Maybe you are going to be land-locked this coming holiday weekend, but it doesn’t mean you can’t create your own little oasis and enjoy the weather! Outdoor living spaces can be a great selling point for your home, and there are some great, affordable ways to really make your outdoor living area shine. Here are a few ideas that are totally DIY and easy, and can really help you maximize your outdoor spaces.

1. Think color. Adding pops of color to an otherwise plain space can change the whole look. Outdoor rugs and pillows are excellent ways to bring some excitement to your porch or patio. Another great fix is paint. As you can see below, adding a shock of orange paint creates a similar effect to an outdoor rug (and requires less cleaning!). Try to use color to tie the space together. You’ll notice in the picture above, the homeowners added blue planters to coordinate with their Greek key rug. It creates a really harmonious and sophisticated space.

2. Lighting. An outdoor lantern or twinkly lights can really create a nice ambiance for an evening cookout or party. Candles or tiki torches can do the trick as well (just be careful!).

3. Plants. You can give your outdoor space a lush feel with a little bit of landscaping! Planters filled with greenery or tying in color make a space welcoming. You could even try a planter wall, as pictured below. You might even spray paint the basic terra cotta planters a pretty bright color.

These are just some ideas to get you started! Create your own oasis!

Images via HGTV

Home sales in April ticked up to the highest level in over three years. According to the National Association of Realtors sales rose in April to a seasonally adjusted 4.97 million; sales have risen 9.7% in the past 12 months. The supply of available houses has also risen 12% from March to April, this partially reflects the typical inventory increase for the spring selling season, but it is also helpful in boosting sales-as there has been a shortage of available homes on the market. The inventory of available homes still remains below the six month supply traditionally representative of a typical market.

Additionally, buyer traffic has risen 31% in the past year and the median price of a home for sale jumped 11% from March to April up to $192, 800, which is the highest in almost five years. The increases have encouraged sellers to list their homes, as well as motivated buyers still hoping to catch a deal. Homes are being snapped up at a much quicker pace with homes the median being 46 days on the market in April, which is down from the median of 62 days in March. Homes are selling 45% faster than they were a year ago. To read the full article visit CBS News.