 | Keeping your hectic home stylish and family friendly
For busy families, finding ways to keep the home fresh, decorative and family-friendly can be a challenge. But there are ways to keep your home organized without sacrificing style and beauty in an active household, including stylish home fragrances to enhance the scent experience and ambiance of any room in your home. |
 | Affordable ways to make your new house feel like home
Even though numbers are down, 35.2 million Americans changed residences in 2008, according to a report by the U.S. Census Bureau. There are many ways to make your new house feel like home sooner than later. |
 | Easy entertaining tips to shape up your home for any occasion
Do you love the idea of entertaining, but feel like getting your home ready for a social event requires too much time and attention? Not to worry, there are a few easy things you can do to make sure your home is always ready to host guests and they may not be as difficult to accomplish as you think. |
 | Lower costs make now a great time for a bathroom remodel
Have you outgrown your small home, but you're staying put for financial or economic reasons? Or maybe you recently bought a house in foreclosure that was a great deal, but needs fixing up. If so, you're part of the re-energized remodeling market. For the first time since 2006, home-improvement spending is up, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. |
 | Turn your bathroom into a spa for under $500
At the end of a long day or a particularly stressful week, there's nothing more appealing than the idea of pampering ourselves with a relaxing trip to the spa. However with many budgets being tightened, this expensive luxury is not a reality on a regular basis. Thankfully, there are affordable ways to get a spa-like experience in your very own home. |
 | Free and quick interior design and decorating tips
Tired of your living space? You don't have to spend a ton of money to liven things up. In fact, it is not really necessary to spend any money at all. Just take a look at what you already have. |
 | Color, murals can turn your kid's room into a castle
The effect of color and decor on mood is widely recognized by both designers and psychologists - but among the general public, not so much. You can use color and decor to help your kids relax after a hectic day or stimulate them when it's time to get up. A wallpaper mural is a great way to incorporate both color and theme into the decor in your child's room. |
 | Conquer closet creep with these time-saving tips
Closet creep is real. No, your possessions aren't multiplying in the middle of the night, though it may seem that way. But it does take resolve to tame the tendency to keep more than is discarded so your home stays organized and clutter free. |
 | Start your summer remodeling project list with doors and trim
Summer is here: It's time to set up the pool, fire up the grill and fill the old bike tires with air. It's also a perfect time to tackle do-it-yourself projects around the house. Updating your interior doors and replacing old exterior trim are two great ways to spruce up your home and increase its value inside and out. |
 | Give your kitchen a 'make under'
Think your kitchen needs a makeover? Why not try a "make under"? "Less is more" is the new mantra for homeowners who want to take control of their home decor - eliminating clutter, streamlining products and taking a simplified, minimalistic approach to their home-improvement projects. The perfect room to begin this organized overhaul is the kitchen, as it's a spot that tends to clutter quickly. Learn how you can make under this space and uncover its true beauty. |
 | Choose a paintbrush-free and colorful trim for your house
Advanced, colorful exterior trim is conquering several roles, distinctly benefitting time-squeezed homeowners and letting them lock away the paintbrush. Trim has historically provided homeowners with a basic solution, delivering a cleanly-finished look, often with white accents. Now, innovations are increasing both the aesthetic and functional value of trim, bringing more appeal, durability and home protection to areas such as windows and doors, and corners and fascia. |
 | Remodel 411: help for the remodeling-challenged
Thinking of remodeling but don't know where to start? Let your mouse do the heavy lifting and transform your current space into your dream home. These days everyone turns to the Web to get inspired. Start your renovation by concentrating on the rooms you use the most and offer the best return on investment (ROI): your kitchen and your bathroom. |
 | Going to the mattresses: how to pick the right bed
Creating a relaxing bedroom environment is essential for getting a good night's sleep, but many overlook the centerpiece of that environment: the bed. Unlike fresh linens, relaxing music and cozy pajamas, the mattress you sleep on can mean the difference between restful, rejuvenating sleep and fitful, frustrating nights. Now is a great time to evaluate your bedroom to ensure it is providing the peaceful retreat you need. |
 | Rounded, organic shapes soften a bathroom's style
