How to Design a Backyard for Hosting Parties

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If you’re looking for a fun way to entertain your friends and family, it’s hard to go wrong with a backyard party. In order to do that, however, your backyard should be designed for such a gathering! Let’s take a closer look at three tips on how to transform your backyard: create the perfect patio area; add a pool; plan accordingly for bad weather! With these tactics up your sleeve, hosting parties at home has never been easier.

Create a Patio

The first way to design your backyard for hosting parties is by creating a patio. A patio is a perfect space for hosting outdoor gatherings, such as barbecues, dinner parties, and other social events. It provides a flat surface that allows for the placement of chairs, tables, and other outdoor furniture, making it an ideal area for eating, drinking, and socializing. To create a patio, you should choose a location that is accessible and flat. You should also decide on the materials you want to use, such as concrete, pavers, or flagstone. Once you have selected your materials, you can start laying the foundation for your patio. You may want to hire a professional landscaper or contractor to help with this process.

Add a Pool

The second way to design your backyard for hosting parties is by adding a pool. A pool provides a refreshing place for guests to cool off on hot summer days, and it can also serve as a focal point for your backyard. However, before adding a pool, you should also add a pool house to have a space where guests can take breaks, change clothes, or even use the bathroom. Create a tranquil oasis with your own personal pool house! Design it to mesh seamlessly with the style of your home and backyard, or go for something unique. Outfit it with all the amenities you need like storage space, shower rooms and bathrooms so that guests are pampered in comfort. And why not add some luxurious outdoor furniture? Think lounge chairs or cozy sofas – perfect for lounging away from the sun’s rays on those balmy summer days.

Plan for Bad Weather

The third way to design your backyard for hosting parties is by planning for bad weather. Even though we all hope for perfect weather on the day of our party, it is essential to prepare for the unexpected. You can do this by adding covered areas such as awnings, pergolas, or outdoor umbrellas to protect your guests from the sun or rain. You can also add a fire pit or outdoor fireplace to provide warmth on chilly nights. You may also want to consider purchasing outdoor heaters or fans to keep your guests comfortable during extreme temperatures.

When you’re creating your ideal backyard for any event, it’s important to ensure that it is both practical and cozy. To achieve this, think about adding a patio, pool or anything else essential to make sure the party will still be fun no matter what conditions arise. Furthermore, use personal touches in the design – they add an extra touch of warmth when people arrive! By keeping these three straightforward ideas in mind while planning, you can guarantee all future gatherings hosted on your property are unforgettable experiences!

Check out this article on when it’s time to get new floors in your home!

How to Go into Your Home Renovation With a Clear Vision

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If you’re considering a home renovation, it’s important to go into the project with a clear vision. A successful home renovation requires careful planning and research ahead of time in order to ensure that your desired results are achieved. To make sure that your home renovation goes smoothly, it is essential to have a plan before starting the project. This article will provide an overview of the steps you should take when embarking on a home renovation journey.

Do Some Research

If you don’t know what you want going into a home renovation, it’s all too probable you’ll be disappointed with the outcome. Doing thorough research can help you go into a home renovation with a clear vision and understanding of what the project will entail. The first step when researching for a home renovation should be to define what it is that you would like to accomplish. This will help you narrow down your search and focus on the specific aspects of the renovation that are important to you. After having a clear vision of what you want, look into different styles and designs that would fit your desired outcome. There are many sources online where you can find ideas for home renovations such as websites like Houzz or Pinterest.

Discuss Your Plans With a Contractor

If you’re working with a bunch of contractors, your general contractor  will be your best friend. Before embarking on a home renovation, it is important to discuss your plans with your general contractor. They can give you an estimate for how much the project will cost and provide advice on the best materials and methods to use. They can also help you figure out what areas of your home should be renovated first and which ones can wait until later. Having a professional involved in the project can ensure that it is completed correctly and within budget.

Set a Budget

Speaking of budgets, creating yours is an integral component of any home renovation project. It allows you to achieve your desired results, all while keeping expenditures in check and remaining cognizant of financial restrictions. Before beginning the process, determine how much money you have available for it. If your funds are limited, there exist many ways to obtain the look that you’re seeking without overextending yourself financially. Once again, talk with your general contractor for options and realistic expectations.

A home renovation is a huge undertaking, but if you have a clear vision of what you want from the beginning, you increase your chances of success immensely. Work with professionals to ensure that your dream home becomes a reality and enjoy your beautiful new space for years to come.

Check out this article on the benefits of expanding your backyard space!

