Consumer News

• 6 Fantastic Laundry Rooms (7 photos)
  What makes a great laundry room? One might say that as long as you can get your laundry clean, what else do you need? But there are several factors that can make the chore more manageable and — dare we say it? — enjoyable. Adequate storage, plenty of folding and hanging space, and cheerful colors […]
• A Kitchen With Unexpected Blue Cabinets, Clever Storage and Views (8 photos)
  This empty-nest couple enjoyed wonderful views of Washington’s Puget Sound through the windows of their eclectic, two-level hillside home. However, they felt the inside of the house was less captivating, particularly the kitchen, which had dark walls, black countertops and a large hanging pot...
• 9 Ways to Refresh Your Summer Container Gardens for Fall (11 photos)
  There’s no need to completely rework your summer containers to give them fall flair. Instead, check out these nine ideas for updating existing container gardens (or, if you’re inspired, potting up new ones), including one plant to add for instant drama, and a zero-effort, lazy-gardener’s trick for covering...
• 5 Common Bathroom Design Mistakes to Avoid (8 photos)
  Adding to or remodeling your house is one of the most exciting and creative processes you can go through. But with all that responsibility comes pressure to make informed decisions that will last. How can you make sure to get the right design for your lifestyle, stay within your budget and...
• You’ve Never Seen a Barn Conversion Like This Before (17 photos)
  As a kid playing in the hayloft of his parents’ dusty 80-year-old barn in Medina, Ohio, Andrew Towne never imagined that one day he would convert the space into a stunning modern home for himself and his then elementary school friend Crystal Madrilejos. But decades later, that’s exactly what...
• Your Guide to a Contemporary-Style Bathroom (11 photos)
  Whether you’re tackling a bathroom remodel with the help of a bathroom designer, an architect or a contractor,...
• Great Room Lightens Up to Become a Comfy Hangout Spot (13 photos)
  Before they remodeled, the owners of this home in Manhattan Beach, California, loved the fact that their kitchen, dining and living spaces were open to one another in one large great room. But they didn’t like the kitchen’s finishes or layout. Stylistically, they wanted the kitchen to fit in better with...
• 6 Party-Friendly Patio and Backyard Arrangements (18 photos)
  What makes a backyard party-friendly? It’s a combination of factors, including comfortable places where guests can sit and mood-setting elements like cafe lights twinkling overhead. Underlying it all, there also needs to be a well-designed layout that allows for easy movement, has multiple areas for...
• 10 Kitchen Islands That Feature Banquette Seating (10 photos)
  While kitchen islands are among the most popular hangout spots in homes, their typical counter stool seating isn’t always the best layout for conversation. The designers of these 10 kitchens incorporated banquette seating into the islands to promote easy conversation, with guests able to face one another...
• Before and After: 6 Inspiring Midsize Bathroom Makeovers (18 photos)
  A midsize bathroom typically contains a substantial vanity, a toilet, a comfortable shower and a decent amount of elbow room. It’s the kind of thing you’ll see in many average suburban homes. While not extravagant on square footage, it’s enough space that the possibilities are nearly infinite. The following...