Elena Martinez
Senior Editor, DIY & Design
Elena Martinez serves as the Senior Editor of DIY & Design at Homebody Magazine, where she oversees coverage for The Sanctuary, Craft Corner, and Weekend DIY Projects. Dedicated to making beautiful design accessible to everyone, she provides step-by-step guides on budget interior design, upcycling, and safe power tool usage. Her editorial approach focuses on sustainable building materials and practical home organization solutions that help readers optimize small spaces. Through her writing, Elena aims to empower readers to tackle their own hands-on projects with confidence and find joy in the art of nesting.
Expertise
Coverage Areas
Latest Articles
Easy DIY Home Decor: What Beginners Need to Know
One popular DIY blogger plans four major home renovations: shiplap accent walls and an outdoor playhouse.
Sep 4, 2026 · 5 min read
DIY projects boost satisfaction, but science needs to catch up.
At a bustling Kansas City cafe, customers choose projects from a menu, creating their own "restaurant-style crafting" experience.
Sep 2, 2026 · 3 min read
Gen Z's Bold Color Choices Are Redefining Home Interiors This Year
TikTok's #DopamineDecor hashtag has amassed over 500 million views, showcasing a vibrant, eclectic interior design movement that has rapidly replaced a decade of neutral palettes.
Aug 31, 2026 · 3 min read
Budget DIY Home Projects: Hidden Costs & Risks
Skipping a permit for a seemingly simple electrical fix could invalidate your home insurance, potentially costing you hundreds of thousands in the event of a fire.
Aug 23, 2026 · 4 min read
Designers Elevate Dorm Rooms with Luxury Transformations
Interior decorator Shelly Gates charges up to $20,000 to transform a single dorm room, turning utilitarian college spaces into social-media-ready micro-apartments, according to the New York Post .
Aug 15, 2026 · 3 min read
How to Organize a Craft Corner in Small Spaces
Even a tiny corner can house an entire crafting universe, with dedicated storage for everything from 12x12 paper to rolls of vinyl.
Aug 14, 2026 · 3 min read
What Are the Therapeutic Benefits of Crafting for Mindfulness?
Just 45 minutes of creative activity significantly lowers cortisol, the body's main stress hormone, according to blogs .
Aug 13, 2026 · 4 min read
Architects craft master suites into wellness retreats for modern living
In the last two years, client requests for dedicated meditation spaces or soundproofed 'quiet rooms' within master suites surged by 45%, according to Architectural Digest, May 2024.
Aug 7, 2026 · 3 min read
Celebrity Homes Inspire Well-being Interior Design Trends
Pinterest searches for 'celebrity wellness homes' surged by 150% last year, signaling a powerful new force in how we design our living spaces.
Aug 6, 2026 · 4 min read
Home design trends embrace intentional, character-filled spaces.
As 2027 approaches, homeowners are increasingly opting for renovations that prioritize long-term satisfaction and daily well-being over temporary aesthetic fads.
Jul 30, 2026 · 3 min read
Best Craft Corner Tools for Beginners
A single pair of kitchen scissors might seem enough for a new crafter.
Jul 19, 2026 · 4 min read
Europe's Indoor Plant Market Set for Boom
Smart potted and IoT-enabled indoor plant formats are projected to grow at a staggering 12.
Jul 14, 2026 · 3 min read
How to Make a Macrame Plant Hanger: A Beginner's Guide
To craft a beautiful macrame plant hanger, you might only need to master two knots: the overhand knot and the lark's head knot.
Jul 12, 2026 · 3 min read
How to Upcycle Furniture: A Beginner's Guide to Home Decor
At a local auction house, a beginner can find a solid chest of drawers for £60 or a sofa for £50, ready for a new life, according to theguardian .
Jul 10, 2026 · 3 min read
Costco's Koolspot Shade Blocks UV Rays With Retractable Design
For just $50, Costco is now selling a retractable sun shade that blocks 95% of harmful UV rays, offering an unprecedented level of protection at a bargain price.
Jun 29, 2026 · 2 min read
Bold, rich colors define kitchen design trends in 2026
In a stark departure from the ubiquitous all-white kitchen, designers predict smoky shades of green, like Farrow & Ball Green Smoke, will define kitchen aesthetics in 2026.
Jun 28, 2026 · 2 min read
Picture rail molding ideas make bedrooms feel taller
A simple strip of wood, once a Victorian staple for hanging art, is now being hailed by interior designers as the secret weapon to make even the coziest bedroom feel dramatically taller.
Jun 28, 2026 · 3 min read
Bedsure cooling blanket on sale for Prime Day
One mother loved her Bedsure Cooling Blanket so much, she bought three more for friends, reports Apartment Therapy .
Jun 27, 2026 · 2 min read
Experts reveal Prime Day deals they're buying
This Prime Day, even The Guardian's editors are snapping up the Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro for $129, a $50 discount they've tracked all year.
Jun 25, 2026 · 2 min read
Kunshan Pyramid Features Unique Apartment Design With Sloped Walls
In Kunshan, an 18-story apartment building rises as a pyramid, its sloped walls housing layers of apartments at a 45-degree angle, each with a large private terrace, according to Ratopati .
Jun 23, 2026 · 2 min read