Who said you have to keep things neutral? Your living room isn't Switzerland-there's no need to play it safe. If you like it loud, don't be shy about turning it up. That's right, go ahead and hoist a flag in your favorite hue, no matter how bright. And a coat of paint is the quickest route to a bright space. Pick the color that floats your boat the most, whether it's marigold, pomegranate, cobalt, or emerald. Sound hard to pull off? Take a look at this gallery to see some of our favorite vibrant gathering spaces, which might just inspire you to take your own living room from comatose to colorful.
By: Penelope Wood
Lucky Stripes
If you love bright colors but can't narrow it down to one, try painting your wall with stripes of all of your favorite hues.
See More of Our Favorite Colorful Living Rooms
Also See: Add a Pop of Color With Wainscot Stripes
So Shocking
Love pink? Don't be shy about it: paint your gathering space in your best and brightest.
See More of Our Favorite Colorful
Blog Posts by This Old House Magazine
5 Spring Weekend Yard and Garden Upgrades
By This Old House Magazine | At Home – Fri, May 4, 2012 5:21 PM EDTTake advantage of the warmer weather and spruce up your outdoor space!
Read More »from 5 Spring Weekend Yard and Garden Upgrades
1. Build a Pyramid TrellisPyramid Trellis
Whether you call it a pyramid, an obelisk, or a tuteur trellis, this distinctive garden structure is a hallmark of cottage style. Trellises have a long history of supporting climbing and vining plants, and the tapered, freestanding version shown here remains a fixture of many an English garden, where it gives clematis and other flowering climbers a sturdy platform and a chance at sun. But we wouldn't fault you for using a trellis in a purely decorative way, either. See step-by-step how to build one!
Related: Flowers that Climb
2. Lay a Stepping-Stone PathStepping Stone Path
A pathway made of stone pavers is a great way to save your lawn from being trampled and compacted by foot traffic. And it certainly is an easy, one-day project for most DIYers. The hardest parts of the process are the labor of mixing the wet stone dust that serves as the pavers' base and then lifting and moving the stones. See10 Edible Flowers for Your Spring Garden
By This Old House Magazine | At Home – Thu, May 3, 2012 12:42 PM EDT
Read More »from 10 Edible Flowers for Your Spring GardenA plateful of pretty blossoms
In the past three years, spending on vegetable gardening has risen 20 percent, while flower sales have dropped. But why choose one over the other? Add color to your garden-and plate-by planting these bright, edible bloomers. -Gillian Barth, This Old House magazine
See all 10 flowers to grow for a plateful of blossoms!
1. VioletsViolets
Plant these springtime annuals in a spot that gets full sun but isn't too hot, and skip commercial fertilizer; bed them with compost material instead. Then, cool off plucked buds by dropping them in ice trays and freezing them into cubes for a festive look in a drink glass. They'll add a perfumed flavor to cocktails and seltzers alike.
RELATED: Easy Upgrades for Weekend DIYers
2. PansiesPansies
Add color to an herb garden with these annuals, which are closely related to violets and enjoy similar growing conditions. Harvest their large flowers for pretty desserts. Brush delicate buds with egg white and dip them in sugar for a candied effect that will enhance theirOutdoor Party Must-haves from Prepara
By This Old House Magazine | At Home – Thu, May 3, 2012 12:32 PM EDT
With the weather warming up, everyone here at TOH is dreaming about relaxing out on the lawn, deck, or patio. Hosting a cook-out or barbecue is probably the most fun (and tasty!) way to enjoy your backyard. (For more on the outdoor space shown above, see Cook Up a Great Outdoor Kitchen). -Karen Ziga for thisoldhouse.com
Dining outdoors requires the right set of tools (think ultimate grill station, not hammer) and practical accessories. Here are a few new items from Prepara that will help keep your guests happy.
