As the Homes Content Editor, Cynthia Lawrence covers all things homes, interior decorating, and garden-related. She has a wealth of editorial experience testing the latest, ‘must-have’ home appliances, writing buying guides and the handy ‘how to’ features.
Her work has been published in various titles including, T3, Top Ten Reviews, Ideal Home, Real Homes, Livingetc. and House Beautiful, amongst many.
With a rather unhealthy obsession for all things homes and interiors, she also has an interior design blog for style inspiration and savvy storage solutions (get rid of that clutter!). When she’s not testing cool products, she’ll be searching online for more decor ideas to spruce up her family home or looking for a great bargain!
Latest articles by Cynthia Lawrence

Expert shares unusual household item to prevent ants from invading your home this summer
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
Dealing with pesky ants? Homeowners are being told to use this one bathroom item that could help stop ants in your home this summer.

Forget coffee grounds — try this unusual item to banish skunks in your yard immediately
By Cynthia Lawrence Last updated
Ditch the coffee grounds — this is the secret scent that instantly repels skunks in your yard.

Ants taking over your raised beds? I asked the experts how to get rid of them quickly
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
Help, my soil is infested — I asked the experts how to get rid of ants in my raised beds!

This ‘gimmicky’ Shark cleaning tool has now become my go-to gardening essential — here’s why
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
Ditch your leaf blower — the Shark BlastBoss is the only gardening tool I reach for now. Here’s how I use it.

5 ways to protect yourself (and your home) from wildfire smoke right now
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
Battling wildfire smoke? Here are some practical ways to protect yourself and your home, and to help you breathe easy.

This $17 IKEA item got rid of my hallway clutter in seconds — and upgraded my space
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
I discovered this IKEA find that made my hallway clutter disappear and saved space — and it’s only $17.

How to protect your smart home gadgets in a heatwave — 3 expert tips to do right now
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
Is your smart home ready for the heatwave? An expert reveals how to prevent your gadgets from overheating.

How do I know when my homegrown tomatoes have peak flavor? 3 things to look for before picking
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
If you’re wondering why your homegrown tomatoes aren't flavorful, you’re probably picking them at the wrong time. Here’s the right time to pick.

Forget white vinegar — I found a better natural way to banish ants in my yard for good
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
I finally got rid of the ants in my yard with this one natural item — and no, it wasn’t white vinegar this time.

Why is my grass patchy after seeding? I asked the experts how to fix it
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
Do you have patches ruining your lawn? Gardeners reveal the reason your lawn is still patchy after seeding it and how to fix it.

The best tech of 2026 (so far): 26 products we've actually tested, rated and loved
By Peter Wolinski Published
Here are our favorite products from 2026 after 6 months of non-stop testing.

Don't let the heatwave destroy your plants — expert shares 3 top tips to do right now
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
Experts urge gardeners to protect plants as the heatwave continues — here’s what you need to help them survive the summer.

Why does my tomato plant have lots of leaves but no fruit? Here’s why and how to fix it
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
Do your tomato plants have more leaves but no fruit? You could be making these three mistakes.

Don't forget this crucial task before cutting your lawn — and protect your mower blades this summer
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
This is the one crucial lawn care task that you must do to protect your mower blades this summer.

The Dyson V16 Piston Animal is a great multi-tasker and handles messes well — but is it worth the premium price?
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
Editor's ChoiceA powerful vacuum cleaner that quickly tackles hard flooring and carpets and gets the job done. But is the V16 worth the price tag?

How to mow a checkerboard pattern in your lawn this summer — and impress the neighbors
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
Gardening expert reveals how to do checkerboard patterns in your lawn to spruce up your backyard this summer.

How to stop flowers wilting in a heatwave — 3 expert-approved tips
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
If you want longer-lasting blooms this summer, here are some expert-approved tips on how to stop your flowers from wilting in the heat.

Expert warns of the dangerous ‘fishy smell’ you should never ignore in your home during a heatwave
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
The unusual ‘fishy smell ’ in your home you should never ignore during a heatwave — here’s why.

How to clean windows with vinegar for streak-free glass (yes, it really works)
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
Streaky glass? Here’s how to clean windows with white vinegar without leaving a single mark and make them crystal clear.

I’ve just discovered this clever hack to cool down my bedroom without using a fan — and you just need this bathroom item
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
Here’s how to keep your bedroom cool without a fan — and you just need this one bathroom item (no electricity required).

Stop your compost smelling bad this summer — just do these 3 easy things
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
Is your backyard smelly? Your compost bin could be the culprit. Here’s how to stop your compost from smelling bad in the summer.

How to remove oven glass stains without leaving a single scratch using this one natural solution
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
Stubborn oven stains? Here’s how to clean your glass door safely without damaging it — and spending a fortune on repairs.

How often should you clean your bathroom to prevent black or pink mold? I asked an expert
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
How to stop pink and black mold in its tracks — expert reveals how often you should really be cleaning your bathroom.
Here at Tom’s Guide our expert editors are committed to bringing you the best news, reviews and guides to help you stay informed and ahead of the curve!


