Calling all amateur gardeners! Your opportunity to shine has arrived in the form of chaos gardening, a carefree and versatile way to develop your green thumb. The new approach to landscaping has been gaining traction on TikTok, and the trend is sprouting up again this spring. 

Read on to learn more about this fresh approach to gardening, including the benefits and how to get started.

Related: How to Plan the Best Layout for a Vegetable Garden

What Is Chaos Gardening?

In its simplest terms, chaos gardening is a casual way of creating a beautiful garden without the restrictions of traditional gardening methods. The concept involves tossing a handful of assorted seeds onto the soil and waiting for the magic to happen. This unique process allows flowers, plants and vegetables to grow wherever they land, creating random patterns and patches to be admired by all.  

The Benefits of Chaos Gardening 

There are many benefits to chaos gardening. The most obvious is that it’s easy to start and maintain, but there are a few other highlights worth exploring. 

Save Time (and Money!) 

One of the top benefits of chaos gardening is higher efficiency. It saves you time building up your plant beds, while avoiding detailed preparation, planting and all of the maintenance that comes with it. You’ll also enjoy saving money on seeds, soil and food for your garden by leaning on less costly flower and veggie options. You can select those that require very little of you, such as herbs, carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, marigolds, black-eyed Susans and assorted wildflowers. 

Related: 5 Reasons to Start Lasagna Gardening Now

Low Maintenance  

Perhaps the most appealing benefit is the promise of low-maintenance gardening. The word chaos may not immediately spark feelings of calm, but the idea hinges on the “set it and forget it” mindset. You won’t need to plot sections, rows or bunches; nor do you have to cater to lighting, soil and water specifications. Instead, select like-minded seeds, toss them, water them and return to them for regular watering as required. 

Encourages Biodiversity 

While it depends on the seeds you plant, chaotic gardening can promote biodiversity in your garden space. That’s especially true if you focus on native plants, which can quickly adapt to the environment. In addition, chaos gardening offers wildlife food and shelter, providing extra protection and nourishment for the winter months.

A Fun Conversation-Starter

The wildness of chaos gardening can also be a great talking point for guests, neighbours and admirers. The eccentric array of colours, patterns and the all-over vibe draws on-lookers’ positive attention and curiosity, allowing you to flex your skills and pass along the trend to others who might find it enjoyable. 

Related: The Easiest Vegetables to Grow in Each Canadian Province

How to Create a Chaos Garden

As we mentioned, chaos gardening is relatively simple without the rigid rules. However, some research will be required to ensure you’re selecting the ideal seeds for your outdoor project. Here are a few other considerations to get started.

Choose a Location 

If you don’t already have a space carved out for your garden, look to areas in your front or back yard that offer the best sunlight. Doing so will afford more options for vegetables, flowers and herbs that thrive in the light. Of course, some shady areas are acceptable to cover, but try your best to strike a balance so all seeds have a chance to flourish as needed.

Related: 5 Reasons to Start Lasagna Gardening Now

Select the Proper Seeds 

Not all seeds are created equally, so do your homework to confirm which plants and vegetables will play nicely together in your garden. A good start is to select plants known for their self-seeding ability, such as echinacea, poppies, cosmos, fleabane, verbena, nigella, coriander and more. 

Next, consider native wildflowers that can attract pollinators and much-needed insects — like bees and butterflies — to help them prosper in your garden. Companion planting is also an option, which promotes growing vegetables and flowers together that offer mutual benefits to each other’s growth, add shelter and deter pests.

Lean Into the Chaos

Remember: variety is the spice — or, in this case, the garden of life. There is little need to focus your attention on the size, volume and spread of the plants, flowers, and veggies you select. The real fun in chaos gardening is the variety and unexpected results of your attempts to build a beautiful space. Just get planting, water accordingly and see what magic begins to bloom in the weeks after. 

As the chaos gardening trend continues to grow, so will your inspiration and ability to transform your outdoor living space into an area that welcomes a variety of colours, textures and patterns. Toss the traditional rules aside, let go of your inhibitions, and allow the soil, sun and water to do the work for you.

