Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

Tag: outdoor decor

  • Hanging String Lights for Outdoors

    One of the best ways to dress up a patio, porch, or backyard is to add the perfect display of string lights for outdoors. It’s a simple and reasonably inexpensive way to bring much-needed illumination to your space and an instant boost of charm. There’s just something about the warm glow of the lights that elevates the ambiance of any area, whether the goal is to create a private spot for entertaining friends, relaxing with family, or adding a hint of romance for date-night drinks. To help you begin the transformation, we reveal some of our favorite ways to create a magical oasis by hanging outdoor string lights. 

    Before You Begin Hanging String Lights for Outdoors

    Before you make any purchases, take a moment to assess your goals for your balcony, yard, or patio. Do you want the lights to highlight an entertaining space? You’ll need to plan your anchor points and determine how far apart each bulb should be to illuminate a long dining table properly. Whereas a small conversation pit or cozy outdoor relaxation nook will have different needs – perhaps something softer with a more intimate glow. Whatever your goals, deciding your priorities before you shop or start to hang the lights is the key to saving money and time.                                                                             

    Choose the Right Style of String Lights

    Today, there are so many different styles of string lights for outdoors. You can choose ones that fit your home’s architectural style or select ones that mirror your personality. If you love vintage-inspired bulbs, you’ll find dozens to choose from, including the Edison, which is among the most popular options for outdoor entertaining. Do you have access to an outdoor outlet? If not, you’ll want to focus on battery-operated lights or solar-powered options. Expert Jeff Manning advises Martha Stewart Living that people opt for “LED lights or light ropes that are resistant to the elements—and that can change colors for occasions.” High-quality lights will stand up to surprise snow, wind, and rain. They can also handle the scorching temperatures that arrive early and stay late into the year in the south and the desert southwest. 

    Find Your Anchor Points

    The easiest approach to hanging outdoor string lights is to use at least one, if not more, existing anchor points. This might be your porch columns, the side of your house, trees, a pergola, or a sturdy privacy fence. The Spruce recommends using existing anchors when possible because “not only does this eliminate the job of making posts, but existing anchor points tend to be solid, permanent, and better integrated into your yard’s footprint.” 

    If you have your heart set on enlivening your space with string lights but don’t have multiple existing anchor points, you do have the option of putting in freestanding posts. The Spruce explains: “Setting an 8- or 10-foot two-by-two in a concrete-filled broad-base container produces an anchor post sufficient to hold one end of a 25-foot run of overhead lights. This can be paired with another anchor post or with a solid existing anchor point.”  

    Support the Cords

    Try to avoid hanging your string lights by the cords alone. This can considerably strain the cords, which invites damage, particularly when weather rolls in. Instead, The Spruce recommends using “wire rope and eye bolts to support the cords.” There are also several brands of string lights for outdoor use that include loops as part of the bulb housing, making it easy to screw the bulb directly into an anchor point or run a support wire through it. 

    A Word of Caution

    Always choose safety first. Even when your string lights are certified for outdoor use, the experts warn Martha Stewart Living to never hang them “over recreational water spots, like swimming pools or hot tubs.” Should the lights accidentally fall into the pool, it could pose a potentially serious hazard.  

    Select Your String Light Formation

    You want to make the most out of your bulbs, so choosing the best formation for your space is critical. Southern Living loves using a zigzag design when working with a large backyard or garden. Why? “[This] look covers more ground than a standard linear style. Just know that if you don’t have a fence framing your yard, you’ll need to install multiple anchor points.” For larger yards, Southern Living also applauds the idea of elevating the ambiance by focusing on perimeter lights; “perimeter lighting (coupled with distinctive flooring) can help establish a separate space for dining,” although you will likely need additional table lights for evening meals. 

    Simple crisscross formations are among the most affordable options as they are perfect for illuminating dining tables or square spaces with the fewest number of lights. However, if you have a fence or pergola that can anchor them, creating a waterfall effect with a cascade of string lights will yield a tremendous amount of light as a backdrop to your outdoor entertaining space, and it will dazzle your guests.

    Is your conversation or dining space already beautifully framed by a garden or trees? Rather than loosely draping outdoor string lights, consider wrapping them around the trees instead. The Spruce adores the idea of creating bejeweled trees set aglow by twinkling lights. Light wrapping works on most trees, even palms, as “trunks wrapped with white or red lights show off their vertical, upright forms, drawing the eye upward toward the night sky.” Wrap from the bottom upward and ensure even spacing. Use a ladder to continue the twinkling lights up and over odd-shaped branches and limbs to put the perfect finish on this strikingly magical vision.

