Buying a Home

Best Time to Sell Right Around the Corner

Sellers who list April 13-19 could potentially make $4,800 more, sell their home nine days faster and have 13.2% less competition on average, Realtor.com said.

AUSTIN, Texas — In a challenging real estate market, timing can make a difference and this year, according to the Best Time to Sell report from Realtor.com, the optimal time when sellers are likely to find the ideal balance of market conditions is April 13 – April 19. If 2025 follows the previous years’ seasonal trends, sellers who put their home on the market during this week could potentially get an average of $27,000 more on their home sale, sell faster and see more buyers in the market when compared to the start of the year.

“Spring is typically a good time to list your home, and at a time when policy changes and economic turning points create questions and uncertainty, it can be helpful to focus on what we do know,” said Danielle Hale, chief economist, Realtor.com. “Very predictably, homes listed in the spring tend to be priced higher and sell faster than the average week throughout the year. While tariffs and inflation continue to be concerns that could dampen buyer and seller confidence, harnessing the seasonal trends in real estate is a proactive way to navigate what’s ahead.”

Why is April 13-19 the best time to sell in 2025?

As mortgage rates continue to be higher than many buyers and sellers prefer, the market is beginning to show encouraging signs. During the week of April 13, sellers can expect favorable conditions that include inventory, demand, favorable competition and market pace.

Above average prices – Homes listing during this week historically have a median listing price 1.1% higher than the average week throughout the year and 6.7% higher than the start of the year. If 2025 follows the previous years’ seasonal trends, the national median listing price during this week could reach $4,800 above the average week, and $27,000 more than the start of the year.

Quicker market pace – Thanks to above-average demand, homes generally sell more quickly during this week. Historically, homes actively for sale during this week sold roughly nine days faster than the average week. Market pace did not differ greatly from the previous year in 2024, as the opposing forces of low inventory and low buyer demand resulted in little change. If buyer demand picks up more quickly than inventory this spring, market pace could quicken as buyers vie for fewer homes.

Above-average buyer demand – The number of buyers browsing a listing can determine how many offers a home gets and how quickly it sells. The more buyers looking at a home, the better for the seller, and in most years buyers start earlier than sellers. Historically, this week has garnered 17.7% more views per listing than the typical week. Mortgage rates have remained higher than 6% for more than two years, and in response, many buyers have stayed out of the market. After two years of high rates, however, it is likely that buyers will trickle into the market this spring, enticed by improved inventory and slowing price growth across much of the country. If mortgage rates also fall this spring, it is possible that demand will surge sooner and with more vigor.

Lower competition from other sellers – A typical inventory trend would mean 13.2% fewer sellers on the market during this week compared to the average week throughout the year. Seller activity tends to climb from the beginning of the year until roughly November.

Key factors for the 2025 housing market

Heading into 2025’s selling season, conditions look a bit rosier with more for-sale options, which can stoke buyer demand in both well-supplied markets and in in-demand markets with low inventory levels. This year’s housing market will hinge on improved affordability conditions, which will be highly dependent on falling mortgage rates and climbing inventory.

Mortgage rates are expected to move to the mid-to-low 6% range by year’s end. We do expect mortgage rates to ease this year as inflation gets closer to the 2% target level, but deviations from this trend, as we saw in some of the early year data, will create bumps in mortgage rates and proverbial bumps in the road for homebuyers. While inflation and employment data are key inputs to the Federal Open Market Committee’s upcoming rate decisions, policy announcements can move rates, too. Mortgage rates are expected to trend lower. Even so, sellers and buyers would be wise to try to rate-proof their budgets by planning their reactions to a sudden uptick or easing of rates.

Prices tend to peak later, as does competition. Sellers should consider that peak prices later in the season also come with greater competition from other sellers for a similar-sized pool of buyers. Historically, by the end of June, while prices reached near-peak levels (+7.6% in 2024) compared to the start of the year, new sellers also surged, increasing to nearly 1.5 times higher than at the start of the year (+46.2%). Homeowners hoping to sell this year can mitigate that risk by getting into the market early, raising their odds of a successful close and likely negotiating favorable terms.

