Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

Category: Outdoor Design

  • Maximize Your Backyard Space

    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.

  • Vertical Wall Garden

    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.

  • Gardening 101: Easiest Plants to Grow This Summer

    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.

  • The Perfect Patio, Practical and Pretty

    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.

    Determine Your Patio’s Purpose

    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.

    Get the Blueprints

    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.

    Stage Some Style into Your Outdoor Oasis

    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.

    Toss in a Touch of Personality

    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.

    Splurge on One Major Backyard Luxury

    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.

     

  • Want the Best Garden in The Neighborhood? These Spring Flowering Tips Will Really Make You Bloom!

    April showers bring May flowers. Spring is the perfect season to start growing your garden into a colorful and lush oasis. Awaken your curb appeal and captivate the attention of your neighbors with the best garden in the area. Whether a new gardener or a self-proclaimed pro, here are some spring flowering tips to turn your landscape into a setting straight out of a fairytale.

    Pick the Right Spring Flowers

    The secret to growing a gorgeous spring garden is to pick the right kind of flowers. This step takes a bit of research but it’s certainly worth it. Explore the vast array of flower seeds and bulbs to determine which ones will work best in your garden. Some flowers require more work than others, some will only blossom once, and others can surprisingly grow quite large.

    These are all things you want to be aware of before committing to them to ensure the best garden in the neighborhood.

    Rejuvenate Worn Flowerbeds

    As you wait for your spring flowers to bloom, spend some time cleaning up the flowerbeds. Add a fresh coat of paint on wooden panels that took the brunt of winter, pull your garden décor out of the shed, and dust off your garden gnomes. There’s nothing worse than the beauty of stunning spring flowers overtaken by chipped statues, weathered flowerbeds, and any debris left over from the winter.

    Mulch Is a Must

    To turn your spring garden into something you would see on the front of BHG magazine, lay down some mulch. It’s a great and affordable way to instantly enhance the appearance of your garden that will also save you an abundance and time and effort. Just be sure to opt for organic mulch to bring all the benefits to your garden beds.

    Prepare for Pests

    As your spring garden starts to bloom, so will the pests. From grubs to worms, squirrels, and rabbits, they seem to have a taste for the most stunning gardens. To ensure vibrant spring display doesn’t get eaten away, prepare for pests before they arrive.

    Remove any snails, slugs, and larvae you come across while planting your spring flowers. Spray the area with nontoxic pest control, install barriers if needed, and stay vigilant throughout the year.

    Gather Fresh Rainwater with Water Butts

    Spring gardens love fresh rainwater. While your garden will likely get enough throughout the season, it’s important to install some decorative water butts to collect rainwater for the drier days of the season. However, collecting rainwater isn’t legal in every state. So, do your research prior to investing in stunning decorative water butts.

    Start Composting

    A thriving garden loves compost as much as it does rainwater. Designate a corner in your yard for composting. You can build a compost of your own with some wood or you can purchase one for a minimal fee. Either way, your garden will appreciate it. Composts are rich in nutrients your spring flowers need to bloom beautifully. They’re also great for the environment and will reduce your carbon footprint significantly.

    Create an Outdoor Oasis

    A spring garden is beautiful as it is. However, if you want to turn your flower beds into an outdoor oasis, think outside of the flower pots. Install water fountains, station garden décor, and create a sitting area. Line your garden with solar powered lights so you can enjoy its beauty day and night.

    All that’s left to do is sit back and enjoy your spring garden. Don’t forget to tend to your flowers, garden beds, and soil regularly to ensure optimal growth and beautiful blooming throughout the season.

  • Curb Appeal Mistakes to Avoid

    From neighbors to guests to buyers, people are noticing your home’s curb appeal! Be sure your home exterior is making the right impression by avoiding these common curb appeal mistakes.

    Curb Appeal Mistakes to Avoid - Bhgrelife.com

    Completely Forgetting About Curb Appeal

    When selling your home, it is vital to captivate potential homebuyers as soon as they pull up to your property, and an untended or messy lawn could send the wrong message about the quality of your home. Lack of lawn care may suggest to homebuyers that the house also isn’t properly cared for, which could mean a costly investment for them. Even if you don’t have the means to lay new sod, take the time to clean up your yard to reinforce the impression that everything has been well cared for in and outside of the home. Removing brown leaves, dead branches, and weeds can make a big difference when selling your home or impressing guests.

