Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

Tag: curb appeal

  • Tips for Planting a Window Box

    Planting a window box filled with colorful blooms and greenery is a terrific, low-maintenance way to enhance your house’s exterior instantly. It’s also an appealing option for people living in condos or apartments without outdoor space who want to enjoy the benefits of a garden. If you are intrigued by the possibilities, read on as we reveal tips for designing and planting a lushly beautiful window box. 

    Choose the Right Window Box

    Choosing the best window box for your needs is critical. Not only do you want it to fit your preferred space and look stylish, but you need to be able to hang it safely. Better Homes & Gardens cautions: “Don’t underestimate how heavy a window box can be—it is filled with soil and plants, and gets even heavier when watered.” The Magazine recommends a window box built from “a hardwood like redwood or cedar rather than pine, which rots quickly, and then securing the box with a window box bracket like the Panacea Holdall Flower Box Holder.” 

    If you are concerned that a wood box might be too heavy to hang from your window or balcony railing, Southern Living advises that “[you can significantly reduce weight by using fiberglass window boxes ….” Fiberglass is a good weather-resistant, affordable option for anyone who lives in areas that see significant rainfall or snow and has windows or railings that aren’t protected by a roof or awning.

    Would you prefer a wrought iron option for your window box? While it does require a splurge, The Spruce loves the “H. Potter Copper and Wrought Iron Window Box.” This 30-inch window box has a higher price tag than many, “but rather than corrode, this 30-inch hand-crafted window box will only get better with time since it’s made from rust-resistant stainless steel and covered in a copper finish.” The wrought-iron frame is also weather-resistant, and the mounting and brackets make it easy to remove whenever necessary. 

    Check for Drainage

    No matter which container you buy, it must have proper drainage so excess water can flow out of the box’s reservoir when it gets too full. If you have the tools and the know-how, drilling holes in wood or fiberglass products is a snap. If you don’t have the tools on hand or want a steel or ceramic planter option, consider purchasing a pre-drilled product. 

    You’ll also want to leave some space between the window box and the side of your house, condo, or apartment. How much room? Southern Living suggests leaving “at least 1/2-inch between the window box and the side of the house for water to drip through,” especially if the home is clad with wood siding.  

    Buy Potting Mix

    When planting a window box or any container garden, you’ll want to buy potting mix rather than potting soil. The Spruce explains: “[Its] special combination of ingredients ensures that the mix retains moisture” and won’t compact around tender roots. Experts also believe that potting mix gives you more control over disease or weeds than you would have with soil.  

    Follow the Thriller-Filler-Spiller Rule

    When mapping your window boxes, you want to create an arrangement of blooms and greenery that pops against the colors of your home. And all of your plantings should have similar sun, shade, and watering requirements; otherwise, you are likely to struggle to balance the needs of each of the plants. Martha Stewart Living recommends following the “thriller-filler-spiller” rule for anyone planting a window box. The design guideline “calls for a tall, striking plant (“thriller”) centered in the box and serving as the focal point; smaller, complementary plants (“filler”) on each side and the bottom; and plants that flow over the edges (“spiller”).”  

    Determine Your Growing Conditions

    Will the plants in your window box have access to full sun (meaning more than six hours per day of direct sunlight), partial sun, or full shade? These growing conditions will profoundly impact which flowers, succulents, or vegetables will thrive after planting. If your site is particularly sunny, Martha Stewart Living suggests looking into “colorful flowering plants, like calibrachoas, a perennial that’s commonly seen in shades of violet, blue, pink, red, magenta, yellow, bronze, and white.” ‘Katrina’ African iris, which features “exotic flowers [that] top long, spiked leaves,” and ‘Sallyfun Deep Ocean’ salvia, which is known to be fragrant and a butterfly magnet, are among Better Homes & Gardens favorite full sun “thrillers.” 

    If you are planting a window box that will have partial sun, gardening expert Melinda Myers reports to Martha Stewart Living that “most petunias also do well in full to partial sun,” and “heliotrope has fragrant flowers that hummingbirds and butterflies love.” Myers is also a fan of pentas (as are butterflies) because it “blooms all season long and prefers full to partial sun.” Finally, Meyers loves “summer snapdragon, which (as its name implies) is perfect for the warm-weather season and features upright plants that are available in several colorways.”  

