Prep for summer fun with these outdoor entertaining tips. Image: Apex Pools
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‘Tis the season to start moving your gatherings outdoors. As temperatures warm and the daylight hours lengthen, it becomes easier – and more fun – to host parties in your yard. Easier doesn’t necessarily mean easy, though. Hosting your friends al fresco comes with its fair share of challenges.
The good news is that with a little preparation, an outdoor party can be extremely low-maintenance. Getting everyone together outside lends a relaxed air. Expectations are lower, the natural beauty of your yard does most of the decorating work and if things get really messy, a hose handles cleanup. Are you ready to take advantage of the summer season and move your next party into the fresh air? Here are five outdoor entertaining tips that will help you get started.
Outdoor storage for dishes makes hosting a breeze. Image: LevEco Architects
Even if you already have a kitchen set up outside, you may benefit from making things easier to access during your party. Start by bringing a cabinet, a trunk or another storage piece outside. If you plan to host throughout the season but don’t want your furniture to get damaged by the elements, consider flipping it over and adding some casters.
Once your outdoor storage is ready, fill it with everything you’ll need. Plastic dishware and cloth napkins are a great start. Think through your previous parties. What did you find yourself often grabbing for? (A bottle opener, perhaps?) Having these necessities easily accessible outside will give you more time to enjoy your event.
Capitalize on the relaxed feel of an outdoor gathering by mixing decor. Image: IDF Studio
The relaxed air of an outdoor party encourages playfulness in your decor. Say, for example, you’re hosting more people than you can seat with your outdoor chairs. Bring your indoor chairs outside and intermix them. The variety looks fun and inviting.
What other indoor items could be useful? Pull throws off your couch and drape them over chairs outside for guests to use if they get chilly. Choose decor from your coffee table and mix it with fresh-cut flowers for an interesting centerpiece. Don’t be afraid to play with items you already own. The beauty of an outdoor party is in the way otherwise-stressful details become unimportant.
Make sure you’re ready if the breeze picks up. Image: Anthony Wilder
Summer nights can get breezy. Getting ready for wind is one of the best outdoor entertaining tips we can offer, because it can prevent something out of your control – the weather – from ruining the whole night. The week before your party, make a mental list of anything that could blow away. Solutions are generally simple: like, for example, buying or making tablecloth weights that clip to the corners of a tablecloth. You should have no trouble finding a product or DIY project that matches the decor of your party.
Too pressed for time? Skip the tablecloth altogether!
If you’re going to be lighting candles, make sure you protect them from the wind. Hurricanes and tea light holders are an affordable way to maintain your lighting on a breezy evening.
Candles add ambiance and keep bugs away. Image: Susie Watson Designs
Candles can serve a dual purpose, beyond adding ambiance: They can also help fend off mosquitos. You don’t have to choose citronella varieties, either; pests also hate eucalyptus. If you’re feeling crafty, you can even make your own bug-deterring candles. This DIY uses both citronella and eucalyptus to banish mosquitos.
If you’re going to be serving food outdoors buffet-style, have a plan in place to cover it when people aren’t actively serving themselves. In a pinch, an overturned mesh colander can serve as a protective shield.
It’s grill season. Get ready to cook outdoors all summer long. Image: FireMagic Grills
Don’t wait until the day before your party to grab propane and scrub your grill grate. You can even season your grill grate the way you would a cast iron pan to avoid rust.
As you get your grill ready, make it safe. Move it at least 10 feet away from your home, outdoor structures and any trees or bushes. If you own a gas grill, perform a quick and easy test with soapy water to identify any leaks. Taking the time to get your grill ready before you fire it up gives you a summer of stress-free outdoor cooking.
If you want more inspiration to get your yard ready for summer parties, check out our outdoor articles. We’re always working to keep you in-the-know about the latest outdoor decor trends and hottest summer yard designs. From outdoor entertaining tips to highlights on fun yard additions, we’ve got you covered.
