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Barbecue season is upon us, and that means the family is about to be spending a whole lot more time outside. If youre looking to make the most out of your backyard area, lawn games can be the perfect way to have fun together while adding instant appeal to your home. These classic leisure activities are seeing increased popularity among luxury homeowners in recent years, so introducing a little friendly competition to your backyard just might be a sound investment.

Here are a few beloved lawn games that the whole family can enjoy!

Bocce Ball
The laid-back nature of this game makes it ideally suited for playing with a cocktail in hand while the grill is heating up. Though its commonly played on the lawn, traditionally, bocce is played on a court with a fine surface, such as ground oyster shells, that could lend an elegant look to any yard.

Croquet
A manicured lawn thats set up with croquet wickets might look a bit formal, but once the game begins, the gloves come off and all pretense will be out the window. Croquet can provide endless fun in the backyard, but beware: This game is notorious for bringing out the competitive side in everyone.

Shuffleboard
Shuffleboard used to be relegated to retirement homes, but the game has surged in popularity among a younger demographic in recent years. While shuffleboard clubs are now a popular social activity for millennials in cities, some homeowners who have the space are putting courts in their backyards.

Badminton
Be prepared to work up a sweat if you set up badminton court in the backyard. This is a great activity for the family to enjoy together while getting their exercise for the day. Kids especially love badminton, and its easy enough to put away when not in use if you prefer the look of a wide-open lawn.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Are you planning a kitchen remodel? If so, you could save a lot of money by finding and buying cheaper cabinets. The trick, however, is to save without compromising on style or quality. To help you choose the right cabinets for a budget-friendly kitchen project, HomeAdvisor offers the following five tips:

1. Get the Best Kitchen Cabinets for the Money. The most affordable kitchen cabinets can start around $30 per linear foot, with minimal features. Its cheaper to choose standard sizes, like 24 or 30 wide. Custom options take more work, so they can be expensive. Pull-out shelves and drawers cost the most, so you may want to limit them. For the most part, there isnt a big difference in value between $30 and $100 per linear foot. Bargain kitchen cabinets tend to have a thinner frame and shelving, which means they can bow or sag under pressure. If you plan to store heavy tools or appliances, opt for thicker panels made of plywood.

2. Stick With Inexpensive Cabinetry. Solid hardwood cabinets can cost $300 to $350 per linear foot. By comparison, the cheapest kitchen cabinets can cost $30 to $150 per linear foot. These typically contain a plywood frame with a door made of particleboard, also called MDF. Keep in mind that cheap construction often doesnt last as long. Aim for products with 3/4 thick panels and screws thatll go most of the way through the panel. If youre building it yourself, extra nails will help hold it together.

3. Dont Buy More Cheap Cabinets Than You Need. You can save hundreds or thousands of dollars on budget cabinets by buying only what you need. Manufacturers set prices by the unit. Wider sizes tend to have a lower cost per linear foot. For example, selecting two36 wide base modelswill probably run less than three 24 ones. Its tempting to fill the space with cabinets, but youll pay for every empty unit. Sometimes, its easier to thin out kitchen tools you dont use than to build more places to store them.

4. Save on Labor With Ready-to-Assemble (RTA) Cabinets. Assembled cabinets can cost $50 to $150 per linear foot, compared to $30 to $100 per linear foot for RTA units. You might not have as much choice in RTA products, but youll save on shipping or bringing them home from the store. Remember that DIY only saves money if you have the right tools and materials and know what youre doing. Cabinet assembly usually takes a few hours per unit and requires several supplies not provided with the kit.

5. Shop Locally for Used Kitchen Cabinets. Since solid wood cabinets often last longer than the kitchen design, you may find people nearby looking to sell their old ones. Cabinet removal can cost$15 to $30 per linear foot. To avoid this expense, some homeowners will even give them away for free instead of demolition, if youll get them out of the house. Before you choose used products, you should shop around and consider at least a few options, inspect the condition before buying, ask if the price includes removal and make sure you can transport them to your home promptly.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If you’re a first-time homeowner, you likely have a list of renovations.

Address these three areas in your first year:

Your appliances
Insulation, and
Landscaping

Appliances with the Energy-Star rating can save you on your utilities.

According to one study, one energy-efficient machine can save you $50 a year.

Check your insulation.

If you have an attic, check for gaps, and fill in where needed. This can make you more energy-efficient, leading to more savings.

In most cases, insulation pays for itself.

Lastly, evaluate your landscape.

If you can, plant trees in your yard. This can cut your energy expenses, and boost your home’s value.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

When working from home, its important that your work space gives off the right vibe to help you focus and separate your personal life from your career. From creating as much privacy as possible to having all the necessary tools at your fingertips, how you outfit your home office will have a big impact on your productivity.

One of the most important, yet overlooked, places to start is with the right paint color. The tone on the walls that surround you while youre working has a direct impact on your state of mind. But not all shades provide the same impact. According to Sherwin Williams, to make the right paint selection, think about what you need most to be productive for your particular job, then choose your shade accordingly.

A sense of calm. If your work is somewhat on the frenetic side, youll need a color that helps keep you calm, such as soft shades of blue or dusty shades of beige, green and gray. These muted tones help ease your mind and prevent stress from building up.

A creative spark. If your job requires creativity, youll want a shade of paint that inspires you and activates your right brain. Colorful paints will help get your creative juices flowing. Consider vibrant shades of yellow and orange that provide a boost of energy and raise your spirits. If that sounds a little too bold for your entire office, paint just one wall with a bright color or use it in accents around your room.

Maximum concentration. Is your work very detail-oriented? Then boost your concentration and productivity with low-wavelength colors such as green. Green is easy on the eyes when youre working long hours and also adds a sense of balance when youre multitasking. A deep shade of blue will also have the same affect, or consider using the two in tandem.

Within each of these color palettes are a variety of shades to choose from in order to reflect your personality and coordinate with your homes style. The right paint selection will help make working from home a positive and productive experience.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.