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When you’ve spent a lot of time trying to get your home up together, you can often feel the need to get outside and do the same in your garden. After all, you may have spent a lot of time preparing your home for the summer, so you’re going to want to do the same with your garden too. But, it can often seem like a big task. If you’ve not spent a lot of time getting involved with your garden, you might not know where to start. But to make sure that your garden flourishes this summer, it’s time to get green-fingered.

Get Your Hands Dirty

When you’re looking to get out in the garden, you’re going to want to embrace the idea of having to get dirty. If you really want to transform your garden, you’re going to want to get stuck right in. You might find that the right equipment will help you. This review of timberland earthkeepers on workbootcritic.com should give you an idea about footwear, but you may also need some gloves and perhaps even protective eyewear to make sure you’re up to the job too.

Learn Your Plans

As well as feeling prepared for the task at hand, you might also want to swot up a little. When it comes to gardening, plants and living things, it can be to your benefit to know a little about what you’re doing. When you’re planting different flowers, you may need to know what sort of conditions they thrive in and how to care for them. Otherwise, you may find that your hard work backfires if your newly planted things just can’t stay alive.

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Dine Al Fresco

Eating outside is always such a treat in the summer months. But, in order to be able to enjoy it, you’re going to need to have somewhere to put your dining furniture and maybe even outdoor cooking facilities. So, as a part of your garden works, you’re going to need to create a dedicated eating space. This could involve creating a patio area if you don’t have one already, and looking for the perfect dining furniture set.

Get The Little Ones Involved

One of the best things about getting out and working in the garden is that you can involve your children too. It can be a lot of fun to show them how to plant things and care for them. It’s also great to be able to plant different fruits and vegetables with your children, watch them grow, then go on to cook and eat them too.

Attract Wildlife

While you’re out making your garden gorgeous, you might want to think about the different ways that you can attract wildlife. Not only can you do this while you’re planting new things, but you can help to encourage wildlife into your garden with your maintenance and upkeep too. Being a little untidy, leaving seeds out for the birds and watering often are all good ways to ensure that you create a lovely home for local wildlife.

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If things are hotting up where you live, you might be ready to make some changes at home to feel more comfortable with a warmer temperature. The summer brings about plenty of opportunities as well as some occasionally unbearable heat. With the warmth and open windows, you can expect that fresh paint to dry quicker without too many unbearable scents. And you can make the most of that freshly mown lawn to enjoy a few barbecues too.

Bedroom Blues

No matter how big or small your property is, we all need to adjust to the change in temperature. You might start by changing your bedroom so your nights are more comfortable. Losing sleep in the heat is awful as you toss and turn all night. Stay cool by investing in a service for your air conditioning. If you have solar panels, you might find it cost effective to cool your room during the hottest part of the day when the sun shines. That way you shouldn’t need it on quite as much after the sun has gone down.

Make sure you still air your home. It’s tempting to keep windows closed when the air outside is hotter than the temperature inside. Try getting up a few minutes earlier. When it’s close to dawn, the air is cool and fresh and it’s quiet outside. Open all the windows to create a good through-breeze, if only for a few minutes. Stale air isn’t healthy. Both you and the whole house needs to breathe!

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Bedding changes can also help you feel more comfortable. Most of us love having a duvet wrapped right around us. You can still enjoy an ultra light down comforter for summer that will help you to avoid becoming too warm. Choose cotton sheets that breathe well, and experiment with pillow coverings that feel cooler to the touch. You might even choose to move your bed under the window so you can enjoy that light breeze in the night.

Changing the decor can also help psychologically. Go for cooling blues and fresh greens to help you feel a little cooler in the bedroom. Remove all the fluffy pillows and change out the winter rug for something a little more summery. Finally, install some Venetian blinds or shutters to keep the sun and the heat out of your room during the day.

Backyards and Balconies

If you’re lucky enough to have some outside space, now is the best time to prepare it for the summer. You want to make the most of it so you can be outside in the fresh air as much as possible. Of course, you should always stay safe in the sun. Make sure you have prepared a shady area that stays shady throughout the day. This will be much cooler than other areas of your garden or balcony, so it will be more comfortable for you and your kids or pets.