Uncertainty could factor into buyer and seller confidence. Though inflation has eased over the last few months, the path forward is not certain given the current administration’s various economic priorities and proposals. Specifically, tariffs could make homebuilding far more expensive in the U.S., and could hurt the housing market both via higher inflation,which keeps mortgage rates high and by limiting homebuilding activity. On the other hand, the administration has signaled their intent to address housing affordability, which could benefit the market. It is too soon to tell how these proposals will play out, and it’s important to acknowledge that individual perspectives can influence whether policies create more or less enthusiasm, but buyers and sellers may be hesitant to make any big moves until the future is a bit more clear.
Methodology

Listing metrics (e.g. list prices) from 2018-2019 and 2021-2024 were measured on a weekly basis, with each week compared against a benchmark from the first full week of the year. Due to the onset of the pandemic, 2020 was an uncharacteristic year and has therefore been excluded from the analysis. Averaging across the years yielded the “typical” seasonal trend for each metric. Percentile levels for each week were calculated along each metric (prices, listings, days on market, etc.), and were then averaged together across metrics to determine a Best Time to List score for each week. Rankings for each week were based on these Best Time to List scores.

Source: Realtor.com

© 2025 Florida Realtors®

Walton County ranks No. 1 in Florida education for second consecutive year

By Ashley Armacost

For the second year in a row, Walton County has earned the top spot in education across Florida, according to the Florida Policy Institute’s 2025 Child Well-Being Index.

The non-partisan research organization evaluates all 67 Florida counties using four specific criteria: the percentage of 3 and 4-year-olds not enrolled in school, fourth-grade English Language Arts scores, eighth-grade math scores, and high school graduation rates.

The Florida Policy Institute (FPI) specifically examines the percentage of students not performing at grade level on the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) tests, combining students scoring in levels 1 and 2 for their calculations.

Eighth-grade mathematics is calculated using the third Progress Monitoring interval, while graduation data measures the percentage of students who graduate within four years of their first full year in ninth grade.

“Accolades are always wonderful, but it is important to look further to see the students, teachers, staff, and administrators who work tirelessly to create the conditions that lead to these wonderful accolades,” said Superintendent A. Russell Hughes. “We are fortunate to have the best students in the country here in Walton County, and a school board to match.”

The district has made remarkable progress since 2017, climbing from 35th to 3rd in the state for academic testing, according to the District. During this period, the graduation rate has improved by more than 20 percentage points.

FPI is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing accurate data that informs policy changes to improve the lives of all Floridians. The Child Well-Being Index ranks counties from 1 (best) to 67 (worst) across four categories: education, economic well-being, health, and family and community factors.

In its methodology, the Florida Policy Institute converts all data to ratios by county, allowing for fair comparisons regardless of population size. Lower numbers are considered better in their scoring system, with counties ranked based on their overall performance across 16 indicators of child well-being.

8 Old-School Gardening Hacks That Really Work, According to Pro Gardeners

These simple, tried-and-true methods are all you need for healthy plants.

Wendy Rose Gould

Published on February 25, 2025

With all the newfangled gadgets and tricks that make gardening easier—like apps that tell you when to water your plants or fancy grow lights that supercharge your sprouts—sometimes you have to remind yourself that old school hacks can be just as effective. From scattering this morning’s coffee grounds to ward off pesky intruders or transforming an empty wine bottle into a slow, steady watering tool, these old school gardening hacks work, and they’re proof that sometimes simplicity is king.

Make Seed Starts From Eggshells

Instead of buying plastic seed trays, crack your eggs carefully and use the shells as tiny, biodegradable planters. “They hold moisture well, provide a little calcium boost, and when the seedlings are ready, you can plant the whole thing right into the soil,” says Valeria Nyman, gardening expert and chief product officer at Taim.io.

Mash Banana Peels for Healthy Roses

So many kitchen scraps can help your garden thrive, and banana peels are a perfect example of this.

“Banana peels are packed with potassium, calcium, and phosphorus which are nutrients that promote strong roots and more vibrant blooms in rose plants,” says Andrew Porwol, a seasoned gardener and founder of Sapcote Garden Centre. “Chop the peels into smaller pieces and bury them near the base of your rose bushes instead of throwing them away. This will also improve soil texture and make the rose plant healthier over time.”

Use an Old Wine Bottle to Slowly Water Plants

Finally! A cute and effective way to upcycle last night’s bottle of wine. Using an old wine bottle to water plants harnesses gravity to create a slow, steady drip that nurtures roots over time. Clean the bottle thoroughly, fill it with water, and invert it into the soil next to your plant, ensuring the opening is slightly buried.

