Skip to main content
Julie Scagell

Julie Scagell

Former Digital Trends Contributor

I am a freelance writer based in Minneapolis, MN. My passions include my dogs, talking about my dogs, and taking pictures of my dogs (and sometimes my kids). I also love reading, cooking, and watching anything involving Lester Holt. You can find my work in The Washington Post, McSweeney’s, Disney, Huffington Post, Forbes, Scary Mommy, Love What Matters, and others.

Send all editorial inquiries HERE.

Kitchen floating shelves with matte tile backsplash

Kitchen floating shelves: Dumb idea or cool design feature?

Should you add floating shelves to your kitchen? This is what you need to consider first.
Sage green kitchen cabinets

This incredible kitchen cabinet style will be trendy for years to come

Want new kitchen cabinets that won't look dated in a year or two? This is the hottest design you can get — and it's a classic, too.
Mirror and green plant on an entryway table

5 small entryway flooring ideas that will wow your guests

Small entryways can make a big impact with the right flooring. Here's our best guidance on entryway floor tile ideas and other flooring material for your home.
Blue kitchen cabinets in farmhouse design

7 kitchen designs that prove how versatile shaker cabinets really are

If you need some inspiration for shaker cabinets, look no further than these seven Instagram kitchens to give you a boost.
Family baking Christmas cookies

These Christmas desserts will wow your guests this year and have them coming back for seconds

Whether you're hosting a big Christmas party or need something easy to bring to a friend's house, look no further than these classic and fun desserts.
Small kitchen and dining room with black and white modern home design

We love these new kitchen island seating trends

Check out these kitchen island seating trends and pick one that works for your household and your guests.
christmas living room setup with blue walls

Don’t clutter up your space: How to decorate a small living room for Christmas

Don't overclutter your small living room with Christmas decorations. Here's how to create a festive vibe.
Outdoor holiday tree

6 festive, eye-catching ways to decorate your front porch for Christmas

Ready to decorate your front porch for Christmas? Get your home's main entrance in the holiday spirit with these festive decorating ideas.
Christmas front door and porch decorations

5 outdoor Christmas decorations that will make your house stand out

Want some new outdoor holiday decor ideas? These incredible outdoor Christmas decorations will make your house the envy of the neighborhood.
Small spaces Christmas decor

These Charlie Brown Christmas trees are your perfect holiday addition

There's something to be said for the nostalgia that Charlie Brown Christmas trees bring, and we're seeing them as the tree in living rooms and in other rooms.
Antique furniture store

This TikTok hack for getting gross smells out of thrift store furniture is genius

How do you get bad smells out of secondhand furniture? It comes down to the carbon found in newsprint ink that is the source of magic.
Lit up pumpkin sits on a wooden surface covered by fairy lights

How to decorate your yard for Halloween in a timeless way

Want a classy look for Halloween? Forget the plastic pieces and go for these elegant yet spooky ideas for Halloween yard decorations.
Modern Scandinavian living room style

The 3 living room paint colors all the trendiest experts are using

These are the living room paint colors the experts are using. Consider these for your next painting project.
Fall pumpkin decor and flowers on stairs

How to decorate your front yard for fall on a budget

You can create an amazing front yard design without breaking the bank this fall. Here's how.
Fall mantel

10 amazing fall living room decor ideas that will elevate your design

Ready to spruce up your space for the cool season? Check out our favorite fall living room decor ideas that will get your home ready for autumn.
Couple posing with paint rollers in front of painted white wall

Time for a new bedroom accent color? These are our 4 favorites for fall

Want to add an accent color to your bedroom this fall? We've got some excellent options that are perfect for any mood you're going for.
Fall wreath and pumpkins on front door on porch

How to redecorate your front porch for fall

Fall decorating time is here, so don't forget your front porch! Here's how to make your outside entryway pop.
Costco warehouse and grocery store interior

The best times to do your Costco shopping, according to workers and members

if you're looking to avoid the rush of people and long lines, there are better times to go to Costco than others.
yellow kitchen cabients

7 striking yellow kitchens on Instagram that prove this hue is design gold

We absolutely adore these sunny yellow kitchen designs from Instagram and you will too.
Gray monochrome living and dining room

Make the most of your living room/dining room combo with these stellar tips

If you have one large area for your living room and dining room, there are some things you can do to get the most out of each space.
Brown leather couch in front of wood bookshelf

What couch material should you get? We have the answer

There are many fabric choices available when it comes to buying a couch. Here are a few things to watch out for and consider before making your big purchase.
best bathroom tile ideas with bathtub and plant

Is laminate flooring in bathrooms a terrible idea? 8 things to consider

This is what you need to know about laminate flooring in the bathroom.
A front yard with xeriscape landscaping

11 bad ideas for your front yard that will kill your curb appeal

Don't fall for these front yard mistakes. They'll only ruin your aesthetic.
Woman standing in modern kitchen with unique light fixture

How to brighten a dark kitchen: 7 creative ways to turn gloomy to glam

If you're sick of your gloomy interior and want to know how to brighten a dark kitchen, here are a few general guidelines to help you get started.
English garden walkway

