Jennifer Griest

Former REALTOR® with 20+ years in real estate, sharing bold home design strategies, staging insights, and smart upgrades that add lasting value.

Articles: 54

Outdoor Living

Backyard Outdoor Kitchen Ideas: The Complete Planning Guide

Backyard outdoor kitchen with modern grill and cozy lighting – save this warm and inviting patio kitchen idea for your next summer upgrade!

I once showed a house where the backyard outdoor kitchen looked like it had survived a small war. Rust freckles on the grill, swollen cabinets, a counter cracked like it had been hit. The buyers stepped outside excited, then froze,…

Jennifer Griest
May 25, 2025

Outdoor Living

Semi-Inground Pool Deck Ideas: Transform Your Backyard

Above ground pool with deck in a cozy backyard – save this summer setup for your own outdoor retreat!

Let’s talk about turning your backyard into the kind of space where summer just feels different. A semi-inground pool with a deck isn’t just a backyard upgrade, it’s the difference between “we have a pool” and “we have a whole…

Jennifer Griest
May 24, 2025

Home Spaces

Barndominium Decor Ideas That Bring the Warmth In

Barndominium decor ideas that turn open spaces into cozy, lived-in homes. Pin this warm and rustic home style inspiration for later!

Barndominium décor ideas aren’t about slapping a cowhide rug on the floor and calling it a day. These wide-open homes are stunning, soaring ceilings, endless natural light, rustic bones that make you swoon. But here’s the catch: all that space…

Jennifer Griest
May 20, 2025

Home Spaces

Home Staging Tips: What Buyers Notice (And What Kills Sales)

Home accents that add cozy style without a full redo — pin these ideas to bring warmth and personality into any room.

After 20+ years as a former Real Estate Broker, I can tell you: the difference between a house that lingers and one that sells in the first week comes down to the small stuff. I saw homes with gourmet kitchens…

Jennifer Griest
May 20, 2025

Home Spaces

Maximalist Bedroom Ideas That Are Bold and Fresh

Maximalist bedroom ideas that layer texture, color, and comfort for a bold and cozy space. Pin this bedroom design inspo for later!

A maximalist bedroom is a rebellion in the best way. After years of beige minimalism and blank walls that looked more like dentist offices than places to sleep, we’re finally swinging back toward warmth, color, and expression. If you’ve stood…

Jennifer Griest
May 19, 2025

Mindset & Heart

I Feel Like a Failure—Here’s the Truth That Helped Me Rise Again

Feeling like a failure – emotional encouragement and resilience story – Pin this if you need hope today

I don’t know who needs to hear this today, but if you’ve been quietly whispering to yourself, “I feel like a failure,” you are not alone. We don’t talk about this feeling enough- the weight, the shame, the wondering if…

Jennifer Griest
May 17, 2025

Outdoor Living

8 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas That Boost Curb Appeal

Front yard landscaping ideas with raised planters, stone edging, and cozy lighting – Pin this curb appeal upgrade for later!

Most front yards aren’t bad, they’re just boring. Trust me, after seeing thousands of homes as a REALTOR, I’ve seen it all! A patch of grass, a lonely shrub, maybe a mystery rock pile no one remembers placing. The vibe?…

Jennifer Griest
May 16, 2025

Home Spaces

Cozy Bedroom Decor: Proven Color, Lighting & Space Ideas

Layered cozy bedroom with chunky knit throw and soft white linens – Save this cozy bedroom idea for later!

You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve witnessed buyers walk away from a home because of the primary bedroom. Not because it was too small, but because it felt cramped, poorly lit, or thrown together without intention. After 20+ years…

Jennifer Griest
May 15, 2025

Outdoor Living

Porch Vibe on a Budget: 5 Easy Ideas That Don’t Cost a Fortune

Cozy porch vibe on a budget with warm string lights — tap to save this front porch decor idea for later!

Look, just because your budget’s giving “$27 and a coupon” doesn’t mean your porch vibe on a budget has to wave a white flag. Whether you’ve got a wraparound entry or a tiny stoop doubling as a shoe trap, you…

