
Next up
June home-maintenance checklistLook for winter damage, ward off mold, sharpen tools and patrol for pests.
9 big upgrades for tiny budgetsYou can boost your curb appeal for less than $1,000.
Awesome ideas for awful roomsHere's how to make the most of otherwise-unusable space.
Inside a $500,000 housecleaningFive years and a half-million bucks later, a Virginia home is mold-free.
10 ways to spruce up your side yardHere are 10 suggestions for improving an often-ignored part of property.
8 homemade lawn and pest remediesThese homespun ideas will keep pests at bay.
Your yard: The local party spot?See how a couple converted their yard into a neighborhood gathering place.
The house that Craigslist builtSeattle man's remodel project focuses on reclaimed items bought online.
April home-maintenance checklistFix fences, improve energy efficiency and spiff up your home's entrance.

© Jean Philippe Piter

© William Waldron

© Colleen Duffley

© Lisa Romerein

© Miki Duisterhof

© Lisa Romerein

© David Tsay



© Annie Schlechter

© Lisa Romerein
FIND YOUR DREAM HOME OR APARTMENT
must-see on msn
-
Modern Shakespeare in film
Tooltip Information:
Modern Shakespeare in filmVideo by:Description: Baz Lurhmann's 'Romeo + Juliet' ((C) Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation)Rating:Views:
-
What's new in Las Vegas
Tooltip Information:
What's new in Las VegasVideo by:Description: Welcome To Las Vegas ((C) Michael Phillips/E+/Getty Images)Rating:Views:
-
5 new ways to get fit this summer
Tooltip Information:
5 new ways to get fit this summerVideo by:Description: Couple paddling Sea Kayak ((C) Corbis)Rating:Views:
-
Bing Images: 2014 electric vehicles
Tooltip Information:
Bing Images: 2014 electric vehiclesVideo by:Description: 2013 Chevy Spark ((C) 2013 General Motors)Rating:Views:
Flooring with personality
Think beyond basic hardwoods and give your floors personality. A few decorative touches will add some serious interest underfoot.
Mosaic tile
Soft green walls and mosaic tile in shades of blue contribute to the ocean feel of this bedroom. To up the wow factor, limit a patterned tile to one or two rooms and keep other patterns in the space to a bare minimum.
Get this look: Paccha Fretwork-on-Four Tiles in Azure/Indigo/Turquoise, $18.50 per square foot; annsacks.com.
- Coastal Living: 22 creative room makeovers
Flooring with personality
Porcelain tile
An often cost-effective material, porcelain tile offers a variety of looks. In this Miami condo, the large, reflective tiles contribute to the sleek, modern aesthetic. The cool surface feels nice underfoot in a warm climate.
- Video: Long-lasting flooring
- MSN Living: 8 kitchen-cleaning tips
- Pinterest users: Check out MSN Real Estate's boards today
Flooring with personality
Stone tile
Hard-wearing stone tiles such as granite, travertine, marble or limestone (shown here) offer a variety of looks, from refined and elegant to casual and rustic. Consider pairing your stone floor with a wood ceiling that will absorb noise in the room.
Read: Is bamboo flooring really 'green'?
- On our blog, 'Listed': Painted floor adds charm, hides flaws
- MSN Living: Eco-friendly home ideas
Flooring with personality
Stone pavers
Naturally shaped stone pavers add to the beach-chic feel of this Mediterranean-modern house in Malibu, Calif. The color calls to mind the sand that is just outside.
- Video: Long-lasting flooring
- MSN Living: 8 kitchen-cleaning tips
- Pinterest users: Check out MSN Real Estate's boards today
Flooring with personality
Antique tile
Reclaimed or antique tiles offer a richness and patina that are unmatched by new products. The terra-cotta tiles in this Vero Beach, Fla., home are from Paris, and are used indoors and out to bring continuity to the space.
Get this look: Antique French Parrefeuille; parisceramics.com.
- Coastal Living: 22 creative room makeovers
Flooring with personality
Reclaimed hardwood
This earth-friendly choice is made from structures that were destined for demolition. The lumber, which is often made of old-growth hardwood, is durable and can be remilled to suit any taste. Here, reclaimed white oak is well-suited to the mostly white décor.
Read: Is bamboo flooring really 'green'?
- On our blog, 'Listed': Painted floor adds charm, hides flaws
- MSN Living: Eco-friendly home ideas
Flooring with personality
Wide-plank hardwood
The simple wax finish on this floor protects the surface from sand and allows subtle imperfections to shine through. "The wide-plank wood feels so good on bare feet," designer Tim Clarke says. "It's like having a boardwalk in the house."
- Video: Long-lasting flooring
- MSN Living: 8 kitchen-cleaning tips
- Pinterest users: Check out MSN Real Estate's boards today
Flooring with personality
Painted hardwood — white
Wake up tired hardwood floors with paint. Color and pattern distract from imperfections, and the floor will get better with age if mopped with soap and water.
Three rules to paint by:
- Before painting, sand floors and vacuum thoroughly.
- Choose interior/exterior porch-and-floor enamel. It's more durable than standard paint.
- After the paint has dried, always apply a second coat.
- Coastal Living: 22 creative room makeovers
Flooring with personality
Painted hardwood — pattern
For more color or pattern underfoot, paint provides endless options. Stripes and checks are created easily with a little math and plenty of painters tape, or consider hiring an artist for something truly special. Like the rugs they render superfluous, painted floors command attention and set the tone for a room's décor.
- On our blog, 'Listed': Painted floor adds charm, hides flaws
- Pinterest users: Check out MSN Real Estate's boards today
Flooring with personality
Wall-to-wall carpet
Carpet has fallen out of favor in recent years, but it is still a practical and economical choice in low-traffic areas, or where you want an extra-soft surface, such as a child's room or bedroom. For added durability, look for stain-resistant versions.
Read: Is bamboo flooring really 'green'?
- On our blog, 'Listed': Painted floor adds charm, hides flaws
- MSN Living: Eco-friendly home ideas
Flooring with personality
Concrete
Readily available and durable, concrete can be stained, stamped and even painted to suit a variety of personal styles. But the texture can also be cold or severe, so soften the look with warm wood tones and gently draped fabrics like this linen slipcover.
- Coastal Living: 22 creative room makeovers



