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
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
Mampir practice connects Indonesians with heritage through spontaneous visits
Last year, a survey revealed that 65% of Indonesian millennials and Gen Z felt a stronger connection to their heritage through unplanned visits to traditional markets or family elders' homes, not orga
Jun 23, 2026 · 2 min read
Oversized decor: Grand illusions, practicalities, and pitfalls
Over the last six months, social media mentions of 'oversized decor' in living rooms have surged by 300%, transforming how urban dwellers approach small space design, according to the Design Trends In
Jun 19, 2026 · 4 min read
3 DIY Home Decor Hacks Using Household Items You Need
With just a kitchen sponge and some paint, you can create custom wallpaper patterns, transforming a room for pennies.
Jun 18, 2026 · 4 min read
Avoid these outdoor furniture mistakes that make your patio look tacky
Once the hallmark of a well-appointed backyard, perfectly matching outdoor furniture sets, from tables to chairs and chests, are now actively losing their appeal among design-conscious homeowners.
Jun 15, 2026 · 3 min read
Luxury Home Primary Suites: Redefining Renovation for 2026
By 2026, a 'hotel-worthy' primary suite renovation could easily exceed $250,000, transforming master bedrooms into private, tech-laden wellness resorts.
Jun 14, 2026 · 3 min read
Genius Dish Rack Alternative Hack Takes Kitchens by Storm
A simple microfiber mat, once relegated to car detailing or pet care, is now replacing bulky dish racks in kitchens across America, freeing up precious counter space and sparking a viral home organiza
Jun 14, 2026 · 2 min read
DIY Patio Redo Transforms Overgrown Yard
A homeowner in suburban Anytown recently transformed her long-neglected 400 sq ft patio, overgrown with waist-high weeds and cluttered with old furniture, into a vibrant outdoor living space.
Jun 14, 2026 · 4 min read
IKEA Living Room Design Ideas for 2026
In 2026, a family's living room underwent a dramatic transformation, proving high style doesn't require a high budget.
Jun 13, 2026 · 2 min read
Trader Joe's Unveils New $10 Limoncello Candle for Summer
For just $10, Trader Joe's is now selling a Limoncello Scented Candle that promises to transport shoppers to the Amalfi Coast.
Jun 10, 2026 · 2 min read
Barcelona architects adapt to small apartment trends
Units as small as 28 square meters are emerging in a new micro-apartment complex within Barcelona's historic Eixample district, priced 20% higher per square meter than the neighborhood average, accord
Jun 9, 2026 · 4 min read