Trendiest Outdoor Patio Looks

Trendiest Outdoor Patio Looks

Today, Zillow Digs announced the top outdoor patio trends for 2015, and three fads to ditch from last summer. The results were published in the Summer 2015 Zillow Digs Home Trend Forecast, a one-of-a-kind report that combines data from a survey of leading interior design experts and an analysis of the most popular photos on Zillow Digs.

So what are this season’s hottest trends? Check out the surprising results!

Want to try these trends out in your own backyard or patio? Zillow Digs and hayneedle.com are teaming up to give one person a $5,000 shopping spree to hayneedle.com to create their own outdoor oasis. Enter now for your chance to win.

 Lime green accent colors
Lime green will be the most popular accent color for summer 2015. Expect to see this fresh, natural hue manifest in a variety of materials and textures — from throw pillows and vases to outdoor umbrellas.

 Vertical gardens
Low-maintenance plants and succulents will be very popular this season, especially in regions that have water shortages and drought. Vertical or wall gardens offer a sophisticated home for succulents, herbs and other low-maintenance plants, and will be one of this season’s biggest outdoor patio trends, especially in condo and apartment decks where floor space is limited.

Hurricane candles
Hurricane candles are this season’s most popular outdoor lighting solution, and will be equally prevalent among budget and luxury spaces. When grouped together on tables or lined up along the patio floor, hurricane candles are romantic and create a wonderful ambiance that can be enjoyed on any budget.

Three fads to replace - 1. Tuscan colors
“Khakis or yellow-based neutrals are out, as well as anything muddy or Tuscan-inspired,” says Zillow Digs designer Marc Thee of Marc Michaels Interiors. While these muted hues can bring warmth in moderation, they feel heavy and out of place in outdoor spaces, and don’t reflect this season’s fresh, streamlined aesthetic.

Shabby chic furniture
Intricate, shabby chic patio sets will fade away, as summer 2015 is all about simplicity and clean lines. Detailed wrought iron patio sets will be replaced with sleek outdoor sofas and loveseats adorned with pillows and throws in this summer’s hottest citrus colors.

Excessive patterns
“People grow tired of busy patterns, so keep them to a minimum,” says Thee. Instead, add interest and texture with natural greenery and pops of citrus colors. Look for more solid color choices on pillows and throw blankets this summer.

Painting An Entire Town Into A Massive Rainbow

Street Artists Paint An Entire Town Into A Massive Rainbow To Unite Community

Street artists and lawmakers are usually at odds. But this time graffiti artists and the government teamed up.

With the goal of rehabilitating the small town Palmitas in the Pachuca district, the Mexican government called on a youth organization known to use graffiti to take on a huge project: beautifying up – and ultimately bonding together – the small town. Under the moniker “Germen Crew,” the squad painted 209 houses into a single rainbow mural. 

Especially when viewed from afar, this is now one gorgeous town. But the impact of the project goes a little deeper than good looks. According to Street Art News, the project has been a tool of social transformation: during the process, violence amongst younger people was eradicated and several jobs were created. Plus, 452 families are now part of a brilliant rainbow!

This Town Has Been Transformed Into a Rainbow 

With a makeover this big, you can’t miss this cheerful town. Graffiti artists were asked by the Mexican government to beautify the small town of Palmitas in the Pachuca district, with a goal of unifying the community.

From Whites To Brights

First the town was painted white, then the team broke out the colors. Just look at the transformation! Calling themselves “Germen Crew,” the artists painted 209 houses into a grand-scale rainbow mural.

The Project Begins

The German crew at work, prepping Palmitas homes for their total metamorphosis.

…And The Results Are Incredible

According to Street Art News, the project has had a major impact: as the project began, violence amongst younger people lessened and several jobs were created.

What A Cool Place To Live

452 lucky families are now part of this brilliant rainbow. Now, our homes could use a touch up here and there too. How ‘bout it, German Crew?

