A resource for those seeking information on organizing and transforming spaces.

Home Ideas Ben Soreff Home Ideas Ben Soreff

Guest Post - 5 Ideas For Creating Your Ideal Outdoor Living Space

If you’re planning on creating your outdoor living space, here are some ideas that can help you do it.

9999.png

There are several benefits to having an outdoor living space right within your property.

Creating an outdoor living area essentially adds square footage to your home, which will impact its value should the time to put it in the market ever come.

Your outdoor living space also provides you and your loved ones a place to unwind after a hard day at work and school. And if you’re up for family activities, your outdoor area is the perfect place for them.

You can also host parties and entertain guests there anytime you want. As long as you have patio heaters in the winter and residential patio misting in the summer, everyone will be comfortable no matter the weather.

More importantly, an outdoor living space brings health benefits, from helping your eyes rest to relieving stress.

If you’re planning on creating your outdoor living space, here are some ideas that can help you do it.

1. Make Appropriate Outdoor Furniture Choices

When shopping for furniture for your outdoor living space, there are several things you need to consider before buying them.

Do you intend to use it as a dining area? Are you thinking of making it a place to entertain guests? Or do you want it to be more of a place to relax?

In all likelihood, you’re going to use your patio for all three purposes, so make sure that the furniture you select would be appropriate for them.

Small and easy-to-move tables for snacks and drinks would be ideal. Comfortable seats that are washable and resistant to weather would also be great.

2. Go Green

Your outdoor area will feel a lot more comfortable and relaxing if there’s plenty of greenery around.

So, get that green thumb working and do some gardening.

Plant some shrubs, flowering plants, ferns, or even trees, which will also provide shade to your patio.

While you’re at it, you can also plant tall landscaping plants which can offer not just greenery and shade but privacy from your neighbors as well. Whether you go for bamboo or cacti (which can also double as a security fence!), you can be sure that you can relax, dine, and entertain friends on your patio in privacy.

3. Get More Patio Shade

Trees are great, but sometimes, they’re not enough to provide you with the amount of shade you need, especially during the summer.

If you want to add more shade for your patio, you can always spring for patio umbrellas, a patio canopy, or patio shades and curtains to block direct sunlight from the sides.

You can also make it a covered patio, so set aside a budget for the construction of a pergola, or you can just put up shade cloth patio covers to keep direct sunlight at bay.

4. Install A Water Feature

There are mobile apps that simulate the sound of flowing water to help users relax.

Why settle for an app when you can install a water feature near your outdoor living area and hear the sound of actual flowing water as you unwind?

You have plenty of choices as far as water features are concerned. Water fountains are common, although birdbaths can give them a run for their money. Some build koi ponds, while others go for tiered garden waterfalls.

5. Put Up Adequate Lighting

It would be such a waste if you only get to use your patio while the sun is up.

Your outdoor area should be well-lit so that you can enjoy its benefits even in the darkest of nights.

Overhead lights are a given, but you can get creative with your lighting options if you want.

One of the most common but creative ways of lighting up an outdoor area is through the use of string lights, which come in various shapes, sizes, and designs.

You can hang them from tree to tree or cover your hedges with them. An entire tree with dozens of string lights wrapped around its trunk would also be a fun idea.

You can also go old-school and put up tiki torches to light the pathway.

These are just some tips that can help you out when creating your ideal outdoor living space. By the time you’re done, you can be sure that your patio will be every bit as inviting, relaxing, and comfortable as you expected it to be.

About the Author

Anna Fox is the Content Marketing Strategist of Señor Mist, a Phoenix, Arizona-based company that provides high pressure misting systems/fog effects, comfort heaters, patio drop shades, hvls fans and more. When not writing, she makes use of her spare time reading books and hiking with her dog, Blaze.

Read More
Home Ideas Ben Soreff Home Ideas Ben Soreff

Guest Post - Best Professional Moving Hacks to Make You Happy While Moving

Whether you are relocating your family to another town or moving your business to a new location, moving can be a stressful affair. However, you don't have to suffer the stress and challenges of moving when you have the right tips for a seamless move. With professional help, you can turn any relocation into a fun and exciting experience.

1.png

Whether you are relocating your family to another town or moving your business to a new location, moving can be a stressful affair. However, you don't have to suffer the stress and challenges of moving when you have the right tips for a seamless move. With professional help, you can turn any relocation into a fun and exciting experience.

Are You Planning for a Move?

