The effects of climate change mean we’ve just lived through the hottest August ever recorded. But summer’s soon coming to a close, weather will get colder, and leaves will soon crowd your yard as it transitions into fall. What’s more is winter isn’t too far off, and with such a hot summer, you can expect things to get extra cold by December.

You don’t just need to prepare yourself for the colder months. Your house and garden should also be well-maintained for the fall and winter seasons. There are a lot of home maintenance jobs that become particularly important during the second half of the year. You’ll likely have to work harder for the next couple of seasons since weather conditions are much harsher.

[Photo courtesy of tpsdave/pixabay.com]

The best time to start work is right now before the season changes. Preparing your home is advance is the smartest idea. Your home should be ready for when the wind gets stronger, and the leaves start to fall. Your home should be kept warm and protected from the elements. Here are some useful tips for preparing your home for fall and winter.

Keep Your Home Warm

While the weather is hot, open windows and breezy fans are a must to keep cool. But as the season changes, you’ll definitely want to protect your house from the cold drafts and increase in rainfall. Some people make use of electric heaters to warm their home up, but the most efficient way to do it is using an HVAC system.

For a lot of people, the same system that provides air conditioning around the house can also keep them warm. These systems are prone to problems, though. It’s important you get your HVAC system checked. Professional services can help you with HVAC maintenance, for example, you can learn about Academy Air.

Your heating system isn’t the only thing you should concern yourself with. You should keep your home insulated from the outside. Caulking any cracks or gaps in the construction of your house will prevent drafts. You will also want to ensure windows are double-glazed if they aren’t already. These are jobs many home maintenance companies can handle. Not only will they keep you warm, but they also go towards raising the value of your home.

There are plenty of other ways to keep your home warm when the weather gets cold. Things like halogen light bulbs and heavy curtains can give a room extra heat. We’re set for a cold fall and a freezing winter, so make sure you’re prepared!

Unclog Gutters

[Photo courtesy of Eric Schmuttenmaer/flickr.com]

While your gutter system may not be much of a concern during the summer, it becomes particularly important after. Gutters can quickly become clogged up with leaves and debris in the fall. Make sure to clean your gutter and downspout regularly. This will help to circumvent rain properly.

Although you can call a handyman to do this, it’s possible to handle yourself. You can use a ladder and a plastic scoop to remove any debris. Another method is to use a high-pressure hose to clear it out. Using a hose is also useful for cleaning out your drainpipe of any obstructions.

There are other measures which can help improve rain flow through gutters. You may want to look into tips for cleaning and repairing gutters. Make sure they’re well-prepared before the leaves start falling in October.

Roof Maintenance

Much like your gutters, your roof is another part of your house that can quickly become covered in leaves and debris. Debris from the roof can fall and contribute to clogging up gutters, so it’s best to clear them out. Algae can also accumulate on roofs. You can remove it using a scrub brush and algae cleaner.

September is also a perfect time for roof maintenance. You’ll want to check for any cracks or loose shingles and sort them out to stop the cold coming in from above your house. A lot of roof maintenance work is best left to a professional. You may want to call on the services of a roofer or handyman to make sure the top of your house is well maintained.

Prepare Your Garden

[Photo courtesy of donwhite84/pixabay.com]

Your garden has probably seen plenty of usage over the warmer months, but this is likely to change as the weather gets colder. Due to the harsher weather conditions, you’ll want to make sure your garden is well prepared for fall and winter.

If you have a pool or hot tub, it’ll become increasingly hard to keep them clean from autumn leaves. If you plan to keep using your pool, you’ll need to skim it daily to clean out leaves, dirt, and other falling debris. However, the best idea may be to drain them and use an efficient plastic cover to prevent them getting clogged up.

Garden furniture can also get damaged from falling leaves, rain, hail, and snow. The chances are, you’ll be using your garden tables, chairs, and loveseats less often. The best idea is to put them away in a shed or garage if they’re small enough. If not, you might want to cover them with a plastic sheet.