7 Reasons NOT to Buy a Home

Celebrate Your Freedom: 7 Reasons NOT to Buy a Home

While buying a home often seems like the mark of adulthood and stability, there are plenty of reasons home ownership is not all it's cracked up to be. So whether you aren't in a position to buy a home at this point or you just aren't sure about taking the plunge, here are some reasons to celebrate your non-homeowner freedom.

 

1. You're not responsible for home repairs and maintenance.

If you buy a home, get ready to take on the management and expense of every single thing that goes wrong. And it's not just the things that break or fall apart like the leak that springs under the sink or the drain pipe that collapses underground. You're also responsible for replacing things that only have a limited lifespan: water heater, A/C unit, roof. The list goes on, and the repairs aren't cheap.
Maintenance is also a major expense: cleaning the cement and the outside of the house, landscaping, pumping the septic tank (theoretically, you shouldn't have to do this, but it's a possibility), changing outdoor light bulbs, termite bonds, performing other pest control, and repairing fencing, plus all the tools to do these things or the funds to pay for someone else to do them. Overwhelming? Yeah. This list should definitely make a possible future home buyer take pause.

 

2.You aren't tied down to one place.

If you are going to buy a house, you should plan, according to Moneyning, to stay put for at least five years. So much can happen in five years, as we all know- big things and little things. You could simply get tired of your neighborhood; get a new job in another part of town or even across the country; have children and need to put them in school — in a better school district that's not where you live; or you may want to move to be near an elderly or ailing parent or other family member. With the amount of reasons, many beyond our control or even imagining, that could necessitate our need and desire to go somewhere else, it's somewhat perplexing that we choose to be tied down to one place.

 

3. You aren't throwing money away.

Yes, this a reason not to buy, though it's so often tossed about as a reason not to rent. Though it might feel good to make a monthly mortgage payment to "pay into" something that in 25 years will be yours, buying a house still involves a good amount of money down the drain. Closing costs, property taxes, interest, HOA fees, and tying up the money you're putting down (not to mention all the money you have to pay for repairs and maintenance), is all money that's going out. (Yes, there are write-offs, but check out this math from Forbes.)

 

4. No pressure to remodel.

Another resounding reason people strive to own is so that they can make a place "their own," whether this is through tearing down walls, having a unique backsplash, or the freedom to paint rooms to their hearts' content. But keep in mind that these things are yet another expense. Indeed, if you stay in your purchased home for an extended period of time or you buy an older, outdated home, updating will probably become a compulsory expense when it's time to sell. But it's more than possible to make a place yours even if you're renting. In fact, without the pressure to make a place your own through tearing things down and building them back up, you enjoy freedom in your limitation: all your creativity is funneled to the non-permanent options you have for personalization.

 

5. You will have more of that most precious commodity: time.

Without all the time-suckers that home ownership entails, you also have so much more freedom with your time. You won't need to do work on the house, research and hire professionals to do work on your house, research appliances, mow the lawn or trim trees, or budget for all of these! And more!

 

6. You still have capital.

By not buying a home, you retain the capital that would be used for a down payment and can use it to invest in an investment that's not "ugly," as James Altucher describes. Investing in a house, by contrast, he says, is ugly because it's illiquid, has a high leverage, and isn't diverse.

 

7. You won't be saddled with debt.

If you're debt-free, you no doubt value the freedom in that major fact alone. Why enter into a decades-long commitment to pay off hundreds of thousands of dollars? Cherish your freedom and don't give it away too easily to a construct disguised as the American Dream.

Making Small Spaces More Livable

Tried-and-True Tips for Making Small Spaces More Livable

It doesn't matter your home's size — if it feels small to you, look to one of these top tips for maximizing space in a home. Squeezing in as much usable space as possible makes rooms their most livable by helping a home function smoothly, keeping claustrophobic feelings (and clutter) at bay, and making a home (even a tiny one!) feel more spacious. Here are six tips that might make your small space more enjoyable to live in.
Small is, after all, highly subjective. For some, a 400 square foot space is small, but manageable. For a larger family, a 1000 square foot house could seem way too tiny. No matter the square footage, it really comes down to being smart about storage and making your space as efficient as possible. So keep these tips in your design tool belt. Not every space will need each idea to be implemented to be successfully space-maximized (and some spaces might not benefit from a darn one). But these are tried-and-true ideas that have worked for countless real small spaces in the past and they just might help your home. And folks who aren't saddled with small spaces? You can still benefit from these time-tested ideas.

