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Extend Outside Enjoyment with Retractable Awnings

Everyone wants to enjoy the beautiful weather that summer brings. But the warm sun and damaging rays sometimes force us to retreat inside, where we crank the costly air conditioning to stay cool. Consumers are looking for new ways to create an outdoor oasis so they can fully and safely enjoy the season.

Hardwood Flooring For Every Room in Your Home

Hardwood floors are a timeless treasure. They can add beauty, character and value to any room of the house, and with so many options out there, what kind of material will work best in your home?

The Latest Trend in Kitchen Design: Expressing Personal Style

Can't buy a home with the kitchen of your dreams…then remodel your current home and express your personal style in every design element!

Secrets of Stress-relieving Interior Design

We all know stress is bad for us. In fact, about 64 percent of us say we are actively trying to reduce the amount of stress in our lives, according to the American Psychological Association. Health and interior design experts agree: stress relief can start at home by using smart stress-relieving design techniques.

Bring the Outdoors in to Create a Nature-Inspired Home

From the soothing flow of a mountain stream to the majestic beauty of thousand-year-old rock formations, few things have the power to relax or inspire like Mother Nature. Now, as more homeowners seek to turn their homes into havens, those enchanting colors and rich textures of Earthy materials are moving indoors to become the inspiration for one of the hottest trends in home design.

The Decorative Accent that Will Set Your Home Apart

Look around your house and you will likely notice a lot of coordination. The brushed nickel knobs on your cabinets match the kitchen sink; all of the lighting fixtures on your upper level contain alabaster glass; and every window in your home has those same wooden blinds.

Saving Money With Energy Efficient Windows

When newlyweds Rob and Holly Fanjoy purchased their 1955 Cape Cod home, they were not wearing rose-colored glasses. They knew the 1,100-square foot house needed extensive work. One of their first challenges was to replace the drafty original wood windows. More than 50 years old, the leaky single-glazed windows were no match for frosty Michigan winters.

Want to Update the Look and Feel of Your Home the Easy Way?

Whether you've moved into your home recently or been there a while, there's an "itch" every homeowner feels at one time or another -- the need to redecorate.

What's New in Kitchen Design?

As the kitchen continues to reign as the gathering place for many families, design trends have centered around creating a space that is comfortable and inviting. The arts and crafts movement has recently seen a resurgence in modern kitchen design, as homeowners opt for a more open layout and subtle design decorations.

Fashion Meets Function in High-End Bath Appliances

As homeowners continue to look for luxury products to turn their baths into spas, they are also demanding that those same products deliver function. They want products that add style and fashion in ever-more upscale designs. From toilets, to showers and towel warmers, fashion and function are in.

So, You Want to Be an Interior Designer

Want to be an interior designer? ASID President Suzan Globus, FASID, is an award-winning interior designer, who consults on public, educational and museum libraries. Here are her tips to make it happen.

Simple Secrets for Selecting Outdoor Statuary

You're not alone if you find that the piece of garden statuary that looked so elegant at the garden center just doesn't seem to fit your garden back home. Here are some simple guidelines that will help you choose the perfect piece of statuary for your garden.

Wood Floors Flourish in Contemporary Décor

Wood floors aren't just for classic and colonial homes anymore. Design options are changing, and achieving a contemporary look with a classical element such as wood flooring is a growing trend. Here are some trends that are seen in homes today.

It's Not Your Father's Garage Door

In the "Leave it to Beaver" era, garage doors were little more than heavy slabs of wood that sealed your garage shut from the elements. White, heavy and mostly flat. Little had changed to garage doors by the time the "Brady Bunch" arrived in the 1970s or even the "Cosby" generation years later.

Five Simple Summer Spruce Ups for Outdoors

Summer is finally here and you plan to spend every spare minute wearing a permanent indentation in the cushion of the patio chaise. But before you kick back and enjoy the lazy days of summer, you know you need to do something to spruce up the outside of your home.

Hot Tips for Landscaping Around Hot Tubs

For many families, adding a hot tub in the back yard makes the American dream complete. But what really elevates the hot tub from home improvement to home oasis status is the decking and landscaping created around it.

Enjoy Your Landscaping, Even After the Sun Goes Down

Landscape lighting used to be simple. A few recessed cans lining the front path, a couple downlights tucked in the trees, and you were done. Not anymore. When it comes to the great outdoors, homeowners have seen the light.