Jennifer Griest
May 14, 2025

Outdoor Living

Front Yard Decor Ideas That Instantly Boost Curb Appeal

Front yard decor ideas can do more than make your house look cute on the outside—they can completely shift how you feel when you come home. I’ve walked up to thousands of front doors as a Realtor, and the ones that stick with me? They’re not the biggest or the most expensive. They’re the ones that feel intentional. Warm. Loved. That “someone lives here and actually cares” energy? That’s what we’re after. Whether you’re getting ready to sell, expecting guests, or just pulling into the driveway thinking, “Something’s missing”—this is for you. You don’t need a massive budget or a full landscape crew. You just need a few cozy, curb-appeal-boosting touches that tell the world: “This is home. And it matters.” 🚪 Start with the Front Door—Because That’s Where the Story Begins I’ve stood at thousands of homes, and you can tell a lot by someone’s front door. It doesn’t need to be dramatic—it just needs to feel like you. A freshly painted door, a fun doormat, or a wreath that says “someone lives here and loves it” instantly shifts the energy. This is the moment you set the tone, both for guests and for yourself. You deserve to walk up to your home and feel a spark of joy. Whether it’s a pop of color or a simple upgrade, this is the one place where small touches feel huge. You don’t need a full porch remodel—just something that says, “Yep, this is mine.” Trust me, even a $10 mat with a little sass can change your whole mood. Some ideas to consider: Colorful Doormat with Sass Wreath with a Twist Sleek House Numbers 💡 Outdoor Lighting That Adds Safety—and a Whole Mood Nothing transforms a front yard faster than good lighting. The first time I added solar path lights, I stood outside just looking at them like a weirdo because it felt so good. Warm, soft lighting adds more than just visibility—it adds safety, calm, and that “home sweet home” glow. Whether you’re using lanterns, garden lights, or fairy twinkles, it changes everything after the sun goes down. You go from basic yard to cozy, styled space in seconds. And here’s the magic: it’s not expensive, and you don’t need an electrician. Just a few warm bulbs, some solar power, and a little intention go a long way. It's porch therapy—minus the co-pay. Some ideas to consider: Solar Pathway Lights Hanging Porch Lanterns Color-Changing Garden Lights 💛 If your front yard’s getting the glow-up, don’t miss these Small Backyard Vibe Ideas for the rest of your outdoor space. 🌿 Potted Plants That Say “Yes, Someone Cares About This Place” You don’t need to be a plant pro to make this work. Some of the most charming front yards I’ve ever seen had one or two mismatched planters and a fern they may or may not have forgotten to water. But it still worked. Plants—real or faux—add life, texture, and the kind of charm that says, “I give a damn about this space.” Play with height, groupings, and containers that show your personality. It’s one of the fastest ways to cozy up your curb appeal without breaking the bank. You can literally spend $20 and come away with a whole new vibe. Bonus: plants are forgiving. Even if you forget them now and then, they still show up for the vibe. Some ideas to consider: Tall Planters with Ferns Vintage Containers Mix-and-Match Pot Styles 🌼 Little Signs + Garden Stakes That Quietly Speak Your Style These tiny details make a big emotional impact. A garden stake with a little humor, a wooden sign with heart, or even a yard flag with seasonal flair—these are the pieces that tell your story without shouting. They’re low-maintenance, budget-friendly, and they add warmth fast. I’ve seen the plainest front yards come alive with just one or two of these. You don’t need a theme or a perfectly curated style. You just need something that makes you smile when you walk by. It’s about showing that someone lives here—and lives well. Don’t overthink it. Just start with one thing that feels like you. Some ideas to consider: Metal Floral Stakes Wooden Welcome Sign Seasonal Yard Flags 🪑 A Place to Sit—Even If You Never Actually Sit There You’d be amazed what one chair can do. It says “welcome,” even if it’s never used. It softens the space, makes it feel lived-in, and gives your front yard that cozy, layered look. The first time I added a bench near my porch, I realized I never had to use it—it just made the space feel more complete. Add a little cushion, a throw pillow if it won’t blow away, and you’re done. It’s one of those simple decor tricks that instantly feels expensive, even when it’s not. Even if it’s just decorative, it shifts the mood from “house” to “home.” And that’s the whole point. Some ideas to consider: Wrought Iron Bistro Set Adirondack Chairs Outdoor Cushions 🙈 Hide the Eyesores—Because Peace Deserves to Be Seen First Let’s be honest—we’ve all got something ugly in the front yard. Trash bins, electrical boxes, utility eyesores… and you don’t have to pretend they’re not there. You just don’t need to see them every time you walk by. Cover them. Distract from them. Build a little visual peace into your everyday. I used to walk past a row of bins every day and just cringe—until I added a planter wall. Boom. Mood shifted. You deserve to see beauty first. Not the garbage. Some ideas to consider: Tall Planter Walls Outdoor Privacy Screens Fake Boxwood Panels 🍁 A Seasonal Touch That Tells the World “Someone’s Home” You don’t need a whole theme or seasonal overhaul to stay fresh. One or two seasonal swaps make a huge difference. A fall flag, spring wind chimes, or even just a little front step decor says “we live here and we’re in this moment.” It keeps your space from feeling stale. And it takes like… five minutes. Even the smallest seasonal touch gives your yard presence and keeps things feeling cared for. You don’t need to do much—you just need to show up with one thoughtful piece. It adds life, charm, and a sense of flow. Some ideas to consider: Fall Pumpkin Stackers Solar Snowflake Lights Springtime Wind Chimes 💛 Final Thoughts Your front yard doesn’t need to be perfect or Pinterest-famous. It just needs to feel like you. A few thoughtful touches—a wreath, a planter, a cozy glow when the sun sets—can completely shift the energy. And when you feel good pulling into your own driveway? That’s the kind of magic that matters. So start small. Pick one section. One planter. One cozy moment that makes you smile. ✨ More Cozy Inspiration You’ll Love: Porch Vibe on a Budget Fire Pit Friday Vibes: Cozy Backyard Ideas Weekend Declutter Projects That Make a Big Visual Impact

Front yard decor isn’t just about making your house look good from the street, it’s about how you feel when you pull into the driveway. After 20+ years as a retired real estate broker, I walked up to thousands of…

Jennifer Griest
May 13, 2025