By: Kelley Walters These five timeless ideas work because they’re both fun and functional Outdoor entertaining spaces aren’t always equal when it comes to home value. Think about that house with the falling-down above-ground pool and no curb appeal. Homes that get outdoor entertaining right, though, have patios and backyards that blur inside and outside spaces. Almost any […]

By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon Yep, quartz countertops are a kitchen trend that’s here to stay. Your kitchen is the one place where you want to be really careful about trendy choices. The last thing you want is a kitchen that looks dated in just a few years simply because you followed a kitchen trend. Here are eight trends […]

By: Melissa Dittmann Tracey Transform your home into a beautifully designed space — without the spendy price tag. Home improvement pros and DIYers tout a fresh coat of paint as a favorite among low-cost home upgrades that can make a huge impact. But what else can you do to accessorize and decorate? Sometimes the little […]

By: HouseLogic Find out if DIY or hiring a pro is right for your deck project. Building a deck expands your livable outdoor space so you can do more of what you love — entertaining, dining, or relaxing under the stars. But large projects like adding a new deck or repairing an existing one can be […]

By Leanne Potts Don’t do built-in seating. Your butt (and budget) will thank you for it. Relaxing around a fire and under the stars is the place for a perfect night. But at what cost? A built-in fire pit can cost upward of $5,000 for an above-ground, propane-burning brick fire pit without installation. That’s a pricey upgrade. Don’t […]

By John Riha Your home’s interior lights want to help you have fun, feel better, and save energy. Will you let them? It used to be we’d walk into a room and flip on the light switch, maybe slide the dimmer up or down a bit to change the brightness. But that’s so old school. Instead, […]

By: Pat Curry Choosing the wrong type of paint finish could mean a do-over that costs twice as much. There’s a basic rule of thumb to follow when choosing paint sheens: The higher the sheen, the higher the shine — and the higher the shine, the more durable it will be. Flat paint has no shine; […]

By: HouseLogic A creative kitchen can feature your interests and taste — and blend with other rooms. Kitchens are showing more personality these days. As they’ve become a hub, they’re not just for cooking and eating. We’ve been using them for all kinds of activities. We want our kitchens to reveal our interests and taste but […]