From the Floors Up

Outdoor Weekend Projects

By

As summer is coming to an end, it can be a great time to capitalize on the beautiful weather by completing some outdoor projects. The outside of your home is the first impression your home has to offer. Take some time this weekend to give your home an external renovation with these five easy weekend projects you can do to transform your curb appeal:
 
1. Paint Your Front Door
Painting your front door is a quick project that should not take more than a couple of hours. This is not only a quick and reasonable project, but it can really make your house stand out on your street. You can do a subtle color or be brave with a vibrant, colorful hue! Painting your front door is a great way to own your house and personalize it to your taste this summer.

2. Plant Flowers
Planting flowers is a great way to show that you care about your lawn. Flowers can be hung from baskets on your home’s porch or planted in a garden. You can even add herbs to your garden for further use in your kitchen. Planters are another great option you can add to your home’s exterior. This project should not take you longer than your weekend and can make quite the impression on your curb appeal.

3. Stain Your Patio Furniture
If you have patio furniture and have not stained it yet this year, try making it a project this weekend. Patio furniture can quickly become weathered and in need of staining. Sand your patio furniture thoroughly before staining to ensure that it will stay. Staining will do wonders on how different your furniture will look after being stained.

4. Mulch, Gravel, & Woodchips
Mulching your flower beds and around your trees can present a clean, well-kept look. You can even get woodchips or gravel as well as an alternative depending on your local environment. Adding these to your yard can really make your landscape more aesthetically pleasing.

5. Build a Firepit
Building a firepit is a quick and easy project that can also be used for entertainment. Adding a stone firepit to your yard can be a fun project with a reward at the end. Firepits are great for having over friends and enjoying the evening weather. 
 
All these projects can be done in a single weekend. They are quick and easy, yet the reward is very satisfying. Keep in mind your landscape this summer and try out some of these fun projects to amplify your curb appeal.

Tips & Tricks for a Small Backyard

By

Want the backyard of your dreams, but lack the space? For families that living in small spaces, it can be a challenge to enjoy a tiny outdoor space. So how can you stretch a little square footage into a space that rivals the magazines? We are going to show you inexpensive ways to maximize limited outdoor space. Let’s take a look! 
 
1. Take Advantage of the View. 
When arranging your outdoor furniture, you need to capture the widest point of view; therefore, you will need to avoid positioning your furnishing against the house, especially if plants, a fence, or other elements are obscuring the view. Find out what areas in the yard allow for a clear view of the length of your backyard.
 
2. Limit Your Planting.
Since you want to fully enjoy your backyard retreat, you do not want to place too much emphasis on plant life. Sometimes a garden can take up too much space in your backyard. Opt for a few low-maintenance potted or container plants that are a few inches tall. They can be easily moved so that they do not obscure the view, but still, fulfill your need for the wildlife.
 
3. Small Scale Furniture.
When shopping for outdoor furniture, you should lean more towards smaller-scaled furniture for a small backyard. Pick out pieces that feature thin frames and petite seating areas. For example, round bistro-style tables and chairs are perfect for a tiny backyard. Invest in furniture that is multifunctional. Tables that serve as seating options and ottoman style tables that allow you to store items can be a perfect choice! 
 
4. Furnishing Needs.
You will need to consider your furnishing needs before making the final decision. Elaborate outdoor furniture may look stylish but is it ideal for your lifestyle? If you do not plan on entertaining guests, you may be best suited with modest, simple type of furnishing.
 
5. Simple Color Palette.
Keep it simple when coordinating colors for your outdoor living space. Implementing too many different types of accents, colors and plants will make the space look chaotic and disorganized. Choose a couple of your favorite colors, make sure that they harmonize with one another and add in accessories that embrace the palette.
 
Check back weekly for more design tips and tricks! Thanks for reading. 

Budget-Friendly Curb Appeal Updates

By

Are you looking for budget-friendly and quick updates that make for amazing curb appeal? Then you came to the right place! With our top six tips, you can have your neighborhood’s best-looking home in no time. Let’s take a look! 

Budget-Friendly Curb Appeal Updates:

1. Fresh Coat of Paint.

Oh, the vast wonders that a can of paint can do. Not only is paint valuable on the inside of your home but it can immensely impact your outdoor area and ultimately, increase your curb appeal. For easy and budget-friendly updates, we recommend repainting items like your front door and window shutters, especially if they are in good condition. A simple coat of paint can bring your home back to life. It will help spruce up any unsightly marks and renews the appearance of your home’s exterior. 

2. Updated Hardware. 

The next step would be to replace outdated hardware like your door handles and house numbers. You will want to replace your door handles once you repaint your door to ensure no paint drips onto your new hardware. Also, it is important to replace house numbers because it is the first thing that guest will see when they come to your home. If you think about it, when you go to a location for the first time, you are essentially looking for their house numbers and in essence, directly at them. That is why you will want to replace rusted or worn-down house numbers with a more trendy set. 