    Trailing lobelia is a great cascading option because while it thrives in full sun, it will still produce bold blue flowers (or purple, pink, or white, depending on which cultivar you plant) with partial shade. It’s an attractive option for planting below tall “thrillers.” Lotus vine, alyssum, verbenas, and plectranthus also offer significant spread for a beautiful cascading effect. Spiky cordyline is also not as finicky about sun exposure, with this “thriller” working with most soil types under full sun to partial shade conditions.

    Container gardens and window boxes dry out faster than in-ground gardens. Depending on the materials window boxes are made of, the potting mix can be super-heated, particularly in areas that experience significant heatwaves. Drought-tolerant plants are often a better fit, especially in summer. Expert Melinda Myers suggests to Martha Stewart Living that dipladenia and zinnias are terrific options because they come in a variety of brilliant colors, “profusion and zahara have good disease resistance,” and “icicles licorice, also known as helichrysum, [is] a great heat- and drought-tolerant plant.”

    Add Foliage

    While flowers can take some time to become glorious, leafy greens immediately have a lush look. Martha Stewart Living recommends planting foliage in your window box as they “do a good job of providing a background to the showier plants that will be a planter’s focal point.” If you are stumped for which greenery to choose, the Magazine suggests coleus because while “it’s usually thought of as a shade-loving plant, coleus comes in varieties, such as Purple Prince, that do well in full sun.”  

    Plant by Season

    If you live in an area of the United States that has dramatic shifts in temperature or experiences frost, Southern Living advises those planting a window box to grow blooms according to season. For example, the Magazine recommends planting “million bells [a colorful “filler”], lobelia, bacopa, twinspur, snapdragons, violas, nasturtiums, and flowering kale” for areas enjoying cool weather. When warm weather arrives, Southern Living suggests switching to “lantana, verbena, begonias, angelonia, impatiens, coleus, sweet potato vine, fanflower, narrowleaf zinnia, and Wave petunia” to beat the heat successfully.

  • Ask A Pro – Yellow House Curb Appeal

    Max Wilker, Style Director at Better Homes and Gardens, helps chose colors to give a yellow house a new look.

    Question:

    My house has light yellow siding and navy blue shutters but I’m wanting to change things up to better fit my style. I’ve thought a lot about black shutters but I’m not sure how that would look? And then I can’t decide on a door color. I’ve thought about white, black, red, or dark purple/eggplant.

    Answer:

    We have similar tastes as I have a yellow house, white trim and front porch, and dark royal blue shutters!

    To change up your curb appeal, maybe think about warm, charcoal gray shutters as they won’t be as bold as black shutters. Give your trim a fresh coat of white paint. For a front door, you could go with a stained, warm medium wood tone or look for a bright, navy blue paint. I’d go with brass or gold hardware on the door and porch lights for a fresh, modern twist. If you have space for a couple of planters by the front door, go with white planters/containers to match the trim and fill with red blooms for an extra pop of color.

    Cheers and have fun with color, Max.

  • Turn Your Porch Into an Enticing Retreat – Growing Green with BHGRE

    Comfortable and inviting outdoor space is always highly prized, but demand is soaring as the coronavirus pandemic continues to present challenges across the United States. Even as the temperatures start to dip, people are turning their front porches into enviable outdoor entertaining, relaxing, and dining spaces. A few smart investments of time and money can turn even small outdoor spaces into enticing retreats. Let us reveal nine creative ideas for porch decor that are destined to inspire your next remodel.

    Make Your Door A Destination

    Start by assessing the basics. Could the front door use some paint? The experts tell Martha Stewart Living that any porch transformation should begin with the front door; “if it fits the style of your home, go big with a bright hue to make your porch stand-out,” explains Linda Hayslett, founder of LH.Designs. Hints of color are also a terrific way to increase your curb appeal and make a darker porch more inviting. Southern Living recommends creating a contrast between your exterior walls and the door by “painting your door or the trim around it a color that will pop even from far away.” The same eye-catching color could also be added to the frames of windows that look out onto the porch to complete the picture.  

