Articles by Marianne Lipanovich

Shorter days, a chill in the air and a touch of golden sunlight herald the start of fall. The bright blooms of spring and summer may be fading, making way for autumn foliage; the list of garden tasks is getting shorter. Best of all, there’s still plen…

Are you looking for a place to get away from it all? That place might be right in your backyard. See how landscape pros used nooks, crannies and even open areas to create cozy, inviting spots for relaxing and enjoying the outdoors. Whether you’re look…

A well-designed outdoor kitchen can elevate your cooking and entertaining experience. We asked landscape professionals on Houzz to share the top outdoor kitchen design elements they always recommend to their clients and why. Read on to learn more abou…

Pergolas can be beautiful and hardworking outdoor focal points. Whether your goal is shade, privacy or style — or all three — there are a variety of materials and practical and decorative details to consider for personalization. To get the ideas flowi…

Garden fountains draw people (and birds and butterflies) into the landscape. They also add interest, create outdoor ambiance and screen surrounding noise with a symphony of sound. Perhaps best of all, they inspire a sense of peace and serenity like fe…

An outdoor kitchen takes backyard entertaining to the next level. The design can be as simple as a built-in grill set into an outdoor counter or a more elaborate setup with a pizza oven, a beverage fridge, a bar and plenty of storage and prep space. L…

With the summer entertaining season upon us, you might be wondering how to make your yard more suitable for outdoor gatherings. Or maybe you would just like to add some pizazz and comfort to your patio or deck. We spoke with landscape design and build…

Spring is here, and summer is fast approaching. Now is the perfect time to refresh or even expand your screened-in porch to enjoy the outdoor relaxation season’s peak. Keep reading for some fresh looks and amenities to inspire your own porch design.

Many people are ready to make their yards more earth-friendly but aren’t sure where to start. Others might be tackling a barren plot or a complete landscape renovation and would like to incorporate sustainability into their new design. The great thing…

Take your landscape to the next level with features that echo those at luxurious vacation destinations. In the following four outdoor makeovers, landscape pros — including one found on Houzz — added spaces for playing, entertaining and gathering that …