Beginner’s Guide to Standing Desks

Your lower back aches. You lean back in your chair to try and stretch it out before returning to your screen and keyboard. As you get up to get a cup of coffee, you exhale and feel your knees pop. It’s been a while since you stood up. A sedentary lifestyle not only can increase the risk of physical ailment, but it can keep you drowsy and unfocused.

This is where standing desks come into play. With a standing desk, not only do you get the apex of form and function, but you also receive a hub for productivity. A high-quality standing desk is one of the best solutions to daily doldrums. It keeps you on your feet, off your lower back, and ready to hit the day. Standing desks, while growing in popularity, still remain to be the norm. We’ve created a beginner’s guide to get you started on your journey towards active work!

Start With Quality

As with any product, quality is crucially important and the best way to start your research into standing desks. The desk is the focal point and centerpiece of any office; it is noticeable, functional, and has a tremendous effect on the room. Also, in most cases, a standing desk is a load-bearing object. It provides a surface for your monitor, computer, keyboard, speakers, books, accessories, and so on. 

Make sure that the materials used to craft your standing desk are high-quality, sustainable, and strong. A piece that carries such important weight should be supported by the best-sourced materials possible.

Adjustability

The best thing about an adjustable standing desk is that you always have a choice. You are never stuck in one place. If you decide one day that you need to get off your feet, simply press a button and watch your standing desk transform. Whether you want a manually adjustable piece or something with powered support, there is a standing desk out there that is perfect for you.

Adjustable furniture is an easy way to conserve space in your room while maintaining the space’s function. With a standing desk, you have better control over storage and other elements of your space!

Shape

Standing desks come in several popular shapes, though two stand out as the most popular. There is the more traditional, rectangular desk with two legs that either rises manually or automatically. Then, there is the L-shaped desk. 

While standing desks are always adjustable, the L-shaped desk offers a consistent hybrid experience. You can swivel back and forth between your computer and an open writing space while you’re sitting; when you need a change of pace, you can adjust one segment of the desk to stand while maintaining the position of the remaining section. No matter which shape you end up choosing, there are high-quality options available to meet your needs.

Price

A standing desk is a significant piece of furniture that should be considered with careful thought and planning. Once you have picked a color and shape for your standing desk, the only thing left to do is address the price. While you should never skimp on quality, it is also important that any purchase you make falls within your budget. 

Whether you are a college student looking to make your dorm a little cozier, or a seasoned professional, affordability is of the utmost importance. Take a moment to weigh the cost-benefit of a standing desk, then go ahead and pull the trigger.

The Bottom Line

No matter what your style is, having authority over your environment is beneficial to anyone’s workday. Whether you prefer a traditional seated desk or a standing desk, adjustable pieces are sure to fit right into your office. 

With a standing desk, you conserve space, maintain focus, and keep that blood pumping. Make sure that you always do your research before buying. Check for high-quality, sturdy materials, measure out your room, and pick the height that is right for you. With a few simple steps and a little bit of research, you can begin your office revolution!

Options Worth Considering When Changing the Landscape of Your Yard

Knowing it's time to change the landscape of your yard is likely going to be more of a realization than a decision, but what you turn it into will be a choice. Knowing options worth considering when changing the landscape of your yard helps you find what will work out best for you.

Tall Shrubs

Tall shrubs or even fast-growing plants such as bamboo are great ideas to plant around the perimeter of your yard. They won't keep people and animals out as effectively as actual fencing, but they can hide fencing fairly quickly while giving you visual privacy.

Water Feature

If you have natural water running through your property, such as a creek, then you should plan the landscaping around this. However, even if your yard is dry, you can still add a water feature as a focal point. A solar-powered fountain adds soothing sights and sounds without running up your power bill, and a koi pond brings a whole different world to your space.

Stone Gravel

Finding a good stone gravel supplier opens up a lot of options for you in terms of landscape design. Stone gravel is very useful in creating pathways throughout your yard. You can also use it for drainage purposes and erosion control. You might even use it for xeriscaping to comply with water restrictions in your area.

Butterfly Garden

Dozens of plants are known to be alluring to butterflies. Planting just one of them isn't a sure bet to get the magic of beautiful butterflies to call your yard home, but you can arrange a dozen of them in a central location to increase your chances of having something magical to witness at certain times of the year.

