5 Ways to Create an Inviting Backyard Getaway

You have a backyard you’ve been meaning to turn into something you actually want to spend time at for a while now. Some people are worried their outside area is too small, while others see it as an expensive project. The truth is that you can do a lot with creativity, simplified ideas, and resolve to create an inviting backyard getaway. Here are some tips to get you started and some to make your outdoor space complete.   

1. Gift yourself with an outdoor living area

It's popular to move your interior living room outside when the nice weather arrives. You can use any available space to do this — the patio, back porch, or a clearing in the yard. The first thing you want to invest in is good flooring that will keep the area mud-free and distinguishable, like stone tiles. 

A seating area should be comfortable and luxurious which you can do with some wooden crates and giant cushions. Bamboo furniture is also a good choice for those who are eco-savvy and want something long-lasting. A small coffee table with candle lanterns on it and string lights above will set an ideal mood to get away from the world.  

2. Go for a fire pit

Having a fireplace in your backyard does sound inviting, but it can be expensive to maintain and fit into the landscape. However, you can still have a warming feature in your sitting area if you add a fire pit. These are so popular that you can have them in any style you like — made from a couple of stones in the circle to a hearth with a glass dome. 

If you have children, a fire pit will be a great addition since you can gather around and roast hot dogs and marshmallows. Not to mention that it's a nice decoration for parties and a perfect way to warm up during colder nights.  

3. Create a comfortable shade

Go for a pergola with retractable aluminium louvres so you can alternate between a sunlit and shaded area whenever you wish to. This way, you can watch the stars in the evening in your backyard and enjoy a glass of lemonade in the afternoon when the sun is high. 

Hang transparent curtains for walls on your pergola to keep the insects away and create a semblance of privacy. Potted leafy plants and flower vines will make the area more serene and perfect to de-stress after a busy day. Solar lamps will provide just enough light for a romantic diner, chatting with friends, or having some “Me Time” to unwind.

4. Plant a garden

Nature brings tranquility and makes you think you are somewhere else entirely other than in a city with busy traffic and noise. Trees and shrubbery will buffer the sounds coming from the streets, giving you a peaceful place to relax and spend time with your family. However, having a garden is also a wonderful landscaping feature and can even become a hobby that encourages you to spend more time outdoors.

If you have a modest space to grow your plants — don’t worry. Vertical gardening is used even in bigger backyards to free up space and make room for other features. Vines and crawlers are magnificent for warning out façade, columns, and fences, while you can turn anything into pots, like tree stumps and old ceramics. Flowers and herbs will spread fragrances all over your property, making it a more pleasant and inviting backyard getaway. 

5. Build a summer kitchen

Summer kitchens usually serve to take the heat and smells of cooking outside or for entertaining guests, but they can be much more. Having a meal in your backyard under the canopy will make you forget the urge to dine in a restaurant. Building an oven and a barbecue spot is a fun DIY project that may save you money to install a bar area that will bring this summer kitchen to the next level.

Alternatively, you can add a large rustic table with benches to fit a large party if you want to entertain friends and family over a nice meal. A simple construction of beams and roofs or a more elaborate one with walls will allow you to use this outdoor kitchen even before and after summer.    

All in all

Inviting a backyard getaway can bring a lot of pluses to your property, like curb appeal and attractive landscaping. But, it's more important what it means to you. So, forget how small or disheveled your backyard area is and start planning how to turn it into a lavish oasis you will love. 

Guest Post - 10 Home Renovation Mistakes New Homeowners Make

Getting to renovate your home can be an exhilarating experience. You’re about to change the look of the home you’re living in, and you should be excited for that! Although it is fun, there are certain things you should look out for. New homeowners make a lot of mistakes when they’re renovating their home for the first time, and that is completely normal. We’re here to tell you how to avoid them. Here are 10 home renovation mistakes new homeowners tend to make so you could look out and try to avoid making them.

Overspending

You should always be mindful when it comes to your finances. Most new homeowners tend to overspend their first-time renovation, and that’s something you should try to avoid at all costs. Set a clear budget and try not to go over it. Your wallet is going to be thankful to you in the future. It can be really easy to overspend when you’re renovating, so be careful.

