Lauren Dunec Hoang, Houzz Editorial Staff In the last year, the urban gardens that have really grabbed people’s attention on Houzz have a number of characteristics in common. All are stylish, contemporary and maximize space for outdoor living. Many have calming color palettes, such as deep green, white and charcoal, and — no surprise —…
Most homeowners are pretty happy with an outdoor space that’s big enough to fit a decent size pool, space for a BBQ and just a little greenery. But there are others out there who will not settle for anything other than an extreme backyard. We’re talking areas that resemble a resort more than any home…
With summer in slowly approaching, it’s likely you have outdoor soirees on your mind, or even the calendar. Of course you want your event to be memorable and that can easily be achieved by the right outdoor lighting. Here are some ways to make your outdoor areas look magical after the sun goes down. An…
As the weather gets warmer, it slowly becomes time to move the party outside. But that doesn’t mean you have to settle for an overpriced (and probably crowded) rooftop bar or an all-too-familiar family picnic with mediocre burgers made on an ancient grill. Thanks to our friends at Porch.com, we can all rest easy knowing…
By Mitchell Parker, Houzz Editorial Staff Grills by themselves aren’t much to look at. They’re basically large, hulking pieces of stainless steel that stick out like sore thumbs in our backyards. So we’re always trying to slip covers over them or wheel them around to the side of the house. It doesn’t have to be…
The addition of a Japanese garden to your front yard may enhance the salability of your home. An intriguing front yard of any type adds ambiance to a property. If a prospective buyer is drawn to your yard, perhaps he may be intrigued enough to view your home.
At this time of the year, the Japanese front yard stands out as one of the most eye-catching; it is because it does not need flowers to enhance it. Its charm is there regardless of plants; Japanese gardens follow Zen philosophies and are not difficult to reproduce in North America. They will lend themselves to any climate and any variation of plant.
Creating a Zen garden may even bring you some Zen contentment as a side effect! In “Your Own Japanese Garden: Part 1”, the concept of assembling your own garden was discussed with particular attention to its ambiance, focal points, rocks and lanterns.
In this section – “Your Own Japanese Garden: Part 2”, the plants, water, bridges, vessels and aging aspect are all explored. Plants in the winter can be fairly non-existent but your Japanese garden will still look good, because it has an intriguing design that does not rely on blooms.
Snowdrops and a Japanese flowering cherry may be your first blooms in the spring. If these are unavailable to buy in your climate, use a local tree, shrub or cactus.
For a tall backdrop near a fence there is a flowering Japanese daisy that does well in cool climates. It is most commonly seen in white or pink. If you really love your blooms, then spread them around as you wish!
Pansies lend themselves well to the Japanese garden and also honeysuckle (plant it near your seating area to enjoy the scent). Lilies and gladiolus also blend in with the look, and if you have a pond, add water lilies.
One of the plants that somehow looks Japanese is the begonia; they come in miniature or regular, and their colors are vivid. If you live in an area where not many flowers will bloom, try sticking to one color; consider buying every flower in white to keep to the simple idea.
If you buy evergreens, remember that you can choose from yellow, gray-green and blue-green as well as the traditional green. The red-leafed bush is also a colorful addition, and good ‘filler’. If you live in the desert, choose from the exotic collection of unique plants available to you there. Play more with the rock and ornamental pathway idea of laying out your garden.
Many people have put in their own pond; pond liners are inexpensive and instructions for the novice are easy to find on the Internet or in books.
A pond does not need a pump and can be small or large. However, some people prefer the use of a pump to allow the water to cascade over carefully placed rocks, etc.
A pond is a small area of Zen ‘nothingness’ where nothing else resides; water is also seen as the symbol for cleansing and purification. The sound of running water is said to soothe the soul, and have a de-stressing effect on the mind. However, if taking on a pond that complex is rather daunting (and stressful!) – there are other options.
Some of the self contained portable fountains where the water circulates within its own container can be found in bamboo styles. This would satisfy the need for the sound of running water; you may have to use an extension lead to operate it.