Did we miss any outdoor entertaining tips? Let us know your best tips and tricks in the comments below.
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While you want to be comfortable in your home, it’s possible to achieve this goal while also saving money. Making small adjustments that you will barely notice can result in significant savings. Keep reading to discover ways to save money on your electricity and water bills.
Stop using your toilet as a wastebasket. “Every time you flush a facial tissue or other small bits of trash, five to seven gallons of water is wasted,” according to Doyle James, president of Mr. Rooter Plumbing.
James also recommends that you refrain from using your garbage disposal so frequently. “In-sink ‘garburators’ require lots of water to operate properly,” he explains. “Start a compost pile as an alternate method of disposing food waste.”
If you wash your dishes by hand, stop leaving the water running when you’re rinsing them. “If you have a double-basin, fill one with soapy water and one with rinse water,” James says. “If you have a single-basin sink, gather washed dishes in a dish rack and rinse them with a spray device or a pan full of hot water.”
Your water heater accounts for 12% of your electric bill. If you have an older system, James says flushing sediments out of it will improve energy efficiency. However, if the water heater is 15-20 years old, he tells Freshome that replacing it will generate substantial savings. “Tankless ‘on-demand’ systems don’t store water, offering savings up to 30 percent; however, the latest hybrid heat pump systems offer even greater savings – reducing water heating costs up to a whopping 60 percent,” James explains.
Your ceiling fan can lower your energy costs during the summer. According to Richard Ciresi, owner of the Aire Serv of Louisville, KY, ceiling fans create a wind chill effect, allowing you to adjust thermostat settings by 4-7 degrees F (up to 30% savings!) and still remain comfortable. However, make sure that the fan is going in a counterclockwise motion during the summer, and turn it off when you leave the room, because fans cool people, not rooms.
DDB Design Development and Building
Ciresi also recommends upgrading your lighting. “Lighting accounts for up to 12% of your energy budget, and those old school incandescents give off 90% of their energy as heat, taking a toll on your air conditioner.” He recommends replacing your lightbulbs with CFLs (use 75% less energy and last 10x longer) or LEDs (use 80% less and last 25x longer).
Leave your thermostat alone. You don’t need to cool an empty house. “This practice can actually increase your utility bills,” Ciresi warns. “We recommend, particularly during hot weather, that you set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature and leave it be.” Also, he says the constant temperature change isn’t beneficial to your art, musical instruments, or furnishings.
Observe your humidity levels. If they’re above 50%, Ciresi says you’ll feel warmer than the air temperature. “In most cases lower humidity allows you to be comfortable at slightly higher temperatures, often as much as 78 degrees,” he says. And if you can be comfortable at higher temps, you can save a lot in energy costs. “If your humidity is too high, check for a source like a leaking basement, roof, or plumbing fixture – you may need to a call an air conditioning professional to determine the cause and provide a solution.”
Changing the time you use large appliances can also help you save money. “Operate dishwashers, washers, and dryers only when full, preferable at night or when temperatures are cooler,” recommends Doug Rogers, president of Mr. Appliance. “Also, remember that refrigerators/freezers use less energy when full and make sure to pack them accordingly.
Small appliances – microwaves, toasters, TVs, DVDs – are energy vampires that consume small amounts of energy even when they’re not in use. “Don’t let them drain your budget,” Rogers says. “Plug them into power strips so you can turn them off when you’re not using them.”
If your windows are properly sealed, this can account for 20% of your home’s energy loss, according to Larry Patterson, franchisee of Glass Doctor in Dallas, TX. If your home was built before 2001, he says the most cost-efficient approach is to keep the window frame material and replace the existing clear glass insulated units with new low-emissivity (low-e) glass insulated units. “This can help save up to 35% on utility bills, while also leading to increased comfort near windows, reduced fading, and less noise.”
