Family Homes

From a sweet little moon that goes along with their favorite bedtime story to a colorful snail that lives inside a solar-powered mason jar, these night lights promise a glow so nice that kids will actually want to go to bed.

According to paint pros.

These parents have thought of everything: vintage rugs, multi-tiered ottomans, and other tiny smart hacks to maximize family spaces.

I wanted to learn how to alter my bad-smelling home habits — for my own nose and to be more hospitable to my guests.

Here are some tips to help you reclaim your couch for resting, not folding.

Some lemon wallpaper, room screens, and tons of house plants give this dank space some fresh life.

We're not sure which one we like more!

Come for the slopes, stay for the fabulous amenities — spas, hot chocolate, kiddie centers, and more!

For the holidays, Beth Sayler wanted her decor to add to their neutral, beachy color scheme, so she carefully selected items that matched the neutral colors and materials that felt natural to the beach vibe.

Since she was a little girl, Sunita Chhabra has loved collecting colorful, beautiful things — and her house is covered is vibrant hues and cool objects. It's travel-inspired, mural-filled maximalism.

I’m looking for good stories to share with my children about these Christmas holidays that are accessible, reverent, and not Hallmark cliches. Any good suggestions? MartyDear Marty,What a nice question you ask. While I wish we had comments working on the site (they will come) so others can chime in, I’m going to give you the answer where my head goes right away: Peter & Lotta’s Christmas by Elsa Beskow.

A few words to describe this one-bedroom apartment? Maximalist, Eclectic, Graphic, and Neon. And the best part is that all of the added details are renter-friendly. (You've probably never seen such creative uses for washi tape or such colorful cabinet upcycles!)

Whether you're decorating a big tree or a small one, let these affordable redos inspire you.

Here are the destinations that topped the list.

If you have kids or pets, you'll want to read this.

We rounded up the most festive and glam hotels to steal some decoration inspo for you.

We’ve rounded up 15 of the best bookcase makeovers, from painted Facebook Marketplace finds to newly-crafted built-ins and more.

If you’ve ever sat in a waiting room under the harsh glow of a fluorescent fixture, then you likely know the power of a bad light bulb.

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.

"Furnishing our home with unique Facebook Marketplace finds and old pieces my family was getting rid of has become one of my biggest passions," explains Leslie Jarrett. "There is something special about bringing pieces that were on their way to the landfill back to life!"

From neutral and soft decor to bold pops of color, the possibilities are endless when it comes to designing a home nursery. A baby room should be a warm and comfortable space for them to sleep and grow up in, but it should also be a well-organized, savvy space that parents also enjoy spending time in—after all, between nap time and night feeds, they’ll also be regulars in the room.If you’re looking to give your nursery space an overhaul, take inspiration from the latest trends.

Completed in just four months, this tiny DIY kitchen in Chicago is now a total showstopper.

The set comes with all the tools you could possibly need for the little detail work that makes a big difference.

Interior Stylist Jessica Nickerson of House Homemade loved the layout and charm of this house when she first saw it ... but it needed A LOT of updating. Thankfully, this DIY maven isn't afraid of doing the work!

This little fairytale house will make you want to be a kid again.

Just stick to these easy design rules to create a delightful and super-functional room that kids and adults will love.

And you can get it at The Home Depot!

These two mistakes can make or break a home sale.

Now my son has escalated a new situation in our house of which my wife and I are both apparently guilty — we don’t lower the toilet seat before flushing each time. My son says we’re both disgusting. What is the truth here?!?!CarlDear Carl,I thought you might be back. 🙂Since Covid began germ etiquette has definitely ratcheted up and this is one that my own daughter brought into our home two months ago when school began again IRL.

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. Join us over on Instagram for more! I grew up binging “Leave it to Beaver” — you know, that 1950s sitcom about a family of four without a hair out of place — with my Dad. Now as a frazzled parent myself, some elements of the series seem more than a little ridiculous.

Interior designer Catherine Armstrong lives in Byron Bay and recently completed an inspiring full renovation of the home she shares with her family.

East Fork Pottery's founders Connie and Alex Matisse share this incredibly cozy cabin in the woods with their two young daughters (and lots of fantastic ceramic dish and tableware).

