Forget the Open Floor Plan--It's Time to Bring Back Walls

  1. Picking designs that are too trendy When first delving into the planning stages of a remodel, it’s easy to become infatuated with gorgeous Instagram photos highlighting the latest design fads. Yet be warned, these trends can distract us from planning for what we really need. “As you look to trends for inspiration for your renovation, it’s best to take  cues  from trends instead of blindly following those trends,” says  Wendy Gonzalez , interior and lighting designer at Modern Ornament in Livingston, NJ. To best incorporate a trend in your home, pull out the elements that feel right  for you,  and then add your own spin. For instance, go ahead with a traditional country kitchen, but select that funky backsplash tile you love. Avoid anything that seems like it might be a whimsy, as in out again in a year or two. (Think boldly colored bathroom tile, open kitchen shelving, or oil-rubbed bronze finishes.) “The best trend for your home is the one that makes ...

How long do pumpkins last? Uncarved pumpkins can last for two to three months, says  Marc Evan , co-founder of  Maniac Pumpkin Carvers . But just how long will depend on which pumpkin you pick. Choose a pumpkin that’s hard rather than soft, and free of blemishes or rot. As for carved pumpkins, aka jack-o’-lanterns, their life span is much shorter. “If you put a jack-o’-lantern on your front porch, those tend to spoil in a couple of days, or at least they start getting moldy within a few days,” says Evan. How to make pumpkins last longer Pumpkin maintenance can extend its life. Keep a pumpkin out of direct sunlight, which breaks down its flesh. Temperature and humidity fluctuations have the biggest impact on pumpkins, Evan says. Excessively warm temperatures promote fungal and bacterial growth, which causes pumpkins to rot. One way to slow this process is to bring pumpkins inside if it gets too hot out. Cold temperatures can also speed up decomposition, says  Mark Wessel ,...

  1. Anything that feels like nature Wayfair’s “Nature Designed” trend is all about the free-form pairing of “rugged textures and vibrant hues with clean, modern silhouettes,” says   Natalie Copeland , a designer for Wayfair Professional. Soft wood tones are cozy and inviting, while popular palm leaf prints are ideal for covering a backsplash or accent wall. To get the look in your kitchen, consider these  similar stools  made from solid mango wood or a set of four attractive  botanical prints  on the wall. 2. Mustard yellow   It’s not the shade of sunshine, nor is it truly ochre. Instead, get ready for all things mustard yellow. This ’70s hue is back, and better than ever, showing up on table accents, chairs, rugs, and lighting. “This interpretation of mustard is more sophisticated and diverse—and very on point this fall,” says  Anna Brockway , co-founder and president of Chairish. Want some mustard in your life? Feel secure choosing the matte ye...

  1. Hunt down the home’s history You (and your real estate agent) should do a bit of sleuthing to find out the history of the property. You want to know how long the property has been on the market, if it’s truly a “new” listing, or if it was previously on the market within recent years. Have your agent look at the history as far as the pricing goes to see if any reductions were made and if the property was ever under contract and came back on the market. Beyond that, it’s always a good idea to have your real estate agent contact the listing agent before submitting an offer. “They will likely uncover information you otherwise would not be able to find out,” Ameer says. “For example, what is the seller’s reason for selling? Is the seller moving due to a job, downsizing, upsizing, moving out of the area electively? Is it a divorce, death, or change in family situation?” She says the listing agent can help your agent understand the situation and explain what has happened with the lis...

  1. Improve grading.   The slope of a property may direct water toward the base of a single-family house or multifamily dwelling rather than away. Cracks or openings in the foundation then allow it to enter, as well as through higher-level walls, the roof, and other entry points. Fix: “Be sure the grade slopes away from the house,” says Bill Coulbourne, a structural engineer whose eponymous company is near Annapolis, Md. A berm of soil or a swale with planting can prevent water from making its way to a foundation, says Cary Jozefiak, a home inspector with   HomeTeam Inspection   in Chicago. Caveats: This approach requires periodic maintenance to be sure the berm doesn’t erode. “It also needs to be directed so water doesn’t move toward a neighbor’s property,” Coulbourne says. Using a French drain to allow water to dissipate slowly from near the foundation into the landscape is more environmentally friendly than introducing it into the street to wash away, says Barckl...

  1. Roof and house orientation.   How much surface solar modules cover on a roof or how big the installation is on the ground makes a difference in the amount of energy produced. Generally, they are placed facing south or west to be exposed to the most sunlight, optimizing power, says Dickinson. Pearl Homes’ will cover 88% to 92% of a roof surface. Covering 100% may produce more power than occupants can use. 2. Panels.  In recent years, panels have become more efficient, thinner, and better looking, thanks to monocrystalline designs that use a single photovoltaic cell rather than several cells that the older polycrystalline designs relied on. As a result, the updated panels can occupy less roof space because they pack in more power, O’Connor says.     The number of panels installed is generally based on the amount of electricity occupants use, which is why an installer often asks for 12 months of electric bills, says  Mike Koehler , vice president and...

D esigning a home isn’t easy, and many homeowners make the rookie mistake of obsessing almost exclusively about color—for the walls, rugs, furnishings, and more. The result is often   too   much color, and not much style. So if you want to shake things up visually without color, what should you do? Here’s the secret professional designers swear by: texture, the unsung hero of home decor. “Texture is actually one of the things that most DIY decorators  don’t  incorporate,” says  Joe Human , a New York City designer at  DBHuman . com . “But texture can add so much personality to a space.” “Texture plays an important role in the completeness of a space and sense of home,” adds  Leonard Ang , an interior designer and writer for Interior Charm, a home design blog. “Colors provide emotion and ‘the feels’ of a room, but texture plays a role in giving weight, focus, and accent to a place.” So if you feel your home needs something extra, here’s a guide to addin...

  Keep the inside clean When:  Generally speaking, spills should be cleaned up ASAP. Otherwise, wipe down shelves weekly. And do a hardcore purge and deep cleaning each season. Why:  The longer spilled food sits, the more likely it is to create a stubborn stain. Also harmful bacteria like salmonella could grow. How to do it:  “For a deep clean, turn off the fridge and empty it, including removing crisper drawers and detachable shelves,” says  Doug Rogers , president of Mr. Appliance, a Neighborly company. Then wipe down the entire interior with a soapy cloth. For a no-rinse cleaning formula, he suggests dissolving 2 tablespoons baking soda into a quart of hot water. Have more stubborn stains? Make a paste with baking soda and a small amount of water, and allow that to sit on stains while you finish cleaning the rest of the fridge. Removable shelves and bins can be washed in warm, soapy water in your sink. Make sure to dry them well before you reinsert them. Wipe...