Shivani Vyas

Macon

Writer at Freelance

Freelance Interior Design Writer at Dotdash Meredith

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Articles

8 Home Items That Are Always Better to Buy Thrifted (Rather Than New)

4 days ago | bhg.com | Shivani Vyas

Photo: Image Source / Getty Images If you're in the market for a purchase for your home, whether it's furniture or accessories, you might wonder whether it's better to buy new or secondhand. Or you might worry that what you buy in a thrift store might not be as good as something brand new. According to our thrifting experts, that's just not the case. In fact, some household furnishings are actually better (and more valuable!) if you purchase them secondhand.
From Funky Shapes to Bold Colors—6 Unexpected Hardware Trends That Will Define 2025 Home Design

2 weeks ago | bhg.com | Shivani Vyas

Knobs, cup pulls, bar pulls, drop handles, backplate knobs, latch hardware—there's no shortage of ways to dress your cabinet doors, especially this year. "2025 is all about adding personality and unique details to home design, and a great way to achieve that is through creative or custom knobs and pulls," says Miranda Cullen, owner of Inside Stories. "Though a small detail, hardware plays a significant role in enhancing cabinetry, offering a unique and impactful design element," she says.
4 Hidden Costs of Accessory Dwelling Units That Could Blow Your Budget

2 weeks ago | bhg.com | Shivani Vyas

In-law suites, garage apartments, or granny flats are all variations of accessory dwelling units—also known as ADUs. These smaller-scale buildings give you the flexibility to expand your home's footprint without subtracting any valuable square footage or sacrificing your existing floor plan. If you're planning on adding an ADU to your home, there are some under-the-radar costs you'll want to stay ahead of to avoid going over budget.
5 Harmful Ingredients You Should Avoid in Your Laundry Detergents

4 weeks ago | bhg.com | Shivani Vyas

Photo: Svetlana Sultanaeva / Getty Images Key TakeawaysSome common laundry detergent ingredients can be harmful for both people and the environment. Ingredients to avoid include dyes, phosphates, and optical brighteners. Look for Green Seal or USDA Organic certifications, as these detergents often have cleaner ingredients. With hundreds of laundry detergents on the market, it can be hard to pinpoint which option is the safest and most effective for your lifestyle.
No, Sitting Rooms Aren't Obsolete—Here's How Designers Are Making Them Modern

1 month ago | bhg.com | Shivani Vyas

Photo: Courtesy of Meredith McKenzie / The Selective Design Whether you love the concept of a formal sitting room or think it's a waste of space, you can't deny these spaces have come a long way from being status symbols in the Victorian era. But what are sitting rooms used for now—and how are homeowners reimagining today's sitting rooms to serve their contemporary lifestyles?
Keep Your Hair Dryer from Becoming a Fire Hazard by Cleaning This One Part

1 month ago | bhg.com | Shivani Vyas

Photo: Liudmila Chernetska / Getty Images When you think of household fire hazards, candles, cooking mishaps, and heating equipment (such as space heaters) are likely on your radar. But there's one frequently-used item that you need to watch out for: hair dryers. If you don't use and maintain your hair dryer properly, it can overheat—potentially leading to sparks, which can ignite your model's internal elements and even spread to flammable objects near by.
Your Hair Dryer Is a Fire Hazard If You Don't Clean This One Part

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Shivani Vyas

When you think of household fire hazards, candles, cooking mishaps, and heating equipment (such as space heaters) are likely on your radar. But there's one frequently-used item that you need to watch out for: hair dryers. If you don't use and maintain your hair dryer properly, it can overheat—potentially leading to sparks, which can ignite your model's internal elements and even spread to flammable objects near by. However, saving yourself from this fire hazard is easier than you might think.
5 Things You Absolutely Need to Know About Fire Blankets, According to Safety Experts

1 month ago | bhg.com | Shivani Vyas

Photo: Nickbeer / Getty Images A fire blanket is almost exactly what it sounds like. It's an incredibly handy safety tool designed with fire-resistant materials (like treated wool, fiberglass or types of woven nylon) and sealed a flame retardant coating—each iteration designed to cut off the oxygen supply to a fire, stopping combustion in its tracks. So, are fire blankets a smart alternative to traditional fire extinguishers when it comes to small household fires?
Here's What to Expect for the Cost of Kitchen Cabinets in 2025, According to an Expert

1 month ago | bhg.com | Shivani Vyas

Photo: Nathan Schroder Managing a kitchen remodel or renovation can be a huge project. Not only do you need to consider functionality, style, and budget, but you risk burning out if you don't plan properly. No one wants to get halfway through a kitchen redesign without enough funds. That's why understanding costs is crucial—starting with your cabinetry, which can take up to 25% to 40% of your total kitchen renovation budget.
Here's What to Expect for the Cost of Kitchen Cabinets in 2025

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Shivani Vyas

Nathan SchroderManaging a kitchen remodel or renovation can be a huge project. Not only do you need to consider functionality, style, and budget, but you risk burning out if you don't plan properly. No one wants to get halfway through a kitchen redesign without enough funds. That's why understanding costs is crucial—starting with your cabinetry, which can take up to 25% to 40% of your total kitchen renovation budget.