Changing temperatures and weather conditions can also mean your lawn needs a different approach. Lawn care services can help you with keeping your garden healthy over these months. However, it can also be the best time to do more work in your garden. Some flowers and plants are easier to grow during these months. Check out BHG’s fall lawn care secrets for getting the most out of your garden during the autumn season.

Mow the lawn and give your plants and hedges a trim before the season changes. It’s also worth investing in a leaf blower at this time. A leaf blower is one of the most useful tools you can have during fall and winter. It can be used to remove leaves from the gutter, your car, your garden, and pretty much anywhere else. There are also some lesser known uses to have more fun with your leaf blower, so it’s well worth getting one.

Clean The Chimney

If your home has a fireplace, you’ll probably be making much more use of it once summer ends. Be careful, though. Over time, chimneys can become clogged with debris and chemicals. Failing to clear these out can result in toxic emissions and even chimney fires in worse cases.

Cleaning a chimney isn’t a job you should handle yourself. It’s best to schedule a cleaning from a handyman or a dedicated chimney cleaner to get your home ready for winter and fall. If you use a wood burning fireplace, now is also the best time to stock up on firewood to make use of throughout the rest of the year.

Winter Preparation

While the autumn season can bring on some colder weather, things will get even worse in the winter. You should prepare in advance for the inevitable lower temperatures and snowfall.

If you don’t already have them, it’s worth getting a snow shovel and scraper. These will help you clean out your driveway and remove snow from your car on those snowy winter mornings. Having a cover for your car can also help. A lot of people hate having to do this every morning, which is why one person found a way to clear snow in the laziest way imaginable.

A lot of the work you carry out for the fall will benefit you all the way through winter. However, as temperatures start to get even colder, you may want to put extra work into keeping warm. An electric blanket is a good way of keeping your bed warm and cozy during the winter. A cheaper solution is to take a hot water bottle to bed. Winter is also the best time to stock up on hot chocolate, and you may also want to buy a thermos flask so you can keep your coffee warm on the way to work.

Interior Decorating

[Photo courtesy of newhouse/pixabay.com]

Right now is also the best time to redecorate your house with some winter interior decorating ideas. You may want to use brighter lighting and warmer colors to counteract the winter darkness. Decorations like candles are also great to have around the house during the colder months.

Redecorating now is also a good way to start energy-proofing your house. You can look into some energy saving ideas to cut down your bills in advance.

Make sure your home is warm, comfy, and looking good for the fall and winter. There’s plenty of decoration you can do yourself. However, you may also want to consider using an interior decorating service to rehaul your home completely.

Reassess Your Home Insurance And Energy Plan

Home insurance becomes particularly important as winter approaches. The worsening weather conditions lead to a greater risk of property damage. Pipes can get frozen, and hailstorms and high winds can damage your home exterior.

Because of this, it’s best to reassess your home insurance before the winter comes. Websites like Credio can help you compare home insurance companies. You should also check your energy bill. The chances are you’ll be using much more gas and electricity as temperatures cool down. Make sure you’re getting the best cover for what you pay.

A music room is about your love for music, and your family’s delight in the refined musical expressions can be an extraordinary motivation for planning the music room. It is imperative to pick fitting furniture for the music room, to upgrade the nature of the music and make listening a great deal more pleasurable. Here are five improving answers for your music room, in no particular order:

Seating

Seating is essential in your music room, as it offers an unwinding place for your family and visitors to appreciate the music introduced. Foot stools can be made out of old piano seats or comparable music-themed things, and these can likewise be an extraordinary friendly exchange or ice breaker after the music closes.

[Photo courtesy of unsplash.com/pexels.com]

Lighting

It is anything but difficult to be extremely innovative when you plan lighting for the music room. Unusable musical instruments, for example, woodwinds, clarinets, violins, guitars, trumpets, cornets, and even saxophones can be changed over into interesting lighting for the room.