A major concept unveiled this year in bath design was "soft geometry" - using rounded, organic shapes in room structures and products to soften a bathroom's style. Learn how you can use this top trend, as well as others, in your next remodeling project. |
 | The master material: Unexpected uses for ceramic tile in the master suite
Ceramic tile has held a hallowed place in bathroom renovations for generations. Durable, easy to clean, and available in a wide range of color, format and design, tile just makes sense in a bath. But some enterprising designers and homeowners are finding a new spot in the home where tile not only works well, but can take center stage - the master bedroom. |
 | How to light up your nights
Starry evenings and backyard entertainment go hand-in-hand. When the sun goes down, the right landscape lighting can turn any backyard into a stylish outdoor living space. With so many options, it's easy to fill your nights with light to enhance security, decor and entertainment. |
 | Just married? How to reconcile your decorating differences
After the "I dos" are exchanged and the reception is over, couples find out that the realities of cohabitation do not always make for smooth sailing, especially when it comes to blending different tastes and styles. While newlyweds find themselves saying "I do" at the altar, that phrase frequently turns into "I don't" when the couple begins combining two unique decorating styles into a single household. |
 | Make your bedroom more relaxing
Even though doctors have been telling us for years that a good night's sleep is critical to living a productive life, many of us do not get the rest we should. While our busy schedules might receive much of the blame for our lack of rest, some of the fault certainly falls on our bedrooms themselves ”¦ they're simply not designed to be restful retreats. |
 | Is your home decor giving you a backache?
Those with aching backs might want to look at their home decor to help ease the pain. When decorating, most homeowners consider their personal style, color schemes and price range, but many don't take time to consider products that can actually benefit their health. |
 | Ten tips for the perfect bathroom remodel
Giving an old, tired bathroom a makeover is one of the best things you can do to increase your home's resale value. And while it can take some planning, remodeling your bathroom is easily within the capability of most homeowners. |
 | Demystifying contemporary home décor and design
Mixed up by modern? Confused by what's considered contemporary? With more emphasis on home design today, it can be difficult for homeowners to distinguish between the array of design styles. Here are hints for creating a modern look in your home. |
 | Virtual showrooms make shopping for bathroom renovations easier
Big box store or specialty showroom, the hardware store down the street or the home improvement center four towns over - just where do you go when it's time to shop for your bathroom renovation? If you're looking for the widest range of options in colors, sizes, shapes and brands in hard-to-shop-for items, the answer just might be - "online." |
 | Decorating on a budget ”¦ from the ground up
Nature redecorates with each change of season. Spring's vibrant blooms give way to the lush greens of summer, as nature decorates from the ground up, then spreads its beauty throughout the landscape. So why is it that so many overlook flooring when refreshing their home decor? This year, take a cue from Mother Nature and start your decorating from the ground up. |
 | Ready to renovate? Key ingredients: style, color, pizzazz
Whether you're remodeling a kitchen or bathroom or adding a bedroom, one of the most important decorating steps is choosing windows to match the architectural style of your home. |
 | The renovation revelation: Top tile trends for today's renovations
When renovating your home for the long run, it makes sense to choose materials that offer outstanding design flexibility, affordability, durability and eco-friendliness. Ceramic tile continues to be a favorite choice of savvy designers, builders and homeowners seeking those qualities for home renovations. |
 | Simple fixes deliver resort style to your own backyard
Even though the economy is getting better, you may still hesitate to spend your hard-earned or hard-saved cash on something as transient as a luxury summer vacation. Instead of splashing money away on travel, why not bring the luxury home by creating a resort-like outdoor environment that will both enhance your enjoyment and improve the value of your house? |
 | How to choose the right colors for your home
If you're giving your home a makeover, be careful when making color choices. Color is so powerful that it can dictate the mood of an entire room. While it may be tempting to decorate using only your favorite colors, it is more important to match the right colors to the right room. |
 | Sticking to a budget? Tips for affordable and easy home upgrades
Living on a budget is the norm, rather than the exception, in the current economy. Whether you're trying to entice potential homebuyers or just want to give your living space a quick spruce up, here are a few tips for making a big impact in the look of your home without breaking the bank. |
