6 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Spring

Spring is coming! Soon, the cold and snowy days of winter will be a thing of the past, and no more will you have to put on your coat just to keep warm.

But with a new season and a new year comes new beginnings, and what better way to start the season off than with some maintenance and redecoration? It’ll certainly make spring feel much more charming once it hits! To that end, this article has prepared some tips that can help spruce up your home.

Clean your gutters.

If you’ve been doing proper maintenance on your gutters, then you should already know that spring is the best time to start cleaning your gutters again. With the warmer temperatures, it isn’t as difficult to remove debris such as branches, leaves, and other grime that may have been caught in during the winter.

Of course, there’s a very good reason why you should do so: Gutters with debris clog, and spring season brings in a lot of rain. With nowhere for the water to run down, the rainwater will instead spread all over the roof, while the gutter overflows like a waterfall to the ground below. This can be a major cause for concern as it can heavily damage your roof. To add insult to injury, debris is perfect for pests looking for a new home during the season, and I don’t think you want to wake up one day to find an ant colony climbing up and down your walls.

Cleaning debris can be done alone, but if you would rather have it scrubbed down to the last twig with amazing proficiency, you can call in some plumbing professionals.

Clean your house windows.

The best time to clean your house windows? Spring. After accumulation from previous seasons, there’s not a better time to clean your windows than after winter. All the accumulated dust and grime will be swept away once you get right down to it. 

This also means that you won’t have to worry about winter clogging up the window with fog and snow, as you’ll be cleaning right after it ends. Plus, it’s just a massive pain to clean your windows out in the freezing cold, isn’t it?

Prepare your garden.

A warmer temperature means more plants growing! Now that temperatures have become more ideal for plant growing, you can start preparing your garden for its new leafy inhabitants. 

You can begin by preparing your soil: add fertilizer like mulch and compost to give it nutrients to make it a better place for your plants to grow!

Decorate your house with flowers.

Nothing says spring more than beautiful flowers. Placing even a couple of these beauties in your house gives your place a much more natural feel, while also being in tune with the season. Plus, there is a large variety of flowers to go around! You can go for inexpensive store-bought ones, or you can even grow them yourself, and place them in your living room once they’ve sprouted!

Speaking of a natural feel though...

Add in nature’s touch.

Flowers aren’t the only way you can give your house a touch of the environment. There are other plants that can have the same effect, but have the benefit of giving your house variety, especially in the design aspect. Having flowers is nice but having herbs in conjunction with flowers makes the place feel much fresher and varied!

If you ever decide on creating an indoor garden, now is the best time. In fact, not only will it benefit the design of your house, it can even enable to you to grow herbs of your own instead of buying them elsewhere...

But maybe you don’t want to have to go through the effort of creating an indoor garden. After all, it takes time and effort to cultivate plants, something which you may not always have the opportunity to do. In which case, you can still give your home a natural feel by switching up furniture.

Maybe you have an old table or two that you’ve had the itch of throwing away, or maybe you’ve wanted to do something about your old floors, especially now that the year has begun anew. Well, now is the golden opportunity to do so. Replacing your old tables with wooden versions while turning your wood into hardwood floor takes a bit of effort on your part, but after which, you get to enjoy the positive benefits of for years to come with minimal maintenance needed. It’ll also give your house a touch of the outside environment. Besides, wooden furniture and flooring just looks good all the time!
Change up your curtains.

Did you know that something that seems simple and unassuming as your house curtains can actually change someone’s perspective on a room? Yep, even the color and placement of it matters. Curtains that are darker in color tell you to keep hidden in the safety of your home. A good message for sure when you want to keep warm during winter, but probably not so when the sun is inviting you out during the spring.

With all that said, changing your house curtains can make quite the difference, even if it doesn’t seem obvious at first. You choose curtains that have already been made, or if you really want to get intricate with your designs, you can opt in towards made to measure curtains to give you the proper curtains you want.

Guest Contributor: Javed Soni

Home Improvements That Add Value to Your Home

Homeowners know the drill: The maintenance list seems to get longer every year. With the Illinois housing market on the upswing, this is the perfect time to make some home improvements that will add value to your home. 

Simple tasks like building storage space, painting furniture, and planting a garden are jobs you can tackle on the weekends. 

Indoor DIY 

The happiest place on Earth isn’t an amusement park; it’s your local hardware store. Stroll through the aisles, and you’ll find everything you need to spruce up every room in the house. The paint department has a large variety of colors, rollers, brushes, drop cloths, and cleaning supplies.

Replace old fixtures in bathrooms, hallways, and the kitchen with energy-efficient lighting. Incandescent bulbs, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and compact fluorescent lamps save money by using less energy. Timers and photocells turn lights off when you forget.

Install ceiling fans to reduce cooling costs and increase air circulation.

