A garden is often our sanctuary. It’s our own little bit of private outside space in a world so full of people. It’s somewhere you can relax on your own, or share with friends when you are entertaining. It can bring joy when you see things you have planted flourish and grow. It may be a space where you read, write or paint. Or perhaps it’s where your children play in the fresh air. It’s important to put as much care into your garden as you do into the interior of your home. Below are some tips on how to make your garden a sanctuary for all seasons.

[Photo courtesy of Torsten Dettlaff/pexels.com]

Lighting

No matter how small or large your garden you’ll need a few different lighting options. In the summer you can bask in the glory of natural daylight and blissful summer sun. But as dusk falls you’ll still want to enjoy that outside space. Illuminate your garden with some elegant outdoor solar lighting. Solar lights work by generating daylight as their energy source and then storing that power until night falls. You’ll then be blessed with warm light until the sun rises again. You can buy solar wall lights, lanterns and stake lights to create all different styles in your garden. They are great if you are entertaining outside in the evening and are also useful if you have pets that need to be let outside at night. If you have decking, you may want to install lighting into the foot of the decking for a glamorous look in your garden. You can also consider LED lighting for the prettiest of twinkling white lights. While you are designing your garden also think about whether you want to install a security light too. Your aim is to create an enchanting ambience in your garden through the power of lighting.

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Chiminea

While your garden is ultimately a peaceful refuge, there may also be times that you want to entertain. Having friends over for barbeques and outdoor get togethers is a great way to get back to nature. Having a pretty chiminea in your garden works well both in the summer and winter. Check out this great guide on how to buy chiminea. A chiminea is not only a super heat source but also a delightful focal point for your garden. They add glowing embers and ambience and create much-needed warmth as night falls on your garden. The word chiminea originates from the Spanish word for chimney. Not only are they used to be aesthetically pleasing in your garden, but they are also wonderful for cooking! If you buy a cast-iron chiminea, you will be able to cook pizzas, bake bread and sizzle up steaks and chops. Adding a chiminea to your garden is the perfect accessory for the ultimate in outdoor dining.

Flowers and Plants

You’ll also want to add colour and texture to your garden by planting flowers and shrubs. Before you start planting why not read my post on how to keep bugs at bay. Your choice of flowers and plants will be dependent on the season. For summer choose easy, colourful flowers such as Aster, Gloriosa Daisy and Dahlias. Make your garden a vivid sanctuary of beautiful blooms. You can also use plants and flowers to create much-needed shade in the summer. In the winter choose plants such as Winter Aconite, Heavenly Bamboo and Red-Barked Dogwood. Think about the colours you want to create. Greens and reds look magical in the winter and yellows and pinks look beautiful in the summer.

[Photo courtesy of Unsplash/pixabay.com]

Now all that’s left to do is bask in your blissful outside sanctuary, no matter what the season.

Spending time in the garden and relaxing is what summer is all about. But it can be annoying when your garden is overlooked and you don’t have privacy, when all you want to do is prance about in your bikini and sunbathe. Luckily there are a few things you can do to stop your garden being so easy to peer into!

Add Higher Fencing

If you currently only have low fences and hedges in your garden, adding taller fencing will immediately make it more private. Go with a fence that’s at least six feet tall, you can then add trellis along the top to heighten it further. Alternatively you could go with custom screen fencing from reputable fencing contractors for a more decorative and aesthetically pleasing look. If you only have one area which you need to block for privacy, you could opt for some lattice panels. They’re inexpensive, and climbing plants like ivy will soon cover them over if you carefully place some nearby.

Screens covered in climbing plants can be useful for privacy

Grow Trees and Plants

Trees, plants and hedges can be a good way to make your garden more private while still maintaining a very natural look in the garden. If privacy is an issue that you want sorting as soon as possible you’ll want to choose fast growing plants- bamboo, cypress and thuja are good options. They can grow a matter of several feet in the space of a year so can quickly grow into a great privacy screen. You could opt to buy fast growing plants that are already established, so that way you have less time to wait for them to grow as tall as you need.

Utilize ‘Blind Spots’

If only part of your garden is overlooked, consider moving the main seating area or garden furniture to a more private spot. That way when you’re sitting out there you have peace of mind that people can’t see in. You could even create a second patio or seating area if you have a ‘blind spot’ in the garden, and choose to sit there when you want more privacy.

