Professional Design Tips for Al Fresco Dining This Summer

When the temperature climbs, your fireplace doesn't have to fade into the background. With a few clever design moves, that unused firebox and mantel can become the brightest spot in your summer living room. The best part is that most of these ideas take an afternoon at most, so you can refresh your space without a renovation budget. How Can You Decorate the Fireplace in Summer? Here are five fun ways to give your fireplace a sunny new personality this season. 1. Style the Mantel With Coastal Color Your mantel is prime real estate for seasonal decor, and summer is the perfect excuse to lighten it up. The design team at Spacejoy recommends keeping a neutral base of mirrors, artwork or clean-lined vases, then layering in two or three seasonal accents. For summer, the online interior design service suggests vibrant blues and greens paired with playful touches like seashells or succulents. Because the base stays put year-round, swapping in fresh accents takes only minutes. 2. Fill the Firebox With Greenery or Candles An empty firebox can look like a dark hole in an otherwise cheerful room. Fill it with life instead. A cluster of potted ferns, trailing pothos or a single dramatic monstera turns the opening into a lush mini garden. If plants aren't your thing, arrange pillar candles of varying heights for a soft glow on summer evenings. You get the cozy flicker of a fire without extra heat. 3. Layer In Natural Texture With Reclaimed Wood A reclaimed wood mantel brings instant warmth and character to a summer living room. Dakota Timber Company , which salvages wood from retired buildings and urban trees, notes that every reclaimed piece tells a story. For summer styling, the company suggests dressing the mantel with beach glass, driftwood and lightweight textiles. The weathered grain of the wood plays beautifully against those breezy accents, giving the whole room a relaxed, lived-in feel. 4. Brighten the Surround With Paint or Tile If your fireplace surround feels heavy or dated, a little color goes a long way. Painting brick in crisp white or soft sage instantly modernizes the room and bounces summer light around. For a bolder style, peel-and-stick tile in a Mediterranean pattern can add a vacation vibe without the commitment of mortar. Just remember to use heat-rated products if you plan to burn fires again in the fall. 5. Turn the Hearth Into a Summer Display The fireplace is more than a landing pad for logs. Stack colorful art books, arrange a basket of rolled beach towels or set out a woven tray with citrus and candles. A raised hearth can even double as casual extra seating when you host summer get-togethers. Top it with a couple of outdoor-fabric cushions and your fireplace becomes the social hub of the room all over again. How Do You Know if Your Fireplace Is Safe to Use? Before you commit to any new looks, it's smart to give the fireplace itself a quick checkup. A beautiful design is only as good as the structure behind it. The clearest sign your fireplace is safe to use is a passed annual inspection, so that's the place to start. The fireplace experts at Brick + Ember Outfitters warn that skipping cleanings and inspections means "you are playing with fire." With wide-ranging knowledge of chimneys and fireboxes, the company identifies five essentials for a safe fireplace: The chimney should be swept and inspected annually The firebox walls should be free of cracks The smoke chamber should be smooth and clear of creosote The flue system should be intact The draft should pull smoke fully up and out of the home  Creosote deserves special attention because the highly flammable buildup can reignite and spark a chimney fire. How Should You Maintain Your Fireplace Over the Summer? Summer is actually the ideal season for fireplace upkeep because the off-season gives you more time to schedule repairs. Heating equipment, such as fireplaces and furnaces, is responsible for about 52,000 fires each year , and cleaning chimneys is one of the simplest ways to prevent accidents. Book your sweep now, clear out old ashes and check that your damper opens and closes smoothly. Come autumn, you'll be ready to light up worry-free. Enjoy a Fireplace That Works Year-Round Your fireplace can be just as charming in July as it is in January. Style the mantel, fill the firebox and brighten the surround, then back it all up with a professional inspection. With a little creativity and care, the heart of your living room stays vibrant year-round.

