Advertisement
Organizing 2m read
138

The Smartest Spot To Declutter First (It’s Not Where You Think)

When you’re preparing to organize your home, the natural instinct is to start where the clutter is most chaotic. Maybe it’s the kitchen junk drawer, the kids’ toy explosion in the living room, or that bedroom closet you haven’t seen the floor of in years. But according to professional organizer and TikTok creator Mary Cornetta (@organizedoverall), that’s not actually the smartest place to begin. If you really want to make a lasting impact, you need to start with the dumping ground.

All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. House Outlook may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

When you’re preparing to organize your home, the natural instinct is to start where the clutter is most chaotic. Maybe it’s the kitchen junk drawer, the kids’ toy explosion in the living room, or that bedroom closet you haven’t seen the floor of in years. But according to professional organizer and TikTok creator Mary Cornetta…

Your First Step to an Organized Home

Whether it’s a garage, attic, basement, or even a spare room, every home has a space where unused stuff goes to disappear. And it’s this exact neglected area that holds the key to your whole-home organizing success.

Once the dumping ground is cleared out, it becomes a staging area. You’ll suddenly have the room to store seasonal items, sentimental keepsakes, or random things from other parts of the house. (Just be sure to thoughtfully narrow them down first.) It’s like giving yourself the gift of space before you even begin to tackle the rest of your home.

Related: 15 Things You Need To Get Rid of in Your Home

Think about it: When you try to declutter your bedroom or kitchen without a plan, you usually end up shifting items from one crowded area to another. But if you’ve already cleared and organized your garage or attic, you’re not just moving clutter — you’re giving items a designated home. That’s a major mindset shift.

Advertisement

Build Momentum and Conquer Clutter

Another bonus? Starting with the dumping ground builds momentum. It’s a big job, but once it’s done, you’ll feel like the worst is behind you, and that motivation will carry you through the rest of your organizing goals.

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by clutter, don’t reach for the junk drawer first. Follow Cornetta’s advice and start where your stuff is collecting dust. Decluttering your dumping ground might not seem like the most obvious first step, but it may be the smartest one.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Decorating 3m read
35

How To Mix and Match Wood Tones Like an Interior Designer

Mixing wood tones can instantly elevate a room, adding warmth, interest, and a curated, designer feel. Pulling it off requires more than simply placing different woods side by side, though. Before hauling in an oversized hutch next to your kitchen cabinets, it’s important to understand how to balance tones — and when to stop adding more.

All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. House Outlook may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

Mixing wood tones can instantly elevate a room, adding warmth, interest, and a curated, designer feel. Pulling it off requires more than simply placing different woods side by side, though. Before hauling in an oversized hutch next to your kitchen cabinets, it’s important to understand how to balance tones — and when to stop adding more.

“Mixing wood tones adds depth and character to a space, making it feel more organic and lived-in,” says Vicky Zagordick, interior designer at Wisconsin-based Madison Exteriors and Remodeling. The key? Vary tones intentionally.

Step 1: Identify Your Dominant Wood Tone

To avoid overwhelming your space with too many woods, take note of your dominant wood — likely flooring, cabinets, or a large piece of furniture — and pair it with accent tones. “This way, the eye has a clear ‘base’ to follow, while secondary tones enhance the overall composition,” Zagordick says.

She recommends following a 60-30-10 rule: 60% dominant wood, 30% secondary tone, and 10% accent wood for visual punctuation. Don’t exceed more than three tones, though. That’s the maximum; with more, a space would feel scattered and chaotic.

Related: Revive Dull Wood Furniture Without Refinishing It

Step 2: Match the Undertones

Wood undertones fall into three categories: warm, cool, or neutral. Even if your oak cabinets are a drastically different shade from your walnut dining table, a consistent undertone ties them together. “Layering textures, like matte and polished finishes, can also help create a harmonious look,” Zagordick says.

Advertisement

Step 3: Compare or Contrast

Decide whether you want to match your woods or opt for contrasting tones. As long as you’re intentional about it, either look can feel cohesive. Comparing results in a simple, unified look; contrasting is more dimensional.

“Think of the wood stains as colors,” says Shelby Adamson, principal interior designer of Little Black Fox, a residential interior design firm servicing the Southeast. “Sometimes pairing contrasting colors and tones can be beautiful, and other times the wood stains will draw tones that are undesirable. Consider one stain a neutral so that the other can stand out more.”

Step 4: Introduce New Tones Slowly

If your existing furniture is all the same finish, start introducing variety via accessories. Adamson recommends adding in wood accents through curtain rods, sculptural art, lamps, or other unexpected wooden decor pieces. To bridge the gap between contrasting woods, look for similar or complementary colors in rugs, textiles, or artwork.