Make Use of Furniture

Having a big parasol put up over your seating area will block the view from anyone looking down from the first floor windows. Alternatively you could opt to put up a gazebo or pergola and encourage climbing plants to grow around it, which will obscure the view for people looking into your garden. You could even go a step further and use bamboo screens or cleverly place tall pots of flowers or potted trees to give you even more privacy.

Try a gazebo for privacy

Next time you’re having a family barbeque, sunbathing or just relaxing outside there will be no need to worry about nosy neighbours using these tricks! Having a garden that’s secluded and not overlooked can even add value to your property too, so have a think about what you’re able to do in the space you have.

Do you have any tips for making your back garden more private?

Whether you want to add value to your home or want to grow your own produce, gardening is a fantastic hobby to have. It helps to make your backyard look amazing, and it can be an excellent stress reliever. Gardening has also been found to help strengthen and tone our bodies because of the physical activity it involves. But if you suffer from a bad back that causes you pain, you may find it difficult to complete a number of gardening tasks. Thankfully there are things you can do to reduce your back pain while still helping your garden to flourish. Read through these tips to get started.

Buy specialist tools

There are a number of specialist tools you can buy to make gardening work easier on your back. Trowels with long handles allow you to remain standing while still tending to your plants and flowers. The tools you currently use may have extension pieces you can buy that prevent you from bending or stretching too. Gardening stools that are portable and provide cushioning are another item you should buy.

As well as stretching you also need to be careful of lifting heavy loads, which can cause further back complaints. Trade in your watering can for a hosepipe to water your plants and invest in a lightweight wheelbarrow. Just remember not to put too many items inside the wheelbarrow at once and make multiple lighter trips instead.

[Photo courtesy of Ofer El-Hashahar/flickr.com]

Install raised flower beds

To prevent you from bending awkwardly or overstretching, install raised flower beds into your garden. These can enhance the look of your garden by making your plants and flowers more prominent. But more importantly, they allow you easy access to plant and weed from a seated position. This can give your back a much-needed rest, as well as being more gentle on your joints. There are many ways in which you can raise your flower beds and ensure they still compliment your yard. Head to your local gardening center and ask them for advice on how to get started. They may be able to build and install your new raised beds for you too.

Ask for help

If you find that certain gardening tasks such as mowing the lawn or weeding cause you significant pain, you should always ask for help. Even though you will want your yard to look its best, it’s not worth making your condition worse. Ask friends and family to assist you with these jobs while you continue you something less strenuous. Your neighbors might also be willing to do some gardening for you. Another option is to hire gardening or lawn services to help you with these difficult tasks. You can tell them which jobs you enjoy doing and which ones you would like them to complete for you. That way you can still enjoy spending time outside practicing your hobby.

So don’t let your bad back stop you from creating the garden of your dreams. You just need to be safe and smart about the tasks you can and cannot do. For more guidance and advice, talk to your doctor about how to control your condition more effectively.

Your home should offer you the highest standard of living. It should make life as easy for you as possible and should be somewhere that you look forward to returning to all day long. If your home is pretty basic in terms of appliances, the chances are, you’re not as in love with it as you could be. You might not realize it, but there are some gadgets and gizmos that every home needs. To give you a better idea of the things your home is lacking below is a guide to all the essential gadgets and gizmos every house needs.

Digital doorbell and wireless security alarm

Let’s start with the entrance to your home. Our homes are our sanctuaries, our private retreats from the world. When they’re breached by an intruder, it can leave lifelong emotional scars. The home that you once loved can become a place of terror and fear, leading to you having to sell up and move somewhere new. The impact of your home being broken in can last a lifetime, so it’s more than worth investing in top notch security.

Photo from Flickr

One of the best security gadgets is a digital doorbell. This is because when it’s pressed, it calls your smartphone and works like a camera. This allows you to see who’s outside your home. You can then talk to them to see who they are and what they want, before deciding to let them in. Or, if you’re out and about, it’s a great tool for seeing who’s hanging around your home. As for a wireless alarm system, these are fantastic because they’re much harder to disable than traditional, ones. And, can even be linked to your smartphone, alerting you when the alarm has been set off. So that you can choose what steps to take, such as calling the police, for instance.

Instant hot water dispenser & water filtration system

Wouldn’t it be nice not to have to wait for the kettle to boil? Well, now you don’t have to, as you can opt to install an instant hot water dispenser. This heats water up in just over 30 seconds, so that by the time you’ve put your teabag in the cup and got the milk out, the water is ready to pour. What could be easier? As well as this option, there are also iKettles that you connect to your smartphone and can boil by using a simple app. These are also a fantastic tool to have in your kitchen. It’s just a case of choosing which you’d prefer.