Remember when high-gloss finishes felt a little too 1980s? That era has officially ended. Glossy surfaces are making a major comeback in interior design, appearing in both nostalgic retro schemes and sleek modern spaces. The trend offers something for everyone, whether you want to channel old Hollywood glamour or create a minimalist sanctuary. The best part about high gloss is how good it looks while making your rooms feel larger and more luxurious with surprisingly little effort. The Enduring Allure of High-Gloss Finishes The appeal of glossy surfaces isn't exactly new. For centuries, shiny finishes have symbolized extravagance and exceptional craftsmanship in homes around the world. This history explains why designers and homeowners keep returning to high gloss for drama and elegance. A Brief History of Lacquer and Shine Lacquer first captured European imaginations when trade routes opened between Asia and the West. The original material came from the sap of the toxicodendron vernicifluum tree, which produced a finish unlike anything European artisans had seen before. The resin was incredibly valuable because the key ingredients derived from East Asia had a hard time surviving the long sea journey intact. This scarcity created intense demand, as craftspeople spent decades trying to replicate the glossy finish using local materials. Their experiments eventually led to the development of shellac and other Western lacquer options, making the look more accessible. From Art Deco to Hollywood Regency High-gloss finishes exploded in popularity during the 20th century, particularly in art deco and Hollywood regency interiors. With bold statements and theatrical flair, these styles layered opulent materials, mirrored surfaces, metallic accents and vibrant colors to create rooms that felt like movie sets. Glossy surfaces became a cornerstone of Hollywood regency design because they amplified light and added instant drama. Black lacquered furniture and high-shine cabinetry turned ordinary rooms into spaces worthy of celebration. Today, the maximalist approach to shine continues to inspire modern interpretations of the trend. Modern Ways to Embrace the High-Gloss Trend You don't need to commit to a full Hollywood regency makeover to enjoy high-gloss finishes in your home. Contemporary designers have found fresh ways to incorporate shine that work beautifully in minimalist and traditional designs alike. Make Small Rooms Feel More Expansive Paint sheen can dramatically affect how spacious a room feels. Higher sheen finishes like satin or semigloss bounce light around the space instead of absorbing it. Its reflective quality tricks the eye into seeing more depth. Using glossy paint in a compact powder room or narrow hallway also creates a more expansive atmosphere, making the space feel bigger and less cramped. The technique works particularly well when paired with adequate lighting and lighter colors. Find and Highlight Your Home's Natural Shine You might already own glossy elements without realizing it. Rather than adding new materials, take inventory of the reflective surfaces you currently have to attempt the trend without changing what exists. Identify Existing High-Gloss Materials Walk through your rooms and notice which surfaces naturally catch the light. Your kitchen or bathroom may already have polished stone countertops that provide a subtle shine. Metallic light fixtures, cabinet hardware and plumbing fixtures further contribute reflective moments throughout your home. Even certain types of flooring, like polished concrete or sealed hardwood, offer a gentle sheen. By simply keeping these surfaces clean and well-maintained, you highlight their glossy qualities without spending money on renovations. Consider Your Home's Exterior Elements The high-gloss aesthetic extends beyond your interior walls to your home's exterior features, including steel, which also offers practical benefits outside of the sleek design. For instance, garage doors made from this material are highly durable and require less maintenance than those made from alternatives. With their subtle shine, steel surfaces complement the clean lines that define modern architecture. They add visual interest to your home's facade without overwhelming the overall design, delivering both durability and good looks. How to Balance Glossy and Matte Finishes The secret to sophisticated design lies in contrast. Pairing high-gloss elements with matte surfaces, such as natural wood, linen textiles or flat-finish walls, prevents your space from feeling one-dimensional. This balance ultimately lets each texture stand out on its own. Consider painting your entry door in high-gloss black or navy for a stunning focal point, creating a sense of luxury against the surrounding dull walls and organic flooring. This single choice makes a big statement without costing much. Professional designers use this push-and-pull between textures to direct the eye and create visual interest. You can apply the same principle by selecting just one or two statement pieces with high shine and keeping everything else relatively subdued. Your Guide to a More Glamorous Home High gloss works with practically any design vision, bringing historical richness, creating the illusion of more space and adding instant luxury to your rooms. Start small by highlighting the glossy materials you already own, and then experiment with painted surfaces or new fixtures to add drama where you want it. Make it your home’s time to shine.