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A laundry room can be just as inviting as any other room in your home. Image: Jodi Fleming Design
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The laundry room: At best, it’s an efficient space to complete your weekly chores. At worst, it’s cramped, ugly and disorganized. You may dread going to your laundry room, but with the right colors, materials and tools, you can make it organized and stylish. After you brighten it up, you might actually enjoy doing laundry. Take a look at these tips for sprucing up your laundry room with minimal effort.
“For a laundry room to function well, users need easy access to everyday items such as detergents,” says Carla Phillips, a Melbourne-based interior designer. “I recommend open shelving next to the washing machine to keep your detergents handy for everyday use.” She also recommends using large storage drawers to keep laundry off of the floor and out of sight.
For Nicola Croughan, an interior stylist at Blinds Direct, organization doesn’t have to be boring. She says that you can “use storage to separate items into color groups, since organizing by color is a big trend this season.”
While having a lot of storage space is ideal, it’s also important to keep in mind the limitations of your space. If possible, plan out in advance which items you need to store, so you don’t end up with storage space you don’t use. “Laundry rooms are notorious for being cramped,” says Jonathan Self, a real estate broker for Center Coast Realty in Chicago. “You want to keep it as airy and spacious as possible, while also providing plenty of designated shelving spaces to put detergent, linen and towels.”
Croughan advises caution and forethought with the items you store, as well. “Don’t forget to keep laundry detergent up high, so small children can’t reach it.”
Don’t let a small space stop you from creating a fabulous laundry room. This laundry space is hidden behind custom-built shaker-style cupboards. Image: Burlanes Interiors
Shelves dedicated to specific items decreases clutter. Image: Midori Yoshikawa Design Group
Slotted shelves make it possible to store and hang clothes at the same time. Image: Maple Leaf Custom Homes
The laundry room isn’t just a place to store items; it should also be conducive to post-laundry chores. Croughan recommends adding a hanging rail for drying laundry or hanging up items straight from the dryer for minimum ironing.
Katy Brut, Interior Design Consultant at NY Furniture Outlets, agrees. She adds: “Think about creating a place for folding or hanging things, especially underwear or clothes.” By giving yourself dedicated space in the laundry room for these tasks, you avoid the mountains of clean clothes that can pile up in the bedroom.
Consider adding a long rod for hang-drying clothes. Image: Abruzzo Kitchen and Bath
Even a small bar allows you to hang up freshly ironed shirts. Image: Designstorms, LLC
As for the overall design of the laundry room, usability and style should work hand-in-hand. “The first step is the choice of finish materials,” Brut tells Freshome. “Choose a moisture-resistant finish like ceramic tiles or plastic panels.” Lamps Plus Lighting Expert Jeff Emmerson adds that laundry spaces need a simple, efficient overhead light like a flush mount or semi-flush mount. “Don’t forget under-cabinet lighting when you have workspaces in a laundry room.”
Brut recommends painting the walls and ceiling white (or another light color), especially if the laundry room is a small space. This will make the room feel larger and brighter and less like the closet you may consider it.
Finally, don’t neglect fun design choices. Just because it’s a laundry room doesn’t mean it can’t have personality. One way to do this, says Self, is to display your detergent and powders in large apothecary jars. This fun way to store everyday items gives your laundry room character. A little creativity goes a long way in livening up the space.
Patterned backsplashes add character to a dull laundry room. Image: Brooks & Falotico
Light colors, like this blue, open up an otherwise-dark space. Image: Rabaut Design Associates
It doesn’t take a full renovation to spruce up your laundry room. Implementing any of these tips should give you a great place to start. For more inspiration, check out our 10 laundry room ideas for adding value to your space.
Does your laundry room need a little TLC? Will you be using any of these suggestions? Let us know in the comments!