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Cooking and eating outdoors are one of the best things about summer. You might have an outdoor kitchen or just a barbecue. Make sure everything is thoroughly cleaned and safety checked before you begin. You might need to buy a new grill if the old one has rusted or weathered. Alternatively, grab that scrubber and get scrubbing!

If you are ready to install a new kitchen area, look for a spot in your yard that can be protected from the wind. You need it to be well ventilated so keep at least one side fully open. There are roof specialists that can provide you with a permanent covering that could still allow plenty of light into the area. It can be handy to pick a space that is big enough for your grill as well as the full dining set.

You may also want a separate patio or dining area in another part of the garden. This might become a bistro style patio or your entertaining area when you have family and friends come over. Make sure you can cover it with a gazebo, awning or parasol. Many gazebos come with lightweight netting to keep the direct sun and insects away from your food. It’s important to protect any food that is out in the open to avoid food poisoning.

Relaxing in the garden is a wonderful way to spend your evenings and weekends. If you haven’t done so already, consider landscaping your garden. You can enjoy hedges, shrubs, and bushes in the border areas of your plot. These can attract local wildlife if you’re fond of bird watching too. Sculpting a small lawn into a pleasing shape can take quite a lot of work. When it’s done, though, a quick outing of the lawnmower once a week can keep it looking great.

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Water features are very popular for gardens that are big enough. You might choose a cascading waterfall or fountain. If you have the space, you could even have a pond, complete with fish and lily pads. There should be railing in place if you have small children at home. Why not install a small zen garden and some decking nearby? You can enjoy Tai Chi or Yoga while relaxing in your beautiful garden.

Swimming pools can be expensive to install and maintain. But they can also be incredibly refreshing on a very hot day! As always, safety is paramount. You will need to install safety railing and gates so children and pets are unable to access the water unaccompanied.

Lovely In The Living Room

Back in the house, life can be sticky and uncomfortable without air conditioning. You don’t have to install it if you’re not keen. Instead, make the use of through-breezes. Two open windows at opposite ends of the house can facilitate this. Ceiling fans are not always energy efficient so check yours before relying too heavily on it. If you have leather furniture, a thin cotton throw can relieve the discomfort of leather contact on bare skin.

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Ice chips, popsicles, and cold drinks are very helpful when it comes to cooling down. If you’re planning a night in front of the TV, you might choose to turn the lights off to help you feel cooler. For the most part LED bulbs don’t emit any heat, but darker spaces do tend to make us feel less claustrophobic and hot. It can be a good idea to clear the clutter from rooms before the weather becomes too hot. This too reduces that awful claustrophobic feeling the heat can give us.

Before it gets too warm, why not have a big clear out? You can reclaim some of that valuable storage space, and declutter the cabinets and surfaces in the living room for a more minimalist style. You might even change the decor to lighter colors and less textured fabrics. All these little things may not make it cooler, but they can help you feel less hot. Move your favorite arm chair closer to the window, and install blinds to reduce the amount of direct sunlight entering the room.

Dangers

Do you have a shed or garage that contains dangerous liquids or chemicals? Now is the time to make sure they are tucked away in a cooler space with no direct sunlight. Wooden structures like sheds can become incredibly hot in summer. Gas cans and pressurized canisters can explode and even catch fire in extreme conditions. Make sure your barbecue gas is also secured away somewhere safe and never used in the direct sunlight.

Sunscreen and sun hats are an important part of enjoying the weather responsibly outdoors. Even when you’re indoors, it’s important to stay hydrated and slow down a little bit. Stay safe this summer.

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Got your own personal home project planned out? Ditching handyman services can save you a lot of money, but there are a lot of factors to consider before going DIY. Here are a few do’s and don’ts that will ensure your project goes to plan.

Do buy top quality tools

When it comes to tools you don’t want to be skimping back on cheap fragile tools or outdated second-hand gear. Stick to well-known brands – a Ryobi impact wrench is likely to be far more trialled and tested than a cheap own brand tool from ten years ago. Online reviews and comparison guides can help you to make the right decision.

