little love (and lots of kibble and fur) in your home. Admit it, it’s the best decision you’ve ever made, so show it on your tree with pride ($15, Callister Christmas).

10. The middle finger

We all feel like flipping the bird at 2020.

Etsy

Yup—this is how we really feel about 2020. From the deadly coronavirus to the wackiest-ever election, we are so ready for this year to be over—and this ornament can help you give it the heave-ho ($12.50, Etsy).

The post 10 COVID-19 Christmas Tree Ornaments To Top Off This Ridiculous Year appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

8 Creative Places To Store Cookbooks Other Than Your Kitchen Counter

Gege Gatt (www.gegegatt.com) / Getty Images

The holidays and coronavirus have many of us cooking more than ever, but kitchen fatigue can easily settle in. Need some inspiration for tackling a new dish, from ratatouille to creme brulee? It might be time to crack open those cookbooks.

Even in this digital age where recipes run amok online, nothing beats those glossy pages of a physical tome filled with gorgeous dishes. This may explain why most homeowners have a bunch of cookbooks—and often wonder where to put them.

Leaving nice books out in the same place where you fry up the morning’s bacon is a recipe for nastiness.

“Cookbooks on the counter can get pretty gross, so if you don’t have a shelf for them, try and dedicate an out-of-the way space to keep them clean,” says Karen Gray-Plaisted of Design Solutions KGP.

The key is to find a place that’s out of the way (and the food spray) but within reach if you need some motivation.

“If you’re a cook who uses an iPad and smart speaker more than actual books, think about storing them in a distant, but clever spot,” suggests Darla DeMorrow, author of “Organizing Your Home with SORT and SUCCEED.”

For more creative storage, take a look at these eight places to store and organize your cookbooks in the kitchen.

1. Modify a nearby door

A cellar door becomes a welcome cookbook shelf.

Catherine Nguyen

Carole Marcotte, the design mind behind the interior firm Form & Function, was rather tight on space in her own kitchen. Her solution: She redesigned the door to the basement to hold her cookbooks.

“It gave much-needed shelf space for my collection, and it didn’t increase the kitchen’s footprint,” she says.

2. Add an island bookcase

Photo by Tara Seawright Interior Design 

Serious home chefs own dozens of cookbooks, which means installing a bookcase or shelving unit at the end of a kitchen island is a good investment. Or if you already have a wine rack or other bottle storage in your island, you could also turn this into a DIY project by repurposing it into book shelving instead.

3. Fill the odd cabinet above the fridge

Photo by Podesta Construction 

What’s up with that funny cubby anyway? Put this high-up spot to good use with a row of cookbooks. Bonus: You’ll store them safely and add visual interest and color to an otherwise forgotten spot.

Other lesser-used areas for book storage include a shelf in the pantry or space in a nearby laundry room.

Or you might show off your cookbooks from behind a glass cabinet front, suggests Drew Henry of Design Dudes. This way, they take center stage but are still protected from splashes and spills.

“You can also display cookbooks if you have cutout soffits, which are small niches under an architectural detail like an eave or archway,” says Julie Coraccio, author of “Got Clutter? 365 Journal Prompts.”

4. Add a wall rack

Photo by Houzz

Make like your local library, and attach racks to your kitchen walls for your cookbooks. Wall-mounted storage like this is inexpensive, is easy to install, and can brighten up a wall when you slot in colorful tomes.

Another related option is to lean books on frame ledges or retrofit a spice rack to hold your stacks.

5. Make a free-standing shelf

Photo by Studio Stamp 

A skinny, stand-alone bookcase is another smart idea for kitchens that need cookbook storage, especially if you have a tiny cook space.

A vertical piece takes up just a little real estate, and ones made from acrylic or Lucite are easy to wipe clean. And selecting a piece made from clear materials means it can fade into the background nicely, making your books the true star.

6. Wheel in a cart

Books on wheels? We’re sold!

Wayfair

In a small kitchen, portable cookbook storage is genius. You can slot your manuals in each section and then slide it out of the way when it’s not in use.

This pretty pink pick ($57.99, Wayfair) features four wheels that swivel freely and four bins to hold books, beverages, succulents, and more.

