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

  1. Large Furniture It might sound counterintuitive, but adding large furniture to a relatively small bedroom helps call attention to the pieces rather than the dimensions of the room, which visually makes the room appear larger. Here, an armoire takes up a big footprint, but it brings such a large dose of style and soothing tone that it doesn’t feel overwhelming. A custom nook and integrated sconce create a clever alternative to a nightstand. I recommend going with light neutral colors for large furniture pieces, as they take up less visual weight than dark colors. DANE AUSTIN INTERIOR DESIGN Boston & Cambridge Since the bed is usually the biggest piece of furniture in a bedroom, some homeowners try to downplay it by going for a super minimal frame or skipping a headboard. But putting focus on a substantial piece will help enliven the space as a whole. Then you can build on that piece with other elements that create complementary layers. Notice how the padded and patterned be...

  With   soaring prices   and   record home equity , you may expect a profit from selling your property. But the windfall may trigger an unexpected tax bill next April.  While home profits dipped slightly, the typical single-family seller still scored a $103,000 gross profit during the first quarter of 2022,  according to ATTOM , a nationwide property database.  Although many skirt taxes with profits under the  capital gains thresholds , others — especially long-time homeowners — may have a costly surprise, experts say.  More from Personal Finance: Inflation is the ‘top problem’ facing America, survey shows Nearly 40% of investors who pulled money out of markets in the last year regret it Here’s how young women are deciding how much to save for retirement Home sales profits are considered capital gains, levied at federal rates of 0%, 15% or 20% in 2022, depending on taxable income. The IRS offers a write-off for homeowners, allowing single fi...

Here are eight common organization tips worth skipping: 1. Color-coding clothing A color-coded closet is pleasing to the eye, but it’s not very practical. “Although it may seem like a wonderful idea, color-coding clothing is highly impractical and high-maintenance,” says Corriveau. “It requires you to keep up with the color code after every laundry. What is the point of investing time in a color-coded closet that won’t even survive a fortnight?” Pro take:  It’s more useful to group clothing by season, and to group tops by long sleeve or short. 2. Labeling everything If you have a label maker and you love the look of labeled storage bins, go for it. But don’t tell yourself that you need to do it to be more organized. “It is your house, and you know where everything is,” says Corriveau. “There is no other reason to label common household items.” Pro take:  Labels are mostly helpful in the kitchen pantry, where they can help you distinguish the flour from other white ingredients ...

  Know your number Budgeting is easier when you know exactly what your goal is. Do you need $50,000? $60,000? Much more? Figure it out so you can get real about saving. “I would recommend that prospective homebuyers ‘back into’ the math,” says  Jason J. Krueger , a certified financial planner and financial adviser with Ameriprise Financial Services in Madison, WI. “Start with how much house you want to buy and what type of loan—for example, conventional mortgage, FHA, VA,—which dictates the required down payment. The next thing is to determine when you want to buy. This then allows someone to aim for a specific target.” So let’s say that a year from now, you hope to buy a $300,000 house with a 5% down payment, which amounts to $15,000. Divide $15,000 by 12, and you’ll see that it would take saving $1,250 a month to reach that goal. As you look at your cash flow—how much income is coming in versus how much is going out—you can assess how realistic that amount is, and adjust as ...

  1. Cold walls and doors If you can see light under doors and feel drafts through windows, you’re dealing with low efficiency in the house. “If you can see light under doors and feel drafts through windows, you’re dealing with low efficiency in the house,” says  Caroline Kalpinski , a real estate agent with  Sotheby’s International  in Asheville, NC. But if the house you’re touring is an antique and old walls are part of its charm and character, you might be willing to look past this flaw. Still, to live comfortably and not shell out hundreds in energy bills, “getting new insulation and weatherstripping can alleviate drafts and cracks in less efficient homes,” she adds. 2. Single-pane windows Single-pane windows, even tightly sealed, won’t provide much insulation. (Getty Images) Tightly sealed windows and doors help a great deal, but if the glass is single pane, you’ll still feel a chill. “Generally speaking, single-pane windows won’t provide a lot of insulation, so...

  Can Opener First up is that can opener in your kitchen drawer.  According to studies , most can openers harbor bacteria like salmonella and e.Coli. Here's how to clean a can opener the right way.  After every use, wash the can opener with hot water and dish soap, making sure to clean the gears and cutting wheel. Then (this is the important part!) dry it with a dish cloth, and let it air dry with the handles open to allow air to circulate and prevent rust.  If you haven't kept up with cleaning your can opener regularly and gunk has built up on it, clamp the wheels onto a layered piece of paper towel and turn the handle to help remove any residue.  To disinfect, combine 1 teaspoon bleach with 1 gallon of hot water. Spritz this mixture onto the can opener, including the gears, and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping away with a cloth. Rinse, and then dry the can opener.  Once the can opener is completely dry, prevent rust by applying a small amount of...