Author: Rickey Andreu

Looking to refresh your outdoor space? No matter the season or space limitations, check out these quick and easy ideas to turn your backyard into a year-round oasis.

Furniture Refresh

Do your weekends consist of grassy games of fetch out back with your pup? Or perhaps a glass of wine with friends on a covered patio? Regardless of your outdoor uses, every living space needs furniture. If you are tired of your current outdoor style, a simple fix is to upgrade your seating. Outdoor furniture is easily accessible at a variety of stores, all at various price points. Determine the sort of seating you need, whether it be a large sofa or a space-saving swinging chair, and then start shopping. Keep in mind comfort and practicality while searching, along with color tones that will last year-round. For example, consider neutral sofa cushions that you can re-style all year long with seasonal pillows. Throw in some all-weather blankets to keep you and your guests comfortable and on-trend.

Turn Up the Heat

Regardless of the season, everyone loves to gather around the fire for a warm and cozy night. Consider adding a fire pit, outdoor fireplace, or decorative fire screen to your backyard to increase both style and ambiance for year-round nightly entertaining. You can also increase the heat with an outdoor kitchen salsa bar, or stoke the flames with spicy chops atop a grill.

Natural Improvements

Enhance your backyard with natural landscape upgrades. Consider replacing old patches of grass, planting fresh beds of flowers, or installing a new sprinkler system to keep things green and healthy. If you aren’t a natural green thumb, consider adding a few low maintenance hanging plants to your patio area instead.

Bring your family and friends together all year long with a refreshed outdoor space.

When you think of security for your home, you may envision cameras or an expensive anti-theft system. While those are effective ideas, there are other ways to create a sense of security and privacy to your property while adding to its allure. Here are several ways to secure your personal space while improving the look of your home.

Strategically Placed Outdoor Lighting

Installing outdoor lighting Orlando is an easy and effective way to increase security around the outside of your house. Not only can you add the customary floodlights with motion sensors, but consider spotlights and landscaping lights. These types of lights look beautiful at night and also illuminate all areas of your yard providing peace-of-mind.

Vinyl and Wood Fencing

One of the most popular ways to protect your yard is to put up fencing. Today’s vinyl and wood fences come in many different designs. You can place solar lights on post caps and stain wooden fences whatever color you desire. Adding hanging plants to the fence gives your yard a secret garden feel. A locking gate will keep everything safe.

Hedges and Greenery

Many people opt for a natural barrier to enclose an area. Planting a hedge line, or a row of cypress or arborvitae is reminiscent of Tuscany, a look that inspires many. On a similar scale, you can also construct a trellis that will form a dense wall of greenery, filled with lush vines.

An Iron Gate

Adding a wrought iron gate to the outside of your front door instantly creates elegance and security. With a locked gate, you can leave your front door open allowing fresh air to flow through the house without worrying about a break-in.

A Sense of Security

Instilling a sense of security and privacy at home is important for you and

Have you ever become violently aware of just how outdated your home is? For example, as you lie in bed and gaze around your shabby chic bedroom set, you might suddenly realize that you bought it in 1997 — and that it’s looking more shabby than chic these days. Looks like it’s time to start making changes in your decor!

Color Swap

The first step to making your home feel fresh again is getting a new color on the walls. Sure, the dark Tuscan brown might have been in style fifteen years ago, but today it makes your kitchen feel like a cave.

• If you’re not sure what color combination works well together, check out an online color swatch generator. These are fun little widgets that can help you pick accent colors that flow.
• Check to see what’s trending in decor colors if you want to be fashion-forward. Remember that trends come and go, so be wary of being on top of it every second of the day.

Replace Furniture — Slowly

Unless you feel like dropping a lot of money all at once, it’s best to pace yourself when you’re buying new furniture for your home. Look at all your pieces and decide what is in the worst shape and needs replacing most urgently.

• If you inherited your sofa from your mother (who bought it in 1984), it’s probably time for a new one. Your furniture needs to be brought to this millennium, so pick old, worn-out pieces and replace those first (so long as they are not cherished antiques).
• Your mattress is an essential piece of furniture because it determines your overall quality of sleep. If yours is old, creaky, uncomfortable and an overall annoyance, get rid of it.