Prepara Oil Mister
Salads are a fresh, cool, and healthful addition to warm weather menus. If you aren't a fan of gloppy dressing and wilted greens, try using the Prepara Tabletop Oil Mister (about $20). Create your own flavored oils and mist a thin layer of flavor on salad or veggies off the grill. Everyone will want to know where you nabbed these tabletop accessories, available in bright, contemporary colors that'll jazz up any picnic table.
Prepara Chef's Baster Set
Brushing on your
Read More »from Outdoor Party Must-haves from Prepara3 Uses for Mayonnaise Around the House
By This Old House Magazine | Cleaning Guide – Tue, May 1, 2012 12:41 PM EDT
Read More »from 3 Uses for Mayonnaise Around the HouseMayo is more than a condiment.
Mayo: More Than a Condiment! Who knew that our favored BLT condiment was so versatile around the house? In a pinch, use it to help you tackle these everyday tasks. -Sal Vaglica, This Old House Magazine
See all 10 Uses for Mayonnaise on Thisoldhouse.com!
RELATED: 10 Uses for Vinegar
1. Erase Crayon from WallsErase crayon marks from walls.
Coat doodles on surfaces covered with scrubbable paint. After a few minutes, wipe off the mayo and crayon marks with a damp cloth.
RELATED: 15 Decorative Paint Ideas
2. Remove Sticker ResidueRemove Sticker Residue
Dab mayo on stubborn price tags and the like, let sit for a few minutes, then rub off. The oil dissolves adhesives.
RELATED: 30 Down-and-Dirty Tricks for Big DIY Savings
3. Rub out Water RingsRub Out Water Rings.
Cover water rings on wood furniture with mayo. Let sit for a minute or two. Wipe off and buff with a soft, clean cloth.
See all 10 Uses for Mayonnaise at Thisoldhouse.com.
More tips on Thisoldhouse.com:
10 Uses for Aluminum Foil
10 Uses for Yogurt Cups
10 Uses for Foam Packing Peanuts
10 Uses forBe a Medicine Cabinet MacGyver: Use Dental Floss, Toothpaste, Makeup Brushes and More as DIY Problem Solvers
By This Old House Magazine | At Home – Tue, Apr 10, 2012 5:01 PM EDTLipstick for home improvement? Yup. These items, commonly found in your toiletries bag, can come in handy during your next DIY project. See more advice on how to be a medicine cabinet Macgyver on thisoldhouse.com. -Amy R. Hughes
Read More »from Be a Medicine Cabinet MacGyver: Use Dental Floss, Toothpaste, Makeup Brushes and More as DIY Problem SolversDental Floss
1. Dental Floss
Fill in fissures. Pull a length of thin and sturdy dental floss taut and use it to work glue into splits and cracks in woodwork.
Photo: Jessica Kaufman
RELATED: Wood Glue Guide--Which Goes Where?Toothpaste
2. Toothpaste
Polish metal. Make brass and silver shine with a non-abrasive toothpaste. Apply the polish with an old, soft-bristled toothbrush and rub it in with a lint-free rag.
RELATED: Surprise Spring CleanersNail Polish Remover
3. Nail Polish Remover
Clean up glue. Put some acetone nail polish remover on a rag to wipe off insulating foam sealant before it dries permanently.
RELATED: Kitchen-Drawer EssentialsBaby Oil
4. Baby Oil
Save stone. Baby oil is just your basic mineral oil with a little added fragrance; rub it into a soapstone countertop to hide a scratch and toSafe Ways to Handle Hazardous Household Products
By This Old House Magazine | At Home – Mon, Apr 9, 2012 4:32 PM EDT
Read More »from Safe Ways to Handle Hazardous Household Products
What to Toss? What to Replace?It's tempting to toss old paint, leftover cleaners, or even a busted VCR into the regular trash. But throwing away hazardous household products (HHPs)- defined as those with components that are flammable, explosive, corrosive, or toxic-without proper safeguards endangers human health and pollutes our land, water, and air. In addition to items such as paints and solvents, HHPs also include everyday products like bleach, which is corrosive, and home electronics, many of which contain mercury or lead. Bob Broz, an assistant professor at the University of Missouri's College of Food Systems and Bioengineering, offers these tips for reducing your use of HHPs and getting rid of old ones. -Keith Pandolfi
RELATED: Surprise Spring CleanersGive Away LeftoversTIP: Give Away Leftovers
Your next-door neighbor or even a local nonprofit organization might need the half cans of paint and stain that might otherwise gather dust in your workshop. Community gardens will often accept extra and unopened fertilizers andAmerica's Ugliest Kitchens (and How They Became Beautiful)
By This Old House Magazine | At Home – Fri, Apr 6, 2012 3:36 PM EDTSee how these homeowners turned the (often hideous) kitchens they had into the kitchens of their dreams
Before
Reviving a Tudor Revival Kitchen
A '60s redo had nixed this kitchen's stylistic connection to the 1920s house.
