Do you believe that dreams can come true? Make your backyard vision a reality by entering our #FunInTheSunSweepstakes. All you need to do is visit bhgrelife.com to enter for a chance to win big.
What could you win? For starters, you will receive a consultation with outdoor lifestyle and TV expert Carson Arthur. He will share his décor ideas for your very own Shangri-La, as well as a chance to win $1,500 prize. Create your paradise! Click here to enter.
Want to get away from it all right in your own backyard? No need to build a fence or plant trees at the end of your property line when shrubs offer the perfect solution! Nature offers ways to add beauty and privacy to your backyard space.
Outdoor Pro Carson Arthur shows you how to create a secluded retreat in a shorter amount of time, and that’s not all! Enter our #FunInTheSunSweepstakes for your chance to win $1,500 and a personal consultation with Carson himself. Get closer today! Click here to enter.
Oh, those summer nights! Outdoor fire pits are the hottest trend this season and are quickly becoming the most popular backyard additions for any time of year. A backyard hearth provides a stunning entertaining space that is separate from the patio table. Let Outdoor Pro Carson Arthur show you how to ignite summer nights with this must-have.
Ready for s’mores and ghost stories? Enter our #FunInTheSunSweepstakes for your chance to win $1,500 and a personal consultation with Carson Arthur. Fire up the season today! Click here to enter.
Your backyard space is a place for each of your family members to have exactly what they want! Outdoor Pro Carson Arthur believes a backyard becomes amazing when built around the usable space. To maximize functionality, have a family conversation to understand everyone’s goals for the space to have the most fun outdoors. Some may want to focus on tanning while others envision summer dining taking center stage. Discuss how each area will impact the overall design.
If this feels overwhelming, don’t fret! You can celebrate summer birthdays or BBQ blowouts in high style by entering our #FunInTheSunSweepstakes for your chance to win $1,500 and a personal consultation with Outdoor Pro Carson Arthur. Get the party started! Click here to enter.
Things are looking up for your garden. Create a wonder wall full of life this summer. Walls are underused and the time has come to maximize your outdoor space. Transform the backyard with vertical planters to grow flowers and vegetables. With the patio floor free, you can add style elements like a great rug or mosaic tiles to complement your home’s personality.
Ready to add greenery to your outdoor space? Enter our #FunInTheSunSweepstakes for a chance to win $1,500 to put towards an epic summer bash. Carson Arthur, outdoor lifestyle and TV expert, will also give the lucky winner advice on outdoor décor. Wall in wall, this is a great way to enjoy your summer with luck on your side. Click here to enter.
If everyone had a green thumb, the world would be full of blooms. However, gardening doesn’t come naturally to everyone. While some homeowners garden as if they were born to dig in the dirt, others need as many tips and tricks as they can get. Fortunately, there are numerous plants that take next to no effort to grow in your garden, which makes them a great way to start your landscape this summer.
Aster
If you’re looking for a plant that’ll thrive for more than one season, Aster is it. These pink, white and lavender flowers will fill your garden from summer to late fall.
Wax Begonias
For a splash of color, wax begonias are a must-have in your garden this summer. These free-flowering plants require minimal maintenance and can be grown in indirect light or partial shade. Fill up those odd corners in your backyard with these annuals.
Native plants
The easiest plants to grow are always going to be the ones native to your area. For example, Florida has several trees and shrubs to choose from, the Southwest is full of vibrant yuccas and cacti, and New Jersey has bee balm blooms. Since the climate and environment changes per state, it’s important to do your research to find native plants indigenous to where you live to ensure optimal growth.
Drought-resistant plants
Due to the recent droughts across the United States, many avid gardeners are incorporating drought-resistant plants into their flowerbeds. Plants such as lavender, coneflower, lantana and succulents require very little water. With many states implementing water regulations in 2017, this summer could be a great time to change up your gardening.
Sage
Sage is a drought-resistant perennial that will fill your garden with everything you love about the great outdoors. From fluttering butterflies to buzzing bees, your garden will thrive. Sage requires minimal maintenance and is easy to grow.
Your workspace holds an abundance of power. It’s a place where you perfect your expertise; produce work of excellence; channel inner creativity and ultimately, complete a task of passion. However, if you feel this doesn’t apply to you and your workspace consists of nothing more than a desk and chair, then there’s no better time to sit down and take a read. Your workspace should inspire you to put forth your best effort to complete a masterpiece of your craft. Whether it’s an area to perfect some Pinterest-worthy DIY projects, write an important paper or finish up on work you didn’t complete during the day, your workspace should always be more than just a desk and a chair. Here are some office ideas that will inspire you well throughout the day.