High-traffic areas like hallways, the kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms could use new flooring. Choosing new flooring depends on how each room is used. Family rooms with thick Berber carpet can handle the rough and tumble play of children and pets, but they may not be as easy to clean as others. Vinyl, ceramic tile, and laminates work best in the kitchen. Rubber padding is good for a children’s playroom. Although carpeting is most comfortable for bedrooms, wooden surfaces (with area rugs) are trending. 

Set Up a Home Office

Working from home is a necessity for some because of the coronavirus pandemic. It's also a popular choice for employers these days. Dedicate a room for office projects, reading email, paying bills, and engaging on social media. A “powering up” station near a wall is a must for charging phones and computers. Artificial Intelligence (Alexa, Siri, Cortana, Google, etc.) is a draw for would-be home-buyers, and you'll enjoy its benefits, too.

Speaking of Smart …Today’s smart homes have one or more of these technological gadgets.

• Doorbells

• Thermostats

• Window blinds

• Lamps

• Smoke detectors

• Air conditioners

• Security cameras

Bath

Bathrooms are the most used rooms in the house. When rust and scum build up in toilets, on shower doors, and sink drain traps, it’s time for replacements. 

Spruce up the bathroom with a floating sink or vanity. Shampoo, tissues, towels, toilet paper, and soaps are the only things you really need -- consider tearing out oversized cabinets and replacing them with decorative shelving. Install a heated towel rack and a wall holder for the blow dryer. 

Kitchen

Open-space kitchens are all the rage these days, especially for entertaining. Tearing out walls may not be practical, but you can repaint cabinets, replace handles, and upgrade countertops. Energy-efficient appliances reduce utility bills and are good for the environment.

Outdoor DIY

The outside of the house is the first thing anyone sees – keeping it maintained should be the first chore on your list. Along with mowing and weeding the lawn, and pruning trees, the decor stands out. You can keep it low-maintenance by planting elderberry bushes, purple coneflowers, and other plants native to Chicago. 

While you’re outside … 

• Replace broken mailboxes and house numbers.

• Upgrade outdoor lighting.

• Fix cracks in the drive and walkways. Powerwash the cement.

• Paint or stain shuttlers, railings, and outdoor woodwork.

 Invest in Your Home

Sometimes it’s a new roof. Sometimes your home needs a plumbing fix. Maybe the windows are leaking and ready for an upgrade. At some point, every house develops structural problems. Keep the value of your home intact by staying ahead of the game. 

To learn more on How to Add Value To Your Home, Check out https://www.ghclark.com/a-guide-on-how-to-add-value-to-your-home/ . Homeowners know the drill: The maintenance list seems to get longer every year. With the Illinois housing market on the upswing, this is the perfect time to make some home improvements that will add value to your home.

Yianni Demetrios grew up in a home built from Sears-Roebuck house plans and found his calling as a do-it-yourselfer. After mastering fence posts and patio tiles, he is working his way up to building his own house from a kit.

Is There the COVID-19 in Our Water?

With the approaching second wave of COVID-19, the world is back to the point of extreme health security measures. Some people are getting anxious as the number of the infected is rising again in some areas. Although it’s still not clear what the future holds, we can’t underestimate the importance of following personal hygiene measures.  

We are very well familiar with them. Social distancing, personal protection wear like masks and gloves, sanitizers are all on the list. Besides this, we mustn’t forget to regularly wash hands with soap and water at least for 20 seconds. But stop, what about the water? Is New York tap water safe to drink or use for washing groceries or dishes? Let’s drill into the topic.

Can the Virus Spread through Water?

Why can we assume that there is coronavirus in water? The logic is based on the way the virus is spreading. It’s known that the infected person can transfer COVID-19 to the non-infected one in respiratory droplets. These droplets are released when the person with the virus coughs, talks, or sneezes. 

All these are clear. But about COVID-19 in water? Since the infected droplets can spread to any surface, it’s only logical to wonder if they can spread to water. At the moment, no evidence proves the fact that such a possibility exists. According to the EPA, it’s safe to drink water from tap. 

This is explained by the fact that water supplies are subject to filtration systems before being delivered to our taps. These systems filter and disinfect the water; therefore, even if the viruses exist there, they are killed. 

The situation with wastewater is a bit different. The virus has been detected in the feces of some patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19. This leads us to the assumption that it can be spread in wastewater. In fact, the virus has been discovered in untreated wastewater. 

Unfortunately, not much can be said as the information about the incident is rather limited. What is clear is that there has been no proof that anyone has got infected due to exposure to wastewater. 

The last important point about a possible sphere with the increased risk of catching the virus is water facilities. Here, we refer to swimming pools, spas and hot tubs, water playgrounds. Normally, the risk of virus spread there is low. This is explained by severe water disinfection. The aquatic venues usually use bromine or chlorine, which should inactivate the coronavirus.

As you can see, it seems that the water is free from viruses. However, we should still consider water safety tips.