How to Choose What Colors to Paint Your Home

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Choosing the right paint color for your home is no easy feat. We’ll look at how to consider not only what colors work best in each particular room but also which hues will evoke certain emotions and capture current design trends. With this information in hand, you can make an informed decision about what colors should grace your walls!

Consider the Room

When it comes to considering what paint colors are appropriate for the room, there can be a lot of factors to take into account. For starters, the size and shape of the space should be taken into consideration. If you have a large living room, for example, you have more flexibility in terms of bolder hues that may not work so well in a smaller space. Additionally, the amount of natural light and how much furniture you have in the room can also play a role. If there is minimal furniture and plenty of windows, for example, brighter tones might be more suitable as opposed to darker colors that can make a room feel small and cramped.

Consider the Feelings You Want to Invoke

When it comes to choosing paint colors for your home, consider the feelings you want to invoke. Different colors can evoke a wide array of emotions, and you should think carefully about how the color will affect your mood and environment. For example, brighter colors can create an invigorating atmosphere, while soft colors can help make your home feel more welcoming. Take the time to experiment with different colors and shades in small areas of your home before committing to larger projects. By doing this, you can make sure the colors you choose will truly create the atmosphere you desire.

Consider Trends

When it comes to choosing paint for your home, it is important to consider trends. While aesthetics and personal preference play a role in the final decision, recent trends can provide direction and inspiration when making a choice. One of the most popular trends today is embracing bright and bold hues. Rather than traditional neutrals, many homeowners are opting for vibrant colors like orange, pink and yellow, which can bring a unique touch to any room. Another popular trend is the use of natural tones. Nature-inspired colors in shades of green, blue and brown help create a calming atmosphere that is perfect for relaxation.

Carefully considering the colors you want in your home is a process that shouldn’t be rushed. By keeping the above factors in mind, you can make sure you’ll end up with a space that reflects your personal taste and makes you feel good.

Read more: Home Renovations That Pay for Themselves

How to Make Your Backyard Appealing at Night

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Summertime is the best time of year to spend outdoors. The weather is perfect for barbecues, swimming, and spending time with family and friends. One of the best places to enjoy summer evenings is in your backyard. 

However, if your backyard isn’t appealing at night, you might not want to spend much time there. These are some ways that you can make your backyard more appealing at night.

Get Outdoor Heaters

An outdoor heater can make all the difference when you want to take your backyard entertaining to a whole new level. Not only will you be able to extend the use of your backyard well into the evening, but properly placed outdoor heaters will make your outdoor space inviting throughout the cold winter months. 

The combination of fire and light from the heater will create an enchanting ambiance that will have guests setting up camp in your backyard courtside for sure! Adding just a few heaters can create enough warmth for everyone to enjoy their evening and will make a great impression that could last you messily through the holidays in comfort and style.

Add Lights

Lights can take your backyard to the next level and make it more enjoyable both during the day and nighttime. You can choose from a variety of types and styles to fit the character of your outdoor living area. More lighting in your backyard increases safety for everyone. 

More lighting means people can see paths, steps, or pathways far more clearly. Plus, well-lit areas increase a property’s security for homes with outdoor entertaining areas. Be sure to add some lights to your yard if you want to create a space that is both safe and appealing.

Build a Deck

Building a deck in your backyard can be the perfect way to spruce it up and make it the ideal entertaining space. It’s the perfect opportunity to create an outdoor room, complete with comfortable furniture and plenty of decorations. With a comfortable deck, you don’t have to worry about tall grass or uneven ground because building materials like wood and PVC composite offer a stable foundation for furniture and other belongings. Plus, decks come in varying sizes and heights, so you’re sure to get the perfect look and feel that meets your backyard needs while adding visual appeal as well. Building a deck is an excellent addition that will bring longevity, value, enjoyment, and beauty to any landscape design.

Your backyard has the potential to be one of your favorite spots in your home. If you want to get the most from your backyard, you have to give it attention. Consider any of these three projects to make your backyard more appealing.

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How to Make Your Home Feel More Cheerful

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Every home needs to have lots of uplifting space. That might involve square footage, color, lighting, style, and more. If you feel that your home needs to be more full of life, here are some tips for cultivating a more cheerful environment.

Add Plants

You might be surprised at what a difference plant life adds to the home interior. There is a reason why indoor plants are growing in popularity. Nevertheless, while many modern American homes have plants, many don’t. So, if you are still one of many who need further convincing to add plants to your home, take current research into consideration: For example, did you know that plants not only beautify a room, but they can improve your health too?

 

Real, living plants can oxygenate and add freshness. There are many different kinds of plants you could choose from, all varying widely in their needs and required nutrients. Some plants will be much easier than others. For example, succulents are smaller, cuter plants that require very little effort. It all depends on how much effort, time, and money you’re willing to put into it. 

