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  3. Landscaping Ideas
  4. House Landscaping Ideas

House Landscaping Ideas

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  • Landscape Ideas for a Bay Window at the Front of a House

    Bay windows are octagonal shaped and first became popular in architectural designs during Victorian times, according to the University of Vermont. Through landscaping, you can draw the eye’s attention to the main focal point, which is the window. Consider the remainder of the front yard’s landscape design when selecting plant types. Connect the front landscape together by continuing a similar theme in the bed surrounding the bay window.

  • How to Landscape a Colonial House

    A typical colonial home is typically two stories with a sloping roof and a centered front entrance that is bordered by windows on both stories. A combination of tall, narrow plantings at the corners and doorways plus lower shrubs or flower beds in the front will allow you to feature the home's height while keeping the front windows clear of greenery interference. Plan for four-season visual interest, including dwarf flowering trees such as dogwoods or redbuds.

  • Landscaping Ideas for the Front of a House With a Large Porch

    When you have a large porch, you can use a bolder landscaping design without overwhelming the front of the home. Instead of small, decorative landscaping, look for larger trees and plants that will balance the scale of the porch and highlight its architectural details.

  • Proper Grading of House Landscaping

    Water needs to run away from your house and into a ditch or approved storm drain. You must take into account the amount of rain that is normal for your location and provide a means for it to drain away from your house's foundation. You also need to provide lawn drainage for the water that runs off the house via the rain gutters. Typically, landscape grading or landscape drains take care of both types of water runoff.

  • How to Landscape for an Italianate House

    In order to best complement an Italianate house, you should employ elements of Italian-style landscaping. This type of landscaping has formal elements that are in scale with both the size of the home and the lawn, yet there are other elements that evoke a carefree and passionate nature characteristic of Italy. With a basic knowledge of Italian design concepts for outdoor spaces, you can also achieve this elegant look outside your home.

  • Split Level Vs. Bi Level

    Based on an earlier Frank Lloyd Wright concept of splitting up a house into different levels to delineate living areas from the sleeping ones, split-level and bi-level house plans were very popular from the 1970s through the 1980s. To accommodate the high demand for new housing and a high inflationary economy, architects and builders came up with these similar, but slightly different house plans that offered more living in less square-footage for the new home buyer.

  • How to Landscape a Beautiful Front Lawn

    Plan your new front lawn on paper. First, sketch out the existing buildings, walkways, the driveway, mailbox and any trees and flower beds already in place. Note which areas are full-sun, which get partial-sun and which are shaded. Use your imagination to add gently curving beds and sidewalks to soften hard lines around the house and dress up areas, such as the mailbox and sidewalk. Plan to implement your ideas in phases, perhaps aiming to add just one new bed or hardscape feature each season. Dress up the hardscaping, including the paths and walkways, driveway, patio or porches, the mailbox…

  • Bi-level Remodeling Ideas

    A bi-level home is a type of split-level home also referred to as a "divided entry" style. Bi-levels are constructed in a way that compensates for the conditions of the surrounding terrain. A bi-level house features an entryway onto a dedicated landing halfway between two floors. Generally, bi-levels are in the 1,000- to 1,500-square-foot range. According to SplitLevel.net, the majority of bi-levels were built in the 1970s and 1980s with an average square footage of 1,300.

  • Front Landscaping for a Colonial Home

    Colonial architecture is marked by its symmetry: a square house featuring a center entrance, flanked by an equal number of windows above and on either side. Traditional landscaping for this type of home mirrors the building's straight, formal lines, while a more casual approach is designed to soften them.

  • Little Additions That Raise the Value of a House

    Whether you're in a buyer's or a seller's market, you always want to get the most value for your home. It may not make sense to embark on major renovations when you're preparing to sell your house in the near future, but there are always improvements that you can make. Do some inexpensive cosmetic fixes to the high traffic areas in your home, and you'll increase the perceived value of your house, possibly adding dollars to any offers you get.

  • Landscaping Ideas for a Small, Square House

    A small, square house presents a landscaping challenge: without architectural details to play off of, it can be difficult to find ways to enhance the best features of the home. As you plan landscaping options for your square home, consider how you can use design to show the house off and create a stylish, dramatic visual impact.