1. Go vertical
Get creative when it comes to finding extra storage in your space. What about the area above your cabinets? Is there space above any doors for room for a shelf or two or three? Take a look in your closet. Is there wasted space above your clothes rack? There's just almost always some high spot you can take advantage of when you really take a look at your small space. You can even explore this idea with simple-to-install wall hooks. And yes, storage isn't the only thing that can go vertical; if you've got the DIY spirit and high ceilings, consider adding actual space up high like a loft bedroom. Here are some ideas to inspire vertical storage in your own space:

• Roundup: Making Use of Vertical Space
• Small Space Solution: Going Vertical
• The Secrets Behind Great Small Spaces
• Small Space Storage: 8 Ways to Go Vertical loft bedroom.

2. Make room dividers functional storage solutions
Some small spaces like studios require a visual divider to make a space its most livable. Don't waste what could be a great opportunity to add more storage. Instead of just a thin divider, consider a bookshelf or other storage solution so you can make your divider help tame clutter as well as visually divide a space into usable areas. Some ideas to consider:

• 5 Smart Ways to Divide a Room
• More Bang for Your Buck: Double-Duty Furniture Ideas
• Room Dividing Solutions for Studios
• Inspiration: Using a Bookcase as a Room Divider

3. Conceal
Nothing makes a small space seem smaller — and more claustrophobic — than being able to see everything. So consider all the concealing methods available to you. Curtains and other textiles are great and easy to hang across doorways and over shelving. Investing in lidded boxes and baskets you like the look of to hide loose objects is a great idea. Furniture with built-in, hidden storage is worth the investment. Ideas to consider:

• Decorator's Trick: Curtains On Bookshelves
• Smart Storage Lessons: 10 Ideas from Small Spaces
• Stylish Storage: 10 Best Ways to Organize Your Entryway
• Small Space Solutions: 5 Stylish & Modern Storage Beds 

4. Declutter
Sorry — are you sick of hearing about this? But it's honestly it's the best tip for maximizing space in your home (or you know, not having as much stuff you need to find space to store it in). We've posted about it tons of times, and certainly there are plenty of tips to try out. But honestly? The most important thing to try to remember is the idea of learning to let go of your stuff. Instead of holding on to everything or even bringing stuff into the home, consider asking yourself every time your hands are on an object, "Do I really need this?"

5. Consider double-duty solutions
Creating a room that pulls double-duty is more than just saying you're going to do more than one task in a room. It's about figuring out what each task might need to be its most successful, and making sure you have the right furnishings that allow you to do both tasks calmly and easily. In fact we wrote about double duty rooms this morning. Inspiration:

• 10 Beautiful Spaces That Do Double Duty
• Small Space Solutions: 8 Double-Duty Rooms That Work – And Why They Do 

6. Customize for the perfect fit
Sometimes a little DIY spirit and elbow grease is needed to maximize space. When you take control of building furnishings, storage and more, you can control the size of what you're making (perfect for squeezing into tight or oddly shaped spaces) and also plan ahead for what kind of things you'll need to display and store in the future. Not everyone lives in the kind of home that can be customized, but if you do, we highly recommend taking out the tools.
What do you think are the most important methods to try when it comes to maximizing space in small homes? What tried-and-true tips and ideas have worked for you over the years?