Add More Color

Color is arguably the single most important element of interior decorating and design. An off-putting color can make a space feel overwhelming, draining, and oppressive. Good colors, on the other hand, can make space feel bigger, more open, airier, more comforting, and more relaxing. 

Most of the time, you’re going to want to stick with light colors. White, off-white, and other such variations are popular options. If you want to be festive, you can consider other colors–but be wary about extremities. Art is another way to liven up a room. Murals can help tell a story, like what’s important to you or your personality.

Renovate and Reshuffle

It always helps to freshen up a space by transforming it. Transformation doesn’t need to be extensive, although sometimes it helps to be. Before you consider any larger projects, think about simply moving things around. Sometimes moving furniture and changing fixtures can make all the difference in the world. New lamps or other light sources can change how the space feels. Even just a new lightbulb can be wonderful. On the other end of the spectrum, sometimes you just need a huge transformation. It takes money and labor–but a thorough renovation can sometimes be exactly what you need.

People sometimes might be afraid of expressing their personality through their interior design. Don’t be! If you love how something feels, even if others don’t, you should work to cultivate the space that is best for you and your loved ones. 

Did you enjoy reading this article? Here’s more to read. How to Clean Up Your Home Exterior

How to Prevent Energy Loss in Your Home

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Did you know that the average home loses almost 40% of its heat through the windows and doors? That’s a lot of energy going to waste. Here are three tips to prevent energy loss in your home. By following these simple tips, you can save yourself a lot of money on your energy bill!

Properly Insulate Your Home

One way to keep your home energy-efficient is to make sure it is properly insulated. In the winter, insulation keeps heat from escaping through cracks in the walls, windows, and doors. In the summer, it prevents cool air from leaking out. Good insulation can also help to reduce noise from outside and reduce your heating and cooling costs. 

There are many different types of insulation available, so it is important to choose one that is right for your home. For example, fiberglass insulation is a popular choice for walls, but it can be difficult to install. Spray foam insulation is another option that can be easy to install; but, it may be more expensive. Ultimately, the best insulation for your home will depend on your climate and budget.

Close Your Blinds

One way to reduce energy expenditure in your home is to make use of blinds or shades. By closing the blinds, you can block out direct sunlight, which can enter through windows and heat a room. In the summer months, this can help keep your home cooler, reducing the need for air conditioning. 

In the winter, closing the blinds can help to prevent heat loss. Smart blinds let you set a specific hour you want them to open and close. This way, you can make sure that your home is only exposed to sunlight when you need it, helping to reduce energy waste.

Turn Off Appliances 

Appliances are a necessary part of everyday life, but they can also be a leading cause of energy loss in the home. Many appliances, such as televisions and computers, consume a great deal of energy even when turned off. To minimize energy loss, it is important to unplug appliances that aren’t in use. This simple step can help to lower your energy bill and reduce your carbon footprint. In addition, it is important to choose energy-efficient appliances when making purchasing decisions for your home. Energy-efficient appliances use less energy and often come with an Energy Star rating, making them a smart choice for both your wallet and the environment. By taking these simple steps, you can help to prevent energy loss in your home.

With the rising energy costs coming with inflation, preventing energy loss is very important. Keeping your home from wasting energy is a simple and effective way to lower costs and decrease usage. Follow these tips and watch your energy bills start dropping.

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How to Make Your Home Look Less Abandoned

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When you think of a home, “abandoned” is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. Instead, you probably think of a place where an individual, couple, or family happily lives. Making your home look less abandoned will help enhance its value and comfortability.

Have Your Property Landscaped

A home that looks “abandoned” is messy, unkempt, and uninviting. Intentional landscaping gets rid of any eye-catching messiness in your yards. Landscaping also adds a lot of natural color and beauty to your home, making it more appealing and inviting. If you need a quick way to spruce up your home, consider adding some colorful flowers. 

Flowers immediately draw the eye and can be very visually inviting when lining a staircase or walkway. This is because a flower border will catch the eye and draw attention to the entrance of the home at the end of the staircase or walkway. 

Repair Your Exterior

People who don’t live in your home often only see its exterior. From the exterior, they can postulate what the interior might look like. Therefore, a messy or unkempt exterior may suggest to potential buyers a messy and unkempt interior. If potential buyers see that the exterior of a home isn’t well-kept and desirable, they may not even bother checking out the inside. 

If you are hoping to appeal to a larger number of buyers, then, you should repair the exterior of your home. Buyers will notice if there’s chipped or peeling paint on your home. Proper time and attention to repair details like these will help you attract more potential buyers. 

