3 Simple Ways To Transform Your Conservatory

Conservatories can be functional and beautiful rooms that bring some much needed brightness into a home, however often they are neglected as people believe they are too warm in the summer and too cold in the winter. Luckily, there are a few simple things you can do to transform your conservatory to make it functional all year round and also to make it look beautiful!

Custom Blinds

One brilliant way to transform your conservatory is to have custom blinds fitted. Blinds companies will make made-to-measure blinds that will fit all of the windows, doors and roof panels perfectly. Many companies will have special fabrics that are designed for use in conservatories, which will keep the room warm during the winter and help it to stay cool in the summer. 

During the summer, it can be difficult to control the light streams coming through, which can make things difficult if you are trying to use a laptop or TV screen. It can also get unbearably warm, so special fabrics designed for conservatory blinds will help to control the temperature  and light effectively. 

Also, blinds will help to prevent heat loss in the winter, making the space much more comforting. With blinds, you will also have much more privacy, so you might feel more comfortable using the space during the evenings. Custom blinds can completely transform the space, so that will help you to use it throughout the entire year. 

Light Soft Furnishings

Conservatories can feel quite cold during the winter and also summer evenings, so light colored soft furnishings will help to warm up the space, whilst also making it look beautiful during the summer months. 

Start with a large neutral colored rug and cushions in a similar tone, but a contrasting material, to add texture to the room. Warm woods work beautifully in a conservatory and will make the natural light look even more beautiful. Warm oak coffee tables and rattan plant pots will bring some color to the room whilst in keeping with the neutral color palette. 

Finally, have a chunky knit throw on the sofa. This can be put away over the summer if you’d like, but it will make the room feel so much cozier. Along with the heat sensitive blinds, with the chunky knit throw you will feel so comfortable in the space all year round. 

Introduce House Plants

House plants will transform your conservatory, bringing life and fresh air to the room. They will enhance the appearance of the space and even have the potential to boost moods and make you feel great. However, you will need to get quite specific houseplants to ensure they can thrive in the difficult conditions. 

Succulents and cacti are very low maintenance plants that will survive well all year round in the conservatory, so that is the safest option. Only water when the soil is completely dry, which will take much longer in the winter months. 

Final Thoughts

Conservatories should be utilized as they add so much to a property. These few small changes could make the room so much more homely, relaxing and comfortable all year round. Put your own personal twists on this space and enjoy!

4 DIY Backyard Projects to Tackle This Summer

Spring is the perfect time to get your backyard ready and looking great for all of your upcoming summer activities. If you love DIY projects, there are lots of fun and cheap ways to upgrade your backyard to make it a place you’ll want to spend every afternoon. Here are four DIY projects you should tackle to make your backyard the envy of all your neighbors. 

Walkways

Backyard walkways are an easy way to upgrade the look of your backyard while keeping your flowerbeds, garden, and shrubbery safe from wandering feet. Installing a walkway in your backyard is an easy weekend project, and can be done for cheap depending on the type of material you decide to use:

• Concrete. Concrete pavers are an easy and cheap material to use to build out a custom walkway. You can either buy pre-molded pavers or pour the concrete yourself. If you have a large backyard, pouring the concrete yourself may actually be cheaper and can be done easily with just a few tools. You may need to rent some larger tools from your local construction company, but often that is still cheaper than hiring a whole crew. Make sure to have extra concrete sand to use as a base underneath the pavers and to fill in the joints.

• Flagstone. The rough and asymmetrical edges of flagstone make it a popular option for outdoor designers looking to build a path that looks modern but also blends into the natural landscape. Make sure to get flagstone pieces that are at least 3/4 inch thick so they don’t crack under the weight of people walking. 

• Gravel. If you want a more informal feel to your backyard walkway, gravel is an inexpensive material to use. You can buy it in bulk and use larger stones as edging to keep the gravel from spreading into your garden or grass. 

• Mulch. Mulch is one of the cheapest materials to use for your walkway. Since it’s lighter than stone, it will be easier to haul and spread across your backyard. Keep in mind that mulch is an organic material and will decompose over time. You’ll have to replace the mulch every few years to keep it looking good and draining well. 

Gardens

Planting and taking care of your own garden can be one of the most rewarding hobbies out there. It’s great exercise, you learn a lot, and you get to harvest deciduous crops at the end of the season. You don’t have to be an expert gardener right from the beginning; you just have to have a few basic tools, some seeds, and a lot of patience.  If you need extra storage you can research sheds for sale near me.

Before you can plant your first garden seeds, you have to properly set up your backyard garden so it’s the right environment for your crops to grow. You’ll want to keep in mind: 

• The size of your garden

• The type of plants and crops you want to grow

• Its orientation to the sun and how much shade it will get

• How exposed to the wind the location is

• Irrigation needs

• The slope of your backyard

• The preferred soil of your crops

Patio

Backyard patios are the perfect place to hang out with friends, spend time with family, and take an afternoon snooze. Building one from scratch is a big DIY project but will be more than worth it by the time summer rolls around. 

If you’re building a patio from the ground up, you will need to buy gravel, sand, and your preferred patio building material. Most patios use bricks, flagstones, or pavers for the base. If you don’t want to set each individual stone and don’t mind a more industrial feel to your patio, you can also pour a concrete slab. The actual process is relatively simple:

1. Outline your patio and remove the sod. The final area should be around five inches deep plus the thickness of the flagstone, brick, or paver you’re going to be setting. 

2. Add landscaping fabric to the patio ground. This prevents weeds from sprouting in between the stones. 

3. Add gravel and sand to the patio area. This layer should be around four inches deep. Make sure to tamper it down to create a firm and smooth base surface.