Bringing your home into the 21st century

If your kitchen needs an upgrade, there are endless possibilities for refreshing its look. Whether you’re aiming for style or function, it’s important to create the renovation plan that caters to all of your goals and wishes. Here are some kitchen remodeling ideas that can give you the inspiration you need to get started.

Refresh Your Counters

There are many options for changing up the look of your counters. Whether you opt for granite or marble countertops Tampa, choose a design that accents your kitchen cabinets, walls or floors. By tastefully designing your counters, you can add a nice touch to the rest of the room and grab the attention of anyone who enters.

Add an Island

A kitchen island can be useful in many different ways. Besides preparing food on the island, you can add seating around it or even store some of your dishes inside it. When choosing the right island for your kitchen, be sure to consider the size of the room as well as the layout. An island can also give your guests an extra place to sit and enjoy the food that you’ve prepared for them.

Focus on Storage

The key to creating a polished space is minimizing as much clutter as possible. Instead of leaving your various tools and appliances out on the counters, make sure that they have a designated place to go. As you work on your renovation project, create ample space for your belongings that you can easily access at any time.

Upgrade Your Appliances

A kitchen renovation project won’t be complete without a new set of appliances. Whether you’re searching for a new refrigerator, dishwasher or microwave, be sure to choose efficient appliances that can make your job easier. You can even look into energy-efficient appliances that may help

Dealing with storm damage to your home can be overwhelming. However, there’s no need to go through the recovery process alone. It’s important to take small yet meaningful steps in the aftermath of the storm and reach out for help when you need it. The following guidelines can help you find peace of mind during a challenging situation and bring your home back to life.

Call Restoration Experts

The shock of experiencing storm damage may leave you unsure of what to do, but it’s crucial to call for help as soon as possible. Skilled storm restoration Minneapolis experts can survey the extent of damage in your home and help it return to its original state. No matter what type of loss you’re dealing with, professionals can do the work for you and let you be at ease during a difficult time.

Talk to Your Insurance Company

While you’re waiting for restoration services to arrive, it’s a good idea to talk to your insurance company right away. Having a conversation with them can help you understand what to expect during the process of filing a claim for storm damage. Moreover, calling them is a good opportunity to arrange a meeting with an insurance adjuster.

Keep the Evidence

Your insurance claim won’t be supported if you lack evidence of your loss. Be sure to take plenty of photos of the damage and hold on to any receipts you have that may be reimbursed. Keeping your evidence protected shows that you are serious about your claim and provides your insurance adjuster with concrete proof of what you experienced.

Facing any kind of storm damage is a stressful experience, but there are ways to alleviate the pressure. Make sure to be proactive and reach out for help as soon as you can to

Everyone wants their home to be free of bugs and other creepy crawlies, but doing so can seem impossible. A wide variety of pests seek out the food and climate that can only be found indoors. Your home represents their dream residence, so mounting an effective defense against these tiny invaders is critical. Here are five of the most common pests.

 

Stink Bugs

The brown marmorated stink bug is an invasive species that is attracted to houses on warm fall days and can enter your home in large numbers. While they can produce allergic reactions, their worst quality is the foul odor they emit when crushed. The challenges of stink bug pest control typically require the services of a professional exterminator.

 

Ants

Ants are among any home’s most common pests. There are different species of ants around the world, but virtually all of them are attracted to one thing: food. It’s critical to keep your kitchen free from crumbs and spills on floors and counters.

Spiders

Most species of spiders aren’t dangerous. In fact, they can be very helpful because they eat other insects. But they nevertheless are not something the average homeowner wants to see crawling around. The best way to keep spiders out is to seal cracks in your home’s foundation.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches ARE dangerous because they can spread diseases. They are typically covered in bacteria because of their attraction to garbage and waste. It’s therefore critical to keep your home clean, not let dishes pile up in the sink, and make sure you take out your trash every day.