  • How to Keep Rainwater Away From House Foundations

    A French drain is a method of filtering water around a building foundation. Water draining into a foundation can damage a foundation and weaken its structural integrity. A French drain is a trench that goes around three sides of a building. As groundwater flows into the drain, the drain filters away the water, helping keep the foundation and your basement dry.

  • How to Landscape a Flat Yard

    A flat yard that lacks color or depth looks dull and bland, and does not do much to enhance curb appeal. Such a yard offers numerous landscaping options that allow you to transform the drab piece of land into a well-defined space with depth, structure and appeal. Adding flower beds, trees, plants and hardscaping breaks the monotony of the space and gives it dimension and beauty. No matter what the allocated landscaping budget, there are plenty of ways of sprucing up the yard to enhance its appeal.

  • How to Decorate a Back Yard With Plants

    Incorrectly landscaping your backyard can create a mess of plants and fauna. Additional minor problems might include creating a landscape that doesn't match your natural environment. More serious problems include creating safety hazards such as large blind spots capable of providing burglars or intruders with places to hide. Correctly landscaping your backyard ensures you have the proper plants for your area as well as a design layout that fits your personal tastes. Finally, correctly landscaping your backyard offers lush landscaping without sacrificing safety.

  • How to Landscape a Shaded Square Yard

    No matter which USDA hardiness zone you live in, you can find many types of plants that grow successfully in shady conditions. You can choose to landscape your shaded square yard with either formal beds or informal, naturally shaped beds. Formal beds complement the square shape of the yard using straight lines and geometric forms, while informal landscape designs, made with curved bed shapes, offset a boxy appearance.

  • Landscaping Ideas With Perennials for the Front of House

    A thoughtfully designed landscape finishes the appearance of a house and reflects the personality of the owner. Perennial plants require less maintenance than annuals, especially if you choose native or well-adapted plants for your area. When creating your front yard landscape design using perennial plants, remember to allow for the mature size of a plant in spacing them across the landscape.

  • Is Rain Water Good for House Plants?

    House plants are often watered with tap water, but that may not be the best thing for them. Tap water can be too cold for tropical foliage plants, and it may contain too many minerals that build up in the soil. Instead, consider watering your house plants with rain water.

  • How to Landscape the Front Area of Your Home

    The front area of your home reflects your personality. Landscape your front yard to create a good first impression and enhance curb appeal. Work to create a well-balanced design that captures visitors' attention with its various elements until they reach the front door. Instead of imitating your neighbor's, use your design philosophy to create a front yard that reflects your personality.

  • Design Ideas for a Ranch-Style Covered Porch

    A porch can become an extension of indoor living space. With appropriate furniture, the porch can become a place to read, relax or welcome visitors. It can also serve as a place for family members to take off boots or shoes during bad weather. There are several ways to incorporate some storage on the porch, too, even if it is located on the front of the house.

  • How to Garden in a Front Yard

    The front yard is often an under-utilized area that needs to be mowed every week. This is a waste of gas, and is not environmentally friendly. Gardening in this area will lessen the amount of space you need to mow, or negate the need for this activity all together. What you plant will depend on your tastes and needs. Grow herbs if you enjoy homemade teas and soaps, and grow flowers for drying if you are a crafter. For an edible garden, grow produce.

  • Tips for Landscaping Rental Homes

    If you own a rental home property, you know that you can't always depend upon the renters to take as much care with it as you might. So you don't want to invest too much time and money into landscaping it. Renters, likewise, will not benefit from investing their own money into property landscapes they don't own, which will affect how much landscaping they do to the property, too. But you can still landscape the property.

  • How to Design a Front Yard With Plants and Mulch

    Undertaking a project to improve your home's curb appeal not only makes it more attractive, but can also help improve the value of your home. Home improvement projects can involve making a change to your home, such as installing new siding or painting your home, as well as planting trees or flower beds in your front yard. Adding flower beds to your landscape can imbue your yard with natural beauty. Covering the soil in the beds with mulch helps prevent it from eroding while retaining moisture in the ground for the plants.

