Your outdoor space is not complete without landscape lighting. Not only can you highlight your home or key areas of your yard, but you can improve the safety of your property by providing adequate lighting. Therefore, these are tips for designing your landscape lighting.

Choose Your Highlight Features

Your first task is to decide which items in your landscape you want to highlight. Consulting with landscape lighting design St Louis MO can help you determine what object lighting will have the greatest impact. For example, lighting interesting trees that frame a path or doorway has a significantly greater impact than lighting trees at the back of your yard in a grove. If you have statues, fountains or another décor item that you want to highlight, write it down.

Don’t forget to light your paths and hardscapes as well as any buildings in your yard.

Choose Your Lighting Type

You have a wide variety of landscape lighting that you can choose from. You may choose spotlights to focus on trees, shrubberies or other focal points. You might use string lights to light your decks and patios from above. You can use underwater lighting to up light fountains, ponds and pools.

Choose Your Lighting Effects

Next, you need to choose the effects of your lighting. You can create interesting shadows when you light from below. Create silhouettes by concealing your lights behind plants. You can also mount lights in the trees to create a downlighting effect. For a three-dimensional look, you can light an object from two sides so the lights cross. Soft lights placed up high can also create the effect of moonlight.

Determine How You Will Conceal Your Lights

Finally, you may have lights that need to be concealed, especially the lighting source, such as cords and plugs. The light may be visible, but you don’t want to see electrical cords all over your property. Therefore, determine what lights can be solar and how you can conceal the lights of those that aren’t.

You can have an attractive, safe, well-lit landscape with a little help from a lighting designer.…

If you live in an area with hard water, you know it presents its own set of challenges. Hard water causes white droplets on glasses and dishes, is rough on your skin and tastes bad to the uninitiated. If you’re wrestling with any of these problems, here are four ways to solve your hard water woes.

1. Use White Vinegar To Clean

When hard water leaves behind residue, you almost need a knife to scrape it off. However, using white vinegar is much easier and safer. Mix equal parts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle and saturate the chalky deposits. Let them sit for about 15 minutes and wash them away.

2. Install a Water Softener

For those with hard water Tampa, the absolute best solution is to install a water softener. Water softeners will eliminate that white buildup altogether and improve the taste of your water. Soft water also makes your skin and hair smooth and is gentler on your laundry.

3. Use Special Soap and Shampoo

Another way to combat hard water is by purchasing special soaps made especially for hard water. Hard water leaves a film on your hair, but special shampoos are formulated to break down the minerals it contains. You can also find bath soap and laundry detergent made especially to lather up in highly mineralized water.

4. Know When To Use Bottled Water

Sometimes you can bypass hard water issues by using bottled water. For example, bottled water in your coffeemaker or pod machine is always a good idea. Over time, hard water can gunk up the inner workings of your machine, but bottled water keeps it running smoothly.

Living with hard water at home can be a challenge. By cleaning with vinegar, using special soaps and installing a water softener, you’ll easily have hard water under control.…

Over time, a room in your house may need to be spruced up or entirely redone. Use these simple tips to creatively transform any room in your house.

Paint

Consider starting your room makeover by painting it a different color. A new coat of paint can transform your living space and help your home feel like a brand new house Sealy TX. The color of the room will set the tone for the space and can have a direct impact on how you feel. Order color chips and fabric swatches to test out different combinations and find your perfect pallet. Pair neutral colors with dark accent colors or select a vibrant hue to paint a bold accent wall. Make sure you test the color at various times of day to ensure you light it in different lights. To help blend the room, try to avoid painting your ceilings white. Instead, use an off-white, tan, or neutral color to encompass the mood of the room.

Furniture

When it comes to picking out furniture, always measure your space before you shop. A large rug can overtake an area and a couch that is too large might fit not fit through the doorway. You must buy furniture that fits the size of your space available. Find functional furniture with hidden storage to keep your space tidy and free from clutter.

Decorate

Decorate with pictures, art, and even plants to fill your room with personality and color. If you have room in your budget, you can commission custom work from your favorite artists. Update any old picture frames with more modern designs to hang photos of cherished memories with family and friends. Place low-maintenance plants around the room for additional texture and color. Plants can create a soothing effect in your room and help purify the air in your home. Always check to make sure your plants are non-toxic to pets if you have dogs or cats in your household.

You can completely revamp your living space with a few simple changes.…

Building a custom home can be both exciting and overwhelming. Make sure you review these important tips if you are considering building your home.

Plan and Budget

Building a home can be a lengthy and costly endeavor. When you begin your custom home building process, you must start by determining your budget and time frame. Consider how large you want your home to be and how complex your floor plans are. Think about how many rooms you want, what kind of storage space is needed, and your design and style preferences. Try to outline the details as much as possible but remain flexible in case your plans change along the way. Add up the estimated costs involved in acquiring land, getting permits, hiring labor, and furnishing your entire home. Once you know how much money you can spend, you can begin shopping for available land for sale in Suffolk VA.