Accessorizing

Beautifying the room can be as fun and intriguing as getting a charge out of the music, so don’t hesitate to get extremely imaginative with this angle. Awesome illustrations incorporate a piano, wardrobe containing guitar grimoire books with voicings and chords ever written guitar, maracas, bongos, and comparable musical instruments.

[Photo courtesy of ponce_photography/pixabay.com]

Instruments

At long last, it’s a given that you will need to have the absolute best instruments in plain view for your picked musical instrument. Take uncommon consideration to have fitting sheet music or going with soundtracks available, so you can enthrall visitors. Set aside time for practice, and keep your instrument perfect and prepared for use at whatever point you wish to stimulate companions or build up your aptitudes. All things considered, the playing of the instrument is the thing that drove you to make the music room so you can celebrate the music.

Unused garden space can feel wasted. If you have a large patch of grass with nothing on it, you probably want to fill it up with something exciting. That’s why building your own D.I.Y. log cabin is a fantastic idea. As well as being a fun project to take on, it’ll give you a perfect little hideaway and make your garden stand out.

The time it will take depends largely on how you go about getting materials and how big you want it to be. You can finish building a simple log cabin with purchased materials in a couple of weeks! However, no matter what kind of cabin you want to make, it will take a lot of planning and preparation. Here are the things to consider when building a cabin of your own.

[Photo courtesy of Pezibear/pixabay.com]

Setting Up

First of all, you’ll want plenty of wood to build your cabin. Plan out the size of your cabin and make sure you have the right amount of wood in the right size. The simplest way to get wood is to buy it. Many places deal in selling dry logs. You could also use other types of wood if you prefer. Some people go all out by chopping down and treating their own wood, but this takes much longer. You can also find ways to recycle old wood into your new project.

Be mindful that wood requires a lot of treatment. You’ll need to stain, caulk, and chink your wood to keep it all together and make sure it’s well protected. Maintenance is required to ensure your cabin doesn’t get ruined by the weather. Luckily, there are services dealing in cabin supplies to help you out.

Make sure you have your wood ready, as well as the plans and tools to set it all up.

Learn To Build

Once everything is setup, you’re ready to start building your cabin. Even for many D.I.Y. experts, this job might be completely new to you. It’s best to look for online tutorials to run you through the process. You could even watch a YouTube tutorial to give you a video demonstration of what to do.

Be prepared to spend a lot of time and effort on this. Some people spend weeks or months on building their perfect cabin. The best idea is to get friends or family to help you out, as more hands are always better.

Decorate Your Cabin

Learning to build and executing your plans will take a long time, but the results will make it all the more rewarding. Now you have your brand new backyard hideaway; it’s time to get to the really fun part.

You can repurpose your cabin in so many ways. You might want to use it as a faux holiday home, to get away from your house and spend some luxury time in. You could even make it into a guest bedroom for having people over.

You could extend the electricity from your house into the cabin or use an electric generator. This allows you to add things like a TV and electric heating. However, you might want to use your cabin to go back to basics and shut technology out. Pinterest can give you plenty of log cabin decoration ideas. Enjoy!

There are some people that consider their bathroom as one of the great place of investment from stylish decor to modern tub and a Jacuzzi. It is also the place where most people spend their time to relax while dipping in a bubble bath, drinking wine and so on. Furthermore most of our time in the morning is spent in the bathroom grooming ourselves to start our day. Imagine a bathroom without a good lighting it simply looks like a dim place to start your day.

Well you should know that one of the important factor that everyone should consider is the having perfect bathroom lighting, a good lighting can add perfect touch and complement the look of your bathroom . You must select lights that are in good quality and safe for your bathroom use no matter what your style is, modern or traditional.

[Photo courtesy of William LeMond/pexels.com]

With so many styles and types of bathroom lighting to choose from you should also be keen enough to understand what is the perfect bathroom ceiling lights that will complement the size of your bathroom. Ceiling lights are usually very simple to install and does not require a lot of work. If you are planning to remodel your bathroom at home you should consider hopping at bathroomlightingoutlet.com they offer a wide range of bathroom lights, vanity lighting and mirror, wall sconces, bathroom accessories that will surely satisfy your needs.

