Many of us aren’t able to change the sizes and layouts of our patios or decks. We’re left to choose furniture and its arrangement, decide what to plant, and select other outdoor elements to make the space our own. Make tiny terraces feel larger and expansive decks more inviting with these tricks for styling your outdoor … Continue reading "Ultimate Lounging For All Patios"

Come on in! HGTV Magazine shares its favorite front door decor that adds curb appeal to your home and welcomes guests in style.

This handy piece of outdoor furniture will serve as headquarters for your gardening gear. Even if you love gardening, re-potting plants or dividing flats can feel like a real chore if you have to scavenge for supplies in the dark corners of the garage. Park them on a dedicated workstation, however, and you’ll never waste time … Continue reading "How To Build A Potting Bench"

Introducing a new pattern to a space adds a lot of life, energy and personality in a way a solid color rarely can. But why restrict yourself to playing with just one pattern? Combining two or more may seem daunting, but if you follow some of these formulas, you’ll be mixing and matching like a … Continue reading "How To Mix Patterns Like A Pro"

See how a drab 1980s kitchen was transformed into functional space with the help of some new paint, updated hardware, a beadboard backsplash and shiplap-style walls. This light and breezy kitchen was once a disfunctional mess with an outdated look. By thinking outside the design box, these first-time homebuyers were able to update the space … Continue reading "Low Cost Coastal Design Kitchen Makeover"

Take back control over your garage! Organize to make room for the cars or convert it into a living space. Enjoy these great garage makeovers from top DIY Network shows.

1. Put that corner cabinet to use. Most corner kitchen cabinets are like purgatories for rarely used pots and appliances. If you could use that extra storage space, consider a pullout solution like the one shown here from Peka.  Read more about this kitchen 2. Consider a tile floor welcome mat. This Victorian in Vancouver, … Continue reading "14 Inspiring Design Tips"

If you are debating purchasing a home right now, you are probably getting a lot of advice. Though your friends and family will have your best interests at heart, they may not be fully aware of your needs and what is currently happening in the real estate market. Ask yourself the following 3 questions to … Continue reading "3 Questions To Ask Before You Buy Your Dream Home"

As temperatures dip and daylight hours shorten, deciduous leaves turn to brilliant shades of gold, orange, red and burgundy in a final glorious show before they fall.  To get the best autumn show in your own backyard, here are our top choices for trees and shrubs that need only a little chill for their leaves … Continue reading "10 Plants Bursting With Color For Your Winter Garden"

If you’re entertaining family and friends during the holidays and could use a bit more space, we’ve got easy, festive ideas on getting everyone outdoors and into the spirit of the season. You don’t have to keep the party inside! Turn your favorite outdoor space into an entertaining hot spot this holiday season.

Expand your horizons—if not your square footage—with some small garden sleight of hand. Divide and Conquer It seems counter-productive, but dividing a small space into smaller areas based on function actually helps give a little yard some breathing room. This long and narrow yard features a water garden, al fresco dining area, play space, hardworking … Continue reading "20 Ways To Make A Small Garden Seem Bigger"

The results of the latest Rent vs. Buy Report from Trulia show that homeownership remains cheaper than renting with a traditional 30-year fixed rate mortgage in the 100 largest metro areas in the United States. The updated numbers actually show that the range is an average of 3.5% less expensive in San Jose (CA), all the way up to … Continue reading "Buying Is 33% Cheaper Than Renting"

Give your yard a fresh look without spending a fortune.3 Outdoor Upgrades Under $50: On YouTube

Backyard Vegetable Garden A well planned backyard vegetable garden plot can yield a bountiful harvest of vegetables from spring into fall. A variety of crops, such as tomatoes, squash and herbs, will flourish in a well watered and sunny spot. Need backyard ideas?… Try these fixes for a sloped, shady or boring backyard.

We previously reported how a shortage of inventory in the starter and trade-up home markets is driving prices up and causing bidding wars, creating a true seller’s market. At the same time, in the premium home market, an over-abundance of inventory has started to see prices come down and put buyers in the driver’s seat, creating the … Continue reading "Buyer’s Market Helps Premium Home Sales Soar"

You can make a number of changes to your house, but you’ll probably never change your house number. Here are a few ideas on how to display your home’s number so it’ll add curb appeal and charm.

Balinese Garden with Floating Patio Granite bridges provide the perfect path to explore the garden. A floating patio island showcases the round bed and tranquil views of the pond. The inspiration for this entry garden came from the owner, who wanted an “Eastern” garden that would work vicariously during their 11-month stay in Minnesota. Water … Continue reading "Totally Unusual Backyard Ponds, Pools and Fountains"

Laying a Gravel Path Sure, you could spend several days and many dollars putting in a walkway made of cobbles or bluestone, but a simple gravel trail won’t break your back—or your budget. Gravel (as well as crushed brick or crushed shell) is a traditional path material found in formal gardens throughout Europe and Asia, … Continue reading "DIY Pathways & Patios"

Neutral bathrooms remain on top this year, but there’s nothing boring about these spaces, which include a cherry-blossom glass tile mural and a sliding barn door with full-length mirror. Here are the 10 most popular bathroom photos. 10. Enhancing Character This home in Dallas was built around the turn of the last century, and this … Continue reading "Trending Now: Top 10 New Bathrooms"

Deep Blue “Waters” Tumbled-Glass “river” runs through this garden, featuring a footbridge, ornamental grasses, crepe myrtles and creeping fescue. A dry landscape doesn’t have to be colorless. Find ways to add personality while keeping it low maintenance.