One of the most important parts of the home is the backyard. The backyard is a place for your family to come together, have fun, and commune. It shouldn’t be a part of your home that you avoid because it has nothing to offer. If your backyard is nothing more than an empty patch of grass, you’re not using it to its full potential, and that is why Tru-Link Fence put together a slideshow that lists 10 backyard ideas that can bring life back to your property. You can view the slideshow below.
10 Ways To Improve Your Backyard created by Tru-Link Fence
Author bio: Dean White is Owner and Operator of Tru-Link Fence, one of the largest fence companies in northern Illinois. He has more than 30 years of experience in the fence industry.
Renting a house/apartment with one or several friends is a great way to save money and enjoy the company of other people. However, while this step is rather common during college and after high school, it’s rarely considered a long-term arrangement. As soon as one roommate gets married or is able to afford their own place, they go their separate ways. What if there’s no marriage in sight and the financial prospects of each individual involved are not enough to get their own property? Well, if the present roommate situation works, and you get along well, buying a house with your friend(s) can be a smart investment. Before you make that big move, you need to be aware of some things.
The Pros of Buying a House with Your Friends
We’ve already mentioned some of the reasons people make this decision. The financial benefits are obvious. A joint property means that you’ll share all the costs including the deposit, transaction costs, mortgage payments, decoration, maintenance, monthly payments, repairs and household bills. Due to high prices on the housing market, many people don’t even consider purchasing a house. Joint ownership can be a useful solution for two families who could, in that way, afford a bigger property.
Agreeing on the Things that Matter
When the ownership status is regulated properly (each tenant can own different shares of the property and tenants can choose to leave their shares in a will or sell them, etc.), owning a property with a friend can save you a lot of trouble. It’s important to agree on things that can largely impact your co-habitation, especially money-related issues. That can include setting up a joint bank account for paying the mortgage or any other agreed shared expenses. A household rulebook is also a crucial point of discussion. You need to be very clear on the rules regarding guests, partners, pets, smoking, etc.
Starting from Scratch
Different people have different needs. Finding a property to meet the needs of one person (with or without a family) is hard. Finding a property that will suit two different people is next to impossible. If that’s the case for you and your friend, building your own home may be a better idea. This way you will be able to make everything just the way you like it from the ground up. The design can be adapted to provide you both with the privacy you need in order to lead independent lives. According to custom home builders from Brisbane your home can be built to individual specifications, but it can also be changed during the building process, so you can follow the construction and make decisions that will make cohabitation easier.
Consistency in Décor
Congratulations, you’ve bought/built your own property. Once the moving in process begins, you will need to decorate the place. Much like with the very design, it is difficult to choose one décor style that suits different persons. Of course, your bedroom, bathroom and other personal spaces should be off limits to the other tenant, and vice versa. If there is a common area, it should be decorated in a neutral manner, except if both tenants agree on one specific style. Although you and the other tenant will decorate your own spaces based on your preferences, keep in mind that there should still be a certain consistency in décor, so try to settle on one color palette or design era.
A Trial Period
You and your best friend get along great. You love spending time with each other, drinking coffee and hanging out in a cocktail bar. That seems as a great foundation for buying a house together, right? Wrong. If you have never before tried to live together you can’t be sure that your relationship will remain just as ideal. Maybe you’ll hate that your friend is smoking in the morning, or they will dislike your early bird habits. Maybe one of you is irresponsible with money. There are too many maybes to count. That is why it is better to have a trial period of renting a place, before going down the more permanent road.
Buying a house with your friend(s) can be a great decision, both financially and when it comes to social life. Still, there’s the danger of losing both a friend and an investment, so be very careful.
Beginning a home improvement project, no matter what size, is exciting but it’s a bit daunting too! There is so much to consider. It’s important to take time at that stage to carefully think out what you want from the project, your budget, suppliers and so on. Even a project as small as creating a feature wall in your living room, for example, can make a real impact but effort is required to get the “project” done and done well.
Ask advice from (well informed) family and friends or if it’s a big enough project obviously professional advice is relevant. It’s a good idea to take notes at the outset about what you wish to achieve i.e. what are your goals. Perhaps you need more space in your kitchen or you wish to create a dedicated home office from a space under the stairs; it’s important to put your goals to the forefront and not let the project take over. If your purpose was to create extra storage space, don’t get deviated by side projects like updating paint colors without fulfilling your end goal.