If you have thoughts what is the best lighting for your bathroom you should take time time to read their lighting guides that will help you to understand what are the other things you should consider in choosing the best bathroom light. It is easy, safe and secure to shop at bathroomlightingoutlet.com and they also offer free shipping. With their 20+ years in the business you find the right place to shop for your bathroom needs.

Owning your own property is its own reward. Your home is yours and you can do what you want with it. You don’t need to abide by the decoration rules of a landlord; it is full of its own touches and delights. It feels more like your home than any rented property ever could.

Despite all of the benefits, there is one downside to home ownership – you are totally responsible. If something goes wrong, there is no landlord to call to ask for help. Your insurance can cover some things, but most policies require you to at least make the effort when it comes to maintenance.

Maintenance is one of those thankless tasks. Rarely does it feel like you have made a difference; the whole point, of course, is to keep things running as they should as http://www.thepackratwifey.com/why-household-prevention-is-better-than-cure/ shows. It doesn’t feel like an exciting way to spend money, especially if you have design and decor ideas that are clamouring for investment.

Yet not only does poor maintenance damage your insurance policy, it damages your quality of life. If you’re living in a house that is not fit for purpose, it goes without saying that there are changes that need to be made.

There are so many areas of your home that need constant updating, improvement and quality checking. To try and exercise some kind of control over this most fluid of things, below, there’s an A-Z rundown of all those little tasks. Run through it at least once a year, or setup a calender like this: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-set-up-an-annual-home-maintenance-calendar-176043 (or as advised; some things are seasonal). If you do that, then you can be sure that your home is always working as it should be.

A is for Antifreeze

[Photo courtesy of Dmcroof/wikipedia.org]

When winter rolls around, the last thing you need is your gutters freezing and water gathering. That’s no joke: it can lead to gutters collapsing, which is expensive to replace. Try and run antifreeze down your guttering at least once a week.

B is for Boiler

If your boiler is more that four years old, have it serviced annually. If it’s younger and under warranty, check the terms of the warranty. Some require annual services from the off to remain valid.

C is for Cavity Wall Insulation

If your home is not insulated, make it so as a priority. You are likely spending more than you have to on heating bills. If it is, get into the attic and check it annually to ensure there’s no damage.

D is for Drains

[Photo courtesy of CharlesHodgson/flickr.com]

Especially important in fall with the fallen leaves, clear drains out regularly.

E is for Energy Efficiency

Smart Meters can help maintain proper energy efficiency, but there are less hi-tech ways of doing it. Do you turn lights off when you leave a room? Turn off devices rather than putting them on stand-by? You should be, so think over your habits and make changes where necessary.

F is for Flooring

As floors age, they become more susceptible to heat variations. When it’s cold, they will contract, and the expand again when the weather warms up. This can cause cracks and weaken the whole flooring structure, so check every year that a bigger problem isn’t developing.

G is for Gas Central Heating

Along with the boiler servicing mentioned in “B”, there is another step to take to ensure your central heating is working as it should. Bleed radiators with the change of every season to keep them at the top of their game.

H is for Home Invaders

[Photo courtesy of Earth’sbuddy/wikipedia.org]

No, not aliens, though that would be far more entertaining. Move kitchen appliances and check the attic every few months to check for signs of invasive pests. If you see signs of such an invasion, act as quickly as possible to prevent the spread.

I is for Internal Holes

Terrorised by spiders every fall? Wondering how bugs keep getting inside? Mouse problems? The solution to keeping the wildlife outdoors is to check for any holes in walls. A mouse can fit through a hole of less than an inch in diameter, so be thorough.

J is for Jagged Cracks

Vertical wall cracks are usually due to use and stress, rather than structural problems. The ones you need to worry about are jagged, horizontal cracks. Call an engineer the moment you see anything fitting that description.

K is for Kitchen Sink and Waste Disposal

Even if you practice the best methods possible, every sink is prone to blocking. Run a dose of unblocker through the kitchen sink system every six months to prevent any such issues developing.

