Summer will soon be knocking at your door, begging you to come outside and spend time in its warm sunshine. The nicer weather means hosting family barbecues and parties, kicking back in the shade with a good book or floating around in the pool, allowing the stresses of everyday life to slowly drift away. Outdoor Seating - Sectional Is your back yard ready for all of the summertime fun? More specifically, take a good look at your patio furniture. Perhaps certain pieces should be spruced up or repurposed, while others may need to be replaced altogether. Whether you’re dealing with a big or small project, don’t let the details intimidate you. With the right preparation and planning, you can transform your outdoor living space into an oasis where everyone can relax and enjoy themselves. Choose Your Aesthetic Before you dive into an outdoor renovation and end up feeling like you’re drowning in all of the possibilities and decisions, take some time to think about how you envision your new space. How will you be using it? Do you spend more time entertaining or relaxing? What kind of seating do you need? Does it need to be kid- and/or pet-friendly? Do you prefer clean, modern lines or playful, colorful textures? Do you like harder surfaces, such as wood, or softer ones, like cushions? Addressing these questions should help you narrow down the outdoor seating options that work best for your family. Get Trendy Once you’ve honed in on your desired aesthetic, start putting your ideas into action. Looking at this year’s trends can help. For instance, the biggest trend of 2017 is bringing the indoor look outdoors. This theme incorporates plush sofas made from durable fabrics, side tables, ottomans, vibrant-colored throw pillows and outdoor rugs. To protect their outdoor living room, many homeowners also opt for a patio cover, which can be either a hard cover or soft awning. Outdoor Seating - Benches This year’s outdoor furniture also blends wood-grain finishes with worn surface textures and pairs neutral colors with pastels for a washed-out effect. When it comes to dining tables and chairs, classic wrought-iron tea garden furniture is always in style. Go Green Adding a new chair or replacing an entire outdoor living room can be a great opportunity to bring in materials that look great and are also good for the environment. You can make your own (try these ideas from WooHome) or purchase eco-friendly furniture from shops such as Breezesta and Viesso, which offer “green” seating options in a variety of styles and colors. Create A Warm Front While you’ll probably focus on furnishing your back yard, don’t forget to pay some attention to the front of your house, too. Curb appeal counts – it’s the first thing your friends and neighbors see, so making a good impression is a must. Be sure to keep the area clean. As for décor, don’t over-decorate. A simple rocking chair or swing can generate a warm, welcoming feeling for all. Stay On Budget Outdoor Seating - Wicker Whether money is no object or you follow a strict budget, options are available for every wallet. High-end luxury furniture sites such as Frontgate, offer posh designer couches, mosaic dining tables, cushioned hammocks and even a hanging daybed. However, affordable, luxurious-looking options are available, too — especially if you’re not afraid to roll up your sleeves and do some of the work yourself. Pinterest provides countless design inspirations for do-it-yourselfers, such as repurposing an old tire into a cushioned seat and building a lawn chair using wood pallets, among others. Plus, check out money-saving suggestions from Better Homes and Gardens’ Budget-Friendly Ideas for Outdoor Rooms, DIY Network’s 10 Outdoor Rooms on a Budget and HGTV’s 25 Budget-Friendly Ideas for Small Outdoor Spaces. Remember, you don’t have to do everything at once. Concentrate on small areas and budget your time and money for the items that will best fit each space. Have you recently redone your outdoor living space? We’d love to see photos! Post them in the comments below.

This driveway design features our Blu 80 Slate paver. The best-selling driveway paver with a natural stone look. Our Blu 80mm slate textured paver is now available in our new HD2 technology and is offered in vibrant and neutral colors. For decorative landscape stonework options around the Blu 80 mm, the Blu 6 × 13 mm is packaged separately and can also be used alone for a large-scale herringbone pattern. Great for driveways and all exterior spaces exposed to vehicular traffic. This pavement is also de-icing salt resistant, and withstands harsh climates.Blu 80 mm can also be installed in a permeable application. Check out our website to shop the look! https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/pavers/blu-80-slate/

This Brizo Kitchen Faucet Features: Finish: Stainless Length: 11.5 Height: 15.91 Width: 6.53 SmartTouch Technology with TempID – tap on/off functionality with temperature indicating LED light MagneDock Technology – magnetic docking system Diamond Seal Technology Euro-motion Diamond Valve with InnoFlex waterways Touch-Clean nozzles – swipe away mineral deposits Two-button, four-function wand: spray, stream, volume control and pause 1-hole installation Spout swivels 360° Accommodates up to 3" deck thickness Comes with standard fittings Optional A/C adapter EP73954 Maximum 1.8 gpm @ 60 PSI, 6.8 L/Min @ 414 kPa One, two, three, or four hole mount(escutcheon optional) Control mechanism shall be full-motion valve cartridge Rotating spout Red/blue indicator markings Four-function wand; Aerated stream, full spray, volume control, and pause (64003LF) Two-function wand; Aerated stream and full spray(64903LF) Dual integral check valves in sprayer LED indicator light signals on-off, water temperature and when batteries run low Uses 6 AA (included) or 6 C (optional) batteries Optional (EP73954) 120V AC adapter available(3 prong grounded outlet required) Quick connect hoses Note: See 63903LF-* for matching bar/prep

This driveway design is inspired by our Blu 80 Slate paver. The best-selling driveway paver with a natural stone look. Our Blu 80mm slate textured paver is now available in our new HD2 technology and is offered in vibrant and neutral colors. For decorative landscape stonework options around the Blu 80 mm, the Blu 6 × 13 mm is packaged separately and can also be used alone for a large-scale herringbone pattern. Great for driveways and all exterior spaces exposed to vehicular traffic. This pavement is also de-icing salt resistant, and withstands harsh climates.Blu 80 mm can also be installed in a permeable application. Check out our website to shop the look! https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/pavers/blu-80-slate/

Great room - contemporary medium tone wood floor great room idea in New York with white walls

The light and dark blue tones in this World Map wallpaper design brings depth and variation to this bedroom. A wonderful kid's bedroom that has been brought together by this large scale world map mural.

