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

  Light fixtures Most professional cleaners start from the top and work their way down. That way, all the dust and debris fall to the ground, explains Sarah Karakaian, a home rental consultant who uses her cleaning and house-staging expertise to help clients improve their rental properties. “The last thing you want to do is spend an hour mopping your floor only to have dust from the top of your light fixture or cabinet dot the floor,” she says. How you clean a light fixture will depend on what type it is. Chandeliers can be dusted and/or sprayed with a  drip-dry crystal cleaning solution , while pendant light fixtures can be wiped down with a splash of vinegar and a  microfiber cloth . Safety note: Before cleaning any light fixture, make sure it’s turned off and the bulb is cool. If you need help reaching it, use a step ladder, not your kitchen chair or another piece of furniture. Cabinets After you’ve cleaned the light fixtures, start on any crown molding on your cabinet...

  Ah, bathroom organization. Almost as bad as a dirty bathroom (and we do mean   almost ) is a disorganized one: No one wants to face a cluttered mess first thing in the morning. Overstuffed drawers and a bursting medicine cabinet will very likely stress you out while also making you late for work as you hunt for your brush, nose hair trimmer, box of tissues, and other things too numerous or indelicate to mention here. You should emerge from your bathroom refreshed and ready to meet the day, not harried and rumpled. We can help you love your lavatory! Most room organizing uses the same four steps, explains organization expert  Mim King . So clean up the chaos by starting with these tips: Make piles The first step is to remove and separate  everything . Clear out all the items from under the sink and in your cabinets and line them up. Clean the drawers and shelves, and then assess what you own. “Toss any toiletries that have crossed the line into the gunky stage,” Kin...

  If the sight of the mercury creeping upward fills you with spring fever, we’re with you. We, too, are restless for the toastier and longer days that are just around the corner. But before you can kick back on a balmy evening with a crisp glass of rosé or a cool IPA, you’ve got to get your home in shape. The month of March—when temps are beginning to rise but  before  those April showers—is the ideal time to get down and dirty with those maintenance projects, says  J.B. Sassano , president of  Mr. Handyman , a  commercial and residential repair, maintenance, and improvement franchise. March “home maintenance projects can extend the longevity and improve the quality of your home, inside and out,” he says. So where do you start dusting off winter’s residue? We’ve got a handy checklist of home maintenance chores that will get your home ready to rock when the weather actually gets warm. And if you’re struggling to muster up the energy to ta...

  1. Rent out your pool or backyard If you have a pool worth diving into, then you might want to dip your toe into the rental market this summer by using a pool app called  Swimply . The company advertises that pool owners can make up to $10,000 per month, although that will depend on how much you charge per hour. “If you have a pool, cash in and make some extra money,” says  Erick Nilsson , founder of  Rentola . “The average hourly rate for renting a pool via Swimply is $45. This price changes according to the area. In places like Los Angeles, the prices can hike up to as much as $100 per hour.” The app also allows you to rent out your backyard or private gym. Plus, the company’s insurance policy will protect you for up to $1 million for general liability claims. 2. Host a photo shoot Have a great open-concept living room? Or a deck with a view to die for? Your home could be a perfect fit for  Splacer , an app that connects you with event planners looking for u...

  Many entries open directly into living rooms or kitchens, without so much as a compact coat closet nearby. Here are three examples of how designers cleverly solved the problem by creating a “no-entry entry.” Jefferson Street Designs 1. Harmony With the Living Room Entry space was tight in this Arlington, Virginia, home. In order to address a front door that opened into the living room, designer  Cindy Eyl of   Jefferson Street Designs  had to get creative. Jefferson Street Designs Two rows of hooks tucked between the door and the fireplace provide a spot for coats, hats, bags and leashes. A cute umbrella stand shaped like rain boots adds a cheerful touch. ns A  long console table on the other side of the door has space for large, attractive bins underneath. Each family member can conceal items like shoes, gloves, scarves and bags in their own designated bin. Almar Building and Remodeling 2. Mudroom Built-Ins in the Kitchen In this addition by  Almar Build...

  1. Old rule: Find your dream home, then finalize your mortgage paperwork New rule: Lock in a mortgage before you start your search In the past,  getting pre-approved for a loan  was something you could think about after you’d found a house you wanted to buy. Today, though, this approach can stall your momentum straight out of the gate. In today’s fast-paced market, it’s essential to have your ducks in a row and finish your mortgage pre-approval  before  you make an offer. “You should be pre-approved by a lender and knowledgeable about your finances before you even begin your home search,” says  Beverly Burris , an agent with William Means Real Estate in Charleston, SC. “With houses going under contract as quickly as they are right now, often within days or sometimes  hours  of going to market, there is no sense in going to see a property before speaking to a lender and learning what you can afford.” Putting off the pre-approval process could lea...