A truly Japanese focal point, and one that the Zen design ideally calls for, is a small bridge. This is to take you from one world to another; specifically from the troubled world in which we live into the soothing world of your Zen garden. Bridges can be ordered from the Internet, but you have to put them together yourself. Or maybe a local carpenter will create one for you?
If you buy a long shaped pond liner, you can place your bridge at one end of it and just plant tall bamboos or reeds on the far side of the bridge. This will suggest that your pond is bigger than it is and that the water runs under the bridge and past it.
To protect children and to keep your garden safe, install a stainless steel grid a few inches under the water level to ‘catch’ falling children.
Empty vessels and containers in stone, wood or terra cotta or another natural medium are appropriate in the Zen garden. The idea started with cracked teapots from Japanese tea ceremonies that the monks thought were too pretty to throw away. It has escalated into pots and empty vessels, and in some ways, the idea that the pot is old and was once useful ties in with the Japanese need for the reverence of age.
Venerability is highly regarded and in Zen gardens this need for maturity or dignity is represented by old, gnarled tree trunks, the patina on old stone, weathered wood or silvery gray driftwood. Old stone with moss nearby and growing over the top of the stone is a well known feature.
Maybe you can find your own moss by going for a country walk and lifting moss by sliding a knife underneath it. Keep it damp on the way home and try to cultivate it in your own garden. With one or more of these representations of aging, your garden is allowing the element of time to be revered.
Once you have created the true Zen garden, it will have ‘shibui’: there is no real translation, but a restrained and simple elegance comes close to describing it. It should also help you to resonate with stillness as it will emanate ‘seijaku’ – peace and calm.
No matter how large or small your outdoor space, there are easy ways to turn it into your new favorite hangout area.
FOR LARGE AREAS | DEFINE & FILL THE SPACE
The backyard oasis and grand patio–these are two of the favorite things about your home, but you’re ready to take the patio up a notch. We’ll get back to the basics first.
Outdoor furniture with substance, like sturdy wicker designs with extra thick cushions are best bets for larger spaces. TIP: If you’ve already got great patio furniture, new patio cushions can give a quick makeover with minimal effort.
A weather-resistant outdoor rug will do wonders to add coziness and establish a foundational color theme.
Adding an umbrella will help define your main outdoor living space-as well as provide much-needed shade. TIP: Self-standing umbrellas add a layer of flexibility, so you can rearrange and adjust as needed.
FOR SMALL AREAS | NATURE-INSPIRED ACCENTS & A MAXIMIZED SPACE
The great outdoors can be enjoyed whether you’re living in an apartment, townhouse or other small space. Regardless the size, you can create perfectly wonderful living areas on your patio or balcony.
1. Add some flora and fauna with decorative patio pieces.
2. Stacking chairs are perfect for making the most of a snug space.
3. A serving tray that doubles as a table makes entertaining so much easier. When guests are gone, just fold it up and store it away. Or, try a compact metal end table with an unexpected pop of color.
GO ON. ENJOY IT!
Invite some friends over for a spectacular dinner al fresco.
Get the grill fired up & ready for outdoor cooking. There are so many deliciously easy recipes to try. A new tool we love is this veggie basket. It is, hands-down, the easiest way to grill veggies to perfection.
Set the scene with colorful place settings, pitchers & beverage dispensers.
And don’t forget about the outdoor lighting. Every good host knows lanterns, patio lights and candles provide the best backdrop for lively conversations and laughter.
Probably the most important thing to keep in mind is that this is your retreat. There are no wrong decisions as long as you’re staying true to what makes you happy.
We’d love to hear and see how you’ve transformed your outdoor space. Share with us using #AtHomeFinds!
The post Creating an Outdoor Retreat appeared first on At Home Blog.
Refreshing Drink Stations for Every Style & Occasion
As temperatures heat up, festive drinks are the perfect way to cool down. Give your summer parties the perfect final touch with these fun ideas for drink stations, no matter the occasion.
Casual
This laid-back style is perfect for family-friendly backyard barbecues. Fill colorful tubs up with the kids’ favorite sodas and the adults’ favorite brews to allow everyone to serve themselves, and give your summertime get-together the casual vibe you’re looking for.