Creating a luxurious home doesn’t always require a full renovation or designer-level budget. Often, the smallest accents make the biggest difference. The right textures, finishes and styling details can instantly make your home feel polished, welcoming and “five-star” without overwhelming the space. Homeowners continue to prioritize stylish and functional living spaces. In 2025, 54% of homeowners completed renovation projects, reflecting growing interest in upgrades that improve comfort, appearance and long-term value. Whether your style leans toward modern, transitional, Japandi or traditional, these five simple upgrades can elevate your home inside and out. 1. Layer Your Lighting for a Softer Glow One overhead light rarely creates a luxurious atmosphere. Boutique hotels and high-end homes use layered lighting to create warmth and depth. Combine pendant lights, table lamps, sconces and outdoor lanterns to soften the room. This upgrade works especially well in transitional and modern classic interiors. Indoors, add dimmable lamps near seating areas or beds. Outdoors, install pathway lighting or subtle uplighting around landscaping for an elegant evening look. 2. Mix Natural Textures With Sleek Finishes Luxury spaces balance soft and hard materials. Think linen curtains with marble, warm wood beside matte-black metal or woven baskets mixed with glass accents. This layered approach fits beautifully with the growing “refined layering” trend that combines timeless textures with modern finishes. Even simple additions like ceramic vases, textured pillows or stone planters can make your home feel more thoughtfully designed. 3. Use Glass and Steel for a Modern Luxury Feel To instantly create a clean, upscale appearance, you can use glass and steel accents. Steel-framed mirrors, glass partitions and metal shelving pair well with modern and industrial-inspired homes. These materials are stylish and durable. Glass and steel are also popular choices for garage doors because they better resist climate and temperature changes than many traditional materials. That same durability makes them ideal for patio doors, stair railings and outdoor entertaining spaces. To keep the look inviting, balance steel and glass with softer materials like wood, greenery and warm textiles. 4. Add One Vintage or Statement Piece Luxury homes rarely feel overly matched. One vintage or statement piece can make your home feel collected and personal. Consider adding an antique mirror to a bathroom, a sculptural chair to a neutral living room or a vintage outdoor bench to a patio. Mixing old and new elements adds timeless character. Solid wood furniture is one of the best secondhand finds, as older pieces often feature higher-quality craftsmanship than many mass-produced modern items. 5. Focus on Hotel-Style Finishing Touches The easiest way to create a five-star atmosphere is through finishing touches. Plush towels, oversized cushions, decorative trays, fresh greenery and matching hardware can instantly elevate a room. In bathrooms, display rolled towels in baskets or use coordinated soap dispensers. In living rooms, style coffee tables with books, candles and greenery. Outdoors, add coordinated planters and comfortable cushions to make patios feel like boutique resort lounges. Create a Five-Star Home Experience Achieving a five-star look does not require chasing every trend or spending a fortune. By layering lighting, mixing textures, incorporating durable materials and adding thoughtful finishing touches, you can create a home that feels timeless, polished and welcoming every day.

Indoor-outdoor flow brings the outdoors in while extending your living space outward. By blending interior and exterior areas, you create more room to breathe, connect with nature and enjoy your home in new ways. Discover how this approach can transform the way you live. The Power of Indoor-Outdoor Living Transitional design blends modern and traditional styles into something cohesive and inviting. Here, it means mixing conventional indoor living with biophilic design principles that connect homes to nature. The result is a home that feels both functional and refreshing. Indoor-outdoor living first became popular in the early 20th century , when sleeping porches were all the rage. Fresh air was thought to help combat tuberculosis, so these spaces were an early example of designing a home to value nature's healing properties. Modern research supports this intuition. Connecting with green spaces reduces stress and anxiety , improves focus and lowers blood pressure. Indoor-outdoor flow also offers extra square footage, a more unified look and extra entertaining possibilities. Here are six ways to make it happen in your home. 1. Make Better Use of Your Garage Your garage is an often-overlooked transition space that is literally the border between inside and outside for many homes. It doesn’t have to be dark or feel closed-in. Modern garage doors are typically best for this look, which can include clear or tinted glass that heightens the connection to the outdoors. This also makes the space more usable and attractive. Streamline the interior aesthetic with the rest of your home, and consider installing flooring that harmonizes with your driveway.  