The conventional wisdom related to building in a backyard deck or patio revolves around improved quality of life and return on investment. A new deck delivers years of peaceful enjoyment and an approximate 75 percent resale value return. That's largely because this type of home improvement increases the usable square footage and transforms the property into an indoor-outdoor...

Container planting is an excellent way to enjoy gardening without a lot of outdoor space. You can grow flowers, greenery and even vegetables in planters on your porch or patio. While you can find a wide variety of traditional pots and planters at your local garden store, it’s not always clear how best to arrange them. Here we’ll...