  • DIY: Yard Decor

    Turn an ordinary lawn into a pretty place where you want to spend time. Adding curb appeal to your house adds value to your home. Look for plants that grow well in your area. Choose perennials that grow back every year and save. Fill in empty spots with potted plants and seasonal plants. Remember seating for friends and family.

  • DIY: Front Yard Idea

    Turn your front yard into an attractive and welcoming entry -- t's the first thing people see when they come to your home. Curb appeal adds value to your house, even if you're not planning on selling. Keep the front of your home clean and well-maintained. Use symmetry in plantings, especially for plantings on either side of the driveway. Make the porch more than a pass-through area by adding seating and flowers. You'll enjoy the front yard and so will your friends and neighbors.

  • Porch Ideas for Ranch-Style Houses

    A ranch-style home is typically known for its simple construction and single-floor layout. But a ranch-style home offers several interesting ideas for a front porch. Because the floor space tends to be limited in a ranch-style home, it is to the homeowner's advantage to create a useful as well as aesthetically pleasing porch. A good porch idea for a ranch-style home can add character to a very basic home design.

  • What to Plant in Front of the House

    Your front yard provides visitors with their initial view of your home and landscape. Focusing your landscaping efforts on your front yard provides the best first impression. The plants you grow in front of your house create a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

  • Garden Plans for the Front of a House

    Properly placed plants can guide visitors to the entrance of a house. Plantings can also keep visitors off lawns or away from areas where you do not want them. Garden plans for the front of a house should be functional as well as attractive.

  • Do it Yourself Hardscape

    Planning a hardscape is an important part of the overall landscaping plan. Features such as walks, driveways, patios, pools and other similar elements create the hardscape. Plant elements form the softscape. Together, they add elegance and dramatic affects to the feeling of the landscape in general. Design or landscape consultants provide professional recommendations and suggestions that prevent problems in the future. Following several simple steps will help create a landscape that will provide many years of enjoyment.

  • Drainage Problems in Sinks

    Sometimes it takes a drainage problem to make you realize how much you rely on the sink. Whether you're faced with a slow drain, a minor clog or complete stoppage, both kitchen and bathroom sinks drain sluggishly for a numerous reasons. Thankfully, you need not call the plumber for every problem; you can prevent or quickly remedy most drainage issues with common household products.

  • Flowers for in the House

    Flowers bring the beauty, color and scent of a summer garden into the house. Most potted flowers are meant to spend a few weeks inside and then moved outside to their permanent home in the yard. Cut flowers last up to two weeks with appropriate care. Alternatives include flowers that prefer shade or tropical conditions to make a permanent home indoors.

  • DIY Front Yard Landscaping

    The front of your house or "public" side is what visitors, passersby and people on the street first notice about your home and use to form an opinion about you. Landscape the front yard to create a good first impression. Create a harmonious, well-balanced design that enhances the appeal of the landscape and captivates visitors' attention while guiding them to your front door. Let your front yard reflect your personal style and set your house apart from the others on the street.

  • Flowers to Plant in Front of a House

    The front of the home is the most highly visible part of the house, and it tends to leave a lingering impression. While flowers should not dominate the front entrance, when used with restraint, they can be an attractive, colorful part of the scenery. Treated as an embellishment, rather than a landscaping foundation feature, flowers effectively fill empty spaces while softening the surroundings and creating a sense of welcome.

  • Do it Yourself Hardscape Steps

    Employing hardscape techniques to add steps to a hill is a practical and affordable way to add some decorative elements in the yard, while easing the way for walkers to navigate an incline safely. Homeowners have a large variety of rocks to select from, with flagstone and creek rock being two favorites. Since adding rock steps can be a physically demanding project, it is best to obtain help with the heavy lifting if manual labor presents a problem. Using a wheelbarrow or garden cart is advised for moving the rocks to the site or carrying the concrete mix, if applicable.

  • Wainscoting Ideas for Coastal Houses

    Wainscoting is decorative wall paneling that extends from the floor upwards anywhere between 3 and 5 feet, terminating in wood trim. It is made of wood tongue and groove boards and painted. Installing wainscoting is a relatively easy way to revive a room that feels architecturally dull. It is a traditional look for coastal homes, evoking nautical activities and providing a dynamic sculptural element in small rooms.