If you want full customization, professional installation and extensive energy-efficiency options, Clopay® has several affordable modern garage doors that would work well for establishing a modern look while reinforcing the indoor and outdoor flow of your home. Its Avante® door has real architectural impact, with a clear full-glass option to let natural light stream into your home. 2. Build a Sheltered Retreat With a Pergola A pergola frames an outdoor space, keeping it airy and open while providing shade, purpose and visual interest. You can use it as a designated gathering area while still feeling connected to the indoors. You can do more than just dine or entertain under a pergola. Consider creating a DIY outdoor cinema by hanging a white sheet as a DIY projector screen and setting up comfortable seating. This transforms your backyard into an experience, perfect for movie nights under the stars. For durable, stylish pergola kits you can assemble and install yourself, many homeowners like Heartland Pergolas ’ options. You can add a rainproof roof, customize your shade levels or have a fully custom kit designed just for you. 3. Extend Your Space With an Outdoor Kitchen An outdoor kitchen effectively extends your home's functional space and flow, making it easier to host gatherings without constantly running between indoors and out. Guests can gather around the cooking area, creating a natural social hub. This upgrade also delivers strong returns. Outdoor kitchens can generate an ROI of between 55% and 200% , attracting luxury buyers while making your daily life more flexible and enjoyable. You don't necessarily need a lot of space or a huge budget to bring your exterior kitchen dreams to life. RTA Outdoor Living provides customized kitchen kits tailored to your space, budget and preferences. 4. Set the Mood With Strategic Outdoor Lighting Proper illumination makes it easier to use your outdoor spaces after dark and enhances their attractiveness. Layered lighting with task, ambient and accent elements transforms a patio into a seamless continuation of your living area. If you're imagining gorgeous landscape lighting with smart controls and hundreds of color options at your fingertips, Outdoor Lighting Perspectives can make it happen. When you can easily adjust the lighting to match the weather, your mood or a gathering, outdoor spaces start to truly feel like an extension of your home. 5. Unify Your Space With Continuous Flooring Using the same or visually similar flooring materials inside and out is a core principle of seamless design. It removes the visual threshold, creating the impression of one continuous space that flows naturally from room to patio. Durable materials, such as porcelain tile, work well for both indoor and outdoor applications across various climates. Suppliers like Daltile offer porcelain pavers in dozens of marble, stone or wood looks to suit all tastes. By extending your flooring, you can dissolve a psychological barrier to indoor-outdoor flow. 6. Cultivate a Living Green Wall While most indoor-outdoor enhancements focus on making exterior spaces more livable, a living green wall does the opposite. It brings the garden inside, creating a powerful visual connection to nature. To see what's possible, take a look at how Plantwalldesign has transformed some homes with green walls of all shapes and sizes. You could also choose preserved moss designs that don't need any maintenance. Designing a Home That Breathes Understanding indoor-outdoor flow can help you design a home that feels connected, flexible and joyful. Whether you start with lighting, flooring or a dramatic glass garage door, each step brings you closer to a home that truly breathes. Imagine the possibilities for your own space and take the first step toward a more open, nature-filled way of living.

Colorful kitchens continue to appear in both modern and traditional home renovations. Deep greens, navy blues, warm terracotta and muted pastels can all change the overall feel of the space. While colorful kitchens can add personality and visual contrast, they also require careful coordination between flooring, cabinetry, countertops, lighting, hardware and appliances.  