Hanging out with your family or hosting friends on your old, dingy deck is not very appealing. Lucky for you, refreshing it doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Try your hand at the makeover ideas below!
Restore your decking. Depending on the shape it’s in, sometimes all your deck needs is a little love. If it’s still fairly new, your deck might just need a deep cleaning and a new coat of sealant. There is a multitude of deck finishing and cleaning solutions on the market to choose from to achieve this. However, if it's more worn down, the rejuvenation process may be a bit longer, including searching for larger repairs, tightening any hardware, giving it a good cleaning, applying a stain, sealant, and paint, and more.
Add lighting. Ambient lighting can completely transform your outside space into a relaxing, cozy oasis. Consider adding solar lights that don’t require a plugin or battery replacement. The lights turn on automatically when the sun sets, mak ...

 The coronavirus pandemic has made it clear that there is no going back to office buildings anytime soon. Maintaining social distance and staying indoors are necessary precautions to remain safe. Although working from home is not an entirely new concept, it suddenly became the norm for many people. With no clear end in sight, making this remote work situation as comfortable as possible is crucial.
It is ideal to establish a home office that makes the adjustment more manageable in the long run. Most likely, this setup will be more widely accepted well after the crisis has passed, so establishing a dedicated workspace is not a futile effort. Making it green is easily attainable and eco-conscious individuals don’t have to disregard their sustainable living considerations.




“It is now widely recognized that there are two sides to the eco-friendly design,” says Oliver Heath, the director of Oliver Heath Design ...

Although we all love to drool over images of gorgeous designer bathrooms, we may not have the budget to go all-out when the time comes to spruce up our own washrooms. But that doesn’t mean your remodel has to be generic and uninspired. There are many ways to get a high-end look without a hefty price tag. Here are 12 tricks to do just that. 



Stacey Kouros Design
1. Grout ColorTiling all or most of your wall surface gives it a nice polished look, but the costs can really add up. White ceramic subway tiles are the most affordable option at most big-box stores, but the finished look can sometimes seem a little flat. Make your installation stand out by using a dark or colored grout, like in the bathroom shown here. Because guess what? Gray grout costs the same as white.Find a tile and stone contractor






Megan Brakefield Interiors
2. Larger-Format TilesAnother idea is to search for an out-of-the-box dimension rather than the typical 3-by-6-inch format. Til ...

Credit: Sherwin-Williams
Credit: Sherwin-Williams
Created as a reaction to the chaos that has defined much of this year, Sherwin-Williams' pick for the 2021 Color of the Year Passionate is simple. The color, as well as the full 2021 Color Collection of the Year, were created in partnership by the design experts at HGTV®.
Passionate is a bold color that's heavy on red, natural tones, but is also mixed with softer whites. Sherwin-Williams describes the color as "rich and empowering...a bold red that's steeped in history, merging modern design with traditional charm."
The 2021 Color Collection of the Year is available exclusively at Lowe's and comprises 10 different complementary colors in total. The colors are all vibrant while at the same time calming and mostly made up of earthy tones that are inspired by nature.
"The current cultural climate has created a state of overstimulation and information overload, which has encouraged trends to live life ...

Purchasing a home is arguably one of the biggest financial decisions you will make in your lifetime. As you start your hunt, don't forget there will be other costs associated with your purchase then the price of the home. Here are 5 fees to keep in mind as you begin to budget.

Home inspection. This is a crucial step in the home buying process. The findings that come from the inspection can help you negotiate price and repairs. Generally, you can expect to pay between $300 to $500 depending on the home and the location.
Title services. Title services encompass the transfer of the title from the seller and a thorough search of the property’s records to ensure to no one will pop up with a claim to the property. Additionally, you may need to buy title insurance which will protect the lender or your investment in the home.
Appraisal fee. Before getting a loan, you will likely be required to get an appraisal of the home to determine its estimated value. This will be conducted by a ...