Used in cooking and for infusing hot drinks, as well as for their aroma and for medicinal purposes, herbs have so many benefits so it’s worth growing your own and the great thing is, you don’t need a large garden to grow them – most herbs grow well in containers which are perfect for small gardens, patio areas or inside on window sills. From hanging baskets to old wheelbarrows, almost any container is suitable provided it has drainage holes; the options are endless, so why not let your imagination run riot....

Step away from the dull and the corporate and there exists a plethora of desks that could complement your home’s architecture and your tastes from the modern and minimalist to elegant period furniture. The materials from which the desk might be made together with color options add to the breadth of choice. Here, we’ve put together desk inspiration you can combine with all your other home office ideas to make a chic as well as practical working area together with expert advice from interior designers to assist your choice....

The signs you’re getting it wrong? Overwatered Christmas cacti go limp and the leaves might yellow; underwatered Christmas cacti might shrivel and go brown. As a rule, Christmas cacti only need watering every two to three weeks. However, knowing when to water Christmas cactus and when to hold off can vary household to household. The crucial factors that will help you pin down exactly how often to water your Christmas cactus are listed below, with advice from top plant experts....

Humidifiers all have the same basic role: to add moisture to the air. They achieve this by turning water into vapor which is dispelled into the air. However, if the water tank and other connections in the humidifier are dirty, the vapor you and your family inhale will also be dirty. This is why regular and thorough humidifier cleaning is an important part of its use and should never be overlooked or put off....

Cleaning a wool rug yourself isn’t hard. What is crucial is to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to keep it in great condition, so check any label before you begin. Here, we provide expert cleaning tips for keeping a wool rug pristine. How to clean a wool rug Cleaning a wool rug is largely the same as cleaning an area rug, but it’s important to have wool-specific cleaners to hand, as well as use the right techniques....

Bamboo is a fast growing plant that can often reach up to 10 or 12 feet tall, and has a diverse range of uses, from making a great sensory garden plant to crafting furniture, however, it is ultimately an invasive plant that can quickly take over your garden and block light, meaning you may want to know how to stop bamboo from spreading. What’s more, its strength can make it difficult to manage so learning when to cut bamboo as well as best cutting practices is important to make it a manageable addition to your garden ideas....

Below, we take you through the best ways to fertilize a lawn with the most effective types of fertilizer so that you will not only make your lawn green and thick, but have one that better stands up to the daily wear and tear it gets. How to fertilize a lawn Fertilizing a lawn the the proper way will keep it growing strongly and densely, but once it’s done, keeping it well fertilized is what will maintain its health and good looks moving forwards....

When it comes to getting rid of ants, many of the methods are the same, so one treatment can usually be used across ant varieties from getting rid of flying ants to getting rid of carpenter ants. Knowing which type you are dealing with, however, will allow you to better target your treatments to kill or dissuade the ants most effectively. Here, we have looked at how to kill red ants as well as how to recognize a red ant infestation in your home and how to prevent red ants so you are prepared for any infestation that may threaten your property....

Your drywall ceiling may get damaged through ceiling leaks or wear and tear, and it’s a relatively easy fix for a seasoned DIYer. If you can learn how to hang drywall ceiling or have accomplished removing a popcorn ceiling, you can certainly turn your talents to patching a drywall ceiling. We asked Nick Cryer, founder of high-end residential construction company Berkeley Place (opens in new tab), to share his top tips for patching a drywall ceiling below....

Designing a kitchen is probably the most complicated renovation task any of us will take on, other than building additions on to our homes. And it’s vital to get the design absolutely right. After all, not only is the kitchen the workhorse of your home, but real estate agents will tell you that while a great kitchen can bag you a sale at a good price, one that’s designed poorly will result in fewer, and lower, offers....

As with all kitchen layouts, your choices are to a great extent dictated by the shape and size of your room, but that doesn’t mean you have to be restricted when it comes to designing your ideal kitchen ideas. Traditional L-shaped kitchens can easily include the ‘kitchen triangle’ concept so the three essential functions (the refrigerator, stove and sink), all remain within easy reach. If you prefer a more linear way of working, L-shaped kitchens are perfect for this too: position the main functions along one run of units or add in an island unit to create a flexible and ergonomic galley layout....

