It's no secret that an improvement or remodeled room can make being at home that much better. (Who doesn't want more counter space?) The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) recently identified the projects with a "Joy Score" of 10—the highest happiness level for homeowners. Amp the feel-good factor up with these upgrades: ...
Looking to redo your bathroom? Adding a tropical twist is all the rage these days. From lush houseplants to rich hues, now you can have a mini vacation every time you use the toilet. Here are a few tips to boost your island vibes. Lush plant life. The number one tip for a tropical vibe in your bathroom is to add indoor plants. Whether you train a creeping vine to...
By Yuka Kato Summer is a time filled with good times and warm weather. Unfortunately, it’s also a time for many homeowners when energy costs skyrocket as they attempt to keep their homes cool and comfortable. Thankfully, there are many things that can be done to help keep homes cool, while saving energy and money at the same time. These five tips will help make...
By Krystal Rogers-Nelson Wait! Before you spend thousands on landscaping—or on water-guzzling plants—try planting a DIY drought-tolerant garden. With the right plants, your landscape will be cost-effective, low maintenance, and beautiful. Here is a list of ten plants that won’t break the water bank but will still let you enjoy lush greenery and flowers without...
Remember backyards? Those things we’ve been ignoring for the past four months? They’re back! They might not be looking as sharp as they did before the snowfalls, but we’ve got some rad DIY backyard projects to bring it back to life. 1. Ground-level trampoline Image from Little Green Fingers Do you live in constant fear of...
By Erin Davis A great way to add character and individuality to your home is to look beyond the United States and incorporate international interior design trends. It’s also a wonderful way to pay homage to your roots if you have ancestors or relatives from another part of the world. Each culture has its own interior design flavor that stems from the area’s history,...
By Erin Vaughan What’s a surefire way to get kids to eat their vegetables? Heap their plates with homegrown bounty plucked right from the backyard. Gardening as a family gives children an appreciation for the work behind the food on the table, an understanding of basic ecology, and a chance to help parents outside. Meanwhile, for us adults, backyard beautification...
From installing new cabinet doors to renovating old furnishings, there are many ways to modernize and brighten your kitchen without committing to a complete renovation. Painting, changing cabinet doors and drawer pulls, or adding a kitchen island are all options that you can use to modernize your kitchen. By choosing colors, patterns and styles that you really love,...
The positive or negative response we get upon entering a room is nearly instantaneous. We don’t need to carefully examine each corner, or walk around turning over every pillow to decide if a room makes us feel good or not. But, what is it that gives us such a strong first impression? Many of the ways we experience a room have to do with a psychological response...
By Nicholas Brown Staging a home for sale is all about inspiring your buyer, and their senses are the avenue by which you connect with them. French novelist Honoré de Balzac once wrote “love is the poetry of the senses,” and specifically touching on each sense when staging a home creates atmosphere that inspires just that kind of poetic love. No matter the size...