 

Earwigs

Earwigs generally live outside, but they can enter your basement during summer, in search of cool places. They have long antennae and claw-like appendages. Although those appendages look dangerous, earwigs are actually harmless. But to prevent

With the promise of cooler Fall weather on the way, many homeowners are looking forward to relaxing in their backyards. However, not every backyard is a tranquil place. Fortunately, if your outdoor space isn’t looking the way you want, there are some changes you can make now that will have a dramatic effect.

Fencing

A backyard should be a private area, but many neighborhoods are set up in a way that seclusion is hard to find. A wood fence Kissimmee FL will change the entire area. It can make a yard look larger, while at the same time creating a cozy living space. It also sets up a good border for additional landscaping that would have looked out of place prior to the fence. If you have pets, it takes the stress out of letting them enjoy outdoor freedom.

Trees and Bushes

Once your fence is in place, landscaping will truly warm up the area. Bushes are ideal for the border and can also be used to create separate living spaces, depending on the size of your yard. Tall skinny foliage is great for providing additional privacy above a fence. Plants are useful to help frame the border of a seating area. The most beneficial thing about landscaping is that it can typically be transformed within a weekend.

Firepit

Particularly in warmer climates, it can be hard to imagine wanting a firepit after summer months. However, if you make the change now, the winter can be enjoyed outside also. If you love the outdoors but don’t love the cold, firepits are an aesthetically pleasing way to add a separate seating area for smores or parties in the winter months. They also can increase your home value.

Your backyard should be a welcoming place and will look completely different with

Leaky dishwashers. Noisy dryers. There are so many reasons people list for throwing away appliances and dropping several hundred dollars or better on an upgrade. However, the expense might be unnecessary. Being around appliances nearly every day of one’s life provides a false sense of awareness and expertise, but you have to ask yourself, what do you actually know about your dishwasher, fridge, stove, washer, etc.? Familiarity does not equate to knowledge. Therefore, before you throw away an essential piece of household machinery, contact a professional to inspect it. There are at least four excellent reasons to bring in a certified appliance repair technician before throwing away anything.

1. Time

When people give up on their home devices, failing to call an appliance repair manhattan, they enter into a potential time suck. It doesn’t take hours to research new appliances; it can take days or longer. Also, when you decide on a machine, it might take at least a week for it to be delivered and setup. Calling a technician, on the other hand, might have your current device up and running in a couple of days or less, depending on the circumstances.

2. Money

Money is a significant reason to call a technician before making any rash decisions. Repairing an appliance will likely cost a fraction of replacing it, especially when working with an experienced repairer.

3. Efficiency

A common complaint among appliance owners is that their device does not work as well as it once did, and that is likely because of poor maintenance. Appliances, like any piece of machinery, require routine maintenance and checkups to continue operating at peak and efficient levels. A repair take might be able to restore efficiency.

4. Confidence

Last, a licensed and certified technician brings an air of confidence to their

Hardwood floors are a beautiful addition to homes and businesses. Whether you prefer elegance or traditional styles, hardwood is an excellent choice. In addition to their versatility, wood plank floors improve the visual appeal of a home. Although many property owners believe that wood floors are difficult to care for, there are a few maintenance steps you can take to lengthen the life expectancy and durability of the flooring.

 

Protective Coatings

 

The first step begins during installation. Today, most wood flooring, including the high-end monarch plank windsor collection, are already finished with polyurethane. If you have an older home, however, existing flooring may need to be refinished. That coating protects the wood underneath from heavy wear and small amounts of water.

 

Appropriate Floor Cleaners

 

The next step is to lightly clean floors with a floor cleaner, specifically designed for hardwoods. This should be done every month or two for the best results. Although it may be tempting to quickly run a mop over the floor, you should begin with a small section of the floor at a time.

 

Tips for Removing Scuffs

 

From time to time, there may be scuffs or scratches. Pros have a few tips for handling these accidents. For example, a fuzzy tennis ball buffs out many spots. If there’s heavier residue, a mixture of baking soda and water will do the trick. Be careful with soda, though, because it can be abrasive when applied heavily.

 

Household Rules

 

Naturally, a few rules can also keep your floors looking great. Simple rules, such as taking your shoes off while in the house, have long-term benefits. Regularly running a vacuum over the floor will remove a lot of dirt and debris that causes scratches and obvious wear. Finally, get in