House Outlook

1 week ago | houseoutlook.com | Kelsey A. Morrison

When most people hear a creaky door, they reach for a canister of cooking spray or WD-40 and spray the hinge. While this usually silences the hinge, it leaves a greasy residue that can potentially damage wood or paint, or attract unwanted pests. Instead of risking damage with spray-on oils, we turn to a solution brought to our attention by TikTok creator @ken.c.long, who recommends using a bar of soap.

1 week ago | houseoutlook.com | Kelsey A. Morrison

The secret to a cozier space is a concept interior designer Hans Lorei calls “enclosure.” Take a chair, for example. By itself, a single chair is isolating. But add a lamp next to it, enclosing one side, and it instantly becomes more inviting. Place a drink table on the other side and a footstool in front — more layers of enclosure — and suddenly it’s a haven. This is why alcove and canopy beds are so comforting, and why open floor plans are sometimes too open, creating an unwelcoming feeling.

1 week ago | houseoutlook.com | Kelsey A. Morrison

Before committing to a gallon, try this easy hack to ensure you’ll love the shade on your walls in the morning light, the afternoon glow, and all the moments in between. Instead of painting sample colors directly onto your walls, consider using foam boards as a clever alternative. Painting sample colors directly on your walls can create a patchy surface, especially if you want to test colors before executing all the painting prep work, including washing, patching, sanding, and priming.

1 week ago | houseoutlook.com | Kelsey A. Morrison

While they make Ziploc bags in a variety of shapes and sizes, you might be fresh out of the larger ones and need to make do with what you have on hand. The good news is there’s a simple way to double the storage capacity of a Ziploc bag in a matter of moments. TikTok creator Jacqueline Stein (@home_reimagined) enlightened us about this helpful hack. However, keep in mind that it only works for Ziploc bags with press-to-close seals, not those with sliders.

1 week ago | houseoutlook.com | Kelsey A. Morrison

From cleaning items to figuring out your display, here are some tips and tricks for a successful garage sale. The best part? You can use items you already have — or items you’re planning to sell — to help you achieve a more organized and efficient garage sale setup. Apart from collecting the items you want to sell, giving them a thorough cleaning is one of the most important steps you can take, because people are more likely to purchase items that look well maintained.