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Do you have an outdated piece of furniture, or simply a piece that no longer fits your decor? You may be tempted to replace the item; however, painting furniture is an easy (and inexpensive) way to give your pieces new life. Painted furniture can add a pop of color to a room – like a red lamp base or chair in an otherwise neutral color palette. Painted furniture can also help everything blend in: for example, a new white headboard and white nightstands to fit a white bedroom.
There are some considerations to keep in mind when painting your furniture — when done poorly, painted furniture risks looking tacky or amateurish. In the worst case scenario, painted furniture begins chipping and peeling shortly after the project is completed. So, why are some projects successful, while others are a disaster? We asked Selena Rivas-Alexander, a designer at K.R.E. Group in San Antonio, TX, to explain the what, why and how of painting furniture.
Before painting furniture, consider the design of the piece and the decor of the room it’s in. Image: Figura Kitchen and Interiors
Just because you can do something doesn’t mean that you should. According to Rivas-Alexander, it’s not a simple yes/no question. Every time you think about painting a piece of furniture, you need to consider several factors. Will the paint enhance the style of the furniture or distract from it? Will a coat of paint make the item look worse? Out of place?
“If you decide to paint a piece of furniture, it must be done correctly,” Rivas-Alexander says. “If you can’t bring yourself to do it because of guilt, you can also strip it and re-stain and bring it back to its original beauty.”
She adds: “On the other hand, if a piece of furniture has been damaged and is in need of an aesthetic or structural repair, painting may be the best option.” Even in these situations, however, you should exercise care. “Although paint can be stripped off wood and metal, the time and cost can be astronomical.” There’s also a chance that you could be ruining something that is really valuable.
The options are endless when painting furniture pieces. Image: Tom Stringer Design Partners
You can paint a variety of furniture, including headboards, desks, dressers, mirror frames, cabinets, nightstands and shelves. Wood and metal furniture are the most frequently painted, but you can paint plastic and wicker as well. Rivas-Alexander says you can even paint fabric chairs.
If you stick with traditional wood furniture, choosing the right type of wood will help you achieve a smooth finish. Rivas-Alexander recommends maple and poplar, which are hardwood and won’t shrink or warp.
Cleaning and sanding furniture creates a better surface for paint. Image: Fredric Boukari Photography
“Before you paint a piece of furniture, give it a good cleaning, remove the hardware and try Murphy’s Oil Soap – it works great and is safe for furniture,” Rivas-Alexander says. “Next, sand your furniture to remove the glossy finish and your paint will have a better surface to hold onto.” She recommends 80 or 100 grit sandpaper. If there are any holes in the furniture, you’ll need to fill them with compound.
A second sanding, with fine-grit sandpaper, creates a smooth surface. “Then remove the dust – a wet cloth rag with rubbing alcohol will work just fine,” Rivas-Alexander says. “Prime your wood; it will give the paint an even surface to bond to.” These steps ensure that your paint job doesn’t chip or peel.
The paint you choose depends on the furniture’s material, usage and desired appearance. Image: The Good Home — Interiors and Design
Once your furniture is prepped, Rivas-Alexander recommends using a satin or semi-gloss finish in either a latex- or oil-based paint. Latex dries faster but is best for furniture that will not be used on a routine basis. If you want your furniture to have a distressed appearance, use milk paint (a water-based paint), since it will crack and look aged. MudPaint and chalk paint are gaining popularity as two types of paint that also produce a distressed look — and chalk paint doesn’t require primer.
For plastic and wicker, spray paint is best; that said, be sure to select a spray that is specifically designed for interior or exterior furniture. You can get a super glossy look if you use a clear topcoat.
Painting furniture, when done with care and intention, can transform not only the piece itself, but the entire room it’s in. These tips should get you started as you make the leap. Are you planning on painting furniture in your home? We’d love to hear about it below.
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After our long-term love of neutral and sparkling-white kitchens, we’re all craving a bit more color. You don’t have to change everything about your beautiful kitchen just to add new colors to your palette. Adding colorful accents can be inexpensive, although you can also choose to have a bigger impact by increasing your budget. Before you start shopping, it’s important to narrow down your wish list for your new kitchen color palette.
