Uncategorized

Trees can beautify your yard and provide privacy and shade. They can also cause problems, such as fallen leaves and fruit that make a mess. Be sure to choose the right species so you dont wind up regretting your decision.

Why Do You Want to Plant Trees?
Hardwoods tend to grow slowly and have a long lifespan. Trees that grow faster are usually smaller and have softwood. They generally dont live as long as hardwood trees.

If your house gets too much direct sunlight and you want to have shade as soon as possible, select a species that grows quickly. Tulip trees, honey locusts and willow oak are popular choices. You should also choose fast-growing trees if youre interested in the flowers or fruit theyll produce.

Conifers can provide privacy, and taller varieties can offer shade and block wind. Pine trees grow well in a variety of climates. Spruce trees are also popular.

How Much Work Are You Willing to Do?
Deciduous trees have leaves that often turn brilliant colors in the autumn before they fall to the ground. The leaves need to be raked or blown and collected, and the branches then remain bare until spring. Only choose deciduous trees if youre prepared to do the work of collecting leaves or to pay someone else to do it.

Evergreen trees may have broad or needlelike leaves. They keep their leaves throughout the year and can provide picturesque views in any season.

How Much Space Do You Have?
Choose trees thatll be an appropriate size for your house and the rest of the property when theyre full-grown. Plant shorter trees near the house and taller ones in other parts of the yard.

If you have a relatively small area available to plant trees, select ornamental species thatll produce fruit, berries or colorful leaves. Japanese maple, crabapple, citrus and Chinese dogwood trees are some good choices.

What Are the Climate and Soil Like?

Consider your regions climate when choosing trees for your yard. The range of temperatures, the acidity or alkalinity of the soil, and the amount of rainfall are all important factors.

If you live in or near a city, the air quality can affect your choice of trees. Pollutants, poor drainage, compacted soil and other urban environmental conditions can make it hard for some species to thrive. Oak, Norway maple, gingko and Washington hawthorn trees may be good choices.

Get Help Choosing the Right Trees
Since trees generally live for decades or even centuries, its important to think carefully about which species to plant. Visit a local nursery or garden center, talk to the professionals about your reasons for wanting to plant trees, and ask for advice specific to your region and needs.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Home theaters are becoming more commonplace as homeowners look to create convenient, comfortable and fun spaces where their families and guests can sit back and enjoy the show. If youre planning to upgrade an existing home theater, or perhaps install a new one, youll want to be sure itll provide the best viewing experience for years to come”and that means top-of-the-line fixtures, furniture and electronics.

Finding a contractor who can source the best-quality wiring, lighting fixtures and electronics is an important factor in creating a high-end home theater that conforms to your expectations, say the design experts at HGTV. Youll want to be sure that all the wiring is discreetly secreted behind the walls, so make sure that as the space is being built out, the wiring scheme is accounted for early in the process.

When it comes to the audio-visual and electronic equipment, the sky is the limit in terms of sight, sound and media delivery. You might choose to pair a giant projection screen with a set-top box that can serve HD content, or opt for a more traditional setup of a big-screen TV and Blu-ray player. Whichever way you’re leaning, you’ll want to give your theater installer free rein to select the best audio-visual products on the market.

Now you can turn your attention to the decor. Many high-end home theaters reflect a traditional cinema feel, featuring stadium seating, noise-cancelling wall paneling, and furniture with special features and amenities. The scope and layout of the room will be a major consideration when it comes to the variety of furniture and accessories you’ll choose.

Larger, more elaborate home theaters sometimes employ a design that reflects a movie-house experience with fixed armchair seating, while smaller spaces may be more akin to a luxurious media room and feature arrangements of chairs and couches where guests can simply settle in where they please.

Remotes have become very customizable. Some let you program them using your PC, while others use your smartphone to allow you to customize everything from dimming the lights and changing the temperature to getting the program started, all with the touch of a button on the backlit display of the remote.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

You want your home to look luxe, but your bank account has other ideas. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to make it look like you did. With a little ingenuity and these tips, you can transform your home into a posh palace:

Splurge on Focal Pieces. You may not be able to break the bank on every item in your home, but consider splurging on attention-grabbing pieces. For example, a high-quality leather chair and fancy wallpaper on a prominent wall are good ways to spend money strategically. With these elements in place, you can be more budget-conscious with other purchases.

Layer Rugs. Rugs are a cost-effective way to add warmth and style to a room. To create a custom look, layer rugs beneath a furniture grouping. For example, use a large, rectangular sisal rug in a neutral color as the anchor. On top, place an animal print rug or use a series of brightly colored rugs in geometric patterns to create interest.

Employ Wainscoting and Trim. There’s no way around it. Wainscoting, crown moldings and other types of custom trimwork make a home look elegant. Fortunately, they’re not terribly expensive to install, especially if you have the tools and know-how to do it yourself.

