Design Tips

2/6/2023 3:01:22 AM -08:00

Are you looking for a way to remodel your landscape but aren’t quite ready to rip everything out? Maybe you don’t have the budget for a complete overhaul? With warm-weather months on the horizon, you also might not want your entire yard off-limits.

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2/5/2023 3:00:17 AM -08:00

When artists Wayne Hughes and Danny Hills bought a crumbling 120-year-old Queen Anne house in Portland, Oregon, 35 years ago, it had been stripped of its beautiful details and condemned. It was slated for demolition and redevelopment when they purchased it. “We were a couple of broke hippie artists...

2/5/2023 2:00:18 AM -08:00

The kitchen island or peninsula is often the home’s hub, where family and friends gather to help with the cooking (or just the eating). This central position makes it an important design feature and a great place to add personality to your kitchen. Re-dressing the island can provide a dramatic face-lift...

2/4/2023 6:37:14 PM -08:00

They say hard work is rewarding. Many people tested that notion in Las Vegas this week, battling flight delays, braving unusually cold weather, standing in long lines and logging thousands of steps to see the latest home design and building products and materials showcased at Design & Construction...

2/4/2023 1:01:36 PM -08:00

When you go to turn on your faucets on a frigid day and nothing or only a trickle runs out, it’s the one time you hope you’ve forgotten to pay the water bill. But that’s wishful thinking and you know it, so panic sets in — your pipes are frozen, and if those suckers burst, your house could be a flood...

2/4/2023 2:01:57 AM -08:00

Nothing gives me more pleasure than having my indoor plants refreshed, repotted and repositioned, ready for a new year ahead. All too often we either love our houseplants or neglect them to death. But with some common sense on your part, a little love and a dash of courage, your indoor plants can live...

2/3/2023 3:02:02 AM -08:00

When the owners of these bathrooms decided to renovate, they sought out expert help on Houzz, where they found pros who transformed their outdated drop-in tubs, cramped showers and blah color schemes into stylish and airy retreats with luxurious standalone soaking tubs in starring roles. Check out the...

2/2/2023 3:00:18 AM -08:00

In a world of 8,500-square-foot mansions, a house less than one-tenth that size might sound tiny. But in Nevada City, California, an 848-square-foot log cabin — and, especially, its 75-square-foot kitchen — are reminders that good design often comes in small packages.
After purchasing the two-bedroom,

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2/1/2023 3:01:53 AM -08:00

Interior designer Perry Walter and his partner, James Ramsay, were searching for their first home together when they came across a new development in an old Atlanta neighborhood that appealed to them. “It was a mix of townhouses and single-family houses that were close together. It felt quaint and tight-knit...

2/1/2023 2:01:29 AM -08:00

February is a time of year to indulge in home comforts like cooking big-batch meals, reading in the afternoon and watching movies with the family. Here are a dozen ideas to add to your to-do list this month, from the necessary (clearing sidewalks of snow and ice, say) to the just-for-fun (treating yourself...

1/31/2023 3:01:38 AM -08:00

Abundant sunshine and a laid-back attitude are hallmarks of Southern California living. So this Newport Coast couple felt their dark and heavy brown bathroom wasn’t quite fitting in. Wanting a light and airy spa look with casual worn-farmhouse details, they gathered inspiration photos on Houzz and reached...

1/31/2023 2:01:32 AM -08:00

After moving into their Victorian London home, this couple in their 30s needed help adding color, storage and features for entertaining guests. Not knowing where to begin, they searched Houzz for help. A Houzz concierge — part of the Live Connections feature available to Houzz...

1/30/2023 3:01:31 AM -08:00

The French design and lifestyle fair, Maison & Objet, which took place in Paris from Jan. 19 to 23, 2023, gave us plenty of fresh ideas and tips on how to consume more ethically without harming the planet, as well as slow down and take time for ourselves.
We asked Vincent Grégoire, consumer

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1/30/2023 2:01:42 AM -08:00

Wondering if it’s time to hire a general contractor? These pros are experts at managing all aspects of a project, including applying for building permits, hiring subcontractors, overseeing work and cleanup, and more. If you’re thinking of undertaking a major home improvement project, remodel or...