Before committing to bold colors, homeowners should think about how each material and finish will work together throughout the kitchen. Planning ahead can create a space that feels cohesive rather than busy. 1. Consider Flooring Before Choosing Kitchen Colors Flooring often sets the visual tone for the entire kitchen. In spaces with colorful cabinetry or backsplashes, neutral flooring can create balance, while patterns can bring additional contrast and texture. Homeowners should also think about the installation requirements tied to different flooring materials before beginning a renovation. Floating flooring systems, for example, may require additional materials beneath the finished floor surface. Underlayment for Floating Flooring Systems Several types of flooring that require underlayment include laminate, engineered hardwood and floating luxury vinyl plank systems. Underlayment requirements may vary depending on the product, subfloor conditions and installation method. floorMuffler® manufactures underlayment products designed to provide acoustic performance, moisture protection and compression support that may help minimize flooring system damage over time. They work with the different types of flooring that need underlayment to make sure floors maintain their longevity. You can compare product specifications based on flooring, installation methods and subfloor conditions, along with flooring assembly and installation requirements across residential applications. 2. Select Cabinet Colors That Fit the Overall Design Cabinet color is often one of the most noticeable elements in a colorful kitchen. Dark green, navy blue, muted gray and earth-toned are common in both contemporary and transitional kitchen designs. When comparing cabinet colors, you may want to view samples alongside flooring, wall paint and countertop materials. Lighting conditions can also affect how paint colors appear throughout the day. Cabinetry With Multiple Finish and Storage Options KraftMaid manufactures kitchen cabinetry with painted finishes, wood styles and customizable cabinet configurations. The company offers cabinet door profiles in traditional, shaker and contemporary styles that can work with a variety of colorful kitchen layouts. Compare painted finishes, wood stains, storage accessories and cabinet organization features during the planning process. The company also offers options for kitchen islands, pantry storage and cabinet hardware coordination across different kitchen designs. Modular Kitchen Cabinet Systems Modular cabinet systems can also appeal to homeowners looking for adaptable storage layouts and interchangeable design elements. These systems may offer flexibility for both small kitchens and larger open-concept renovations where color coordination plays a central role. IKEA offers modular kitchen cabinet systems with interchangeable fronts, storage options and color selections. The company’s kitchen collections include wall cabinets, base cabinets, drawer organizers, and shelving systems for kitchens of varying sizes and layouts. 3. Coordinate Countertops With Cabinet Finishes Countertops can either contrast with colorful cabinets or blend into a more neutral overall palette. Quartz countertop surfaces are known for their heat resistance and low-maintenance durability, while natural stone surfaces often provide more unique patterns and organic texture variations. Quartz Surfaces With Multiple Design Styles Caesarstone manufactures quartz countertop surfaces in a range of colors, finishes, and patterns for kitchen applications. The company offers collections with marble-inspired veining, solid-color surfaces, and textured finishes that can coordinate with colorful cabinetry and backsplashes. Property owners can compare countertop thicknesses, finish styles and edge profile options across different product collections. Caesarstone also provides surfaces in lighter neutrals and darker tones that may fit both bold and understated kitchen palettes. 4. Harmonize Appliances With the Kitchen Color Palette Appliances can influence the overall appearance of a colorful kitchen just as much as cabinetry or countertops. Finish selection, appliance placement and overall design style can help determine whether the kitchen feels cohesive or visually disconnected. When selecting appliances, you may want to compare finish options, appliance dimensions and coordinated product suites to ensure they complement surrounding materials and color choices. Coordinated Kitchen Appliance Collections GE Appliances manufactures residential kitchen appliances, including refrigerators, cooktops, ranges, wall ovens, and dishwashers, designed for a range of kitchen layouts and renovation styles. Samsung also produces kitchen appliances with multiple finish and configuration options for residential kitchens. The company’s appliance collections include refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers, microwaves and wall ovens designed for contemporary kitchen layouts. Both companies also offer appliance collections with coordinated finishes intended to work across different kitchen design palettes. Bringing Colorful Kitchen Designs Together Colorful kitchens can create a bold visual statement, but successful designs often depend on how well each material and finish works together. Flooring, cabinetry, countertops and appliances all contribute to the overall balance of the space. By comparing colors, finishes, storage options and installation requirements before beginning a renovation, homeowners can create a design that feels coordinated, functional and visually consistent over time.