3. New Mailbox. 

Another simple tip is to replace your current mailbox. An outdated mailbox can bring down your curb appeal without you even realizing it. Luckily, replacing your mailbox can be inexpensive and a quick fix.

4. Plant Flowers & Trees.

There is nothing better than a little nature for a gorgeous, colorful addition to your home’s exteriors. Try to incorporate some plants throughout your front yard for a little bit of greenery and beauty. 

5. Upgrade Exterior Lights.

Not only can exterior lights help with safety and security but they can also help your home look better during the nighttime. Plus, you may find it helpful to add a couple of lights surrounding your walkway to help you get to and from your home during the night.

6. Maintenance & Upkeep. 

Maintenance is an essential part to curb appeal. Without proper upkeep, your yard could become messy and undesirable. Be sure to mow your lawn, rake away leaves, and sweep away debris from your sidewalk to keep your home’s exterior in tip-top shape. 

We hope you enjoyed these tips and tricks and that your home becomes your neighborhood’s shining star. Be sure to check back weekly for more design and decorating advice. 

Get Your Patio Updated!

By

Summer is already here! While you may have been procrastinating getting the patio squared away so far, it’s now time to shift your focus to this great entertainment space. Summer is a time to gather outside with friends and family, share a meal and enjoy the sunshine. While the cooler months may keep you indoors, summertime helps spread your home’s square-footage out a little more so you and guests have more room to relax.  Here are some tips to get this vital space ready to receive guests so all you have to worry about is how much fun you’ll be having.

 

Organization is your first task. Wayward items have a tendency of finding themselves in odd spaces when life becomes busy and the first place they end up is in rooms that are not seeing as much use. It gives the homeowner time to get things out of their way without putting it away. Now it’s time to clean that mess up. Place items in their proper storage units and survey the things that do belong in the room. Is there anything that can be thrown away from overuse or damage from previous seasons? Now is the time to remove it.

 

Next, set any damaged but salvageable pieces aside so you can repair them.  Place them in an area where they are out of the way but will not be forgotten. Make a list of items needed to fix them and go out as soon as you can to get them. Capitalizing on your momentum is what will see you through this project from beginning to end. Once you’ve got everything in working order, it’s time to clean the area.

 

Wipe down plastic surfaces, clean or update your seat cushions and throw pillows and place some fresh potted plants throughout the space. Be sure to wipe down tables and chairs so guests won’t stain their hands when touching patio surfaces. If you have an outdoor rug, give it a good vacuum. For outdoor grilling areas, be sure to wipe down food preparation areas and clean grilling utensils as well as your grill rack. 

 

Now get out there and enjoy the rest your summer!

Inexpensive Porch Makeover

By

Porches are a long-time American favorite for homeowners who just love being outdoors. From reading a good book to conversations with friends, porches have a special place in all of our hearts. If you want to spruce up your porch for summer, we have five budget-friendly suggestions that will not break your bank. 

 

Five Suggestions for an Inexpensive Porch Makeover:

  1. A reason to keep your head up: Porches are perfect for enjoying the warm summer months without having to be exposed to harsh sun rays. We are able to enjoy the beautiful weather because of the porch’s roof. You can paint the ceiling of the roof with a fun color to add uniqueness to the outdoor space. Guests’ eyes will be drawn to colorful statement piece and it can add brightness on gloomy days.
  2. Let’s hang around: Hanging plants are gorgeous and can bring serenity into the outdoor space. Try incorporating some hanging plants in a cluster, all with different lengths and styles. The hanging plants can add greenery and beauty quickly to your space without costing a lot of money. 
  3. Mood swings: We mean the good kind of mood swing, of course. Adding a swing can easily turn a bad day into a great day. Swings are proven to help create relaxation just with a few simple pushes. If you are looking to save money, look for older, used swings from thrift stores and just apply a few coats of new paint. 
  4. Favorable finishes: If you have porch furniture, add some pillows and throw blankets on top of the couches and chairs. They will help give the outdoor space a more cozy and lived-in look. Add some outdoor candles to bring warmth to your outdoor escape.
  5. Timeless touch-ups: House numbers, the front door, and the porch’s exterior paint can be touched up to improve the appearance and quality of your porch. A new front door may be the most expensive suggestion, but take the time to save money for this investment. Buy some new house numbers that tie in well with your outdoor space and apply paint touch-ups wherever needed on the porch’s exterior. 

 

We hope you take advantage of these simple suggestions and enjoy a relaxing, peaceful summer on your porch. 


From the Floors Up

From the Floors Up blog was created with the goal of providing a destination for consumers, designers and those interested in the flooring, design, and kitchen and bath industries. Here you’ll find, current, accurate and informative information that is always just a click away!

Recent Comments

Subscribe

Enter your email address to receive new post notifications via email.