Each one of these questions is equally important. Theyre going to be connected with you, and ultimately with your family, through this investment. As such, they need to respect your finances,space, and you. Credit:Getty Images Licensing, Contracts, and Billing Questions Are you licensed, bonded, and insured? You may have heard of this phrase before, but you should know exactly what it means. If your contractor is licensed, they meet the minimum requirements to conduct business in your state....

Getty Images Wondering why your house always appearsmessy? “Over time, this leads to clutter that can make a space feel chaotic and disorganized.” Allison Flinn, the founder ofReclaim Professional Organizingin Raleigh, North Carolina, agrees. Credit:Getty Images “Flat surfaces tend to attract piles of stuff,” she says. “As the piles grow, your house will appear more and more cluttered. Keep only the essentials on your countertops and store the rest.” “Closet shelves can appear messy if items are not contained,” Flinn says....

The pros weigh in. Theres nothing like climbing into fresh sheets after a long day and being enveloped in that clean laundrysmell. Its one of lifes simple pleasures. Credit:Getty Images But sometimes thefresh fragranceis gone all too soonseemingly diminishing with each passing load. It sets up the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive and eventually transfer to your laundry. These monthly maintenance cleans can help remove soil build-ups that can be a safe-haven for odor-causing bacteria....

Yellowing is a sign something isn’t right. Here’s how to remedy it. But these plants actually need plenty of light to grow and thrive. Credit:Bilal photos/Getty Images Yellowing leaves are a common sign that something isn’t right. Wondering what’s an example of inconsistent watering? Di Lallo recommends making sure that your snake plant is well hydrated after each watering. Credit: Getty Images Plants need water to grow, but too much keeps the soil soggy and the roots struggle....

Everything good will eventually come back into style. If you didn’t catch these furniture and decor trends the first time, now’s your chance. Case in point:Mid-century modern design. Credit:Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Here’s how it’s possible for you to incorporate each into your home. Some of the shades that are dominating the 2019 landscape are straight out of your 1970s-era living room. Avocado green, orange, tans, and browns, and the most popular of all:mustard yellow....

Does it ever feel like youre the only one with a perpetually messy home? Like youve dedicated entireweekends to cleaningand simplifying, only to wake up to clutter the next day? Honestly, weve all been there. Credit:LAUREY W. GLENN The secret to success: consistency. Maintenance is so important, emphasizes Judi Igwe of Rescue My Space in Houston, Texas. Youre constantly going through it, you cant find anything, and its a never-ending cycle....

Not all plants smell so sweet. Here are some of the worst-smelling plants around. Placing those fragrant blooms into a vase for your kitchen? Credit: Trudie Davidson/Getty Images Most namely, thathe absolutely hates them. Yep, its flowers smell overwhelmingly fishy. Thanks, but no thanks. Credit: PhotoviewPlus/Getty Images Some say sulfurous and phenolic, others say straight-up skunky. If you could’t help but love the pretty drooping blooms, plant them in a secluded spot....

“Where do you eat when youre off the clock?” In advance ofspring breakand summer travels, we decided to go straight to the source: chefs. Where do they dine out when they have a rare night away from their own kitchens? Credit:Getty Images / d3sign Luckily, all of this (and so much more) can be found in the South. I love the traditional offerings on the menu, but dont sleep on their specials....

Tune out the Southern accents around you, and you just might think youre in Germany. But this is30A, the scenic Florida highwaythat snakes along the cerulean Gulf of Mexico. Youll see alpine influences everywhere, from the wooden structures painted with floral motifs to the beloved annual events. Credit:Robbie Caponetto Credit: Robbie Caponetto Credit:Larry D. Moore,CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons Credit: Peter Frank Edwards Credit: Stephen Saks / Getty Images Credit:Christina Fowler/Courtesy of West Virginia Tourism...

Mayomuch more than a spread. Mayonnaise is an incredibly versatile ingredient in the kitchen. Of course, it’s the star of the show for many sandwiches, includingBLTsandchicken salad. Credit: Getty Images Not to mention, it’s the glue that holdsdeviled eggstogether. But mayonnaise may be even more versatile than you thought. The fat from the oil in mayonnaise will take yourgrilled cheeseto the next level. Spread mayo on each piece of bread before cooking the sandwich....

Sometimes secondhand is best. Caroline Levenson Design / Caroline Trotte “They just don’t make them like they used to!” These words ring especially true when you’re talking home decor and furnishings. Credit:Caroline Levenson Design / Caroline Trotte Curious what they’re hunting down vintage rather than buying at big name retailers? Here are the nine items that designers never, ever buy new anymore. Eric Ross, founder and principal ofEric Ross Interiorsin Nashville, Tennessee, echoes this sentiment....

Keep these items far away from your pantry shelves. A well-stocked pantry can makedinner(or breakfast or lunch) prep a snap. I like my pantry solely dedicated to housing food items and related products. Credit:Getty Images Getty Images Perishable Items Avoid perishable items in the pantry, says Parks. Such foods are best housed in the refrigerator or freezer. Storing them in the pantry can cause faster spoilage, resulting in smelly pantries and potential health risks....

Skip these unnecessary stresses. However, there’s no reason to let the prep work and etiquette rules overtake the enjoyment of hosting. The goal is to be prepared, but not overly stressed. Credit:ROBBIE CAPONETTO; STYLING: KATHLEEN VARNER Here are 9 things that a good host wouldn’t bother doing, and neither should you. Sure, it is easy to get distracted while readying the house. It makes all the difference, and your guests wont even notice....