The narrow neck acts as a natural regulator, releasing water gradually to maintain consistent soil moisture. This simple, eco-friendly method minimizes water waste while promoting healthy root growth.

Add Coffee Grounds to Your Compost to Deter Pests

Don’t throw away those coffee grounds so fast—they can help your garden grow! “Coffee grounds work to deter slugs and other pests with their aroma, are high in the nutrients needed by the plants in your garden, and they improve soil structure,” says Lauren Craig, a gardening expert from Humble Hive Consulting. “They can be added as a ‘nitrogen’ ingredient in your compost pile, but be sure that coffee grounds don’t exceed 20% of your pile’s composition. This might upset plants desiring a less acidic environment.”

Create a Drip Line with an Old Hose

Installing drip irrigation is an expensive and timely endeavor, but a garden hose with some carefully added punctures can do the job perfectly.

“Drip lines allow you to direct water directly into the soil around your plants throughout the day, strategically,” Yamaguchi says. “All you really need is some kind of water line that has individual small holes along it, and while you can buy a drip line, you can also use an old hose and poke the holes yourself.”

He says to use a ¼-inch drill bit to make the holes. This is also a great way to repurpose a hose that already has a leak or hole in it.

Build a “Lazy Compost” Trench

Forget cumbersome compost bins, stinky piles of kitchen scraps, or splurge-y compost solutions. All you need is a small spade and you’re good to go.

“Just dig a shallow trench in your garden, toss in your kitchen scraps (no meat or dairy), cover with soil, and let the worms and microbes do their thing,” Nyman says. “This is nature’s slow cooker for compost. A few months later, the soil is rich, loose, and full of nutrients.” Just make sure to rotate where you bury scraps so the whole garden gets a feast over time.

Sprinkle Epsom Salt to Nourish Plants

You love Epsom salt for its muscle-relaxing abilities when taking a bath or soaking your feet, and your garden can enjoy the benefits, too.

“Magnesium and sulfur are plant gold, and Epsom salt is packed with both,” Nyman says. “Sprinkle a tablespoon around tomato, pepper, and rose plants, or dissolve it in water for a foliar spray. This boosts chlorophyll production, making leaves greener and stronger.”

Another perk is that it helps prevent blossom-end rot—that annoying black spot on tomatoes. Just don’t overdo it! Once a month is plenty.

Repurpose Old Newspaper to Protect Your Plants

Before mulching, lay down a thick layer of newspaper or cardboard around your plants. “It smothers weeds, holds moisture, and breaks down over time to enrich the soil,” Nyman explains. “Wet the newspaper first so it stays in place while you mulch over it. And if you’re using cardboard, avoid the glossy stuff—it doesn’t break down as nicely.”

The Best Time of Day to Run Your Dryer (and Keep Utility Costs Down)

Whether you prefer to toss a load of clothes in the wash when you get home from work or early on a Sunday morning, laundry day may not rank high on your list of favorite activities. If you’re doing multiple loads per week, not only are you repeatedly doing a not-so-fun task, but you’re likely ratcheting up your utility bills.

It begs the question: Is there an optimal time of day to use your appliances so they consume less energy, and in turn, save you money? We asked the pros about the best time of day to run your dryer. Here’s what they had to say.

When Is the Best Time of Day to Run Your Dryer?

The most favorable time of day to toss a load of laundry in the dryerdepends on how your utility company charges you for electricity. “If you are on a time-of-use (TOU) rate plan, running your dryer late at night or early morning—after about 9 or 10 p.m.—will be cheaper because the demand for electricity is lower and the rates typically are lower,” explains Nick Barber, cofounder of Utilities Now, a prepaid electricity company.

He explains that utilities in most places charge more money for using electricity at peak times: the afternoon and early evening hours, when maximum amounts of electricity are consumed.

But if you have a flat rate for electricity, or in other words, you pay the same amount no matter when you use it, there’s something else to keep in mind. “The biggest individual energy-saving step is not to use multiple high-energy appliances at the same time,” Barber says. “Your dryer consumes a lot of power, and running it while other large appliances—like your oven, dishwasher, or air conditioner—are running full blast can cause power surges that put extra strain on your home electrical system.”

How to Reduce Your Dryer’s Electricity Consumption

While operating your appliances at off-peak times may seem obvious, there’s another major way to reduce your dryer’s electricity consumption.