All-white spaces have been prominent in corporate and clinical settings, renowned for their minimalist vibes. When homeowners try to adopt them for their interior design, though, it often falls flat and feels too one-dimensional. Thankfully, there are other options, like lime wash and Roman clay paint, that can maintain that simple home design while adding a little more character. What Are Lime Wash and Roman Clay Paints? Lime wash is a relatively popular paint option known for its chalk-like texture and matte finish. This style refers to the limestone mineral used, which often produces a pale color, though some replicate the textured effect with other neutral or muted colors. Meanwhile, Roman clay is an elegant paint that offers a plaster-based finish. Compared to lime wash, some people describe Roman clay as having a more cloud-like appearance after application. While this technique primarily uses off-white paint, there are other earthy and deep colors that you can use to spice it up. Different Ways to Utilize Lime Wash and Roman Clay Paint In color psychology, white can come off unwelcoming and bland at times, especially in a large room. Both lime wash and Roman clay paints are fantastic in deviating from it without going into maximalist territory. Here are several ways to use them in your home. 1. Highlight Architectural Features Modern design can feature many beautiful architectural elements, such as archways or divider walls. Texture highlights these unique inclusions in the space. Portola Paints has a lime wash series that can provide a subtle and suede-like finish to these areas. The paint formulation itself blooms over time, revealing elegant streaks as it ages. If you have inset shelving in the kitchen or bathrooms, go with the Roman clay route with a more natural color. The shadows created throughout the day would contrast beautifully with the cloud-like finish. 2. Create an Accent Wall It’s a common misconception that accent walls need to be loud and bright. In actuality, textured paints like lime wash and Roman clay can act as an accent that contrasts with other walls , especially when applied properly and executed well. You can pair the wall with other eye-catching elements, like metallic trim or art prints. Think of the paint job as a great base for your decor and main focal point. Most people position the accent wall by the fireplace or television, but you can also use furniture, such as a sofa or bed. 3. Color Drench Your Cozy Corners Color drenching is a design trend that involves painting everything from walls to ceilings to woodwork in the same shade. This technique is meant to add depth to compact spaces while fostering cohesion. It can be nice to use for little reading nooks or hobby rooms. Both lime wash and Roman clay paint are among the best options for color drenching, as their textured finishes add a bit of variation that ties the whole look together. Try exploring different shades of the same hue for different parts of the room. 4. Try a Tone-on-Tone Look Take a page from color-drenching and try a tone-on-tone approach with your lime wash or Roman clay paint. The idea is to use a color that’s a few shades darker or lighter compared to the rest of the room. That way, you have a sophisticated and layered look to your space that transcends the one-dimensional look of an all-white space. 5. Create a Beautiful Half Wall Another way to use lime wash and Roman clay paint is to create a half-wall design. Paint a geometric shape on half of the wall to add visual interest. You can also make this feature by adding beadboard paneling, since it can create a personalized and built-in feel to your home's overall architecture. Say Bye-Bye to Boring, All-White Interiors Lime wash and Roman clay paint add texture to take your space to the next level while keeping a more minimalist vibe. Take your favorite ideas and spruce up your home to be more aesthetically pleasing than ever.

Browsing for inspiration for your dream home is exciting, but a tight budget may limit your options. Fortunately, a successful remodel isn’t about having unlimited funds. It’s about knowing where to splurge and save. Invest in elements that provide long-term value and determine the decorative items that you can update without breaking the bank. It is also beneficial to identify top-tier yet affordable service providers to implement your updates. Prioritize Foundational Elements With Long-Term Impact Splurge on the “bones” of your home. These are the core components that affect its structure, safety and efficiency, such as the windows and flooring. Updating them can be highly disruptive, expensive and labor-intensive, which means a mistake or a cheap-out here may cost more down the line. Foundational elements are a worthwhile investment. For example, high-performance windows can enhance energy efficiency and lower utility bills. For homeowners with unique architecture, sourcing custom-built options is crucial. Companies like Asher Lasting Exteriors in the Onalaska area specialize in these types of tailored installations. The price of affordable window replacements varies based on the material, window type and region’s labor rates. Replacing your front door is another project that offers a high estimated resale cost recovery. You can potentially recoup up to 100% of the up-front cost of a new steel door and 80% of the cost of a new fiberglass door. Refresh Key Rooms With Cost-Effective Updates Updating high-traffic rooms, such as kitchens and bathrooms, often offers the best return on investment and the greatest impact on your daily life. You don’t need to take down walls or do major renovations to give these spaces a new look. Focus on compelling cosmetic and functional upgrades that keep the existing layout on budget. Consider refacing your kitchen’s cabinets to give a fresh new look for less. Companies like Kitchen Tune-Up specialize in affordable alternatives that fit various budgets and timelines. If you