Be sure to center this drink station around a seating area to keep guests cool while they catch up. Plus, having a tall pitcher of fresh-squeezed lemonade on hand is a great touch for a hot summer day. (But if your lemonade is store-bought, we won’t tell!)
Get the Look:
Coastal
Bring the beach to your backyard with a coastal drink station. This summer style is perfect for a casual lunch with friends or an outdoor dinner party. Shades of blue are an essential part of this look – just the right tones mixed together are reminiscent of ocean waters.
Grab a drink dispenser and coastal accents to complete this setup – a sprinkling of seashells or starfish is a great touch! You can also give your dispenser a boost for tall glasses by placing it on top of an upside-down planter. Serve refreshing drinks like lemonade, sweet tea or fruit-infused water to keep your guests cool in the summer heat.
Get the Look:
Glam
Get ready for a great girls’ night with this drink station setup. The glam look is all about fun, metallic accents with pops of color. A mirrored tray, festive glasses and a hint of floral are the accents that top it off!
Your friends will love getting together to sip on summer cocktails or their favorite wine. This setup will look fabulous on your kitchen counters, a table or a stylish bar cart.
Get the Look:
No matter your style, these drink stations are sure to please and will give your party that extra pop!
Try out these trends and share your creations with #AtHomeFinds.
The post Summertime Sips appeared first on At Home Blog.
Memorial Day is a national day or remembrance as well as the unofficial kickoff of summer. Translation: party time! Whether you’re throwing a backyard bash or just chillin’ with some friends on your apartments patio, these items can help you hose a Memorial Day party to remember.
Red, White and Oh, So You
Memorial Day only comes once a year, so why not make the most of it? Show off your patriotic pride with splashes of red, white and blue decor on your walls, patio and in your yard.
Let’s Take It Outside
Memorial Day is one of those holidays that always ends in the backyard with someone spinning pinwheels or twirling a baton. Enjoy those patriotic moments in style with these comfortable furniture selections.
You Go, Grill
Who wants to be cooped up in a kitchen when you can grill delicious meals in the great outdoors? Our grill accessories can help you craft those delicious seared flavors we always associate with summer.
Light Up the Night
Your party doesn’t have to end when the sun goes down. Extend the festivities into the wee hours with holiday-themed lighting that pays respect to Old Glory. Plus, find the perfect lantern, many of them less than $19.99.
A Feast-ive Occasion
Bless this country, bless this meat, now out of the way, ‘cuz it’s time to eat! The best part of any Memorial Day party is the food and drink, so make sure your holiday spread is memorable.
Did you throw a Memorial Day party that should go down in history? We’d love to see!
Tag us at #AtHomeFinds
The post Memorial Day Party to Remember appeared first on At Home Blog.
Four Ideas for Petite Patios
Whether you live in the middle of bustling city, are a 20-something in your first apartment, or just don’t want to deal with a big backyard, there are a lot of ways to deck out a small patio with your signature style. Get inspired by these ideas that will add form and function to your outdoor space.
Purposeful Pieces
Make your outdoor area work for you by selecting furniture pieces that do double (or triple!) duty. At the end of the day, you want your patio to allow you to do three things – relax, eat and socialize – and it’s easy to create spaces that do more than one.
A cozy reading nook can easily be turned into a spot for breakfast or coffee with a friend! Just add a small table and an extra chair to make the most of this space. Try adding lightweight accents that can easily be tucked away when you need a little more room on the table.
Flexible Furniture
If you have a small patio, you need furniture that’s flexible in more ways than one. For a quick table setup, try a folding table and chairs. But don’t worry – you don’t have to resort to boring pieces just to be practical. There are lots of whimsical options for folding furniture that will fit your style and space.
Your furniture can also do double duty. A cute end table that holds a candle or your favorite summer drink can easily play the part of extra chair when guests come over. This idea is stylish and space-saving!
Think Up…
Thinking horizontal? Think again. If you have a small patio, it’s important to take advantage of vertical space to make the most of your décor options. Lighting, plants and storage can be taken off the ground and put up in the air to give you more room.