Acquire Land

Compare and inspect different plots you are interested in. Hire a land surveyor to assess the property and determine what areas of the land can be developed. Issues with elevation, soil, or city regulations can get in the way of your home’s construction. Make sure the land is safe from any potential hazards that may threaten your home’s foundation. Find out how to supply your home with water, electricity, heat, and other necessities. If you plan to grow crops on your land, it’s crucial to test your soil before preparing your fields for planting. Once your land is cleared and ready for development, you can begin building your home.

Build and Design

Work with a trustworthy contractor and a team of builders who can bring your dream home to life. Have your builders consult with an architect about blueprints for your home and the functionality of each room. Architects will help you design your home to make it comfortable and functional. They can help safely incorporate unique design features like high ceilings, heated floors, or custom shelving. Check-in often with your team about how your home is developing to ensure everything is going according to plan.

Remember these helpful tips when you are ready to begin building your custom home.…

A brighter home full of sunshine adds enjoyment and spaciousness to a living space. Most people don’t want to feel like they are living in a cave, which means you need to use the power of natural light to enhance your home. If you have a limited amount of windows and want to increase the sense of natural light in your house, here are some ideas you can implement.

Add Skylights

If you have the space and the budget for skylights, this can be one of the best ways to increase the natural light in your home. Skylight repair contractors San Antonio TX can come out to your house to see if skylights are a possibility and give you a quote. Streaming light from above will make it seem like you are living in a new house.

Use Light Paint Colors

A quick and inexpensive way to increase the effect of natural light is to repaint your walls. Using a beautiful white color can be the best way to send light rays bouncing around your rooms. Other light colors can be effective as well. Don’t forget the ceiling. A white ceiling reflects light better than any other color.

Install Glass or Reflective Tiles

Glass and reflective tiles are another way to enhance the amount of natural light in your house. These items bounce the light around the room to add brightness. Tile backsplashes can be replaced quickly to revamp your space in a flash.

Hang Mirrors

Another way to bounce natural light around your rooms is by using mirrors. A well-placed mirror can make a huge difference in the lighting of a room. The sun’s rays can reflect off the surface and add a powerful brightness to any space.

Improve the lighting in your home by increasing the natural light coming from the sun when you use these ideas.…

So many homes built today lack individuality, that homeowners are often looking for ways to make theirs stand out. These five upgrades can accentuate your home inside and out, making it stand out compared to others nearby.

1. Specialty Roofing

If you want to make your house really stand out in the neighborhood, upgrading to specialty roofing materials is a good way to go. Clay roofing tiles Miami FL is one really attractive option. These give a classic look that fits in with many styles. Additionally, clay tiles are durable. They can withstand saltwater, which is important if you are in a coastal region, and are designed to last for decades

2. Working Pantry

Many modern home designs leave out enough storage. Adding a working pantry is one great way to counter this and make your house a culinary showpiece. Think way beyond basic dry good storage when designing your pantry. Incorporate features like a sink, work counter, and refrigeration to make the space extra functional.

3. Stone Walkways

Stamped concrete and preformed pavers have taken over the home landscape scene. They are easy for homeowners to install, but often lack the beauty and durability of natural stone. To overcome this, work with a mason to have stone walkways added throughout your landscape. You might even want to splurge on a secluded stone reading nook tucked into a corner.

4. Commercial Appliances

If you really enjoy cooking, consider using commercial appliances in your home. These are designed to last through continuous use and, in many cases, they also perform better, giving you a better end result on your cooking attempts.

5. Professional Landscaping

Instead of settling for a standard rectangular lawn, invest in professional landscape design. Features like ponds, flower beds, and xeriscaping areas can really turn your home into a showpiece for the neighborhood.

A few upgrades can really help your home stand out. Some to consider include specialty roofing, upgraded kitchens, and professionally designed landscapes.…

Having a home in the country provides you with fresh air along with peace and quiet. The only sound you hear are the birds singing and the frogs chirping. Keep in mind that maintaining a rural home can be different from caring for a city house. Here are some tips for maintaining your rural home.

Keep the Septic System Clean

Unlike in the city, you don’t have a sewer line, but rather a septic system that has to be cleaned out from time to time. Otherwise, your house will stink, so have your system and its grease trap cleaned by contacting grease trap cleaning company Texas.

Add a Barn

To keep your property in shape, you’ll need a number of tools you normally wouldn’t use in the city, including a chain saw and a post-hole digger. Adding a barn to your property gives you a place to store those tools. You can also use it to brood chickens, should you so desire.