(Image credit: Esteban Cortez) Preparing for Thanksgiving is by no means a one-day affair. If you’re hosting, you’ve been getting your house and kitchen ready, and spent days making lists, shopping, and cooking. Once the feasting is over, the last thing you want to do is spend hours cleaning up—and you shouldn’t have to! Here’s our fail-proof, get-it-done method for getting your kitchen back in shape so you can relax.

You heard it here: It's OK to store toys in every room.

Courtyards, curved staircases, and stunning balcony views ... this French Quarter rental apartment is a dreamy New Orleans home for a family of four.

When you’re a teacher, there is no holiday like Thanksgiving. The fall semester starts after Labor Day and you endure nearly three months of grueling class time to get your children in shape and moving meaningfully through the curriculum. You know the clock is ticking, parents are watching and your fellow teachers, all more experienced than you, are probably farther ahead. Teaching is very competitive.

Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving, or Friendsgiving, or reserve the big holiday meals for later in the year, you can't deny that your kitchen gets a lot of use this time of year.

This super-easy hack gives us so much more time to spend together on weekends.

On Kitchn: A Thanksgiving Dinner Outdoors (Image credit: Leela Cyd) Thanksgiving is almost upon us. And you’re hosting. If you started planning weeks ago, you’re in great shape to pick up and get to the real work of having guests and preparing a very special feast. If you’re only getting around to preparations now, don’t despair!

Dr. Risa Hoshino weighs in about the benefits and any risks related to the COVID-19 vaccine for kids ages 5–12.

Woodstock-era inspiration and beautiful boho touches take this mobile bedroom from brown and drab to bright and modern.

You deserve a break!

Inspiring rooms your guests will feel like sinking into and staying awhile.

In 5 minutes or less!

My son and I are having an argument over which way the toilet paper roll is supposed to go in the bathroom. He insists there’s a right way, his way. I’ve never heard of this. Please help me clear up this issue with my 13 year-old in-house “legal counsel.” CarlDear Carl,This is a subject of which I know a great deal about due to a tiff I had with my ex-wife years ago in our own bathroom.

Blasting Spanish-language music connects me to my heritage as much as it makes chores more enjoyable.

This simple addition will save you space and frustration, especially with kids.

These aren't your run-of-the-mill metal chairs.

From nesting to storage, having a baby turned my home upside down in the best way.

It'll keep life with pets organized and stylish!

It looks like an ENTIRELY new pantry.

House hunting is already stressful enough, but with kids? Whole other ball game. Here's how to make the process smoother, especially with little ones in tow.

Jenny and Cory have rented this small one-bedroom apartment in New York's Upper East Side for 14 years... and it's had to change and adapt with the addition of a 4-year son and 1-year-old twins. 

Mother knows best!

To travel the U.S., spend more time together, and pay down debt, Karen and Sylvester sold their family’s home and bought an RV off Facebook Marketplace to opt for a life on the road.

Achieve not the perfectly styled pantry of your Instagram feed, but a realistic one that serves you well, no matter its size, shape, or the kinds of containers you use.

If you're looking for a steal — plus, early shipping — check out these awesome Amazon deals for families.

It didn't take much to turn this dump spot into a more practical, usable space.

It takes ten minutes (or less!) to create this meaningful gift that brings the hugest smiles to their faces.

And it’s not too late to try them out in your home, as they’ll likely carry over into 2022!

Don't let the idea scare you.

Surprise! You won’t find the best kitchen organizing items in the kitchen section!

Animals and color and polka dots, oh my!

We love them, but we don't love what they do to our furniture.

There’s certainly nothing childish about Win’s nursery.

The never-ending cleaning cycle just got a little easier with these game-changing tips!

This week I’m trying something new — a childhood story about Halloween — because remembering what it’s like to be a child is always useful. Maxwell1976 was a big year. That year I turned 10, my brother was 8, our parents split up, and my father moved out. It was as if he went somewhere for a long weekend.  He moved to a magical apartment a few blocks away that had a bar in the living room with a stuffed monkey hanging off of fake palm trees.

While there’s no way to make washing a mountain of baby laundry fun, there are little tricks that will make it bearable. And luckily, new parents like nothing more than sharing their hard-earned words of wisdom. 

Any guesses?

Costco hot dogs not included.

This tiled solution is customizable and versatile — plus, my kids really get a kick out of arranging them.

Every detail looks straight out of the ride itself.