The Dirty Little Secret of Small Space Living

The Dirty Little Secret of Small Space Living

Maybe you’ve wondered, as you flipped through tours of impossibly uncluttered, impossibly small spaces on sites like ours: where is all the stuff? Do these people really not own anything? And if not, where does it all go? Of course, there are all kinds of different answers: extreme minimalism. Clever storage solutions. A little bit of cheating (aka mini storage). But there’s another solution that a lot of small space dwellers probably won’t admit to, one so simple, in fact, that you may be using it yourself without even thinking about it.
I was reminded of this when I posted my own small space manifesto earlier this year, about how happy and peaceful my little 260 square foot apartment made me feel. I got an indignant phone call from my mother, who wanted to know if I had admitted to the Apartment Therapy community that the reason my small space was so uncluttered and zen-y was that half of my stuff was still at my parent’s house.
Er.
So there you have it: my dirty secret, and, I suspect, a lot of other tiny apartment dwellers’ dirty secret as well — mom and dad’s place as storage facility. Since then, at my mother’s urging, I’ve gotten rid of a lot of the things taking up space at her house, but my childhood bedroom (nearly the size of the apartment I live in now!) is still full of sentimental things I don’t need close but can’t bear to part with, and other less sentimental things that I might need someday and can pick up (or have shipped) if I need to.
The takeaway? Sometimes perfect house tours don’t tell the whole story, and sometimes even the most extreme minimalists need a little help. Is this something that you do? If so, it might not hurt to go down for the weekend and do a little sorting — or just call mom and dad and give them a hearty thank you.

Outdoor Kitchens

16 Chic Outdoor Kitchens Serving Up Nothing But Backyard Envy

It’s long been trendy to design a home that brings the outdoors in, so it only follows that now that’s what’s inside is headed out – particularly by way of popular outdoor kitchens. These al fresco cooking spaces are full-on gourmet, often centered around a grill, but also with specialty items like pizza ovens, wine coolers, and warming drawers. Installing an entire second kitchen doesn’t come cheap – figure $3,000 up to $30,000 for custom work – but hey, the spot to whip up a four-course meal will be steps away from your hammock. We’ve pulled together some envy-inducing standouts.

Homey Touches Taken Outdoors

This covered outdoor kitchen borrows liberally from the indoors – stained glass artwork, a fireplace and mantle, a set of high-back chairs – to create this cozy outdoor nook. Surrounding greenery acts as a natural wall. Credit: Quawoo

Mmm, An Outdoor Wood-Burning Pizza Oven

This intimate backyard space filled with rustic furniture can turn out restaurant-worthy wood-fired pizza, thanks to it’s built in brick pizza oven. (We’re coming over!)  Credit: Sandy Koepke/Wood Stone via HGTV.

The Most Charming Place Ever To Can Preserves

The owners of adorable getaway “Villa Else” in Denmark’s Søllerød Nature Reserve take advantage of their compact outdoor kitchen to make preserves during apple and plum picking seasons. Photograph by Stuart McIntyre via KML Design.

Plenty Of Space To Serve A Crowd

This sheltered backyard houses a full-service kitchen including a grill, pizza oven, storage, and counter space – plus a lengthy table for hosting all your friends. Credit: HGTV

One Dreamy Kitchen Patio

Once a crumbling, dilapitated wall, this two-story apartment in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood was re-envisioned as a double-height wall of windows that look out over the airy outdoor kitchen and patio. Credit: Elizabeth Roberts via Remodelista

Cute, Compact, and Convenient

Hardwood countertops, barstool seating, and large stainless steel grill stand ready for action on this deck. Dangling glass frame pendant lights add a roomy vibe. Credit: Zillow

Partially Enclosed, Fully Stocked

An wooden awning covers and protects the kitchen area that hugs this house, making it easy to store every little kitchen convenience without fear of weather damage. Credit: Huis Styling

An Indoor Kitchen’s Fraternal Twin

Cleverly mirroring the internal kitchen’s design, this outdoor kitchen takes its design cues from the kitchen cabinets and stainless steel appliances inside. The result is seamless and striking. Credit: Sublime Group

A Spacious Brooklyn Backyard

After being devastated by Hurricane Sandy, this Red Hook outdoor space was recreated with custom cedar cabinetry, stainless counters, and glossy dark floors. Credit: New Eco Landscapes

This One Is A Total Wow

Just look at all that stainless equipment! Plus, just beyond the soothing Mediterranean-style kitchen lies an equally atmospheric hang-out area. Credit: Reynolds-Gualco Design

Stone And Steel, Baby 

BTW, the image shows only one corner of this massive stone-hewn kitchen; there’s a refrigerator, sink, and even more counter space on the opposite side. Credit: Anthony Albert Studios

Bells and Whistles, Galore!