Invest in Good Outdoor Lighting

One of the things your home should have is good outdoor lighting. Lights help keep your home safe and noticeable at night. Quality outdoor lighting on your home will also help it look warmer and more inviting at night. You can enhance this warm and inviting aesthetic by installing more warm-toned rather than cool-toned lights. You should also think about the type and size of lights you want to use and what kind of atmosphere those lights create. 

When you are marketing your home to potential buyers, you want them to imagine themselves living in your home. Your home should not look abandoned or uninhabitable. Making small changes and paying attention to detail, especially around the exterior of your home, will help buyers be more interested in your property. 

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Missteps to Avoid During a Home Improvement Project

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If you are starting a new DIY project, you may have a lot of motivation at the beginning. But this motivation can quickly turn into procrastination and panic after the project begins. Missteps are common when adding to a home, but knowing what these problems are can save you from wasting time and money in the future.

Going Over Budget

The most common problem people face in DIY is going over budget on their home projects. This often happens because of a miscalculation in the cost of materials. Make sure you thoroughly research the project—knowing precisely how much material you will need—so you can avoid spending too much.

You may under budget, but you also might get carried away with more expensive materials. This will force you to dip into your personal savings instead of your allotted fund. If necessary, ask an expert to perform an audit on the project to measure how much you can expect it to cost.

Overpersonalizing

Avoid making niche changes that aren’t enticing to other people. While customizing your home can make you feel individualized, going too far can create a barrier when you try to sell the home. Though you find the add-on attractive and enticing, other people probably won’t.

Target specific regions of the home that everyone will use and appreciate. For example, bathroom and kitchen upgrades are most likely to add value to your home. It is incredibly difficult to over personalize in these areas. If you have already installed the new project, talk with your realtor to see what you can do to make your home more interesting to buyers.

Taking on too Difficult of a Project

Have you bitten off more than you can chew? People tend to overestimate their own experience in renovations, and they are left with a project that is beyond their capabilities. While this can slow down the process, it also can leave you with more work than if you had someone else do the project in the first place.

Most contractors will have to tear down the progress you have made to ensure everything is done safely. You will have to pay them for their labor in installing and taking it down. If you are unsure that you can do a specific project, just hire someone else.

Knowing what common mistakes are made will help you avoid doing the same thing. There is a lot that goes into DIY, and if you aren’t prepared you may be shelling out more money than you’d like to.

Read this next: Home Issues That Get Worse Over Time without Action

How to Expedite Your Home Improvement Project

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You want to speed up your home improvement project? Luckily for you, there are several easy ways in which you can do just that.

Create a Plan

Know what it will take to complete your project by creating a plan in advance. It is a great idea to know beforehand all of the costs and legal loopholes you’ll need to jump through for permits in order to undertake your project, as well as the timeframe for the project. Knowing in advance what you’re getting into will allow you to be prepared and finish quicker.

You don’t want to approach a home improvement project in a laid back manner. Failing to prepare can mean stretching your project from a week-long affair into months and months of unfinished work. Before you begin, know what you are doing and how you are going to do it. Budgeting is an essential part of this. Know what the costs will look like, and look into any legal issues which might affect your project. Then, make a schedule. Be sure to clear time in your personal schedule in order to get it done.

Hire the Right Contractor

A professional is needed if you want to get the project done quicker. Don’t try to complete the project all by yourself. Hiring a professional is a great idea because he or she will know how to do the job and know how to do it quickly, as well as provide an extra pair of hands. Just be sure to hire the right contractor for your job.

Hiring the wrong contractor can lead to scams, poor work done on your home, exorbitant costs, and frustration. In order to avoid making a poor choice in who you hire, look at online reviews, specifically on a credible site that boasts a fair number of visitors monthly. For example, websites like HomeAdvisor attract millions of visitors monthly. It is a good idea to check the contractor’s experience and qualifications, weigh their prices against other options, and check with their past customers to make sure your choice is trustworthy and pleasant to work with.

Take Advantage of Technology

Different tools can make the job a lot easier for you. Although it may seem like cheating, take advantage of technology that can simplify the more menial steps of the work. For example, instead of using a roller or brush to manually paint a wall a single color, you can utilize a paint sprayer to get the task done more quickly and more efficiently. Consider pros and cons, but don’t be afraid to take trustworthy shortcuts.

No one wants a home improvement project dragging on for months. Get yours done quickly and efficiently by creating a plan, hiring the right contractor, and taking advantage of technology.

Why paint your home yourself when we can do it for you? Contact us today for a free estimate!