    Transform the Porch Ceiling

    It has long been a tradition in the south for people to paint their porch ceilings. The distinctively cool “Haint Blue” is a classic paint choice, but for a reason even more intriguing than its delightful green-blue tint. As Southern Living explains: “The tradition of painting your porch ceiling this cool, green-tinted shade of blue can be traced all the way back to the Gullah Geechee communities of coastal South Carolina and Georgia, who used the color on windows, shutters, and porches to keep away “haints” or spirits.” Even without the added ghostly incentive, demand is increasing for unique porch decor ideas that extend upward. Vivid greens, soft yellows, bold geometric designs, and delicate murals are being added as a way to transform even the smallest spaces. For those hoping to keep their remodels green, you are in luck! Companies like Auro Paints, Farrow & Ball, Benjamin Moore, and many others offer durable exterior paints that are vegan or eco-friendly in an array of colors.

    Design a Cozy Seating Plan

    To date, your porch decor may have felt a bit ad hoc. Now is the perfect time to design a cozy new seating plan for your porch that incorporates ideas based on how you have been using the space. Do you have an underused nook? Consider having a custom couch built to fit. You can incorporate locked storage into the base that will allow you to stash toys, cushions, and soft, warm blankets to ward off the chill of the coming season. Deep bench swings filled with pillows continue to be favored by the designers at Southern Living for generous farmhouse porches. As the Magazine advises: “a bench swing hung with rope is the perfect place to sit and swing awhile for adults, kids, or even the family dog.” Meanwhile, long bed swings can anchor an ample space, and “an extra-long porch swing … at 7 feet long, invites stretching out for long afternoon naps.”  

    Don’t hesitate to use traditional indoor furniture as decor for a covered porch. Depending on the space, deep club chairs or generous rocking chairs offset with side tables and lamps arranged around a rug provide a relaxing retreat perfect for reading, knitting, crafting, or conversation. As Southern Living reveals: “a well-layered outdoor space looks lived-in and way more inviting than something that’s stark and bare.”  

    Build an Outdoor Dining Retreat

    Are you searching for ideas about how to decorate a large, wrap-around porch? Consider breaking the space into zones and designating one for outdoor dining. Depending on your home’s style, your porch decor could incorporate everything from rustic, transitional furniture to sleek and modern options. This dining space can become a graceful extension of your interior when you pair the table and chairs with appealing linens and soft lighting. If there is room, try incorporating a furniture piece to act as a sideboard for easy serving. Adding privacy to your new al fresco dining room can be done quickly with the installation of drapery. As the experts at Southern Living advise: “simple table and chairs, plus drapes in a hue somewhere between cornflower and seafoam, create a lovely, soothing outdoor oasis.”  

    Keep it Cool or Spark Some Warmth

    If you live in an area that experiences extended summers or warm weather throughout the year, you may be struggling to keep your porch cool. One easy idea is the addition of a trellis at one end. Ivy, vines, or plants can be woven throughout the trellis to create a sense of calm and bring some much-needed shade. Ceiling fans are also a good idea when updating your porch decor as they can offer cool comfort throughout the year.

    If you live in an area where the temperatures head significantly lower during the fall and winter months, Real Simple loves the idea of investing in a heater. The Magazine explains that they recommend “an electric patio heater to avoid the hassle of propane tanks, but either way, an outdoor heater will make it more comfortable outdoors even after the first frost.” Do you long for a fire pit, but have concerns about fitting everything safely onto your porch? Real Simple adores the idea of purchasing “a small tabletop version [that] is easy to use and provides some added warmth for your guests.” Don’t forget the marshmallows! 

    Upgrade Your Porch Lighting

    Darkness falls earlier in the fall and winter months, so adding new, welcoming lighting is imperative. Start by assessing the steps leading up to your porch. Could they use some illumination? Experts tell Martha Stewart Living that there is an environmentally friendly solution to a dark path or porch stairs; “purchasing solar lights found at your local department store can make a big difference.” Real Simple loves the addition of vintage string lights for “a gorgeous glow,” and the designers at Southern Living agree. They suggest that you “[string] Christmas or bistro lights along the inside of your porch ceiling (so they aren’t visible from the street to give off a keep-my-Christmas-lights-up-all-year-long vibe) or add additional wall or hanging lanterns that match those near your front door.” Hurricane lamps on tables or standing lamps flanking your outdoor couch or chairs are also excellent ideas for shining more light and bringing a cozy feeling to your porch decor.

