This Is How Many Towels You Really Need to Own

A towel isn’t exactly something that invokes deep contemplation. A linen closet or drawer is usually a necessity and not a luxury, and the towels stacked inside them are out of mind unless they’re needed for a few seconds each day. The only time towels…

A towel isn’t exactly something that invokes deep contemplation. A linen closet or drawer is usually a necessity and not a luxury, and the towels stacked inside them are out of mind unless they’re needed for a few seconds each day. The only time towels really grab your attention is when they’re stained, stiff, or smelly. But they could probably use more thought.

At a time when self-care can be defined by long and involved routines, simply having a good quality towel is one easy way to treat yourself—after all, you do need to bathe. But how many do you actually need? An informal poll among friends yielded a wide range of numbers. If you’re anything like me, you probably have too many, leading to overstuffing, stress, and dwindling storage. On the other hand, if you're constantly rushing out to launder your towels, you probably have too few.

Read More >>

6 Things to Know if You’re Switching to Linen Sheets

Sleep sure has been getting a lot of attention lately. Perhaps it’s because we all need more of it—we know!—and so we’ve brushed up on the best ways to wind down and the most sleep-inducing styles for bedrooms. And yet, sitting beside all of this infor…

Sleep sure has been getting a lot of attention lately. Perhaps it’s because we all need more of it—we know!—and so we’ve brushed up on the best ways to wind down and the most sleep-inducing styles for bedrooms. And yet, sitting beside all of this information is one simple truth: Good bedding is at the heart of restful slumber. When a bed is too comfortable to resist, we probably won’t try.

If you’ve been on the hunt for sheets that lend themselves to a solid eight hours, linen may have crossed your mind. “Linen is one of the most durable and sustainable fibers in the world. It's also one of the oldest in history,” Paul Denoly, cofounder of Hawkins New York, says.

Read More >>

How to Undeck the Halls (Because It’s Almost Time)

Putting up holiday decorations can bring such joy that there are whole songs about it. But taking them down? All you’re likely to hear about that is a symphony of groans. When decking the halls has come to an end and good cheer is in short supply, the …

Putting up holiday decorations can bring such joy that there are whole songs about it. But taking them down? All you’re likely to hear about that is a symphony of groans. When decking the halls has come to an end and good cheer is in short supply, the thought of packing decorations away efficiently is about as appealing as a fifth slice of fruitcake. That’s why it’s far more common to throw everything haphazardly into boxes and get on with a new year.

But why not make this season close on a high note? Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, co-founders of The Home Edit, think that creating an orderly storage system can be a satisfying holiday tradition as well—as long as you have a plan. And while they’re best known for streamlining everyday spaces for their eponymous blog and upcoming Netflix series, their general principles still apply to scenes of a winter wonderland. Read on to get their tips for organizing and storing holiday decorations, so that you can get as much joy out of this process as possible (it is possible).

Read More >>

5 Ways to Make Your Gift Wrapping A Gift In Itself

It’s standard practice to put a lot of thought into a gift for a loved one. It’s sought out over time, selected with the warmest of intentions, and given with a smile. But the same can’t necessarily be said about wrapping that gift up. When the holiday…

It’s standard practice to put a lot of thought into a gift for a loved one. It’s sought out over time, selected with the warmest of intentions, and given with a smile. But the same can’t necessarily be said about wrapping that gift up. When the holidays are in full swing, papers and bows are often thought of as just a means to an end.

Trisha Sprouse, the founder of lifestyle site Vignette, thinks this step should never be overlooked. “Anyone can grab a gift card, or stash an item in a gift bag and call it a day. Heck, I’ve been guilty of it myself,” she says. “But have you ever received a gift that was packaged so well that you hesitated to open it because you wanted to stop to admire it? Think of that as your duty as gift-giver: to create a moment of pause, by adding a little something extra that lets the recipient know you care.”

Read More >>

The Thing About ‘Seasonal Colors’ No One Tells You

In the ritual of seasonal holidays, color plays an outsized role. Orange and black are designated to the thrills of Halloween, palettes that mimic autumn leaves are signs of Thanksgiving, and red and green denote the unmistakable arrival of Christmas. …

In the ritual of seasonal holidays, color plays an outsized role. Orange and black are designated to the thrills of Halloween, palettes that mimic autumn leaves are signs of Thanksgiving, and red and green denote the unmistakable arrival of Christmas. To surround ourselves in these colors is to act out a familiar scene of celebration.