4. Place your stones. You can get creative with this step and make your own stone design like a jigsaw puzzle. If you’re using pavers or bricks, get creative with your placement: herringbone, pinwheel, or running bond are popular placement designs that can make your patio look professionally placed. 

5. Top with sand. After everything has been placed, use a broom to sweep patio sand into every crack. Spray with water to make sure everything is settled in.

BYOBF (Build Your Own Bird Feeder)

Bird watching is a fun and relaxing way to spend your free time. If you want the birds to come to you instead of having to hike into the mountains to scout them out, bird feeders are an easy way to attract local wildlife from the comfort of your own backyard. 

There are lots of pre-made bird feeders out there you can buy, but if you want to make this a DIY project, you can build one at home. This is a project you can really get creative with and even let your children help. Attracting birds to your backyard can also be a great learning opportunity for your children—buy a birdwatching book and make it a game for your kids to identify as many birds as possible.

4 Types of Flooring That Will Make Your Living Room Stand Out

Whether you bought a new house or you just constructed one, it’s likely that you’ll want to make the living room floor appear beautiful. The living room is the first point of contact for your visitors and determines how people perceive your home.

However, most homeowners often find it challenging to choose the best flooring types because there are a variety of options today. Below are types of flooring options that will make your living room look more appealing.

Hardwood Floors

Hardwood flooring is a popular floor type made from different types of wood such as oak, bamboo, maple, and cherry. It is a classic flooring type preferred by most homeowners and can make your home appear elegant and luxurious.

Hardwood floors appear smooth, polished, and can be customized to match your specifications. They appear in light, medium, and dark forms and come in a wide range of decors ranging from Asian to Mediterranean, and can have traditional and modern designs. Hardwood can make your home more beautiful with a natural and classic charm. It is easy to maintain and adds value to your home.

Engineered Flooring

Similar to hardwood floors, engineered flooring is made to match the appearance of natural timber. However, this kind of flooring has a considerably lower price tag compared to other materials. Engineered floors are often considered to be a wise investment due to their durability and long lifespan. If you plan on staying in our current home for a long time, engineered flooring may be an excellent option.

Ceramic Tile

If you are looking for water and stain-resistant floors, then ceramic tiles will be an ideal option for you. They do not retain dust compared to other flooring types. You do not need to polish ceramic tiles to maintain an appealing finish because they appear shiny if your clean them daily.

They are easy to clean and a great flooring option for people with allergies. Another significant benefit is that they are slip-resistant, making them suitable for homes with children or people with disabilities.

Concrete Flooring

Using concrete floor types makes your floor durable compared to other floor types. They do not need high maintenance, and you only need to seal them once per year.

Concrete floors come in different colors and textures and make your floor appear smooth. You can then top up the floor with rugs and cozy carpets to make it versatile with unique designs. They are also environmentally friendly and come with comfort.

Travertine

Travertine flooring has a marble-like texture floor type with a unique composition. It is attractive with natural colors such as gold, brown, tan, and beige and a stylish organic presence. Travertine comes in the form of tiles and is made from durable stone. The materials used for this flooring are heavy and require a regular sealing of the surface.

When choosing a flooring option for your living room, you need to consider multiple factors to enable you to make informed decisions. It will also depend on your budget and personal preferences.

Affordable Alternatives That Maintain the Attractive Style of Hardwood Flooring

Many people wish to have a hardwood floor in their homes, but installing it can be bank-breaking. Fortunately, there are several alternatives that believably resemble hardwood flooring and can help you save some cash. Also, many of these alternatives are waterproof and more durable than hardwood floors. Here are affordable alternatives that maintain the attractive style of hardwood flooring.

Wood-Look Tile Flooring

Wood-look tiles are an excellent flooring option if you are looking for something waterproof. They have gained popularity over the years, and they come in different textures, shades, and styles, so you can definitely find something that works for your budget and decor. These tiles are a great option for entryways, bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and mudroom flooring. They are prevalent in warm climate regions since they keep the house cool. If you already have a concrete subfloor, it will be easy to install the wood look tiles.

Vinyl Plank Flooring

Vinyl plank flooring often looks and feels like traditional hardwood. Vinyl is very versatile and waterproof, which makes it an excellent choice for kitchens, powder rooms, and basement flooring. It’s also easy to maintain, which makes it great for busy individuals or those with small children. Installing vinyl plank floors is easy, and you can often do it yourself.

Laminate Flooring

If you are looking for cheap flooring that looks like hardwood, laminate flooring is a good choice. Installing this floor is relatively easy since the pieces are made to click into place with those around them. You can also easily install it on top of concrete or tiles. It is important to note that laminate flooring absorbs moisture, which could cause problems. The prices also range depending on the quality.

Bamboo Flooring

This is another alternative for hardwood flooring. It is much cheaper, and it is glued and engineered together, making it more versatile. This flooring is less durable than some others. It may scratch more easily compared to synthetic flooring, and like other types of wood, it can be damaged by water. However, as long as spills are cleaned up within a reasonable amount of time, they shouldn’t have any impact on the bamboo flooring.

Cork Flooring

Cork flooring is another great choice since it has insulation and absorption properties. Cork is eco-friendly, and many people choose it because of that aspect. Installing cork flooring is easy since it is a floating floor that does not need additional nails or adhesive.

In case hardwood floors are too expensive for you, consider some of these types of flooring, which are cheaper than traditional hardwood. Every type of flooring has advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to weigh which one best suits your needs.