Buy a Riding Mower

Once you get that barn built, also invest in a riding mower. Rural homes tend to be located on acreages. You’ll find it nearly impossible to mow five acres with a push mower. Invest in a riding lawnmower instead, and you’ll stop dreading those outside chores.

Cut the Grass and Trim the Bushes

When living in the country, it’s crucial to keep the grass and bushes around your home trimmed. Also, be careful not to plant trees too close to the house. Snakes and other nasty creatures love to hide in the tall grass and in scraggly bushes. Snakes are also experts at climbing trees, and while most are harmless, the venomous types also live in the country. Keep everything cut short to discourage them from lurking on your property.

Follow these tips, and your rural home will be a safe, pleasant place to live.…

Pipes are important components of infrastructure. They’re everywhere from your home to office buildings and from industrial centers to beneath a city. It’s critical to repair pipes as soon as possible when they break. Here are three tips for repairing pipes.

1. Repair Work Depends on Pipe Types

Pipes are used for moving all sorts of substances, including water in homes, runoff on the street and industrial materials. Different kinds of pipes are used for different purposes, which means each type of pipe has different repair and maintenance needs. For example, you can call a plumber to come to repair your home’s plumbing, but repairing deflected pipes in an industrial factory will require a specialist familiar with the type of pipe and type of issue involved.

2. You Can Do Some Repairs Yourself

While you should usually wait for a specialist to arrive to do a full repair of your pipe, there are things you can do to mitigate damage or prepare for his or her arrival in the meantime. Clear the area of objects and other materials so there is room to work on the pipe. Check whether it’s safe to stem the flow of the water and, if you can, then work on mopping up the area.

3. Plumbers And Pipefitters Can Both Help

A plumber is a person traditionally called to work on gas, water supply and drainage pipes. A pipefitter works with pipes used for various industrial purposes, such as transporting gases, chemicals and high-pressure substances, as well as pipes involved in electricity and heating. The type of specialist you call depends on your location, the type of pipe involved and the likely issue with the pipe.

When a pipe breaks or you’re concerned a pipe has broken, it’s important to know what to do. You need to know who to call, how soon you need the pipe fixed and what to do before the repair specialist arrives.…

Even if you can’t afford a major remodel, you can make some inexpensive changes to your home that will make a big difference in its comfort and style. Read on to learn about a few of these small upgrades.

New Paint

One of the best ways to upgrade a room, or even your whole house, is to paint. You can start with just one wall if you want, choosing a bright accent color that will make a room come to life. You might also choose to paint a couple of rooms in new shades, and you’ll be surprised at the difference that can make. If you’re even more ambitious, work your way through the entire house. Set your budget, though, and check paint prices ahead of time so that you know how much you can afford.

Kitchen Touches

You could also paint your kitchen cabinets to give that room a whole new feel. Don’t neglect kitchen cabinet knobs St Louis either. These can give your kitchen a style boost even without new paint, and they don’t cost too much. You might also change out your kitchen knickknacks or choose some new curtains or towels to update your look.

Light Fixtures

If your home’s light fixtures are rather dull and tend to blend in rather than stand out, then consider upgrading them. Start in one room, and choose a unique light that can double as a conversation piece. If you like it, you can move on to more rooms and further upgrades.

A Bit of Color

Finally, add some color to your home with artwork, rugs, throws, curtains and even furniture. Don’t overdo it. Just select a few pieces for each room, and combine them in interesting ways. A throw on a chair might contrast nicely with a rug, or a painting can provide a beautiful focal point for a room.

You don’t have to spend much to upgrade your home, so do some research, and get started.…

Water heaters are one of the most important appliances in your home. Not only do they provide you with hot water for washing dishes, taking showers, and doing laundry, but they also help to keep your entire household running smoothly. Maintaining water heaters is about more than just turning them on and off. That’s why it’s important to make sure that your water heater is always up and running at capacity. Follow these tips to help you get the most out of your water heater and ensure that it’s always working at its best.

Service Annually

One of the best ways to make sure your water heater is in good shape is by keeping it properly maintained. This includes water heater company Pleasanton CA service, which should be performed at least once a year.

Check for Leaks

If you notice any water leaking from your water heater, make sure to take action right away to stop the leak. A small leak can turn into a big one very quickly, so it’s important to address the issue as soon as you notice it.

Check Water Pressure

You should also check the water pressure coming out of the water supply line to make sure it’s not too high or too low. If it is, you may need to install a tankless water heater. It’s important to make sure the water pressure is just right when you install a tankless water heater. If it’s too high or too low, it could damage the heater.

Clean with Vinegar

Another way to keep your water heater in good condition is by periodically cleaning it with vinegar. This will help to get rid of any bacteria that may have built up over time. Just be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to do this.

Following these simple tips will help keep your water heater functioning properly and ensure that you always have hot water when you need it.…