  • How to Correct Drainage Problems in a House

    Clogged drain lines in the home are annoying, but constantly clogged lines that never seem to clear can be a nightmare. Roots growing in the yard, as well as excessive debris washing down the pipes from a kitchen sink can cause nasty clogs. Flooding due to runoff from the roof can flood a basement when the drain cannot keep up with the water entering the basement. Flooding and drainage problems are eliminated when the amount of water that floods into the home is reduced, and clogs are removed from the home drains.

  • Landscaping Ideas for Ranch Style Houses

    The ranch home -- long, low and horizontal -- dominated the American suburbs in the 1950s and '60s. These single-story structures, meant to blend into the existing landscape rather than stand in stark contrast, call for natural, informal plantings. Plants, especially trees, should be in proportion to a one-story home, not towering overhead and dwarfing the structure. Shrubs and ornamental trees and grasses will help your ranch blend into the horizon and become one with nature.

  • Ideas for Landscaping the Front of the House

    Most homeowners take great pride in their front lawn because it provides the first impression that guests and passersby have of their home. However, landscaping a front yard can be a challenge because space may be limited, and some landscaping elements such as trees can make lawn maintenance more difficult. As a result, thinking creatively usually ensures the most attractive landscape for the front of a home.

  • The Best Home Furnishing Products

    The best home furnishing products for you are fashionable, functional and financially do-able. Figuring out how to make the most of your investment in your home can feel like an overwhelming task, but you can do it if you keep your priorities in mind. When you shop, know exactly what you need and be aware of what you love. Know how to get the best deal on what you find and soon you will be furnishing the home of your dreams.

  • How to Install a Flex Perf Pipe

    Flexible perforated pipe is most commonly used to divert water away from foundations. As the water drains downhill, the water eventually makes its way to your foundation. The water then drains through the foundation and into your basement. If your yard properly diverted water away from the home, you would not require the use of a drainage system. However, this is a quick fix to a serious problem.

  • How to Stop Rain Water From Draining Under Your House

    Unchecked rain water drains to the nearest low spot in the terrain, often under a house and into its foundation, basement or crawlspace. Methods of preventing the flow depend on where the water is coming from. Runoff from the roof can be diverted with a gutter system that includes downspouts, which route water away from the house. Natural runoff from an incline must be intercepted with a subterranean drainage system called a French drain.

  • DIY French Drains for a Large Area on a Hill

    French drains are simple rock ditches covered with topsoil. A basic French drain is approximately 2 feet deep and filled with rock. Additional drainage is achieved by adding perforated tubing along the base of the ditch. The drainage system pulls water into the rocks and channels it to a predetermined area. The best way to lay out a French drain is between a structure and a hill. A large area on a hill is the ideal situation for a French drain.

  • How to Landscape the Slope of a House With a Walkout Basement

    There are many options to choose from if your walkout basement has a slope nearby that is in need of landscaping. A gentle slope could be covered with fescue grass, but steeper slopes will require one of many groundcovers to plant on the slope. A juniper groundcover is an excellent choice because the plants stay green year-round, help to defend against soil erosion and do great in almost any soil. If you decide to leave the slope bare, rainwater will cause soil erosion that could stain your house or patio with mud.

  • Cheap Pet-Proofing Ideas for Your House & Yard

    When it comes to pet proofing your home and yard, plan to keep both your pets and belongings safe. Pet proofing is best accomplished from the ground up. Get down to your pet's eye level to note areas where your pet can escape through fencing, gain access to hazardous materials or chew electric wires or belongings. Take your pet's physical abilities and behaviors into consideration as part of your cost effective plan.

  • House Landscaping for Proper Drainage

    Natural drainage follows the path of least resistance. Water flows downhill. Engineers determined that paths can be cut into hills to route the flow of water to specific paths. The same theory applies to landscaping. A house built into a hill will have water flowing above and below ground towards the house. To keep water from collecting around the house and seeping inside, build drainage ditches that channel the flow of water to specific points. The hardest part of the project is planning the route of the drainage ditch.