L is for Limescale

If you live in a hard or well water area, then you will likely suffer from limescale issues. Not only can this tarnish taps, but it can also render your washing machine unusable. You can find some ideas to combat it at https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/aug/23/how-to-remove-limescale

M is for Mildew and Mould

[Photo courtesy of Gil mo/wikipedia.org]

Mildew is the product of a house being too damp. Check corners and edges of window frames for any sign of small black spores. If identified, be ruthless with regards to cleaning. Tea tree oil works well.

N is for Nail Holes

This is only a particular worry if you are planning to sell the house soon! But from an appearance point of view, nail holes in the wall can be unsightly and leave the buyer feeling that they have to patch them up. Even if you’re out of the home by then it can leave residual bad feeling. Any time you remove a nail from a hole, patch it up. Then there’s no need to go around looking, should you ever sell up.

O is for Organisation

Some order to your home maintenance plan is essential. For one, basic reason, there is the fact that some jobs will get in the way of others. For example, would you paint a skirting board before sanding down the wall that is above it? No – that’s just asking for trouble. Order will save time, and extra work.

P is for Preparation

Before the season changes each time, check you have everything you need to survive it. For fall and winter, flooding and freezing are the major hazards. For spring and summer, access to water and sensible shaded areas to be in when outdoors are required.

Q is for Quotes

There will possibly be some jobs around the house that you find yourself struggling with. It’s worth having a go, but you also need to know the things you can’t do, such as http://www.nextavenue.org/home-repair-when-not-do-it-yourself/. If you decide you need to bring in help, get three quotes from different contractors. Don’t just listen to the prices – hear what they say about the job too. Anyone can quote a low price for something they won’t do properly.

R is for Roof

[Photo courtesy of DMahalko/wikipedia.org]

Your roof not only keeps your home dry, but it plays a part in the structural integrity of your home. If you have any leaks or see missing tiles, then bring in the professionals such as www.fergusonroofing.com/metal-roofing/ as soon as possible. It’s not an area to leave to chance.

S is for Smoke Detectors

Make sure they’re working, obviously. Test them by lighting a match underneath and see if they go off. Also, if any are emitting regular “chirp” noises, chances are that they’re on the way out. Replace the batteries once a year, even if they’re showing no sign of running down

T is for Trashcans

Yes, just screams glamor, doesn’t it? But it is essential to check the trash cans and dumpster every once in a while and clean them regularly, ideally with a jet washer. The reason? Well, they may get emptied on a regular basis, but particles cling on. Left to fester for too long, these will rot. Your garbage will become a haven for pests who may then decide to move to the house.

U is for Underneath

Everything above ground level is easy to keep an eye on, as you go through it every day and see it with a keen eye. But in the basement, unless there is a bedroom or living space down there, things can happen unnoticed. Check for water ingress, as this can affect the foundations.

V is for Vanities

One of the most popular bathroom improvements you can make, a vanity makes use of space in a room where there is usually so little. On the larger models, which are enclosed, do make sure you check for any issues in the pipes regularly. Leaks can lead to pooling of stagnant water, which is no-one’s friend.

W is for Windows

Cracks around the outside of a window, or even any minor gap between window and wall, can become a way in for water, and a starting point for mold. Ensure that yours are in order.

X is for eXtremes Of Temperature

We pick the materials that we do for housebuilding because they are durable and hard wearing. But depending on where you live, temperatures over the year can go from below freezing to over 100 Fahrenheit. Things contract when cold and expand when hot. This can cause damage, so look out for cracks outside after a cold snap.

Y is for Yellow

Some white gloss paint, within months of application, can turn yellow on wood. This is believed to be as a consequence of weaker solvents being used in the paint. It’s something to check for if you have recently painted door frames or window sills.

Z is for Zzzzzzzzzz

Okay, maybe a little bit of a cheat. But finally, it is most important to pay attention to the bedrooms and particularly where you lay your head to sleep. This is the most important place to check for nasties like mold. If they are allowed to make their way in, and get close to where you sleep, they can be inhaled and make you very ill. And as sleep is the only time you’re in the same spot for six to eight hours a day, you’re a captive audience. So be careful.