From making a budget and scouting for professional moving companies to packing your valuables, every step of your move determines how successful it will be. When planning for a move, the right moving services company can turn a stressful move into a fun and exciting experience. To help you achieve a successful relocation, we have compiled a few hacks you can use to make you happy while moving.

How to move: Getting Prepared

The key to a successful move is proper and early planning. Doing so saves you time and money and ensures that you still have time to relax before and after your relocation. To better organize your move, below are helpful tips you should consider when preparing for a move.

  • Call your utility companies once you know you're moving. Immediately you know you are moving, contact your utility companies. Establish the utilities you need to cancel, transfer or turn on in your new location. Also, clear any bills you may to avoid ruining your credit and paying past-due bills.

  • Find a mover fast. With numerous professional moving companies available, finding one that fits your needs and budget is crucial for a smooth move. The best way to find a mover is by asking for recommendations from your friends and family or using moving agents. The good thing about moving agents is that you get access to professional moving companies in your location.

  • Set your budget. Budgeting for your move protects you from spending more than you intend and straining your finances. Create a budget that includes all your moving costs and set aside extra funds to cater to unforeseen expenses. Besides getting a quote from your moving company, you can use a moving costs calculator to find out how much you can expect to spend.

  • Plan out your packing supplies. To ensure your items are safe while in transit, you need to pack them appropriately. Depending on what you are moving, find out how much packing supplies you require and where you can get them. Some of the packing essentials you may need include packing papers, boxes, tapes, and stuffing papers.

  • Consume food items before moving. Moving food supplies, especially over long distances, may not be a good idea as they may spoil along the way. Therefore, eat up as much of the food you already have as possible before your moving day. For food supplies that are about to expire, consider donating them to neighbors or even charity.

The above tips will ensure you are ready when your moving day comes, so you don't have to make last-minute decisions.

2.png

Packing Tips and Tricks

Packing items for moving is one of the most cumbersome parts of moving. To make the process easier, below are a few packing tips and tricks you can use when packing your items to ensure you protect your valuables as well as save on space, costs, and time.

  • Don't empty your dresser drawers as it gives you more items to pack. Remove the drawers and wrap them up together with the contents. If you have a light dresser, you can consider wrapping it up together with its drawers using plastic wrap.

  • Leave your clothes on the hanger. Instead of removing clothes from their hangers, group them and place them in garbage bags. You can also put them in wardrobe boxes.

  • Put your linens, towels, and other soft items to use.  You can use your soft fabrics like linen to protect fragile items such as glasses, mugs, and vases when packing them in boxes. Wrap sharp objects like knives with kitchen towels before tying them with rubber bands.

  • Use pots to hold small items. Place small items like spices in large pots and containers. Doing so saves you space as well as the money you could have used in buying packing boxes.

  • Pack your suitcases. Suitcases have wheels that make transportation easy. Instead of transporting them empty, use them to pack heavy items like books and bulky dishes.

  • Color code boxes. You can save time by color-coding boxes instead of labeling them. Use different-color sheets for different rooms to help you identify where each item will go when unpacking.

  • Put together a moving essentials bag. Pack a moving essentials bag that contains all the items you may need to access fast during your move. The bag should have your charger, medication, toiletries, crucial documents, as well as a change of clothes.

Always pack your items by room to avoid mix-ups and minimize your risk of losing them.

Last-Minute Moving Hacks

Sometimes, emergencies may cause you to move within a short time, giving you less time to prepare. Below are helpful last-minute moving hacks to ensure a successful move within short timelines.

  • Start with logistics. Finding professional moving companies should be your priority. You should be able to know how you are going to move from one point to another.

  • Pack now and sort later. When you are in a rush to beat deadlines, don't worry about labeling your boxes or organizing your items. Just pack your valuables and ensure that they are safe from damage.

  • Leave some tasks to the movers. Handling everything by yourself means will cost you time and energy.  Professional moving companies can help you with services such as last-minute packing, although you may have to pay extra.

Conclusion

For households and businesses planning to move to Sarasota, Sunshine Movers is one of the best and most reliable professional moving companies.

We can help you move your household items, office equipment, furniture, and even specialty items like tradeshow goods and pianos. We also offer storage services in climate-controlled facilities in case you need to store your valuables.

Our team of trained experts coupled with adequate moving equipment guarantees efficiency in all our moves. What's more, we work with you to establish the right time for your relocation, so you don't suffer inconveniences. Contact us today for all your moving needs in Sarasota.