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As well as being able to boil water quickly, it’s also important that the water you’re drinking tastes as good as possible. That’s why a water filtering system, like those sold on theberkey.com, is also a must-have gadget. There are lots of makes and models to choose from; it’s just a case of selecting one that is right for your home. Look at your options and pick a system that fits into your kitchen well and isn’t too large for the space.

Intelligent thermostat

Have you ever wished that your home knew when you needed it to be warm and when you needed it to be cooler? Well, now it can do, that is if you invest in an intelligent thermostat. These thermostat learns when you need your home to be warm, such as early in the morning and late at night, and when you want it to be cooler. They’re incredibly effective at keeping your home at just the right temperature. Of course, should it not work exactly as you want it to, you can always control it from a handy app on your smartphone. To learn more about how this would work, check out lifehacker.com.

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There are lots of other gadgets and gizmos that you could add to your home to improve it, but these are some of the best ones.

Most of us enjoy DIY projects as part of our leisure time. They provide us with interesting things to do that can be very fulfilling. A few of us enjoy creating DIY projects to enhance the comfort or decor in our homes. But did you know that your DIY skills could be put to use to actively increase the value of your home? One area that could become a hugely desirable part of your home is the backyard. So what can you do to your home exterior that would see your property snapped up if you put it up for sale?

Family homes often have gardens or yards that can be utilised for many different things. You might cook and eat there. Perhaps you enjoy sitting in the garden to relax or read a book. You may have pets that make use of the outside areas, or kids that love to play. It could be a good idea to put your DIY skills to use. You could make a play area, a doggy yard, or even a private reading nook.

[Photo courtesy of Barry Peters/flickr.com]

Your local garden centre could be a good place to start when you’re looking for inspiration. There is likely to be plenty of planting options that could help you make the important landscaping decisions. It’s always best to sketch out your ideas to help you visualise the areas you wish to create. Good DIY stores will provide the materials you need to build decking, patios, play surfaces or gazebos.

A pool is a great addition to the home. It can add a lot of value, particularly in hotter climates. There are many advantages of concrete pools over fibreglass pools that could offer you opportunities to make the space your own. Once it is dug out, you can create any shape or size you like. Concrete is used to ensure the longevity of your pool. Then tiling, like a mosaic, can be used to decorate the whole area. It’s certainly a big project, but one that could be worth doing.

[Photo courtesy of anthony kelly/flickr.com]

Building a pergola, gazebo or arbour will require a heavy duty saw. A motorised one is best if you’re concerned about the physical stress. Alternatively, carefully measure what you need from your design, and get the DIY store to cut each piece. A power drill and screwdriver can connect the pieces. You will also need to stain the wood to protect it once the project is complete. Ideally, the floor posts will be concreted in. However, it’s possible to bolt the structure to the walls of your house or garden.

If you like the idea of a rugged-style backyard, why not build your own brick barbeque or fire pit? These can look amazing, and they’re very practical too. If you prefer, you could use the style to disguise a gas grill. Create an outdoor cooking and dining area with some inspired paving ideas. You’ll need to fence or wall in the area. You can also secure a light roof. These can be big projects to take on, but they can add to the function, comfort and value of your home.

When you think of a remodeling project in the home, you might not think about the garage. This room is just as important as the others as it is sometimes used for storage if you don’t park your car there, and it can be used as an extra space to enjoy peace and quiet. A garage remodeling contractor can give you tips and ideas on the best ways to make over the room so that it has the function and appearance that you desire.

[Photo courtesy of Luis Yanez/pexels.com]

The garage doesn’t have to be a room with tools and colored in gray and black. It can be an area with a girly touch. Add wooden hooks on a wall for the rake, shovel and other lawn items. Instead of boxes and cabinets with a neutral color, add those that have brighter colors, such as orange, yellow or pink. Give the garage a vibrant appearance so that it’s somewhere you want to go during the day.

Create a home office in the garage. Add a desk and bookcases so that you can work from home or so that the kids can get homework done in an area that is quiet. You could also remodel the garage so that it’s a family room. Add comfortable couches and chairs along with a television and video game system. This could also be an area where the family watches movies together or plays board games before bed. Add some colorful paint to the garage with a few rugs or carpet to create a mudroom. This is an area where you can take off your shoes before entering the home and a room where your pets can go to get mud off of their feet before going inside the house.