This breezy kitchen seriously has it all: a wood burning pizza oven, grill, side burner, egg smoker, sink, refrigerator, trash chute, serving station, and plenty of storage. Credit: AguaTerra Outdoors

An Outdoor Entertainment Pavilion

Centered around the built-in grill, this partially enclosed patio kitchen hasthe added comfort of a cooling fan. Credit: Conrado Home Builders

Shiny Stainless Steel Style

According to Lord Design, this unused covered area was sandwiched between the home and a covered outdoor dining area – so transforming it into an outdoor kitchen only seemed logical. There’s an icemaker, Kegerator, refrigerator and a resaturant-worthy grill. Credit: Steve Etinge for Lord Design

A Zig-Zag Hub

This outdoor kitchen zigs, zags, and holds its own as a free-standing cooking-eating station. Credit: Quawoo

What a View!

We’d be cooking non-stop in this beauty just for the pleasure of staring out at the water while chopping. Credit: Quawoo

Homes with Pools You’ll Want to Dive Into

Homes with Pools You’ll Want to Dive Into

Having a swimming pool in the backyard might be the ultimate fantasy for a water lover. The privacy afforded by this luxury is unmatched. The most swoon-worthy pools create a beautiful addition to your landscape. Whether they serve as entertainment for children or a form of exercise for adults, on a hot summer day, nothing is more inviting on the eyes or body. Here are 11 examples of pools anyone would love to have in their yard.

Dive-In Movie, Anyone?

What better way to watch a movie than in the privacy of your backyard. With projection screens readily available for outdoor use, it’s possible to lie on a float, drink in hand, and view your favorite movie.

Unique Water Features

Who needs a trip to a waterpark when you have a waterslide like this at home.

Falling Water

Kids and adults alike will revel in the pleasure of these spa features.

Temporary Solutions

Inflatable options abound for those not looking to make a permanent change.

Fenced In

Fencing in a pool is a necessity with young children at home. A wall made of hedges is a natural option – if you have the space

Picket Fences

There are countless attractive alternatives to mesh fencing like this traditional wooden fence.

Frame It

Modern glass walls are the ultimate in poolside safety.

Lap Pools

For those who view the water as a means of exercise, a lap pool is your answer.

Different Strokes

With the right decking, an above ground lap pool is not only more affordable, but also creates visual interest for your property.

Fantasy Options

When it comes to customizing your pool, the sky’s the limit. A  built in chaise allows for a refreshing way to enjoy the pool.

Peek-a-boo

Glass viewing walls are becoming a popular addition to high-end pools.

Unique Kitchen Concepts

Unique Kitchen Concepts that Turn the Ordinary Into the Extraordinary

Whether you’re a serious chef or a master microwaver, a beautiful kitchen probably features prominently in the home of your dreams.

High ceilings, beautiful backsplashes, top-of-the-line appliances and striking colors are the stuff of kitchen fantasies, and have us pouring over the pages of Architectural Digest and Elle Décor with wide eyes.

Glossy magazines aside, for most of us, those aren't the sorts of kitchens most of us come home to (for now, at least). More often than not, we’re faced with outdated cooktops and cramped quarters. We find that somehow, no matter how organized we strive to be, there's never enough counter space. (How does that happen?)

Despite our kitchens’ shortcomings, we still manage to create wonderful meals and lasting memories standing around in this less than dream-worthy epicenter of a home. After all, all you really need is a stove and a little creativity.But here are 10 extraordinary kitchens to inspire you when it's finally time to do your dream renovation. Check out the slideshow above and pick your favorite!

After all, it doesn't hurt to dream…