9 Questions to Ask Before You Plan Your New Kitchen

To get your dream kitchen, start with a strong mission and wish list, and consider where you’re willing to compromise

A kitchen renovation can seem daunting at the outset because there so many elements to get right. It’s not just about creating a stunning design, but about planning for its practicality as well. Don’t worry — the journey needn’t be a hard one. These pointers can set you on your way.

72 Tubs That Elevate the Bathroom

Take a tour of boldly colored claw-foot bathtubs, calm-inducing Japanese soakers and custom tubs in every shape and size

Whether chiseled out of stone, made from hammered copper or a vintage claw-foot painted purple, each of these 72 dream tubs makes a dramatic statement in its respective bathroom. Let us know which tub you’d like to take a soak in most.

11 Simple Ways to Update Your Kitchen

Check out these ideas to refresh your cooking space without going for a complete remodel

If you want to refresh your kitchen and aren’t ready to embark on a full remodel just yet, consider these ideas for a speedy update. A designer, remodeler, contractor or specialty pro can help you make the best selections and do the work.

3 Ways Homeowners Customize Master Bath Storage and Style

Custom and semicustom vanities are popular, as are accent walls, the 2019 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study shows

When it comes to a master bathroom remodel, customizing can make a space both more functional and more personalized. Many homeowners are choosing to customize their storage with custom or semicustom vanities, while some are personalizing storage even further with customized medicine cabinets, according to the 2019 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study.

And one-third of homeowners renovating their master bathrooms are adding a custom design touch to these spaces with an accent wall. Read on for more details on the custom touches homeowners are giving their master bathroom remodels now.

13 Alternatives to Plain Wood Floors in the Kitchen

Graphic patterns, surprising transitions and unexpected materials make these kitchen floors stand out

Wood flooring laid in a straight pattern can be a beautiful option for a kitchen and continues to be popular in photos we see uploaded to Houzz. But what if you want a kitchen floor that’s a bit more distinctive? The pros who created the following 13 kitchens demonstrate creative use of materials — including wood — to give these spaces a unique flavor. Which kitchen flooring would you like to see in your own home?

9 Ways To Create The Perfect Home Office

Are you more productive from an office or from your own home? This has been an ongoing debate for some time. Still, there’s something to be said about working from your home.

Home Improvement Projects That Make Homeowners Happier

Certain home remodeling projects are making homeowners happier and proving to be well worth the cost and time when they sell their properties, according to a new survey from the National Association of REALTORS®, which includes insights from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

After completing a home remodeling project, 74% of more than 2,100 consumers surveyed reported having a greater desire to be in their home, 65% say they experienced increased enjoyment, and 77% felt a major source of accomplishment, the 2019 Remodeling Impact Report shows. Researchers examined 20 projects and surveyed REALTORS® and consumers on home renovation projects.

“REALTORS® and homeowners alike recognize the value of taking on a major home remodeling project,” says NAR President John Smaby. “While these tasks can be time-consuming and costly, the projects are well worth the temporary inconveniences, as this report shows, and the final products ultimately reward us with feelings of accomplishment, satisfaction, and higher home values.”

NAR calculated a “joy score” for each home remodeling project studied. The score, a scale from one to 10, is based on homeowners’ overall perceived happiness with their renovations. The higher the joy score for the project, the more homeowners felt satisfaction from it.

Some of the highest joy scores for interior projects centered on complete kitchen renovations, closet renovations, full interior and interior room paint jobs, kitchen upgrades, and basement conversions to living areas.

The exterior jobs with the highest joy scores were new fiberglass or steel front doors, new vinyl and wood windows, and new roofing.

15 Smart Ideas From Beautifully Organized Pantries

See shelf, bin, drawer and lighting setups that can help keep your food and supplies in good order

The pantry is the workhorse of the kitchen. It helps you when you need to get dinner (or breakfast or lunch) on the table and keeps ingredients fresh and cool. But like all hardworking spaces, it can get a little (or a lot) disorganized. Gather inspiration from these beautifully organized spaces, and pick and choose from 15 takeaway tips to get your own pantry in shape.

11 Ways to Age-Proof Your Bathroom

Learn how to create a safe and accessible bathroom without sacrificing style

If you’re planning to stay in your house for the rest of your life, it might be wise to renovate your bathroom with accessible design in mind. Along with kitchens, bathrooms are one of the spaces homeowners use the most. They also happen to be wet zones, which increases the likelihood of slips and falls. That said, reducing slip hazards and ensuring adequate lighting and maximum comfort are vital when creating an age-proof bathing space. These 11 ideas will ensure that your bathroom is safe and easy to use for decades to come.