Homeowners are focusing on upgrading the design and functionality of outdoor spaces. Julie Soefer Asoutdoor entertainingseason approaches, consider giving your space a refresh. As a result, the expectations we have aboutoutdoor furnishingsare also increasing. Credit:Julie Soefer Bailie adds thatsustainability is another significant factorin the design industry, influencing how we shop and select furnishings. These elements visually connect indoors and outdoors for a more congruous look, but they also offer consistent functionality....

Edmund Barr Outdoor rooms are the latest phenomenon in home design. What Is an Outdoor Room? Read on to find out how to achieve this with these helpful tips. Credit:Edmund Barr Put Function First Start by thinking about how you want your outdoor room to function. Its all about maximizing the functionality of the space. One way to do this is by creating zones like you would in an interior....

Control the clutter of pool toys with these simple storage ideas. Few things are quite as refreshing as a dip in the pool on a hot summer day. Repurpose a Laundry Basket This pool toy storage idea is an easy,eco-friendly way to get organized. Credit: Rebekah Photography A round, plastichamperwith holes or mesh fabric allows easy ventilation, so items dry faster and last longer. A rectangular plastic hamper works well to store smaller pool toys, like beach balls and water blasters....

When painting your home’s interior, avoid these common pitfalls for a smooth system. A fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest ways to completely transform a space. For easy prevention, start with a dry sweep using a vacuum brush attachment or duster. Credit: Marty Baldwin Next, use warm, soapy water with a sponge or cloth towipe down your walls. Whenpainting interior doors, wrap your door knobs with plastic and painters tape....

An organizing pro reveals what’s standing between you and the efficient pantry of your dreamsplus easy fixes. The quickest route to mealtime stress has to be a messy pantry. Luckily, these pesky little problems are easier to remedy than you might think. Credit: Jay Wilde For that reason, Rosenthal says how you go about it should always revolve around your own unique habits. Remedy:Keep the items that you use more frequently front and center....

From modern checkerboard to colorful florals, these are the pattern trends designers are loving this year. Designers say 2024 will be dominated by one style trick in particular: A hefty dose of pattern. Nature-inspired elementswill continue their reign this year, and they translate to the pattern world as well. Credit:Katie Charlotte Read McKendree Photography 1. Layers Make a Comeback Layering has been gaining substantial traction across the home design category....

Keep your furry friends safe with these festive plants that are non-toxic to dogs and cats. “Depending on which plant and how much is ingested, death is possible.” Should a furry friend come into contact with a toxic plant, act quickly to ensure your pet survives. Credit: Courtesy of The Sill Both types ofholiday cactusproduce beautiful flowers in pink, red, yellow, or white. Water your plant regularly, and keep the soil moist while it’s flowering....

Use these pollinator container garden tips to attract tons of butterflies, hummingbirds, and more. Evena balcony pollinator gardenis achievable by grouping a few pots to make an expanse of nectar-rich flowers. Herbs that attract butterflies are magnets for many species of egg-laying females. Credit:Peter Krumhardt Simple to start from seed, dill pairs well with salvia,dianthus, andcalibrachoain this container. Credit:Peter Krumhardt Credit:Peter Krumhardt Credit:Peter Krumhardt Credit:Peter Krumhardt Credit:Peter Krumhardt

No matter your budget or style, these pool shade ideas can help protect against the sun. Kaitlin Green Looking for some cover from the hot sun? We have pool shade ideas to makeyour swim experiencemore enjoyable. Credit:Kaitlin Green Shade Sail Shade sails are made up of a piece of fabric that’s suspended by multiple poles. The price is largely dependent on the shades size and material. Its important to note that higher-quality materials and kits will come with a larger price tag....

Steer clear of these troublesome perennials and plant these better-behaved alternatives instead. In my garden, I have a few of what I call perennial troublemakers. Save yourself from all these frustrations by avoiding these problematic perennials in your garden. Credit:Evgeniya Vlasova / BHG Plus, I’ve got suggestions for much better-behaved look-alikes you could grow instead. Once it’s established, reining in this aggressive spreader requires relentless vigilance. Plant This Instead:Foamflower(Tiarellaspp.) Credit: Kritsada Panichgul...

These easy-growing hanging shade plants don’t need much light to thrive on your porch or deck. The rest of the plants will fill in by then to keep this arrangement looking lush all season long. Marguerite daisy thrives in full or partial sun and well-drained soil and can grow up to 18 inches tall. Credit: Tria Giovan Plant in well-drained soil. The coleus can reach just 6 inches tall or over 3 feet, depending on the pop in....

Here’s how to master the look. The approach cradles a room in color while minimizing contrast and its cousin, visual busyness. Why design a monochromatic room? Credit:David Tsay We’ve gathered the best expert tips to help you achieve a monochromatic look that wows without overwhelming. David Tsay 1. Another approach is to take a peek inside your closet for inspiration. Credit: Sarah Dorio Home offices, kid’s rooms, and bedrooms are all good candidates for a monochromatic color scheme....

Learn a designer’s tricks for transforming your entire yard using clusters of container plantings. But coming up with theright mix of potted plantingsrequires an eye for design. Enter garden designer and instructor Rochelle Greayer. Credit:Matthew Benson Here, she shares lessons from her own backyard for container gardens that transform any outdoor space. Rochelle Greayeris a Massachusetts-based garden designer, instructor, and editor ofThe American Gardenermagazine. Play with Contrast “Texture is the magic trick,” Greayer says....