Related: 10 Most Invasive Plants in Canada to Remove From Your Garden

There’s no denying that living with other people can be challenging, especially when maintaining certain shared spaces like the kitchen. A communal fridge can bring out the best and the worst of us; but if you can agree on the specific way to organize the space, you may find that sharing a refrigerator isn’t so bad.

From roommates to partners and family, sharing spaces requires an open mind, good communication and a little compromise. To help in those efforts, we’ve whipped up some guidance on how to get your fridge in top shape, no matter who you’re sharing it with.

Related: How to Organize Your Fridge for Less Food Waste

Get Organized

The first step towards a harmonious shared fridge experience is organization. There are several ways to arrange a fridge to maximize space, and it’s important to keep in mind that some compromise may be required to land on the perfect system. Get everyone in the house involved to determine which tools you’ll use to keep everything in its place, such as clear bins, glassware, shelving and dividers. All you have to do from there is maintain the process you agree on, and it will be smooth sailing.

Divide the Fridge Space

Many housemates agree to divide the shelves by dedicating a specific spot for everyone. You could also split the fridge space in half, depending on how many people you live with. The same can be true for partners who prefer different diets and like to keep their items separate for easier access. In any case, an arrangement that ensures each person knows where to stock and access their goods will make fridge maintenance as seamless as it should be.

Related: How to Organize Kitchen Cupboards to Optimize Your Storage Space

Lead With Kindness

It can be easy to bust out the label maker and slap your name on every item you’ve purchased. Instead, step back and brainstorm softer ways to identify your items. A few tried-and-true methods include colour coding items with stickers, or using coloured bins or rubber mats to carve out the spot where your items reside. Above all, avoid passive-aggressive attempts to claim ownership of things, and embrace mutual agreements on what works best for the household.

Create a Cleaning Schedule

Cleaning schedules aren’t the most glamorous part of living with others, but they can ensure consistency while limiting clutter and unwanted smells from the fridge. It’s also the perfect excuse to check expiration dates on dairy, sauces and produce starting to turn. All it takes is a little commitment and some elbow grease.

Related: This Is the Best Way to Clean Your Kitchen Sink Drain

Clear Communication Is Key

From expensive ingredients to your must-have faves, there will always be something in the fridge you’d rather keep to yourself. If there is an item you prefer not to share, you should make that clear with the other(s). Leading with positive communication could mean leaving a note or sending a message to let others know that the new sesame oil you bought from the specialty stores is off limits.

Sharing Is Caring

Delegate a spot in the fridge for communal items. Many folks who share a kitchen agree to share everyday fridge door items like condiments and butter. For items that turn faster than you can eat, a mutual location for everyone to partake can positively impact food waste and generosity in the home. Consider pulling items close to expiry to the front or in a specific spot, in order to encourage everyone to use them quickly.

Related: 10 New Home Appliance Trends You’ll Soon See Everywhere

A Shared Checklist for Grocery Shopping

Whether through an app or notepad, combining forces with a grocery checklist ensures no overlap on the things you agree to share. Not only will this small effort help you avoid spending more money than you have to, but it could also open the door to communicating about sharing food beyond the condiments door. For example, if you add an item to the group list that someone already purchased but can’t use up in time, you could use what’s available instead of running to the store.

When in Doubt — Freeze It

We often forget about how much space we can afford in the freezer. Decide which items belong in the fridge and what can fit in the freezer instead. For example, meat you don’t intend to consume right away can go into the freezer, so can leftovers you don’t think you can finish in time. For freezer items in bulky boxes and containers, remove access packaging to store items more efficiently while making room for other items.

Related: Everything You Need to Set Up an At-Home Coffee Bar

Make Meals Together

Our final recommendation comes straight from the heart: sharing a meal. Not only will you save time, money and fridge space, preparing meals together is also a great way for roommates and couples to connect. Make it fun by putting on a podcast or personalized playlist. For those feeling more adventurous, select a theme for the meals you intend to cook together and build a schedule to share related tasks. We guarantee it will bring the whole house together while filling your soul with good food – and even better company.

