Turning a bland backyard into an outdoor oasis doesn’t need to be an expensive or time-consuming process. For many homeowners, a few simple upgrades and additions will make all the difference. Here is a look at four must-have features that are going to transform your yard.
Hang Patio Misters
If you live in a particularly hot climate, then you should consider installing outdoor misters. You do have the option of permanently attaching misters to posts and awnings, but removable misters require much less work. In addition to being more affordable, removable misters are also much easier to clean. Outdoor misters should be thoroughly sanitized with vinegar or another cleaning agent once every few weeks to prevent germs from spreading.
Replace Your Old Patio Furniture
Most traditional patio furniture isn’t built with comfort in mind. Replacing old plastic and metal chairs with swings and hammocks is a great way to take your yard to the next level. Very few things are as relaxing as swinging in a hammock on a quiet summer night. If you don’t have any large trees on your property, then you might want to build a standalone pergola. These structures are relatively inexpensive and will last for years with the proper sealant.
Create an Outdoor Kitchen
Those who love to entertain guests need to have an outdoor cooking area. No one wants to leave their guests outside while cooking in a stuffy kitchen. A simple outdoor cooking space requires nothing more than a few comfortable seats, an ice chest, and a BBQ. For a more luxurious feel, you can install a fireplace to provide warmth in the winter and built-in refrigerator for drinks. With the proper setup, you will be able to keep your guests entertained while preparing a meal.
Install an Invisible Sound System
Your next BBQ or outdoor party won’t be complete without a good playlist. Multiple companies are now making outdoor sound systems that are designed to blend into natural landscape features. Some speakers can be hidden in lights while others look just like bushes or rocks. Many of these systems are controlled with a smartphone or tablet, but you can also hook them up to a traditional amplifier or stereo.
While most of these projects don’t require any special permits, you should always double-check all local statutes before working on your property. You must also contact your local utility companies before digging in your backyard so that you don’t hit any pipes or lines. Cracking a sewage line is an expensive and unpleasant problem that no homeowner wants to deal with.
There are few things DIY enthusiasts love more than finding out new and clever ways to make projects easier to create, or ‘hacks’ as they are usually called. Once an innovative shortcut has been discovered, and if it is trialled successfully, it’s very likely that you will swear by it going forward.
We came across this info graphic from Crowe Sawmills which details 10 hacks that could work brilliantly for woodworking projects. These involve simple substitutions, original ways of using an assortment of items or a clever combination of items to form a very handy tool. One such example is known as a notched square blade, where you take a regular trisquare and file a notch at the end of it for holding a pencil in place. You then slide the trisquare along the edge of a piece of wood to draw a perfectly straight line. It seems like such a simple concept but the vision to spot this and create a workable solution is remarkable.
Other woodworking hacks are considerably simpler, with regular household items performing a basic yet clever task. For example, a clothes pin can be used for holding a nail in place when hammering it into a wall, sparing you from gripping it carefully with your thumb and forefinger. Similarly, if you have a comb lying around the place, you can use it to store nails upright, making them much easier to grab than if they were lying on their side in a crowded toolbox.
Check out plenty of other clever woodworking hacks in the infographic below.
Buying a new home is perhaps one of the most exciting milestones in life. No matter if it’s your first or you have a few purchases under your belt, it is always satisfying to sign those papers and walk away with the keys to a chunk of the American Dream. Along with that dream comes responsibility, some maintenance, and a non-stop cleaning list. Nothing to fret over; here are a few tips that will keep your new abode feeling like a fresh and promising adventure.
Curbside Beginnings
That’s right. The minute you or your guests pull up to your home, you’ll instantly be drawn to it if it feels clean and inviting. A good power wash can brighten the exterior, knocking down dust, mold and moss as well as cobwebs and insect nests that may be hanging in the eves. Not only will this greatly improve the appearance of your home, it also protects the structure by removing elements that cause damage over time if left unaddressed.
