Blog Posts by Houzz.com

By Natalie Myers | Houzz.com
I have been spending most of my waking hours planning for my baby's nursery and pulling together just the right mix of practical and cool. Since this is my second, I know what I really need, what I can reuse from my first and what is a complete waste of money and space. As a minimalist with little square footage, here are my recommendations for pulling together a nursery. Yes, there are many extravagant options out there you will be tempted or coerced to put on your wish list, but here's what you will actually need.
Related: Browse photos of kids' rooms

Photo from: Lauren Hufnagl
1. Crib. I feel that a simple model such as the Jenny Lind is just right. You don't really need the convertible versions that change from a crib to a toddler bed to a full size bed. Most of them look awkward in their non-crib forms. They are more expensive than the basic crib models offered by Ikea, Land of Nod or Pottery Barn Kids or Craigslist. And, realistically, by the time your child is ready for

By Jen Jafarzadeh L'Italien | Houzz.com

Keep your laundry room and clothes in great shape with these basic washing machine tips.

Your washing machine needs some love. Think about what this machine does for you: It cleans a hamper's worth of dirty clothes in less than an hour and magically removes all kinds of stains without scrubbing - day in and day out. Like any appliance, you need to clean and care for your washing machine to keep it running smoothly. A little bit of upkeep goes a long way, so here are a few simple tricks to try.

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Dawna Jones Design
1. Deep cleaning. Do you feel like your clothes are not coming out as clean as they should? Or do you detect an odor inside your washing machine? Then it's time for a deep clean. I like to use The Laundress Machine Cleaner once a month to clean out my washer - and I've noticed it cleans better when I do. You'll want to run an empty cycle on hot wash with your machine cleaner - or simply laundry

By Lisa Frederick | Houzz.com

Ever since I outgrew my musical jewelry box with the spinning ballerina inside, I've been at a bit of a loss as to where to stash my expanding collection of baubles. In a perfect world, I'd have a closet tricked out with custom-configured, velvet-lined drawers, with a designated spot for each chunky necklace or chandelier earring. Not being Carrie from Sex and the City, however, I need a budget-friendly - yet still artful - way to keep them in their place. These ideas fill both needs with aplomb.

More from Houzz: Browse hundreds of jewelry storage ideas

Creative jewelry stands and holders