With summer just around the corner, are you dreaming of a backyard oasis?

These projects can transform your outdoor space into the perfect summer retreat.

Install a Patio
Whether you lay your own pavers or hire a professional to pour concrete, adding a patio creates an ideal outdoor gathering space.

Bring in Some Shade
Block the intense summer sun with a gazebo or pergola. Both options add beauty to your backyard while offering a shady place to relax.

Build a Garden Shed
A shed is a smart way to add storage for yard tools, lawn mowers and more. For a cohesive look, choose a style and color that complement your home.

Light the Way
Landscape lighting adds elegance and provides safety. Consider installing LED lights to illuminate walkways, stairs and landscape features.

Create a Rain Garden
A beautiful rain garden can be a low-maintenance addition to your yard. Rainwater from a downspout can be channeled into a shallow depression in the ground filled with native plants.

Include a Privacy Fence
If you can easily peer into your next door neighbor’s yard, they can likely see into yours. A privacy fence adds interest and beauty while limiting your neighbor’s view of your outdoor space.

Install a Hammock
Enjoy the tranquility of your yard in a relaxing hammock. If you don’t have appropriately spaced trees, consider building or purchasing a hammock stand.

Fire It Up
A fire pit or table can be a functional focal point that encourages your family to spend more time outdoors, even as summer’s warmth begins to fade.

Did you know you can enjoy a hobby, soak up the sun and help preserve the earth all at the same time? In fact, you can do all this and more right in your backyard. Experts say planting in even a tiny bit of soil can offset carbon emissions. So, from trees to vegetables, here are a few tips to get started.

• Plant a tree — or multiple trees if space allows — in your backyard. If putting trees in the ground isn’t an option, consider planting them in large pots. Your local garden center is an excellent resource for advice on tree selection and will help you choose species appropriate to your climate.
• If space is limited, start a patio garden with herbs, strawberries and cherry tomatoes.
• Recycled wooden barrels and pallets make perfect homes for a variety of plants. Nestle herbs or flowers in old wheelbarrows or turn antiquated ladders into trellises for climbing flowers like nasturtiums or clematises and vegetables like pole beans, cucumbers or peas.
• Rather than tilling existing dirt, which disrupts organisms and soil structure, purchase or construct a permanent, raised bed. Fill the bed with compost, old newspapers, grass clippings, and other organic materials.
• Plant perennial vegetables like asparagus, artichokes and rhubarb, which grow every year with minimal maintenance and are all healthy, edible and delicious.
• Reduce costs by asking friends who garden for some plant cuttings. You can also save money by starting from seeds rather than buying plants already rooted in pots. It takes a bit longer to see results, but it’s so satisfying to reap the fruits of your labor.

One of the challenges of living in an older house is keeping your energy costs down. Here are a few strategies to increase your home’s energy efficiency.

Insulate
Adding another layer to existing insulation can help maintain a comfortable temperature throughout your house, which allows your HVAC system to work more efficiently.

Use LED Light Bulbs
It might be time to update your light bulbs if you’re still using the incandescent variety. LEDs use 90% less energy than traditional bulbs and can last up to 25 times longer.

Fix Drafty Doors and Windows
Simply caulking or applying weather stripping around doors and windows can save you up to 20% on energy costs. Or consider replacing old doors and windows with new, vintage-style replicas.

Add a Heat Pump
Energy-efficient heat pumps heat and cool a home, so you won’t need separate heating and cooling systems.

One of life’s simple luxuries is an evening spent outdoors delighting in the warmth and soft breezes of the season. But time and weather can take a toll on porches, decks and patios, so consider these do’s and don’ts for your outdoor living space.

DO pressure wash and stain wood decks every couple of years. DON’T use harsh chemicals like bleach on hardwood or natural stone, and avoid stiff wire brushes. DON’T sand unless necessary, but DO fix loose nails and split boards. DON’T forget to routinely check railings and stairs.

To protect wood decks and porches, DO use a 2-in-1 product that stains and seals in one step. Natural stone patios generally DON’T require sealing unless you prefer a shiny, wet look.

DO keep spaces clear of debris and leaves, which can trap moisture and cause mold and mildew. DO move furniture and rugs around once a year, especially in damp climates, to prevent moisture from settling in.

DO put up some twinkly lights, relax and enjoy your outdoor space.

Smart home appliances can make your life easier, and if you’re renovating your home, you’re likely wondering if they’re a worthwhile addition to your new-and-improved space. They have plenty of benefits: Everything from smart refrigerators, oven ranges, thermostats, monitoring systems, plugs, light bulbs, and even locks can offer you complete remote control over the things you use most. They allow you to set schedules, create routines, and program them to work while you’re away—and they’re typically user-friendly enough that just about anyone can effectively utilize them. However, not all smart home appliances were created equal, which is why you should investigate their pros and cons thoroughly before bringing one (or several) into your house.