Run your dryer when your home’s temperature is most stable—yes, it’s also usually later in the night or early in the morning. Why? “Because extreme heat or cold makes your HVAC work harder, and running the dryer adds to that load,” explains Justin Cornforth, the owner of Ace Home Co. “For example, using the dryer on a hot afternoon forces your AC to work double-time to counteract the extra heat. Additionally, running your dryer when other high-power appliances (like AC or ovens) are off prevents overloading your electrical panel and reduces the risk of tripped breakers.”

And if you have solar panels, Cornforth adds, the best time to run your dryer might actually be midday when the sun is shining. “It’s when you’re generating peak energy—essentially running your dryer for free,” he says.

Other Ways to Make Your Laundry Routine More Energy Efficient

In addition to running your dryer at off-hours, there are a few other ways to make doing laundry more energy efficient, according to experts.

Always clean the lint filter before each load.
Have your washer and dryer checked every year to make sure they’re running their best, says Glenn Lewis, president of appliance repair service Mr. Appliance.
Use dryer balls to improve airflow.
Ensure your washer does a good final spin to get as much moisture out of the clothes as possible before putting them in the dryer, says Lewis.
Avoid overloading the machine, which makes drying take longer, notes Barber.
Air-drying clothes on a rack or clothesline whenever possible is the best way to cut energy use altogether, Barber adds.

The vast majority of Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, but their traditions and activities vary widely

BYJOHN GRAMLICH, MICHAEL ROTOLOANDLAURA SILVER

(From left: Frederic J. Brown/AFP; Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images; MediaNews Group/Long Beach Press-Telegram, all via Getty Images)

Just a few weeks after a divisive presidential election, millions of Americans will break bread together for Thanksgiving. A new Pew Research Center survey shows how Americans plan to spend the holiday this year – and which Turkey Day traditions and activities are more common than others.Here are the main takeaways from the survey, conducted Nov. 12-17, 2024, among 9,609 U.S. adults:

Around nine-in-ten Americans (91%) celebrate Thanksgiving. Large majorities in all major demographic groups observe the holiday, though some people are more likely than others to do so. For example, 96% of Americans ages 65 and older celebrate Thanksgiving, compared with somewhat smaller shares of younger adults.

Immigration status also plays a role. While 93% of adults born in the United States celebrate Thanksgiving, the same is true of 88% of immigrants who have been in the country for more than 20 years, 76% of immigrants who have been in the country 11 to 20 years, and 74% of immigrants who have been in the country for a decade or less.

Most Americans (74%) plan to have Thanksgiving dinner with other people this year. Another 5% plan to have Thanksgiving dinner alone, 2% don’t plan to have Thanksgiving dinner – whether it’s because they are working or traveling or for some other reason – and 10% didn’t know their plans yet at the time of the survey. The rest don’t celebrate Thanksgiving.

For some Americans, Thanksgiving dinner includes lots of other people. Around a quarter (26%) expect to have Thanksgiving dinner with more than 10 other people this year, including 7% who expect to have it with more than 20 others.

Smaller get-togethers are more common: 26% of Americans plan to have dinner with six to 10 other people, 15% with three to five other people, and 4% with one to two other people. The remaining Americans plan to have Thanksgiving dinner alone, don’t plan to have Thanksgiving dinner, didn’t know their plans yet or don’t celebrate Thanksgiving.

A bar chart showing that 7% of Americans expect to have more than 20 other people at their Thanksgiving dinner.

Around a third of Americans (34%) plan to have Thanksgiving dinner at their own home this year, whether hosting others or dining alone. Another 39% plan to go to someone else’s home, while 3% plan to go to a restaurant, hotel or other public place. The rest plan not to have Thanksgiving dinner, didn’t know their plans yet or don’t celebrate the holiday.

Older adults are more likely than younger people to have Thanksgiving dinner at their own home: 40% of Americans ages 50 and older plan to do so this year, compared with 29% of adults under 50.

Afternoon is the most popular time for Thanksgiving dinner, but there’s no consensus on early versus late afternoon. Some 36% of Americans prefer to have Thanksgiving dinner in the early afternoon (that is, between noon and 3 p.m.), while 38% prefer to have it in the late afternoon (between 3 and 6 p.m.). Only 11% of Americans prefer to have Thanksgiving dinner in the evening (after 6), and just 1% prefer to have it in the morning (before noon). Another 5% have no preference.