1/29/2023 3:01:24 AM -08:00

Painting your kitchen cabinets a dark color can feel like a risky move, but these three makeovers show just how rewarding — and varied — the results can be. All the kitchens serve up deep blue cabinets with white countertops and brass hardware, but pros gave each space its own distinct flavor with details...

1/29/2023 2:01:59 AM -08:00

Whether you’re remodeling or building from scratch, it’s a great opportunity to make your home environmentally friendly. From finding local materials to designing easy-to-clean spaces with an eye to the future, here are six expert insights you need to know if you’re eager to go green.

1/29/2023 1:01:15 AM -08:00

A pergola is remarkably versatile. The material it is made of and where you place it in your garden can turn it from a functional but basic structure into a one-of-a-kind statement piece. Extras can range from lights, ceiling fans and adjustable overhead slats to entertainment systems, fire features...

1/28/2023 3:00:29 AM -08:00

This family of four in Austin, Texas, wanted to freshen up the exterior of its newly purchased home and create a multifunctional backyard. Landscape architect Brian Baughman was tasked with transforming the yard into outdoor living areas for the family to gather, cook, dine, read, entertain kids and...

1/27/2023 3:00:13 AM -08:00

A kitchen island is a popular feature among homeowners. But choosing which features to include in a kitchen island requires a good amount of consideration. Here, designers offer a few smart ideas, including open and closed storage, a microwave drawer and stylish waterfall countertop ends.

1/27/2023 2:02:05 AM -08:00

The stars of stage and screen spend a good deal of time at their dressing room vanities making sure they’re ready for the literal spotlight. Properly positioned vanity lights emit soft, diffuse light that reduces shadows and makes it easy for stars to look their best. While you may not be going onstage...

1/26/2023 3:01:58 AM -08:00

Carrie Ann Terrell and Jody Bjornstad didn’t feel their 1970s add-on kitchen with its dated finishes and fluorescent lighting complemented the beautiful wood details and high ceilings in the rest of their 1886 Victorian home. “There was this vinyl kitchen tacked on to the back,” Terrell says. Meanwhile,...

1/25/2023 3:01:46 AM -08:00

There are some fundamental areas of the home where it makes sense to invest more on certain pieces — or to hold back in lieu of something more rewarding. To help you create a balanced decor budget, here are areas to invest more in and areas where you can invest less.

1/24/2023 3:01:38 AM -08:00

It’s hard to know what the future holds. But if you know where to look, you can make some pretty good predictions. To get an idea of what’s on the horizon for home design in 2023 we talked to numerous pros on Houzz, looked at popular photos and pored over Houzz research data to find these...

1/24/2023 2:02:08 AM -08:00

This 1920s Atlanta cottage’s first floor had just one bathroom that was shared by the home’s primary and guest bedrooms and that also served as a powder room. The arrangement was less than ideal for the homeowners, and they turned to Copper Sky Design + Remodel for a solution. The design-build firm’s...

1/23/2023 3:01:29 AM -08:00

Winter weather can keep even the most avid gardener from working outside. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up all gardening activities until spring. Instead, use this time to focus on planning for later in the year or to knock out a couple of garden-related tasks that can be done now. Once warmer...

1/23/2023 2:01:52 AM -08:00

Wondering if it’s time to hire a kitchen designer? These design pros are experts at creating well-thought-out, functional spaces and are always up on the latest in kitchen design trends. If you’re thinking of undertaking a major kitchen remodel, renovating an old house or creating your dream kitchen,...

1/22/2023 3:02:18 AM -08:00

Fire symbolizes light and warmth as well as transformation, so gazing at flickering flames feels especially fitting during the wintry early days of a new year. Here’s a diverse collection of blazing fireplaces recently added to Houzz that will warm your heart and spark design ideas.

1/22/2023 2:01:53 AM -08:00

Kitchen cabinets in the very darkest of blues can look highly contemporary or beautifully traditional. But the drama of these dark tones can make the choice of countertop tricky — and the material you choose will dictate the look of your kitchen. Here’s our guide to what works best.

1/21/2023 3:01:41 AM -08:00

A small yard can provide a surprising amount of outdoor living space, given the right design and an attention to detail. In the following three projects, landscape designers transformed underused outdoor areas into inviting spaces for entertaining, lounging and grilling.

1/21/2023 2:00:18 AM -08:00

Four architects on Houzz share insider tips for building and remodeling in a way that’s kinder not just to the earth but to your back pocket too.