House Digest - Home Improvement, Design, DIY, & Celebrity Interviews

Ditch Concrete: Build Your Retaining Wall With This Natural Material That's So Durable

staff@housedigest.com (Melody Ip) — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 02:00:00 +0000

Concrete is neither aesthetically pleasing nor eco-friendly. With this unique type of stone, you can get the best of both worlds and enjoy it for decades.

Ditch Concrete Blocks: How To Build A Retaining Wall From Rammed Earth

staff@housedigest.com (Lindsay Donaldson) — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 21:00:00 +0000

When building anything from rammed earth, you'll need a reinforced (temporary) formwork that can withstand the immense pressure of the tamping process.

Say Goodbye To Concrete Blocks: Build A Retaining Wall With An Impressive DIY

staff@housedigest.com (Becca Cullum-Green) — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 19:10:00 +0000

You might not care for the look of concrete blocks for your retaining wall. But you can use another material that's durable and more visually appealing.

Skip Gravel Driveways: The Durable Rustic Alternative Looks Just As Good

staff@housedigest.com (Ellen Merriss) — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 16:30:00 +0000

Gravel is rustic and affordable for driveways, but it has downsides. Stop weeding and raking loose gravel by installing this similar yet sturdier alternative.

Neither Concrete Nor Stone: The Durable Retaining Wall Material That Lasts Longer

staff@housedigest.com (Nancy Schaffer) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 21:30:00 +0000

There's a retaining wall option that's just as durable as stone and as affordable as concrete, but has more Old World charm than both materials combined.

Why Do Concrete Blocks Have Holes? (Added Strength Is Just One Reason)

staff@housedigest.com (Nina Phillips) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 19:30:00 +0000

Some concrete blocks are solid while others have holes in them. Those holes aren't for aesthetics; they're for building purposes and offer a lot of versatility.

Brick Pavers Aren't Just For Patios: The Budget-Friendly Place To Use Them

staff@housedigest.com (Charlotte D. Miller) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 11:30:00 +0000

Brick pavers can be part of budget-friendly projects, too. This particular idea zooms in on a smaller area than the patio, but it's one that is seen even more.

Use A Craft Room Staple To Create Budget-Friendly Pavers That'll Boost Curb Appeal

staff@housedigest.com (Becca Cullum-Green) — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 16:30:00 +0000

This handy craft machine can help you create unique and budget-friendly pavers to add character and personality to your outdoor space in a few simple steps.

14 Of The Biggest Wastes Of Money You Can Spend On Your Driveway

staff@housedigest.com (Katy Willis) — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 12:20:00 +0000

From sealing mistakes to the plants you grow in the surrounding area, you'll save yourself a chunk of change if you avoid doing these things to your driveway.

Skip Gravel Driveways: The New Material That's Stronger And Carbon-Negative

staff@housedigest.com (Catherine Nyorani) — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 19:30:00 +0000

This is your cue to ditch the gravel in your driveway and switch to this carbon-negative material that's much stronger and requires far less maintenance.

The Circular Feature That Makes Gravel Driveways More Functional And Polished

staff@housedigest.com (Katharine Hansen) — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:40:00 +0000

Gravel driveways are affordable to install and simple to repair, but they're not always the easiest to navigate. Make things safer with a simple design change.

Keep Dogs From Scratching Up Your Deck With An Easy Solution

staff@housedigest.com (Jo Plumridge) — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:40:00 +0000

Our dogs' enthusiasm, while wonderful, can also lead to damage, like a scratched-up deck. This solution helps stop them in their tracks while keeping them safe.

Give Your Old Retaining Wall A Fresh New Vibe With This Easy Fix

staff@housedigest.com (Selena Ivette Rodriguez) — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 13:00:00 +0000

With a little patience and creativity, you can refresh your old concrete retaining wall to give it a new, more pleasing look. First you need the right formula.

Build An Epic Succulent Garden Entirely From Concrete Blocks

staff@housedigest.com (Melody Ip) — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 20:30:00 +0000

Concrete blocks may seem boring, but their use is only limited by your imagination. You can, for example, create a patio succulent garden in an afternoon.

Build Or Buy A Shed: Here's The Cheaper Option For Outdoor Storage

staff@housedigest.com (Nancy Schaffer) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 15:30:00 +0000

You need a shed, but should you build one yourself, assemble a prefabricated kit, or get a ready-made shed? The key is to price out each option before deciding.

Bye, Gravel Driveways: The Futuristic Material That's Easy To Recycle

staff@housedigest.com (Nancy Schaffer) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 01:00:00 +0000

Gravel and crushed rock have long been classic driveway options, but this eco-friendly option is recently becoming more popular among homeowners.

Avoid Carpenter Bees Damaging Wood Decks And Fences With An Alternative Material

staff@housedigest.com (Kyle Schurman) — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 18:30:00 +0000

Carpenter bees are beneficial, but they can also cause a lot of damage to untreated wood structures in your yard. Consider other materials to discourage them.

Skip The Shingles: The Roof Material That Can Be Cheaper And More Sustainable

staff@housedigest.com (Nina Phillips) — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Shingles may be the go-to material for most roofs, but this eco-friendly and durable alternative could help you save more money in the long run.

Not Concrete, Not Porcelain: The Versatile Material For Budget-Friendly Pavers

staff@housedigest.com (Catherine Nyorani) — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 22:00:00 +0000

Concrete crumbles, porcelain slips, and natural stone costs too much. This little-known alternative can be affordable, goes down quickly, and lasts for decades.

Ditch Plain Concrete: The Alternative That'll Add Texture To Your Exterior Finish

staff@housedigest.com (Katharine Hansen) — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

There's no need to choose between style and strength. This exterior finish gives you the warm look of wood with the long-lasting durability of concrete.