[Photo courtesy of Lisa Fotios/pexels.com]

Taller cabinets that are used for storage can be placed in the garage. However, add cabinets that have a bright exterior, such as stainless steel, so that the garage isn’t as dull. Use the cabinets to keep holiday decorations and other items that aren’t used on a regular basis during the year. Portable storage and colorful plastic containers are also an option.

Making your garden look as good as it should can take a lot of effort. If you aren’t a natural gardener, it can take a lot of persuasion to get you out in the garden working on bringing it up to muster. The more effort you put in, though, the better it will look. And the better your garden looks, the more ready you will be to go out there and keep it in fine condition. When you have a garden to be proud of, things flow from there.

[Photo courtesy of  Karen Arnold/publicdomainpictures.net]

One of the most important things about getting your garden in check is having a plan. Sometimes, when you move in to a new place, your garden needs a bit of work just to make it tidy. In doing so, you can keep it simple, or you can be ambitious with it and create something you’re proud to call your own. It should be something that fits where you live, as well. Picking the right things to put there will make a real difference.

Growing Something Beautiful

[Photo courtesy of  Roland zh/wikipedia.org]

A garden isn’t really a garden without at least a spray of natural beauty. What you’re aiming for is something that gives a burst of color. That will make it a pleasure to sit out in the garden and take in the view while chatting, eating and drinking. Flowers that suit the soil, whether they be roses, poppies or anything you like the look of, will be a pleasure to look at.

Growing Something Useful

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Plants that have a utility beyond just looking pretty can be a sound addition to a garden. Not least because they themselves can be beautiful too, but also because they create a working garden. If you plant tomatoes, sweetcorn, chilli peppers or similar, you can then pick them when they’ve grown and use them. There’s something nice about eating food that you have grown yourself from native Australian seeds.

Creating An Ornamental Display

Not everything that you put in your garden has to be something that grows. Indeed, it can be efficient for you to put things there that don’t require planting and watering. Some decking or decorative gravel can create a walkway that looks good in the garden and is useful to you. Additionally, ornamental touches such as parasols and garden furniture can make the garden a more pleasant place to sit.

Add A Water Feature

[Photo courtesy of  Tama66/pixabay.com]

Making use of water in your garden can make it a more relaxing place to be. The sight and sound of running water, against a backdrop of an interesting sculpture, is an excellent finishing touch to a garden. It attaches to your home water supply – so it might be a good idea to go for something small if you don’t want higher bills. It does, though, make a wonderful conversation piece and a touch of class.

You may well have your own ideas for what to do with your garden – it’s certainly something that is easier to do when you have had a look. Picking the right things to add to a garden takes some thought, but is well worth the effort.

Gardening isn’t for everyone. Not all of us are naturally green fingered. I think it is one of those hobbies that you either love or hate. But having said that, many of us still like to be outside and enjoy our gardens for different reasons. Which is why I thought it would be a great idea to share with you some tips and tricks to create a space that works with you. You will be please to know they all require minimal effort on your part, so will suit the most laziest of gardeners amongst us. I hope these tips inspire you to make more use of your outside space.

[Photo courtesy of public-domain-image.com]

Clear the space

The first thing you should do is try and clear the space you have. Perhaps you have let your garden become overgrown over some time. It happens to the best of us. This will probably take up some effort from yourself so you could decide to get in a gardener to do the hard work for you. Once everything is cleared up, you will know what garden space you have to work with. This will also help you determine if you need to have certain trees, shrubs or garden areas removed. This is where you will need to call the professionals in. Especially for things like trees. You could consider calling Thornleys Tree Service, who could help you out. Clearing your garden space will give you a clearer idea of what you have to work with, and potentially what you can do with your garden.

Opt for plants that are low maintenance

If you want to look into adding plants and color to your garden then why not add some low maintenance plants. These tend to be plants that require little watering or attention from yourself. If you are unsure about which plants these may be you could look at many websites online or speak to an expert at a local garden centre. This is where you could add an element design without needing to be an expert in all things gardening.

[Photo courtesy of condesign/pixabay.com]

Consider how you want to use the garden

The one thing you need to determine, when it comes to your garden, is how you want to use it. Do you have children who want to play in it? Do you like to sit there in a morning drinking coffee and reading a book? Perhaps you like to unwind in your garden after a hard day’s work? Think about how you want to use it then tailor your garden to match. So create a space that you can use. A tip for keeping things low maintenance is to consider installing a decked area.