Windows to the World
Windows are one of the greatest inventions, allowing us to not only see, but feel, as if the indoors and outdoors flow together as one living space. Windows get dirty quickly, both inside and out, and their tracks harbor mold, mildew and dust if not properly cleaned and maintained. Many folks don’t realize that the grunge clinging to our windows also harbors odors and germs.
If you don’t happen to be a person who loves the process of personally taking windows from dingy and clouded to sparkling, clear and fresh smelling—hire the job out. Cleaning your windows once or twice a year will help your windows look great and eliminate some indoor health hazards and allergens. Quarterly is ideal though. Washing windows once each season means the job will be less overwhelming and can turn into a much anticipated routine. Consider contacting a business like A-Plus Window Cleaning or someone similar to schedule your cleanings.
The Floor up
Floors are the foundation of every room in our home and serve as a frame for everything above them. If they’re dirty, it will set the same tone for the rest of your new home. Dirty spots from shoes, food, or beverages can be cleaned up with a mild vinegar solution until a professional deep cleaning can be done.
Annual carpet cleaning is highly recommended to keep allergens, dirt and odors at bay. The expense—or effort if you choose the do-it-yourself route—will be well worth it when you can breathe well and your house smells fresh. The great news is that often you can find discount coupons in local circulars for all sorts of household cleaning and maintenance.
Organization
It’s not the easiest thing for some people, but keeping your new home organized from the start will go a long way toward keeping your home feeling comfortable and well maintained. Hanging organizers in the garage, closets or basement can help you store things efficiently, especially after weatherizing during certain seasons.
After buying a home, it’s easy to start collecting and placing things about the house haphazardly. Shelving units, tool hanging racks, or even a small outdoor shed can do a lot toward keeping clutter at bay, lessening the chances of inviting pests such as spiders, mice, snakes and other unwanted house guests into your new home.
Buying a new home isn’t something you’ll get to do every day, but living in one is. Adhering to positive cleaning and maintenance routines and keeping them scheduled out on your calendar will help make living in your home a far more peaceful and healthful experience.
There’s no doubt that spending time outside has numerous benefits not only for the body, but the spirit as well. Long and hard days at work and school can wear a person down, cause headaches, mood swings and irritation. Getting yourself and your kids involved and engaged in creative outdoor activities is a great way to get everyone to spend more time outside and away from the flickering screens of computers, tablets and smartphones.
With your kids’ safety and fun in mind, here are several ideas how to create a backyard that your kids will love spending time in.
An outdoor easel
An outdoor easel made of an over-sized chalkboard will have your kids go wild drawing, scribbling and doodling and you very happy to have it all happening outside, and not on your living room walls! Create your own chalkboard using a large piece of plywood and paint it with either store-bought paint or your own mix, using unsanded tile grout mixed with exterior latex enamel paint. Apply two coats and once it’s dried, hang it at your kids’ height using heavy-duty hardware. Add a bright coloured frame, a bucket to store the chalk and fun times can begin!
A flower garden
Planting a flower garden can give your kids a chance to experience the satisfaction of growing a garden from scratch and watching its entire life cycle. It will also teach them the responsibility of caring for plants and honouring their daily duties. One more plus is that you’ll have a beautiful and colourful backyard. Local nurseries commonly offer loads of different flowers to choose from and you can decide how to shape the flower beds, from traditional rectangular ones to imaginative spirals, circles or hearts.
A summer stage
Making a summer stage in your backyard is an amazing opportunity for your kids to let their imagination run wild and enjoy role plays or their own little theatre shows. It’s a quick, easy and cheap project that will give your kids the chance to express themselves and you a free, fun show while enjoying your glass of ice tea.
All you need is a clothesline, clip-on curtain rings and 6 yards of red fabric. Cut the fabric in two, 3-yard long pieces, fold down one end of each piece and clip the curtain rings, spacing them equally apart. Pull the clothesline through the rings and hang it between two trees. The line can stay up for the entire summer and the clips will make it easy to take the curtains down or put them up again.