Our friends over at EZ Living have put together this useful infographic that highlights some phone and tablet apps that will make the project (however big or small) a lot more planned and even fun. It also includes some handy quotes from relevant experts. Check it out below.
Every homeowner wants his or her home to look better and be more comfortable, but not everyone has the resources to go through a full renovation. Luckily, there are several small home projects that almost anyone can do to improve a home’s appearance and feel. Here are four of the easiest repairs and upgrades you can make to improve your living environment.
Install a Fireplace
One of the easiest ways to add class and beauty to your home is to install a fireplace in a major living space. Believe it or not, this job isn’t nearly as difficult as you probably think. Many modern fireplaces, especially electric ones, can be installed very easily by any weekend handyman. If you want something that’s very easy to install, a wall mounted electric fireplace is a great option.
Consider New Lighting
Though most people don’t think of it, it’s remarkable what a difference updated lighting can make in a home. New lighting fixtures and bulbs can give your living areas a more modern appearance and provide better light for the rest of your decor. At the moment, recessed lighting is very popular among homeowners and designers.
Give Your Home a New Look with a Fresh Coat of Paint
If you’re working on a tight budget and can’t afford professional contractors, a fresh coat of paint may be the ideal solution to help your home look better. Almost anyone can paint a room, and the materials needed are relatively inexpensive. Pick out some fresh colors, set aside a weekend to paint and you’ll be amazed at how different your home looks when you’ve finished.
Update Your Plumbing Fixtures
Like anything else, trends in plumbing fixtures come and go. If you want to give your bathrooms and kitchen a new look without the expense of full renovation, consider getting new sinks and updating your bathroom vanities. Simple changes like this can make a large difference, especially if your current fixtures are decades out of style. Plumbing work is fairly specialized, so be sure to contact a professional plumber, such as one from Young Plumbing Corporation, to help you with changing out your sinks and other fixtures.
Even though all of these renovation ideas are small, they can add up to a substantial change in your home environment. Try a few simple updates and enjoy the satisfaction of having added both beauty and value to your house.
Keeping your home sparkling clean is an ongoing process. You will need some basic equipment, such as a bucket, biodegradable detergent and a pressure washer. The time that you invest in keeping up your home’s exterior will add value to the home and provide you with a sense of personal pride.
Clean the Windows
Cleaning your home’s windows improves its appearance inside and out. You will need to clean both sides of the glass in order to achieve optimal results. Basic supplies needed for this project include glass cleaner, a squeegee, a bucket and newspapers. Work from the highest windows down and from the top of the window to the bottom. Do the same for the inside pane of glass.
Use a Pressure Washer
Using a pressure washer is a fast and efficient way to clean your home’s siding. Dirt, dust, and salt residue can mar your siding. Some companies, like Ben’s Cleaner Sales, know that things like bird droppings and pollen can also have damaging effects on the exterior of your home. Use a biodegradable detergent and your pressure washer to get rid of all of the grime. Spring and autumn are good times of the year to pressure wash your home’s exterior.
Paint the Trim
The trim around your home’s doors and windows is prone to chipping. Repainting it will boost the aesthetic appeal of your house. Unlike painting the whole exterior, touching up the trim does not take too long. Use a wire brush to remove any peeling paint. Apply a layer of primer. Allow the primer to fully dry. Use the correct type of oil-based exterior paint for the material you are painting. If you need a second coat of paint, wait at least eight hours between coats.
Get Rid of Roof Stains
Roof stains are unsightly, but they are rarely a sign of damage. Most roof stains are the result of a type of algae that thrives on damp asphalt shingles. A special detergent can be used to wash your roof and get rid of the stains. You can have a roofer install copper or zinc strips along your roof line. This will prevent new stains from forming. Trimming back tree branches helps to ensure that the shingles dry out after rain.
These four simple actions will dramatically improve your home’s exterior. You can do these activities on a clear, mild day. If you are getting your home ready for a special event, your guests will be thrilled at the flawless facade of your house.
A home’s doors and windows are the first lines of defense against burglars and intruders. Doors are by far the most important because they are the main entrance to the house and logically where the burglars will try first. While taking simple steps, such as always securing the locks and repairing broken doors and windows is certainly important, there are a few ways that homeowners can go beyond the basics when choosing new doors and windows for the home.
Go Solid
Doors that lead to the outdoors should always be solid. While hollow doors are often used indoors for improved cost as well as a lightweight feel, front and back doors as well as doors leading to the garage should be made of solid wood or metal with inner reinforcements. Other good options include fiberglass and reinforced steel. Consider options like these attractive and inviting New Jersey doors that look beautiful and are sturdy as well.