Look into storage options to keep it neat

Finally, the best thing you can do is make it easy to keep your garden clear and tidy. So a great solution to this would be to look at your storage options. If you have space, you could opt for a shed, or think about storage boxes to keep things safe and tidy. A clear garden will always entice you to make the most of it. So make it easy on yourself and put the solution in place before it becomes a problem.

I hope these tips help you to create a low maintenance garden that you use time and time again.

Have an unused room in your home? Rather than stuffing it with junk and boxes, how about turning it into usable space? Creating a guest bedroom means that friends and family can stay over (without having to sleep on the sofa!) You can go as simple or fancy with it as you like, but either way there are a few essentials that will make it as comfortable as possible. Check out these five tips for creating a guest bedroom that people won’t want to leave.

A Comfortable bed

Forget about the wonky old camp bed or blow up mattress you have hanging out in your attic, just as you would choose a comfortable bed for yourself you should choose one for your guests too. A memory foam mattress will suit most people, they offer the most support and also alleviate allergies so are a good choice for guest rooms. A DIY headboard makes a good project that you can probably complete in just one afternoon. Finish off the bed with clean and cosy sheets, a good quality duvet and plush pillows.

Storage Space

Guests will need somewhere to unpack their things and hang up their clothes, and so sufficient storage space is a must. But why buy ready made furniture when you can build your own or hire a handy man for those pesky jobs? Custom built furniture will be a perfect fit for the space you have, which is particularly useful when guest bedrooms tend to be on the smaller side in the majority of homes. Plus you can put your carpentry skills to the test, most simple pieces of furniture don’t require too many tools so aside from the wood you probably already own everything you need. There are loads of ideas for projects online so have a scour through and decide what will work in your space.

A Tray of Essentials

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Leaving out a tray of essentials can make all the difference in making your guest’s stay as pleasant as possible, plus it shows you’ve really thought about them. A bottle of water, some snacks and some toiletries are a good start. You could even consider a universal phone charger and a couple of books as well. Don’t forget to leave them the code to the wifi! You could make the tray yourself or even upcycle an old one; lining it with decorative paper and adding a perspex sheet over the top is a quick way to tie it in with the rest of the decor in the room.

Blackout Blinds

Blackout blinds are an obvious choice, your guests aren’t going to get much sleep with car headlights and lampposts shining through the window at night. You can create blackout blinds yourself with some thermal blackout fabric, a sewing machine and a blind kit. Slatted vertical blackout blinds are another good option, as then your guests are able to adjust them to their own personal preference. Adding some curtains over the top will really finish off the window area.

A Neutral Colour Scheme

[Photo courtesy of Max Vakhtbovych/pexels.com]

Regardless of your personal tastes, keeping a guest room neutral will mean it appeals to everyone. Light, neutral shades will keep the room looking bright and airy, and make it appear larger. You could add a few colourful touches with homemade cushions and throws- but try not to go overboard and overwhelm the space with your own personal treasures.

Do contemporary light fixtures suit your taste? Many people prefer avoiding the lighting fixtures and types of lamps that were in their homes as a child. Today, you can find the contemporary type of light fixtures for the inside and outside of your home. You can find them for your bathroom, living room, kitchen and bedroom. Why live with the type of lighting fixtures your parents had when you were young?

The difference in contemporary lighting and traditional lighting is the cleaner lines and sleek shape the lighting fixtures have. Some are chrome and simple white. Some are funky and colorful. You can have the best of both using contemporary and classical with specific lighting designs.

[Photo courtesy of ErikaWittlieb/pixabay.com]

When considering contemporary lighting, you need to consider the style of your home. If you have an old Victorian home, a contemporary steel fixture might not fit in the foyer. If you have an old Arts and Crafts bungalow, a pendant shade with the Murano glass won’t work. However, if you have a home that is a mid-century ranch style to any design build that lasts decades, adding the contemporary type of light fixtures is the best way to go. You can get great lighting and great style with this choice.

Another consideration is keeping things consistent throughout the home. Don’t put a Tiffany lamp on one side of the living room when there is a modern desk lamp on the other side of the room. Lighting is a big part of the design scheme, but you should always consider the house and style of furnishings you have. When searching for the perfect lighting for your home, keep the entire house in mind.