How to Protect Yourself

At first glance, it seems that we are safe to drink the water from the tap, as well as use it for cooking and washing groceries. Is it so in reality? The safety of water solely depends on the filtration system that is supposed to disinfect it before it’s supplied to our taps. 

Truth be told, if the water from taps were so safe, no household would ever install a drinking water filtration system. Even if we accept the fact that the supplied living fluid is filtered and disinfected, it still travels around pipes before arriving at our homes. These pipes are far from clean. Therefore, they may spread the viruses, including the coronavirus. 

Taking all these into consideration, the king of water safety tips at home is installing a reliable filtration system. Today, there are many models on the market. It’s advisable to choose the one that disinfects the water. 

Why Is Water Safety Important?

Water is the basis of our lives. High-quality, pure water is essential for our physical well-being. After all, it makes up 80% of the human body. That’s why it’s vital to ensure that you are consuming healthy, beneficial water. 

Another important aspect of why we should mind water safety is because of the consumed amount. Normally, an individual should drink about two liters per day. Such an amount of unhealthy, contaminated liquid can significantly harm the body, including all the vitals. 

As you can see, drinking pure water is one of the ways how you can protect yourself from coronavirus. What other protective measures do you take?

Guest Contributor: Alex Altuhov

How to Choose the Right Kitchen Cabinet Materials for Your Home

When it comes to choosing materials for your kitchen cabinets, there are a mind-boggling number of options. We’re going to go over some of the most popular options here - our focus will be on cost and functionality, because there’s no accounting for taste (though we will touch a bit on aesthetics).

In this piece, we won’t look at hardware or add-ons like glass finishes - the focus will be on the construction. Cabinetry is highly-customizable, so you can riff off of the materials we present here fairly easily.

Wood cabinets

Wood is, by far, the most popular type of material for kitchen cabinets.There are two types of wood cabinetry - solid wood and engineered wood. Wood is prone to expansion when it’s exposed to moisture, so you’ll need to seal your wood cabinets - most come pre-sealed, but in rare cases, you may need to seal the cabinets yourself as soon as they're installed.

Solid wood

Hardwood cabinetry is more expensive than the engineered woods we’ll talk about next. There’s a good reason for that, though - hardwood cabinets are incredibly durable. They’re impact and scratch-resistant. You can also pick from a wide variety of styles - Oak, Cherry, Pine, or even Maple. 

You could also pick a softwood, like Mahogany, - this type of wood is much more prone to scratching and denting, however.

You should note that solid wood is more prone to warping than some engineered woods - for this reason, materials like plywood are much more commonly used in modern day cabinetry.

Plywood

Plywood is an engineered wood - it tends to be less expensive than hardwood, but can be almost as durable. Plywood comes in a variety of different grades - you’ll want a high-grade plywood if aesthetics are important to you. 

While you could pick an inexpensive, highly functional material like Baltic Birch plywood, the finish on these types of plywood is usually less visually appealing. Opting for Oak or Maple can be more aesthetically pleasing, though Baltic Birch can be finished to improve its look.

MDF (Fiberboard)

Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is a very popular material for kitchen cabinets. It’s relatively inexpensive, it doesn’t warp or crack, and it’s quite easy to paint.
The main disadvantage of MDF is that it scratches very easily - and unlike solid wood, you can’t simply sand away the scratches. This might not be the best material to use if you have small children or pets who might be prone to scratching your cabinets.

Particleboard

Particleboard is the least expensive option available, so for budget renovations it can be an excellent choice. You can find high-end particleboard available that can withstand moisture to a certain degree - most particleboard, however, will warp when things get too humid. Particleboard is the weakest cabinet material, so unless you’re working on a budget, you should probably avoid it.

Wood veneer

Wood veneer isn’t actually a type of cabinetry - it’s more of a footnote. Plywood, for example, uses a wood veneer finish. Basically, if you want to improve the look of, say, an MDF cabinet, you can request a specific type of wood veneer as a finish. Wood veneers can act as a lower cost alternative when you want the look of hardwood without paying the price (or dealing with the warping-related problems).

Wood alternatives

There are a couple of materials other than wood that are being used for cabinetry in the 21st century. Indeed, these alternatives can add a modern, almost futuristic look to your kitchen.

Metals

There are all kinds of metal cabinets available - most are made of stainless steel. They don’t have the moisture-related drawbacks that wood cabinets do, because they’re not porous. They do, however, tend to scratch more easily. Maintenance on stainless steel cabinets is a breeze - you can just wipe them down regularly, and you never need to reseal them. They are, however, on the expensive side.

Thermoplastics

Thermoplastics are incredibly versatile - you can get an astonishing variety of different colors. They’re low-maintenance, inexpensive, easy to install and maintain, and are moisture-resistant.

There are downsides, however. They aren't heat-resistant, so you can’t install them near heat sources. They also tend to yellow over time.