Dinnertime preferences follow a regional pattern. Americans who live in the Midwest and South are more likely to prefer Thanksgiving dinner in the early afternoon than the late afternoon. But people in the Northeast and West are more likely to prefer the late afternoon than the early afternoon.

There are also differences by age. Americans 65 and older are more likely to prefer Thanksgiving dinner earlier in the afternoon than later. Meanwhile, adults under 30 are more likely to prefer late afternoon over early afternoon.

A bar chart showing that most Americans prefer to have Thanksgiving dinner in the afternoon.

It’s common for Americans to say grace or express gratitude at Thanksgiving dinner. Around two-thirds of U.S. adults say someone at their dinner typically says a prayer or blessing (65%) or says things they are thankful for (69%). And a majority of Americans (56%) say someone at their Thanksgiving dinner typically does both of these things.

A bar chart showing that prayers and expressions of gratitude are common at the Thanksgiving table.

Saying grace at Thanksgiving is especially common among certain religious groups. For example, 91% of White evangelical Protestants say someone at their Thanksgiving dinner typically says a prayer or blessing. The same is true for 88% of Black Protestants, 74% of Catholics and 72% of White nonevangelical Protestants. Prayer is much less common among those who say their religion is “nothing in particular” (45%), agnostics (39%), atheists (22%) and Jewish adults (22%).

Majorities across religious groups also say someone at their Thanksgiving dinner typically expresses gratitude. Many religiously unaffiliated Americans say this, too: 59% of those whose religion is “nothing in particular,” along with 61% of agnostics and 48% of atheists, say someone at their dinner typically says things they are thankful for.

Driving and Thanksgiving go hand in hand. The vast majority of Americans who plan to have Thanksgiving dinner away from home this year (89%) say driving is the main way they’ll get there. This works out to 38% of U.S. adults overall who expect to drive to their destination.

Only 2% of Americans overall expect to fly, while even fewer expect to take some other form of transportation, such as local or regional transit.

Most Thanksgiving travel takes less than an hour. A majority of those who plan to have Thanksgiving dinner away from home this year (69%) expect their trip to take less than an hour. That may have to do with the proximity of their family members: In a 2022 Pew Research Center survey, 55% of Americans said they live within an hour’s drive of at least some of their extended family.

Looking at adults overall, 29% expect their Thanksgiving travel to take less than an hour. Another 13% expect it to take longer than that, including 6% who expect it to take three hours or more.

Apart from eating, Americans expect to do a wide range of things this Thanksgiving. Certain long-running Thanksgiving traditions, like watching football or a parade, are still fairly popular: 35% of Americans say it’s extremely or very likely that they’ll watch sports on Thanksgiving, and 19% say the same about watching a parade. Men are more likely than women to say they’ll watch sports, while women are more likely than men to say they’ll watch a parade.

A bar chart showing what Americans expect to do on Thanksgiving this year.

When it comes to conversation, 35% of Americans say it’s extremely or very likely that they’ll talk about work or school on Thanksgiving. And in the wake of a presidential election that saw more than 154 million Americans cast ballots, 26% expect the election to come up. A similar share (24%) expect to talk about pop culture like music or movies, though far fewer (4%) expect to go to a movie.

Thanksgiving is a time for charity for many Americans, and 19% say it’s extremely or very likely that they’ll donate food or goods, while 4% expect to volunteer somewhere.

Thanksgiving is also the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. Accordingly, 15% of Americans say it’s extremely or very likely that they’ll shop for the holidays on Thanksgiving Day this year.

Getting some exercise on Thanksgiving is a less popular idea: Only 4% of adults say it’s extremely or very likely that they’ll play sports, while 3% expect to participate in a community walk or run, like a turkey trot.

Following Donald Trump’s reelection on Nov. 5, Trump voters are more likely than Kamala Harris voters to say they’ll talk about the presidential election this Thanksgiving. Some 36% of Americans who voted for Trump say it’s extremely or very likely that they’ll talk about the election on Thanksgiving. A smaller share of Americans who voted for Harris (24%) say the same.

A bar chart showing that more Trump than Harris voters expect to talk about the election on Thanksgiving.