After
Reviving a Tudor Revival Kitchen
The new great-room kitchen has lots of seating and open sightlines to neighboring rooms, as well as more than twice as many storage cabinets. Now the homeowners can monitor both their homemade Italian "gravy" and the kids' TV time from inside, and there's plenty of room for friends and extended family to gather. They capped the bay windows, richly stained cherry cabinets, and granite countertops with a detailed coffered ceiling. The result? A kitchen with 21st-century function tucked in a space with the finely crafted details of decades gone by. See more of this breathtaking transformation in Reviving a Tudor Revival-Style Kitchen.
RELATED: The Ultimate Open-Plan Kitchen
Before$6,000 Kitchen Redo
Dingy vinyl floors, yellow laminate counters, and dark cabinets made this 1970s kitchen feel dated and Read More »from America's Ugliest Kitchens (and How They Became Beautiful)Top 10 Disasters that Can Hit Your House While You're on Vacation
By This Old House Magazine | At Home – Tue, Apr 3, 2012 10:59 AM EDT
Read More »from Top 10 Disasters that Can Hit Your House While You're on VacationPhoto: Roy Ritchie/Getty Images
For most, a spring break is supposed to be a time for fun and relaxation. But if your heart is on vacation while your head is worrying about home, you won't get much out of your time off. Don't forget that spring also brings the risk of heavy rainfall or surprise heat waves. That's why we've brought you this handy guide of the top 10 bad things that can befall your house when you leave it alone. Don't fret-we also share with you expert advice on how to avoid these pitfalls. That way, you can take off worry-free, and know that there will still be a house standing when you pull back into the drive. -JEANNE BARON
Thieves Take All Your StuffPhoto: Greenshoots Communications/Alamy
Unmowed grass, piles of newspapers, and revealing posts on Facebook might as well be an open invitation to burglars, says Ralph Sevinor, President of Wayne Alarm Systems in Lynn, Massachusetts. Sevinor suggests putting a hold on the mail, asking a neighbor to park in the drive, testing your alarm system, and keeping your travel plans off the4 Wallet-Friendly Curb Appeal Makeovers
By This Old House Magazine | At Home – Tue, Apr 3, 2012 10:52 AM EDTWe've all been taught that it's what's on the inside that counts; but when it comes to your home, the outside is certainly just as important. A drab exterior can make you cringe every time you approach the front door, while a handsome, thoughtfully designed one can turn the experience into a true pleasure. The good news is that you don't have to spend a bundle to enjoy a happy trip up your walkway. Budget-friendly shortcuts, such as reusing old hardware or choosing high-quality replicas of expensive materials-plus some good old sweat equity-can lead to major transformations. They can even put big projects, like adding on a new porch, within reach. Need proof? Read on. -Jessica Dodell-Feder
Read More »from 4 Wallet-Friendly Curb Appeal Makeovers
See MORE smart budget curb appeal makeovers at thisoldhouse.com
A Charmer Revealed: Before
Before
An overgrown yard detracted from the sweet architecture of this 1938 cottage in Carlton, Oregon. By clearing the space, homeowners Darci and Matt Haney brought the focus back to the front door-and all the