Don’t buy expensive specialist machinery

Top-end tools for specific uses should be hired, not rented. You’re unlikely to use these machines again so don’t waste your money buying one. Trusted tool hire companies such as United Rentals will often provide brand new models and will keep tools well maintained, so you know you’re getting something good for your money.

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Do paint

Painting is the perfect DIY task for beginners. It doesn’t require too much know-how or licensing. There are some basics that need to be covered, learning to prime and caulk up holes is worthwhile. Painting also does take a fair bit of preparation – everything needs to be moved and covered in sheets to stop it getting splashed. However, the actual painting process is very easy and can be more easily corrected than other DIY tasks.

Don’t play with gas or electrics

Electrical work requires a permit, so leave this to a professional. Other than getting in trouble with a surveyor later down the line, dodgy wiring could cause a fire or put you at risk of electrocution, so don’t do it. Gas work meanwhile also requires a license as could cause a gas leak if done incorrectly – hire a licensed plumber to deal with this.

Do tackle flooring

Flooring may seem like a big job, but it can actually be very easy to install. Floating flooring from companies such as Armstrong is the best option to pursue – whether laminate or hardwood you’ll simply have to snap fit it in and there will generally be instructions from the manufacturer. When sizing up the room, just make sure you leave a little room around the edges as flooring that is too tightly installed can warp.

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Don’t knock down walls

As fun as it may look to swing that sledgehammer, knocking down walls isn’t as easy a task as you may think and getting it wrong could cause the whole house to collapse. It also requires a permit in most cases. A professional construction service will know how loads are transferred and carried and so will be able to carry out the work more safely. This also applies to cut-outs and creating new doors or windows. Always contact your local planning committee first and notify your home insurance company if you have one.

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The summer is a great time of year, especially when the sun starts to crack the flags. But, it’s also an uncomfortable time. There is no doubt that the sun’s rays aren’t always welcome because they can get too hot. When you’re stuck at home, this is a major problem. The good news is that you don’t have to suffer in your own home any longer thanks to these tips.

Here are the tricks of the trade that will help you beat the heat this summer.

Cover The AC Unit

Air conditioning units are lifesavers in the summertime because they keep the cold air flowing. When the mercury hits record temperatures, cold air is the only way to prevent evaporation! But, the problem with an HVAC unit is that they aren’t infallible to the sun either. UV rays can cause as much damage, if not more, to an air conditioner as they lead to overheating. Of course, overheating leads to a broken air con unit, which is almost like the end of the world. By shielding it from the sun, the motor should keep cool and last longer, pumping the cold air out until the temperature drops.

Get It Fixed

Sadly, covering your air con unit won’t be enough to keep it from breaking down. Like all industrial machines, air conditioners suffer from wear and tear, and you will wear it down over the summer. As a result, it’s likely to stop working or at least slow down at some point. When that happens, you need to call an HVAC repair person as soon as possible. Hopefully, they will be able to use their experience and expertise to get it working again. Of course, you could try it alone, but you’re just asking for trouble. Air con units aren’t basic pieces of equipment, which means you might do more damage.

Close The Windows

Opening the windows to let in fresh air is an excellent idea according to conventional wisdom, but it doesn’t work for a number of reasons. The first is that the warm air from outside will negate the cold air from the AC. So, instead of feeling cool and refreshed, you’ll feel clammy and overly hot. Even if you don’t have an AC unit, opening the windows isn’t a good option. By covering them during the hottest part of the day, the drapes will reflect the heat and keep the interior cooler.

Turn Down Appliances

Certain household devices are essential to everyday life. If you think about it, can you survive without a fridge or a washing machine or a dryer? The answer is probably, but life would be so much harder! However, relying on appliances means they give off more heat, particularly the larger items. By turning them down, they use less energy and give off less heat. If you insist on using them, you should try and ration usage to the times when the temperature isn’t as high.

If you’re sick and tired of stewing in sweat at summer, these tips can help.

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There is a time in most homeowners lives when they decide it is time for a change. It may be that your family is growing and you need to add expansions to your house. You may be sick of looking at the same four walls every day and decide it’s time for a new aesthetic look. Whatever the case, it could be that now is the right time to think about remodeling your house.