  • House Entrance Hardscape Ideas

    Hardscape is a term that refers to landscaped areas that are hard and permanent. These include such things as paved walkways, stone accents, lava rock, retaining walls, pea gravel and flagstone. Hardscaping does not include the soft portions of a landscape that consist of plants, grasses, shrubs, trees and flowers. Using hardscape near your house entrance is a visually appealing way to draw attention to your front door and increase the curb appeal.

  • Ideas of How to Landscape in Front of a House

    The front of your house is the first thing that neighbors, visitors and even potential homebuyers see. Most people want the front of their homes' to present curb appeal and evoke a welcoming feel. One way to accomplish this is through landscaping. If you are planning a front yard landscape project, choose from several types of key items to create the ideal entrance for your home.

  • Landscaping Ideas for a Small Narrow Side of a House Facing an Ugly Side of Another House

    Almost every neighborhood has an ugly house. When the house is right next door to you, however, it can really be an eyesore. Whether it is the warped and mildewed siding, or the peeling paint that is bothering you, if it does not appear that your neighbor will take care it any time in the near future, you may have no choice but to try to block the view with some creative landscaping. Although this can be a bit of a challenge if the side of your house is small and narrow, there are still some landscaping ideas that can…

  • Colonial House Landscaping Ideas

    Colonial homes are classic styles of homes that are inherently elegant and evocative of New England, their place of origin in America. Colonial homes notoriously have large, flat long fronts with a tree or two dotted along the edge. While the colonial home often calls for more formal landscaping, a range of new and exciting possibilities are acceptable for the colonial style of architecture.

  • Landscaping Ideas for a One-Story House

    Landscaping your property is a chance for you to highlight your home's architecture as well as your personal style. Landscaping styles exist on a spectrum of formal to informal styles. Choose the level of formality you prefer, and stick with it throughout your landscape. Take note: Sometimes the most informal-looking landscapes require the most care and planning to create.

  • Landscaping Ideas for a House With a Walkout Basement

    Landscaping options for a home that features a walkout basement can be treated in several different ways. If the entrance is one that you want to use frequently for access to finished basement space, blend the area into existing landscaping and enhance it by creating a landscape suitable as gathering space. Landscape a basement used for storage for simple access and outdoor storage options. Building a deck over the basement entrance provides entertaining space.

  • Where Do I Find Landscaping Ideas for the Front of the House?

    How the front of a home is landscaped makes a statement to family, friends, neighbors and everyone who passes by. Whether the ideas you use are simple or intricate, by landscaping your home's front exterior you demonstrate that you take pride in home ownership and that you care about your neighborhood and community.

  • Coastal Living House Ideas for Galveston, Texas

    Galveston, Texas is an island located approximately 50 miles away from Houston on the Gulf of Mexico. The island has a landscape that encompasses the best of both worlds: on one end of the islands are charming streets edged with oak trees; on the other end of the island are miles and miles of beaches. The online periodical Coastal Living has myriad ideas when it comes to the design of homes in such a unique part of the country.

  • Inside Log House Ideas

    When you choose the beauty of a log home for your primary residence or for a place to get away from it all, you most likely enjoy the rustic appearance of wood and natural elements. The interior of the log home should coordinate with that style. The choice of color in the home breaks up the appearance of wood.

  • Gift Ideas for a House Builder

    A home builder makes dreams come true. He works with the homeowner, financiers, and real estate agents to make ideas take shape from a dream to reality, and has to meet the demands, specifications and requirements of all parties involved. A handshake and verbal thanks is less than a full show of appreciation to a home builder. Go a step further by giving a gift to express gratitude and thanks for making your home transform from a blueprint for a house to a building that becomes a home to shelter family members and enjoy with friends for years to come.

  • Science Projects Ideas in House Insulation

    House insulation refers to any materials used in the walls and rooftops of houses to prevent heat transfer. Without insulation, heat could move easily between inside the house and outside. In cold months, this wastes heat, and, in warm months, it allows heat to enter the home too easily. Insulation keeps temperatures more separated and allows homeowners to save significant amounts of money on climate control. There are several science projects you can conduct on types of insulation.

  • Front House Landscape & Plants Ideas

    The front of your house is what a visitor or passerby on the street first notices. Decorate this "public side" of the house creatively with a combination of plants, walkways and decorative accents that capture a visitor's attention until she reaches the front door. Make sure the landscape reflects your personal style and complements the house and surrounding area.