Freestanding bathtub - transitional freestanding bathtub idea in Boise

Located in Center City, this Philadelphia condo takes color to a whole new level. The kitchen cabinetry is a mixture of blue painted wood and black melamine cabinets. The countertops and backsplash are made from different quartz products to tie everything together.

This backyard patio design is inspired by our Hexa 60 patio slab. Inspired by the traditional hexagon paver, the Hexa 60 adds a modern twist to its predecessor. This patio slab is taking center stage in landscaping, providing a unique geometric look that blends seamlessly in modern outdoor spaces. From patios, to walkways and any other pedestrian-friendly environment, the Hexa 60 will add instant visual appeal to any exterior! Check out our website to shop the look!

In 2026, DIY home design and renovation will become easier than ever. Free mobile apps like Houzz, Homestyler, and Planner 5D will put professional tools in everyone’s pocket, letting users visualize layouts, test colors, and estimate costs before buying materials. Experts predict that over 50% of homeowners will use apps to plan upgrades. It will save money and reduce costly mistakes. Even now, about 54% prefer mobile tools. Why Mobile Apps are Changing Home Renovation DIY renovation has changed a lot in recent years. Homeowners don’t have to rely on sketches or guesswork anymore. Thanks to AR, AI, and 3D renderings, apps can show exactly how furniture and cabinets will fit. By 2026, many of these tools will be free - and packed with features that rival expensive software. With just a smartphone, anyone can try out layouts, test colors, and even create detailed floor plans. The Tech Behind Modern Design Apps Most renovation apps now leverage AI to generate design suggestions. They are based on your space and preferences. Upload a photo of your room. The algorithms will check the sizes, lighting, and features. Then, they’ll suggest furniture layouts or color schemes. Some apps use your phone’s camera and sensor. They make accurate measurements, so you won’t need tape measures or notepads. Top Free Apps Transforming DIY Projects Houzz continues to lead the pack with its massive photo library and ability to connect users with local contractors. The platform now gives AI design suggestions. It looks at your style preferences across millions of professional spaces. For anyone serious about planning their next project, exploring comprehensive resources helps narrow down what works. It’s just like in iGaming, where review platforms like Slotzilla help gamblers to find casinos with user-friendly tools, bonus rounds, and progressive jackpots that will work for them. Planner 5D shines with realistic 3D renderings and a huge furniture catalog, letting you switch between 2D plans and 3D walkthroughs - even in VR. Room Planner helps you design practical layouts. You can easily arrange furniture and check dimensions. It offers real-time 3D views and features items from real brands. Apps for Specific Renovation Tasks Not every project needs full 3D renderings - sometimes you just want to try paint colors or test tile patterns. ColorSnap by Sherwin-Williams uses AR to show colors on your actual walls and even matches shades from photos. Magicplan makes creating floor plans easy by measuring rooms with your phone as you walk around. Both apps help plan renovations and communicate ideas without the guesswork. Budget Tracking and Project Management Renovation apps do more than make spaces look good - managing budgets and timelines is just as important. HomeZada even uses AI to predict your budget and track material prices, so DIYers don’t get hit with surprise costs. Trello is a lifesaver - set deadlines, track progress, and share updates with anyone helping on the project. How Apps Reflect 2026 Design Trends This year’s popular apps reflect the largest home design trends. Colorful rooms are on the rise. Zillow shows a 149% increase in listings. Plus, apps like Houzz let users test bold shades before making a choice. Cozy reading nooks are also on the rise, showing up in nearly half of listings. Renovation apps now provide templates. They include tips for shelves and lighting. This helps create cozy, thoughtful spaces. Here’s a quick comparison of what different free apps offer: App name Best feature Learning curve Platform Houzz 25M+ inspiration photos Easy iOS, Android Planner 5D Photorealistic 3D renders Moderate iOS, Android, Web Room Planner Accurate measurements Easy iOS, Android Magicplan Auto floor plan creation Easy iOS, Android Natural materials and earthy tones will lead design trends in 2026. Warm neutrals will take over from the grey-and-white minimalism of the last ten years. The AI Revolution in Home Design AI is no longer just a gimmick in renovation apps. Chat features can suggest furniture layouts, color palettes, and materials for your budget. It’s like having a designer on call. Renovate AI turns photos of your room into multiple style ideas in seconds, from mid-century to rustic farmhouse. It’s great for brainstorming and getting past the “I don’t know what I want” stage. Practical Tips for Using Renovation Apps Getting the most from design apps requires a strategic approach. Here are essential steps every DIYer should follow: Start by gathering inspiration. Look through photo libraries on Houzz or Pinterest. Then, dive into detailed planning. Don’t rely solely on screen colors; get actual paint chips and fabric swatches. Save multiple design versions. Create variations of your plan to compare options side-by-side. This workflow helps you avoid common mistakes. It leads to better design choices before you buy anything. When Apps Aren’t Enough Digital tools can’t do everything. Big structural changes, electrical work, or plumbing always need a pro. Apps are great for planning and talking with contractors, but they can’t replace expertise. And always check textures in real life - that sofa might look perfect on screen, but feel different. The Future of DIY Renovation In 2026, renovation apps will become smarter. They’ll have voice control and better AR. Improved AI will make DIY design feel more like professional services. Creating beautiful, functional spaces is easier than ever. For homeowners, it’s important to use apps that match local materials and building codes. The biggest benefit is confidence - seeing your design in 3D makes projects far less intimidating.