Before you rush into anything hastily, remember it might be time-consuming and very expensive. Think carefully about your property and consider the advice below.

What do you want to achieve?

When thinking about remodeling, you need to have an idea about what you want to accomplish. Perhaps you want to convert the loft into an extra bedroom for visitors or new family members. You might want to create an additional bathroom to alleviate the morning rush to the shower. Or maybe you are thinking about turning the basement into a gym, or state of the art cinema room with the latest in technology.

Whatever your idea, you need to consult with your family before making any significant changes. There will be a lot of sacrifices involved, including an upheaval to your time, space and money, so everybody should be in agreement. You may want to convert a bedroom into a study, but your wife may prefer a walk in wardrobe. Talk to each other, compromise and come to an agreement that is suitable for all.

Do some research

No matter the great ideas in your head, the tricky part is making them happen in reality. It may be that you have no particular idea but would value some inspiration. Whatever the case, you need to spend time researching any aspect of remodeling that is right for you.

Consider the areas you want to remodel and go online to look at how other people have achieved it. If there is a particular room, such as the basement, have a look at

http://www.flemingconstructionllc.com/services/basement-finishing-remodeling/ for advice on making the most of the space you have, with the budget you have available. There are many things to consider when altering any room, including the flooring and wall space. From colors to textures, make an effort in finding ways to create a place you will enjoy being in.

No matter your grand ideas, if you don’t have the budget to match you are going to run into trouble. Ask for estimates from local contractors to see if the work is viable. Should you decide to take out a bank loan, shop around for the lowest interest rates. You should always ask for a little more than you need to account for any unexpected costs.

Chances are you won’t be able to remodel your house on your own. Therefore you are going to need help from contractors, including painter and decorators, plumbers, electricians and builders. Spend time looking into each company and ask for their estimate on the costs involved. Don’t take the first offer you receive as it is worth asking others for second and third opinions. There are untrustworthy contractors out there, so ask your friends for advice on people they have used, and check out online reviews.

There may be some aspects of the work you can do yourself, such as plastering and wallpapering, so save money where you can. Hiring an architect is not particularly expensive, and he will be able to give you an idea of the work that needs doing. They may also help your thinking and give you ideas that you haven’t considered. Having their professional opinion is valuable, and will help you reign in any unpractical ideas you might have. They will also give you an idea on what building permits you need to acquire and may assist you in getting them. Accept the advice given to you, and ask any questions you have as you draw up blueprints to bring your ideas to fruition.

Working with contractors

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Once the ideas are in place, and all the legal documents are signed, it is time to get to work. Assuming you haven’t decided to take on all the work yourself, you need to form good working relationships with your contractors.

If several people are coming to work on your house, work out a schedule to ensure they aren’t getting in each other’s way. While you will want to check up on their work, you are liable for getting in the way as well, so only be there when you need to be. Remember, you are paying for their time as well as the building costs, so the more time you spend talking with them, the longer they will be at your property. They aren’t your friends, so give them the space to get the work done.

Speak to them daily to get an update on the work being done and listen to their suggestions. Inevitably you will change your mind about aspects of the project as time goes on. This is natural, as there will often be areas you haven’t considered which suddenly come to mind. However, it will be frustrating for the contractor if you constantly want changes, and more expensive for you in the long run. It may also affect scheduling, so ensure everybody is informed of the changes in any new plans you draw up.

In it for the long haul

It will take the time to get the work done, and the upheaval in your life will be stressful. It may be that you will have to move out of your home for a while, to avoid the noise and ordered chaos that remodeling brings. Alternatively, you will need to create an area in your house for comfortable living while the work progresses.

When the dust has settled, and the noise has abated, there will come a time when your home is livable again. It may have been a long haul getting there, but it should be worth it.