Cabinet renovation tips 

Once you’ve figured out which cabinet material best suits your needs, you can start renovating. You’ll, of course, need to measure everything to ensure you’re getting the right size. You’ll also want to have a dumpster or some other way to dispose of renovation waste. 

The best time to renovate your cabinets is when you’re doing other kitchen renovations - when your cabinets have been taken out, it can be easier for plumbers and electricians to do their work. Minor and major kitchen renovations can both pay off a lot - we wish you all the best!

Guest Contributor: Christie Simon

DIY Bathroom Remodel for Beginners

Bathroom remodels are a popular home improvement project for homeowners and can be seen as a good DIY opportunity. However, a DIY bathroom remodel is no simple task. For DIY beginners a full remodel may be too challenging. It’s often best to leave major portions of this home improvement project to professionals. This includes electrical, floor, and plumbing. For example, if you need plumbing work done, be sure to call a 24 hour plumbing service to help.

If you are a DIY beginner, there are still some portions of your bathroom remodel you can do yourself. These are 5 bathroom ideas for projects you don’t need the pros to help you with.

Update the Vanity

The vanity is a huge stylistic piece in any bathroom. This is great news for DIY beginners because making any change, even simple changes, can make the space feel updated. The simplest option for updating your bathroom vanity is to give it a new coat of paint. If you want your bathroom to feel bigger, neutral colors are your best options. These would include white, gray, or brown.

To paint your vanity, unscrew all the drawers and remove any additional hardware. Clean and sand the wood and then paint with your new color. Once the coat of paint dries, just assemble it back together and you have what feels like an entirely new bathroom piece.

Replace Faucets

Another simple task for DIY beginners is replacing the faucets. By now your sink and tub faucets are most likely outdated or chipped which makes it the perfect appliance to focus on updating. It may seem like a small change but it will help make your bathroom space feel brand new.

While replacing a faucet is one of the easier tasks for DIY home improvement, there are some specific steps to take. Before you do anything, turn off the water supply. This valve can usually be found underneath the sink. Once you’ve done that, you can disconnect the supply lines, remove the nuts, and take out your old faucet.

Find your new faucet and insert it into the mounting holes on the sink. Connect the supply lines to your faucet. Now all you need to do is turn on the water and see if you have any leaks.

Paint the Walls

For home improvement beginners, painting the walls is one of the easiest updates you can make to your bathroom. A fresh coat of paint can make any space feel bigger, welcoming, and completely new. One of the best colors for making your bathroom feel large and open is white. However, if you want a little more color to the space, light colors are another great option for a large-feeling bathroom.

Once you’ve chosen the right color and bought the right amount, the next step for your DIY project is cleaning the walls. Be sure to get around the bathtub and shower so you don’t have any lingering soap scum that could ruin your paint job.

The most difficult part of painting your bathroom walls is removing the toilet. It can be hard to paint around it so it’s often best to just remove it from the space until you’re done. However, this may be a job for the professionals if you don’t feel you can do it properly. Remove any other obstructions, cover the floors, and tape the trim.

Now the real fun begins. Paint the walls using a roller, let the first coat dry, and then apply the second. Once everything is dry and you’re happy with the paint, move everything back into the bathroom.

Add New Storage

Nothing says a DIY bathroom remodel like more storage. This is a great project to help organize your space or add additional surfaces for decoration. Without the clutter, your bathroom will feel open, inviting, and updated.

A recently popular option for storage is open shelving. You can place open shelves above the toilet or on the wall by the shower. Depending on the style of your bathroom, you may have many different options to create these shelves.

DIY beginners can rest assured that this task is totally do-able. All you need to do is buy brackets, mark the places you want them on the wall, and secure them. Once you’re happy with their placement, you only need to add the shelves and decorate.

Update Decorations

While updating your bathroom decorations doesn’t involve any screwdrivers, paintbrushes, or brackets, this is still a great project for a bathroom remodel. By removing your old decorations and adding new items, your bathroom space will transform.

Some popular decorations for your bathroom include shower curtains, framed pictures, potted plants, soap dispensers, candles, and baskets. If you repainted your walls, be sure to find decorations that help that color pop instead of clashing.

Just because you’re a home improvement beginner doesn’t mean you can’t take control of the space yourself. While major portions of your bathroom remodel is best left to the pros, there are still many tasks you can do on your own. Just be creative, do your research, and consult help if problems arise.

About the Author

Jennifer Bell is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey.