7. Use wire baskets

Photo by Closet POSSIBLE 

Wire baskets are a kitchen workhorse, holding root veggies, bottles of seltzer, and stacks of dish towels. To this long list of uses, add cookbook storage.

Hanging wire baskets are another idea that’ll keep books out of the way and off your countertops. And if you come across old fruit crates or wooden troughs, these pieces house cookbooks in style.

8. Lean on a ladder

Photo by Lucy Call

An old ladder offers patina and texture to an often sterile-looking pale kitchen. If you have one you’re not using to reach high places, lean it against a nearby wall and stack your cookbooks on each step. Or try a skinny, apple-picking ladder to hold upside down books with the pages hanging on either side of each rung,

The post 8 Creative Places To Store Cookbooks Other Than Your Kitchen Counter appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

5 Advantages of an Ethanol Fireplace, the Cozy, Low-Maintenance Amenity You Need This Winter

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Curling up by the fire during winter is a dream that anyone can achieve—even those of us who live in a home that doesn’t have a traditional fireplace. If your place was built without a brick hearth, fear not. You can still create that ideal winter scene in your home without breaking down a wall (or breaking the bank). The solution? An ethanol fireplace.

Also called a bio fireplace, an ethanol fireplace can provide warmth and “wow” factor to a space, minus the hassles of burning wood and smoke.

“An ethanol fireplace is a much cleaner alternative to other gas or wood-burning fireplaces,” says Nate Bruen, franchisee and owner of Handyman Connection of Eden Prairie in Minnesota.

“Small amounts of water and carbon dioxide are the only byproducts of burning ethanol,” Bruen explains. Ethanol is a liquid biofuel produced by fermenting various plants such as corn or soybeans, and is a renewable fuel.

Need more motivation? Here are some of the top reasons to get an ethanol fireplace.

1. No chimney

Photo by Planika Fires

A traditional fireplace, and even a gas-powered fireplace, requires a chimney to release the smoke. An ethanol fireplace doesn’t create smoke, so it doesn’t need a chimney, vent, or flue to let out the smoke. That means you can put one just about anywhere in your home.

“They are very cost-effective and eco-friendly, as the fuel source is derived from renewables,” says Justin Orr, customer service manager with The Bio Flame, a manufacturer of ethanol fireplaces.

2. No need to be installed in your home’s structure

Photo by Krista + Home
Unlike traditional fireplaces that need to be built into your home, ethanol fireplaces are portable, so you can put one in the bedroom, dining room, or living room.

“Ethanol fireplaces are incredibly easy to install, compared to other types,” says Bruen.

Orr says ethanol fireplaces do not require any venting or gas lines.

“This is great for condos, basements, or areas where it is difficult or impossible to run venting or gas. This makes it a simple installation even after the construction of a home,” says Orr.

Since ethanol fireplaces are not permanent, they can be removed and reinstalled at any time or when you are relocating.

3. Ethanol fireplaces will really warm you up

Photo by JWT Associates
Fireplaces are all about cultivating a warm, cozy environment, and ethanol fireplaces deliver. Ethanol fireplaces can heat a room of up to 600 square feet, which is more than what traditional fireplaces can do. Plus, they have playful, bright flames.

“They give off more heat than electric fireplaces and produce a real flame, which looks terrific when comparing to electric or gas,” says Orr.

4. Ambiance without the smoke

Photo by Houzz
There’s a reason interior designers love to incorporate ethanol fireplaces into spaces: They provide a modern, sophisticated feel to the home with the full functionality of a fireplace. Ethanol fireplaces vary in size and designs, with finishes like shiny steel, matte black, or transparent glass. They can be a design element indoors or outdoors and can be placed on the floor or table, or mounted on a wall.

Unlike the artificial flames of electric fireplaces, ethanol fireplaces produce “a vibrant, real flame that exceeds any homeowner’s expectations,” says Orr.

5. Ethanol fireplaces are low-maintenance

Photo by The Elite Home

A traditional wood fireplace requires the messy job of scraping out ash and coals and disposing of the waste. Ethanol fireplaces do not require regular maintenance, and they don’t lose color or corrode after years of use.

“Aside from ethanol being a highly efficient fuel, it also burns much cleaner,” says Bruen. “You won’t have to worry about smoke, ashes, or soot causing a mess inside your home.”

