I’ve been slow to graduate from the familiar comforts of IKEA furniture. Since I moved into my second post-grad apartment, my Hemnes bed frame has remained constant as I’ve toyed with my gallery wall, added some rugs, and switched out my bedding three different times. I started to get tired of it. Very tired.

I thought about swapping it with a Wayfair headboard that was more aligned with my style, but I didn’t want to spend my money on another home buy I’d probably tire of in a few years. I debated splurging on something from CB2, but I couldn’t justify the expense. How I could make the most of what I already had? I realized the best solution might actually be the fastest, easiest, and most affordable of them all.

Every time I considered what my ideal bed would look like, the cane trend came to mind, and a quick Google search showed me that I could easily buy the material for about $10 per foot. I put two and two together: Why not just transform my tired Hemnes into the cane-backed headboard of my dreams? After sitting on the idea for months, I pulled it off with way less effort than I imagined.

The Supplies

• Hemnes bed frame
• 5 feet of 1/2-inch open-cane webbing (for a full-size bed; use 6 feet for a queen or 7 feet for a king)
• Staple gun 
• 3/8-inch staples
• Painter’s tape (or another person to hold the webbing as you staple)

Step 1: Trim the Caning

Learn from my mistake: Avoid a mess by cutting your caning to size before you try to affix it. You’ll want the webbing to generally match up with the headboard, with enough extra room to staple it. Just make sure the edges stay hidden and you’ll be set. If you’re nervous about overtrimming, you can save this step for last—just be warned you’ll have an annoying cleanup job when all is said and done.

Step 2: Tape It Up

Use painter’s tape to attach the webbing to the back of the headboard, and then take a look at the headboard straight on to make sure it’s aligned to your liking.

Step 3: Staple, Staple, Staple 

Be generous with how many staples you use to make sure the webbing is properly secured (there’s no need for perfectionism!). Affix the material around the entire perimeter, and then staple it to each individual headboard spoke. When you’re done, push your bed back against the wall and step back to admire what a change just 10 minutes of effort can make.

T50 Heavy Duty Staple Gun, The Home Depot ($19)

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1/2″ Open Cane Webbing, Online Fabric Store ($19.65 per foot)

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ScotchBlue Original Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape, The Home Depot ($8)

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Hemnes Bed, IKEA ($469)

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This story was originally published in September 2018. It has since been updated.

The post I’m No DIY Pro, But This IKEA Hack Took Me 10 Minutes Flat appeared first on domino.

If you and your family are on opposite ends of a tense deck-versus-patio debate, you’re not alone: David Steckel, home expert at online home services directory Thumbtack, says patio and deck remodels and additions are up 187 and 128 percent, respectively, over the past three months alone. So will you be grilling on your freshly painted deck or sipping iced tea beneath the umbrella of a patio dining set? Read on for our detailed breakdown of the differences between the two, including building materials, maintenance needs, placement, and, of course, cost. 

What is a deck?

Decks are typically made from wood like cedar, ipe, or Trex, a composite that contains wood and plastic, explains Steckel. They’re usually located adjacent to the house (and not just anywhere in the backyard) and tend to be raised off the ground. Safety railings enclose the platforms, which can be accessed by stairs or a ramp. And with an average cost of $7,700, these elevated outdoor spaces are by far the more expensive option. Expect to spend anywhere from $4,080 to $11,300 total, or $30 to $60 per square foot. Of course, the final number will also depend on the deck style you choose. Among your options:

• Wraparound (a deck with more than one entry point)
• Attached (a L- or U-shaped space affixed directly to the home)
• Detached or floating (accessed by a walkway or path and separate from the main house structure)
• Rooftop (built on top of the home)
• Multitiered (a deck with various heights to accommodate unlevel ground)

The Pros and Cons of a Deck

The pros: Because decks are elevated, you can easily build on top of all types of terrain, whether uneven, hilly, ground, or a flat yard. Additionally, they’re completely customizable—think: upgrading a wood railing to modern metal with glass panes, adding stone columns around the perimeter, or building a gazebo. Once your deck is finished, prepare for your home value to increase thanks to the additional square footage and expansive new view.

The cons: If you’re impatient, the biggest downside is construction time, which could take anywhere from one to three weeks or longer depending on permits. Also, decks need long-term maintenance; it’s recommended to treat them to at least one annual deep cleaning (Steckel suggests a springtime schedule or when temperatures are relatively mild), plus a round of staining and sealing every couple of years. Also you’d be wise to budget for repairs like visible rotting planks and cracking or loose stairs or railings, which can cost between $250 and $1,200 on average. However, once your deck is finished, prepare for your home value to increase thanks to the additional square footage and expansive new view. “Stone is forever and wood does have a finite life expectancy,” Steckel notes of the patio and deck contrast, so keep this in mind when making your final decision.

What is a patio?

Patios are ground-level paved spaces that can be attached or detached from the home, Steckel explains. They can be concrete, stone, tile, or brick. A patio can cost anywhere from $500 to $8,000 ($5 to $50 per square foot), although the average project price comes in at around $3,620. 

Patios generally fall into two camps: wet laid or dry laid. With the former, your chosen flooring is mortared to a concrete pad (at least 4 inches thick) atop a gravel substrate for drainage. Joints (aka gaps between the stone or brick) are filled in with grout. By contrast, the dry application doesn’t use mortar at all. Instead the contractor excavates the area, then adds between 6 and 8 inches of gravel, followed by about 3 to 4 inches of limestone screening (patio leveling material), sand, or a high-performance bedding like Sakrete Paver Base that doesn’t solidify, Steckel says. After the flooring is set, polymeric sand fills in the joints. Mind you, patios can also be built with pavers, rock, or pea gravel. They’re easy to maintain but require routine cleaning to prevent mildew.