  • Landscaping Ideas for a Ranch-Style House

    Ranch style houses have been around since the post-World War II era created millions of affordable residences for families. Ranch homes have simple lines and flexible floor plans that are ideal for American lifestyles. They are still popular today because of the convenient one-floor living space and easy maintenance. Contemporary landscaping of 1950s and 1960s ranch-style homes is advisable to update the generally stark, broad-lawned landscaping that was done where they were first built.

  • Landscaping Ideas for Rental Houses

    Whether you're a landlord or a renter, you might want to keep the yard of your rental home looking nice by planting flowers, vegetables, groundcovers and other easy-care plants. For landlords, the key to keeping the yard of a rental house looking good is to grow plants that require very little care and maintenance. For tenants, growing annuals and other plants in containers means not having to leave them behind when you move.

  • Ideas for House Shutters

    Shutters add color and style to a home's facade. But there are many creative uses for these panels inside the home, as well. The most common shutter is the louvered style, with horizontal slats. The raised panel shutter has two, three or four raised areas evenly spaced along the facade. The board-and-batten style, with two, three or four vertical boards and two or three short horizontal spans, has a cottage look.

  • Alternative House Insulation Ideas

    So you are a homeowner wanting to save money and protect the environment by choosing alternative insulation. Your alternatives to standard home insulation offer many great features, including being better for the Earth. Look for a product that will protect your home from losing hot or cold air and that is free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These VOCS can break down and contaminate the air in your home.

  • Beautiful House Ideas

    If you're looking for ideas for a beautiful house, borrow architectural concepts from different periods of the past. A beautiful house idea can incorporate concepts from American architecture and influences from other countries, linking the past with the present. Although the structure of your house may use green building principles, the exterior design can reflect any architectural style.

  • Southern Living House Ideas in Fort Worth

    While the southern design style has its roots in the southeast, it’s a look that works in all areas of the country. For Fort Worth residents, it just involves making the design style work for you. The style has a warm and friendly feeling and uses warm colors that seem inviting to others. The homes often contain some antique and vintage pieces, but those are mixed with more modern or contemporary pieces. For a southern living house in Fort Worth, you just need to play with what you have.

  • Ranch House Addition Ideas

    Ranch homes were one of the most popular residential styles from the mid-1940s through 1980. This easily identifiable style features a single, linear story that typically runs parallel to the street. Many modern families find that ranch homes, which are typically on the small side, prove confining. It's difficult to add on to an older home as materials weather and building techniques change, so consider these ranch house addition ideas.

  • House Flipping Ideas

    House flipping is a term used for buying badly maintained houses, renovating them and selling for them for profit. Reality television shows such as TLC’s "Flip That House" and HGTV’s "Home To Flip" show the public how house flippers transform the real estate business into a fast-paced environment. House flipping is a profitable business if done correctly but can lead to disastrous financial loss for the inexperienced.

  • Ideas for Landscaping a Bi-Level House

    Also called a "split level," the bi-level home provides a unique set of landscaping challenges. These homes efficiently take advantage of topography changes, but can result in an awkward ground plane condition and low windows present privacy issues. By properly combining landscaping--green plants, shrubs and trees as well as flowers with hardscape paths and walkways--you can create a successful design that integrates your bi-level house with its surroundings.

  • Smart House Ideas

    In the future, we will live in a world that our ancestors would have considered magical. Desktop computers were only the beginning. Ubiquitous computing already exists in such places as automatic toll payment and natural language telephone systems. At the forefront of this revolution is the smart house: the house you talk to and partner with to create the living environment of the future.

  • House Roof Ideas

    Up on the roof is a world of possibilities that can dress up your home, lower your energy bills, improve your investment, turn a rainstorm into a symphony, or become another yard. Whether you are building a new home, renovating and remodeling a historic house, or shifting your residence into an eco-friendly oasis, there are choices of roof styles and materials to match your taste, budget and maintenance tolerance.