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8 Fun Ways To Fill a Blank Wall (Other Than With Snoozy Pictures and Mirrors)

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Few decorating challenges are as hard as filling blank wall space. Many default to family photos or souvenir pictures from recent travel. But after a while, staring at wedding portraits or the kids when they were little isn’t that inspiring.

Break out of this rut! Plan a wall gallery in at least one room that’s different from all the rest.

Darla DeMorrow, author of “Organizing Your Home With SORT and SUCCEED,” urges her clients to look beyond straight, flat items and go for depth and meaning.

“Make the focal point something that’s three-dimensional or vintage or personal—or all three,” she suggests.

In fact, if you can hang it up, you can make a wall display that’s creative, colorful, or just plain fun.

For some inspiration, here are eight things you can mount and admire in your home that go beyond pictures and mirrors.

1. Greenery

Photo by Houzz

Sure, a huge photograph would be stylish—and expected—but a wall of cute planters is much more inviting.

“There are many manufacturers that sell small pots to hang on walls, so you can literally grow your own art,” suggests Karen Gray-Plaisted of Design Solutions KGP.

Keep in mind that not every pot needs to be dirt-filled. Faux plants are smart to mix into an interior green wall as they’re often brighter and can fill in gaps when live ones fail.

2. Fabrics

Photo by Houzz

A fabulous kilim, batik, macrame, or other tapestry picked up from a long ago journey is an excellent addition to a front hall or bedroom wall. Or put up a family heirloom like a quilt your grandmother stitched or a rug that you don’t want trampled.

“Fabrics wrapped around a wooden frame or hung from a pole are inexpensive and create a great focal point, plus they’re lightweight and easy to transport if you rent an apartment or move frequently,” says Gray-Plaisted.

3. Empty frames

Photo by Shannon Ggem Design

Truth: This one’s picture-adjacent, but hear us out. Blank frames, especially an eclectic collection, can make a standout gallery wall.

“I love the empty frame trend and want to bring it back, so grab frames in varying sizes from the attic and arrange them in an interesting pattern,” suggests Drew Henry of Design Dudes.

Henry likes to spray-paint a grouping like this and insert an accent piece into one or two frames, like a leaf or nest.

4. Platters and bowls

Photo by René Zieg 

The kitchen and dining spaces cry out for a wall gallery that’s related to food or entertaining. To that end, comb through your collections of plates, platters, or bowls to determine the right kind of tableau.

You can order special wire hangers for each item to secure them to the wall, or put up a plate rack and slot your wares in.

5. Juju hats

Photo by Chango & Co.

Bedrooms, bathrooms, foyers, and more—you name it, and a juju hat collection has taken up residence in it. This darling of the design world is trending big-time, in part because of its unusual fluffy texture and cool backstory.

Crafted by artisans in Africa, juju hats symbolize wealth and prosperity and were worn by royalty.

No juju near you? Canvass your closets and coat racks for a motley collection of bowlers, baseball caps, fedoras, or cowboy hats. Nail ’em up—and voila!

6. Old shutters

Bring the outside in with a set of shutters on the wall.

Katie McCann

Have some shutters in the garage or a backyard shed? You’ll add texture and color to your wall by hanging them.

Katie McCann, a home and office organizing professional at Haven, found this set at Marshalls.

“I use them to hang the cooking utensils I grab less frequently in the kitchen,” she says.

7. Clip art

Photo by Sarah Greenman 

Julie Coraccio likes to hang fishing wire and use clothespins to secure pieces.

“I particularly like this idea for kids’ art since you can clip all those projects they make in a fun, lighthearted way,” says Coraccio, author of “Got Clutter?”

Kids’ bedroom walls are also ideal for collections as wall art.

“Install a shelf and put displays there,” she adds, including soccer trophies, race cars, circus animals, dolls, or other figurines.

8. Baskets

Photo by ANA Interiors 

Baskets don’t last forever, especially when they’re not in use. They can get dried out and crumble, and end up looking like dusty junk. Fix this mess by mounting them on your wall.

“I scored many of these from consignment shops, thrift stores, Pier 1, and garage sales, and once I made my composition on the floor, I photographed it and meticulously tacked them to the wall,” says Ana Cummings of the eponymous design firm.

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