We will explore the top five energy-efficient home improvements, discussing their benefits and how they can help homeowners save money in the long run.

If you’re considering selling your house, curb appeal is crucial. Good landscaping not only beautifies your home, but also increases its value. Depending on your area, a well-planned lawn and garden can increase your home’s worth by as much as 28%. Even if you’re not planning to move, garden design is an investment in your home. Though it might take a few years to reap full benefits as plantings mature, think of it as a venture that grows over time.

Minimalism, functionality, comfort: these are the tenets of Scandinavian design. A trend that continues to grow in popularity, this movement of pared-back warmth and tasteful natural details calls to homeowners the world over, and manages to evoke reserved beauty without becoming stodgy. Whether it’s storage that doubles as décor or rooms that mirror soothing galleries, the best of Nordic design invites your eye to rest and consider.

Pantone®, the global authority on all things color, has named a new Color of the Year for 2019: PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral. On the surface, its lively effervescence evokes both lighthearted playfulness and bold self-expression. But it’s worth diving a little deeper to really appreciate this rich, thought-provoking shade.

Lighting and shelter are often intertwined, as they evoke the warmth and familiarity of home — the porch light as a welcoming beacon or, perhaps, seen from the street through the windows, a glow hinting at the lively gathering inside.

Primary colors have a from-the-crayon-box quality that appeals to the kid within. Bright bold blue, red, and yellow often seem best left for rainbows or pop art. But when used strategically, and with the right hues, they can liven up your home in the best possible way.

Vertical gardens, which transform plain walls into lush landscapes, are being employed as signature architectural features in interior and exterior spaces. “Luxury clients, especially, perceive them as a differentiator, a status art piece,” says Irina Kim Sang, managing partner of Miami Vertical Garden.

You have your home theater, and you’ve got your game room, your bar room, your home office, and now all you want is a little peace and quiet. What you need is a Zen room—a calming space to relax and recharge. “People are very much affected by the surroundings they’re in—their mood, their wellness,” says Rina Okawa of ZEN Associates, a landscape- and interior-design firm with offices in Boston and Washington, D.C. She describes a Zen room as “a personal and private space surrounded by beauty that can lift your spirits up, refresh your mind, and revive your five senses.” “Especially with all that chatter out in the world,” says New York–based interior designer Charles Pavarini III, “we need a space where we can realign our thoughts, our energies.”

There’s more to a quality home wet bar than an extensive liquor collection. Having on hand the right sleek, smart-looking gadgets to dispense and mix your drinks, and keep them ice cold, will make entertaining guests even easier. These devices will have you and your guests drinking in high style.

When it comes to rural escapes, it can be easy to be pulled in several directions at once. A cabin in the woods, or an escape by the sea? The timelessness of a log cabin or the bright refinement of an English country cottage? Whatever your aesthetic, you’re sure to find a detail to suit your taste from these two approaches to the weekend retreat—whether you’re leaving home on an adventure or bringing fresh design to your existing space and staying put.

With the inevitable shift from one season to the next comes a natural desire for change, not only in our wardrobes or our choice of weekend activities, but in our homes. As we welcome all of autumn’s cozy traditions, there is a distinct fall colour palette that emerges, both outside and in.

The cold weather months are a time to head indoors. And what better way to ensure your home is a cozy oasis than by embracing the tenets of rustic luxury? This trending interior design style is made up of everything good about rural living: exposed beams, crackling firesides, warm blankets, and ample room for relaxed conversation. Curated properly, this look can pair well with minimalism: it doesn’t take much to make an elegant, unaffected statement. You also don’t have to be outside the city to bring a bit of the country in—assemble your rustic mix from this selection of pastoral recommendations.

Sunny skies, warm weather, and days that seem to go on forever—spring and summer pull us into the great outdoors. But as the days grow shorter, autumn and winter draw us back into our homes—to visit and to enjoy quiet moments as dusk falls, leaves turn, and winter arrives. Our homes are the centrepieces of the colder seasons, and a few simple design ideas, from lighting to furniture configurations, can help us show them at their very best.

As more and more people run businesses, work remotely, and pursue creative endeavours from home, the home workspace has become an integral part of a functional residence. Creating a space that not only fosters good work practices but also inspires is an important part of an office interior design plan. Taking on the following tips can result in a stylish, sophisticated office you won’t mind spending time in.

A versatile space that works as a living area, an outdoor entertainment zone and a home extension, a beautiful patio can increase the value of your home. It’s also one of the least expensive upgrades you can make. If your patio is older or suffering from some wear and tear, or if you’re adding a new patio, a few carefully planned upgrades can help elevate the look and feel of your whole home. Here are some tips to keep in mind.