Coming Home to Stress-free Relaxation

When finally returning home at the end of the day, most of us want to enter an anxiety-free atmosphere in which the home becomes a retreat from the stresses of daily life. The living room is the perfect place to begin your home's transformation into a stress-free oasis.

Add 'Wow' with Window Treatments

A new husband, a new house and 47 bare windows would be enough to cause decorating stress in just about any woman. Here are some ideas from an interior design expert on how to bring out the best in windows throughout your home.

Unique Entertaining Tips Save You Money

Whether it's your 30th birthday, a holiday or the end of the week, any occasion can become a celebration, and any celebration can bring out the unexpected. That's the philosophy of entertaining guru Phoebe Fontaine, the new face of Vanity Fair napkins, who's helping everyone welcome guests with newfound flair.

Staged to Sell In a Soft Real Estate Market

Selling your home can be a challenge that may seem especially daunting in a softer real estate market. If you decide now is the time to sell, there are several aspects that can make your home more attractive to potential buyers. Following this advice may help justify your asking price and attract buyers.

Fall into Fragrant Décor This Season

The warm, crisp and rustic scents of the autumn harvest are a refreshing close to summer and a perfect lead-in to the dramatic winter months. Fall is the best time of year to celebrate the scents of nature and bring annual traditions of festivals and apple picking to life by enhancing your home décor with seasonal fragrance.

Natural Light From Above Plus Fresh Air Brightens Kitchens

Many families spend more time in the kitchen than in any other room in their home. For maximum enjoyment, this all-important space should be as comfortable and appealing as possible with natural light and fresh air being key elements.

Painting Preparation Generates Quality Results

Painting is one of the fastest and most affordable ways to update your home. A fresh coat of paint can give new life to a dull room, or a completely different color can add personality and pizzazz throughout your living space. To ensure a professional-quality job, take the appropriate preparation steps. Here's how.

Building Green is Building Momentum

Green home building is moving into the mainstream, with 20 percent more builders engaged in environmentally conscious building practices this year. Homeowners are moving to the brink of a new, environmentally conscious era.

Clean Up Your Old Bathtub Before Replacing It

If you have an older home, you may be considering ripping out and replacing the tile and plumbing fixtures. People often replace them because they have many years' build up of dinge or minor blemishes and they don't think they'll ever get clean again. But it's not easy to find a replacement tub that has the look you want, fits your bathroom, is in good condition and affordable, too. An appropriate claw-foot tub can cost $1,200 or more.

Wake Up a Tired Front Entry with a New Front Door

The old saying "You can't judge a book by its cover" isn't always true in the housing market. A weary-looking home with a tired front door is sometimes a clear signal to the neighborhood, and to prospective homebuyers, that a house is in need of major repairs or updating.

Set the Stage for a Quick Home Resale

In this buyer's market, how do you make your home stand out in a sea of "For Sale" signs? Experts say that it's the little touches -- like a fresh coat of paint, updated window coverings or a new floor -- that make all the difference.

Easy Wallpaper Removal Tips the Pros Use

When most people undertake a painting project, it's not the actual painting that they dread, it is the preparation. And when preparation means removing wallpaper, it's particularly difficult. If your dated wallpaper bothers you, but you keep finding excuses to avoid the project, it's time to take charge. Removing wallpaper doesn't have to be difficult. Here are the steps to make it easy.

Lighting Plays a Huge Role in Your Home's Curb Appeal

Adding outdoor lighting is a smart investment not only from a security standpoint, but because of the dramatic affect it has on curb appeal. When you're ready to begin the dramatic and instant beautification of your property, here are some tips to get started.

Turn Your Garage Space into a Living Space

No matter how big your house is, there never seems to be enough room for everything. Whether it's space for hobbies, recreation or just more storage, most of us could use more of it.

How to Shop Like an 'Exterior Designer'

Today, there is an endless array of options for putting the finishing touch on your lawn, garden, patio, deck or dock. Here are some tips for do-it-yourself "exterior designers."

Shutters' Popularity Continues to Rise in Homes Across the Country

Today's homeowners have more opportunities for personalizing their homes than ever before. While it is good to have options in home furnishings, when it comes to stylish long-lasting window coverings homeowners across America are choosing interior shutters over blinds and drapes.

Your College Grad Might Boomerang Back Home. Will You Be Ready?

One day it happened: your youngest child flew off to college and, finally, the house was all yours. If you're like many couples, one of the first things you did was embark on a major remodel of your now-empty nest.