Bonus Tip: Go Against the Grain

Zagordick advises clients to consider wood grain patterns, too. “Mixing fine and bold grains adds another layer of sophistication when done thoughtfully,” she says.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Cleaning 2m read
20

Clean Cloudy Glassware With This Pantry Staple

Cloudy glassware can be tough to clean, especially if it’s oddly shaped with hard-to-reach areas, such as a vase for floral arrangements, a carafe on your nightstand, or a decanter you use to aerate wine. Whatever it is, there are some nooks and crannies that a cleaning brush simply can’t get into. If that’s the case, and a quick wash with dish soap and water just won’t cut it, we have a DIY cleaning solution that will. It’s made with common household items, including one that might surprise you.

All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. House Outlook may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

Cloudy glassware can be tough to clean, especially if it’s oddly shaped with hard-to-reach areas, such as a vase for floral arrangements, a carafe on your nightstand, or a decanter you use to aerate wine. Whatever it is, there are some nooks and crannies that a cleaning brush simply can’t get into. If that’s the…

What You’ll Need

Uncooked rice (any type will do, but long-grain is preferred)

Liquid dish soap

Warm water

Distilled white vinegar

How To Clean Cloudy Glass With Rice

Fill the glass about one-third to one-half full with warm water. Add a few drops of liquid dish soap, 1 to 2 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar, and a few tablespoons to a cup of uncooked rice, depending on the size of the glassware. Cover the top and shake the glass vigorously, repeating until it’s clean. Once your glassware is film-free, dispose of the cleaning solution, and rinse with warm water. Dry the glass with a clean microfiber cloth for a spotless, sparkling finish.

Related: 5 Unexpected Ways To Clean With Denture Tablets

Why It Works

Although it might seem strange, rice works wonders as a cleaner. The grains act as a natural abrasive that are small enough to get into narrow necks and tight corners. Rice is also gentle, so it scrubs away cloudy surfaces without damaging or scratching the glass.

Advertisement

What Causes Cloudy Glassware, Anyway?

You can always turn to this helpful hack when your glassware gets cloudy, but we bet you’re wondering what causes it in the first place. The culprit is most likely hard water, which is chock full of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. As the water evaporates, it leaves these minerals behind, resulting in a cloudy film on your glassware.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Home Improvement 3m read
72

The Safety Tip Everyone With a Glass Cooktop Needs To Know

Unless you’re stomping on glass at a traditional Jewish wedding or seeing “Stone Cold” Steve Austin make his entrance at a wrestling show, the sound of breaking glass is rarely a good omen. This is especially true in the kitchen, which is home to many glass objects that can be easily damaged. One prime example is a glass stovetop, which you might be putting in harm’s way without even realizing. To prevent potential breakage, there’s one simple rule every glass stovetop user needs to know.

All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. House Outlook may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

Unless you’re stomping on glass at a traditional Jewish wedding or seeing “Stone Cold” Steve Austin make his entrance at a wrestling show, the sound of breaking glass is rarely a good omen. This is especially true in the kitchen, which is home to many glass objects that can be easily damaged. One prime example…

Let’s Blow the Lid Off This Hack

Let’s say you’re making rice in a saucepan and take the lid off to check if it’s done. You might be inclined to rest the hot lid elsewhere on the stovetop — but wait! This is where you could run into trouble.

Placing the steaming lid face-down onto the glass can lead to major complications for two reasons. First, heat can get trapped between the lid and the glass, creating a strong vacuum seal. When you try to lift the lid, the force of the suction could cause the glass to crack or even shatter, leaving you with an unusable stovetop.

Related: 12 Things You Shouldn’t Store Near Your Cooktop

Another risk is thermal shock. This can occur if you put a hot lid directly onto the cold glass stovetop. Your stovetop is designed to heat up slowly, but the sudden temperature change from the lid can cause the glass to expand or contract too quickly. This can also lead to a broken stovetop, which will cost you a pretty penny to fix.

Advertisement

So, What Should You Do Instead?

While this issue isn’t guaranteed to happen, it’s not a risk worth taking, especially when you consider how simple the alternatives are. One option is to rest the lid on a more durable surface that isn’t prone to cracking, such as inside the kitchen sink. (Stainless steel, cast iron, and natural stone sinks are your safest bets; porcelain sinks may also be susceptible to thermal shock.)

Alternatively, you can place the hot lid down on a trivet or cutting board. A heat-resistant silicone mat is a great option when you’re cooking with multiple pots and pans — place it on the stovetop or countertop, and you can safely rest hot lids, utensils, or other cookware on it without fear of damaging the fragile surface underneath.

