Outdoor Living 401 Ideabooks

If you're looking to add vibrance to your porch, amp up the color. We've already discussed how to do this using plants, and now we're ready bring... more »

Mention the term "cottage garden" and most of us imagine a colorful, fragrant garden filled with billowing perennials, all surrounded by a picket fence. Ornaments, trellises, arbors and benches are nestled among the plants, and a simple path leads to... more »

On a recent trip to Mexico, I had two things on my must-buy list: an authentic mortar and pestle and a serious hammock. Classic hammocks are a staple in Mexico — you'll see them everywhere, in places from the simplest shack to the most luxurious mansion.... more »

The idea of balance is deeply ingrained in our DNA. We humans couldn't walk without balance. We feel at peace when a scene is visually balanced; we are agitated when what we see appears out of balance. We almost instinctively know "good balance" when... more »

Details often determine a purchase: the stitching on a jacket, the neat switches on a toaster or the smooth metal trim on an iPhone. Gardens are the same — those small touches of brilliance in the details complete the picture. If we look carefully... more »

There is something so romantic about watching movies outdoors. The big screen, snuggling up under blankets when it gets chilly and being able to grab whatever you like to eat or drink from the house top my list of reasons to try this at home. Check out... more »

By now you should be getting ready for the official beginning of patio party time. Kicking off on Memorial Day, this time of year means gathering outside, grilling and frolicking for at least three months. Consider the different events that could drive... more »

I am just a total sucker for creative, cheap design ideas. As much as I would love to have a landscape designer at my disposal, I also love these creative little twists for sprucing up a garden without much of a budget. These little gems are... more »

The trees are leafing out, the flowers are blooming, the rains are finishing up and the mercury is rising. May is a glorious, busy month in the garden. Break out your clippers and snip arrangements to brighten your interiors, and keep an eye out for... more »

Six years ago this garden in Massachusetts was a neglected landscape overrun with invasives like poison ivy, bittersweet and euonymus. However, a couple with a 2-year-old son and a dog saw past the tangled yard, drawn to the property's woodland setting... more »

Dining on the porch brings the best of both worlds. Whether out front or out back, screened or open, having a meal on the porch allows you to enjoy the fresh air and outdoor views without having to pack a basket or cram together on a picnic blanket. Here... more »

Damage to outdoor furniture is inevitable. Whether you've invested in industrial-grade metal or scored something plastic on the cheap, varnishes, paints and finishes eventually break down from the elements. Sunshine is one of the trickiest to watch out... more »

Having trouble heading back inside as sunny spring days turn cold at sunset? Outdoor fire features are a great way to extend the livability of your outdoor space into the evening. While fire pits and fire as art are all the rage, the traditional fireplace... more »

Fire and water make great focal points, but they are often high-maintenance additions to your landscape. There are plenty of other ways to draw eyes in a particular direction. Here are four focal points that are easy to integrate in a garden setting,... more »

We've been chatting about porches for weeks, but we have yet to talk about one of the most important elements on the porch so far: plants. From small pots to large urns, hanging plants to terrariums, foliage and flowers are porch must-haves. Here's are... more »