A crafts table
Another inexpensive and fun outdoor addition to your backyard is a crafts table. Use a reclaimed pallet to make a low patio table and add several colourful cushions. Bring out whatever arts and crafts your kids like and make a little workshop in the fresh air. Just be careful you all get proper sun protection in hot summer months. The best way to do it is to install a custom cantilever umbrella on your patio, which has a durable canopy and can rotate 360 degrees to follow the movement of the sun.
Stepping stones/stumps
Stepping stones or stumps will create a balance challenge for your kids as they run or play catch. You can opt for cut logs in different heights that you can space just far enough apart so your kids have to carefully plan each step. Or, you can make it a joint project and create stepping stones together using ready-mix mortar or concrete. Kids will love to participate and get dirty! Choose the moulds you like and pour the mortar mix at least 2 inches thick. While it’s still wet and soft, let the kids decorate them with pebbles, marbles or beads, or write their names. It’ll stay as a wonderful reminder when they grow up.
Whatever you decide to create in your backyard, you’ll have an opportunity to spend quality time with your kids, be outside in the fresh air and create wonderful memories together, so pick a project and get cracking.
Flipping houses is a highly profitable venture. However, careful planning and understanding of the industry is necessary for success. Potential flippers must also be frugal. You need to know where to save money to get the biggest return on investment. Consider these tips to actually make a profit from flipping houses:
Buy Low
To make money flipping a house, you must buy houses that are well below their market value. Foreclosures are often ideal for this purpose. Foreclosures will have to be bought for cash. However, if you can fix up a foreclosed home in good condition, you may make a significant profit when you resell it. In some cases the home might be in excellent shape, but coming up with cash to buy the property prevented other buyers from biting. Something else that is critical is to move fast when buying. You are not the only flipper in the area. Property bidding wars can start and competition can be fierce. Of course, the more you pay upfront for a property, the less you will make when selling it. Don’t let your emotions get involved. Buy properties solely on the facts and the numbers.
Do the Work Yourself
To actually make money flipping houses, you are going to have to do much of the work yourself. This means you need time, ability and a willingness to learn. The more contractors you need to hire, the more expensive the project gets and the less you will get out of it in the end. For this reason, decent knowledge of carpentry and other handy skills is critical for successful flipping. Of course, there are some upgrades or renovations you should never try and do yourself if you are not a trained professional, such as electrical work. However, this doesn’t change the fact that you must be willing to do most of the work yourself. Flipping is ideal for people who have experience working as plumbers, carpenters and professional builders. If you are not any of those, you can still flip successfully, but it will take a lot more work.
Think Like a Real Estate Agent
When fixing up a home, you need to have a good idea of the local real estate market. You must have sufficient patience to wait for the right properties to come up. You must know what renovations you should perform to make the property sell. You also need to know which renovations will not significantly impact the value of the home. It might be best to leave these areas as-is and focus on the areas that do have a strong impact on final sales price, such as kitchens and bathrooms. Resources, like Success Path from Huffington Post, can help you learn some of these ins and outs.
Know the Cost of Repairs
Before purchasing a property to flip, you should already have a good grasp on what exactly typical repairs cost. When evaluating a property, you need the ability to calculate how much you will have to put into the project. Do not forget to factor in costs such as taxes and fees. You must then compare this to how much you stand to get out of the property. When renovating, keep track of everything you are spending. This will keep you aware of how much money you have already put into this project. You can look back on these ledgers to be more successful on your next house flip.
Flipping houses has grown in popularity, and it isn’t just a pipe dream. You can make very good money flipping houses. Know what you are getting into and have the right skills, and flipping will likely work out very nicely for you.
