Choose a Large Container All of these annuals grow well in containers. If you decide to go that route, make sure to choose a good-sized pot, since smaller containers dry out more easily. For an eye-catching container garden, mingle plants that require the same care but differ in color, height, and texture. Water Frequently Although these annuals can beat the heat, they also like to stay hydrated, so give them a drink every other day....

1. Oversized Statement Plants Delicate little succulents in elf-size pots are cute, but this is the year for great big plants that make a bold botanical statement. We’re talking 8-foot-tall potted palms, 6-foot-tall bird of paradise, and Ficus Audrey that can grow into towering indoor trees. The reason for the big plant binge? We’re a few years into the houseplant trend, and we’ve gotten more confident about our plant-care skills, says Greene, a plant doctor, consultant, and founder of Brooklyn-based plant care and styling business Greene Piece....

This level of comfort isn’t limited to luxury hotels, however. You can replicate the same soothing aura in your own bedroom without any travel or expensive booking charges. The trick is to layer a variety of plush elements, including bedding, pillows, and rugs, to make the space as cozy as possible. Fresh, inviting scents and the right bedroom furniture arrangement also contribute to a hotel-like feel. Although you’ll have to handle your own turn-down service, you can achieve the same feeling of a 5-star hotel right at home....

If you’re ready to dip into the green cleaning movement, try incorporating one or two of these sustainable swaps into your rotation. As you add more eco-friendly habits into your cleaning routine, notice the difference in your household waste, indoor air quality, and overall health of your home. Start with these simple strategies to see how easy it can be to go green with your cleaning routine. 1. Swap plastic bottles for glass....

1. Evaluate your needs. Your lifestyle can and should play a part in any small-deck design ideas. Before you start planning construction, think about how you currently use your outdoor space and how you’d like to use it. For example, if you regularly gather family and friends for meals, then you’ll want to maximize the deck area for seating as well as include a spot for a grill. But if you have a large lawn for playing and relaxing, a deck might serve a different purpose in your daily life, such as a spot to read the paper....

If you suspect that a child or pet has been poisoned by eating or touching a houseplant, call your doctor or veterinarian, go to an emergency room, or call the 24-hour National Capital Poison Center at 800-222-1222. Growing Conditions: Bright, indirect light to low light and allow soil to dry out to an inch below the surface between waterings. Size: Up to 5 feet tall Buy It: Costa Farms Dieffenbachia Plant ($40), The Home Depot) Growing Conditions: Bright to medium light and keep the soil consistently moist....

Best of all, you don’t have to be an artist to create a gorgeous painted accent wall. Abstract shapes and thick geometric lines are especially trendy right now, which means you don’t need Picasso-level art skills to paint your own wall mural. This home decorating trend is low-commitment too—if you don’t love how your mural turns out, you can simply paint over it and start again. Before You Start Painting We do recommend refreshing your wall with a fresh base coat before you start your mural, but most of our favorite ideas can be completed with just a few quarts of paint....

1. Turn a Closet into a Desk Turn a small closet into an inviting workspace with just a few add-ons. This closet-desk hybrid has bright blue barn doors that can be pulled shut so you don’t have to stare at work once your duties for the day are over. Inside, a floating workstation and shelves provide storage and a writing surface, while two sconces provide task lighting. Funky wallpaper adds personality and turns the “cloffice” into a fun focal point....

It also seems we have been given new permission to be homebodies and a little antisocial, blissfully so. There’s an undeniable pleasure to domesticity: curling up with a book, watching your favorite streaming show, or puttering around with projects. During the reopening, I’ve discovered how much I love coming back home after an event or a day at work. Now that I’m not in it as much, I realize how much I love and value my home as a sanctuary from the hubbub, the commuting, and the traffic....

Our sample yard starts out with little more than a few trees and shrubs. There is only the inkling of an entry landscape, and the rear patio is minimal. There is also no privacy in the backyard, few shady areas for relaxation, and no amenities to tempt you or your guests into the yard. Let’s follow these homeowners as they address these, and other, shortcomings. Related Feature: Assessing Your Landscape Needs...

For Soft-Boiled Eggs Bring water to boiling. Using a slotted spoon, gently lower eggs into water. Reduce heat to maintain a gentle boil. Boil 6 minutes for soft boiled or 8 minutes for a jammy but not set yolk. Drain; place in ice water until cool enough to handle. Peel eggs. If using soft-boiled eggs, use a gentle hand when enclosing them in the meat mixture.

Aloe vera can be grown outdoors as a landscape plant in frost-free climates. Like all succulents, it grows best in well-drained soil and bright, sunny conditions. Indoor-grown plants can transition outside for the summer, even in cold climates—as long as nighttime temperatures don’t dip consistently below 50 degrees F. Place plants in a spot that receives direct morning sun and afternoon shade and is protected from rain. Plant aloe transplants or offsets in quality, well-drained potting mix....