Consider Windowless
Numerous doors come with decorative windows to let in light and to provide a curbside statement. However, these same windows also provide easy ways for predators to peep indoors or for intruders to reach into the home to unlock the door. Homeowners that must have windows in their doors should consider choosing ones with metal reinforcements or smaller windows that are quite far from the door’s lock.
Always Include Deadbolts
Instead of using only the small locks that are part of the doorknob, all homeowners should have deadbolts installed with their new doors. Deadbolts extend far into the doorframe, creating another layer of protection for the household. In addition, homeowners should ensure that the doorframe is sturdy to protect it from being kicked out by an intruder.
Choose Reliable Brands And Companies
Of course, any door or window is only as reliable as the company that sells it is. Homeowners should choose reputable companies to buy from. A reputable firm will be able to direct homeowners to the sturdiest doors and to the most secure windows for the home. A good installer will be able to make these recommendations without sacrificing the style of the home.
Beware Of Sliding Doors
Sliding glass patio doors are some of the easiest options for intruders looking to break into a home. Not only are these typically solid glass, but also many of them can be easily forced open. Homeowners that have these patio or balcony doors should only choose options made from reinforced glass or polycarbonate and should always install a sturdy, solid metal or wooden dowel in the track in addition to the door’s traditional lock.
Choose Reinforced Glass
Windows should be made from reinforced glass, such as laminated glass, or from polycarbonate or Plexiglas, which are quite difficult and time-consuming to break. All homeowners should consider installing reflective coatings on the glass to ensure that potential intruders cannot see into the house even if the curtains are open.
Add Window Bars
Homes that are built along the street or that have windows that are very low to the ground are at particular risk from intruders. Window bars can protect the home even if the glass is broken. Homeowners need not worry that these bars will ruin the look of the home. Many options are quite decorative with scrollwork and even shapes that can extend over window boxes.
Homeowners who do not know too much about the windows and doors that are currently on the market today should check with professional installers to determine what the most secure options are. While safe, solid doors and windows almost always cost more than the baseline models do, they are certainly worth it for peace of mind as well as for home and personal safety.
Redecorating your house is never easy, especially if you’re trying to do something special with it. Cosmetic changes are always appreciated, but what if you could make a bigger difference with a simple home makeover? Namely, what if you could help your environment become healthier and greener by using specific techniques and materials during your renovation process? In case you’re looking for ways to make your old house greener and save some energy and money in the process, here are a few tips that might come in handy.
Insulation, Insulation, Insulation
The absolutely best way to ensure that your house is energy-efficient, eco-friendly and environmentally safe is by getting proper insulation. You don’t have to do much and spend a small fortune, but a well-thought-out plan can do wonders for your house’s sustainability and efficiency.
First, start with an energy audit – do it on your own or let a professional determine what needs to be done. Then, get in touch with a reliable contractor who will install insulation on your exterior walls and spice up your house with a new coat of paint. Finally, think about indoor insulation that will only improve all your hard work.
Doors and Windows
Once you’ve insulated your house, it’s time to pay attention to details. What many people don’t know is that the biggest portion of energy is lost through windows and doors, simply because they’re outdated and in need of replacement.
The easiest way to go is by weatherstripping using rubber, plastic, foam or silicone. Although this sounds complicated, it’s actually quite easy – it’s just a matter of locating and sealing loose parts of your doors and windows so that the air can’t pass through. That way, you’ll practically seal your home from the inside and prevent leaks, thus saving energy by having more control over your indoor temperature. Alternatively, you can install double glazed windows that may be expensive, but are highly effective and save you lots of money in the long run.
Solar Panels
Now, if you want to achieve an even better synergy of architecture and green approach to life, take solar panels into serious consideration. These will make your house more aesthetically appealing and instantaneously turn it into the talk of the neighborhood. Additionally, as a great alternative source of creating and preserving energy, they’ll do wonders for your bills. Of course, you don’t have to go all in and cover your entire roof with solar panels, but adding a few might do the trick.
When choosing how to install solar panels, it’s probably better to consult a professional instead of trying to deal with them on your own. If you want to get the best results, they have to be installed properly – not to mention that you simply must pick the best solar panels you can find. Additionally, by choosing only the best brands and service, you can make sure that you will enjoy your panels for a long time.