  • House Ideas for Coastal Living in Galveston

    Home design for coastal living on the sandy shores of the Galveston, Tex., is about balancing the classic historical charm of this town with the modern-day conveniences. The driving theme of this design is simple, fresh and airy, allowing the true beauty of the coastal outdoors to be evident in your home’s design.

  • Wall Insulation Tips

    Spending money to put insulation inside your walls or improve the insulation that has been there is like putting a deposit into your savings account. Energy savings over time will collect like dust on an antique chest in the attic when you improve your wall insulation. Besides saving money, you also improve the ability to stay cool during the summer and warm during winter.

  • Southern Living House Ideas

    Southern Living magazine is a sensible place to start when looking for ideas for southern influenced decor. The magazine specializes in informing its readers on all things indicative of the south, from delicious fruit cobbler and supper recipes to the magazine's picks for the best of Nashville attractions. When it comes to decor ideas, the magazine offers a wide variety of tips for every part of the home.

  • Front House Landscape & Plant Ideas

    The front yard is the public side of your home, where visitors and passers-by get their first impression of the home and its owners. Design an attractive and inviting front house landscape that frames the home and leads visitors to the entry way with a creative combination of softscape, plant materials, and hardscape, walkways and fences. Arrange landscape elements in layers that lead the viewer to the front door of the home and make the entryway the focal point of the scene.

  • House Sign Ideas

    If you are moving into a new house, then you may want a new address nameplate. If you have an aggressive dog, you may want to warn visitors--like your postal carrier. If you are trying to sell your house, you will want to inform people who drive by your house. All of these situations can be addressed through the use of creative, tasteful signs that you can have custom-designed to fit your needs.

  • Garden Against the House Ideas

    With a large backyard, gardens can be built in a variety of places but are commonly built against the house. The house wall protects them from the elements and animals and provides them with something to grow against. There are a number of different techniques you can employ when building a garden beside your house.

  • House Cladding Ideas

    Houses are built in many different styles and shapes. Cladding choices play an integral role in the design of a building. You can add personality to your home by changing the materials or colors used on the exterior. These changes enhance the value and individuality of the house.

  • Small House Landscaping Ideas

    Homes are a reflection of the homeowner. Small homes, however, have strengths and weaknesses when it comes to landscaping options. By using proper landscaping techniques, keeping plans simple and embracing a theme, you can stretch your home's walls to include the yard and enlarge the home without picking up a hammer.

  • House Insulation Ideas

    Older homes are the most likely to be under-insulated, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. You can lower heating and cooling bills by increasing insulation in the attic, walls and bottom floor, especially if your home was not constructed with a focus on energy efficiency. Sealing around doors and windows where air infiltrates will also help make the home more energy efficient.

  • Ideas for Landscaping a Bilevel House

    Bi-level or split-level homes feature two floors separated at the entrance. The front door usually enters into a foyer with two staircases, one leading to the upper level and the other leading to the lower level. These homes are sometimes occupied by two separate families, or one family that uses one level as its main living area and the other level for storage, entertaining or housing guests. From the outside, bi-level homes often have a boxed, plain look. Adding subtle landscaping can soften the boxy look of a bi-level home.

  • Pool House Ideas

    A truly functional addition to your backyard vacation spot is a pool house. With well-thought-out design, a pool house caters to family and friends while saving plenty of clean-up time. Your home will remain free of wet footprints leading to the kitchen, bathrooms stacked with wet towels, and sun block and tanning lotions smeared onto home furnishings. Make a list of every feature you would like incorporated into your pool house. If you are on a tight budget, plan to build it in stages.

  • Secret Compartment Ideas in a House

    Keeping all of your money and valuables in a safe deposit box or at the bank is not always the best option. If you were to need the items immediately, they may not be accessible. While keeping a substantial amount of your money and valuables in a bank is a smart idea, keeping some at home in secret compartments can help you have it on hand just in case of an emergency.

  • Ideas for House Additions

    Home additions are a convenient and economical alternative to moving or building an entirely new house. Homeowners may choose to build an addition when they have more money available than when they built or bought the house, or if the size of the family grows, making the current house too small. Whatever the reason, there are several ways to expand your home based on your particular needs.