Have you recently moved house, or have you got a moving date looming? Relocating is one of the most stressful things you’ll do. It’s up there with changing job and planning a wedding. If you’re knee-deep in boxes or tackling a lengthy to-do list, here are some tips that may come in handy.

Before you move

If you haven’t moved yet, try and plan ahead. If you can get organized in advance, this will really help when it comes to moving day. When you move, you’ll probably realize you’ve got more stuff than you imagined. It may also take longer than expected. Book some time off work, and start packing as early as possible. To save stress, get a removals firm in to help. You can tailor your package to include packing and unpacking, or just the actual move. Some companies offer a list of services, including international and interstate moves. If you’re looking for firms, you can see these movers here.

[Photo courtesy of Caitlin Childs/flickr.com]

The first night

After a day of heavy lifting and climbing endless flights of stairs, you’ll want to relax. The last thing you need is to be trying to track down pajamas or find the kettle in a kitchen full of cardboard. Label your boxes when packing, and create an essentials kit for the first night. Put together an overnight bag with toiletries, a change of clothes, and sleepwear. Pack a box with everything you’ll need immediately. You may want coffee, tea bags, and some cereal and bread for the morning, for example. Most of us don’t want to think about cooking after a long day, so check out the local takeout options and put your feet up.

Once you’re in your new home, you can then do an online shop, to save you time and effort. You can choose your delivery slot, and you don’t have to worry about traffic or carrying heavy bags.

[Photo courtesy of Kai Chan Vong/flickr.com]

Tackling priority jobs

Have you got a list of things you want to do in your new home? If so, it’s important to decide which tasks are going to take priority. It’s impossible to get everything sorted straight away. Think about what you actually need to do to live comfortably. Once the major things are ticked off, you can focus on the details. You may wish to get your bedroom, the bathroom, and kitchen sorted before the spare room, for example. Be methodical when it comes to unpacking. Sort out the boxes you’ll need before those that are going straight into the attic.

Asking for help

Moving house is no mean feat. If there are people around offering to help, don’t turn them down. Invite friends and family over to help you unpack or even just make you a coffee when your energy levels are running low. You’ll get through jobs much faster if others muck in.

If you’re moving house, every little helps! Take these tips on board to keep stress at bay. Ask for help, investigate removal services, and try and be as organized as possible.

Good luck in your new home!

Our homes are definitely our castles. Somewhere to spend time with family and relax so we’re ready to face the world, whatever it throws at us. A home that you feel happy and comfortable in is so important. Are you making the most out of yours? Is the space being used to it’s maximum potential, and does it make you feel happy and inspired? If not, it’s time to fix that.

One option could be a complete refit from a company such as MillionDollarMakeovers.net.au. Alternatively you could pick and choose areas of your home which you want to upgrade. This will make the space functional and beautiful, and will allow you to fully enjoy your home. Here are some of the ways you can make the most of your property.

[Photo courtesy of Mike Birdy/pexels.com]

Add Extra Space

This could be in the form of an extension, a conservatory, a garden room or a loft conversion. If you need more usable space this could be the ideal choice. It could be for a home office, a guest bedroom or studio. Why not make the most of the space on your property and turn it into an additional usable and functional room.

Tackle Repairs

This could be niggly things like a wobbly toilet seat or a leaking tap, or be a case of finishing up half-done projects. Make sure everything works well and looks finished. This will make your home functional and aesthetically pleasing, making it enjoyable to spend time in.

Make The Layout Work For You

If you love hosting dinner parties for friends and family but constantly find yourself running to and from the kitchen all evening, then your current layout isn’t working for you. Consider transforming the space into an open plan area, or changing the doorway to a large arch. The same applies to things like bathrooms. If you have to traipse down long hallways or even up/down stairs to the bathroom during the night, you could consider having an en-suite fitted. Don’t adapt your lifestyle to fit your home. Instead, make your home fit the way you live.