Not having a clear plan

It’s really important that you write out a plan for yourself before you start renovating. It will help you to navigate through the whole process without being lost. You should clearly map out what you’re trying to accomplish with your renovations. Most new homeowners tend to disregard this matter, but they soon realize that they shouldn’t have.

Trying to be as cheap as possible

This is in contrast to the first mistake we were talking about. While some people tend to overspend, some people tend to save a bit too much and buy the cheapest materials that they’re going to use for their renovation. This is not recommended at all, since getting the cheapest materials is going to result in a poorly completed renovation.

Not consulting

It is totally okay if you’re trying to do the renovations by yourself if you can, but it’s not okay if you don’t consult with anyone beforehand. Especially, if you’re not experienced enough, you’re going to want to consult with someone to check what you’re clearly supposed to do.

Not measuring twice

This is an extremely important tip to follow, as you would be surprised at how often people forget to do this. Make sure that you measure the space which is going to be used for an object twice.  That way you’re going to be sure that everything is going to fit properly.

Expecting a smooth experience

You should keep in mind, especially if it’s your first-time renovating, that things aren’t always going to go as smooth as possible. You’re going to encounter yourself with a lot of bumps during the whole process, and you should expect that. Being prepared for that is going to save you from a lot of stress once you start renovating.

Not hiring a professional when needed

Sometimes you just can’t do everything by yourself. For example, if you’re trying to build or construct something for your renovation and you’re not experienced in those fields, it’s going to be difficult. You should consider hiring Vati Projects to help you out with everything construction related. 

Not taking it slow

This is a mistake that’s made way too often by the new homeowners. When you’re renovating, especially by yourself, you’re supposed to take things as slowly as possible. Rushing will get you nowhere. You’re just going to end up with a renovation that you’re not going to be satisfied with at all at the end of the day, and that’s something nobody wants.

Deciding to renovate on an impulse

This might seem like a counterproductive tip, but it most certainly is not. If you’ve just moved into your new house, maybe you shouldn’t start renovating it right out of the gates. Live there for a couple of weeks or months, and then make a proper decision. You might be saving yourself a lot of money.

Disregarding the exterior of the house

Some new homeowners when are renovating, tend to disregard the exterior of their house. Even though it’s true that remodeling the interior is generally more important, it’s not advised that you totally skip over the exterior of your house. You should check if everything is looking good for starters. Even though the exterior might be mostly aesthetical, there are a lot of things that could go wrong which would impact the interior of your house as well.

In conclusion, making mistakes as a new homeowner when renovating is expected. The goal is to try to make the least amount of them. By doing that, every next time you’re going to renovate, you’re going to make less and less mistakes. You shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help, nor should you be ashamed. A renovation process can be very difficult and tedious, and asking for professional help is usually recommended.

Author Bio:

Gabriel Hill is an Australian blogger and writer interested in various topics from home improvement to health and environment. 

4 Home Amenities to Upgrade During Your Remodel

When you're remodeling your home, you'll have to pick and choose what parts of it you want to upgrade and what parts you'll leave as they are. Although every home is different, there are a few upgrades that most houses due to be remodeled will benefit from. Here are four essential amenities you should consider upgrading during your next round of home improvements.

Kitchen Cabinets and Countertops

Few rooms in a house are as important as the kitchen. If you want to make your entire home feel more modern and elegant, consider upgrading the cabinets and the countertops in your kitchen. Old, outdated cabinets will make the entire space feel outdated, while a newer and more ornate set will lend a vibrant feel. Switching from composite counters to granite or quartz is also a great idea, since it will make your counters both more durable and more visually appealing.

Flooring

Like old kitchen cabinets, outdated flooring can detract from the appearance of your entire house. Carpeted floors in living areas are severely out of fashion at the moment. If you want to upgrade your living room or family room, consider making the switch to hardwood or bamboo. Both of these materials look great, will last for years and will radically upgrade the look of your home.

HVAC

In addition to looking good, your house needs to be comfortable. For this reason, you should consider having a new furnace and air conditioning system installed when you remodel. Air conditioner and furnace installation are reasonably affordable, and you'll notice a huge difference in the newer models at the hottest and coldest times of the year.