The thought of cleaning your house can be a daunting task. You may think to yourself that it will take you an entire day to get things right but you don’t always have to clean a house from top to bottom. This infographic from Half Price takes you through the areas you need to focus on if you have an hour and want to do a quick clean. It’s more about making the house clean-er rather than clean!
First, get yourself organised. Gather your supplies and put on some old comfy clothes and trainers. You might like to throw on a music playlist to keep you motivated with your favourite songs. Work through the rooms starting with the kitchen and be quick rather than thorough in each room. For example, a good trick for cleaning the microwave is putting a bit of vinegar and water in the cup and ‘cooking’ it in there for 90 seconds – this lifts any gunk in the microwave so it will just need a quick wipe after.
Another good idea is to take a laundry basket with you as you go from room to room for all items that don’t belong. Replace them in the final 15 minutes of your clean. Check out the full infographic now and remember that a clean home will make you feel so much better.
When it comes to sheds, you need to think about durability. These convenient exterior objects can be used to store yard equipment and other household items, so they have to be weather-proof. Above all others, wooden and metal sheds are the most popular and feasible choices, but steel sheds might be just the thing you need. If you are interested to find out why you should invest your money in a steel structure, here are the principal advantages of steel sheds.
Reliability of steel structures
Many people equate steel structures to gargantuan skyscrapers and large-scale building projects, but steel can also be used as a reliable basis for small and unassuming structures such as sheds. It makes an appealing building option since it is durable, sustainable and affordable. From wall support to framing and roofing, steel is just as versatile a building material as wood, and when it comes to framing, steel beams are even lighter than timber. It can be used to build quickly and it can be recycled.
Easy to maneuver
Did you know a full timber shed will cost more than a steel shed? Apart from that, bulky logs can be quite a hassle to move around or reposition. Steel sheds are built from a variety of “moving parts” which are delivered in numerous packages. These packages are almost universally flat-packed, so even your kids can help out with moving them around and placing them in positions you see fit.
Low maintenance
The advantages of steel structures are indisputable, but the most popular selling point is low maintenance. When each of us thinks about building a shed in the backyard, we all subconsciously start thinking about what version of this will require the least spring cleaning sessions. Thankfully, the galvanized layer protects against the elements and it is generally easy to clean off any dirt with a bit of fire hose action – which leads us directly to the next advantage.
Fast assembly
Owing to very practical packaging, the assembly of these steel sheds is a relatively brisk task. In fact, if you have some building experience you can probably assemble the shed on your own. However, to avoid potential injuries you should probably hire professionals to finish this project for you. If you need a larger shed that will serve as a multi-purpose structure (a garage, workshop, storage facility, chill zone – you name it), certain companies, as the experts behind Wallandra, will not only ensure that you choose the adequate structure, but also assemble it every step of the way.
Fire and water hazards
The first advice you’ll hear when you opt to build a shed is – keep it at a safe distance from your main house. It is not an uncommon sight to see sheds set ablaze and they can be a real fire hazard. Thankfully, metal is very fire-resistant and galvanized steel would have to be exposed to extremely high temperatures to melt down. As far as water goes, if the issue of rust is taken care of with galvanization, you are pretty much set. There are over 3,500 grades of steel out there, and that is one of many interesting facts about this material. Additionally, steel can soak in water and rot will not settle in like in the case of timber. Also, mold problems are a lot less frequent and easy to manage.
If you have built your household from the ground up and plan to (ideally) spend the rest of your life on this property, you have to build exterior structures for keeps. Sometimes, this might mean you will have to reach deep into your pocket, but it is guaranteed to pay off. With a steel shed in your backyard, you will save money on unpredictable and frequent fixer-uppers which could end up costing more than the original structure.
There aren’t many homes where wooden flooring would look out of place; they’re versatile, beautiful and can make even the smallest of rooms look larger. Keeping them in great condition, however, can be difficult if you don’t know what you’re doing. That’s where these tips come in, and if you follow them closely your wooden floors could double in life expectancy.