The Pros and Cons of a Patio

The pros: Patios are built flush with the ground, so they don’t require safety railings. Also, a basic 10-by-10 gravel style can take as little as a week to install. Cleaning them is a cinch: simply sweep leaves and dirt away on a weekly basis, then once a year use a power washer to blast away built-up grime. (Psst: You can also remove stubborn stains from stone or concrete surfaces with a water-vinegar mixture.)

The cons: Homeowners with uneven land may run into some installation roadblocks, Steckel explains. Additionally, patio design tends to be more restrictive because you’re working with less space and a single level. Another thing to consider? Patios are prone to cracking. Despite concrete being a relatively sturdy material, issues with the supporting layer could compromise the overall build down the line. Routine patio repairs to address a crumbling surface, weather damage, or paver replacement can cost between $5 and $25 per square foot, although that’s on the low end.

For After It’s Built

Crate & Barrel Round Cantilever Umbrella with Base, Crate & Barrel ($1,269)

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Ambience Pro Solar Powered Outdoor String Lights, Brightech ($35)

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Salt Creek Chaise, Serena & Lily ($1,758)

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Samson Navy Indoor/Outdoor 3×5 Rug, Annie Selke ($218)

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The post Deck Versus Patio: Yes, There Is a Difference in Cost, Materials, Elevation, and More appeared first on domino.

Imagine if your patio was fully camouflaged before your neighbor witnessed your solo dance-a-thon from the other side of the fence. Fortunately, there are a few easy fixes that can save you from such cringe-worthy encounters—even a simple plant wall can guarantee that some of what happens in your outdoor space stays there. The best patio privacy ideas allow you to control what you hear and see, as well as who hears and sees you. These five spaces show you how.

Bring the Cabana Vibes

Los Angeles interior designer Sophie Carpenter replaced the old lattice roof on her backyard pergola with one made of two sheets of bamboo reed garden fencing from Home Depot (a $25 upgrade that only needs replacing every few years) and white curtains made out of Sunbrella fabric.

Fence Off Activity Nooks

To give her family space to spread out, designer Consuelo Pierrepont Spitler divided their Austin backyard into sections. This foliage-filled corner is enclosed by a wood fence for undisturbed lounging and reading sessions. The fence blends into the landscaping because she allowed plants to grow on it, giving the boundary a more natural appearance.

Take Cover

Relish in the best of indoor-outdoor living with an open-air but fully covered patio like the one in textile designer Heather Taylor’s Laurel Canyon property, one of its original features. Make the space feel like an enclosed room with a hanging globe pendant lamp with a rattan shade.

Get Nautical With It

To keep neighbors (and their vinyl siding) out of view, People of 2morrow founder Sybil Domond and her husband, Dan Lessin, built an 8-by-18-foot cedar fence in the backyard of their Brooklyn townhome, then mounted a sail—a vintage number they scored for $250—by screwing it to the exterior with hooks.

Hide Out in a Cave

It’s cooler than it sounds. Landscape architect Anthony Wyer carved a cozy grotto next to a sandstone boulder in his Sydney backyard, then topped it with greenery for a lush, jungle-like appearance. The structure takes the place of large trees, naturally blocking neighbors’ sight lines into the space.

Get the Look

Scarlett Rattan Room Divider Screen, Anthropologie ($398)

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Bamboo Palm Plant, Bloomscape ($249)

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Eastport Umbrella, Serena and Lily ($728)

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Antique Egyptian Cotton de Vries Sail Gunter Rig Flax Rope, etsy ($1,675)

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The post Yes, You Can Hide Your Neighbor’s House With a Ship Sail—Plus 4 More Patio Privacy Ideas appeared first on domino.

Sure, lanterns and sconces can brighten up your outdoor space, but twinkly backyard string lights have the unique ability to instantly transform your hangout into a cozy (romantic, even) haven; the best summer night becomes that much more enjoyable. If you’ve ever hung a strand above your dining table, you’re on the right track. The ideas, below, however, go far beyond basic mood setting. We’ve rounded up five spaces that reimagine what string lights can do. 

Divide Your Patio

In this Kate Hayes–designed outdoor nook, string lights function as floating partitions. Instead of adding a view-blocking wall, column, or outdoor room divider, simply outline your dining area with a couple of strings of Edison lights to keep the space open.

Use Existing Fixtures as a Blueprint

SkB Architects cofounder Kyle Gaffney’s outdoor lighting solution at friend and client Lisa Picard’s Sonoma Valley house? Mount mini bulbs between the main residence and guesthouse, securing them to the metal canopy’s wall-mounted brackets.

Illuminate a Dark Corner

To warm up a portion of her fence that was heavy with foliage and farthest from the door, Whitney Leigh Morris at Tiny Canal Cottage decked the surface in a swoop of lights. 

Let Your Tree Trunks Do All the Work

You don’t need a post or exterior wall to incorporate string lights into your backyard. To get the look of this Jess Diab–curated firepit area in Los Angeles, simply use your biggest tree as an anchor point.

Highlight Multiple Hot Spots at Once

With their children frequenting the two-story “cubby house,” and the family firing up pies in the pizza oven, this multi-string setup at renovating duo Kyal and Kara Demmirch’s Australian pad spans both structures. The simple arrangement ensures that no precious patio real estate is taken up by messy cords or lamp bases.

Simple String Lights, West Elm ($55 was $69)

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Indoor/Outdoor LED String Lights, Pottery Barn ($89)

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50-Count Solar Powered Outdoor LED Mini String Lights By Mainstays, Walmart ($12)

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24-Light Indoor/Outdoor 48 ft. String Light by Hampton Bay, Home Depot ($70)

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The post The Best Place to Hang Your Backyard String Lights Isn’t Along the Porch appeared first on domino.