1. Fix up the front entry
   A polished front entrance is sure to make a good impression. For instance, when I saw my house for the first time, the seller displayed a gorgeous wrought-iron urn filled with pumpkins on the stoop, and the front door had been freshly painted a glossy black. I fell in love before I even went inside. Needless to say, the seller's strategy worked!
2. Clean the house
   Tidying up the rooms in your house is something I strongly recommend to every home seller, and it should be the first thing you do before you list your home. Regardless of what you do, getting rid of clutter – selling it, storing it, recycling it – won't go unnoticed. The only investment is your time, and cleaning is therapeutic, too!

Read the full article here. 

An artful combo of smart landscaping and statement-making black and white turn an urban backyard into a chic retreat.

The yard was a mud pit," says designer Megan Baker. "There was no landscaping, no grass – there weren't even stairs up to the house!" The heritage home in New Westminster, B.C., had gone through many renovations before the current owners bought it. "Original details had been stripped away inside," says Megan, "but I saw this as the jumping-off point to do something more modern outside for the young couple who lives here." A black and white palette, dedicated lounging spots, a dining zone demarcated by a custom pergola, and plenty of grasses, shrubs and trees transformed the space into a cool, modern oasis.

Read the full article here.

Moving day can be a drag—but these tips will help prevent hiccups and ensure it goes as smoothly as possible.

Moving into a new home can be an exciting time (especially if it's your first home!), but it can also be one fraught with stress. From packing up all your belongings carefully to getting rid of the old to scheduling movers to canceling services at your old house and activating them at your new house, it can seem like something's bound to go wrong—but don't fret. Here are 10 things to do that'll help you have an easy move. Read the full article here.

Designer Jennifer Backstein creates sleek storage solutions in a busy family home.

Homeowners and custom-home builders Carlo and Nicole Muia wanted a clean, contemporary look for their King City, Ont., home. They also craved big, open, flexible-use spaces that would be clearly visible from each other. But keeping multipurpose rooms tidy and organized can be challenging, says Jennifer Backstein, especially with young kids (the couple have two). Tasked with designing the interiors for the whole house, she helped Carlo and Nicole mastermind storage solutions to keep things clutter-free. The key, says Jennifer, is planning. "A common conversation I have with clients is discussing exactly what they have to store," she says. "My goal is to make it easy for them to tidy up and keep things out of sight." Here's how she helped the Muia family keep clutter at bay, in the most sleek and sumptuous way. Read the full article here.