Garage and Basement Storage

Although they aren't main living areas in your home, your garage and basement are important for giving you ample storage space. Installing new shelving, a workbench and some basic cabinetry can make these spaces much more functional. These upgrades are especially important if you'd live to have a small workshop in your home where you can repair household items or work on personal projects.

By making these four upgrades, you can turn your house into the home of your dreams. While not all of the items listed here may be needed in your house, they should give you a good idea of where to start. Once you've picked out the parts of your house you want to upgrade, you can begin lining up the right contractors and laying out designs for the work.

Guest Post - The Most Common Garage Door Issues and How to Solve Them

Your garage keeps your cars protected from outside elements. Over time, your garage door can begin to wear down due to repeated use. Here are some common issues to look out for and how to fix them.

1. Your Door Won’t Open or Close 

Having your door open or close easily is essential. This is especially helpful when you’re in a rush to get somewhere. Failing to use your door for a while or keeping up with proper maintenance could be causing the problem, which is why upkeep is vital. 

Here are some regular maintenance tips to consider:

• Apply lubrication

• Tighten the hardware

• Clean out any dust

• Check for cracks or broken rollers

• Replace the lock  

Even with proper maintenance, your door can tighten over time. Here are some other common reasons you’re having trouble opening and closing it:

• Your remote is dead

• The door opener motor burned out

• The close-limit switch is improperly adjusted 

• The weather has been colder

You can fix most of the problems with a simple battery replacement. However, you may need to contact a professional when dealing with your door’s open motor.

2.  Broken Garage Door Springs 

This is one of the more common garage door issues. There are multiple types of springs, such as torsion, extension and Holmes one-piece options, and any one of them can fail at any time. If you’re at home, you are likely to hear the break. If you notice your garage door isn’t functioning properly, check to make sure all the springs are there. 

Here are some other signs to look out for:

• There are balance issues

• You hear excessive squeaking

• The top half of the door is misaligned

• The door only opens a few inches

• The cables attached to the spring are dangling

Once you notice your springs are broken, call a professional for help. This is especially true if you have metal torsion springs. To keep yourself safe and your garage door intact, leave it to the experts. 

3. The Photo Eye Sensor Isn’t Working Properly 

A photo-eye sensor is a safety feature. It lets you know if something is blocking the door from fully closing. It’s usually a couple of inches off the ground and the size of a pea, and the sensors direct beams toward each other. The circuit breaks if there is any disruption, which prevents the door from closing. 

If your garage door isn’t properly functioning, then your photo-sensor could be blocked. You may also want to check to see if the cord broke.

Here are some steps to adjust your device:

1. Make sure the sensors have a lit LED light 

2. Check them to see if they are dirty

3. Adjust the pivot bracket by loosening the bolts and screws

4. Move it slightly in and out and up and down until the light comes on 

5. See if the wires are mounted at the same height

4.  The Door Isn’t  Responding to a Keypad or Remote 

Having a remote or keypad makes operating your garage door more convenient. If you’re remote isn’t responding, you may be out of range of the antenna. To fix this issue, make sure the antenna isn’t broken and try reprogramming the keypad. 

This is something you can do yourself. If you have any questions, contact your manufacturer for more information. 

Here are the steps to take to reprogram your garage door opener:

1. Access your door motor

2. Reset the motor

3. Enter a new code

4. Reprogram the remote

Make sure your remote batteries are charged before making any adjustments. If they’re not, you’ll want to replace them first. 

5. The Motor Won’t Stop 

When you close your garage door, the motor should stop once it reaches the top. If it continues, there may be an issue. Most motor-related problems require an up-limit switch adjustment, which you can either fix yourself or hire a professional to do. You will need to access the limit switch and turn the adjustment screws clockwise for a DIY repair. 

Common Garage  Door Issues 

Your garage door experiences wear and tear over time. Look out for these common problems and solutions to keep things running smoothly for years to come.

Author bio: Rose Morrison is the managing editor of Renovated, where she offers advice on home renovation, maintenance, and organization.