have beautiful wood cabinets that have been worn down by time and use, you can have them reconditioned to restore the color and finish. The cost of the refacing depends on your kitchen’s size, the materials of the new fronts and the condition of the existing cabinets. Aside from cabinets, you can also replace dated countertops or install a new backsplash. Swapping out old faucets, cabinet pulls and drawer handles is another quick and budget-friendly way to modernize the space. Transform Your Space With Low-Cost Decorative Changes Your home’s decorative layer is the easiest and most affordable to change. It’s where you can experiment with trends and inject personality into your space without a major financial commitment. These visual updates can give you instant gratification and build momentum for a larger project. A quick paint job can change a room’s mood, light and perceived size. It’s a fast way to refresh a space. To maximize your budget, consider professional painting that can also handle related tasks, such as cabinet refinishing and color consultations, in a single project. Companies like CertaPro Painters® offer bundled services that let you update rooms without replacing anything. Professional painting costs typically vary based on the paint, room size and the amount of prep work necessary. Additionally, thoughtful lighting choices, such as replacing a dated chandelier, can instantly modernize a space. You can also get creative with textiles. Use vibrant curtains, a stylish area rug or unique throw pillows to add color, texture and softness to a room. There are many decor options to suit your personal style and price point. Establish Your Budget Before Starting Any Work Your budget is a roadmap that prevents overspending, project stalls and decision fatigue. Make a complete wish list of everything you’d like to do, then categorize each item as a “must-have” or a “nice-to-have.” Set aside a portion of your total estimated cost for a contingency fund to cover unexpected expenses. Consider creating a spreadsheet listing each desired project and its estimated labor and material costs. For example, while classic subway tiles cost less than $10 per square foot , their prices may vary depending on quality and supplier. Accounting for their average price range is key to building a budget without surprise costs. Ask providers for the exact labor cost during consultations. Creating a Home You Love on a Budget A beautiful remodel is about strategic planning, not unlimited funds. Invest in foundational elements with long-term impact, such as affordable window replacement services, and get creative with affordable, decorative updates. Make informed choices and work with trusted professionals to refresh your home without breaking the bank.

Modern home design is about creating a personal sanctuary that feels as good as it looks. Acoustics are a crucial part of that feeling, as unwanted noise can disrupt peace and comfort. Fortunately, the right design choices can create stylish yet serene spaces. Consider these three home upgrades and decor strategies that can help you manage your home’s sound without sacrificing style. 1. Invest in Quiet Garage Door Openers The most disruptive noises are often the ones you’ve accepted as part of your daily life. For instance, the low-frequency rumble and vibrations from a traditional chain-drive don’t stay in the garage. They travel through the home’s structure, often manifesting as a shudder or hum in adjacent rooms or even in bedrooms directly above. Strategically picking a garage door opener that is quiet is an easy way to fix this issue without making any serious changes to the look of your home. Quiet garage door openers from LiftMaster can help you reclaim your daily peace. The LiftMaster 1-1/4 HP belt drive opener is powered by a quiet DC motor and a reinforced belt. It ensures smooth, quiet garage door operation. You’ll enjoy better rest in bedrooms located above the garage and fewer disruptions during dinner if someone gets home late. 2. Turn Your Walls Into Functional Art Large, bare walls act like sound mirrors, bouncing noise around a room and creating an echo. Adding soft, absorptive surfaces can soften reverberation while also adding texture, color and personality to the space. Consider getting solutions from a design-driven, sound-focused brand like Audimute , which offers a suite of customizable acoustic products made from eco-friendly materials. With its acoustic image panels, you can print a cherished family photo or a favorite vacation landscape to create a personalized art piece that also absorbs sound. Other options include pre-made kits that create abstract wall art. 3. Layer Your Decor With Sound-Absorbing Textiles Soft things absorb sound, while hard things reflect it. This means the more soft surfaces you can layer into a room, the quieter and more comfortable it will feel. A bare hardwood or tile floor is like a trampoline for sound waves, but you can easily use rugs designed for maximum softness and sound absorption. Ruggable offers plush all-in-one rugs crafted as a single, integrated piece with a dense, cushiony pile. These textiles are perfect for high-traffic areas, providing a luxurious feel underfoot while absorbing footfalls and echoes. You can also reinforce the sound-dampening effect by building a thick barrier between you and noise sources. For example, if you live in a townhouse, you can place a plush, fabric-covered sofa against thin walls to reduce what you can hear from your neighbors. Add soft pillows and thick covers to increase its noise-absorbing capabilities. Designing Your Perfect Sanctuary Sound management is a crucial yet often overlooked element when creating a true sanctuary. Tackle major noise sources with technical upgrades, such as a quieter garage door opener, then refine a room’s acoustics by layering sound-absorbing decor. Think of your home’s soundscape as a vital part of your personal style and well-being.