Pounce on spills as soon as they happen
It’s impossible to just stop spillages from happening, so instead make sure you’re prepared for them and attack the spills as soon as they occur. Every second they go untreated, the wooden floor will absorb more and more of it and the finish will be dulled even further; if that spill dries up, then that will result in some long-term damage. A cloth or cotton mop is perfect for avoiding this.
Vacuum with care
Vacuuming is great to suck up deep resting dirt that brushes or cloths wouldn’t normally get, but if used incorrectly, they can do more bad than good. The beater bar (also known as a bristle bar) is the rotating brush section at the bottom of some vacuums that can rotate thousands of times per minute. This is ideal for a carpet, as it can be very effective at dragging up dirt.
However, for a wooden floor, it can rapidly dull the woods finish and take months off its life span. Instead, either use a vacuum without a beater bar or switch the mode to Hard Floor, if that is an option available to you.
Use mats at entrances
Think about everything that could be on the pavement outside your home; glass, faeces, hard stones, so on. These can all get captured in the grooves of your shoes, and dragged into your home. Grass and mud might be a nuisance to clean up, but stones and glass could cause some serious damage to your wooden floor. To cut this down, tough mats at the entrances to your home and rooms are perfect for collecting this dirt and debris.
Better yet, you could take a page out of Asian culture and remove your shoes as you enter. While mats are effective, it doesn’t get more effective than taking your shoes off completely.
Follow the grain
To keep your wooden floors looking as good as possible for as long as possible, we also recommend following the grain of the wood when you clean. Sweeps and strokes going in the same direction of the wood means you won’t disrupt the grain too much, and the protective layer will be kept intact for longer.
Keep that mop (relatively) dry
A very common mistake when it comes to cleaning wood floors is using too much water. It might sound counter-intuitive, but your mop should be almost dry when you use it and only slightly damp at the touch. Similar to the first tip that mentioned how bad spills were for your wood, too much water means the wood will absorb some of it; which can lead to the warping of the wood or a ruined finish.
Let us know in the comments below if you have any other tips for looking after wooden floors!
Author bio: Criterion Flooring are wood flooring experts who specialize in the restoration and installation of wood floors. They also supply and install Oak, Bordeaux, Laminate and Alternative Floors.
With more than 80 percent of American homes having some kind of air conditioning or heating system installed, it’s easy to take that technology for granted. However, these systems don’t always function the way we expect. In those situations, we have to cope with the climate the way our ancestors did, in the days before these modern conveniences existed.
Coping without heating or air conditioning is an inconvenience no one wants to deal with, but it’s something everyone needs to be able to do. Fortunately, staying comfortable, even without your HVAC system, is a matter of following some relatively simple guidelines. With these tricks in mind, you can keep from feeling too hot or too cold, even if your HVAC system is on the blink for more than a day.
For example, keeping cool in the summer without air conditioning means dressing for the weather, drinking plenty of cold water, and avoiding the use of heat-generating appliances — unless necessary. For additional cooling, you can take a lukewarm bath or shower before bed, or stay in your basement during the hottest hours of the day.
Staying warm without your furnace is possible if you stick to only a few rooms and block the doors to the unused rooms with heavy curtains or blankets. Dressing in layers of warm wool clothing and blocking drafts under doors with rolled-up towels and blankets also helps you stay comfortable even when it’s cold inside your house.
Modern conveniences such as HVAC systems have certainly made life easier. However, knowing how to live without them will make life easier for those brief periods when they aren’t working. Or, you might want to live without them voluntarily to save a little money on your energy bills. Either way, these tips can help you stay comfortable without your HVAC system.