11 attractive English cottage garden design ideas you should steal for your yard

English cottage gardens are timeless and beautiful. You can adapt these amazing ideas for your own garden.
Father and daughter cooking in front of pvc kitchen cabinets

Kitchen remodel before & after: A few changes brighten up this space

If you've not spent any time on Reddit, it's a great place to go to get inspired and see real kitchen before and after pictures posted by others.
how to take care of a rooftop garden woman watering her

Report: These are the home design trends that are hot this summer

Whether you're trying to beat the heat or have a place to gather friends and family, the following design trends are here for the summer and beyond.
Gray and orange retro inspired living room

This is the paint color that will boost your home’s resale value, according to Zillow

While there are many to choose from, if you want to add value to your home, a new report from Zillow may help you decide on that next kitchen paint color.
Interior country-style kitchen

French country decor that will wow any room

French country decor is one of those classic styles that never goes off rend. Here's how you can make this style work for your home.
Cottage home with wildflower front yard garden

You’ll want to copy this Redditor’s cozy garden design

Sometimes all it takes is seeing another person's garden design ideas to inspire you to make a change or incorporate part of their ideas into your own backyard.
Costco card and receipt

What Costco price tags really mean

Instagrammer The Freebie Guy recently posted an easy way to tell if you are getting the lowest price for an item and what the price tags mean.
the best grill tongs aop

The grilling and backyard cookout essentials you should absolutely get at Costco

One of the best places to do the stocking up is Costco because their prices are generally lower, and you can buy in bulk and never run out.
Interior design of living room of Scandinavian apartment with stylish furnitures and elegant accessories

Should you buy new furniture in the Memorial Day sales?

Take advantage of Memorial Day sales to renew different rooms of your home with brand-new furniture.
Chair with wicker basket on a hardwood floor

Wicker is a gorgeous way to bring nature indoors

Since natural elements are having a moment in home design, wicker is a perfect addition in furniture, decor, and lighting.
Wood ceiling with light fixture

Shiplap ceilings are as stunning as you would imagine: How to pull it off

Not only do shiplap ceilings add character and charm, but you can use the look to cover up a dated popcorn ceiling or for height and depth in a boring room.
Bedroom with green wood panel accent wall

Wood paneling is back and better than ever in 2023

We love the use of wood paneling to add dimension to a dining room, create warmth to an entryway, or as a feature wall behind a bed frame or living room sofa.
kids at costco in grocery store

This Costco cake order went terribly wrong

It looks like the designer took the instructions a little too literally, making a cake that mirrored what the person ordering wanted the entire cake to be.
Cocktails with shaker

Wet bars for mocktails? A new trend is here for 2023

Whether you've dedicated a space in your kitchen or have a section of the home you'd like to dedicate to a wet bar, there are tons of ideas to get you started.
person holding costco receipt

This meal prep pro made 24 dinners and only spent $67 at Costco

If you're looking to eat healthy and want to stick to a budget, this Redditor’s meal prep system just may be for you.
Woman standing in modern kitchen with unique light fixture

One simple change elevates kitchen cabinet design

If you're tired of older-looking kitchen cabinets, one easy way to transform their look is by adding wood paneling to the back of glass kitchen cabinets.
Reading the paper on an apartment deck

A competitive rental market is pressuring one rural market more than anywhere else

If you're looking to rent and are flexible on where you live, this report gives a wealth of information by state to help you make an informed decision.
Kia EV6 2022 charging

The best cities for EV charging stations are all on the West Coast

EV charging stations are few and far between, but some major metro areas have better infrastructure than others. Here are the best cities for EV charging.
organized drawers

TikToker shares 4 incredible home decor hacks if you have ADHD

For those living with ADHD, it can be difficult just getting out of the house in the morning. These home decor tips will help you organize better.
Costco samples

Throwback pic shows Costco hasn’t changed much in 40 years

I don't recall our family having a Costco membership in the '80s, but if I did, I hope they had samples that drew people into the stores like they do today.
Apartment with shelves and potted plants

It’s not your imagination: Apartments are getting smaller

New research from RentCafe shows some staggering new insights into apartment sizes today. And they are getting smaller.
Modern bathroom with round mirror

DIY home decor: This bathroom tray looks high end but costs less than $5 to make

Everyone loves a good do-it-yourself project, especially when it saves you a ton of money and looks like it was bought it a high-end store.
best netflix ocean documentary woman

Buying a forever home? This site shows how future flooding could affect your neighborhood

For those looking to buy on one of the coasts, flooding can be one of those risks you need to think about when finding your forever home.
Green wallpaper with pink art deco sofa design

These midcentury modern sofa ideas will impress any guest

Midcentury modern sofas have stayed in favor for a reason — they are elegant, sophisticated, and functional. Check out these sofa ideas.
indoor outdoor decor ideas patio area

These are the top home design trends, according to Zillow listings

If you love looking at homes (whether you're in the market or not), Zillow is one of the premiere sites to do so.
Living room with warm yellow curtains

5 easy ways to spruce up your living room for spring

Want to refresh your living room this spring beyond the usual spring cleaning? Try these easy, beautiful options.