What About Lids With a Ventilation Hole?

Ventilation holes are a common feature on many tempered glass lids. However, the presence of a ventilation hole does nothing to prevent thermal shock. While it can reduce the chance of a vacuum seal, that possibility is not completely out of the question.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Gardening 3m read
13

Decorative Pots Could Be Killing Your Houseplants

Sometimes it feels like the odds are stacked against our houseplants. Even if you deliberately choose beginner-friendly plants and make sure they can survive in the low-light corners of your home, most of us still find a way to kill off our beloved green guests.

All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. House Outlook may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

Sometimes it feels like the odds are stacked against our houseplants. Even if you deliberately choose beginner-friendly plants and make sure they can survive in the low-light corners of your home, most of us still find a way to kill off our beloved green guests.

Occasionally, as with your favorite murder mystery, the culprit is the one thing you least expected. In this case, decorative pots are the villain. They’re pretty and can add to your decor, but they aren’t necessarily the best plant pots. After all, they’re designed for aesthetics over function. Here’s a quick way to make sure your love of design isn’t getting in the way of your love for houseplants.

The Two-Pot Method

From the plant’s perspective, decorative pots can have a few fundamental flaws. They may not have any drainage holes, for example, or the ones they have might not be large enough or well designed. Sometimes, depending on the style, they can come in odd shapes with lots of weird little nooks and crannies inside. 

Related: Don’t Make This Mistake When Repotting Houseplants

All of those things can erode your plants’ health or make them more difficult to manage as they grow. Poor drainage, for instance, is a leading cause of root rot (right up there with overwatering). And odd-shaped or novelty pots, especially with unglazed interiors, can make it ridiculously difficult to repot your plants. The plants and their soil stick stubbornly to the inside, and roots can even grow directly into the old pot. The solution? Use a pot within a pot.

Advertisement

Keep the Plant in Its Nursery Pot

Most plants come from the garden center or nursery in an inexpensive nursery pot. These aren’t impressive as plant pots go, but they’re designed for the express purpose of keeping plants healthy. They provide excellent drainage (sometimes too good, causing you to lose soil, but there’s a hack to prevent that). The downside is that they’re not very attractive and they aren’t always durable enough for long-term use.

But if you keep the plant in its nursery pot and then place that inside your decorative pot, they fix the other’s shortcomings. The nursery pot gives your plant the drainage it needs and allows for easy repotting as it grows. The decorative pot, for its part, gives you an attractive and sturdy exterior. Just slide out the inner pot for watering, ideally by letting it sit in a pan of water instead of watering from above. Then, once it drains, return it to the decorative pot.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Food & Drink 3m read
15

The Baking Trick for Perfectly Flat Cake Layers

There are lots of ways for bakers to show off their skills, and baking a layer cake is a deceptively simple one. It seems easy enough at first, but to ensure your cake is a success, you have to get a lot of things right. (Anyone who’s ever watched a season of The Great British Bake Off knows this to be true.)

All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. House Outlook may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

There are lots of ways for bakers to show off their skills, and baking a layer cake is a deceptively simple one. It seems easy enough at first, but to ensure your cake is a success, you have to get a lot of things right. (Anyone who’s ever watched a season of The Great British…

The cake must be moist and flavorful, you need to match it to an appropriate icing, and, most of all, the layers have to be perfectly flat. That last part is a sore point for a lot of us because most cakes mound up (or “dome”) in the middle when they’re baked. Here’s the single biggest baking tip to help you make that perfect cake, even if it’s always been a struggle.

Lower the Temperature for a Perfect Cake

Here’s why cakes dome: Like any other food, cakes cook from the outside in — a basic principle of thermodynamics. The thin metal of cake pans transfers the oven’s heat to the batter quickly, causing the edges to bake and firm up before they’ve fully risen. The middle, however, gets lots of extra time. So the trick is to get your cake to bake evenly.

Related: The Easy Way To Keep Parchment Paper Flat

The best way to do that is simply to turn down the heat. Most recipes call for cakes to bake at 350 or even 375 degrees Fahrenheit, and that’s just too high. Turning down the temperature by at least 20 degrees, and up to 50 degrees for some recipes, will fix the problem. The lower heat means your cake will bake more evenly, resulting in minimal doming. One more tip? Oven thermostats aren’t super accurate, so check yours with a separate oven thermometer. It might be running hotter than you think.

Advertisement

Other Tips for Perfect Cakes

That’s not the only baking hack for flatter layers. Here are a few more tips to help you bake flawless cakes:

• Use insulating cake strips from Wilton or other vendors (you can also DIY your own in a pinch). These keep the outer edges from baking too quickly.