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Summer can be many things. It’s a time of unbound possibility when the whole world seems to be within reach, where you get to enjoy the simple art of just being, as well as all those BBQs and lazy days at the beach. In this vein, why not put some of that ‘unbound possibility’ to use and undertake some DIY projects that are perfect for summer? Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro, there’ll be a project that’ll get your creative and handyperson juices flowing. Here are five ideas to get you started,

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A New Shed

It’s summer, so you’re going to be in the garden a lot as it is. Why not put your outdoor time to some good use and looking at constructing a new shed? They’re easier to build than you might think, and once completed the new structure will look great in your garden. These are good projects for relative beginners because it doesn’t matter so much if mistakes are made so long as the end project looks pretty good!

Tables and Chairs

Remember those BBQs we talked about at the beginning of the article? When you’re hosting one, you’ll love to be able to say to your guests, “Oh, by the way, I built this table and chairs set.” If you want to enjoy the fruits of your labor this summer, you’ll need to get started now as they can be a little tricky, but doable once you get the hang of it! You’ll need to have a solid plan, high-quality wood, and a wood router – oh, and some patience! It’ll all be worth it in the end when you and your family sit down to eat at the table you made.  

Fixing Up the Garden

Taking care of the garden should be one continuous job, but if it’s in a bad state, then it’ll feel like one initial big DIY project. It takes a lot of effort to bring a garden back to life after years of neglect, but as they say, every great journey begins with a single step. Take a look at how to get your perfect garden, dig out your old working gloves, and get to work.

Touches Around the Home

Summer is the perfect time to add a few Pinterest projects to the interior and exterior of the home. The sun’s shining all the time, so they’ll be shown off in all their glory. What you do will depend on the style of your home, but adding a few homemade lights for your outside decking will be a universal winner.

For the Kids

If you have kids, then you can make their summer all the more exciting (is it ever not exciting for them?!), by building them something they’ll use every day throughout summer, a swing set! They’re surprisingly simple to put together, just make sure it’s safe, and they’re good to go. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, take a look at treehouse plans – it’s every child’s dream to have their own treehouse!

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Owning a house is an amazing experience, especially if you can turn that house into a home. Still, that doesn’t mean that everything will go to plan from the beginning. Unfortunately, there are people in the darkness that want to take your possessions and make them their own. They are called thieves, and they target properties like yours on a daily basis. However, if you sick and tired of being on the wrong end of their actions, you can fight back. Homeowners all over the world should know that they don’t have to lie down, and these are the reasons why.

They Need Darkness

As a novice in the field, you might think that a thief’s biggest asset is their toolbox or knowledge. The truth is that the most valuable weapon in a burglar’s armory is darkness. Almost every thief works in the shadows to avoid detection. As long as there is cover, they can go about their business unnoticed and untroubled. Now that you know this, you can take away the cover of darkness with LED reflector flood lights. As the name suggests, these lights illuminate the outside of the house making it harder to sneak around. Plus, they look great too!

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Thieves Are Opportunists

If you watch movies or TV shows, you might think that thieves like to ‘case a joint’ before they make a move. Nothing could be farther from the truth unless you’re dealing with a team of experts. Your common garden variety of burglar sees an opportunity and grabs it with both hands. For example, they might spot an open window that leads into the main house or a plant pot with a key underneath. Some even use ladders left in the garden to gain entry. Quite simply, you can’t afford to give them a chance because they will try their luck.

Burglars Hate CCTV

For the most part, an alarm system doesn’t faze a self-respecting thief. Simply put, they are too knowledgeable and experienced to let a home alarm system take them down. Indeed, homeowners often give them clues which come in handy. What do scare burglars is a circuit television camera system. Nowadays, the quality is so good that these cameras can pick out a thief at a hundred paces, and they know it. Because thieves are mainly opportunists, they can’t take the risk of getting caught. And, a CCTV system raises the chances of that happening by over ten percent. If a real system is too expensive, a dummy one also has its advantages.

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They Are Loners

Because they work alone, they don’t understand the bond of your local community. They don’t know that you and your neighbors are friends that look out for one another. Also, they don’t even think that people on the street act in the same way. They assume that you are as alone as them, which shouldn’t be the case. As long as you and the neighbors are cordial, you will always have someone watching your back.

And, they will fight back so that you don’t have to. After all, it’s in their best interests.

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