Use Paint to Your Advantage. Paint is not only affordable, but also transformative. Simply painting walls a sophisticated color will achieve the high-end look you desire. Paint can also transform thrift-store furniture and decor. Use chalk paint to distress a vintage table or a metallic spray paint to refresh picture frames or decorative elements.

Opt for Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring. Love the look of hardwood, but can’t afford the price tag? Luxury vinyl plank flooring is an affordable alternative. The best part? You can probably install it yourself, which means you don’t have to pay labor costs.

Copy a Look You Love. During your window shopping trips, you’ve probably discovered furniture, light fixtures or other design elements that are way out of your price range. That’s fine! Snap a photo so you can recreate the look for less. A quick search on social media sites may reveal similar ideas. Or hit the thrift stores and flea markets to find raw materials for your design hack.

Fake It ’til You Make It. Expensive homes often have soaring ceilings. Your home’s ceilings may be decidedly lower, but you can make them look higher. Just hang your curtains closer to the ceiling than the window frame. This creates an optical illusion that makes the room seem taller.

Don’t Overdo It. Adding too many elements to a room will cheapen the look. If a room appears too cluttered, remove some knick-knacks, pillows or books. Remember, less is usually more when it comes to interior design. You’ll end up with a more sophisticated space that feels light and airy instead of cramped and busy.

Making your home look like a million bucks doesn’t have to cost a fortune. You can achieve a high-end look for less using some creativity and these tips.

Source: Alexanian

Published with permission from RISMedia.

The exterior of your home is always a huge factor for potential buyers who will envision themselves enjoying the outside area, entertaining friends and family while kids play in the yard.

Thats why when prepping a home for a showing, its smart to think about the outdoors. That could mean power washing the deck, clearing driveways, or even planting flowers. The one area you definitely wont want to neglect is the lawn itself.

The positives of a well-maintained yard are myriad and its important to get your grass in tip-top shape before showing your home.

When it comes to growing grass, consistent care is key and failure to invest in long-term turf care can open the window to any number of problems in your lawn. Its also important to give your grass the fertilizing lawn care and control treatments it needs based on the season. Lawn care for growing grass in summer, for example, is different than the needs come fall. Make sure to sweep any fertilizer that lands on driveways and sidewalks back on to the lawn.

An important component is to properly water the lawn, and it is better to water deeply”down to at least six inches”and less frequently, than lightly and more often. If your lawn dulls in color or begins to wilt, then your lawn needs water.

The way you mow your lawn can also make a difference. You never want to remove more than one third of the total blade height when mowing, or you could chop off the food-producing parts of the grass blade and end up with a brown lawn instead of a green one. You should also leave grass clippings on the lawn to help recycle important lawn fertilizing nutrients.

Grass also acts like a natural air conditioner that cools the air as it releases water vapor through its blades. The water evaporates and draws heat, cooling the air in the process. As a result, lawns are a safer surface for children to play on and provide the cool comfort we desire on hot days. Those are selling points that can help any home sale.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Whether youve got a litter of kids or a baby on the way, childproofing your home is a preventative measure no family should go without. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends a number of safeguards to make your home an environment free from hazards. Here are five of those tips to help maximize child safety at home.

Window Guards. Open or unlocked windows can be hazardous for any member of your household. To avoid injury or worse, install a window guard with sturdy bars securely fastened to the frame. And be wary of window treatments that operate with a cord”younger children especially may think the dangling string is a toy. If possible, go cordless.

Interior Gates. To restrict access to stairs or areas that are off-limits, install a safety gate. Before purchasing a product for your home, measure the access point to ensure the gate fits securely. The CPSC advises using gates without a V-shape design so a child wont become trapped.

Locks and Latches. Prevent children from entering barred rooms, closets or cabinets with locks or latches that only adults can access. This is particularly crucial for under-sink cabinets and kitchen drawers, where chemicals, like bleach, and sharp objects, like knives or scissors, are typically stored.

Outlet Plates and Covers. Outlets without plates present a danger to both children and adults, so be sure plates are secured to every outlet in the home, especially ones near the floor. Outlet covers, which are inserted into the prong slots, can deter small fingers from accidental shock or kids from sticking objects into the outlets. Try removing the covers to test them”they can potentially become a choking hazard if they come loose.

Pool Safety. Theres a reason why pools require additional insurance coverage; they present a much higher risk than many other features at home. Pools must be enclosed with a fence no lower than four feet high, with a gate that self-closes and self-locks. Inspect the fence to ensure there are no gaping holes. In addition, the CPSC encourages a comprehensive protection layer that includes an alarm and a power safety cover.

Published with permission from RISMedia.