It can be hard to feel alive in a workspace that isn’t lively. However, too much action can quickly cause distractions. Instead, liven up the space with green succulents that make you feel like you’re working in the outdoors. Any plants will do, but succulents are ideal plants for office ideas because they don’t require much maintenance. Plus, there’s nothing more distracting than a dying plant and the worry of how much water and sunlight it needs to come back to life. So, add in some succulents to liven up the space without having to put forth a ton of extra effort.
You can never have too much inspiration within your workspace. Add style and wisdom into your office with words that speak to you on a different level. Wall stickers are an awesome and affordable way to add in a grand display of inspiration. You can also create your own and frame them to let the positivity fill your office space in a unique and personalized way.
It’s important to choose decorating tips that are stimulating, yet not distracting. Too much color can quickly take away from the productivity you want to achieve in the space, yet not enough color can quickly be dull and tiring. Choose some splashes of color and strategically place them in your office. Some unique decorating tips for a stimulating splash of color include painting the interior of your bookcase, adding inspiration décor items that contrast with the room, or swapping out plain furniture for a vibrant version. A little splash of color will keep your brain and office space alive.
Your workspace should be a place you like to be in. Even if you have implemented the most stunning office ideas, it can feel dull if you haven’t made it your own. Add in your own personal touch to add comfort into the space. Some photos of your loved ones are always a beautiful addition to any space.
It may seem odd to want a stimulating office space that is equally relaxing. However, adding in some relaxing accents can help you channel your energy towards being productive. You just have to stay away from the relaxing elements that will make you drowsy, and stick with the office ideas that will make you comfortable in the space. Candles are a nice addition that will recreate a spa-like feeling, and if your office is at home, consider adding in a fluffy rug underneath your feet.
With these office ideas, you’re bound to create a space that you love working in. If you love being in your workspace, that’ll certain reflect into the masterpieces you create day in and day out.
You’re all set and ready to pack up the car, load up the family, and travel to your new home! Your group also includes your four-legged family members, which adds an extra component to your traveling adventure. However, hitting the road with your pet does not have to be stressful; with a little preparation and planning, the trip will be simple and fun as you travel to your new residence. Here are our best tips for traveling in a vehicle with your pet.
Start Off Happy and Healthy
It is important to take your pet to the vet for a checkup to make sure he is current on all vaccinations and receives a clean bill of health. This will help ensure that he is not sick while you are traveling to your new home. Also, your vet can provide a health certificate and a rabies vaccination certification. Both of these are especially important if you plan to travel abroad.
Plan Ahead to Keep Your Pet Safely Secured
Determine how you will keep your pet safely secured in your vehicle while you travel. This necessary part of pet travel is often overlooked. In reality, many pets are hurt during accidents because they are not properly secured in vehicles. More essentially, an overly-excited pet can easily distract the driver, which can lead to a costly accident. There are many great safety options for keeping your pet secured when traveling in a vehicle. It is also necessary to allow your pet to become familiar with the option you choose ahead of time, so he is comfortable during the trip on moving day.
Update Identification Tag & Chip
Unfortunately, sometimes pets do run off and escape their parents. If you have an updated ID tag and a current photo of your pet, this will to ensure his safe return. Make sure he is wearing a collar with the ID tag attached, and ensure that your cell phone number is listed. It is also important to make sure your pet’s microchip is updated with your appropriate contact information.
Pack the Essentials
When deciding what to pack for the car trip, a plentiful supply of their pet food is essential. You cannot rely on being able to stop along the way to purchase your pet’s food, or being able to readily buy it at your new location. Your pet’s brand of food may not be easy to find, and it is not a good time to try and introduce a new brand of food when you are traveling. Other necessities when packing for your pet include pet travel bowls, pet beds, cat litter and a litter box, leashes, collars and tags, toys, grooming supplies, a first-aid kit and medicines. Also, don’t forget to always have plenty of fresh water available for your pet.
Where to Stay Along the Way
Finding pet friendly lodging along your route is necessary if your travels involve a long drive from start to finish. It is important to book ahead before you start your trip so you will know where you will be staying along the way.
Updated Copies of Medical Records
Just in case there is a medical emergency with your pet when you are traveling, we recommend that you bring along a copy of your pet’s medical records. It is best to keep these with you, and they should include your veterinarian’s contact information, in case he or she needs to be reached for a consultation.
Rustic home décor is often associated with a woodsy, countryside appeal. There are no fancy crystal chandeliers or genuine cheetah rugs in these spaces. Instead, it’s an aesthetic all about a comfortable and earthy atmosphere made up of nothing more than simple fashion and humble statements. Some of the best rustic home décor can be made with a bit of TLC and elbow grease.
One of the easiest DIY projects to create rustic appeal is to revamp antiques. Make a day of visiting antique shops, collectors and enthusiasts to find hidden treasures to turn into your own. Oftentimes, these pieces need nothing more than a little sanding and a new stain. Even the least crafty homeowners can manage this simple, elegant and rustic DIY home décor project.
