The surrounding city lights, fine dining on your doorstep, and a short commute to the financial district—condominium living is chock-full of conveniences. But when it comes time to refresh your space or put it on the market, it can be a challenge to know where to focus your efforts. For those looking for a return on investment, these condo upgrades are worth the effort.

In peaceful locations from the verdant reaches outside Greenwich to New Mexico’s “O’Keeffe Country,” these rural retreats enjoy plentiful privacy, inspiring views, fresh air, and interiors that are as enchanting as their surroundings.

These wine rooms go beyond mere function, storing bottles properly while incorporating eye-catching materials—such as richly hued wood and ornate ironwork—to create spaces that are both practical and attractive.

On the top floor of this striking modern four-bedroom home in San Francisco’s Cow Hollow neighborhood, walls, doors, and a ceiling of glass blur the lines between its stylish interiors and the iconic views of the city and the bay, which sweep past the Marin Headlands and the Palace of Fine Arts to the Golden Gate Bridge.

From an equestrian compound in Ridgefield, Connecticut to timeless Georgian estate in England, these are this month’s four featured notable properties for sale over $16 million.

Equipped with lighting, entertainment, and climate control systems manageable from anywhere in the world, these compelling homes set high—and high-tech—standards for luxurious 21st-century living.

There is a perception paradox that sometimes exists within real estate: the idea that an empty minimalist home offers a blank slate for potential buyers to imagine their perfect home. While a small slice of the general population may have the unique vision to picture a space with cascading light features, warm and inviting furniture arrangements, or eye-catching objets d’art, the majority of buyers look to experts in interior design for help. The truth is, the benefits of staging your home are extensive. Properly staged homes spend substantially less time on the market, routinely sell for more money, and frequently end up on must-see lists.

Nothing compares to the experience of relaxing with a good book. From light-filled and contemporary to formal and wood-clad, these five libraries are ideal for displaying and enjoying a collection of favored volumes.

Minimalism has its appeal, but it’s hard to argue that maximalism doesn’t deserve its share of the design spotlight. In contrast to the pared-down aesthetics of minimalism and its Scandinavian neutrals, maximalism makes the claim that more is better. Instead of white walls and sparse decorative elements, think saturated colors, layered textures, and eclectic pieces that contribute to a bold and undeniably unique space.

If you feel ready to embrace maximalist design in your home, a good place to start is by introducing some color. Whether through a new coat of paint, punchy fabrics, or vivid greenery, a splash of color can be a great way to turn a space into a modern and carefully considered maximalist haven.

The home is at the heart of this concept. We are a product not only of the people we surround ourselves with, but of the spaces that surround us too. Regardless of where you spend your days, your home is the one place that can reflect your best intentions back at you. In the same way minimalist design principles champion pause, design can change the way you live. These five ideas will help you find and reaffirm your plans and purpose each time you walk through the door.

Good design is no longer just about aesthetics—it’s also about considering the context in which a product is made. Ethical design embraces sustainability while going beyond it to consider a product’s social impact, which includes the diversity of representation and even the treatment of employees within design firms and manufacturing companies. As designers and homeowners alike become more concerned about ethical design, the industry is responding by establishing clear standards for planning and production.

It is possible to celebrate the best parts of luxury without sacrificing the planet or benefitting from unfair design practices. Here are a few starting points to guide you towards more ethical design for your home.

Few things are more enticing than a refreshing swim or float during the long, hot days of summer. These dazzling pools—in locations from Connecticut to California—encourage outdoor enjoyment and relaxation in sophisticated settings.

When it comes to luxury homes and their amenities, it’s no surprise that prospective buyers are looking for top-shelf. But unlike a decade ago, when a triple-car garage and swimming pool were deal breakers, now Canadians are making happiness and wellness their first priority when looking for their next home.

What makes a house truly feel like a home? Aside from the events that take place between its walls, much of a home’s personality is found in the materials, textures, and accents that bring it together. While it can be time-consuming to keep up with the latest design trends—especially the perennials that come in and out with the seasons—incorporating the latest high-end materials into your home is an easy way to give a space an instant, luxurious update. From cozy fabrics to rich metals, here are seven futuristic materials to freshen any room.

A smaller outdoor space doesn’t mean sacrificing when it comes to relaxing. With a few strategic choices, you can create something truly special out of even the smallest yard or deck. Follow these design and décor recommendations to maximize the potential of your home’s outdoor space.

Just as a shower of herbs or flaky sea salt brings extra life to any dish, the colorful kitchen cabinets in these five homes really spice up their spaces.

Few spaces in the modern home take higher design priority than a lavish bath. With tile work featuring striking details and vibrant hues, these five baths are sure to make a splash.

One luxury that has skyrocketed in popularity over the last year and a half is pet ownership. Many people have expanded their families with four-legged companions during the pandemic. And while a gourmet kitchen, landscaped grounds, or a swimming pool may top the list of personal must-haves when considering the purchase of a new home, it’s important to accommodate dogs and cats as well. Here are seven features to look for in your next home that pets are sure to appreciate.

The past year has called for adaptation, and we’ve seen the ripple effects in how and where we do our fitness routines. The home gym or workout area is now just as ubiquitous as the home office, and for good reason.

The ability to cater your workout space to your own fitness needs—whether your practice includes yoga, online bootcamps, or elliptical training—allows for a better work-life balance, leading to more flexibility in your day. These five properties offer an inspiring glimpse into how different fitness activities can take place right at home.

There’s nothing like a Steinway & Sons piano. Or so say the virtuosos who insist on playing this American-made instrument. Steinway & Sons pianos have dominated concert halls all over the world since the company introduced its first piano 167 years ago, and pianists from every genre, from Lang Lang to Billy Joel, are known for the special relationship they have with this maker.