Infographic Provided By Moving Leads Company, USA Home Listings

Author Bio 

Robert Benson is a Creative Writer and Blogger possessing immense experience in writing informative content related to moving and packing. He is also a moving consultant in Sunshine Movers, helping people to make their move easy and successful. He has gained significant knowledge on the relocation process. He himself has moved 10 times already, which helped him explore the other side of the moving process.

Read More
Home Ideas Ben Soreff Home Ideas Ben Soreff

7 Simple Yet Effective House Construction Tips for New Homeowners

Building your first home can be daunting, but it’s rewarding. You can design and build it your way. You can put whatever decor and fixtures you want. You simply can do anything about it. It’s yours anyway. However, before you spend all of your time designing your interiors, you should focus on and mind your home construction first.

image1.jpg

Building your first home can be daunting, but it’s rewarding. You can design and build it your way. You can put whatever decor and fixtures you want. You simply can do anything about it. It’s yours anyway. However, before you spend all of your time designing your interiors, you should focus on and mind your home construction first.

As you transition to being a property owner, here are 7 simple yet effective house construction tips that you can consider.

1. Pick out the right contractor.

Hiring a contractor that’s not fit for the job can cause delays and legal problems to your home construction. That’s why it is important to get the service of a well-qualified contractor who can provide invaluable service to the home-building process. Some things to consider when looking for one are credentials, references, past works, style, personality and, of course, price.

Another reason to hire experienced professionals is that they have long been in the business and must have been able to establish great relationships with suppliers and subcontractors. This will mean they can easily get quality materials with discounts. They know what they are doing and where they should get what they need.

2. Complete one project at a time.

Home improvement projects can be costly. Therefore, don’t engage in multiple home projects at once. Although you would want to finish all your improvements as soon as possible, it’s not that easy. It can exhaust your budget and cause enough stress. What you can do is to make a plan and phase them in over time. You can also go cheap first and upgrade later for easy-to-replace items, but not on built-ins.

3. Identify potential issues early on.

Constructing your new home is risky. Even if you have shaped up your space according to your needs during planning, hidden or potential problems may still be possible. And they should be detected before they become huge problems. Identifying these issues early on will help you decrease the risk and cost that they may incur in the long run. 

How and where to start picking out these concerns? This may begin with common home maintenance issues. Check for foundation issues, water damage, unsafe materials, plumbing and electrical works.

4. Budget more than what you expect.

Unforeseen circumstances cannot be put into a budget. No matter how much you think of what you need and estimate their costs, there might be a chance of having add-ons and extra costs. For example, some of the materials or fittings do not match your expectations or you forgot to allocate costs for landscaping of your yard. Having planned for these possible changes in your budget will help you prepare for them.

5. Centralize the plumbing.

When our plumbing fails, that’s when we usually think about our installed system of pipes and fixtures. Although some of these problems may be out of control, you can start reducing the cost of running the plumbing pipes by centralizing them. When planning for your heavy plumbing areas and installing appliances, place them near one another. If they are all located in one corner, the plumber can easily address a problem if one arises.

Also, the main water shut-off valve should be easily accessible. In the event of a sewer clog or leak, you will not be frustrated to turn it on and off because you can easily reach for it. No need for crawling and searching with a flashlight.

6. Invest in new tools.

How do you clean up after construction? Do you have the proper tools to use?

Tools will come in handy for basic repairs, cleaning and home improvement projects. When you just have your new home, you should have them because they will make your tasks possible and even willow you to save money. 

Investing in new tools may also make hiring professionals unnecessary. You can do simple chores your way. Among the tools that should be on your list is an air compressor. It’s a machine that has a variety of applications. When you need to air up your tires or clean your driveway, an air compressor is powerful to use. It’s a must-have.

7. Choose an efficient air-conditioning system.

During the construction of a new home, this can be overlooked in the planning stage. Many homeowners are not aware of the various air-conditioning systems they can choose from. Sometimes, they will just stick to the standard or common units being installed. 

There’s nothing wrong with the minimum standard AC systems. However, you can now have a unit that has increased efficiency and comfort for you and your family. When you invest in these quality units, you won’t have to worry about the noise it produces, the uneven heating or cooling or its poor humidity control. Why think about AC units during construction? Because that’s the best and least expensive time to install such systems. 

