As home design enthusiasts know, summer is an exceptionally exciting time, because it’s when home tours are in full swing. Starting in June with the Artisan Home Tour and the Luxury Home Tour, home tour season offers an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in the endlessly inspiring world of architecture, construction, and design. After all, where else do you get an invitation to step inside multimillion-dollar dream homes and discover chef-caliber kitchens, luxurious master suites, rustic wine cellars, and other Pinterest-worthy design features? Whether you‘re thinking of redecorating your living room, renovating an outdated kitchen, remodeling a beloved older home, or building a new house, home tours offer a wealth of ideas, inspiration, and information. As you talk with realtors, architects, builders, interior designers, and other professionals, you’ll get an idea of what your project might cost; discover the latest materials, features, and finishes; and learn about the newest technologies and sustainable design techniques to help you create the home of your dreams.

To help you make the most of home tour season, we’ve compiled a handy list of our favorite home tours and some useful tips.

Ready to Redecorate?

As you visit each home, ask to meet the interior designer. He or she can explain the vision for the home, discuss design challenges and solutions, explain why a particular paint color was selected, and show you how clever coffee bars, dishwashers hidden by custom cabinetry and other surprises were created. Even if you don’t have a million-dollar budget, you’ll find ideas you can translate to your own home.

Thinking of remodeling?

If you’ve been fantasizing about knocking down walls to bring more light into your home, replacing your countertops with Cambria®, or building an addition, a remodeling home tour can be a valuable step in the discovery process. Builders and contractors enjoy sharing “before” photos of their projects, explaining average cost-per-square-foot construction costs, and offering tips for maximizing your budget and minimizing the disruption of renovation.

Dreaming of building a brand-new home?

Building a new home can be one of the most rewarding—and complex—endeavors of a lifetime. Given the potential size of your investment in terms of both time and money, it makes sense to learn as much as you can before buying a lot and breaking ground. When you find a home that reflects your personal style, ask to talk to the architect, builder, landscape architect, and interior designer. If you click with them, follow up after the tour to schedule a no-obligation consultation to discuss your project.