Authentic Luxury with Old World Inspiration

Many homeowners want all the modern conveniences of a brand new home, but they don't want it to look new. They may strive for a home that looks as if it has been passed down through generations. Here's how to achieve that coveted look.

Making the Most of Small Spaces: When Less Really is More

Homeowners are looking to do more with less as the average size of homes begins to stabilize. Industry experts are finding that dining rooms and other defined living areas are disappearing in favor of more open space or a series of smaller areas. As rooms shrink in size, homeowners are challenged with making an impression that doesn't overwhelm their tightened space.

Love of Western Red Cedar Is a Many-Splendored Thing

No wonder so many people have loved Western Red Cedar in so many-splendored ways for so long. From Pacific Northwest native longhouses to luxury contemporary homes, Western Red Cedar has been loved for hundreds of years.

"That's not Clutter, It's a Collection!"

For some people, collecting is not just a hobby, it's a lifestyle. But how do you tame collectibles so they don't look like clutter, or worse, junk? Here are some ideas from the experts at The Art Institutes.

Handy Homeowners Can Add Natural Light Quickly

If you're a homeowner with an area in your home that needs more natural light -- say a hallway, laundry room, closet, or a windowless bathroom -- an easy-to-install tubular skylight could be the answer.

Conquer School Year Clutter in Six Easy Steps

Clutter is inevitable, especially during the school year when a new batch of graded papers, permission slips and loot from classroom parties arrive on a daily basis. Here are six steps for minimizing school year clutter and getting organized.

Lighting and Decorating Tips that will Make a Room Sparkle

The fabrics you pick for your upholstery pieces and the lighting fixtures you place overhead and at tabletop height can make a room sparkle or fall flat. Here are some tips to get your room to sparkle from Candice Olson, celebrated interior designer and TV host.

Add Value to Your Home with a Garage Make-Over

If your garage houses everything but your car, perhaps it's time to consider cleaning out and reorganizing. Making space for projects, hobbies and storage extends your living space. For some, the garage is the biggest room in the house; why not make it more livable?

Flooring: The Foundation of Your Design

Creativity is one of the most important elements in interior design. But when it comes to the process of designing a room, over the past 40 years the industry has been anything but creative. Until recently the steadfast rule was to choose furniture, accessories and paint first. Then almost as an afterthought, choose flooring, but that's changing.

How to Make a Small Room Appear Larger

Savvy homeowners are becoming master illusionists these days working with their smaller rooms to make them appear bigger and more spacious. Even a house with a maze of irregularly shaped rooms can be designed to enhance the flow from room-to-room giving the impression of more space. So instead of dismissing your smaller rooms, embrace them with these tips.

Dining Room Trends: Creating an Intimate Setting

Redecorating any room can be a daunting task, and the dining room is no exception. This is the special area of the home where memories are made, and as the holiday season approaches, many people look to update their furniture and décor.

Dining Room Trends: Creating an Intimate Setting

Redecorating any room can be a daunting task, and the dining room is no exception. This is the special area of the home where memories are made, and as the holiday season approaches, many people look to update their furniture and décor.

Luxury Made Easy: Quick Ways to Update Your Bathroom with Style

More bathrooms today are being transformed into personal retreats where homeowners can unwind and surround themselves with luxurious amenities and spa-like treatments. But, with limited spaces and limited budgets, not everyone can create the bathroom of their dreams. The good news is that homeowners can take simple steps to give their existing bathrooms a sophisticated makeover without paying the price of luxury. Quick changes can make a big difference when it comes to updating your bathroom with style.

Bring Fall Indoors with Colors That Reflect the Season

The scent of cinnamon-infused cider fills the air, crisp leaves crackle underfoot and you're able to enjoy long walks in the cooler evening as summer eases into fall. As you settle into the season -- perhaps by supplementing your fall-weather wardrobe with a toasty sweater or two in rich shades -- consider giving your home a little seasonal lift as well. Updating your rooms with color is a quick and easy way to embrace this time of year, and will put you in the mood to enjoy all the bounties these autumn months offer!

Illuminate the Possibilities of Home Decor

Residential lighting is often considered a basic necessity, so home owners do not think of it as a stylish home décor element. Yet lighting can be so much more than a simple ceiling fixture.

Quest For Replacement China Awakens Family Memories

When Merry Anderson rediscovered six Mayflower plates in the back of a cupboard that had once belonged to her grandmother, the quest to find the rest of the set began. And she turned to the dish detectives for help.