Vertical planters are a great way to add plants to your patio or outdoor area. Wall or floor options can both work well, as long as they get your greenery off the ground. String lights are another great way to save patio space. They add ambiance and a festive touch to your outdoor oasis without adding bulk.
…And Down
Don’t forget the floor! Defining your outdoor space will help you take advantage of your small patio. Rugs help set boundaries and come in all shapes and sizes. Two small rugs could divide your tiny patio into two areas – one for eating and one for relaxing.
Rugs can also add a bold pop to a drab apartment balcony or patio. Try a bright pattern or a bright color. Or, if your furniture or accents are what you want to pop, try a clean, neutral rug that adds comfort to the space without overwhelming it.
We want to see how you’ve spruced up your small patio! Try out the tips above, then share your creations with us using #AtHomeFinds.
The post Small Space. Big Style. appeared first on At Home Blog.
Nobody spends more time in the garden than us gnomes. Except for maybe mosquitoes, the pesky little buggers. We little folk know lots of ways to create an outdoor space that will make your friends green with envy. Well, don’t just stand there growing roots! Follow us into the garden and we’ll show you some of our favorite little ways to make a big impact.
Enchanting Décor
First things first, if your garden doesn’t have a few gnomes in it, you re missing out. Place a few of us in your garden to watch over your plants and bring good luck. While you’re at it, pick out a few other mystical flourishes for an enchanting area to make the wee ones feel right at home.
The View From Here
Creating a serene garden is a great way to relax and enjoy the fresh air. These charming décor suggestions will help you create a cozy & quirky outdoor space everyone will notice.
Yard Art
Garden accents should all about the green stuff: plants! From flower-friendly décor like planters and watering cans to over sized garden statues, every item should enhance the appearance of our sunlight-loving superstars.
Night Lights
Everyone knows that you big’uns can t see in the dark as well as us gnomes. Think about how to light up your garden at night after the fireflies have gone to bed. Hang a few stylish lanterns or consider lighting solutions like string lights or solar-powered path lights for dark areas and walkways.
Go with the Flow
A great way to add some ambiance to your garden is by using water fountains. Not only are these stylish selections easy on the eye, but the sound of trickling water soothes the nerves and attracts birds.
Welcome to Our Birdhouse
And speaking of out feathered friends, hang a few birdhouses in your backyard. Winged ones will love you for it. They’ll even help keep annoying insects under control. (Sorry, mosquitoes.)
The post Inside a Gnome’s Mind appeared first on At Home Blog.
If you’re looking for some haunting Halloween spirit, you gotta get a ghost. Or maybe two. Or three.
Jack O Lantern
Is versatile décor the order of the day? Well, it’s time to use your gourd. Jack O’ Lanterns aren’t just for porches anymore. These grinning ghouls look great on mantels, on windowsills, in empty corners…
Skeletons
Skeletons are iconic figure at Halloween. Go ahead, pick a bone, any bone.
Lighting
Lighting is essential to create a macabre mood. Hang string lights anywhere you need that eerie glow, or crate a mesmerizing display on your front lawn with a spinning light show.
Orange & Black Décor
Forget all that talk about orange being the new black. At Halloween, both of these fall colors work together to create a backdrop that virtually screams out “trick-or- treat!
Pro-Tip: Scatter your favorite pieces from the above categories around the house for little pops of Halloween inspiration in every room, or arrange them in clusters to create a story.
How do you show off your decorating hocus pocus around your home? Tag us at #AtHomeFinds.
The post Ultimate Halloween Checklist appeared first on At Home Blog.
Decoration Procrastination Salvation for Under $30
You just looked at the calendar, and October 31st is almost next weekend. The days have slipped away, and you have almost no time to get ready for Halloween and transform your house or porch for the trick-or-treaters”! That’s why we’ve assembled some of our favorite procrastination picks that make a big impact in your home, with very little effort.
Outdoor Ideas
Gone are the days of spending hours stringing lights through your bushes – instead try these projection light show solutions!