Your bathroom is the place where you and your family clean and groom. It’s also usually the first room you head to in the morning and the last room you hit before bed. It contains a lot of products: everything from your laundry to your make up, your hair products, shower products, and sometimes even your cleaning supplies. Some of us store interesting reading material, and those that like a touch of luxury will make their bathroom the backdrop for gorgeous towels and candles, along with wonderful bath salts or bubbles. Unless you have a huge bathroom with tons of storage, this can become a bit overwhelming, and it pays to stay organized so your bathroom doesn’t become a haven for clutter.
One way in which to get great storage out of your bathroom is to keep like products together. This helps to eliminate a frustrating treasure hunt every time you want something specific, and it might help eliminate excess shopping since you can easily identify exactly what you’ve got already. Your vanity cabinets are a great way to hide products from view, and generally contain enough space for tubs or containers to keep things neat and tidy. If you’ve got open shelving, it’s nice to get a set of matching or complimenting boxes or baskets to keep things tucked out of sight. As a bonus you can often get containers like this in a variety of styles, patterns and colours to match your existing bathroom decor. In fact the organizers can become a cute feature in your bathroom, drawing the admiration of guests. If you’ve got cupboard doors on your vanity, you can try adding standing shelves to tuck even more supplies away, or use the same baskets or bins as you would with open shelves. You can also try to increase more space by adding baskets or hangers to the backs of your vanity doors. Hair dryers and flat irons can handily tuck into these, ready when you need them.
If you’ve got available wall space, it’s a great idea to add some shelves. Once again, the shelves can hold decorative organization bins and create a great look in the room. Some baskets even come with tiny chalkboard panels so that you can list exactly what each of them holds. One could be for makeup, while another holds shaving essentials or your favourite supply of soaps or lotions. Shelves can also hold your baths reading material, or dishes of bath salts or candles if you’re a fan of adding romantic flair to the space.
Your drawers offer an opportunity for being wonderfully organized, or they can hold a mess of products that you have to scramble through on a daily basis. There are some super options out there for keeping everything in order! Drawer dividers are extremely flexible and come in all shapes and sizes so that you get a customized look for your space. Divide each of your drawers so that your dental hygiene products, feminine products, grooming tools, makeup and hairbrushes all have their own individual areas. Everything will be tidy, organized and easily accessible when you need it, cutting down on grooming time in the morning and maybe even allowing you a few more minutes in bed.
If you’re a parent you know how kid’s stuff can quickly clutter a bathroom. There are so many fun bath toys and products for our kids from the time they arrive right through to the teenage years. A very simple and cost efficient way to handle their mess of supplies is with a hanging net. These can be very handy especially with regards to tub toys – which seem to multiply over night! You can also get tub toy holders in cute animal faces that hold a lot of things at once and attach to your tub or shower wall with suction cups. You can even tuck the kids shower gel or soap into the same bin to keep all of their supplies together.
One really cute idea is to make your mason jars do double duty. If you’re an enthusiastic canner, you probably have a bunch of these things sitting around collecting dust, and with a little time you can turn them into unique and beautiful holders for your Q-tips, tweezers, make up brushes, and a variety of other little easily lost bathroom products. Simply take a nice piece of wood, and either paint or stain to match your decor or rough it up to add a rustic touch. Use clamps to attach the jar neck to the wood, and mount into the studs in your wall, ideally over your bathroom sink for easy access.
If you’ve got the floor space, a cute cabinet or a cart is ideal for holding bathroom products, cleaning products, or even rolled up towels and face cloths. The nice part about the cart is that you can quickly roll it around depending on where you most need it at the time. It can be tucked into one corner with toilet paper rolls, or moved over to the tub where it can serve to hold all of the bath products you need for a luxurious soak. This is great for renters too, where putting up shelves or making other alterations to the bathroom isn’t an option.
Home improvement doesn’t need to be extravagant. Starting with simple things such as this can ease your mind in the long run and help you remain motivated for bigger projects in the future.
This article was written by Martin from Poshh. He has over 10 years’ experience in writing health related topics and specializes in the health benefits of saunas and hydrotherapy.