In their shadiest corners, intriguing planting choices can be layered, while brighter areas can be devoted to colorful backyard ideas with beautiful blooms. Whether you’ve a tiny courtyard, patio or a good-sized plot, pick the plants that will thrive and they’ll be the basis for a haven where you can be at one with nature. After all the spadework, don’t forget to plan your garden decor and the all-important spot to sit, relax and enjoy the view....

Luckily, implementing a few simple bathroom organization ideas and clever storage methods is all it takes to remedy the situation. Filling your medicine cabinet to bust with medicines and supplies might seem like a sensible precaution but taking a minimal and orderly approach is the best way to maximize its usefulness. ‘A well-organized medicine cabinet can be a lifesaver in a medical emergency – quite literally. Most homes have at least a few basic items, such as bandages and pain relievers; taking the time to inventory your supplies and ensure they’re properly labelled and stored can make all the difference’, says Oberon Copeland, CEO and founder of Very Informed (opens in new tab)....

What’s more, whether they’re folding, sliding, French doors, or another type they can make a style statement in their own right and complement a home’s architecture to boot. They’re worth considering as part of your plans when remodeling or constructing an addition as well as when you’re ready to replace old or inappropriate door designs to improve your home and realize your patio ideas. Here, we’ve gathered patio door ideas of different types and in different materials to inspire and we examine the features and benefits of each, too....

Of course, adding extra square footage is the ideal, but if that’s not a possibility, a clever revamp can be just as value adding. Here, we show you remodelling ideas for small kitchens that will ensure you don’t waste an inch of space – or an opportunity. Remodelling ideas for small kitchens If the small kitchen ideas you’re looking for are a little more ambitious than just an odd piece of storage or two, you may find these remodelling ideas for small kitchens useful....

If frosts are inbound, getting the watering right could be crucial to keeping tender plants alive through winter, according to experts. ‘Knowing when to water plants between frosts is something all experts agree is essential,’ says Rachel Crow, garden editor for Homes & Gardens. ‘Moist soil holds up to four times more heat than dry soil, so, if you are in a dry climate, watering might well be necessary a couple of days before a frost is forecast....

While learning how to wash towels is a seemingly easy process, there are different levels of cleanliness to consider. Simply throwing your towels in the washing machine will help them appear cleaner, but if you wash them at the wrong temperature, you may be left with harmful germs and bacteria that are much better left outside your bathroom. And your water temperature’s importance goes beyond bacteria prevention. If you’ve read up on how to keep towels soft, you may know that temperature and your drying habits all have an impact on their quality, and that includes how fresh they look on your towel rail....

See some of the world’s best homes – beautiful properties from around the globe The property The situation is made better still by the fact that the building, designed by architect Richard Rogers, is not densely packed with apartments, meaning the rooms offer plenty of space to breathe and allow for a free hand with decorating, which was done for the homeowner by interior designer Jane Churchill. ‘I have often joked that many of the London homes I viewed that fell within my price range, in the areas I prefer, were like ladders with rooms coming off at each rung....

They asked a local designer to help them make the shift from their small NYC apartment to the new 3,400 square foot, 6-bed, 3.5 bath home. The colorful transformation of the family’s Long Island home makes it one of the world’s best homes. And the design solutions that helped this family adjust to their enlarged living space could just as easily transfer to anyone who’s choosing to upsize not downsize....

‘The brief was to update and expand it so both their families could enjoy it,’ says Sarah Eilers of Lucas/Eilers Design Associates (opens in new tab). ‘They wanted a comfortable, modern interpretation of a ranch house.’ The design concept for this ranch retreat developed from the family’s Texan roots, combined with their eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary styles. With plans to accommodate large groups for entertaining, the ceilings were raised and walls were knocked through to connect the primary areas of the space....