  • Hedge and Shrubbery Ideas for Private Backyard Spaces

    Some people call hedges “living fences,” because both fences and hedges serve as privacy barriers. Hedges are certainly nicer to look at, and are quite easy to care for most of the time. Along with shrubs, they can provide the finishing touches on your backyard landscaping. The greenery is much more elegant than a fence, and it creates a more intimate space to enjoy with family and friends.

    You can plant hedges to mark your property lines and line your driveway. Along with shrubs, they can highlight parts of your grounds, like a garden or patio. There are more benefits to hedges and shrubs, too. They can create sound barriers, wind barriers and reduce the amount of snow that comes onto your property.

    Choosing the Right Trees for Hedges

    Hedge trees can be divided into two main categories. Evergreens keep their color throughout the year, and they are excellent for providing privacy, as well as noise and snow reduction. Deciduous trees change colors and may have flowers, but they lose their leaves in the cold weather. Your choices will depend on the type of climate you live in.

    If you want your hedge to be tall, the Green Giant Arborvitae and American Arborvitae can both soar up to 60 feet high. The Green Giant can grow about 3 feet a year, while the American’s height increases more slowly. Both are hardy and easy to grow. The Nigra Arborvitae is not as tall, topping off at around 30 feet; the Emerald Arborvitate is the smallest of these two evergreen shrub hedges, at about 15 feet. Other evergreen trees that grow into nice, thick hedges include holly and boxwood.

    Using Shrubs as Hedges

    You can plant a row of shrubs in front of your evergreen trees for added interest, but shrubs can grow into hedges without the backdrop. There are many different varieties of hedge shrubs, and some produce lovely flowers that attract birds and butterflies. One of the most familiar is the Rose of Sharon, which flows beautifully when thriving. Another is the Golden Ticket Privet, which sports bright yellow leaves and white flowers.

    North Privet is another fast-growing shrub. The Scarlet Firethorn has a split personality; it grows as an evergreen in warm climates, but as a deciduous shrub in colder ones. It has thorny branches, white flowers and orange berries. It can also grow up to 18 feet tall.

    Planting Hedges and Shrubs

    Using a measuring tape and stakes, mark out the planting area, taking care to avoid utility lines. You can plant the trees or shrubs in a straight line, on a curve or however else you like. Know in advance how tall and wide your selected plants normally grow, and space out the potted shrubs accordingly.

    If you plan for two rows, your hedge will be much thicker and more private. Dig out the holes, and lower in the shrubs. Water them well, and add some mulch. Faster growers will fill in more quickly.

    Hedges and shrubs do not require a lot of maintenance, but you should be on the lookout for disease and pest infestations. You can keep them in shape with occasional pruning to remove dead growth. Many homeowners shear their hedges to give them formal appearances, while others prefer a more casual look. You can fertilize shrubs occasionally, but too much of this will increase growth and the need for trimming perhaps more than you anticipated.

    Shrub Design Ideas

    Shrubs can grow into living fences, but they can also add character and beauty to your yard. If you have a larger yard, you can create focus areas with seating and flowers. Highlight this with a few well-placed shrubs along the borders. Shrubs can also serve as backdrops for other focal points, like sheds and light posts, and they can highlight flowers and rock arrangements.

    Not all shrubs are large, so you can place smaller ones along paths to outline them. If you like flowering varieties, pick a few colors that complement one another. These can also be coordinated with your hedges. Alternatively, you can plant larger green shrubs behind smaller, flowering ones for depth and contrast.

    Many varieties of trees and shrubs change color throughout the year, and this should be kept in mind when planting. Imagine fiery orange and red leaves or white and purple flowers next to a dark green evergreen. With some dedicated thought and planning, you can design a backyard oasis that is private, relaxing and worth staying home for.

  • Holiday Outdoor Décor Ideas for a Beautiful and Cozy Winter

    Spruce up your outdoor space to bring the merriment of the holidays to your home.

    There are plenty of décor ideas you can adapt to turn the exterior of your house into a festive destination. Even if you live where it snows and don’t spend much time on a porch or patio, decking the outside of your halls is fun and satisfying.

    Create a warm welcome for friends’ arrival and a beautiful scene to admire from the cozy indoors with these ideas for holiday outdoor décor.

    Hang a simple wreath

    Hanging just one wreath on your front door creates a beautifully minimalistic look. Depending on your wreath’s adornments, you can pull off a chic aesthetic or something gorgeously traditional.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Go all out with double wreaths

    Have double doors? Hang two wreaths for twice the joy. Magnolia wreaths look stunning in a pair.