    Bring Comfort to Your Porch Floor

    Be sure to pay attention to your porch floors. Just as a good rug can pull together an interior room’s decor, a rug in an outdoor space can create a feeling of intimacy and warmth. It’s also an inexpensive and quick way to cover rough slate, brick, or distressed wood flooring. You can choose something neutral as a way of balancing the colors in the rest of your porch decor or select something vibrant for a pop of color against an otherwise neutral palette. For versatility, Real Simple recommends a “reversible rug [that] has a lighter striped side for summer and can simply be flipped for a darker shade come fall.”  

    Add Flowers and Plants to the Porch Decor

    When searching for new ideas for porch decor, don’t skip adding fresh blooms and plants to the mix. As the experts tell Martha Stewart Living, “using potted plants and flowers, like succulents, [are] easy ways to infuse hues into your everyday outdoor decor.” Meanwhile, the pros at Southern Living suggest that you “[add] trees for height or place smaller pots on a bench or table to make them more visible.” Window boxes, hanging ferns, and flowerpots also work well for a subtle infusion of color. If you celebrate Christmas, a mini-fir tree can be a delightful reminder of the season, and the kids will love getting another chance to decorate.

    Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize

    Some simple accessories can take your porch decor to the next level. Do you love the idea of watching movies on the porch? Small video projectors were the hit of the summer and are looking to be one of the favorite porch accessories for the fall and even winter. Real Simple recommends pairing a video projector with a “simple video screen made of a curtain rod and black and white full-sized sheets.” Don’t forget a Bluetooth speaker. Not only will it gently pipe in your favorite tunes as you relax, but it can work with your video projector to give your outdoor movie and TV nights the perfect soundtrack. Cozy throw blankets and large pillows that can be tossed onto the floor for extra seating are also “must-haves” for your porch decor. And a little side cart with the ingredients to your favorite happy hour beverages will be a hit no matter when you decide to celebrate.

  • Ask A Pro Q&A – Painting An Urban Cottage

    Max Wilker, Style Director, Better Homes & Gardens® shares his recommendations for painting an urban cottage.

    Question:

    Except for dark gray and white what other colors would you suggest to paint exterior walls of a small urban cottage home in two colors.?

    – Mahshid​

    Answer:​

    There are many options to paint your small urban cottage. It all depends on how bold you would like to go. Here’s some options:​

    • If you love a classic white house with black window trim, look at painting the front door a bold blue such as Dignity Blue (SW6804) by Sherwin Williams.​
    • If gray tones are too cool for you or your neighborhood is full of gray houses, try a warm tan house color with creamy white trim.​
    • Maybe fall in love with a soft icy blue house color with crisp white trim. Then look at a light/medium stained front door or go bold red for contrast.​
    • Greens are trending for house colors. Get inspired by Sherwin Williams’ Rookwood Jade (SW2812) or Recycled Glass (SW7747) with white trim.​

    Whichever you choose, buy a few paint samples and test them out on your house. Let the paint dry thoroughly, then check them out for the curb appeal that is your liking.​

    Best of luck and happy painting,​

    Max​ Wilker

    ​

  • How to Spruce Up Your Garden Before Selling

    One of the first things your real estate agent will discuss with you when giving you tips for selling your house is the importance of “curb appeal.” While that includes your front door, windows, exterior light fixtures, walkways, fencing, and your front deck or porch, it’s also all about your yard. 

    You may not be able to choose precisely when you put your house on the market. But as soon as you know you want to sell, you should start the outdoor work, preferably at least a month before you list the house and have an open house or book showings.

    Here are a few tips on things you’ll want to tackle to make sure your home has enough curb appeal to get people in to view its interior.

    Rent a Power Washer

    Great for cleaning vinyl or brick siding, gutters, and paved surfaces, a weekend with a power washer is a great way to start the exterior clean up your home will need before you list it. As you clean the walkways, make note of any cracked or broken paving stones, and replace them.

    Don’t forget to use the power washer on any birdbaths, water features, or small ponds you’ve created to wash away stains and lichens that may have started to sprout.

    As you make your way around your home, check your exterior light fixtures and clear out the bugs that have collected in them and replace any burnt out lights.

    Trim Shrubs and Trees

    Now is the time to tackle low-hanging or damaged branches and shrubs that have overgrown the space allotted to them. It won’t just make the place look better, it will invigorate your trees and shrubs and force new growth in the direction you want to encourage it. If you have large trees that are beginning to encroach on power lines, consider hiring an arborist to do this work for you.