What You Can Do to Make Your Backyard Ready for Summer Enjoyment

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Summertime is one of the best seasons as it allows you to enjoy family and friends while basking in the warm sun as well. While the beaches and parks are great, entertaining your guests at home can be one of the best ways to relax during the summer months. Here are some things you can do to help get your backyard in shape so you can host gatherings this summer.

Create an Outdoor Entertainment Space

In order for you to make the most out of your backyard when entertaining in the summertime, you must create a space that is suitable for relaxing, socializing, et cetera. Installing a deck can give you the much-needed space you need in order to accommodate guests for a birthday party, barbeques, or any other type of social event. There are several benefits of installing a deck in your backyard, especially if you enjoy entertaining your friends. Not only will installing a deck provide you with space for your guests to congregate, but it can also add to the aesthetic of your home and increase its property value as well.

Plant Some Trees for Shade

While the summer sun can be most enjoyable, without proper shade, sitting in the sun for too long can become a bit of a problem. In order to make sure that your guests are as comfortable as possible when relaxing outside, it would do you good to plant trees around your yard that will provide natural shade. Not only will the trees help you and your guests relax outside in comfort, but they can also help to beautify your property at the same time. Some trees that are great for providing shade are Weeping Willows, Red Maples, Hybrid Poplars, Honey Locusts, and many more.

Add a Bird Bath and Feeder

Birds are very beautiful to not only hear singing around your property, but they are nice to look at as well. If you would like to add a little bit of wildlife to your backyard ambiance, you should consider adding a bird feeder and birdbath in order to draw birds to your yard. By adding both a bath and a feeder, even if birds don’t come to eat the seeds, they will more than likely come to enjoy the bath. This makes for a great way to relax as you and your guests get to enjoy nature right in your very own backyard.

Include a Lounge Area

One thing about the summer heat is that it can have a very relaxing effect on the body. Adding a lounge area to your yard space is a great way to be able to enjoy your friends without having a big social event. Choose a nicely shaded area and add a few comfy lounge chairs or a couple of hammocks and you have made a nice little spot to sip a cool drink and enjoy the sun. You can also add a fire pit to your backyard. A fire pit can make for a great way to enjoy your guests in a relaxed atmosphere during the summer evenings.

Revamp Your Grill Station

No summertime is truly complete without having at least one barbeque for your family and friends. If you have been hosting barbeques for quite some time, then it might be time for you to upgrade your grill station. Rather than continuously roll out that old portable grill, you can invest in a nice bricked-in grilling station with gas burners, a double griller, and more. While you may want your grill to be stylish and top of the line, you should consider functionality as well if you want to have the most efficient grilling station. Think about how you need to move while working the grill as this will help you determine where you should install a sink, prep space, burners, and more.

Cultivate a Vegetable Garden

Growing a vegetable garden is not only a great way to maintain your health, but they can add a nice aesthetic to your backyard as well. Make sure that you are choosing an area of your backyard that gets enough sunlight as most plants will require about six hours of sun each day. Also, whether you are planting in a raised bed or in the ground, choose soil that is rich in nutrients as well as soft enough in order for the plants’ roots to penetrate. Also, it is important that you are keeping your garden free of weeds by adding some mulch. Mulch also helps add to the aesthetic of your vegetable garden.

Bring the Indoors to the Outdoors

Just as you love to enjoy a meal on a restaurants’ patio when the weather is warm, you can create that ambiance right in your own backyard. When creating an eating space for your backyard, don’t just pull out a table and some chairs, but make the setting intentional as you would within your home. Try to create a space that cultivates a mood, so whenever you and your guests have a meal out there, the ambiance is created and felt. Make sure you keep the area clean to avoid encouraging pests to congregate there. Consider adding a few statues as well as some plants in order to help identify that specific area and give it some separation from the rest of the yard as well as a semblance of intimacy.

Add Some Flowers

Having flowers in your outdoor space can make it a great getaway. An easy way to include flowers is by placing potted plants around your yard. You can also plant flowers in a flower bed, which is only a little bit more work. If you want your backyard to look tropical, you can get hanging plants.

When coming up with a design for your backyard, consider what your needs are as well as the overall look you are going for. If you like to host barbeques or pool parties, then you will need to consider your seating arrangements and other ways that you will accommodate your guests. Also, when it comes to choosing your style of furniture, plants, accessories, et cetera, choose items that will be cohesive to your overall aesthetic and design theme. If your home has more of a modern farmhouse aesthetic, you can easily find outdoor furniture and other decor items that will help to support and pull your theme together.

If you need anything painted to facilitate your backyard area remodel, contact us for a free estimate!