Lightshows Under $25
These little projectors work some big magic. Simply stick them in the ground, plug them in and watch the entire surface of your home light up with dancing skeletons, crawling spiders or a colorful pattern (watch this video to see it in action). This lightshow will wow the entire block with less than 5 minutes of effort on your part.
Inflatables Under $30
With endless styles, sizes, characters and animations, this effortless outdoor décor will make your yard a Halloween wonderland. Just connect these guys to power to get them going!
Indoor Ideas
Whether you need to decorate for a big party or just want your home to have a little Halloween flair, these décor ideas are fast, budget-friendly and frighteningly fun!
A Ghostly Glow for Under $20
A little lighting goes a long way. Create an eerie ambiance with unique, budget-friendly lighting options that double as décor. Bloody Edison bulbs create a spooky, throwback vibe, while a light-up ghost sign or skeleton candle can bring Halloween to life in your home for less.
Festive Accents for Under $15
Finish up your last-minute indoor décor with a few fun accents. Halloween caution tape adds creepy for less cash, while a smiling jack-o’-lantern (that you won’t have to carve) or a flying ghost will complete your Halloween scene.
Fun with Fabric for Under $5
Good old fabric can easily set a spooky mood in your home! Black gauze cloth draped across your walls or a cute hanging ghost in the entryway can get your home Halloween-party ready. Try fun mesh to adorn buffets, coffee tables, mantels and more!
BONUS: Costume Quick Fixes Under $6
Your home may be Halloween-ready now, but don’t forget your costume! Made for two-legged and four-legged creatures, these cute headbands, hats and masks all cost under $6 and are easy to throw together last minute. Plus, your pup will love showing off their Halloween style!
For You
For Fido
Whether you put together your Halloween home décor months or minutes before the big day, share your creepy casa with us using #AtHomeFinds.
The post Decorating Procrastination Salvation appeared first on At Home Blog.
This trend is one that’s sure to hang around for a while! Add another dimension to your décor, inside and out, with pieces that will take your home to new heights.
Planters
You can also create a custom look with an empty hanging planter and your favorite potted plant!
Lights
Pendant lights add a cozy dimension to your lighting and come in lots of stylish shapes and materials and sizes. We love the metal look, from galvanized hoods to geometric cages!
Outdoor Décor
Your patio is another great space for hanging décor. Try hanging accents outdoors to add a different element to the space – and the relaxing sounds of hanging chimes certainly don’t hurt either!
Hanging planters also work great in an outdoor area! Try adding in greenery or flowers to a hanging sphere for an interesting outdoor look.
What looks are hanging around your home? Share how you bring this trend to life using #AtHomeStores.
The post Trend Alert: Hanging Planters, Lights & Outdoor Décor appeared first on At Home Blog.
If you’re looking to add a touch of charming sophistication to your home, then you’re going to love our latest trend. The neutral & natural look beautifully blends our favorite earth tones like khaki and sand with accents made from raw materials like wood and cork. The look is crisp and clean with rustic undertones. We love it because it’s a refreshing spring alternative to bright colors and floral prints.
Neutral
The neutral vibe is unmistakably chill, bringing an elegant, calming quality to any room of the house. Soft tans and warming earth tones come together for a classic look that’s gorgeous on its own, but also mild enough to go against almost any other color.
More Neutral Looks to Love
Natural
This look speaks for itself: it’s all about the materials. We’re crazy about the raw, unfinished look of wood, cork, jute and chalkboard. Doesn’t matter if you live in the city or the country, this rustic style is all the rage.
More Natural Looks to Love
Neutral & Natural: A Perfect Pairing
The best thing about these two hot new trends is how amazing they look when combined in any room of the house. From bedroom to living room, try incorporating a few neutral items for a stylish refresh that nods to a simple palette.
More Neutral & Natural Looks to Love
Can’t wait to show off your own neutral and natural know-how? Show us #AtHomeStores. For more home décor inspiration, style or values, get social with us on Facebook and Instagram.
The post Transform Your Home with the Neutral & Natural Trend appeared first on At Home Blog.