Home Design Inspiration

Even though hide-a-beds used to get a bad rap for saggy mattresses and uncomfortable bars and springs, the good news is that the latest sleeper sofas are not only easy on the eyes, they’re also easy on the back.

Here’s a whirlwind tour of Southern California pool design — shimmering beauties, practical swim spots and more than a few novel ideas from our archives.

A home’s entrance can make a statement courtesy of distinctive architecture or arresting decorative elements.

After years of addressing drought conditions, Californian gardeners and landscape designers have become adept at pulling out lawns and installing low-water alternatives.

From inexpensive Ikea panels to custom drapes, there is something for everyone when it comes to window treatments.

We’ve gone through our Home of the Times profiles and culled photos of outdoor spaces with ideas and inspiration that might work for you.

We’ve gone through hundreds of our Home of the Times profiles to present a range of living room designs here -- luxury and budget, modern and vintage, minimalist and gloriously packed with decorative excess.

We’ve gone through hundreds of our Home of the Times profiles to present a range of kitchen designs here -- luxury and budget, modern and vintage, minimalist and rainbow-bright.

Click here to see full tours of more than 100 California homes.

From ultra modern to Hollywood glam, some of our favorite bathroom designs for every budget and style.

Spanish architecture has left an enduring impression in Southern California, where homeowners have embraced period details -- exposed beams, curved windows, colorful tile -- in both contemporary and traditional ways.

Whether it’s an unusual American Craftsman log cabin in Pasadena or a “La Boheme”-influenced residence in Highland Park, turn-of-the-last-century Craftsman designs have proved to be remarkably adaptable for modern living.

After hundreds of house and garden photo shoots, we know one thing for sure: A dog’s sense of home ownership can rival that of its master.

Cats have a reputation for being aloof. But the cats in these photos, taken for L.A.

Small-space living requires creative thinking, whether you are living in an apartment, condo, bungalow or boat.

Whether you’re hosting family or staying with friends, a reading nook can provide a great escape during the hectic holiday season.

Ikea cabinets, furniture and accessories can be the perfect complement to more expensive decor.

With summer approaching, we decided to comb through our photo galleries in search of some smartly designed outdoor living rooms.

It’s not just for the classroom.

With unusually hot weather and long-standing drought fueling this year’s wildfire season, we revisit stories from our archives describing Californians who have rebuilt cherished homes and gardens following the ravages of fire.

Ultra-white walls are fine in museums, but at home, many people prefer color, pattern and texture.

Hanging art salon-style can be a dramatic -- and brave -- way to decorate a wall.

From sleeper-car-style bunk beds to rock climbing walls, children have inspired architects, designers -- and parents -- to get creative when it comes to decorating.

Nautical motifs -- anchors, ship’s wheels and rope accents -- were big at NY Now, the nation’s leading trade show for decorative accessories, which closed last week at the Javits Convention Center in New York.

They’re versatile. They’re inexpensive. And they’re often handmade, by local artisans to boot.