 | Get more bang for your renovation buck in the bedroom
Whether you're renovating to attract potential buyers, or to improve your enjoyment of your house, sprucing up the master bedroom has multiple benefits. You can make the most of your money by adding high-quality, high-impact touches like these. |
 | Right-sizing your rugs to fit your room and decor
We've all seen decorating debacles, and even perpetrated a few ourselves. A wrong-sized rug is among the worst. Learning to right-size your decor can help in choosing the right rug for your interior design. |
 | Practical upgrades pay off in kitchens and bathrooms
Practical pays off when it comes to kitchen and bath renovations. Gone are the days when virtually every kitchen or bathroom remodel involved top-of-the-line luxury upgrades and a budget big enough to fund an Ivy League education. Today's homeowners want more value for their remodeling dollars, and that means turning to improvements that make both functional and fiscal sense. |
 | Bring the beach back with you - creating cottage style in your home
Nothing's harder to face than packing up your belongings after a week at a cozy beach house and heading back home to the real world. Sure, it's hard to leave paradise behind, but who says you have to? Why not just transform your own living space to a beach-inspired haven that lets you get away from it all, even if you aren't on vacation? It's easy and inexpensive to do. |
 | Create a playful kid zone on a budget
Nothing better sums up kids' personalities than their favorite spaces: their bedrooms or playrooms. And in today's design-conscious society, there's no limiting the ways you can create inviting, kid-friendly spaces that reflect your children's personal tastes while encouraging imaginative play and creativity. |
 | Create an outdoor patio that's fit for the cover of a magazine
As the weather gets nicer, there's nothing better than expanding your living space to the great outdoors. Luckily, it's easy and affordable to create a comfortable and chic outdoor room that's perfectly put together. Use these quick tips and inspiring ideas to transform your deck, porch or patio into one you'll be proud to show off. |
 | Exotic hardwoods that keep the environment in mind
Thanks to responsible forestry practices, sustainable forestry certification and manufacturer innovation, visually appealing hardwoods can now be part of an environmentally conscious home. |
 | Home decorating: the cool, clean whites of summer
There's nothing like white to add a cool, clean look to your home. From linens and pillows to china and cabinetry, a splash of white not only adds light to your interiors, but can lighten your mood as well. The kitchen is one of the best spaces to go wild with white. |
 | Hot interior design trends and design psychology for 2010
Interior design trends definitely change with the state of mind of the majority. So, with the stresses and challenges of the recovering economy, continuing fast-paced lifestyles, and a desire for positive change, the latest hot design trend is to create a tranquil and optimistic home environment. |
 | Simple accessory switches can lighten your decor for summer days
Replacing dark accessories with brighter, lighter ones is a fast, easy way to lighten the mood in your home. Re-accessorize the right way - spend your redecorating dollars on items that will give you the most impact for the lowest monetary investment. Here are a few ideas from some home decor experts to get you started. |
 | Interior design and decor on a budget: Transform a room for less than $50
It's been a dreary year economically, so now is the perfect time to get creative with your cash and refresh your living space. Check out these interior design and decorating tips to enhance a room for less than $50. |
 | How to get a custom closet on a do-it-yourself budget
Both fashion and budget-conscious Americans alike are taking better care of their clothing and other possessions, starting with how they store them. But if you haven't been reading today's most popular home and style magazines, sneaking a peak inside your neighbor's closets, or house-hunting lately, you might not have noticed: Closets have evolved from clumsy and non-functional to downright fabulous. |
 | Help kids get back into the swing of school with simple room updates
There's no avoiding the return to school. But parents can help kids ease the transition by creating an environment that's comforting -- and conducive to learning at the same time. If your child is struggling to adjust to going back to school, some simple changes in her bedroom might help make the move less difficult. |
| Tips for keeping your home's office organized
You don't have to run a business from your home to need a home office. In fact, it's one of the most common uses for spare rooms - a place where bills can be paid, homework can be done and schedules can get organized in a quiet setting. Here are a few tips that can help you get your space organized. |
