To help an aging parent live independently while staying close to family, this couple added a detached accessory dwelling unit to the backyard of their San Francisco Bay Area home. Drawn to clean-lined contemporary style, they also prioritized comfort,...

If you’re planning a kitchen remodel or building a kitchen from scratch, you probably know about common storage solutions such as drawer and cabinet dividers. But the Houzz photo feed is filled with creative storage ideas that might not have crossed your radar, ranging from simple hacks you can add yourself...

A secluded outdoor seating area can turn even an exposed part of a yard into a peaceful destination, offering a place to rest and reflect, alone or with others. Whether you build a structure, shape the landscape or use strategically placed plants, there are plenty of ways to create a sense...

As we work — and spend — to make the places we live in beautiful and functional, we sometimes make decor mistakes we come to regret. Unhappy choices nearly always stem from poor planning, rushed decisions, self-doubt or bad advice. Here I’ll show you how to take sound and sensible steps to create the...

A curbless shower can make a bathroom feel more open, with flooring that flows seamlessly into the shower. It also can improve accessibility, including allowing for wheelchair or walker access. Installing one requires more planning and precision — and sometimes a higher budget — for proper...

These empty nesters in Campbell, California, wanted to make major changes to their 1960s ranch-style home, starting with the dark, dated 211-square-foot galley kitchen. Dingy cabinets, brown granite counters and a small angled peninsula made the space feel cramped and disconnected from how...

Whether you work from home part time (or full time), or use your home office for keeping track of household accounts, this space is likely to be a magnet for paper clutter. In this series, we’re approaching each room in the house from the perspective of identifying what sparks joy....

A cozy breakfast nook can make a kitchen feel more welcoming while adding practical function. Whether it’s a sunny spot for morning coffee, homework, family game night or casual meals, these inviting spaces create room to gather without getting in the cook’s way. The 10 kitchens below show...

In this episode of “The House Guest,” host Dorcas Adewole sits down with third-generation builder and real estate developer Matt Panella to discuss how natural disasters...

After remodeling nearly every public space in their Hanover, Minnesota, home, this couple finally decided to treat themselves to a primary bathroom remodel once their youngest child was ready to leave the nest. “What they really wanted was a peaceful place to go at the end of the day,” interior designer...

With life’s stresses seemingly ever present and screens taking up much of our time, it’s easy to become disconnected from the simple pleasures of living. Restore balance by tapping into your five senses and turning the place you live into a more peaceful haven.

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As the space that offers visitors their first (hopefully positive!) impression of your home and acts as a way station for all sorts of gear — from small (keys, phone) to bulky (coats, bags, boots) — the entry is easily one of the most visible yet clutter-prone areas of the home. In...

There are many factors involved in a renovation project, and each one can prove problematic when it comes to completing the job without issues, but sometimes the biggest challenge is the customer themselves. If you’ve ever had a project where your relationship with the client has become tricky, read...

A pleasurable alfresco dining experience, whether you’re enjoying a quiet meal alone, gathering with family or entertaining a crowd, often comes down to a few thoughtful choices. The right dining table, a clever layout, effective temperature control and well-planned lighting can make all the difference....

A well-designed double vanity can make morning and evening routines feel more organized and less rushed. Separate sinks, dedicated storage and personalized grooming areas help ease busy mornings; striking materials, eye-catching mirrors and stylish lighting turn the vanity into a standout...

With art projects, fort building, tea parties and bedtime stories, kids are busy all day, every day — and their rooms usually have the clutter to prove it! In this series, we’re approaching each room in the house from the perspective of identifying what sparks joy. Here we look at ways to clear the clutter...

Expanding your business is a huge milestone — and one to be celebrated. But transitioning from a solo operation to managing a team brings with it a whole new raft of challenges. Effective leadership, communication and delegation suddenly become key as you move from wearing all the hats to building...

Sometimes patience pays off, especially when the architect you want to hire is busy. It certainly did for the owners of this 17th-century English farmhouse. When they first found architect Lydia Robinson of Design Storey on Houzz, she was working on another project. “They’d seen a cottage we’d worked...

Firescaping incorporates the design of the landscape and property surrounding a home to lessen its susceptibility to fire. This can be achieved through a well-thought-out landscape design plan that specifies less combustible plants, incorporates fire-resistant materials and follows the advice and guidelines...

Living rooms are mostly about relaxation and unwinding, and many factors come into play to ensure the space provides a calming and welcoming feel for everyone who uses it. If your room doesn’t check the comfort box, you might be making one of these common mistakes.

Thick vanity countertops that add a luxurious touch to a room are showing up lately in bathroom designs. Taller than the typical 1¼-inch (3-centimeter) countertop, they appear to be made of thick stone slabs. In reality, they are created by joining two or more pieces of stone or engineered material with...

When imagining how you can improve your daily life, it’s normal to think big: outfit a new kitchen, redesign the bathroom or extend the loft. But little changes — like giving yourself a future present or creating a “done” list — can go a long way too. Check out these suggestions for more happiness right...

If you’re finding it difficult to get your customers to pay invoices on time, it’s worth adopting a few simple tricks. We asked renovation professionals on Houzz to share the strategies they use to encourage their clients to stay on track with payments.

When you’re investing in a home remodeling project, you want to make sure the results not only please you but add value to your home and save you money. Never is that more true than in a kitchen remodel, where costs can add up quickly. To keep expenses in line and still get the kitchen of your dreams,...

A few years after buying their home in Cohasset, Massachusetts, this outdoor-loving family of five was ready to transform their backyard into a wellness retreat where they could gather and warm up after one of their favorite activities: cold plunges in the nearby Atlantic Ocean. They hired landscape...

Whether you have vacation time still to come or you squeeze in fun on the weekends, these four backyard makeovers — including one where the homeowners found their pro on Houzz — offer plenty of inspiration for making the most of your outdoor space on lingering warm days. Pools feature strongly, of course,...

Imagine walking into your bedroom and seeing clear, clean surfaces. The bedcovers are smooth and inviting, the pillows are plumped, and on your nightstand is nothing but a vase of fresh flowers, a candle, a cup of herbal tea and your journal and pen. Any clothing has been easily put away because it fits...

A client’s budget and their perception of the value your firm offers can have a huge impact on whether they hire you — and it can affect your professional relationship as the project progresses. That’s why it pays to follow these simple steps from professionals on Houzz to make sure your customers have...

A grab bar, a low- or no-curb entry and built-in seating can help reduce falls, improve mobility and make showering safer. Add slip-resistant flooring, a handheld sprayer, easy-to-reach controls, good lighting and enough room for a wheelchair or walker, and you have a shower that’s more comfortable...