  • Ideas for Shrubs Around House

    When choosing shrubs for your yard, it's important to consider such factors as climate, the design of your yard and the time you have available to devote to yard care, as well as your personal tastes and landscaping needs. Is your goal to plant shrubs that will enhance your home's privacy, or are you merely concerned with beautifying your yard? Which shrubs will flourish in your climate? Are high-maintenance shrubs worth the time investment? Which shrubs will best complement the design of your yard? By carefully deciding on your priorities, you should be able to select the right shrubs for…

  • Stucco House Ideas

    Stucco houses are common across the world. The concrete mixture used to make stucco is readily available and is inexpensive compared to other kinds of home exteriors. Applying stucco, though, is somewhat of an art and those who do it regularly achieve the best results. Stucco is durable and it is easily repaired if damaged. There are many creative ways to use stucco with other materials.

  • Door Casing Ideas for a House

    The function of door casing is to cover the joint between the door jamb and the wall. Architects and interior designers recommend using door casing ideas to enhance the style or decor of the room. Remember that an opening appears to be more important when wider casing is used. Using molding around the casing can add a touch of grandeur or imitate styles from historical periods of architecture.

  • Cheap Security Ideas for Your House

    Good home security reduces the need to contact local police departments and file police reports on missing items such as jewelry, money and appliances. Good home security can also reduce the need to pay higher home insurance premiums. Both renters and homeowners can use cheap home security ideas. Some of these home security tips include secure windows, secure doors, security alarm systems and neighborhood watch programs.

  • Scrapbooking Ideas For an Open House Invitation

    A scrapbook theme or an actual scrapbook can be a great tool to entice people into attending your home's open house event. Scrapbooks are generally casual and fun in nature, and they display the highlights you wish to communicate to prospective buyers. The template you choose to employ, as well as your distribution methods, will vary according to your specific needs, but all will follow the same theme of traditional scrapbooks.

  • Mailbox & House Number Ideas

    Your house should have a perfectly chosen house or mailbox number that easily conveys not only the address, but also the style and design of your home. It sets your home apart and gives it character and flair. Here are a few simple ideas for choosing the perfect house or mailbox number for your home.

  • Modern House Ideas

    Designing and decorating a modern, or contemporary, home can be fun--but this style is distinctive. Without the appropriate color and texture combinations, a modern style home will not look well-put together. To ensure that your modern house is indeed of a modern style, follow a few simple guidelines.

  • House Landscaping Ideas

    Landscaping around your house can be relatively maintenance free if you select hardscapes or plant perennials and shrubbery that need little tending. Make sure to cover your flower beds and hillsides with a weed prevention membrane before you plant to help minimize those invasive nuisances.

  • House Number Ideas

    Owning your own home gives you a sense of pride. Your address signifies a little piece of earth that you can call your own. Show your ownership pride by customizing your own house number to be displayed by your front door. Sure, you can pick up some generic house numbers from the hardware store, but why not make your own piece of art with these fun ideas.

  • New House Gift Ideas

    Buying a new home is an exciting and stressful time, but surely one to be celebrated. Help bless the new space with a delightful gift to remind the homeowners of their growth and of your friendship. Here are some ideas that will put a smile on a new homeowner's face.

  • Victorian House Ideas

    If you have recently acquired a Victorian style home, you may want the inside to match the outside. Victorian homes are associated with simple elegance, beauty and offer a distinct style for your home.

  • Coastal Living Houses Ideas

    If you are lucky enough to live near the ocean, or to vacation there, you know the calming effects of crashing waves and balmy sea air. Your decor can help you bring this feeling into your home.

  • How to Landscape Around the House: Where do you Start?

    Landscaping improves the beauty of a home, enhances curb appeal and adds color and texture to the yard. If your home has little landscape, deciding where to start can feel overwhelming, but with a few simple tips, you can transform the look of your home with a variety of plants. No matter what your budget is for landscaping, there are plenty of ways to dress up the exterior of the home and improve the overall curb appeal in a short time.

  • How to Landscape to Sell Your House

    With the difficulties in the real estate market, if you want to sell your home and get a reasonable return, you have to make your home as attractive as possible to buyers. The landscape around your home is the first thing a prospective buyer will see. So you want to create a good "curb appeal" to entice them in for more.

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