    Invest in half a dozen paper yard waste bags and rake up any dead leaves and twigs. Most municipalities have yard waste collections or drop-off depots. Take advantage of them, and get rid of all your yard waste at once.

    Unless you have perennials already planted at the base of your trees, consider investing in some top quality mulch instead of planting annuals later on. Invest in a few extra bags so you can top up the mulch once your house is listed. Cocoa mulch, if you can find it, is the husks of cocoa beans. When it’s fresh and shortly after it rains, you get the bonus of the lovely scent of chocolate spreading throughout your yard.

    Remove Must-Have Perennials

    If you have cherished perennials with a lot of sentimental value (bleeding heart, cherished rose bushes, or lily of the valley from your great-grandmother’s home), it’s better to remove them before showing the house. If you don’t have another place to plant them immediately, just put them in pots and make sure the pots are listed as an exclusion when negotiating a sale. 

    Invest in Annuals and Hanging Pots

    Keeping a house immaculate while it’s listed for sale is enough work without constantly worrying about the exterior as well. This year, no matter what your usual garden plan is, invest in tons of long-blooming annuals and fill up all your garden beds with them. Spread mulch around them and you won’t have to weed.

    Petunias and pansies are particularly nice because they come in so many different colors and bloom all summer long. Chicken and eggs are a good investment too, as they’ll expand to fill the space available to them and grow densely enough so there won’t be any weeds creeping in amongst them.

    Depending on the timing, you can also invest in roll-out flower gardens, seeds embedded in biodegradable material. While germination should only take a week or two, most take five to six weeks for full bloom, so this solution might or might not work, depending on the season and how early you’re starting the garden spruce up before you plan to sell.

    Lush hanging pots of flowers or some attractive tall planters filled with a variety of flowers and decorative grasses are always a nice touch too, and they’ll keep the focus on your entryway.

    It goes without saying that you should ensure any patches of damaged lawn are reseeded as one of the first steps prior to selling. It will take a while for the grass to catch up to the rest of your lawn, but it will make a huge difference. A sad or patchy lawn plants a negative seed in potential buyers’ minds, making them wonder, “If they haven’t taken care of this, what else has been neglected?” 

    Try not to let that thought take hold. Your real estate agent may have other tips for selling your house that relate to the garden and exterior. Listen to them and do as much as you can. It will make a difference in the number and quality of offers you receive and the number of days your house is on the market.

  • Ask A Pro Q&A – How to Properly Mount a Deck

    Looking for the best way to mount your deck? Carson Arthur answers this question about the best way to tackle this DIY.

    Question: Can I bolt two sides of a deck to the house and have the other two sides just sitting on concrete blocks?

    In theory, yes you can. We often mount decks to the house using proper lag bolts and screws. As for the other corners in the yard, you will want to use something more solid than concrete blocks as the weight of the deck will cause them to sink into the soil over time causing your deck to start to lean. Take a look at some proper footings available at any box or construction stores. They work the same way as concrete blocks, but they disperse the weight better so you avoid that sinking feeling.

    -Carson Arthur.

  • Best Outdoor Patio ideas

    Whether you plan to spend the rest of the summer working from your outdoor home office or just want to have a few moments of peace with your morning coffee before beginning your commute, here are some of the best outdoor patio ideas.

    Outdoor living space on a brick patio overlooking a tranquil lake

    Summer Kitchen

    You may want to use your deck or patio as an outdoor summer kitchen. If so, think about things like being set back from the house when planning where to put the grill and how much space to assign to your patio’s food prep area. Don’t forget, everyone wants to hang out in the kitchen at parties. Being able to observe and talk to the chef is a bonus.

    If you don’t barbeque much and prefer drinks and nibbles or potlucks for your outdoor entertaining, think about building a small bar with its back against the exterior wall, facing out. This works well on a small patio or deck where you don’t want your guests milling about.