  • 4 Backyard Ideas to Spruce Up Your Home

    A beautiful home with a stunning outdoor living space is a wonderful thing, and it’s amazing what a well-kept lawn can do for not only your home’s value, but also for your own enjoyment while living there. More and more homeowners are starting to invest in their backyard space for many different reasons. To start, having an outdoor living space also increases the value of a home, offering you an excellent return on investment if you choose to sell in the future.

    The good news is that you can easily and economically get these backyard renovations finished; you just need some lawn care basics and a few ideas about renovations for outdoor design.

    4 Backyard Ideas to Spruce Up Your Home - bhgrelife.com1. The Grass Can Be Greener on Your Side Too

    As the old saying goes, “the grass is always greener on the other side,” but when it comes to your backyard, the case should be different. With some quick lawn care basics, you can grow a luscious lawn that will instantly change the appeal of your entire property. These grass-growing tips will set you up with a smooth, lush green carpet in your own backyard:

     

     

    • Prepare the area by removing all weeds, rocks, etc.
    • Loosen the top layer of dirt with a rototill, and place high-quality setting soil on top of it
    • Roll out a carpet of sod or seed the area
    • Water once a week, but feed the area bi-annually with some fertilizer

  • 4 Tips for Creating a Luscious Lawn

    You know a good lawn when you see one—the kind of luscious lawn that makes you want to roll around or have a picnic. Well, the good news is that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. With some basic lawn care and grass-growing tips, you can have the kind of lawn that people will stop to admire. Here are the only steps you’ll ever need to having the greener grass on your side.

    4 Tips for Creating a Luscious Lawn - bhgrelife.comChoosing the Right Grass

    If you’ve found yourself in a situation where there’s more dirt than there is grass, you definitely need some grass-growing tips. It may surprise you that there are many different varieties of grass. Growing grass is much more complex than simply planting some seeds. Understanding how grass grows can mean the difference between having no grass or having a stunning, luscious lawn.

    There are several things to consider when choosing the right grass for your property, depending on the quality of grass you desire. The best lawn care tip is to choose a grass that is best suited to your climate. Grass is categorized into cool season grass and warm season grass. In cool season grasses, you have grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass. In warm season grasses, you have grasses like Buffalograss. You should pick the right type of grass within the respective category you belong in. You can learn more about choosing the right grass here.

    You also have the option of skipping over the seeds and placing sod. This can be a fast way to get beautiful results, but basic lawn care is still needed.

  • Landscaping Secrets From the Pros

    Proper landscaping has the ability to enhance put your property in the neighborhood’s limelight. Despite what many believe, you don’t have to break the bank, have a green thumb, or even have an interest in gardening to make a big impression with your landscape. All you need is a little elbow grease and these six landscaping secrets from the pros:

    Landscaping Secrets From the Pros - bhgrelife.com1. Bring attention to points of interest with a walkway

    You may have a stunning sitting area, garden, or fire pit in your yard, but if the only way to get to it is to trample on the lawn, you’re doing your layout a disservice. Deter the makeshift path of dead grass, and bring attention to all these points of interest on your property with an attractive walkway. Whether it’s made of stepping stones, crushed stone or mulch, this landscaping tip will connect the entire setup of your property fabulously, for greater appeal.

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Starting an English Cottage Garden

    Garden season is here and we can’t wait to fill our backyards with flowers, sculptures, and so much more! Hope A. in South Carolina is a garden-lover and wants to style her yard after an English cottage garden. We loved the idea so we sent her question to Dream Team member and outdoor design expert Carson Arthur for his best advice, because the more you know, the more you grow!

    Ask a Pro Q&A: Starting an English Cottage Garden - bhgrelife.com

    Q: I would love to have a cottage garden in front of my home here in South Carolina! Unfortunately, my house is built on a slab and the garden area is mostly in the shade. Right now I’m growing dwarf gardenias, hosta, calla lilies, astilbe, Japanese painted ferns princess lily, and colocasia. The current plants are dispersed throughout the space and look sparse even though the space is small. What can I do to bring my garden together and create an English-inspired look? Thanks!

    -Hope A.

    A: Everyone always assumes that an English cottage garden is all about the cute plants. The truth is, this style of garden started in part because of the terrible rocky soil that they were grown on. It sounds like you have lots of plants, but now it’s time to start adding the rocks! You can create extra depth in the garden using large and small stones. Consider building tiers using the stones as well. Just make sure to go with moss-covered rocks or rocks that are clearly aged. There are two crucial things to remember when adding rocks to the landscaping. First, the bottoms of the rocks should be under the level of the soil so that they look like they have always been there. Next, plant in the pockets of the stones… just like you would see in nature! Happy gardening!

    -Carson A.