• Put a heat-conducting baking core in the middle of the pan so it heats at the same rate as the rest of the cake. This is especially helpful with large cakes.

• Use a silicone baking pan. The crust won’t brown, but because silicone is a poor heat conductor, your cake will bake more evenly.

• Try a different recipe or reduce the leavening (baking powder or baking soda) in the one you’re using.

If all else fails, you can simply cut the domed top from your cake with a serrated knife or a cake leveler (even the pros do this). It’s not the end of the world, because you get to taste the cake or use the scraps to make cake pops.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Decorating 3m read
32

The Three Layers of Lighting That Every Room Needs

Lighting your home is a fine balance between functionality — you have to be able to see — and style. The trick to a well-designed (and well-lit) space is to layer three types of lighting: ambient, task, and accent. “Ambient sets the overall tone, task supports function, and accent adds character to the space,” says Sarah West, founder and principal designer of Sarah West Interiors, a Los Angeles-based design studio. “Together they create an environment that feels both livable and elevated.”

All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. House Outlook may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

Lighting your home is a fine balance between functionality — you have to be able to see — and style. The trick to a well-designed (and well-lit) space is to layer three types of lighting: ambient, task, and accent. “Ambient sets the overall tone, task supports function, and accent adds character to the space,” says…

1. Ambient Light: For General Illumination

Examples: Ceiling-mounted fixtures, recessed lighting

Ambient light is used for overall illumination in a room. Whether it’s an overhead fixture, a chandelier, or a large floor lamp, ambient light is necessary in every space — from an entryway to a laundry room to a bedroom — as it provides the majority of the brightness. Without it, other lighting layers may struggle to provide enough illumination.

Related: This Is How High You Should Hang Your Light Fixtures

2. Task Light: For Precision

Examples: Desk lamps, under-cabinet kitchen lights

Task lighting is designed for specific functions, such as chopping vegetables on a kitchen island or studying at a desk. “Think of a floor lamp in the living room, a reading sconce beside the bed, or a pendant light over the kitchen sink,” West says. These fixtures enhance the usability of each space and prevent eye strain. Task lighting doesn’t have to look as utilitarian as it is though; shop for fixtures that are both practical and beautiful.

Advertisement

3. Accent Light: For Personality

Examples: Wall sconces, table lamps

Accent lighting allows you to flex your design style. Decorative options such as colorful table lamps or vintage sconces add warmth and charm, upping the inviting feel of a space. “Accent lighting brings a softness and visual interest to a room,” West says. “Without it, a space can feel flat, cold, or overly commercial.”

How To Layer Lighting

Creating a well-lit room doesn’t have to blow your budget. Choose versatile pieces that do double duty — for instance, a floor lamp that provides both ambient and task light. Juxtapose statement fixtures with budget-friendly accent lighting, such as plug-in sconces or sculptural table lamps. “Combining a few higher-end pieces with budget-friendly finds can create a beautifully layered look,” West adds.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Cleaning 3m read
158

A Dust-Busting Trick for Cleaning Under Appliances

Imagine this — you’ve just plopped down on the sofa after a long morning of cleaning your house. Your countertops are sparkling, your bookshelves are dust-free, and even the baseboards have been wiped down. But as your eyes wander to the kitchen, you can’t help but wonder what’s hiding under those large appliances. The gaps under refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, and washers and dryers are tough to clean for even the most thorough tidier. Fortunately, we found an easy hack to get these neglected spaces spotless.

All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. House Outlook may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

Imagine this — you’ve just plopped down on the sofa after a long morning of cleaning your house. Your countertops are sparkling, your bookshelves are dust-free, and even the baseboards have been wiped down. But as your eyes wander to the kitchen, you can’t help but wonder what’s hiding under those large appliances. The gaps…

Dust Bunnies Don’t Stand a Chance

Need to reach under large appliances but don’t have an extendable duster? You can clean those hard-to-reach places with two items that are likely in your bedroom: a sock (preferably a crew sock) and a clothes hanger. Any type of hanger will do, but a wire hanger is best because you can easily bend it to fit into tight spaces.

All you have to do is slide the sock over one of the triangular ends of the hanger, sweep your newly crafted tool under the appliance, and pull away all the dust, debris, crumbs, hair ties, and any other items that have found their way underneath.

Other DIY Dusters

We appreciate this hack for its ease, effectiveness, and affordability, but it may not offer enough reach for every situation. If that’s the case, you can improvise with other long-handled items around your house. Brooms, mops, an old curtain rod, extra-long kebab skewers — get creative with it. Whatever you use, secure a sock or an old hand towel to the end with a rubber band or hair tie, sweep it under your appliance, and remove all that grime in seconds.

