Family Homes

Don't be so fast to automatically run the drying cycle!

My daughter is twelve and just got her first smartphone, which is causing havoc. She’s got tons of apps going, doing weird things with her friends, and it feels like too much for her age. How can I easily, kindly, and firmly control this? MichelleDear Michelle,This is a huge question and has many different answers, depending on what sorts of behaviors you are seeing and which ones you want to curtail, but I GET IT.

These clever projects were the best of the year for these talented DIYers.

The whole family pitched in to make this cozy outdoor living room.

Wallpaper, antiques, and many more trends that will dominate.

Think dark colors and open shelving.

This piece was created for Cubby, our weekly newsletter for families at home. Want more? Sign up here for a weekly splash of fun and good ideas for families with kids. When I was growing up, my mother had a saying: The Devil works overtime on Sunday mornings. She meant that every minute I spent arguing with her about clothes, every harsh word spoken as she herded our family out of the house to get to church on time, was a kind of warfare: Satan trying to keep us from worship.

Professional organizer Shira Gill's definition of minimalism is "not about deprivation or scarcity, but rather, defining what is essential and meaningful to you, and then stripping away the clutter and distraction that stands in the way."

Focus on what’s doable and realistic.

Here are a few of the organizations providing immediate and critical assistance to Ukrainians.

NOTE: These short memory stories, dropped in as they are to my Ask Maxwell column, do serve a purpose. While definitely different, my aim is to provide context for what we were thinking when we were children, which will help us to understand our own children. I find that in going back into my own childhood and sharing stories of my own struggles and what I was thinking at the time has been very helpful in connecting with my own daughter as she has grown.

A pro organizer gives her pantry a more minimalistic look.

These investments were an absolute game-changer in our small apartment.

The basement is now home to a TV and gaming area, a ping-pong zone, a workout corner, and a utility room.

Less waste, more convenience.

Because your kitchen needs a little springtime TLC.

And they take only minutes to DIY!

I know; it seems unlikely that a gorgeous antique is also kid-friendly. But I’m here to tell you that it is indeed possible.

We’re really loving the Lightning McQueen bed!

What’s the biggest kid-related design mistake you’ve ever made in your home?RebeccaDear Rebecca,I NEVER make mistakes! Hahahaha. Of course I do, but I often think about mistakes as something that I quickly address, learn from and then move on. So, in this way, mistakes are par for the course and necessary. However, if I were to think back and pass one one…. Hmmmmm….

Solid pieces of furniture like this one can be made over again and again.

You won't believe they actually work!

Including a tip on making a pantry out of nothing.

You’d be forgiven for thinking several items around your home are self-cleaning. Items like your soap dispenser and dishwasher are literally used for cleaning… with soap… so how can they themselves get dirty? Welp, they can. 

My daughter loves reading, but her books are overflowing! Do you have any suggestions on good book organization solutions for kids?JonDear Jon,You’ve got a good problem there to solve. I also know what it’s like when your kid loves books, but tends to treat them like empty candy-bar wrappers that get thrown on the floor after use.

Becca Crawford, who works at textiles and decor brand St. Frank, fell for the high ceilings and charming pre-war details of this Brooklyn Brownstone; it's the perfect canvas for her enviable collection of gorgeous textiles.

Some of them were game-changers. Some of the hacks worked... with caveats. Others? Well, let’s just say they didn’t measure up to the hype.

It doesn’t take long, but it saves us so. Much. Time. (Plus, kitchen-zoning teaches kids to be independent, which is the gift that keeps on giving!)

The reno makes everything look bigger and brighter, but still has mid-century charm fitting of a mid-century house.

When Shar and her husband and kids moved into their forever home in Colorado, she was excited to go BOLD with color. "My personality definitely shines through my decor style," she says. "The boldness and vigor and sauciness."

After spending years in rental homes that had to be neutral, Maggie Overby isn't holding back in this her forever home. She's adding lots of layers of pattern, color, and DIYs.

The "after" feels like a breath of fresh air.

What was the single best thing you bought for your home recently?TaraDear Tara,I’m a shopaholic and LOVE to constantly upgrade and improve my home, so I’m going to give a short list of TEN THINGS I’ve purchased recently that I really, really love: 1. KnifeAid – I’ve discovered an easy way to keep my knives sharp (since I never ever sharpened them before and they are always dull), but sending them in the mail to Knife Aid.

