Using decorative mirrors—from antique to vintage to contemporary styles—is an easy way to make an impact in any room in the house. Hanging a decorative mirror on the wall can make a room feel bigger, brighter, and more visually interesting. Well-placed mirrors can make small spaces feel more expansive, create perspectives, and bounce around natural light. They can be used to create a focal point, to add sparkle and depth to a windowless wall, to make a statement or to blend into the background and help the rest of your decor to shine....

While you might feel alone in your hate for folding laundry or avoidance of the dishes, you’re certainly not the only one—even professional cleaners have chores that they dislike. Of all the chores out there that need to get done, these are the select few professional cleaners and cleaning experts hate the most. But thanks to their expertise and superb cleaning knowledge, they even have a few tips for getting through them quicker and more easily....

Here are 30 reasons to celebrate during the month of April.

The following plants, when grown hydroponically, can be used for botanical decor or to propagate your existing houseplant collection. Just make sure to change the water every two to four weeks and use a water-soluble fertilizer when necessary. How to Grow Plants in Water Many indoor plants can be grown by propagating a cutting in a water-only medium in almost any vessel that will hold water. Glass vases are atheistically pleasing, as they allow you to see the plant’s roots....

Here’s a look at the features, pricing, and maintenance considerations of these popular materials, as well as the timeless options of wood and metal. Wood clapboard or beveled lap siding is horizontal and has overlapping joints that help shed water. Wood plank or board siding is vertical and comes in board and batten, board-on-board, and channel-groove or tongue-and-groove styles. Board siding also comes in a plywood version, often called T1-11, which is simply exterior plywood with various face treatments and groove patterns to emulate a traditional board-and-batten design....

A well-established herbal vine can produce a nearly impassable wall of color and fragrance. Vines also give a lush appearance to an area that might not be fully planted and filled with other herbs. Any way you look at it, herbal vines should be considered as an element in your garden landscape. Jasmine tea is an herbal tea typically blended with green or white tea, which is then dried and stored until the jasmine leaves are ready....

A traditional toast is an excellent toast to say; they’re short and easy to remember. It’s good to have at least one all-purpose toast in your memory bank to use as you raise your glass at the perfect moment. Whether you’re looking for a funny or friendly toast, or some drinking toasts, never be at a loss for words. These catchy phrases impress or save the day with a sentiment beyond “Cheers!...

Read more about our Diversity and Inclusion Pledge to make The Spruce a site where all feel welcome.

Apartment Washer Options Portable Washing Machine A portable machine is smaller than a stationary machine, generally ranging from 1.6 to 2.6 cubic feet in capacity, though ultra-compact 1.0 cubic foot models and larger 3.0 cubic feet models can also be found. To understand the capacity, a 1.5 cubic feet machine will roughly hold two pajama tops, one pajama bottom, two sweatshirts, one pair of jeans, two shirts, and one dress. All portables are top-load machines....

USDA Growing Zones: 9 to 11Color Varieties: Blue, white and pinkSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Sandy USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9Color Varieties: Lavender blueSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Any well-draining soil USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9Color Varieties: Red, pink, and blueSun Exposure: Full to partial sunSoil Needs: Moist enriched soil USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8Color Varieties: White, yellow, pink or red.Sun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Well-drained soil (clayey soil is fine)...

Just kidding. It’s not like that. Not exactly. But whether you’ve experienced the cleanliness and order personally or are secretly this way, here are five telltale signs you’re in the home of a true organization enthusiast: 1. Everything Is Color-Coordinated When you’re in the home of a true organization enthusiast, one thing is very clear: colors (and labels—but we’ll get to that in a minute) rule everything. Each room has a color scheme and, more often than not, everything within that room perfectly coordinates with that color scheme....

“I’m a ‘wannabe’ chef,” she said. “And there’s nothing like settling down in the comfort of your own home (van), with a beautifully and deliciously cooked meal on a decorative plate. I enjoy my meal twice as much, then.” Knowing the road might get bumpy, she tried to wrap and secure the porcelain dinnerware, but they were no match for a pothole. After the third piece broke, she realized she’d made a mistake....

This guide breaks down 5 common types of locks, including the purpose, benefits, and drawbacks of each. Learn more about the various types of locks, so you can choose the best lock based on the situation to protect your home, family, and belongings, Cam locks are light-duty locks commonly used to secure cabinets, drawers, and other small compartments. They have a cylindrical base with a keyhole and a metal latch known as the cam....

Home additions come in a number of basic types to address homeowners’ needs for living space, cost, and style. They can range from relatively low-cost attic or basement expansions to expensive, full-size conventional additions that require excavation, footings, and additional siding and roofing. Garage conversions can even legitimately be called additions since so much living area is added at once. And an increasingly popular option is a secondary living structure detached from the main house, used as an independent dwelling unit....

These six alternatives will not replace chlorine bleach as a disinfectant to kill bacteria but will help keep your white clothes looking good and are easier on the environment. For laundry that must be disinfected, there are other choices like pine oil and phenolic disinfectants to replace chlorine bleach. To whiten and brighten clothes, add 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide to each washer load of laundry. It can be safely used on a load of whites or colored clothes....

Here are eight common bed-making mistakes and how to set them right. You’re putting it on wrong: Look at the reverse side of your fitted sheet. One of the four corner pockets will have a tag sewn into the inside seam. For the perfect no-slip fit, the pocket with the tag belongs over the bottom left corner of the mattress. “Left” is based on your view when you’re lying in bed on your back....

Neutral room colors make sense if you prefer to bring color to a room with an accent wall, accessories, and furniture choices instead of wall colors. Some people like to simplify their life and choose one color for the entire home’s interior. A good neutral can carry through a whole house but take on new life when paired with accents, different trims, or flooring. Neutral color choices also work in a pinch when two family members can’t agree on a color direction for a room....