Using Natural Stone Sinks With a Natural Stone Cleaner

Stone sinks can be very beautiful, but like anything else, they require some basic attention and care to keep them looking beautiful and new. Stone sinks come in an enormous variety of styles, from the blandest white soapstone to the most ornate marble. Stone sinks aren't indestructible, but unlike granite, they are not nearly as resistant to scratching or staining. However, there are just some differences between various types of stone, with a bearing on their cleaning and upkeep, so make sure that you know what type of stone sink you own. Here are some tips on how to take care of your sinks and keep them looking great:

A natural stone sink is one in which the pores of the stone are large enough for the liquid to seep through without being absorbed. Common stones include marble, limestone, travertine, slate, granite, soapstone, and even red sandstone. Each material will have slightly different cleaning requirements, as each comes in slightly different colors, sizes, and shapes. To keep your natural stone sink clean and looking great, here are some quick and easy tips:

Never use harsh chemicals, abrasives, or abrasives on your stone sink. Some common household cleaners can leave deposits on your material, causing hard water stains that are nearly impossible to remove. Other common problems with stone sinks include staining from soap scum, deposits left behind by limescale, and even the occasional stain caused by tiny mineral deposits left behind by microorganisms. Using abrasive cleaning supplies on your stone sink is the quickest way to ruin it, as using something like bleach to clean it will only leave the substance behind to attract more dirt.

Before actually washing the sink, make sure to rinse it completely. The hard water, soap scum, and any mineral deposits can potentially stain your stone sink if they are not removed. Rinsing it with a commercial cleaner is the best way to ensure that all of these potential stains are removed. You can also use a mild unscented detergent mixed with water to wipe down your sink, although make sure to not use anything with abrasive properties.

Once you've gotten all of the stains out of it, you can start cleaning up the rest of it. When cleaning a stone sink, never use steel wool, scouring pads, or other abrasive cleaning supplies as they will scratch the surface and permanently dull the finish. Instead, use a soft, dry cloth with a small amount of water on the area to be cleaned. Wipe in circular movements and stop immediately if the cloth becomes scratchy. For harder stains, simply use the alkaline cleaner designed for cleaning stainless steel appliances. This is a mild cleaning solution that is designed specifically for cleaning stone sinks and should be used sparingly and with proper care to keep the underlying finish intact.

If the spot that needs to be cleaned is blackened, it may be necessary to use a different approach. Since the minerals from hard water can discolor anything, you may have to use a more intense cleaning solution to remove the stain completely. If the stain is heavily mineral deposits, however, it's probably best to just use an alkaline cleaner. Any other solution may cause the minerals to re-soil the sink. If using an acidic cleaner, carefully wipe down the entire area to remove all traces of the acid.

When it comes to washing a stone sink, there are a few different ways to go about doing this. For light staining, simply use a regular old toothbrush and some hot water. Use a gentle scrubbing motion to gently clear off the hard water mineral deposits. This is a simple and cost-effective way to maintain your sink's clean look. On the other hand, if the stain is deeper or has caused the sink to become clogged with hard water mineral deposits, you will probably need to use some type of chemical cleaning agent. These can usually be bought at most hardware stores, and there are many different brands to choose from.

Some of these products are environmentally safe, but some can cause damage to the stone and fixtures made from natural stone. When selecting a natural stone sink made from natural stone or ceramic, it's always a good idea to test a small area before actually using it in your home. Use a drop or two of your favorite household cleaning product to spray onto the area. If the product discolors the area, likely, your stone sink will too. It's important to follow the directions on your faucet or sink made from natural stone when choosing a cleaning product to ensure the protection of your investment.

Guest Contributor: Amory

Taking Care of Your Garage This Winter

When you think of winterizing your home, your mind might not turn to your garage — but it should. After all, this space is where you store your car, which is the second-biggest investment many people have. 

Plus, winterizing your vehicle’s space can help you slash your home heating costs and protect those you hold most dear. Here are five tips for taking care of your garage this winter. 

1. Inspect Your Door 

You might not think about your garage door much, but consider this sobering statistic — approximately 30,000 people suffer injuries from malfunctions each year. Some, including children, die. You should check the function once a month and give your unit a thorough inspection every quarter. 

When inspecting your automatic garage door opener, look for items like broken overhead or torsion springs, bent or broken rollers, and frayed cables. Use your ears and your eyes — does the unit sound noisier than usual? Do you see any bent or rusted tracks or broken panels in the door itself? 

2. Create Storage Space

The winter months are the time to store your landscaping equipment. Doing so properly extends its usefulness year after year. Take the time to wash hoes and spades with soap and water and sharpen the blades with a flat-file. 

Merely stacking your tools in the garage leads to a cluttered mess. You can use a pegboard to hang rakes and other lawn items. A high-quality tool chest keeps your automotive wrenches and bolts organized. 

3. Insulate 

Is your home office located above your uninsulated garage? If so, it’s no wonder you freeze on the job, even when the rest of your house stays toasty. One of the best ways to increase your comfort and productivity is to insulate the ceiling beneath you to keep your toes from freezing on the hardwood floor above. 

Don’t stop with just the roof. Cold temperatures can shorten your vehicle’s engine life, so it pays dividends in automotive maintenance to keep your garage warmer in the winter. Plus, you’ll save on heating fuel because opening the door to the main part of your home will no longer introduce frigid outdoor temperatures to your kitchen. 