Gold accents warm up a white kitchen. Image: Designs by Craig Veenker
There are a few different reasons you may want to update your kitchen color palette:
Not every kitchen update is expensive — most are reasonably priced. Once you have a clear goal in mind, you can choose the accessories or upgrades that work best for your budget. The good news is that if your kitchen is neutral or mostly white, adding color will be effortless. Don’t be disheartened if your current kitchen design and color palette is more complex; we have ideas for that, too. Here are some of our favorites:
Two shades of blue add color to a white kitchen. Image: Santa Rossa Mosaic & Tile Co.
You don’t have to start over completely to add colorful accents to your kitchen. Your neutral or white kitchen only needs a few accent colors to have an updated palette. Using one main accent color, then one or two smaller accent colors, helps your kitchen stay neutral. Monochromatic accents (different shades of the same color) are a no-hassle way to add color while maintaining a relaxing vibe.
Brighten up a gray kitchen with new hardware. Image: The Bath & Kitchen Showplace
Cabinet and drawer hardware can change the entire mood of your kitchen. And you don’t have to choose between just brushed nickel and chrome anymore — countless new finishes have found their way into kitchens everywhere. A white or gray kitchen can be totally transformed with brushed gold hardware. For a traditional or modern farmhouse kitchen, oil-rubbed bronze warms up neutral cabinetry. It’s okay to mix and match metal finishes in your kitchen, but stick to two of them so that it looks like an intentional design decision and not a mistake.
Bold green light fixtures energize a white kitchen. Image: D2Interiors
Lighting finishes and styles change every season, which is great news if you want to upgrade your kitchen color palette with lighting. Sure, there are many beautiful metallic finishes available, but don’t overlook using colorful fixtures in your kitchen; a bold light fixture can completely transform your kitchen space. To keep the color from overwhelming your existing decor, stick to one or two bold lights per room — they’ll have more impact that way.
Colorful dinnerware makes an easy accent in the kitchen. Image: Joss & Main
Bringing home colorful new dinnerware may seem like a small idea, but the visual impact on your kitchen color palette is huge. Open shelving and glass cabinet fronts are perfect for displaying dishes and cookware that are designed to be seen. If your kitchen cabinetry and shelves are not designed to show off your tableware, repurposing a linen tower or vintage baker’s rack is an easy display option (especially if you rent).
A faux tile backsplash transforms a simple white kitchen. Image: Wayfair
If you rent, or if you’re just not ready to tackle a big tiling project, a faux tile backsplash can give your kitchen a designer look. With faux tiles, your new backsplash isn’t a major commitment. As such, you can have more fun with color and texture. If you’re crafty, you can find tile backsplash stencils or stick-on varieties that recreate the look of tile at a fraction of the cost.
Add a colorful table runner to brighten up your kitchen. Image: Wayfair
Looking for the easiest way to add color to your kitchen in a hurry? Add a table runner to a nearby dining table or even to an eat-in island or counter. Coordinating napkins and kitchen linens gives your kitchen a pulled-together look. A collection of seasonal table runners or placemats lets you keep your decor fresh all year.
Paint makes a big impact on your kitchen island. Image: Lauren Shadid Architecture + Interiors
We love the look of painted islands that complement kitchen cabinetry. Replacing or repainting cabinetry in a dated kitchen isn’t always possible or practical. If you have an island, a fresh coat of paint can create an exciting focal point for your tired kitchen color palette. If you’re unsure of which color to choose, look for inspiration in your tableware, artwork or your favorite color.
Updating your kitchen color palette doesn’t have to be extensive or expensive. With these tricks, you can give your kitchen a fresh new look with a few minor tweaks. How will you be updating your kitchen’s color palette?
