• how to start a community garden
    HOME & GARDEN

    A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Start a Community Garden

    The number of garden plots in a community has nearly doubled since 2012. It shows how much people enjoy coming together to create a garden. In fact, there’s a lot of value when it comes to starting a community garden. People can learn from one another when it comes to planting seeds, harvesting, and everything in between.  A community garden can also promote one’s health. Adults and children can learn the value of growing vegetables and understand how it benefits their health. It can also build a sense of community.  While all of these sound great for your community, you might…

  • One home trend that isn't going away is the flow between indoor and outdoor living. Creating a space to relax and entertain out in the open air is the best way to add value to your home, both for resale pricing and your own enjoyment. With just a few changes, you can make your boring outdoor area feel like a personal oasis. You don't need to do a huge home makeover or total renovation to achieve this look. Here are ten ways your patio space can exceed expectations. 1. Fire Pit A firepit is one of the best investments you can make to transform your outdoor space into a place where everyone wants to gather. This easy addition to the patio will allow you to get so much more use from the outdoors. You'll want to toast marshmallows over the fire during summer evenings and cuddle up and get warm in the fall. A fire pit will extend the life of your patio by allowing you to extend the time you spend outside. 2. Outdoor Lighting The importance of lighting is often overlooked when thinking about an outdoor space. Truth is, you shouldn't just add a few bulbs or lanterns in the ground and call it a day. Rather, you should think through a complete lighting design to finish the space. Make sure you're lighting your area sufficiently so you can see across the patio. Be sure to especially light areas where you would gather, like seating and dining spaces. Consider using string lights, lanterns, and solar lamps to light up your patio. 3. Privacy Screen If you want to give your outdoor space a feeling like you're in a personal oasis, then a privacy screen is a must. Privacy screens are ideal for urban life where your neighbor's yard may be close to yours, but they'll fit well into a suburban backyard as well. These outdoor screens will help give your space a feeling of seclusion, which will be great if you're entertaining friends or want to relax outside on your own. It can go a long way to transform your space into your private paradise. 4. Area Rug Perhaps not your first thought for your outdoor area, but an area rug is a great addition nonetheless. An area rug can add an element of coziness to your outdoor space, making it feel warm and relaxing. It can also add a pop of color and pattern to your outdoor design. Choose an all-weather rug and made for patios so that it stands up to the outdoor elements. And try to stay away from a rug with a thick pile height. 5. Outdoor Fans When the weather is hot and muggy, the last thing most people want to do is spend time outside. But the heat of the summer is the best time to enjoy your patio. So what is the solution? An outdoor ceiling fan, of course. If you have a covered patio area, outdoor fans will help circulate air and cool the space down. Add this to your patio, and you can enjoy hanging out outside even on the hottest of days.  6. Pillows and Blankets Want to make your outdoor area feel cozy in one step? Add pillows and blanket. This simple action can transform your space into a warm and inviting area to spend your time. No matter what patio furniture you're on, sinking back into pillows gives an instant feeling of comfort. And blankets are ideal no matter what season; chilly summer evenings or fall nights when the cold starts to set in. 7. Conversation Area It doesn't matter what your entertainer level is; a conversation area in your backyard is a must. You may like hosting huge parties or just having a few family and friends over, but either way, you'll need a place for them to sit. Create a conversation area by arranging patio couches, loveseats, and armchairs in a circular configuration. This allows everyone to see each other and be involved in the conversation. You can also accent the conversation area with poufs and floor pillows. 8. Pergola Patio A pergola is a great addition to your patio as it can give definition to a seating or dining area. The wooden slats allow for some sunlight to shine through, so you'll be able to feel the warmth but not get overheated. It's a great update that will help give the effect of a permanent room without having to build an addition. You can add climbing plants or curtains to decorate and add personality. 9. Day Bed Love the idea of falling asleep under the wide-open sky but don't have a comfortable place to do so? That's where a day bed will come in handy. Add an outdoor daybed to your backyard space so you can lay back and relax, watching the sky pass overhead. Choose lightweight and breathable materials so you can lay in the sun without overheating. Add soft pillows and thin blankets for comfort. Sheer curtains overhead and around the side can keep out both the sun and bugs. 10. Dining Space Who doesn't love the idea of dining al fresco? Bring the refreshing feeling of dining out in the open air to your home by creating a dedicated dining space in your backyard. You can set out a table either on a concrete patio or out in the grass. A large table that can seat eight to twelve people is great for entertainers. But if you're just looking to host a few family or friends, a table of six will do just as well. Finish the dining space with its own lighting and a stunning tablescape. An Outdoor Space That Will Exceed Expectations Whether you're an evening relaxer or an outdoor entertainer, having an outdoor space that will exceed expectations is a must for any homeowner. It doesn't have to take a huge renovation or remodel of your deck and patio to achieve this backyard oasis. A few small changes can make your patio feel like an extension of your living space. You can get cozy with the family or sit and chat with friends, all while enjoying the open air. With these tips, it's easy to create an outdoor space you'll never want to leave. Feeling inspired to transform your space? Share this with a friend you'd like to relax with in an outdoor oasis. Then, check out more home and lifestyle articles.
    HOME & GARDEN

    10 Ways to Exceed Expectations When You Update an Outdoor Space

    One home trend that isn’t going away is the flow between indoor and outdoor living. Creating a space to relax and entertain out in the open air is the best way to add value to your home, both for resale pricing and your own enjoyment. With just a few changes, you can make your boring outdoor area feel like a personal oasis. You don’t need to do a huge home makeover or total renovation to achieve this look. Here are ten ways your patio space can exceed expectations. 1. Fire Pit A firepit is one of the best investments you…

  • boost your interior design style
    HOME & GARDEN

    10 Aesthetics You Can Try to Boost Your Interior Design Style

    Is your home’s style a welcoming oasis or a confusing mismatch of hand-me-downs? We often neglect style in a rush to furnish our homes quickly cheaply, but this means many of us are unhappy with the look and feel of our home. It can help to take some time to develop your own interior design style. This helps you tie your home together to create a stylish and welcoming place for relaxing and entertaining. You can try out something classic, with minimal design, or you can even go as far as embracing the grunge aesthetic in your home. Whichever way…

  • kitchen safety
    HOME & GARDEN

    Top 8 Kitchen Safety Dos and Don’ts

    There’s a lot more to being a good cook than simply following online recipes. Of course, you’ll also pick up tips and tricks along the way that improve your skills. However, it doesn’t matter how delicious the food you prepare is if you can’t do it safely. When you’re cooking or baking, kitchen safety should be your top priority. Otherwise, you could suffer from a myriad of injuries. Furthermore, poor kitchen safety standards could also lead to members of your family (or anyone else who eats your food) getting sick. We don’t want to see that happen. Keep reading for…