4. Seal Your Floor 

When you open your garage door in the summer, you don’t want your neighbors to see a cracked, oil-stained slab of concrete. Leaving your floor untreated means it absorbs every drop of fluid your vehicle spills. 

Coat your garage floor with epoxy to protect it from cracking and stains. The shiny surface lets you wipe up even motor oil with ease. 

5. Protect Potentially Hazardous Materials

Do you have a container of antifreeze sitting on your garage floor? To children and pets, the stuff can taste delicious — but there are severe adverse health effects. If you want to protect your loved ones, keep such materials on high shelves or behind locked doors. 

Did you bring your outdoor grill in for the winter? You should never store propane in your garage because of the risk of explosion. Also, don’t daydream about having an indoor barbecue — most charcoal and gas grills emit far too much carbon monoxide, even if you leave the door open. 

Take Care of Your Garage This Winter With These Tips 

When cold weather arrives, caring for your vehicle’s space will save you money and keep you more comfortable. Take care of your garage this winter with these tips.

Guest Contributor: Rose Morrison 

Tips for Turning Your Backyard Into A Relaxing Outdoor Haven

Have you always wanted to transform your backyard into a secret garden? Do you want to build your own outdoor paradise? Building an outdoor haven in your backyard may sound challenging and expensive, but it is not. As long as you know what you want, you’ll be able to turn your backyard into a beautiful and relaxing refuge.

Before you start transforming your backyard, you should first clean it and remove all clutter. If you’ve been using the space to store some of your things, or if it is littered with children’s toys and scattered outdoor furniture, it’s time to start clearing the area. Once it is spic and span, you can begin your transformation project. 

Here are some suggestions on what to do to turn your backyard or patio into a relaxing outdoor haven. 

Weather-proof your backyard or patio  

Regardless of its size, your backyard should be cool in the summer and warm in the winter. To start off, set up a roofed area or a patio as this can help protect you from unpredictable weather. Next, use customized misting systems for the hot days, and build a small fire pit that you can use during the cold and wintry months.

There’s nothing more relaxing than a backyard that’s cool in the summer and comfortably warm in winter. 

Choose a theme for your backyard makeover 

Working with a theme for your backyard makeover project will help make things easier and more fun. It is also a good strategy for achieving creative unity and bringing all elements together in an open space.

Likewise, if you anchor your concept and design around a theme, you just might turn your backyard into a mini-resort. That sounds like a good idea, don’t you think so? 

Choose a theme that you are familiar with, something that is doable. Some good examples include beach vibe, barbecue station, a tropical island, mountain lodge-inspired, and Bali or Mediterranean-inspired. 

Use the right outdoor furniture

You cannot use your living room couch for your backyard patio, so you need to find furniture built to withstand unpredictable outdoor elements. It’s important to consider comfort as well, so look for chairs that allow you to relax. You can go for lounging chairs, chaise lounges, swing chairs, and a deep seating set. You might also want to set up a hammock. 

Arrange your patio and make it inviting and relaxing. Place an outdoor rug or carpet and fill it with large soft cushions or bean bags. 

Putting a table or two is also a good idea, especially if you plan to entertain guests or hold gatherings with family and friends. Get your creative juices flowing and decorate the table. You can paint it with dainty flowers or whatever you want. If painting is not your cup of tea, you can cover it with a colorful or festive tablecloth.

You may also consider putting a daybed, where you can relax and read a book after a hard day’s work. Don’t forget to add fluffy, cottony soft pillows.

Add water and fire features 

Water refreshes the soul, soothes and calms the mind, and helps you feel relaxed and rejuvenated. Find an area where you can place a small fountain. You do not have to spend a lot; simply look for materials you can reuse, such as old (but still sturdy) wooden barrels. 

If a water fountain is too big for your space, then maybe you can go for a birdbath or a tabletop fountain. You can also place an aquarium somewhere on your patio, but you need to be willing to take care of it the whole year ‘round. 

If your backyard space is big, you may want to consider installing a regular-sized swimming pool or a stock tank pool. You can accentuate the area with lounging chairs and a barbecue corner. Can you imagine yourself relaxing by the poolside now? 

Aside from water elements, your backyard also needs some fire – or heat. Once the cold days start rolling in, your fire pit will help keep you and your family warm. You may also want to consider getting a patio heater for those cold, wintry nights. If you want a safer alternative, choose to use a chiminea - a front-loading oven or an outdoor fireplace that releases smoke the same way a chimney does. 

Don’t forget the lights 

Light up your backyard with outdoor lights. If you want to be creative and festive, use string lights. You can hang them all over the place and create a dreamy, magical, and dramatic effect. You can also use lanterns if you want to create a particular mood. 

If you want to be simple but sure, use spotlights or floodlights.   