Make it Cozy and Comfortable

Beds, living room furniture, and even garden furniture should all be chosen with the utmost comfort in mind. Having comfortable areas to relax gives you the opportunity to fully enjoy your home. Choose good quality mattresses for beds, and sofas with large, deep seats that you can sit back and lounge on. In the garden, instead of flimsy plastic chairs how about a garden three piece suite or a comfortable swing seat? Since your home is the place to relax, the right furniture will enable you to do this.

Make it Reflect You

Bring in your taste and personality to make it into a space that you really enjoy spending time in. Choose colors that you love, if you’re unsure you could go with neutral decor and bring in color with accessories. Hang artwork that you find beautiful on the walls to inspire you. Find places to display the things you love. Grouping smaller items onto trays is a good way to prevent the space becoming cluttered.

It can be disheartening when you purchase a property with a small backyard. Especially if you are a keen gardener, who likes to be outside in the backyard during the summer. However, a small garden doesn’t have to be a disaster. You can bring your small garden to life with these easy steps.

[Photo courtesy of  Jasper33/ en.wikipedia]

Use pots to grow a perfect fruit vegetable garden

One easy step to bring your small garden to life is you can use pots to grow a perfect vegetable garden. You don’t need to have a lot of space in your garden to put your vegetable pots. You could get a hanging pot which you can use to grow some beautiful strawberries or even some delicious tomatoes. You can grow herbs in small pots which you can dot around the garden. Your garden will be full of growing vegetables without having to use much of the space.

Get a landscaper in to utilize the space

Another easy step to bring your small garden to life is you can hire a landscaper to utilize the space properly. They will be able to help your ideas come to life in your backyard. They will be able to think of great ways to utilize the space properly, so you and your family can enjoy it for years to come. You can get a free quotation from them so that you know you can afford to have them in. It’s also an excellent way to add value to your home if you have a professional landscaper in to make your garden look fantastic.

Use the vertical space in your garden

You can also bring your small garden to life by using the vertical space in your garden. You want to get some plants which grow upwards, rather than out. A lot of people don’t use that space, but it’s an excellent way to utilize your small back garden. You can get planters which you hang anywhere in the backyard to create a vertical garden. And as this article says, you could even use a shoe organizer from your home to create a vertical garden. Don’t be afraid to try some espaliering on the walls outside to make your garden look great!

Bring in bright colored plants

Another easy step to bring your small garden to life is to add some brightly colored plants to the garden. They will make the backyard look beautiful and bigger. As this feature explains, you should put them at the front, so the rest of the garden will seem to recede, making it look longer.

Add a decking area to the garden

You can also build a decking area in your small garden. It can make the garden seem grand and beautiful. It also separates the garden into different zones, making it look deceptively bigger. It’s also an ideal area to add a table and chairs, so that you can sit outside in the sunshine!

Hopefully, these easy steps will lead to lots of compliments for your small garden!

We all know how demanding do the gardening can be on our time and our bodies. So it’s great when new tools come along and make the job easier. Here are some tools that will revolutionize your gardening experience.

Self-Watering Container

If you’ve got a plant nursery in your backyard, you know how much effort it can take to maintain. You have to remember to get up and water it every day, depending on the weather. And it can take up a lot of time. Sure, it might be a labor of love, but why not make that labor a little easier? Earthbox has started making a product that does just that. It’s a self-watering container that waters plants throughout the day through a reservoir. What’s more, it makes sure that the soil remains evenly moist throughout, preventing roots from getting soggy.

Compost Tumbler

Do you lament the fact that you have to wait for months to get great compost from your compost bin? You’re not alone. The reason it takes so long is that there’s nothing to speed up the reaction. It takes a while for worms and bacteria to penetrate all the material, and it can be frustrating.

[Photo courtesy of Bev Wagar/flickr.com]

But there’s a rather ingenious solution: compost tumblers. These are essentially big barrels on stilts, with a handle for turning. Put the compost in the barrel and turn it every few days to mix up all the material inside. Now you’ll only have to wait a couple of weeks to get rich, beautiful compost.