Read More
Design Ben Soreff Design Ben Soreff

DIY Organizing Ideas on Creating Fascinating Rooftop Garden Designs

Living in the city has a lot of perks, but one thing surely we all miss every once in a while is nature. Fortunately there’s an easy solution for all you green-thumbs out there: create your own rooftop garden as your urban escape. Don’t worry, if you start small and build your way up one step at a time such project is absolutely feasible even for a newbie gardener. Let us guide you through the process:

1.png

Living in the city has a lot of perks, but one thing surely we all miss every once in a while is nature. Fortunately there’s an easy solution for all you green-thumbs out there: create your own rooftop garden as your urban escape. Don’t worry, if you start small and build your way up one step at a time such project is absolutely feasible even for a newbie gardener. Let us guide you through the process:

Start Small – The Succulents

Succulents are a great choice as it comes to planning your DIY rooftop garden project. In their majority they require little maintenance, they could create fascinating texture designs, and many species are sturdy enough to endure the winter cold. 

2.png

Succulents will help you easily create a vast green carpet on your rooftop for they tend to spread widely if given a chance. Succulents are known to thrive on scarce soil and water, so they are pretty low maintenance plants. However, they love warm weather and sunshine. 

Think of the Jade Plant or the Lucky Tree as some call it. It is a fine-looking succulent that you could prune as bonsai when it grows a bit. In the winter it flowers - its branches get heavy with delicate white blooms.

When going for succulents you should keep in mind that some of them like Echeveria are not tolerant to winter frost. Thus you should be able to cover them or take them inside, if necessary. 

My personal favorite would be Haworthia – these succulent looks really elegant with pointy leaves and white delicate spikes. You could dedicate a planter to each Haworthia or you could let them live a life of their own in raised beds, where they could quickly shape up overlapping colonies.

Spice It Up – The Herbs

Planting herbs is such a rewarding experience – you get the zen feeling of keeping in touch with nature and you end up with your own fresh spices to add to your salad dressings and homemade meals. 

Can you see the mint, parsley, oregano, cilantro pots bursting into think scented greenery? Thyme and dill, and the best of them all – lavender, can you really resist the temptation of dedicating a couple of containers for them?

Just like succulents herbs are pretty much self-growers. An exception would be that on occasions a week or two after planting the seeds you might need to thin your herbs, but that’s about all the involvement required on your part. 

Go Greener – The Veggies

3.png

You are looking for organic veggies to add to your healthy diet? Grow them yourself then! Cherry tomatoes could be grown in pots, just as cucumbers, zucchini, broccoli and lettuce. Container vegetable gardening is just as fun as the real gardening, and it’s much easier if you are a novice in this game. Carrots, radishes, peas – you can grow it all on your rooftop.

If your rooftop temperatures are high, consider adding organic mulch to the surface of your containers in order to slow down the water evaporation. 

Add hanging baskets to your rooftop exterior where you could grow strawberries – a fruity touch to your garden in the midst of the vegetable kingdom would add a refreshing touch to it. Consider introducing even more colors to your garden by planting peppers. They love heat, so don’t worry about exposing them to direct sunlight.

Color It Up – The Flowers

4.png

The first thing that comes to mind you say: “garden” usually is blooming colorful flowers, right? You cannot forget about those, turn your urban escape corner into a mesmerizing oasis of wild climbing roses. Let a sea of colorful petunias cascade down from a number of hanging baskets. Are you looking for a fairytale rooftop landscape, by all means grow tulips – there is an awful lot of hues to choose from, be brave and allow yourself to go for contrasting colors for a more dramatic look. 

Daffodils on the other hand will give a more serene feel to your rooftop garden, which would be a nice change after the energizing tulips-rich view. 

Liven It Up – The Birds, Bees and Butterflies

And you can’t have flora without fauna, right – they both go hand in hand. Welcome natural musical background by inviting birds in your rooftop garden. Take time to add a few bird feeders. If you add a decorative fountain they’d love it and there’s a great chance that they’ll use it for taking refreshing baths. Is there anything more relaxing and endearing than watching singing birds playing in rippling water?

bees

The humming bees will also follow bird’s lead if you have planted flowers in your garden. Butterflies would prefer to rest on flowers that are protected from windy weather, so make sure you dedicate a spot for them in your garden as well. 

Does it sound like a fascinating project already? There surely is a lot to be done, but who says you need to hurry? Pace yourself, add a planter at a time. In the end your efforts will be rewarded and you’ll feel proud having your morning coffee or tea in the peaceful green heaven you’ve created at your rooftop!

Read More