Though a neutral color palette is timeless, classy and chic, the whites, grays and browns may make a space feel a little flat. Revitalize your home by adding the secret to a lively, interesting and creative design — a pop of color. Discover the best places to add just a touch of color to your home, keeping it looking and feeling fresh without going overboard. Why a Pop of Color Is a Designer’s Secret Weapon Home designers use color deliberately to reflect a home’s character, make it comfortable for the homeowners and inspire visual interest to draw attention to a focal point. Working with neutrals, the pop of color adds personality without overwhelming the space, creating just the right amount of visual appeal to add an intentional, unique flair. Color has a profound effect on people’s psyche, and designers can use this to curate the perfect vibe for every part of your home. For example, warm colors like red can elicit positive emotions and even higher energy in the context of a warm and inviting space. Softer tones can create a soothing response for a more relaxed area. Balanced with neutrals, a pop of color can create an atmosphere perfect for every part of your home. 7 Areas to Add Color, Inside and Out Whether you’re painting one room or renovating your entire home, these seven ideas for adding a pop of color can refresh and energize your space. Add an Unexpected Accent Wall Accent walls are a simple and strong way to add color in just about any room. By painting or adding a unique color to one of the four walls — or to the ceiling or floor, the “fifth” and “sixth” walls, respectively — you immediately draw visual interest to a unique area of the room. This wall can then feature display pieces that your eye naturally gravitates toward. Feature Bold Furniture or Statement Pieces If the rest of the room features a cohesive, neutral palette, adding one piece of furniture or a statement art piece can become the visual draw. Think a contrasting colored couch, an orange chair in a blue room or a gold chandelier glistening against darker hues. The piece draws the room's focus while anchoring the color scheme around it. Drape Colorful Blankets, Pillows and Curtains Adding textiles for color is a simple and easily adjustable enhancement. Throw pillows, blankets, curtains and rugs are impermanent features of a room and can be swapped out as needed if a different color trend or vibe catches your eye. Pick striking, uniform shades like saturated jewel tones or add interesting patterns. Upgrade Unassuming Fixtures Fixtures in your home that often go unnoticed can be an unexpected way to add creative flair and interest. Paint your light switch covers, or upgrade your door handles to striking metals or even crystal. Add patterns to baseboards or swap out your vent covers for a simple but noticeable upgrade. Highlight Your Front Doors and Shutters Colorful front doors and shutters can transform a house into a home from the exterior. Pinks and pastels add a sweet, cozy cottage feeling, while bright, vibrant hues can feel modern and artistic. Coordinated shutters frame the home beautifully, and a colorful front door stands out as an inviting, personalized touch. Customize Your Gutters Every home has gutters, but these can be more than just a necessary fixture. Painting them is a cost-effective way to revamp your exterior and even offer corrosion and weather protection , keeping your house looking fresh longer. This simple change can add more visual appeal to your home that increases your curb appeal. Liven Outdoor Spaces You can add plants to patios, decks or balconies to refresh the outside of your home with pops of green and vibrant, colorful flowers. In greener spaces like gardens, contrast the natural hues with red planters, yellow umbrellas or purple deck chairs. How to Balance Color With Neutrals Adding a touch of color to a space requires balancing it with neutrals so the pop is effective. Many designers follow the 60-30-10 rule, in which a space uses 60% for a main color , 30% for a similar secondary hue for variety, and 10% for a colorful accent. This rule keeps a space balanced, following a “golden ratio” for tried and true harmony. Neutral shades serve as necessary visual breaks, allowing the pops of color to stand out. Homeowners should choose a whole-home palette, with consistent neutrals as a base to ensure cohesive flow from room to room. The accents will stand out even more, drawing attention and interest to your focal points intentionally. Hue Got This Refreshing your house can be as simple as a one-wall paint job or adding new throw pillows, or as impactful as repainting exterior elements for a whole-home colorful reset. Balanced with neutrals, adding a pop of color can revitalize your space with personality and a creative touch.