Protect your privacy 

You wouldn’t want your neighbors spying on you when you’re entertaining guests or relaxing by the pool, would you? This is why you need to put a fence around your property or backyard. If a fence is too expensive or tedious for you, putting up a garden wall is a good alternative.  

Use umbrellas for shade

If you do not have a patio or gazebo, umbrellas can serve as your protection from the sun and other weather-related elements. Set up some umbrellas near your tables and lounging chairs, specifically those near the pool. 

If you want to go all out in providing shade for you, your family, and visitors, find the time and budget to build a patio or gazebo. It’s a practical and sensible choice, especially when the harsh summer sun and winter winds start hounding you.

Decorate your patio and backyard 

Put décor and accents all around your patio and backyard. Plants and flowers are always excellent choices, so you can start with these.

If you’re worried about plants taking up a lot of space, you can opt for tiered planters since they do not use up a lot of ground space. You can also choose to make terrariums or glass gardens. They are easy to manage as they are self-sustaining and work like a mini greenhouse. 

For something unique and creative, you can put up a potting corner. Nothing fancy; just an outdoor table with pots, seeds, plants, and other stuff you need for potting and growing plants. This is perfect if you love plants and plan to host plant potting parties in the future. 

Hire a landscape artist 

Getting your backyard or garden landscaped is also a good idea. A landscaped backyard is not only pleasant to look at but also calming and rejuvenating. Just imagine all the beautiful greens and flowers surrounding you and how breathtaking such a sight would be. 

Make your backyard child-friendly 

Whether or not you have children at home, it is crucial to ensure that your backyard is safe and child-friendly. You’ll never know when your nephews and nieces will drop by or when the neighborhood kids are going to visit you, so it’s better to be prepared. 

Add a few play structures and fun features such as kiddie slides and swings. A child-friendly picnic table is also a good backyard addition.

You do not have to spend a lot to transform your backyard into a relaxing haven. All you need to start the ball rolling are time, determination, a little help from family and friends, and the tips listed above. 

Guest Contributor: Anna Fox

5 Amazing High-Tech Features You Need to Include in Your Remodel

Technology advancements are great additions to a modern household as they can make your everyday life much more convenient and even help you save money. So, if you are about to remodel your home, it’s a great opportunity to upgrade its technological features too! 

And don’t worry – automated and efficient homes are not just for the rich and famous anymore! Today, smart homes are more affordable and achievable than ever. Here’s a list of five amazing high-tech features you need to include in your home renovation!

Smart thermostats

Besides installing insulation and closing air leaks to keep your house warm, technology advancements can help you save money and energy on heating, cooling, and electricity. Adding a smart thermostat during your home remodeling can improve its efficiency.Installing a few extra temperature sensors is advised as it will upgrade your heating and cooling systems even more. 

These sensors should be hardwired directly into your smart thermostat, so you can automatically regulate the temperature in each room. And you can adjust the temperature from your phone since this new breed of thermostats can be controlled from your computer or a smartphone. Some of these amazing thermostats incorporate Alexa, Amazon’s digital assistant, allowing you to use voice activation. And it can even learn your temperature preferences!

Automated security systems

While you are renovating your home, it’s much easier to automate your home security and add various sensors like the ones that detect motion, door or window access, flooding, broken glass, smoke, or carbon monoxide. Each of these sensors can be integrated into an automation system and customized to the layout of your home.

And there are more high-tech security features for you to consider. For example, if a door or any of the windows have been accessed, you can receive alerts on your mobile device. Also, you can upgrade your home’s security by adding remotely controlled CCTV cameras so you can keep an eye on your property from afar. Again, you can manage this system through your phone, computer, or tablet. 

Modernized entertainment systems

While remodeling your home, why not upgrade your entertainment system too? Custom speaker systems can be directly integrated into your home’s construction and matched to the paint on your walls for a seamless appearance. And with a wireless sound system, you can listen to your favorite music all around the house. 

Also, the TV technology has been revolutionized by 4K TV that has a resolution of eight million pixels, four times the number of full HD! And there are weather-resistant models available, so you can transform your backyard into an outdoor entertainment center your family and friends will adore.

Just mount the wireless speakers into your patio and get a top-rated outdoor TV! The anti-glare LCD screens together with 4K TV technology provide crystal-clear clarity and a life-like picture. You and you and your family can enjoy nights under the stars or binge on your favorite show all day long during a beautiful summer day. 

Central vacuum system

This convenience-driven innovation will help you make vacuuming a breeze! How does it work? The central vacuum system is integrated throughout your property and contains a central unit and vacuum points built-in around your home. These vacuum points are linked to the main unit via a concealed ducting network installed within the walls and floors. The central unit is typically located in a garage, utility room, basement, or under the stairs.

This way, you can vacuum faster and more conveniently without getting tangled up in cords while moving from room to room. Instead, all you need to do is plug a lightweight hose into the vacuum points and sweep all your dirt and dust away!