Native Plants

If you want a yard that requires minimal upkeep and thrives well on its own, then you need to choose plants that aren't just a match for your USDA hardiness zone but also native to your region. They'll be more likely to withstand local weather and climate with minimal attention on your part.

Choose the Change You Want or Need

Changing up your yard's landscape helps you keep things fresh around your home. You need to consider how long you will remain in your home, however. What kind of yard do you want to come home to if you'll be there for many years? Alternatively, what would boost the home value the most if you are going to move soon? However, all these options would increase your enjoyment of your own yard each and every day.

Ways To Connect With Nature When You Live in the City

It’s common knowledge that getting back to nature is good for your health. Indeed, humans need a connection with nature, and we need its healing touch frequently to maintain our physical and emotional health.

That’s a bit of a problem for folks who live in the city, where there are far fewer trees and less grass and green space to enjoy. The fact is, millions of Americans live in cities and highly urbanized areas, far from open fields, refreshing forests, and majestic mountains. If that’s you and you’re looking for ways to connect with nature when you live in the city, you’re in luck! We’ve got the best of them below for your perusal. If the majesty of nature in your city setting is what you’re searching for, read on!

Join Your City’s Community Garden

Many cities and urban areas have community gardens that are, in a word, outstanding. Filled with lovely plants and flowers, they’re great places to get back to nature by digging in the dirt and watching something beautiful grow!

Go Crazy With the Indoor Plants

If you can’t be out in nature, bring nature inside! Potted and hanging plants make living spaces even more livable and add beauty and life to your city apartment or condo. Choose colorful or decorated pots to add a splash of color and class. A few of the easiest plants to keep in the city include:

• Cactus plants (Cacti)

• Succulents like jade and aloe vera

• Philodendrons

• Spider plants

Hang Beautiful Nature Art in Your Apartment

If you can’t go to the mountains, the next best thing is to see them in all their glory on your wall. That goes for other nature scenes too, like the beach, forest, and more. Even though they’re only photos, the feeling of inner bliss nature art brings can add some joy to an otherwise dreary day in the city. Never underestimate the power of hanging pictures of the natural world in your home; the vistas they offer can bring much-needed visual diversity to your home.

Get Acquainted With Your Local Park

One of the best ways to connect with nature when you live in the city is by visiting a local park. Most bigger towns have phenomenal parks, including Central Park in New York City. That said, even a smaller park can transport you to a place that, while city-bound, brings you closer to nature.

Visit Your City’s Farmers Market

Most cities have spectacular farmers markets offering plentiful piles of fresh produce and food creations. The aromas, colors, and tastes can be a splendid, nature-filled respite from the cold steel of the average city.

5 Things to Know Before Working with a Building Consultant

Whether you want to build your home or any other structure, it helps to work with experienced consultants. Their job is to make sure everything works as planned. However, not everyone understands the duty of consultants in a building project, so let’s talk about it. Here are the five things to know before working with a building consultant.

Understand the Different Kinds of Consultants

There are different kinds of consultants to work with depending on your project. There are land planners, civil engineers, and architects. Each of these has experience in different areas related to building projects. If you need a structural engineer but work only with a land planner, you'll be wasting time and money.

See if You Need a Building Consultant

The first thing to determine is if you even need a building consultant. Start by checking with regulatory agencies at the local and state levels to determine what permits are required. Next, check with your local planning office to determine if you need a zoning or land use permit. If these are available without a consultant, you do not need one.

Seek Out Your Consultant's References

Once you decide to hire a consultant, ask them for the names and contact information of people who have hired these experts in the past. Give these people a call to find out what they liked and didn't like about the consultant. This will help you comprehend what to expect.

Ask the Right Questions

Before you sign a contract, ask your consultant all the right questions. The most important one is probably, "Can you give me a written cost estimate?" A detailed estimate will allow you to compare it to others and determine if the price is fair. Also, ask about their services and how they plan to meet deadlines.

Trust Your Gut

Last but not least, trust your gut. If you are uncomfortable with how a potential consultant handles your project, seek out another one. You can expend many resources without the right help, so make sure you feel okay with your choice before striking a deal with them.

Closing Thoughts

Before working with a building consultant, it's important to know what they do and the different services available. Also, check with regulatory agencies to see if you need a consultant for your project. Finally, seek out references from past clients and trust your gut when choosing a consultant.