    If you’d rather focus on eating outdoors while continuing to do your meal prep in your indoor kitchen, create a casual dining area where people feel comfortable lounging both before and after meals. You can serve them more formally after doing all the food prep indoors. Think bench seating and well-cushioned rattan or metal outdoor chairs, rather than traditional wrought iron, which can be very unforgiving. Those wrought iron sets are best saved for tiny bistro tables where you have a quick coffee but don’t plan to linger.

    water coming out from a vase in a garden

    Add a Calming Element

    When you retreat to your patio, you’re looking for a change of scenery and perhaps even a new perspective. Creating an outdoor patio that nourishes you is just as important as using your outdoor space as an entertainment extension to your home. If you want your patio or deck to be a retreat, consider adding a calming element like a Zen or herb garden or a simple but elegant waterfall.

    Zen gardens come in all sizes and shapes, from smaller than a placemat to large outdoor constructions. All you need is a rectangular wooden box or tray, a small wooden rake, some sand, some shells, rocks, or twigs, and, if you want to get fancy, a succulent or two. Bonus points if you can use some of that sand you brought home from your last Caribbean vacation. As you trace patterns in the sand you can pretend that you’re back there, even though you haven’t left the patio.

    Waterfalls can be as simple as two bowls cunningly arranged so one overflows into the other. The sound of trickling water is one of the most soothing there is, right up there with a soothing breeze that rustles the tree leaves. Don’t invest in anything too complicated or anything that’s likely to require a lot of maintenance. Keep it simple and clean, and make sure your water feature has an off switch for guests who may not appreciate it.

    Fragrant lavender, rosemary, and mint are three of the best herbs to grow on a patio or deck in containers. Lavender and rosemary provide a tall, spikey visual element, while mint just cascades lushly as it spreads. Make sure you’ve got the right exposure for the herbs you choose—not all, like mint, want full sun.

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  • Should I Fix or Sell? Seven Benefits of Selling a House As-Is

    When you’ve decided to move on — whether you’re upsizing or downsizing, accepting a fantastic job offer in another city, or fleeing to (or from) the suburbs — think long and hard about what you really need to do to get your house market-ready. You may be tempted to go into renovation mode, but you might be better off selling your house as-is.

    Anything that impacts the home’s operation needs to be fixed before you list, including a leaky roof, a broken furnace, plumbing and the electrical system. These are all things sellers are legally obliged to disclose. If not, a home inspector will identify them to a potential buyer, possibly leading to an offer being withdrawn.

    Here are some things to consider when selling your house.

    1. Renovation ROI may not be there

    Most home renovations don’t pay off instantly. Complete bathroom and kitchen renovations add the most value but also cause the most disruption and can be very expensive. If these rooms haven’t already been renovated, don’t start now. Focus on making sure the existing selling features of the home are in great shape.

     

     

    2. Living in a renovation zone is stressful

    If an owner is fortunate enough to own a larger home with multiple bathrooms and a spare room or two, renovating may not be quite as challenging as it is for those in smaller spaces. But unless personally doing all the work yourself (and sometimes even then), you’re at the mercy of your suppliers’ timelines. You have to live there while renovating even though you’re not going to be the one to benefit. Before you sink $20,000 into a last-minute kitchen transformation, consider just painting or replacing cupboard door fronts and adding new hardware.

  • Ask a Pro Q&A – When It Rains, It Pours: Exploring title coverage for runoff

    When a challenge arises, insurance should be there to help. Learn the ins and outs of title insurance to deal with water runoff from outdoor pro Carson Arthur.

    Question: A house was built on the property behind me. The land had been raised so that the ground around the house is now higher than mine. Whenever it rains, the water from the property behind me washes into my yard and causes a river each time. Does title insurance cover this?

    Unfortunately, it does not. Title insurance only covers liens on a property from debtors to the former owners. The easiest solution is to create a raised planter along the shared property line. By raising the soil, the water should stop running into your yard!

    -Carson Arthur

  • Ask a Pro Q&A – Plant a Stunning Yard: Explore options to halt soil erosion

    Soil erosion increases work for homeowners. Good ground cover helps your yard thrive.  Outdoor pro Carson Arthur shares how to preserve the integrity of your soil, in and out of shade.

    Question: What can I do with a hill that has a tree but zero grass? It’s too expensive to cut the tree, and the dirt is eroding.

    It sounds like you need to get a good ground cover in place that will survive living under a tree AND hold soil in place. I would check out a sweet woodruff or a periwinkle. Both thrive in dry shade and solve erosion with their roots.

    -Carson Arthur