Ceiling Fans
When it comes to interior decorating, there’s nothing more unique than a ceiling fan. After being very popular in the mid-20th century, these are making a huge comeback today. Their vintage look makes them perfect for people who want to introduce class into their homes and aren’t afraid to experiment. Further, these things will effectively and cheaply lower the temperature of any room during summer, especially if you have high ceilings. Once installed – you can probably handle this by yourself – these fans will work almost for free for years and years to come. Ultimately, these are also useful when it comes to heating your house in winter. By applying slight adjustments, they can rotate in a different manner and circulate hot air from the ceiling downwards.
Other Ideas
Some of the other ways to ensure that your house is the greenest in your street include equipping all your light fixtures with LED light bulbs, adjusting your water heater, insulating your attic and basement and updating your heating system. Finally, you could plant a tree or two in your front and backyard and enjoy the comfortable shade they’ll provide you with during summer.
You know how professional decorators say that focal points are the most significant things in the room? Well, if you apply that to the bigger picture, you’ll understand that living rooms represent the focal point of your whole house. That being said, the place that’s in the center of attention, where you spend most of your time and the place you use to spend quality time with your friends and family, deserves special attention. And what’s a better way to give a room that special something than to shower it with some light? Lighting plays a major role in interior design and these few tips will give you a proper insight on how to light up your living room accordingly.
Create the Perfect Ambiance
A living room should always radiate with a certain kind of emotion; it needs to exude warmth, hospitality and an overall inviting atmosphere. This is where ambient lighting comes in. The sole goal of this lighting system is to create a suitable environment to dwell in and it accomplishes this through the use of stylish chandeliers, valance lighting, ceiling lights as well as recessed lights. There’s a wide array of ambient lights available and all you have to do is choose the style according to the style of your living room.
Accentuate Certain Features
After you set the right mood, the next step is giving your living room a bit of structure. The best way to achieve this is by using accent lighting in order to put the focus on specific elements in the room. In most cases, accent lighting is used to illuminate certain architectural features, artistic elements, as well as specific areas and places in the room. In order for this type of lighting to be effective, it needs to be much brighter than surrounding lights, which is why adjustable lights and dimmers always go hand in hand.
Give It a Dose of Charm
Lighting features aren’t used solely for providing sufficient amounts of light, but also to give your room a specific dose of charm. Lamps are often used as decorative objects, which is why a stylish floor or table lamp always finds a way into a living space, while an extravagant chandelier usually makes a nice addition. Pendant lights are also quite a favorable choice when thinking about embellishing the room and you can always decide to add a bit of color by choosing bulbs in different hues.
Don’t Ignore Your Tasks
Every living room needs to have a designated reading nook. Sometimes, these spaces that are reserved solely for reading, painting or any similar activity, require brighter lighting. This is why proper lighting is a very important part of these small areas in the living room and it’s also the reason why task lighting exists. These are mostly adjustable lamps with LED bulbs which give you a direct light source and help you get a clear visual of the task in front of you.
Helpful Details
There are other significant aspects of lighting up a room that need to be considered. First of all, it’s important to know a good emergency electrician who’s competent enough to handle the entire electrical system in the house. Second, the type of bulb is an important aspect of proper lighting and in recent years, LED bulbs have become much more favorable than traditional, incandescent bulbs. The last thing to keep in mind is the importance of natural lighting and possible solutions on how to introduce more sunshine in your home.
With so many different lighting systems and options, sometimes it can be difficult to achieve a desired atmosphere in the living room. The goal is to learn how to consolidate all these different lighting options into one entirety and create a soothing and balanced setting.
Having a flooring that is nicely tiled and grouted is a great sight to see. However, not everyone is fond of cleaning it on a regular basis. Nonetheless, if you know what you should and should not do, you will be able to clean your grout and tiles with ease. Here are some of the things that you should avoid when cleaning your grout lines and tiles.
Grout cleaning and tile cleaning is a good idea, especially if you do so on a regular basis as this can actually prolong the life of your flooring and your tiles. Cleaning can maintain the flooring looking best all the time. You can find more about grout cleaning process here.
You also have to keep in mind that there are some activities which can actually shorten the life span of your tiles as well as the grout lines and some activities may even be extremely dangerous. Here are some of the things that you should avoid when doing tile and grout cleaning:
Avoid using too much water.
Only use the exact amount of water that you need. Do not use excess water, as grout is tremendously porous. Aside from weakening the grout, it can seep into the grout and be trapped there. Once water gets trapped in the grout, mildew and molds may grow their causing issues in the future.
