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If one of your priorities when looking for a home is a backyard or other outdoor space, you’re probably taking the size of the outdoor space into consideration when making decisions. However, you shouldn’t necessarily discount smaller outdoor spaces. It’s possible that a smaller space is perfectly suitable to your needs. First think about what you intend to use the space for — a small backyard may not work for large gatherings, but can be effective for personal relaxation.

If you know you have sufficient space but are worried about the space looking and feeling small, there are plenty of ways to fix that. Ambient lighting can make any space feel larger or more inviting than it is. Or sometimes the outdoor space feels smaller because it lacks certain features that you’d expect, such as a deck or patio, but perhaps there’s room to add one. You could also potentially connect a backyard and side yard into one, larger L-shaped yard. Another method to fool your senses is to use smaller or foldable furniture, which offers cozy places to sit without crowding the space.

Maximizing the available space isn’t just about perceptions, though. It also requires planning out the best way to use the space. Flower beds and lawns tend to take up a lot of the backyard, so consider different types of landscaping. Landscaping that fits in smaller spaces is also typically easier to maintain. You should also think vertically. No matter the size of your yard, it can be expanded upward. Hanging planters and trellises don’t take up much space on the ground. You can also add shelves and place plants in rows and columns. Vertical gardening is also multifunctional — raised garden beds can be benches; shelves can also be bookcases; trellises can be attached to a privacy fence; plants can hang from light fixtures.

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If you’ve just moved into a new home, you might be considering a housewarming party. But you may not know what that looks like. Luckily, there are many different kinds of housewarming parties, and there’s bound to be an idea that an appeals to you. Here are just a few suggestions — but don’t feel limited to these, if you have ideas of your own.

If your new home has a great outdoor entertainment area, you may want to show it off, assuming weather permits. You could have a relaxed picnic in your backyard, or you could end the night by toasting marshmallows over a bonfire.

For those of you who just want to drink and be merry, there are a couple different options. You could set up a cocktail bar in your own home or ask guests to bring their favorites. If you want the focus to be on your new neighborhood, you could instead check out local beverages and host a drink tasting.

Maybe fun and games is more your vibe. Board game nights are a popular family tradition, and it doesn’t hurt to get new neighbors in on the action — they may even become regulars at your table. You could also turn exploring your new home into a competition. Organize a treasure hunt and give prizes to the winners.

Are you the artsy type? Maybe your neighbors are too. DIY arts and crafts are a good way for people to get to know each other without feeling like they need to socialize. Gifting your neighbors cookies is common, whether you’re the new neighbor or the old one — but why not make it more personal? Invite your neighbors over to decorate cookies, then share them with each other.

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Moving to a completely new area is exciting, but the early days can also feel isolating. Finding your community is the key to feeling at home, and luckily, there are plenty of ways to do just that. Here’s how to start making connections in your new neighborhood.

Simple as it may sound, one of the best ways is to just get out there. Get to know your physical surroundings. You don’t even need a plan — take a walk or bike ride with no specific destination, and you’ll soon come across the local coffee spots, parks and community centers where people hang out. If you feel like you need a friend to help you along the way, introduce yourself to your neighbors. Most people appreciate a friendly new face. This is even something you could do before buying a new place, to make sure the community is right for you.

You could also go with a more structured route. Look for clubs, sports leagues or hobby groups that match your interests. If there are none to your usual taste, endeavor to try something new. Whether it’s a book club, yoga class or local volunteer group, shared activities help forge friendships faster. Perhaps there isn’t a regular group that appeals to you, but many towns host local festivals, farmers’ markets and outdoor concerts. While these won’t occur as often, these types of gatherings can still offer a relaxed way to meet your neighbors and learn a bit more about local life. Keep an eye on social media or your town’s local website or forums for upcoming events.

Speaking of social media, it’s also a perfectly acceptable method of finding local people, not only events. Online social media platforms such as Nextdoor, Meetup or local Facebook groups can connect you with people nearby. Many communities have online groups for newcomers, making it easy to ask for recommendations and join in on local happenings.

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LEED stands for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design,” and is a certification system originally developed by the U.S. Green Building Council but now used worldwide to promote energy-efficient, eco-friendly construction. The LEED standards prioritize energy and water efficiency, improved indoor air quality and sustainable building materials, and reduced carbon emissions.

Buildings can be awarded a rating of either “certified,” “silver certified,” “gold certified” or “platinum certified.” Points are earned by incorporating sustainable features such as proper insulation, high-efficiency appliances, nontoxic materials and water-saving fixtures. You can earn points whether you’re building from the ground up or making renovations, so you should continue to pay attention to LEED guidelines even if you aren’t building new to potentially achieve an official certification.

Beyond being a smart choice for the planet, a LEED-certified home offers long-term financial benefits. The lower energy and water consumption of a certified home leads to reduced utility bills, and homes with LEED certification also tend to have higher resale value. As buyers become increasingly eco-conscious, these kinds of sustainable living spaces are more in demand than ever.

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Back in 2022, California suffered a series of wildfires. The response from the government was to require proof from homeowners that the structure met current fire safety guidelines, including a five-foot ‘defensible space’ surrounding the structure where no combustible materials should be present. Unfortunately, the recent fires in California have proven that simply requiring proof of meeting existing guidelines wasn’t enough. Our fire safety needs to improve, and with that come seven new methods of fire hardening. While these aren’t legally mandated, they are certainly recommended and your homeowner insurance may start to require them.

Three of the new recommendations focus on the defensible space. In addition to avoiding placing or building using combustible materials within a five-foot defensible space, such materials or vegetation also should not be placed underneath decks. The defensible space should also be extended vertically as well as horizontally, to six inches underneath the exterior surface of the building. Additional buildings should not be constructed using combustible materials within 30 feet of the main structure, if the lot is large enough to build them farther away. The remaining four recommendations are specific materials or upgrades: a Class-A Fire Rated Roof, enclosed eaves, fire-resistant vents, and multi-pane windows.

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