Solar panels

Take advantage of the fastest-growing energy technology in the world and introduce solar panels to your space during your remodel. The switch to the solar system generates a significant ROI, so energy-efficient features not only help you save money but also add value to your home! They are easy on the environment too, as they rely on a clean and renewable energy source.

Installing solar panels can improve your home and impact your electric and gas bills tremendously. Depending on where you live, you can even earn money by selling the energy you don’t use back to the grid. These simple additions will deliver immediate and long-term value to your home. You can enhance your outdoor living, increase efficiency, and safety while also saving you money! 

So, if you are planning a renovation, don’t miss out on the opportunity to take your home improvements to the next level.

About the author: Mike Johnston is an avid blogging enthusiast and experienced freelance writer. He’s a regular contributor to the Smooth Decorator blog and numerous other online publications where he writes about real estate, construction, home improvement, and interior design.

Laminate Flooring: Advantages and Disadvantages

Laminate flooring can give you the look and feel of wood flooring at a fraction of the price of the real thing. Let’s take a look at its advantages and disadvantages.

Laminate flooring does one thing truly well regardless of anything else: it emulates wood flooring. Wood flooring by itself and genuine wood flooring can be quite the expensive thing to have to buy and to install. Laminate flooring on this front provides a much cheaper alternative. We all love the look and feel of a rustic wood flooring but unfortunately not all of us are blessed with the finances to be able to get this type of flooring and this is where laminate flooring really does come into play and appeal to the masses of people who want wood look alike flooring.

Created many years prior as a reasonable option in contrast to genuine wood, laminate flooring manufacturers of today have increased their game with better quality and many sorts of wood variants. You'll discover everything from American symbols like oak, hickory and heartwood pine to exotics, for example, tigerwood and prado. 

There are natural and antiqued renditions, as well, on the off chance that you need your floor to look as though it's been there for quite a long time. Furthermore, numerous makers toss in an increasingly varied arrangement of stone, tile and metal carbon copies. 

This assortment is because of the photographic cycle used to make the plan layer of laminate — a high-goal picture of real wood that is strikingly similar. The picture is printed and stuck to a center of fiberboard upheld by a base layer that has been treated to deal with damage arising due to too much moisture. It's completely covered by an intense, clear top wear layer that cancels out the risk of scratches and dings. 

With such a wide variety of options that you can choose from, here is our list of advantages and disadvantages of laminate flooring. By taking a closer look at this, you can make an informed decision as to whether laminate flooring is right for you or not. The very last thing that you want to do is to get new tiles, install them and then find out that they are not well equipped for your home or that simply, you do not like how these tiles look and feel now. So, make sure that you properly do research on the type of flooring before you go out and invest in one. The whole process of laying tiles is extremely time consuming and heavy on resource consumption, so make sure that you know what you are getting yourself into. 

The Good News 

• Laminate flooring comes as boards or tiles. The edges and closures are intended to snap together so there's no nailing, making installation a decent DIY project.

• The laminate construction gives the pieces security and keeps creases from opening up during changes in humidity.

• Lightweight, snap-together laminate flooring is installed over a slender froth pad underlayment. That makes it a decent possibility for installment over most existing decks — except for cover — nullifying the requirement for tear-out.

• Snap-together laminate flooring kills the requirement for VOC-delivering pastes.

• No old-development or colorful trees are utilized to make laminate flooring.

• The wear layer of laminate floors are very extreme, which makes cleanup and upkeep simple. Regular clearing keeps the surface free from rough coarseness.

The Not-So-Good News 

• Indeed, even the best cover flooring is defenseless against moisture damage and shouldn't be installed in pantries and rooms with sump siphons or floor channels. Installations on cellar floors and sections ought to incorporate a defence against moisture. Laminate flooring in the kitchen is alright insofar as you're constant about tidying up spills and splashes. Laminate flooring in the restroom isn't suggested except if all edges are stuck during installation and the edge is fixed with silicone caulk.

• Laminate flooring can't be resurfaced the manner in which genuine wood can, so whenever it's exhausted, it'll need to be replaced. Check the guarantee of the laminate tiles you're considering purchasing; items with higher guarantees mean better quality and longer life. Maintain a strategic distance from modest laminate flooring.

• It might look genuine, yet as of yet, it is an engineered product that feels unnaturally hard and can be brutal sounding when someone walks on it.

• The wear layer of laminate flooring contains plastic that doesn't degrade in landfills. Some cover materials might be made with formaldehyde and different synthetic substances that ecological specialists state can deliver harmful VOCs, albeit stricter EPA rules have diminished VOC content in laminate flooring.

A Bit More Good News 

In the event that you have your heart set on genuine wood yet are pulled in to the advantages of laminate, then wood laminate flooring may be the answer. This is a type of laminate flooring product that has real wood veneer instead of image and layers of wear. One thing to remember is that it will take an occasional refinish which will depend on the type of laminate and the thickness of the veneer.