Avoid using harsh chemicals and use light ones instead.
Bleach and ammonia are never good together if you meant to use them in cleaning your tiles and grout lines, as these two can create a type of gas – chlorine gas to be exact – which is quite poisonous and hazardous to your health. Do not use any harsh chemicals when other light chemicals can do the same job. Over time, these harsh chemicals can contribute in damaging your grout and tiles. Harsh chemicals can also weaken or lower down the durability as well as lifespan of grout and tiles.
Avoid using bleaching agents when cleaning, especially if your grout is colored. Bleaching it will wash away the original color of the grout by lightening or dulling the color.
Your scrubber matters.
Avoid using scrubbers,which are coarse as these can damage the grout and the tiles. In many cases, it is suggested that a brush would be used instead. This will help in making sure that the tiles and grout will last longer.
Cleaning tiles and grouts is not really as hard as it seem. You just need to know the basic do’s and don’ts of cleaning so you will not go astray or cause damage to your tiles and grout.
Jason McCoy is an experienced contractor who enjoys working on DIY projects of all kinds. He maintains a Guru For Grout Sealing Blog, which contains all sorts of information related to grouting, cleaning and sealing tiles.
Living in a house with a backyard opens various interesting options making your home even more inviting and comfortable. Concrete patios and backyard designs provide you with a great place to relax after a long day, entertaining playground for your kids, as well as a perfect spot for some intimate parties and barbecues. Designing and decorating your backyard can truly transform the look of your home so if you find yourself interested in this kind of project, keep on reading.
1. Benefits of concrete
If you’re stuck with ideas when it comes to redesigning your backyard/patio, one of the most recommended options is to use the concrete. There are, of course, several reasons as to why concrete is considered to be one of the best options for this project. In general, concrete is highly durable, yet very easily maintained. What’s more, you can adapt your concrete outdoor design to any style you prefer, and shape it according to your own taste and ideas.
2. Touch of personality
You may think that concrete looks plain and boring, but thanks to various decorative concrete options you can still get a pretty unique look of your backyard. In general, stamping and staining are two widely used decorative approaches. For example, if you want to have freshly poured concrete, stamping technique allows you to transform the appearance of your backyard with any texture you want. It can even mimic other natural materials, such as stone and wood. On the other hand, if you already have concrete in your backyard, you can always make it more interesting with a staining technique that comes with warm earthy tones. In the end, using decorative concrete is cost-effective since it will create a high-end, luxurious appearance of your outdoor area without going over your budget.
3. Play with shapes
The best thing about using concrete in your backyard is the freedom to choose the shape and form of your patio. Of course, you can cover your entire backyard with concrete, but you can also use various molds and play with their position in order to create something truly special. You can focus on patio area only, or spice up the garden space as well. If you’d like to use some really nice and unusual molds for concrete pouring, you can easily make one yourself. In general, using styrofoam blue board to shape the molds the way you see fit is definitely one of the most fun, personal and rewarding ways to refresh and redesign your backyard.
4. Add nature to the mixture
One of the mentioned benefits of concrete backyard is its low maintenance. This doesn’t only mean that concrete is just easy to clean, but also you won’t have to deal with dirt and grass in your yard. Still, removing all the traces of nature from your backyard won’t do you any good either. In order to experience true bliss every time you step outside, you can leave enough room for your garden that will be surrounded with interesting paving blocks. Alternatively, you can leave grass openings in your concrete layout for pops of decorative flowers, bushes, and plants. If you don’t mind tending the grass from time to time, you can create a nice balance in your backyard with concrete patio, lovely garden path and grassy area that will occupy the rest of your yard.
5. The heart of your backyard
In order to make your backyard/patio livelier and unique, don’t forget the fire feature. Together with some matching outdoor furniture, this barbecue area will undoubtedly add the final touch to your efforts. There are also many cool ideas online when it comes to building your own backyard, so feel free to check those out.
There are things that you could do yourself when tackling the redesign of your backyard, but sometimes you will need a professional help to accomplish the wanted backyard style. Make sure to be realistic and practical in this project so that your backyard will end up with a clear-cut, modern and creative concrete design.
Guest Post By:
Chloe is an art historian, recreational ballet dancer and a contributor at smoothdecorator.com. She is passionate about photography, dance and music. Her biggest dream is to travel the whole world with her husband and take stunning photographs of beautiful places. She also enjoys learning and writing about home design, since she is crazy about aesthetics. You can find Chloe on FB, Twitter, and G+.