Trump voters who identify as conservative are the most likely to talk about the election: 39% say it’s extremely or very likely that they’ll do so on Thanksgiving, compared with 28% of Trump voters who identify as moderate or liberal. Among Harris voters, 28% of self-described liberals expect to talk about the election at Thanksgiving, compared with 20% of those who identify as conservative or moderate.

In fact, conservative Trump voters are about as likely to talk about the election this Thanksgiving as they are to talk about work or school (36%) – and much more likely to talk about it than to talk about pop culture (17%). By comparison, liberal Harris voters are more likely to talk about work or school (42%) and pop culture (38%) than the election.

6 Rules for Arranging Furniture Like a Design Pro

Fix the flow of your space By Lisa Milbrand Published on October 20, 2024 Orange sofa in cozy living room interior with pastel green wall and wood furniture. Wall mockup

PHOTO: VASYL CHEIPESH/GETTY IMAGES

Sometimes, the hardest part of designing and decorating the spaces in your house is figuring out what to put where. And arranging furniture to suit your space can feel a little bit like a very expensive game of Tetris, where you’re looking for just the right way to situate everything to make it look—and feel—like home.

Fortunately, the design pros have a set of rules—everything from how close you should situate your furniture to how big your rug should be—to ensure the rooms in your home look and feel as beautiful and comfortable as possible. So do a little shuffling and rearranging following these rules, and get the stylish space you seek.

Think About How You’ll Use the Space

Gallery of trendy posters in elegant grey living room interior with brown corner sofa — KATARZYNA BIALASIEWICZ/GETTY IMAGES

You’ll want to make your design choices based on how you’ll actually use the space. For example, if you tend to eat in your living room, choose lower side tables around your living room seating to make it easier to drop your drinks and snacks there. And if you want to put your feet up at the end of the day, you’ll want to sneak a stool or coffee table a bit closer to your sofa. Leave Enough Room for People to Move

Side view of a blue bedroom interior with a modern lamp, double bed, plants and cabinet — KATARZYNA BIALASIEWICZ/GETTY IMAGES

People shouldn’t have to shimmy past the furniture in your home, so make sure that you leave clear pathways around your furniture.

The amount of space you should leave, however, varies. For high traffic areas, Rosanna Bassford of Memmo Interiors likes to leave three to four feet of space, but a smaller space—like two to three feet, in between furniture and in lower traffic areas. “For example, if your sofa backs up to a major walkway from one room to another, be sure to leave plenty of space,” she says. “I like to plan at least three feet of space around a dining table for the dining chairs to be comfortably pulled out.”

In bedrooms, Helft recommends four feet of clearance around the bed, if possible, to allow for easy movement.

Hang Artwork Lower Than You Think

living room with gray couch, wall of artwork, wooden coffee table, lamp and wooden chair

An across-the-board concern for designers: most people are placing their artwork way too high on their walls. Goldberg advocates for placing it at gallery height, about 57 inches high, while Helft varies art placement. “Artwork is supposed to be eye level, which is usually around 55 inches from the floor,” she says. “Over sofas, it needs to go slightly lower—you need to be able to see it while you’re sitting on the sofa. The bottom of the artwork should be 10 inches above the top of the seat back.”

Break a Large Room Into Smaller Spaces

Living room separate space — MALKA HELFT

You don’t want to spread out your furniture too much. So if you’re lucky enough to have a larger open living area, use rugs and furnishings to help break that into smaller spaces. Helft likes to create a separate game space with a small table and a pair of chairs that’s outside of the main conversation area—but you could also transform a cozy corner into a reading nook, crafting space, or a little office.

Size the Rug Right

Living room with large area rug — HERO IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES

When you’re choosing area rugs, make sure that you choose one large enough to fit the space appropriately. That means that for a conversation area in the living room, all of the seating and tables should at least have the front two legs on the rug. In a dining area, you want to ensure that everyone can slide their chairs out and still have all of the legs completely on the rug—you don’t want someone accidentally tipping a chair if your rug is too plush and their chair legs end up off the rug.

Remember That Rules Are Made to Be Broken

Yes, it’s a little bit of a cheat, but even the most common interior design rules around furniture arranging are made to be broken, depending on the unique aspects of your own space and how you plan to use it.

“It’s okay to break the rules on occasion to give a space a custom feel and represent the homeowner,” Goldberg says. “It’s dependent on the space and the heights of our clients, as we want everything to function best for those who live there. And if there is a piece you love, find a way to make it work in the space.”