The front foyer of your home provides your guests with their first look at your interior. As such, it can be the perfect place to showcase your home’s DIY rustic appeal. Since you need a space to hang coats, umbrellas, handbags and other miscellaneous items anyway, you might as well make one that you love. This rustic home DIY project can also be an affordable alternative with heart throughout the design. Pick up an old piece of wood, find some unique doorknobs at your local second-hand stores and make a rustic coat hanger that makes a statement right at the front door.
Another simple home DIY project that will add an abundance of rustic charm into the interior is to bring outside walls inside. The key is to choose an accent wall, preferably in a room that is in dire need of charm and personality. Grab a roll of brick wallpaper and start rolling that rustic appeal into your home. Just be sure to opt for a high-quality variety to get a genuine brick look, instead of a terribly tacky and fake one.
If you’re looking for an excellent way to add rustic light into your interior, you’ve just found the ultimate home DIY project. All you need is some logs cut at different lengths, candles and a tool for chiseling. You could also use a circular sander to carve a little nook into each log instead of a chisel; it’ll be more time consuming but require less elbow grease. Insert the candles and place the logs around your fireplace, in your outdoor living space or even on the front porch to enjoy a flicker of rustic lighting.
The trend of mason jar DIY projects has taken over homes across the globe. They’re exceptionally versatile and can quickly turn empty glass jars into chic, rustic storage containers. Some DIY projects paint the exterior of the mason jars for simple countertop storage – perfect for bathrooms and laundry rooms. However, you can also leave the mason jars clear and hang them on an old piece of wood. Both options are charming, warming and exceptionally practical.
Instead of forking over $50 for a mass-produced sign for your interior, consider making your own. All you need are some pieces of old wood, some twine, a glue gun and a steady hand. You can make the sign read whatever suits the personality of your home, and even add some rustic door handles to add functionality and enhance the charming appeal.
With these rustic DIY projects, you can bring the charm of the outdoors into your home
There’s nothing like taking in a big breath of fresh air on your very own patio. Even if it’s covered in snow, having a little outdoor living space to call your own feels like a little slice of paradise. However, if you’re looking outside your back window and seeing nothing more than a patio set and an umbrella sitting on a concrete slab, you need a design intervention. Everyone deserves to have a backyard oasis, and it’s totally achievable with a little time and effort. Whether you have a massive yard with plenty of space or a petite patio that barely fits the smallest pieces of furniture, it’s time to turn your space into a masterpiece. Discover the secrets you need to make the perfect patio, one that is just as practical as it is pretty.
The purpose of your patio will play a huge role in how it gets designed. As a rule of thumb, family spaces need to be child-friendly, outdoor dining areas need to have room to move away from the smoke coming off the barbecue, and tiny spaces need dedicated trails.
Each purpose will have its own requirements. Explore the possibilities before putting anything in stone. Figure out how the space will be used prior to prepping for a patio, and don’t overlook the idea of having a multifunctional space.
When designing your backyard patio, you don’t really have to get out the blueprints of your home. You should, however, certainly grab a pad of paper and a pen because you’ll want to create a layout for your patio plan. This is a vital step in designing a patio because without it, things may not fit where you intended. Frustrations can run high if you’re trying to squeeze a patio set into a small corner where it clearly won’t fit. Make sure to draw out a plan that includes everything from where the walkways will be to where the barbecue will smoke and where you’ll relax.
Once you have planned out the finer details of your patio, it’s time to put them into action. Start by pulling your patio furniture and decor out of the shed or the cobweb-filled, muddy corner in your yard. Give everything a good wash down or a fresh coat of paint, and move it into place.
Roll the barbecue into position and throw down wood chippings, gravel or pegs to mark where the walkways will be. With the basics down, you can amp up the personality of your patio.
A patio wouldn’t be complete without some personality. Grab some exterior art pieces and hang them in your outdoor space. String dangling lights from tree to tree, and add in some greenery. Don’t forget to light the way with tiki torches or exterior pathway lighting so the space can be enjoyed after sundown.
Your patio should look warm and comforting, as opposed to just furniture sitting outdoors.
If the budget allows for it, treat your patio to some luxury. Depending on the purpose of your patio, that luxury could be anything from an outdoor fire pit for roasting marshmallows to a trickling water fountain for tranquility or a lively pond filled with nature. Luxury is the final touch to create your pretty patio.
The last step is to perfect the patio. Once everything is in place, you’ll be able to spot any imperfections. If an area has too much shade, readjust the furniture so the space embraces more light. Add an umbrella in sunny areas, move potted plants that hang where people could hit their heads. Focus on the small ins and outs of a perfectly practical and pretty patio.