Seated Lawn Mower

Unless you’ve used a seated lawn mower, you won’t fully appreciate the difference that it can make to your gardening. If you’ve got a big yard, seated lawn mowers are practically an essential. But they’re also perfect for people who have health issues or find it difficult to get around. There are many different manufacturers to choose from. And there are loads of suppliers who provide Schluter, Honda, and John Deere mower parts to keep them running.

[Photo courtesy of SeppVei/wikipedia.org]

Easybloom Plant Sensor

If you’re just starting out with gardening, a great tool is the Easybloom plant sensor. This little device looks a bit like a stake. All you have to do is push it into the ground and leave it in your garden for a few days. During that time, it’ll collect lots of data about the environment. It will measure the amount of sunlight and moisture in that part of the garden.

[Photo courtesy of Alvesgaspar/wikipedia.org]

You can then upload all those data onto your PC via USB. Once you’ve got the data, you can then go to the Easybloom website to find out what plants are suitable for those conditions. In other words, get science to tell you what to plant!

Gardening Apron

Perhaps the most useful tool in your arsenal is the gardening apron. This is usually a little apron you can wear around your middle to store all your tools and whatever else you might need. It’s a great timesaver because it stops all those trips back and forth across the garden to collect various implements. Now you can take your trowel, pruners, seeds and camera wherever you go.

More and more people are choosing to build their own home. Are you fed up of searching for properties, or have you got a vision you want to bring to life? If so, designing and building your own home could be the perfect option. Taking on a building project isn’t easy, and there may be times when everything isn’t plain sailing. Here are some tips to help you reduce costs and prevent unexpected delays.

Focus on the planning process

Planning is essential for a successful build. If you haven’t planned properly, you’re much more likely to encounter issues once the build is underway. It’s never as simple as buying a piece of land and then drawing up some proposals. You’ll have to liaise with architects, building firms and planning officers to make sure your dream home is a viable reality. Don’t cut corners at the planning stage, even if you think it will save you money. If things go wrong later on, it could end up costing you a lot more.

[Photo courtesy of PIX1861 /pixabay.com]

Stick to a budget

Budgeting is incredibly important when you’re managing a home build. Before you even start thinking about colors or styles, work out exactly how much the project will cost. Factor in building costs, the cost of the land, and decoration and interior design. You’ll also need to add wages and extras, such as fork lifts hire. When you’ve got a budget in mind, you’ll have a good idea where your money is going, and what you have available as a contingency.

[Photo courtesy of stevepb/pixabay.com]

Put in the hours

Most people don’t have expert building skills, but they can navigate their way around basic tools and simple jobs without any issues. If you’re looking to reduce spending and save time, do some work yourself. You can get involved in clearing debris from the site, laboring and helping out around the site. A couple of hours a few days a week could make a massive difference over a prolonged period.

[Photo courtesy of skeeze/pixabay.com]

Decide on a contractor

If you’re going to employ a contractor, make sure they have a good reputation, and you trust them to do a good job. If you’re going to manage the project, ensure you have time available to give it the attention it requires. As the main contractor, you are responsible for making all the important decisions. If you’re not confident in your management skills, or you have a full-time job, you may be better taking on a contractor.

[Photo courtesy of PRONAVFAC/flickr.com]

Be realistic about your timeframe

Building a house isn’t as simple as laying foundations and putting up walls. It requires diligent planning and complex building processes. When you start, make sure you have realistic expectations of how long the project will take. Sit down with the parties involved and discuss the individual stages in detail. Plan each step, and this will help to prevent delays and ensure the process runs smoothly.

[Photo courtesy of OpenClipart-Vectors/pixabay.com]

Managing a home build is not a piece of cake. But there are ways of bringing your dream home to life on time and within budget. Pay attention to planning, and make sure every eventuality is covered. Recruit professionals with excellent reputations, and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. Good luck!