Blog Posts by Elle Decor

Designer Fabrics at a Discount

The Most Popular Color Right Now

The Nicest Celebrity Living Rooms

Beautiful Designer Kitchens

The right lighting can make or break a room. Here, how to get it.

Written by Lauren DeCarlo Photo: Courtesy of Lindsey Adelman

Have you ever walked into a room and marveled at how the light was diffused? Probably not-and for good reason. When lighting is impeccable you hardly notice it. "If a room is lit the right way, everyone looks their best and feels relaxed and comfortable, but they don't know why," says Lindsey Adelman, a New York-based industrial designer who specializes in light fixtures.

Carefully considered bulbs and fixtures create an inviting environment that encourages people to linger. One of the biggest missteps is overly bright lighting. "You don't want guests in your home to feel like they're waiting in a hospital emergency room," says interior designer Andrew Galuppi. Here are a few tips to help strike the right balance.

See more: The Most Popular Color Right Now

#1: Localize your light source.
A common misconception is that you need to light the whole room. Try instead to incorporate

Designer Fabrics at a Discount

The Most Popular Color Right Now

The Nicest Celebrity Living Rooms

Beautiful Designer Kitchens

Designer Fabrics at a Discount

The Most Popular Color Right Now

The Nicest Celebrity Living Rooms

Beautiful Designer Kitchens

MORE FROM ELLE DECOR:

Designer Fabrics at a Discount

The Most Popular Color Right Now

The Nicest Celebrity Living Rooms

Beautiful Designer Kitchens

A practical guide to help you care for and maintain countertops, floors, and sinks

Written by Brooke Lea Foster

Simon UptonA clean kitchen is like a hot shower: It makes you feel so much better. While a daily deep cleaning is unrealistic, it's also not necessary. Here, a guide to when to clean what, and how to do it mindfully-so as to not damage delicate surfaces.

See more: The Most Popular Color Right Now

1. Sinks

Everyday Care
Stainless steel, cast-iron, and porcelain sinks should be wiped down with an all-purpose spray (or one made with mild dishwashing soap and water) after each use. For best results, rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth, which will help prevent soap scum. Deep-clean your sink once a week.

Best Cleaners
For a deep clean: Empty your sink of dishes and plug the drain. Fill the sink with hot water, pour in a cup of bleach, and leave it to sit for an hour. Wearing gloves, remove the plug, and let the water drain. After rinsing the sink, sprinkle it with

Everything you need to know about materials, grout, installation, and more

Written by Tim McKeough William Abranowicz

Choosing new tile for kitchen floors and backsplashes can be fraught with uncertainty. There's a bewildering array of options, including a variety of materials, treatments, and sizes to choose from. How do you know which options will perform the best and be easiest to maintain? What are the latest product offerings? And, what should you keep in mind when it comes to installation? To help narrow the field, we recently spoke with some tiling pros.

See more: Stylish Celebrity Closets / To-Die-For Celebrity Closets

Material
"Ceramic and glass are great options for a backsplash since they are easy to maintain and come in an incredible variety of colors, shapes, styles, and price points," says DeeDee Gundberg, product development portfolio director at Ann Sacks. "Porcelain is an excellent option for floors since it's low maintenance, and the tiles tend to be large format, which

A serene bedroom doesn't just look soothing; it sets the tone for relaxed evenings, a better night's sleep, and an energized morning. Consider these tips from top interior designers to transform yours.

Reed Krakoff

1. Rethink the Paint Color
There isn't one color that's right for everyone. Designer Delphine Krakoff recommends soothing whites, beiges, and pale grays, while Aurélien Gallet prefers dark colors, specifically blues or aubergine. And though Michelle Nussbaumer suggests a calming celestial blue for the walls, she emphasizes the importance of following your instinct. "Your bedroom is your most personal space. You should go with whatever makes you happy, even if that happens to be vermilion red."

See more: The Most Popular Color Right Now

2. Make Your Bed the Best
"A great mattress makes all the difference in the world," says Krakoff, who swears by models by Haastens. "But if that's not an option, the next best thing is to buy good sheets and change them as