Curb Appeal

Replacing your roof? Get to know the differences among types of roofing shingles so you can choose the best option for your home.

For a garden that stands head and shoulders above the rest, try these “high profile” species for instant curb appeal.

Maybe you’re a first-time homeowner who is looking to put your personal stamp on your new abode. Or you may be thinking of putting your house on the market and want to enhance the property’s curb appeal. Or perhaps you are just tired of your home’s current look and want to give the place a well-deserved facelift. Whatever your reasons for considering a small or large landscape overhaul, you probably don’t want to waste your efforts on costly, time-consuming, and aggravating mistakes. Here are just a few of the common landscaping blunders that can snare even experienced homeowners.

Old-fashioned, farm-style Dutch doors are making a comeback for interior and exterior applications. From cost and installation to safety concerns, here’s all you need to know about these country classics.

A well-maintained yard lends major curb appeal to your home, but creating a picture-perfect lawn and garden is no easy feat. If your yard could use a little refreshing, take a look at these 9 clever landscaping hacks—all of which save time, effort, and money!

Call them necessary evils: the utility boxes, septic tanks, and random receptacles that houses require for functional reasons. That doesn’t mean we like looking at them, though. To downplay the visual impact of those homely household helpers, check out the following brilliant disguises.

Staining a fence can give a drab or dingy wooden fence a fresh face and a lustrous, protective finish.

There are a lot of decisions to make when you put your home on the market, and one of the biggest is your asking price. While you can’t change the number one factor in your home’s value—its location—you do have control over almost everything else that might encourage a buyer to make a good offer. But many sellers mistakenly believe that to get top dollar, they have to invest a bundle in repairs and upgrades. Unless you’re planning on selling your home as a fixer-upper, some repairs are must-dos—for instance, plumbing leaks, electrical system issues, nonfunctioning central air conditioning or heating, structural problems, and pest infestations. Other fixes and renovations, though, simply aren’t worth the time and expense, particularly if you live in a hot real estate market. So, before you embark on extensive improvements, rest assured that your home will still be competitive if you skip the following repairs and renovations.

If you’re stuck with a chain-link fence, you can DIY your way to better backyard privacy in a day. Here’s what you’ll need to upgrade your space—and create a peaceful hangout spot for friends and family.

Liven up the front door and share your holiday spirit with the whole neighborhood this year!