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One area of the home to come the furthest in terms of design over the years is the outdoor living space. These were once just spaces to place a patio furniture set and maybe a grill. But these days, people are including televisions, entire kitchens (including the kitchen sink) and dining areas fit for a restaurant. Many outdoor living spaces have fire pits that are works of art, and sometimes even full fireplaces. So if you’re ready to update your outdoor living space in a big way, take a look at the inspiring photos below. You might just find an idea for your next backyard remodel.
One of the key ways in which outdoor living spaces have evolved is the inclusion of technology right in the backyard. Thanks to the modern convenience of flat screens, it’s easier than ever to hang a television anywhere. There are several different ways to make a television work in an outdoor space, though it’s important to install them in enclosed spaces to guard them from the weather. Take a look below for some of the best ways to make use of a television in an outdoor space.
Outdoor TVs fit well over fireplaces. Image: MDD Homes
Walls and roofing protect outdoor TVs from the elements. Image: McLaughlin Landscape Construction
Design elements like silver frames add style to outdoor TVs. Image: Hi Frame Design
Some outdoor TVs go in a TV cabinet to keep them protected from the elements. Image: Colorworks Studio
It’s also possible to hang the TV right from the ceiling of a patio space. Image: Designs by Dawn
Nowadays, outdoor spaces feature entire kitchens. This means there are spaces for small refrigerators, a variety of cooktops and sinks outdoors.
Modern outdoor kitchen appliances also tend to come in stainless steel, since that makes the appliances more resistant to the weather and other wear and tear. A common design aesthetic is to put stainless steel in stone or brick. The rustic stone and modern stainless steel combination creates interesting contrast. The stone also helps anchor the appliances in place and gives them a more outdoorsy look.
Stainless steel and stone create an attractive contrast. Image: Frankel Building Group
Appliances can be intergrated into stone. Image: DFW Improved
Even sinks may be worked into a stone counter. Image: Ettore Masonry
Some spaces achieve the outdoor kitchen feel by simply being placed behind a partition that can be opened and closed depending on the weather. Image: Architect Your Home
Outdoor cooktops are perfect for large gatherings. Image: FireMagic
A classic mainstay of an outdoor space is the fire pit. Many of us have spent fond evenings relaxing around the fire as the heat of the day dissipates. However, fire pits have adopted an artistic bent over the years, looking more like “fire features” than traditional fire pits.
Another development is taking the traditional fireplace from inside the home and placing it outside. These usually provide seating areas and a backdrop for TVs.
Fireplaces with bench seating work well outdoors. Image: DRM Design Group
Some fire pits have a more sleek, modern design. Image: Harrell Remodeling
Other fire pits keep it rustic with natural stone surroundings. Image: Alex Custom Homes
This modern fire pit uses unique decorative paneling. Image: Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet
Some fire pits make use of walls for an interesting design. Image: California Home Design
Perhaps it wouldn’t be a full outdoor living space without bringing the dining room outside, too. Outdoor dining spaces these days are so detailed that they look like they belong indoors — that is, until you look closer and realize that everything is designed to stand up to the elements.
Some outdoor living spaces boast long, full tables similar to what you would see in a dining room. Others make use of bar areas. Still others resemble kitchen islands. With so many options surrounding space and materials, the outdoor dining space is truly customizable.
Whole dining spaces with upscale furniture are now outside. Image: Shapiro/Didway
Some outdoor dining spaces take the bar approach. Image: Ken Linsteadt Architects
Outdoor dining can also keep it natural with wooden furniture; in addition, the string lights are a fun touch. Image: Chelsea Construction Corporation
Wicker is also becoming more stylish and intricate in its designs. Image: Thompson Custom Homes
Some outdoor dining spaces keep it chic, yet rustic. Image: Villa + Villa
If you’re looking to remodel your backyard, options for outdoor living spaces are nearly endless. Did you find inspiration in any of the outdoor living spaces above? Tell us about it in the comments!
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