Aside from being ultra practical, this redo is gorgeous to boot.

The teeny space just needed a little pick-me-up.

The easy DIY project makes the family's entryway way more functional for them.

The mission: infuse character through thoughtful layers, heirloom furnishings, and curated artwork.

As I’ve entered my thirties and begun hosting friends of my own, I have adopted my grandmother's cleaning method that I remembered from childhood.

We call it the "Magic Trash" strategy — but it's more like a fresh game they can't get enough of.

Lisa Donahue and her daughter, Megan Donahue, started Live Simply Buses as a tribute to their brother and son Michael who passed away at the age of 15.

It's tried-and-true kitchen wisdom!

Fill your home with LEGO furniture.

Say goodbye to messy closets for good!

When she and her husband first bought it, Kara Haren's apartment had cranberry painted walls, a kitchen that hadn't been touched in 20 years, and flimsy and cracked windows. In the six years they've lived there, they have renovated each room to feel special and specific to them.

From air quality down to organizing your home for rituals, these experts share their best advice for creating a healthy family home.

NOTE: These short memory stories, dropped in as they are to my Ask Maxwell column, do serve a purpose. While definitely different, my aim is to provide context for what we were thinking when we were children, which will help us to understand our own children. I find that in going back into my own childhood and sharing stories of my own struggles and what I was thinking at the time has been very helpful in connecting with my own daughter as she has grown.

My kitchen has never smelled better.

You'll never look back.

It's my go-to for stains — and keeping my hands super soft — from now on.

The redo turned a "meh" sleep space into a dreamy retreat.

This is a classic example of “Do as I say, not as I do" — but I've also got some solutions to try.

They’ll be snug as a bug in these sheets!

When artist Josie Azuma and her husband bought this house in 2015, it was in rough shape and too small. They renovated it to be a larger, light-filled, and functional home for their family.

Sade and William's house was built in 1837 and had been well maintained when they bought it three years ago; they've added their personality through a little cosmetic work, including paint and refinishing the floors.

What are your thoughts on the best things to bring new parents? I struggle with helpful gifts they’ll actually want!AmandaDear Amanda,I have a very strong opinion on this one, so forgive me if it’s not within the majority’s view. Outside of close family, who often help out a new parents with purchasing the basic things you need to transform your home into a nursery, etc., I feel that the last thing they need is more toys, doo-dads, cute clothes, and clutter for their home.

Some big-impact strategies here — as well as simple little ones you can employ today!

This New Jersey bungalow has original built-in shelves, a "Wes Anderson bathroom," and wood paneling galore.

These resale-friendly hues come highly recommended.

They're easy to recreate at home.

Use it to clean your shower, degrease cabinets, unclog drains, and more!

According to designers!

I live with my husband and three young children in the northwest corner of the state of Arkansas. The kids fill our days with parenting responsibilities: school, extracurricular activities, meals, and bedtime. On the weekends, I look for parks, libraries, and other places of interest. But I’ve run out of ideas and am just bored with where I live. Add in the pandemic and my mid-40s slump and I’m mind-numbingly bored. Plus our weather changes day to day!

From kid-focused kitchen design to grown-up escape zones, there’s something for everyone in the family home of tomorrow.

Whose ingredients you probably have in your kitchen.

With IKEA cabinets, Semihandmade fronts, and a $100 "marble" backsplash hack.

Plus: tips on shopping Facebook Marketplace on a budget and simple furniture redo tricks.

Karri Bowen-Poole of Project Playroom transformed a former den into a bright and airy space for open-ended play.

My father always hounded me to pick up after myself and I developed a real resistance to it. Now, with my own children, I don’t want to spoil them, but I don’t want to hound them all the time either! Anthony, father of threeDear Anthony,First of all, I wanted to add in what you sent to me — that you are a father of three — because I think it lends color to how much picking up you might be dealing with.

Lime-green sconces, vintage art pieces, and lots of perfect imperfection. This home is an unexpected haven for the family of four.

From sneaking in a workout to a time-saving sock system, here’s how parents start their days right.

Vertical storage is the way to go.

From storage to layouts to sleeping arrangements, there are all sorts of considerations that have to be figured out when sharing a small home with a family (of any size).