Autumn has returned to Middle Tennessee, and the Parks at Home team is counting down the days until the trees burst into fiery hues of red, orange, and yellow. Local farms are stocked with apples, carrots, corn, squash, and pumpkin, and our many fall festivals are just around the corner. 

If you’ve completed your fall home checklist, you’re ready to choose your favorites from our recommended fall home must-haves. Happy autumn, and happy decorating! 

1.) Set the Seasonal Tone with Colorful Throw Pillows

One of the simplest ways to embrace a shift in the seasons is by changing up your throw pillows. Whether you decide to go with adorable scarecrows and pumpkins or a subtler take—say, autumnal tones in rich textures—you'll get hooked on how

Fire pits are one of the most popular backyard entertainment features, and they’re a straightforward DIY project as well! Modern fire pits are warm, beautiful, and safe, and make outdoor entertaining in Middle Tennessee feasible eight to nine months out of the year.

Are you ready to create your own fire pit? All you need is a budget of around $100 and a free afternoon, and you could be roasting s’mores around your new outdoor space by nightfall. Today’s guide will walk you through each step, so scroll through to learn just how to make a DIY fire pit.

1.) Check Local Building Codes

Depending on your local ordinances, there may be restrictions on DIY fire pits. Before you get started on your project, take a few moments to read up on

If you’re fortunate, your home has one more bedroom than your family requires. While creating a guest bedroom is the traditional move, we've gathered our favorite alternative ideas for your spare bedroom to share with you. We find that the happiest homeowners are those who use their homes to meet their needs rather than opting to conform to standard expectations, so as you read through our list, follow your heart to find your bliss!

Keep scrolling for 11 ideas that can be used either in tandem with a guest space or in lieu of one.

1.) Experiment With Bold Color

If you do decide to use your spare bedroom to accommodate your houseguests, consider painting the walls a bold color you adore. While you might not want your own bedroom to be awash

In Middle Tennessee, fall is a breathtakingly beautiful place. Understandably, then, most of us want to spend fall out and about, enjoying the festivals, sights, and smells of our state. For homeowners, though, we have fall chores to complete before winter arrives. Our fall home checklist below will help you weatherproof your home, improve its energy efficiency, and help you tackle your tasks one step at a time.

1.) Clean Out or Replace Gutters

It’s easy to take your gutters for granted; when they’re working, you hardly notice them. However, even one season with clogged gutters will increase the risk of foundation damage and dry rot within your home.

This fall, either climb up and clean out your gutters, or hire a service to handle it for

Curb appeal is likely part of what first drew you to your home, so it makes sense to keep your property’s exterior at least as beautiful as it was then. A damaged and neglected driveway would naturally detract from the overall impression one would get upon arriving at your home. Today, we’re sharing the best ways to help your driveway look good and last longer than you might have hoped. By following the tips below, your valuable driveway will be the envy of your block in the coming years.

Regular driveway maintenance prevents difficult and costly issues, so make prevention a priority this summer and all year long! Your driveway’s lifespan will depend on routine maintenance and the care you take to protect it.

Tips for Maintenance: An Ounce of

If you are considering purchasing a property to rent through Airbnb or are debating converting a current long-term rental into a short-term rental, you're likely weighing the pros and cons of running an Airbnb in Middle Tennessee. 

You’ve probably heard that renting properties through Airbnb, VRBO, or booking.com can be far more lucrative than long-term renting, which can be true but isn’t always so. Furthermore, even a successful Airbnb host may decide that the gig isn’t a good fit for their personality, lifestyle, and location.

So, let’s dive right in: what are the pros and cons of becoming an Airbnb host?

The Pros

1.) Higher Income Potential

The first, most obvious benefit to choosing short-term rentals is that they bring in

Southern American barbecue is a genuinely unique cuisine. Each region within the South takes pride in its own style of slow barbecue cooking, and Tennessee is no exception. In the east, Tennesseans prefer pork shoulder and chopped whole hogs with a vinegar sauce. In Memphis, dry and wet pork ribs and pulled pork shoulder reign supreme. 

At Parks Realty, we adore every Southern barbecue style! Whichever way you prefer to cook your cuts, we hope you take advantage of these warm summer nights and turn your own back yard into a culinary destination, sending aloft aromas that will make mouths water all around your neighborhood.

If you’re a beginning pitmaster, the following list of backyard barbecue must-haves will equip you to turn out succulent

Most pet owners count our pets as an important part of the family. Thus, it makes sense to consider their needs when purchasing or remodeling our homes. Today, we’re sharing our top 12 home must-haves for pet owners. If you want your home to be safe, fun, convenient, and durable for your furry companion, the following recommended essentials are a great place to start!

Bathing Station

Bathing your cat or dog is probably not your favorite part of pet ownership. However, by installing (or shopping for a home that includes) a dedicated pet bathing station, you can make this task much more manageable.

Typically, a pet bathing station is located in a mudroom, laundry room, or dedicated grooming room off the kitchen. Pet showers are elevated, usually

Back yards are each homeowner’s personal slice of nature. When well maintained, thoughtfully arranged, and studded with pops of your personality, your outdoor living space can become a place where you can entertain long into the night. 

The following must-have backyard items are a blueprint meant for personalization. Only you can picture your perfect paradise, but we hope this list gets your creative mind whirling with possibilities.

1.) Lush Landscaping

If you have the means to have lavish landscaping installed all at once, congratulations! If not, visit one of the best locally-owned plant nurseries for assistance in choosing the best botanicals for your yard, planting them properly, and maintaining them throughout each season. 

As your

Setting up your first home bar or upgrading to a more sophisticated collection of alcoholic beverages can leave you overwhelmed at all of the options. Perhaps you can’t decide where to begin, what to include, or how much to budget. This is a common conundrum many homeowners face when deciding to establish their home’s first official wet bar, so you’re not alone! Today, we’re sharing our list of home bartending must-haves. 

Just the Basics

If you don’t drink often, or have simply never mixed alcoholic beverages before, you may still want to have the supplies on hand for guests who would enjoy a drink when they visit. Follow the below (EASY) five steps to set up a basic at-home bar cart and add to it each month as you learn to make new drinks