These Austin, Texas, homeowners love to entertain, but their closed-off kitchen wasn’t supporting the casual gatherings they enjoy hosting. They hired Etch Design Studio and Skelly Build to open the kitchen to the adjacent sunroom and create a layout better suited to the way they cook, eat, gather and...

A wood vanity can do more than provide storage. It can warm up a palette of hard surfaces, introduce natural texture and set the tone for an entire bathroom. In the 10 spaces featured here, designers use wood vanities in a range of species, finishes and styles to create looks that feel fresh...

A bulky step-up tub with oversize architectural details and a dark, narrow shower made this large Nashville, Tennessee, primary bathroom feel smaller than it was. Ready for a change, the empty-nest homeowners enlisted kitchen and bath designer Terri Sears, who had previously updated their...

As a professional organizer, I’ve found that a clean, clutter-free, organized environment makes for a tranquil environment. One way to make your home a place where you can relax, rejuvenate and recharge this summer is to stay on top of small cleaning and decluttering tasks. Here are the...

Busy times are a challenge for any business, but having the right leadership skills can make all the difference. Six pros share the strategies they’ve honed over the years to lead their teams and keep projects on track when the pressure ramps up.

Cabinetry color, countertop material and appliances often get top billing in a kitchen design. But a well-planned sink setup deserves as much attention. The location, sink style, faucet finish, lighting and surrounding details can elevate everyday tasks while adding character and charm. For...

Which popular place might have your vacation plans written all over it? Our quiz will reveal the answer. Then, whether travel plans are in your future or you’re simply daydreaming for now, find out how to infuse your home with that vacation vibe every day.

Back in the early 1800s, when this Kennebunkport, Maine, home was built for a ship captain, the only traffic on the road was the occasional horse. But the homeowners of today — a California husband and wife who spend their summers here — found the street too busy for comfort.
Having collaborated

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When the owners first bought this coastal house in Cornwall, England, it felt tired and dated, but it had stunning views out to the estuary and beyond. They lived in it for a year before hiring interior designer Nicola O’Mara to improve the flow of the space and make it feel warm, welcoming and restful....

In a compact yard, it can be tricky to provide sunny and shaded spots, but there are ways to do it. Take a look at these eight gorgeous examples to see how to create a cool-off zone in your own little outdoor space.

There are a few key questions it’s worth asking homeowners at a first consultation to establish a connection, make sure you and the client are a good fit and show you’re completely on board with their needs and vision. We quizzed three seasoned professionals on what they think are the most important...

Many homeowners want a home office that feels more like a thoughtfully designed room than a workplace. But accommodating files, printers, computers and charging stations without creating visual clutter can be a challenge. Here, design pros share five home offices that pair smart storage and...

With three kids and packed schedules, this Encinitas, California, family needed a kitchen that could keep pace with daily life. The existing 170-square-foot space, dating to the 1990s, had short upper cabinets, expansive beige-brown granite surfaces and cramped circulation paths that made...

If you’re planning to stay in your house for the rest of your life, consider renovating your bathroom with accessibility in mind. Along with kitchens, bathrooms are one of the spaces homeowners use the most. They also happen to be wet zones. Reducing slip hazards and ensuring adequate lighting and maximum...

Assuming furniture always needs to be against a wall, forgetting to consider lighting, and falling back on a one-size-fits-all setup. These are among the common mistakes that can lead to a living room that just doesn’t quite work. It’s easy to underestimate the planning that goes into designing...

As the heart of the home, the kitchen is where we gather with friends and family to cook, eat, celebrate and socialize. Spending so much time in the kitchen also means it can easily become messy and disorganized. Fortunately, you can design your space so that it’s easy...

A whole-home renovation that reworked walls, reconfigured rooms and eliminated awkward circulation paths created an opportunity for a fresh start in this 84-square-foot en suite bathroom in Portola Valley, California. The homeowners — a couple with three children — wanted a stylish, functional...

This Minneapolis couple had many cherished memories of summer days spent with their children at their lake cabin, about 50 miles outside the city. When a devastating fire destroyed the home, they saw an opportunity to rethink how the property could better serve their family in the years ahead. With their...

The annual RHS Chelsea Flower Show, held in London from May 19 to 23, is known for inspiring homeowners across the globe, and those with smaller yards are no exception. Numerous compact-space ideas caught our eye, such as carving out a secluded seating spot, growing dwarf vegetables and choosing multifunctional...

The annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) returned to New York City’s Javits Center May 17-19, showcasing the latest in contemporary design. Across the fair, lighting designers drew attention to the very elements that traditionally fade into the background, emphasizing chains, stems,...

Imagine walking into your newly built or remodeled home and seeing it exactly as you had imagined it at the start of construction: the windows are all in the right places, the flooring is the right color, and the kitchen cabinets are a perfect fit.
Now allow me to pinch you on the arm, because

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A small to medium-size bathroom doesn’t have to come up short on function or style. Smart storage solutions, efficient layouts and carefully chosen design details can help maximize every inch while making a compact space feel more open and comfortable. The five bathrooms featured here range...

An outdoor dining area can function as an extension of the home, providing additional space for hosting family and friends. The popularity of al fresco entertaining has soared recently as more people take advantage of outdoor living areas. You can make your outdoor dining experience even better with...

These homeowners knew exactly the joyful feeling they wanted to evoke in their 1921 Tudor-style home in Minneapolis, but they needed a designer to help them put it all together. Enter Emily Pueringer, who helped them infuse their home with Scandinavian-inspired cheerfulness and color. Beyond aesthetics,...

Outdoor renovations are becoming less about resale and more about everyday living, according to the just-released 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study. New findings show homeowners creating spaces that function as true extensions of the home, with lounge areas, dining zones, quiet retreats...

Having a tight bathroom is challenging enough. Add in a space-hogging tub that you don’t want or need — or worse, that presents a safety hazard — and it’s time to call in a design pro. For the four small to medium-size bathrooms below, two designers kept the size and layout the same, while two added...

Have you ever sat in your favorite chair and looked out the window, only to see streaks and smears? Or looked out the kitchen window, only to see a community of spiders and bugs all over your screens? Windows can be a challenge to clean. But here are tips, tricks and tools to help you clean your windows...

A Berkeley, California, couple with kids needed extra space to comfortably host visiting in-laws from Southern California and India for extended stays. Like many urban homeowners, they had limited options. But a one-car garage being used for storage instead of cars proved to be the perfect...

When a row, or run, of cabinets doesn’t end at a wall, the last cabinet becomes an opportunity to add extra function, storage and style to your kitchen. Here are 10 ideas for putting that space to work.

The annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair, a global gathering of designers, manufacturers, architects and design enthusiasts, returned to New York City’s Javits Center on May 17-19 with ornamentation, tactile materials and expressive forms taking center stage. Throughout the trade show, furniture,...