Builder Douglas McCormick told MySA.com, “We’re creatures of comfort. We want the comforts of inside, but we want to be outside. I think that the big thing that has kept people from being outdoors is the temperature. Now there are products that can help regulate (that) more effectively, and people are starting to look at outdoor living as an extension of the inside living area.”

Real estate agent Patti Nelson agreed, telling MySA.com, “Before, you couldn’t put televisions outside because of the glare. But the way TVs are designed now, you can see them even when you’re in the sun.”

If you decide to add an outdoor living space to your home, it’s important to use weatherproof furniture and fabrics that won’t get damaged by rain, sun, or high humidity. Make sure to arrange electronics so that they don’t receive direct sunlight; it’s also important to only use electronics that are compatible with outdoor use.

Instead of one large outdoor space, you can opt for a few smaller spaces, such as an outdoor breakfast nook in one spot, and a fire pit or fireplace area in another. Whatever you choose, be sure to create spaces than fit with your lifestyle and entertaining needs. The more compatible you are with your new outdoor living space, the more likely you are to use and enjoy that space for years to come.

See also:
Urban Industrial Chic

Even if the idea may initially sound incongruous, industrial elements can be quite complementary in a modern house, says designer Emily Henderson, who will host the upcoming HGTV series, Secrets from a Stylist. “If I already have a carved-wood, French-traditional, damask sofa, I probably would mix in more of the wooden industrial pieces than metal,” she says, adding that wood tones are best when they don’t match.

“The huge contrast between industrial and traditional is what makes it work,” Emily explains. “Trying to make everything match color-wise or wood tone-wise can actually do you a disservice.” She suggests experimenting: put a vintage piece of machinery on a sleek coffee table, or a tall, industrial lamp next to an overstuffed chair. This sort of stylistic contrast is better when interspersed throughout your home, rather than concentrated in a single room.

Los Angeles-based designer Betsy Burnham agrees. “The last thing you want to do is walk into a Colonial house and have one room look like an East Village loft and the others looking like Colonial Williamsburg. It’s all about the right mix of things. Any one style done too literally is a mistake anyway, especially in 2011. We want to mix.”

Interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn says the kitchen is a natural place to add some industrial elements, noting that many people already opt for stainless steel appliances and professional-grade stoves. Taking the look to the level of urban industrial chic is easy, he says, just “add two gigantic industrial lights over a kitchen island or over a big wooden table and you immediately have that look.”

Flynn also suggests checking out flea markets for “fun, playful and unexpected,” industrial items.

The key is to make sure the pieces you choose create an atmosphere and don’t just take up space. “If you have a pretty neutral house, it could start looking a little junky,” Burnham warns. “But if you have a really poppy house with lots of color, go for it!”

The first step is to remove the clutter. Clear off the kitchen counters, take the magnets off of the refrigerator, pack away the knickknacks and personal photos, remove the magazines from the coffee table. Don’t forget to organize all of your closets and pantries, since buyers will always peek in to see what kind of storage space there is.

You can emphasize space in your dining room by taking any extra leaves out of your dining room table—a smaller table will make the room look bigger. Remove extra furniture in the living room, like ottomans or coffee tables that may make the room look crowded. If your bedroom furniture is oversized for your room, consider removing some pieces, or renting more appropriately-scaled furniture while your house is on the market. Pack all of your personal items, and remove toiletries from the bathroom. Empty any bookcases of excess books and keep the remaining books sparse but artfully displayed. Remember that you want prospective buyers to see the house as theirs, not yours.

Wash your windows and open the drapes to let the sun shine in. The warmth and light will make any home seem instantly more inviting.

Remove any household item you don’t want to be sold with the house such as lighting fixtures, window treatments, ceiling fans, chandeliers and even built-in appliances.

Remember that the garage or basement is also part of the house, so don’t store your packed boxes there. Instead, rent a temporary storage unit to stash your belongings, well out of the sight of any prospective buyers.

By clearing the clutter and opening up the space in your home, it will be easier for potential buyers to imagine themselves living there, the first crucial step towards making an offer.

See Moving Tips

Passion vines are climbing plants that produce vivid red, blue, white, or purple flowers. The vines got their name from early Spanish missionaries who thought the distinctively shaped flowers represented elements of Christ’s crucifixion, or Passion. To the missionaries, the ring of filaments within the petals resembled a crown of thorns, and the outer ring of ten petals represented the ten apostles present at the crucifixion.

Passion vines thrive in San Antonio’s humid climate and are also compatible with loose, sandy soil. Regularly treating the vines with a nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus fertilizer will keep them thriving all year.

The Mexican blue palm always adds an exotic touch, with its fanlike fronds and blue-tinged trunk. A sturdy plant, it can withstand subfreezing temperatures, yet thrives in tropical heat. In the summer, the palm produces fragrant, cream-colored flowers.

The Mexican flame vine produces bright orange flowers than mature in color to a rich burnt-orange. A low-growing vine, this plant usually tops out at ten feet. The vine is remarkably durable, thriving as well in sunlight as in partial shade, regardless of the soil type. This flexibility makes it a good fit for any San Antonio yard. Mexican flame vines require regular watering as young plants, but are drought-resistant once mature.