Advertisement
Related: These Tools Make Cleaning More Comfortable for Everyone

Cleaning under your appliances comes with peace of mind. Not only will you prevent crumbs from attracting pests, but removing dust and debris can also help your appliances run better. This is especially true for refrigerators, as dust buildup around the condenser coils can force them to work harder and consume more energy. You don’t need to do this trick every time you clean, but tackling the areas under your appliances a few times a year will go a long way toward maintaining a spotless space.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Cleaning 3m read
5,133

The Safest Way To Get a Streak-Free TV Screen

Imagine you’re lounging on the sofa, watching a Law & Order marathon when the show goes to commercial. In that brief second when the scene fades to black, you notice all of the dust and fingerprints making a mess of the television screen. Suddenly, you’re unable to focus on the criminal case at hand because you’re too worried about a dirty TV. Thankfully, cleaning the screen is easy to do, but you should follow some important guidelines to avoid scratching or damaging the device.

All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. House Outlook may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

Imagine you’re lounging on the sofa, watching a Law & Order marathon when the show goes to commercial. In that brief second when the scene fades to black, you notice all of the dust and fingerprints making a mess of the television screen. Suddenly, you’re unable to focus on the criminal case at hand because…

Cleaning the TV Screen: A Tutorial

To safely clean your TV screen — or similar surfaces such as your phone or car’s touch screen — you’ll first need to stock up on a few simple items. Here’s what we suggest: a duster, two microfiber cloths, and a spray bottle filled with distilled water. Once you have those three items, you’re ready to go.

Begin by unplugging the TV. Use a duster to wipe the screen and remove any tiny particles. This task is crucial: If you skip it, a speck of dirt could scratch the screen in the next step. 

Now that you’ve tackled the dust, let’s get rid of the smudges and fingerprints. Spray a small amount of distilled water onto a clean microfiber cloth. Never spray the screen directly with any liquid, as it could damage the electronic components. Also, avoid soaking the cloth; it takes only a little bit of moisture to achieve a perfect clean.

Use the lightly dampened cloth to wipe the screen in one fluid motion, either horizontally or vertically. Then, use a clean microfiber cloth to dry the screen completely, or allow it to air-dry for a couple of hours. Make sure all of the moisture has evaporated before plugging the device back in. Your TV should look as clean as the day you bought it.

Advertisement
Related: This Is the Ideal Height To Mount a TV on the Wall

Mistakes To Avoid

We’ve already warned against spraying the TV screen directly, but there are several other common pitfalls to be aware of. First, always use distilled water and stay away from any harsh cleaning products, which could damage the electronic device. It’s also best to avoid using paper towels, as they’re prone to leaving behind residue. In a similar vein, steer clear of any coarse rags that may scratch the screen, and stick to soft microfiber cloths instead.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Organizing 2m read
1,118

3 Ways To Use Ice Cube Trays for Organizing

It can be tough to find the right organizer for small items. Whether it’s earrings or rubber bands, some things are so easy to lose that they require a designated storage solution. And it turns out the best option might already be in your home — more specifically, in your freezer.

All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. House Outlook may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

It can be tough to find the right organizer for small items. Whether it’s earrings or rubber bands, some things are so easy to lose that they require a designated storage solution. And it turns out the best option might already be in your home — more specifically, in your freezer.

An ice cube tray is one of the coolest things in your kitchen, and we’re not just talking about its ice-making abilities. It also happens to be a fantastic organizer. Need a little inspiration? Here are three ways to repurpose an ice cube tray for organization.

Tidy Up Your Treasures

Jewelry is almost too easy to misplace. That’s all the more reason to use an organizer to keep it safe until the next time you wear it. Ice cube trays are a perfect solution for organizing items such as earrings, rings, thin necklaces, and bracelets. Bonus points if you can find stackable ice cube trays with lids that protect your pieces from dust, dirt, and tarnishing.

Store Small Hardware

As painful as it can be to lose your favorite pair of earrings, disorganized hardware can hurt just as much. The last thing you want is to get poked while fumbling through a bunch of screws, nails, or thumbtacks. An ice cube tray can easily house small hardware, allowing you to find what you need while avoiding any painful accidents.

Advertisement
Related: Don’t Shop for Drawer Organizers Without Doing This First

Straighten Up Your Junk Drawer

We all have at least one junk drawer we have yet to organize. An ice cube tray can help you finally cross it off of your to-do list. You can use the tray to store binder clips, rubber bands, batteries, and any other miscellaneous items you might have rattling around in there.

Advertisement