Staging your home in preparation for selling can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. The first step is to understand why it’s an essential step in the process. Whether you work with a designer or take on the task yourself, the goal is to help potential buyers see themselves in your space, often identifying how you can optimize space to enhance key selling features.

It’s a significant investment, but real estate staging has many benefits, including retaining higher offers, selling your home faster and building a competitive edge. Plus, the principles used in luxury home stating can also help you style your home for a professional gathering or any special event. Read on to hear our top tips.

Put on Your Buyer’s Glasses

While it’s not a specific design task, considering the buyer’s mindset can help you successfully approach luxury home staging. Look to the general vibe and aesthetic of the neighbourhood where your home is, including surrounding amenities like schools, parks, stores, commuting, etc. In the case of special events, understanding your guests’ expectations and styles can help you envision your design and staging choices.

Related: 10 Ways to Transform Your Bathroom Into a Luxury Spa Retreat

Make It Less Personal

It might not feel natural to you, but removing personal items from the home is a crucial element when it comes to staging. Scan the house and remove family photos, personal mementos and any additional decor uniquely specific to you and store them away. After all, you want the people viewing your home to envision their future without witnessing your present.

Remove Clutter and Distractions

Grab some boxes and pack away any items that take up space or provide a distraction for potential buyers. You want them to focus on the most interesting features of your home, which shouldn’t include pursuing your collection of books piling up on a nightstand or drawing their attention to piles of toys or laundry that still need to be folded. Ensure counters, tables and shelves are cleared of clutter, or replaced with tasteful decor.

Be Mindful of Bold Colours and Accents

Colour is essential to help breathe new life into dull spaces, but you’ll need to strike a balance. Tasteful accent walls and pops of colour in your decor can work well in large rooms, but neutral shades are often easier on the eyes. When in doubt, work with a designer to help you determine what makes the most sense before mixing paint or purchasing flashy drapes and furniture. The goal is to create spaces that appeal to a broad audience without isolating key buyers.

Mirror Magic

Mirrors create the illusion of more space, while adding light and depth to any room in the home. Placing tasteful mirrors in strategic places throughout the space is more affordable than costly renovations. To avoid unnecessary holes in the wall, lean mirrors against furniture such as a fireplace mantel, or rest them against the wall on top of dressers and shelves.

Related: 10 Stunning Statement Mirrors for Every Style and Budget

Rearrange or Eliminate Furniture

The flow of each room in your home is essential in maintaining the buyer’s interest. Create a space where everything in the house connects seamlessly without making things overcrowded or bare. To help aid in this effort, consider rearranging your furniture to create an airier atmosphere and allowing the rooms to appear more spacious. Sometimes, placing some furniture in storage might be necessary to decrease the volume where it counts the most.

Incorporate Plants or Flowers

Breathe a little life into each room with floral accents and tasteful greenery. Plants and flowers effortlessly invite colour into a dreary space, creating a calming vibe cascading throughout the home. Larger plants can also fill empty spaces or add texture and dimension to any room. If you already have plants displayed in your home, make sure they’ve been dusted, wiped down and watered so they appear healthy and clean.

Related: 10 Tall Potted Plants That Add a Touch of Luxury

Let There Be Light

Evaluate your current light fixtures, including all dimmers and bulb types, to determine if the amount of lighting in your home is complementary to the style you present. Good lighting can set the right mood; even if buyers are visiting the space during the day, they might choose to flick the lights on and off, so you’ll want to make it count.

Make It Cozy and Inviting

When it comes to luxury home staging, making things appear cozy and lived-in can help you seal the deal. Plush linens, fluffy throw blankets and accent pillows can warm a cold space and help buyers imagine a perfect night in with loved ones. Adding some candles throughout the home also lends itself well to creating comfort; just be mindful of strong scents that could be too much for some guests passing through.

Curb Appeal Matters

Finally, if you live in a house, don’t forget to pay attention to the exterior of your home too. Curb appeal is a common phrase you’ll hear from agents and designers — and it’s for good reason. Potential buyers will first see your outdoor space; the goal is to get them inside the house. A curated and expertly groomed landscape can help sell your home in addition to incorporating shrubs or flower beds, while making sure that the entirety of your outdoor space is pristine.