Given that these holidays are commonly filled with cheer—and that these colors are often tied to good memories—decorating for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas festivities can be distinctly comforting. So why don’t we decorate with orange, black, red, and green throughout the year?

Read More >>

The Best Ways to Declutter Cables & Cords (& Keep Them Out of Sight)

These days, a modern home can have many definitions. Perhaps it’s a place of clean lines and sustainable materials. It could convey a carefully curated aesthetic of things that “spark joy.” Or maybe it has something to do with cables—lots and lots of c…

These days, a modern home can have many definitions. Perhaps it’s a place of clean lines and sustainable materials. It could convey a carefully curated aesthetic of things that “spark joy.” Or maybe it has something to do with cables—lots and lots of cables.

A modern home is a plugged-in home, whether that includes a flat screen, a computer, a sound system, an appliance, or whatever else that needs a charge. And while it’s tough to picture our lives before these gadgets entered, it’s totally unavoidable that these things come with a lot of cables. And when you’re hoping to create a modern home with clean lines, sustainable materials, and a carefully curated aesthetic, those cables can sure get in the way.

Read More >>

7 Easy Kitchen Cabinet Upgrades You Can Do in a Weekend

At first, a dated kitchen seems like a puzzle full of fixable pieces. A rug can hide unsightly floors and shiny accessories can distract from dingy countertops. But cabinets pose a particular challenge. When it becomes obvious that these have seen bett…

At first, a dated kitchen seems like a puzzle full of fixable pieces. A rug can hide unsightly floors and shiny accessories can distract from dingy countertops. But cabinets pose a particular challenge. When it becomes obvious that these have seen better days—as evidenced by jammed doors, missing hardware, and a dull finish—an entire kitchen feels stuck in the past. And the longer you leave them be, the more likely this minor headache turns into something you just can’t stand.

Replacing old kitchen cabinetry, however, can be expensive. According to HomeAdvisor, the average cabinet installation costs just under $5,000, depending of course on the square footage, materials, and labor. It’s the type of big-ticket item that merits planning and budgeting.

Read More >>

13 Things to Toss If You’re Moving

There are many silver linings to moving. It’s a fresh start, a chance to redefine a routine, and sometimes, a shot at more space. But who can recognize these impending upsides when boxes are half-full and possessions have exploded everywhere?

That’d b…

There are many silver linings to moving. It’s a fresh start, a chance to redefine a routine, and sometimes, a shot at more space. But who can recognize these impending upsides when boxes are half-full and possessions have exploded everywhere?

That’d be Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, co-founders of The Home Edit.

Read More >>

3 Things to Consider Before Painting a Large Room—& Which Colors to Choose

It’s true that cramped rooms are tough to design. This is a fact that is far too familiar in the age of tiny homes and large rents. But in the last few years, plenty of information about how to maximize square footage has been provided so that even the…

It’s true that cramped rooms are tough to design. This is a fact that is far too familiar in the age of tiny homes and large rents. But in the last few years, plenty of information about how to maximize square footage has been provided so that even the smallest quarters can eventually become functional. The same probably couldn’t be said about people with the opposite problem: Too much space, and not a clue about what to do with it.

While those in smaller homes might dream of more room to call their own, those who have it might consider this issue to be more confusing than convenient. How do you design for a large space, especially one that has high ceilings? To answer this question, it’s best to start with the right paint color, since this is key to creating a desired effect.

Read More >>

Your Guest Room May Not Be As Comfy As You Think

When guests come into town, it’s common to treat your home as a makeshift bed and breakfast. You whip up impressive meals and plan fun day trips. You present fresh towels, made beds, and clean floors. And all the while, you do your best to make this jo…

When guests come into town, it’s common to treat your home as a makeshift bed and breakfast. You whip up impressive meals and plan fun day trips. You present fresh towels, made beds, and clean floors. And all the while, you do your best to make this job look easy.

But if you are the general manager of this “hotel,” then here’s something you should know: There’s a good chance your guest room isn’t as comfortable as you think.

Read More >>